A.N. Sorry for the wait. My significant other passed from Cancer a while a go and I've just been out out of it. Slowly getting back to doing some of the things I like, been hard though. Appreciate all your loved ones!


'Oh NO. There's no way in HELL I'm gonna start BITING people! Are you out of you mind!?'

Look at the way you're acting, even now. Can you keep that mindset going forward?

'You got to have some sort of workaround for this. Usually in games with vampire mechanics there's easy ways to get around this kind of crap!'

I'm afraid you'll find none here. As a vampire, you'll require roughly half a cup of living, human blood each day

'And if I don't?'

Each day that passes, you will succumb to deeper levels of bloodlust. What you are feeling now is a minuscule hint of that bloodlust. Changing the way you see others around you. Eventually, you will be unable to differentiate friend or foe as you lose all trace of sanity, the curse taking full control of your mind until sated

'So there really isn't going to be an easy way huh?'

Of course there is, I'm sure there's plenty of unsuspecting families in bed at night. Or lowly thieves that no one will miss

'Forget it, I'm not using innocent people like farm animals, and killing humans for petty crimes isn't really my thing either'

Then let yourself get thirsty, and the beast within will do it for you

Kazuma intensely thought of every option, racking his brain until one specific possibility came to mind. Although, thinking of what it entailed, it made him begin to regret this whole thing.

'Wait, it's not like I even had a choice to begin with! You forced this on me!'

That I did

'Ugh, I know EXACTLY what to do, but it's not gonna be fun. Though it might be for HER'

"Hey Darkness."

"Yes Kazuma?"

"So, you know, since I'm a vampire now and all…I have to like…drink blood if I want to survive I guess. I was just wond-"

"Absolutely."

"..."

"Did I say something off?"

'My god man, I'm not even sure if I should be relieved about this or not!'

"Look, I don't think its a good idea to bite you, I don't even know what effect that will have."

The mental image of becoming a willing slave, her mind completely hijacked and forced into submission, her body to be used as stock for blood. It went against so much of what she worshiped, and yet it still heat her up inside as she shifted uncomfortably in her seat.

Though a certain crimson demoness had a lightbulb turn on in her brain.

"Wait, is that what you were staring at me for!?"

"Wha- n-no! No way! Then you'd probably end up stuck in that jailbait body for the rest of eternity!"

"Ja!? Jailbait!? Who are you calling jailbait?" Megumin demanded as she grabbed Kazuma's collar and jerked him around.

For your information, no. Your bite and its effects are completely reliant on your will. No secondary effect occurs without your desire

'Really? Well that's good to know. I still don't plan on-'

"Will you let go of me already!? Let me eat my damn linner in peace!"

'...I still don't plan on actually doing the whole bite and suck routine, thaaat would be a bit too weird for me, knowing how Darkness would react. She'd probably get off while I'm doing it!'

He couldn't help but think of her moaning in his ear the whole time, and while it had its appeal, he wasn't totally into the sadism masochism thing.

'But enough about that, what CAN I do with my bite?'

Simple, any victim to your fangs can be turned into one of three things.

Firstly, a ghoul. A hideous, but deathly loyal undead servant, bestowed a paltry amount of vampiric power.

Secondly, a Thrall. A relatively unchanged human that is still very much alive, their minds however, have been completely overridden to view you as nothing less than their absolute master.

Thirdly, another vampire. I don't have to explain this one.

'I don't really like ANY of those. Although turning someone into a thrall sounds tempting…'

"So this is how we're gonna do it."


"What? You can't be serious. There's no way Darkness would-"

"I accept!"

"Well that's that I guess." Kazuma wasn't even surprised, though he definitely knew Darkness more than Megumin, that's for sure.

"Hgh!" Megumin cringed just slightly.

"Don't worry Megumin, with Aqua around I'll be just fine. And I uh, I don't mind doing something like this because Kazuma needs it to survive right?"

"Hmph, of course I can heal something like that. I just think Kazuma shouldn't have to trouble you like this."

Even though this technically was necessary for him, the anticipation was starting to get to him. Maybe this was a bit too much.

Within Kazuma's room at the inn, the whole party stood around in watch as Darkness shyly removed all her armor.

