SSS Awakening: Rebirth of the Strongest Vampire God-Chapter 114: You are a bastard

Damon remained silent for a long time. He took a sip of the tea, and shockingly, it had a calming effect on him, as if he had consumed from within the game. Damon smiled. "What a nice tea..."

"I am happy that you are able to appreciate it." The old man winked.

Mmm. Damon hummed. He took his time to savor the drink and then placed the cup down. "Just like this tea, your offer is also too good." He chuckled a little. "Unlimited resources, knowledge, power, safety, you are giving me everything I need."

"Yes." The old man narrowed his eyes. "The full resources of my family will be at your disposal. You can also marry one of my descendants, anyone of your choice, and become an official part of our family."

Damon nodded with an impressed expression on your face. "That is an unnecessary but interesting bonus. Even your granddaughter?" He raised a brow when the cold beauty’s face instantly changed.

Sylvara’s gaze turned frosty, her fists clenched, and the temperature in the room visibly dropped.

Artimius, however, did not look offended. He only laughed as if he were thoroughly amused. "It is interesting that you would say that. Why not?" The old man laughed some more. "If both of you are willing, then you have my blessings."

"Grandfather!" Sylvara couldn’t stay silent anymore and glared at Artimius.

"Relax. I am just joking." Damon casually spoke. "Just like how you both are. Me joining your guild... heh."

Sylvara didn’t look amused. Her icy stare locked onto Damon like a blade half-drawn from its sheath, daring him to joke again. "You really think this is funny?" she asked, her voice so cold it could freeze fire. "Do you not know what we are discussing here?"

Damon, however, leaned back slightly, utterly unbothered. "I think it’s your grandfather who doesn’t know what he is asking of me... how about we stop wasting time and talk about what you really want from me?"

Sylvara looked even more outraged. "Damon! Do you even understand what our family has offered you? How can you-"

"That’s enough." Artimius cut her short. "It’s fine. I didn’t think you would take this deal. But this old man had to try anyways. No hard feelings." The old guy unexpectedly just laughed.

Damon looked indifferent, but inside he was sweating profusely. The old man was as conniving as a fox. He needed to be extremely careful when dealing with him. Just now, he had proposed an outrageous deal as tempting as hell, but he just as easily accepted the rejection.

What did he really want?

"Let’s not beat around the bush anymore. You do not have to join my guild, but how about becoming my ally? From time to time, you would be helping us with some missions, and in return, you will be paid fairly for your contribution. All I ask is that you do not raise your sword against my family without a just reason." Artimius leaned forward, and this time it was clear that he was not joking.

Damon paused again, becoming silent for a while, but he eventually nodded. This was something he could work with. There was no point in making the entire world your enemy. It shouldn’t hurt to have a few allies.

"I don’t work for free," Damon added coolly. "And I don’t take orders."

"You won’t have to," Artimius smiled. "We’ll call it... collaboration. Project-based cooperation. You do the job. You get paid. And should anything more evolve from this, we’ll revisit the terms."

Damon gave a small nod. "Then it’s a deal. For now."

"Excellent." Artimius rose from his seat, hands clasped behind his back as he paced toward the door. "Your first mission opportunity," the old man said, "can wait until you’ve had time to settle. Rest, recover, and greet your family."

Damon almost jumped out of his seat. "My family?" ƒreewebηoveℓ.com

Artimius laughed. "Of course. Your entire family is here. You might want to talk to them. Your brother in particular is paranoid about getting kidnapped by aliens."

Damon blinked. "Wait. What?"

Artimius just kept chuckling as he walked toward the inner corridor, his laughter echoing faintly against the obsidian-and-ice walls. Sylvara, now clearly trying to maintain her composure, rolled her eyes and followed, though her expression remained somewhere between offended and annoyed.

Damon remained frozen in place. Ah shit! His entire family was here? Not just his mother, but his brother too? His sister-in-law? This was not going to go well.

He exhaled slowly, tension crawling down his spine like cold water. "Of course he’s paranoid," Damon muttered to himself. "I’d be worried too if I suddenly woke up in a frozen death dome."

The thought of seeing them again and explaining everything to them made his head hurt. Right on cue, Mark entered the room. "Damon, everything good?"

Damon’s face instantly brightened. "Bro, you are a lifesaver!" Yup. This could work. After all, his parents had always liked Mark more than him, something about being more responsible and reliable.

"Hey dude, I saved your sister. Got into a whole bunch of trouble for your mother. You know the whole shebang. I want to collect for all of those good deeds."

Mark blinked. What was he talking about? "Ughh. Of course. Anything you want me to do. You know I am ready to give my life-"

Damon interrupted. "Keep your life, dude. How about you come with me to meet my family? You are going to explain some things to them. For now, let’s not tell them we are vampires. Or that we might be hunted by various world governments. Otherwise, I give you full creative license. Please feel free to tell whatever story you want."

Mark’s face twitched. You’re seriously pushing this onto me?"

"Yup." Damon grinned, absolutely shameless. "Remember. I saved your sister and mother and all that."

Mark groaned."Ah, you are such a bastard."

"That I am. Alright. Get going. I am going to take a stroll and maybe join you later when everyone has had time to calm down. Good luck, bro!"