Read Novel Full Chapter 218: Resolve
Chapter 218: Resolve
Seamus saw the determination in Maria’s eyes and knew he could no longer stop her. She wanted to change. She wanted to be useful. More than anything, he did not want her to be hurt again.
Strangely, their goals were different, but the path toward them had become almost the same.
Maria needed to evolve.
"Fine," he said at last.
He tilted his head and guided her closer to his neck. "Go ahead. Drink as much as you need. Your evolution will be faster, but it’s different for every vampire."
"So it’s not a perfect shortcut," Maria said quietly.
"Exactly."
She did not bite him immediately. Maria hesitated, then spoke again.
"Thank you. For everything, Seamus," she said softly. "I’m sorry. This might hurt."
He let out a short chuckle. "What are you talking about? I’ve been hurt plenty of times. This feels like being bitten by a tick."
Maria nodded. She leaned closer, bared her fangs, and bit into his neck.
Warm blood flowed into her mouth. It tasted nothing like what she was used to. It was not metallic or bitter. It was sweet, almost like nectar, and carried a warmth that felt unmistakably like Seamus himself.
For the first time, Maria accepted what she was.
"I can’t believe I’m saying this," she said after pulling back slightly. "But you were right."
She took a steady breath. "Your decision to turn me into a vampire was right, Seamus."
His eyes widened. For a moment, he thought he was imagining it. Hearing those words felt unreal, like something he did not deserve.
"I always wanted to be useful," Maria continued. Her head lowered as memories surfaced.
"I searched for my place in this world, but I never found it. Even in the Vampire Hunter Association, I felt like I didn’t belong. Like I was just drifting."
She paused. "But now I understand," she said quietly. "My existence isn’t meaningless."
Maria turned toward him. Even without her sight, she knew where he was. She always did.
"I’m sorry I resented you for so long," she said. "That must have hurt you. But now, this life you gave me... I’m grateful for it—"
Seamus did not let her finish. He pulled her into a tight embrace, one hand resting gently against her hair, the other on her back.
"Thank you," he said. His voice shook despite himself.
Like Maria, Seamus had questioned his existence countless times. Hatred followed him wherever he went. People and vampires wanted him gone, and sometimes, he had wanted the same thing.
Her words mattered more than she realized.
They told him that not every choice he made led to tragedy. That not everyone who crossed his path was ruined because of him.
"Anytime, Seamus," Maria said softly as she hugged him back.
In that moment, they shared more than pain.
They shared resolve.
***
Seamus let out a long breath as he stepped out of Maria’s room. His thoughts felt unusually clear, his mood lighter than it had been in a long while. Right now, he needs to become stronger too.
As if responding to that resolve, the system interface flickered into view.
[Ding]
[You gained +500 EXP]
[Level Up!]
[Lv. 41 → Lv. 42]
[Attributes Updated:]
[Sanguine Vein: 3,650 → 3,800]
[ATK: 820 → 920 | DEF: 790 → 890 | SPD: 830 → 930 | STR: 810 → 910 | CHA: 630 → 730 | VIT: 820 → 920]
[8 levels remaining until the next evolution milestone.]
His smile widened. Not only had he grown stronger, but he could now see Maria’s status clearly.
Still, he couldn’t use those special eyes. Whatever ability Maria had was something he would need to obtain on his own.
"There must be another Pharos with the same ability," he muttered. "So why did Latros only want her?"
Too many questions lingered in his mind. Most of them would be answered once Fleur arrived.
"When she gets here," Seamus murmured, nodding to himself, "I’ll make sure she drinks my blood."
He started down the stairs when voices drifted up from below. The source of the commotion became clear almost immediately.
Lulu.
She was speaking with Bianca and Leah. When her eyes met his, Lulu brightened and waved enthusiastically, clearly relieved to see a familiar face.
Seamus raised a brow and walked closer. "Why are you here, Lulu?"
"Ah," she said, rubbing the back of her neck. "Lady Isolde told me to come. She said this place doesn’t have enough manpower."
That only confused him more.
Lulu had not evolved yet. Sending Dahlia or Fleur would have made more sense. They were already evolved vampires.
Lulu was skilled in close combat, especially when using her clones, but it was still not enough for the current situation.
"And," Lulu added hesitantly, her cheeks flushing, "she also told me to flirt with you so I could evolve."
Bianca immediately shot Seamus a judgmental look. Leah, on the other hand, suddenly seemed intrigued, her eyes lighting up as if she had remembered something amusing.
"What?" Seamus started. "It’s just a transaction. They get my blood and I get their—"
"Stop," Bianca cut in flatly. "I don’t want to hear the rest of that sentence."
She sighed and continued, "Ulrich already replied. His answer was yes. But Lady Isolde said another vampire has to be sent back."
"Oh," Seamus said. "So Diane?"
"Yes," Bianca replied. "She’s the most suitable. Or you, Leah. You stayed locked in your room while I handled all the communications for multiple vampires. You know how terrified I was when I lost contact?!"
Leah shrugged. "My experiment is more important. This is all for Velstrath anyway."
Bianca rolled her eyes, then turned back to Lulu. "Your room is on the second floor, right wing. Since you don’t have much baggage, you can manage on your own, right?"
"Uh," Lulu hesitated. "I think so."
Seamus was about to offer help when Leah suddenly slipped closer, one arm draping around his neck. Her voice dropped, slow and seductive.
"Well, well, well," she purred. "You didn’t forget something important, did you? Like our sex schedule."
She grinned shamelessly. "Looks like it’s my turn. So what are you waiting for? Let’s have sex."
Seamus froze for half a second, caught off guard by her bluntness.
Lulu’s face burned red as she sputtered, "I-I will go!" She quickly grabbed her lone bag and rushed up the stairs.
Bianca gave Seamus a look of pure disappointment before walking off.
Left alone with Leah, Seamus rubbed the back of his neck and sighed.
"Of course," he said at last. "Why would I forget?"