39 The Schemer

[Myla]

I can't help but laugh nervously since I managed to escape the President just by luck. The moment she struck me, I used [Bloody Guard] to raise my defense. I then pretend to be in pain as I got blown away.

It's kind of scary that she intends to kill me.

When she was brought on her knees and cried for my sake, I then quickly used [Presence Conceal] to sneak away from her. Though I left my Night Robe to give an illusion my body was still there.

If she was still in battle mode, she would have detected me. Luckily, she was feeling down.

Regardless, am I a horrible human being for being in relief that someone is sad for me? Am I turning into a psychopath?

To be honest, I don't want to go on that path. I still want to be a good vampire and if possible help people. But to protect the people I care about, I want to be ruthless.

At least, Shira isn't following me anymore. It's only a matter of time until she realizes I only placed some rocks below the night robe.

Regardless, I then hurriedly rush towards the village where Sena and the others are supposed to be.

However, I begin to crawl since the arrow stuck on my side has dealt more damage than I thought. My HP recovery can't keep up and it is slowly going down.

I stop and even barf more blood pooling the ground.

Looks like I have seen too much blood today. Even more than during those months.

I then limp towards the forest where the village would be found. With the map Simon showed me, I know where to go.

As I get close, I can see the village. I then stop and lean on a trunk. It astonishes me. Heavy damage is dealt with in the village. It looks like the battle is also over. There are no signs of the bandits right now. Only the corpses from the villagers and maybe are left scattered on the ground.

I then use my [Omni-Present Eyes] to locate Sena and her team from my position.

Please be okay.

A hopeless gasp escapes my mouth after I witnessed something.

Mike is crying heavily as he holds a lifeless person in his arms.

Simons stands as he does his best to hold his tears. He cries silently.

It seems the one they are mourning is Sena.

Seeing Sena, she doesn't have any heartbeat or even a pulse. Looks like her blood has turned cold too.

I then grit my teeth. "Sena!"

I can still feel the warmth the moment she hugged me back then.

"Sena..." I said as my voice trails off.

For the first time, you were the only friend who accepts the real me.

If only I were here a little earlier!

Damn it!

I punch the ground with the only arm I have left causing it to break. Regardless, the pain in my chest overtook the pain I experienced in my body.

I cry as hard as I can like a child. If someone were to see me now I would look horrible.

With one glance, it's obvious it's too late to save Sena.

What should I do?

If at least, I can show myself and comfort these guys.

I hear the bushes rustle behind me. I then raise a defensive stance. "Who is there!"

Looks like I didn't sense the presence of this one since I got too emotional. However, I'm in an extremely bad mood right now, and I won't hesitate to kill.

A classmate appears, however, noticing it is Julius I let my guard down.

"Julius, how did you find me here?"

Staring at Julius, he still keeps his cool and seems he has no intentions to fight.

"You are losing too much blood. Hold still."

He then aims his arm at me which causes me to be on alert. However, I sense no mal intention. He uses [Holy Healing] which showers a pale glow throughout my body.

The energy arrow stuck in my body along with the wounds instantly healed. I feel lighter and better now.

Then does that mean he is here to help me?

"Looks like you got yourself in a big mess Myla."

Sensing the surroundings, he seems alone. "Where is the class president?"

"She thinks you are dead. I made an artificial corpse with my skill that looks like yours. That's why you should not show yourself to Simon and Mike. If they know you are alive it would raise suspicions on my side." Julius then raises his glass on his nose bridge. "Wouldn't you say?"

"As expected of our class topper. You think these things through."

I understand the implications that if I were to show myself, Julius might get arrested and interrogated for covering for me.

Regardless, I then bow. "Julius. No matter what, I can't thank you enough."

Julius chuckles as his shoulder shudders. "This is the least I can do. We are classmates aren't we?"

At first, I hated him for standing up to his concerning decisions with confidence. Right now, I owe him.