"Ok, I am ready."

"Alright, I'm not sure how much this is gonna hurt, so uh, just try not to make any noise okay?"

He could see a manic look beginning to grow in her eyes as her breathing hardened and her hands shook at her sides.

'Gently now'

Raising his right arm, it began to glow a crimson red. With a clasp of the fist, a sharp tendril lashed out, stabbing deep into what he hoped wasn't a vital spot.

Darkness immediately fell onto her knees as her lower abdomen completely washed over with pain. She used one hand to prop herself up as the other held her mouth closed. She's taken hits in combat before, but this was on another level.

"Kazuma, I think that's enough. What if you drain her dry?"

He acknowledged Megumin's worries, but to make sure that this wasn't a common necessity, he had two canteens set aside to fill. Enough to last him two weeks. But still, that was nearly half of the blood in her body.

As he directed the last needed drops into his containers like a flow of water, he retracted his tendril, and Darkness dropped completely.

"Cold…feel…cold"

"Heal her already Aqua! She's going into shock!"

Shaking off the rather disgusting display she had just seen, she got right to work, getting both the color and warmth back into the body of their favorite local crusader in no time flat.

'You know, Aqua would be a huge deal on earth. Just sucks that literally any competent priest can do this same thing'

"Darkness, are you ok?"

"That…was…"

Kazuma saw the face she was making and didn't need the answer.

"Well, I got enough to last me a while, so this isn't gonna be something we do all the time."

"I see. Well, if you ever need more beforehand Kazuma, I wouldn't mind if we do this again."

'Oh this is fucked up!'


"You sure you can purify an entire lake?"

"Of course I can, who do you think you're talking to?"

"A party clown?"

"No you stupid neet! Just my skin alone can purify any water I come across! Hmph!"

'Still, if these crocodiles attack, I won't be able to help much. Just getting near Aqua's purified water would probably end up burning me! My best bet would be to wait until they leave the lake, then take them out'

"Wait, I think I got an idea!"

While a bit unnecessary, hours later, Kazuma couldn't wipe the shit eating grin he had. This was one of his better plans. Aqua currently sat in some steel cage, tied to a rope that went from the lake to a spot where she could be pulled in if need be.

"Kazuma, don't you think it would be better to just buy a cloak that comes with a hood? Bringing around an umbrella takes up a free hand." Asked the young crimson demoness.

"I'm still working on the designs for my next outfit, so until then, it's lugging this thing around."

'It feels kinda stupid but I mean, it's not like I have a choice'

"Kazumaaa! Is it really gonna be safe for me out here?" Aqua yelled from within the lake.

"Of course! That cage should protect you just fine!"

Aqua crossed her arms and remained on her butt within the dinky lake water. While she was the one to suggest it, she couldn't help but feel that this was going to be a long couple hours.

"Hey Kazuma."

"Yeah Megumin?"

"How does it taste? Ya know…blood?"

"Probably a lot different for me than it does for you."

'Growing up, getting small cuts wasn't too uncommon. It's only natural that you'd use your mouth to clean it sometimes. I remember the taste alright, and I do NOT remember it tasting like fine wine! I have to admit, keeping myself from only drinking what I need is a bit harder than I care to admit!'

You just did it, you're narrating. Why are you narrating?

'Shut up about that!'

"Aww that doesn't answer my question!"

"Well you don't even know what wine taste like, so it's not like you'd get it."

"It taste like wine!? Woah, I'm sure that's…really good huh?"

"You've never tasted wine in your life."

"How would you know!?"

"Uhhh!? Guys! I think something is coming towards me!"

"Hm?" As expected, Aqua's passive purification of the putrid lake seemed to attract some less than thrilled guest.

'Woah! Those are the gators of this world? They're huge!'

He watched with amusement as they closed in the cage, splashing around violently as they gnawed on the bars and used all their weight in an attempt to break it. All the while, the priest within began to take a far more proactive role, mostly in fear of her life.

"You know Kazuma, you could probably save her can't you?"

"Me? But what if some of that holy water touches my skin? She'll be just fine, trust me."

