SSS Awakening: Rebirth of the Strongest Vampire God-Chapter 88: Unexpected Twist

While Damon was going through the notifications, Blood Reign quickly called out in his mind. "Blood God! Now! Act like you are weak and wounded. Maybe the elf will offer you some blood."

"What an evil weapon spirit. Always plotting and scheming. Always giving me underhanded methods and unscrupulous ideas." Damon shot back but he nevertheless feigned weakness and acted as if he was struggling to breathe.

"So shameless!" Blood Reign pouted in his mind.

Damon ignored her and continued putting on an act. He was almost certain it was not going to work but the next second, Lirae rushed to his side, tears still falling from her eyes.

She dropped to her knees beside him without hesitation, her trembling hands hovering uncertainly over his chest, then his face, then his arms, like she didn’t know where to start. "Blood Drinker... you’re hurt. You... gods, you shouldn’t have pushed yourself so far! Why did you risk your life for someone like me?"

Her voice cracked with emotion, still raw from nearly being crushed to death moments ago. Her eyes were wide, haunted, and brimming with more than just gratitude. Guilt. Grief. Something deeper.

Damon gave her a weak smile and forced a cough, just enough to add a tremble to his shoulders. "I’ll be fine. You should be the one resting, not fussing over me."

She shook her head violently. "You saved me. You saved all of us." Her fingers brushed lightly against his arm, uncertain but warm. "And I... I have no way to repay you... I have no healing left. I have nothing to ever repay you. I am nothing. I am no one. You should not have risked your life for a nobody like me."

Blood Reign practically vibrated with glee in his mind. "Say it! Say the line! ’There is... one way you can help me.’"

Damon sighed internally. So dramatic. There was no way he was going to do that. That would undo all of his hardwork and bring his reputation with her back to zero. It would be better to just wait for the next chain quest.

"...You’re not going to say it?" Blood Reign whispered, scandalized.

Damon ignored her entirely, tilting his head toward Lirae with a soft, exhausted smile. "You’re wrong," he said quietly. "You are not nothing. You held the line. You stood your ground when everyone else would’ve run."

Lirae shook her head, her silver hair spilling over her shoulder like liquid moonlight. "Only because you were here. Only because you fought."

"And you still stood," Damon replied, voice firm despite the act. "That’s more than most nobles would’ve done. You’re not nobody. You’re Lirae Sylvaris... the only one who didn’t run."

His words hung in the air like a balm, and for the first time, the wild guilt in her eyes gave way to stillness. She stared at him for a moment, searching for something in his gaze. Then, slowly, her expression softened.

"...Thank you," she whispered, the words almost reverent.

Damon nodded and looked away, letting silence speak for him. Blood Reign, of course, couldn’t leave it alone. "Ugh. That was honorable. I feel itchy. You sure you’re the notorious Blood God?"

Lirae eventually stood, gently helping Damon to his feet. The other soldiers were cheering in the distance. "Let me help you rest a little." She brought him over to one of the wooden buildings and closed the door behind them. "Please sit here."

"Okay." Damon expectantly sat. This should be the breadcrumb of the next quest. He was sure of it. He sat on a simple wooden bench that creaked under his weight.

Lirae didn’t speak right away. Instead, she sat down beside him, brushing ash off his shoulder, her touch light, almost reverent. "I don’t know how things work in your world," she said at last, "but I remember those who stood between death and the helpless. Even if they wore black. Even if they bore fangs."

"I’ve never seen anyone fight like that," she murmured. "Not even my sisters... and they were trained by the Spellguard themselves."

Damon tilted his head slightly, listening with patience.

Lirae looked at him again, and for once, there was no distance in her gaze. "You’re not like the stories say. About blood drinkers. About the Dark Faction." She paused. "You saved me... and didn’t ask for anything in return."

"Yet," Blood Reign whispered smugly in his mind.

Damon chuckled faintly. "Maybe I’m just not very good at being bad."

That made her smile. Just a little.

Lirae took a small wooden flask from a side shelf and placed it in front of him. "I don’t have healing potions left," she said quietly, "but... I do have this. It’s moonroot elixir. Not much, but it should help with the fatigue."

He accepted the bottle but didn’t drink. Not yet. He watched her. Studied her.

She hesitated again, then added, "And if there ever is... anything else I can do to help, just say it. You don’t even have to ask."

Damon frowned inwardly. Why was she still not offering it up? Had he not buttered her enough? He slowly took a sip from the bottle, thinking about what to do next, when a wave of warm nourishment swept past his body and mind. It was as if the fog covering his mind was lifted.

[Mental Clarity Buff Applied – +10% Spell Precision, Duration: 30 minutes]

Nice. Unexpected, but nice.

Sitting beside him, Lirae was still watching him quietly. There was something unguarded about her now, something that hadn’t been there earlier when she wore the indifference of a noble cast aside.

Damon immediately knew what to say to her. He set the flask down gently and leaned forward, not too much, just enough for her to meet his eyes. "I think you’re wrong about one thing," he said softly.

She blinked. "About what?"

"You said you’re no one. That you’re nothing." He smiled. "It’s fine if others do not recognize you. It’s okay to feel alone and helpless. As long as you know who you are, that’s all that matters. Time will slowly heal everything."

Lirae lowered her gaze, the silver of her lashes fluttering. She then unexpectedly leaned forward, her face right next to Damon’s. Her warm breath on his face. The next second, her lips touched his cheek.