Julius continues. "Besides, I think I don't deserve your thanks. I came too late in the village and saw Sena already in that state. She was a brave girl. She protected the villager's children against the bandits until her last breath. So forgive me for that Myla."

I shake my head. "You did enough. Besides, you saved Simon and Mike."

Julius sighs. "But they will be more depressed to find you dead. I don't think they will be able to handle it. I mean they already lost Sena. But I can assure you, I'll help them once this is over."

I then take a deep breath. My eyes turn fierce. "By the way, where are the rest of the bandits."

"They escaped to the northwest which I assume is in the Barren Plains. Although don't get any weird ideas. Their leader, Clargos, the Shark is a tough opponent. He is above level 100. Even I don't stand a chance against him."

"Don't worry, I don't plan to fight them with my current level. I'll pay them back later. Though, I don't know where to go from now on."

Julius tosses something on my path. I quickly catch it. Opening it, it seems to be a poorly drawn map. "Go west. You might find some potential allies."

I then hold my laugh as much as I can seeing his drawing. "Ffff, what the hell is this? A child's scribbles. Geez Julius, you never change."

Julius feels annoyed. "Well, sorry about that." He says in an upset tone.

"Potential allies, huh? How much can I trust this information?"

"It's a piece of confidential information I got from the Templar Knight's commanders. I heard that there are sightings of demons and vampires there. But I warn you, before making any contact make sure to observe first."

I then crumple the paper and hide them in my pockets. "Julius, to be honest, I don't know how much I can thank you."

Julius smiles sternly. "Well then, let's just say that you and I are even. I don't have any debt from you from the time you made great cash to our class during the school festival."

I shake my head. "No, this is too much. I promise I'll repay you someday."

"Then just don't die. You might see something unexpected one day."

"What do you mean?" His words bother me as though he knows something that I don't.

"I think I have to get back before they suspect me." Julius then spins and walks away into the shadows. Just like that his presence disappears.

"Wait!"

It's no use. I think he is gone. For now, I'll have to try to go due west.

***

[Julius]

Many days pass...

My classmates fall sullen as they solemnly hold the burial somewhere close to the fort of Thermiz.

They didn't notice that the body is fake, which surprisingly is luck playing on my side. If they have it investigated by the alchemists or mage scholars, I would have been found out.

Regardless, it is a sad day that even the heavens cry, rain falls steadily. The sky is as dark as ever, it has been days now.

My classmates even forgot their purpose here is to level up and show the King their capabilities. Some of them even picked fights with the Knights since some Knights are pressuring them to continue regardless of their feelings.

Most of my classmates are crying since we are holding Myla's and Sena's burial. Even the class president who stands strong is silently in tears.

Geez, what are they crying for? They should know, it's our fault in the first place. We pushed Myla to the edge and neglected Sena and her team.

Also, not everyone is present such as Lara and her friends.

Looks like they are cold as ever.

But I'm the one to talk, I'm just standing calmly behind my classmates, without showing a shred of emotions.

Simon comes behind me. His nose is red as he is still crying. "Vice president Julius, I know that this is maybe sudden but we have decided to leave the capital."

Just when I promised Myla that I would have you under my care. "I see, but if you come into any problem just call for me for help."

"Thank you for saving us back there. I figured we need to get stronger." Simon then nods before he leaves.

I then happen to hear some of the popular girls talking about me behind my back. "Did you see? Julius didn't even shed a tear at our classmate's burial. He is as cold as ever."

"I think he is a lowkey sociopath."

"Right? Right?"

Hmmph, feeling sad, huh? I find it humorous. Why would I feel sad when I know they are not dead?

Using my [System Database] skill, I can see the status of my classmates and check whether they are dead or alive.

[System Database

...

------

Verni Millas

Status: Alive

System Title: Unknown

Location: Unknown

-------

Sena Ramriel

Status: Unknown

System Title: Nature Tamer

Location: Unknown

...]

That's why Myla, wherever you are, you have to be alive until you meet them.

My glasses glints as I smirk.

And I hope everything will go accordingly to plan.