Megumin stared at him annoyingly, his tone of voice making it painfully obvious he was just being lazy about the whole situation.

"Oh my, what a scary situation! But…but why can't it be me in there!?"

"Because you don't know purification you maniac."

An hour or two of yelling, screaming and crying went by, leading to a beautiful, gator free lake. As the water became cleaner, the massive reptilians eventually stopped their attack and climbed onto land in search of another water hole to inhabit. Becoming perfect prey to Kazuma, who turned them into shish kebabs with a few blood tendrils.

'Was this really worth it? I hardly feel any stronger'

You only add a small portion of the dead's power to your own. It's only through sheer volume of kills that you will see a noticeable improvement. That is why you must never rest

Kazuma mentally groaned.

'I've played games with long grinds before, but this is starting to feel like an unbalanced mmo!'

His attention was ripped from further complaints when he noticed the unmoving Aqua in the middle of her cage. She was no longer making any loud or annoying noises. Just a quiet sobbing and soft whimpers. Occasionally mumbling to herself.

"Hey, hey Aqua. You gonna be alright?"

She continued to mumble to herself, going on about the scary world outside and the fact that she was 'imprisoned' by the vampire king.

Kazuma and the others shared a saddened look. What was originally an amusing joke to him turned out to be something possibly truly traumatic for the goddess.

"Let's go home, maybe after we turn in the quest, we can treat her to something nice."


The way back was oddly silent, all three couldn't help but feel at least a bit guilty over the dead look in Aqua's eyes. However there's a limit for everything, especially with-

"Can you cut out that singing!? I get it, you had a bad day now can you stay silent? You're making everyone look at us like we're kidnaping you or something."

"Bad day…bad day…scary day…"

"This isn't exactly the healthiest way to go about it." Megumin added.

"Locking herself up like that…reminds me of uh. A friend of mine. Yeah."

Kazuma's hairs stood up just a bit as he felt something very strong get close without warning.

"M'lady! Why are you locked in there!? I'll save you, don't you worry!"

Without giving the party any time to explain the situation, the mystery adventurer grabbed and bent open the steel bars around Aqua.

'Woah, not even the crocodiles could break that cage. But what a jerk! We paid for that!'

When he attempted to reach inside, Kazuma grabbed at his arm and put some force to make the knight take a step back.

"Look I don't know who you are but you just damaged some equipment we paid for, I'll be taking my restitution now please."

"Why should I pay anything towards you? Trapping the goddess Aqua in such an undignified manner!"

'Crap, he must be another guy from earth. Which means…that sword.'

That is Gram, the legendary cursed blade of the gods. You probably would not survive too many hits from it

"Huh? Goddess? Oh…that's right! I am a goddess!"

"Pffww what!? How'd you forget that? That's like the one thing you brag about more than anything else!"

Aqua clumsily climbed out of the cracked container she was crawling around in. Though when she got a good look at the somewhat good looking knight, she drew a blank.

"Who uh, who are you again?"

"M'lady! It's me! Mitsurugi! You're the one who gave me my sword and sent me on the mission to defeat the Devil King!"

'Could he have been the one to do it?'

With a blade like that, it's possible. I heard legends of that blade cutting down dragons like gnats

"Oooooh yeah! That guy! Sorry I just deal with soooo many of you it's hard not to forget you guys sometimes!"

"...uh yeah, sure. Well it's been a long time so I don't blame you. I was fighting hard to save this world before the Devil King was slain and the new regime sprouted up."

'New regime eh?'

"M'lady, if you don't mind me asking, why were you in a cage in the first place?"

Aqua took the time to explain everything that had happened up to this point, Mitsurugi gave harsh glares towards Kazuma every now and then, like when he learned that he forced Aqua to come with him, or that they slept in stables for a long while, or dumping her in a lake.

"Why, you fiend! How could you!?"

He grabbed at Kazuma's collar and tried to shove him back. The ruby eyed boy decided to be patient for a grand total of 2 seconds before breaking the hold with ease, forcing Mitsurugi to glare down at him some more in challenge.

"H-hey guys! There's no need to fight! Besides I'm not upset about him dragging me with him anymore, we've actually been having some fun and we're living better now!"

"Oh please m'lady, It's obvious this vampiric freak is controlling you somehow. I won't let this thing have its way anymore."

Darkness and Megumin were instantly put into a state of aggro by the way this stranger began to talk about their party leader.

"How dare you talk about Kazuma that way! Is there no end to your rudeness?"

"I want to blow this guy up. I'm going to blow him up."

"Tch, an archwizard and a crusader. You have such a nice party, and charming looking too if I might add. But if you honestly believe I'd accept a crusader working with a demon like you of her own volition, you must think I'm stupid."

"Buddy that's not the reason I think you're stupid, believe me."

"What did you say?"

'Oh brother, guy's like this are the worst! They can't take a hint!'

"Look, my party isn't interested in leaving me, so how about we just leave it at that? Later."

As they attempted to move on, Mitsurugi blacked their path once more.

"Hold on! You're not getting away that easily vampire."

'God does he have to say it that loud? After defeating Verdia the guild decided to support my whole 'transition' and spread word that I was to be trusted. But it's not like the average townsfolk ISN'T scared half to death of me as is!'

"You're in my way."

"I'm sorry, but I can't leave such fine girls, especially Aqua, in the care of an undead."

"Dude, I'm from Japan you idiot, you know that!"

"What you were before and what you are now is as different as day from night. So how about we settle this some other way?"

"Oh trust me, you don't wanna go down that route."

'Easy for me to say, if I have to face off against Gram, I'm not sure I can win so easily'

"Let's fight for her. If you win…I'll give you my sword. If I win, you relinquish your control over the girls."

'I'M NOT CONTROLLING THEM!"

Kazuma sighed and put on a pensive face, giving the illusion of thinking over the deal, when in reality…

"Alrightyou'reonletsgo!"

"W-wait a second!"

Kazuma rushed forth as Mitsurugi struggled and fumbled with the blade on his waist, unable to unsheathe it in time as a pair of bloody tendrils grabbed hold of his wrist and restrained them. The last thing he remembered was Kazuma placing a careful palm over his face before a wave of exhaustion and sleepiness hit him.

His body made a thud on the dirt ground, followed by his sword as the tendrils retracted.

"Told you."

Kazuma picked up and looked over the gleaming blade known as Gram.

This is a dangerous weapon indeed, you should seal it away

'Are all divine gifts this powerful? The magic I can feel from it is insane!'

Before I knew the truth from your memories, I had always found it strange that certain heroes would hold artifacts of such power. With the knowledge I now know, it feels as if idiots were giving weapons of mass destruction to children

"You…demon!"

"Demon! Vampire!"

Bystanders on the street began to file into their homes. After the defeat of a powerful demon outside the gates, the guild had passed around word that their savior was a 'benevolent' Vampire. This was met with strong reactions, many, such as those from the guild, those who knew Kazuma beforehand, and especially those who witnessed his saving of the town, all supported and attempted to garner more support. Others didn't seem to care either way, as there was already another undead living peacefully among them, however to some extremist, it was an outrage.

"Let me guess, you're his groupies."

"We're members of his party! You cowardly, undead freak!"

Megumin noticed the slightest of changes in Kazuma's face after once again being called such a thing, and argued with herself on whether to step in or not.

"Fine, that's all you see from me is that it? Well then, a vampire like me sees no difference in dudes or chicks. Your blood is all the same for me in the end if you're asking for it!"

"H-huuuh!?"

"Those necks of yours look pretty tender I gotta tell ya."

"Wha- no!"

"HehehHEHEHE!"

The two girls quickly fled as they screamed for their lives.

"Y-you know Kazuma, if you ever have a desire to bite someone's neck-"

"Down girl. I was just messing with them."


"That jerk, next time I see him I'm breaking his nose!"

"Aqua calm down, we're rich as is. 200,000 Eris isn't a big difference in the end."

"But we still got to save up money if we're going to buy an actual permanent residence for ourselves! And I am not settling for just any upper scale house. I want the nicest place this city has!"

'This coming from the girl who wanted to spend all the money we earned on the first day'

"Kazuma Satou!" called out an angry voice.

'Oh the good times just keep on coming don't they?'