Summoned and Unwanted

Awa’s face started to turn pale. *Gulp* “Is the spirit harmless?” She asked while showing signs of fright.

“Hehe, you do not need to worry about Kazumi. She is a harmless invisible spirit that only I can see her.” Vincent casually answered.

After pondering for a minute what she should do about the sudden bizarre mention of a spirit latching on to her to read the books, Awa gently nodded.

“I only agree to flip the pages, but I will not agree to lead you inside our little village. Also, the payment is to help my father recover.” Awa said with a conflicted expression.

Even though she agreed to offer medical assistance to her father at the cost of Vincent, Awa expressed cautiousness and fear at the mention of a spirit. Not to mention a spirit that she couldn’t see.

[I don’t think telling Awa about me was a great idea. But nonetheless, Awa accepted. I might have to use Soul Visit on her when she finishes flipping all the pages.]

[It would make me feel terrible not to give Awa my thanks for believing in an invisible cute and curvy spirit like me.]

“Kazumi and I agree. Furthermore, I only need to meet with your father.” Vincent noticed Awa become weary of Vincent at the mention of her father. “There is no need to become tense; I want to check his current condition with my eyes and also help your father recover.

.....

Awa smiled and quickly stopped as if she didn’t want to reveal her emotions and lose in future negotiations with Vincent.

*Cough* “Okay.” Awa gently nodded with an obvious poker face and continued negotiating, “Let me tell you a little bit more about our clan with the price of double the food.”

“Our clan does not stay in one place all the time. We arrived at our current home about half a year ago.”

“But because of Orso, the winter, and strangely strong beasts, we have...”

Awa paused for a moment. She didn’t want to tell Vincent how the proud Dullahans were currently weakened and suffering.

However, because Vincent was paying her with food, Awa understood she needed to swallow her pride and tell Vincent the truth about her people’s current situation.

“We have food problems at the moment.” She answered while showing an ashamed expression.

“I can help with food. But it can only last for a while. What is done with the food will allow your people to survive or suffer.” Vincent offered the Dullahans a way to survive the winter.

“Thank you. I haven’t seen a Dullahan baby in years. Maybe we can have the new generation being born with your help.” Awa said while showing an appreciative smile.

Vincent returned a smile. “I am glad you have learned to accept help. I am not like other people after all, hehe.” He joked.

“Not like other humans? Is it because you spat green blood on the snow when you fought against the great Orso?” Awa curiously asked.

“Yes. I am different. I am like your people. I am from another world.”

[Vincent! Why did you tell her!?]

Vincent ignored Kazumi as she questioned what he was doing and continued, “The incident I told you about. The one where my parents passed away when I was young. My blood changed on that day, and my eyes turned green. It was after coming to this world that I could change my blood to green.”

“Are you like the person who brought us Dullahans to this world?” Awa questioned curiously. Awa acted as if she had an idea about what Vincent was talking about.

“The one who brought your people to your world was the second to get summoned to this world like me. I am the seventh person to be summoned to this world. I am the Soul Hero while he was the Summoner Hero.”

“Why... why are you telling me this?” Awa asked. She became worried about knowing something that could have consequences.

“Conversing about your people to a human like me must make you feel conflicted. It must be making you feel you are betraying your people for food. Correct?”

Awa honestly nodded. She was feeling conflicted with every bit of information she told Vincent about her people.

“Furthermore, you witnessed me kill Orso. That knowledge must make you think of the disaster you might bring to the door of your people if I escort you home.”

Awa flinched. She shivered for a moment before honestly nodding again.

“I bet you were going to lead me to a place that is far from your people and later walk or crawl back home. Or am I thinking too much?”

Awa momentarily froze from shock. She didn’t think her intentions were ever going to be called out one after the other. After spending a moment to think about what she should do, Awa honestly shook her head once.

“Yep. As I thought. I was going to be led to a different place. Hahaha.” Vincent laughed at Awa’s honesty.

Awa’s cheeks started to blush while her brows frowned. She felt embarrassed and humiliated that her thoughts and plans were discovered. Additionally, Vincent was laughing, causing Awa to think she was humoring him for being honest.

[I have to disagree with your current plan, but I didn’t think Awa was planning to lead us to a different place.]

[And here I thought I was going to read some Dullahan books. No wonder she accepted that easily.]

Vincent gently nodded at Kazumi’s last sentence. “What were you going to do about your father if I could not see or help him?”

Awa remained silent.

“I keep my promises while you do not keep yours. Honestly, I feel betrayed.” Vincent stood up. He abruptly removed his shirt. “Look at me.”

Awa swiftly covered her eyes. She moved her fingers to take a peek secretly. She saw Vincent pointing at his abs and the green branded markings on his side.

[What... what are you doing?] Kazumi questioned.

“I can feel your eyes lay upon my bare skin, Awa. The visual contract between us has been made.”

“V... visual? What is a visual contract?” Awa questioned, while Kazumi felt almost as confused as Awa. Both didn’t know what Vincent was planning to do next.

“This mark you see here is the mark of the otherworld hero. This mark is a secret I must keep at all costs because humans will hunt my family to kill me.”

“The reason? Human history has been written by the strong and the corrupt. The heroes they summoned to save their world are being hunted because they do not want the people to support the heroes more than their kings.”

“Ironic, isn’t it, Awa? You became popular with your people because, unlike the clan leader, you were sharing the food with those in need at the low cost of a herb.”

Awa flinched as she peeked at Vincent. Hearing the truth always feels like a punch to the gut.

Awa was feeling bothered hearing Vincent speak casually. She told Vincent a lot about her people, yet she didn’t think Vincent would comprehend the current situation of her proud Dullahan clan so quickly with so few details.

“Awa. I believe you already know deep down the real reason why the questions became complex and why you felt forced to venture into the forest by yourself secretly.” *Sigh* Vincent gently shook his head and continued, “You got played.”

Awa blankly stared at Vincent while trying to keep her eyes covered. The more Vincent spoke, the more Awa started to connect the dots she didn’t want to connect because of the fear known as the hard truth.

“Awa. You suffered from peer pressure, and you would’ve died if I didn’t find your head. Anyone would have chosen to let you die with that mouth of yours, but I chose to save you because I felt I was going to kill you with my hands if I abandoned you.”

Vincent smiled warmly and added, “As I hoped, you were a kind and innocent person. I am glad I saved your life.”

Awa’s eyes blinked, and her mind became clearer than before. Her mind became so clear that she had nothing to think about.

Vincent wore his shirt back. “I hope you can finally stop doubting my intentions now because you now know the secret that can put my life in danger.”

“With the visual contract completed, I hope you will never speak of what you saw on my body.”

Bloodlust filled the cabin all of a sudden. Plow tilted her head while looking at Vincent with a puzzled expression. On the other hand, Zero opened the door to check what was happening.

After Zero noticed Awa wasn’t attempting to put up a fight, Zero decided Vincent was going to be safe. Zero closed the door and continued to guard outside.

“I am benevolent to my people, but I can be overprotective and vengeful when my people get hurt.” Vincent glared at Awa, full of malice, and continued in a menacing tone, “I hope you will not make me find you and make you my retainer by force.”

“Anyone with my mark will be hunted if humans find out I am hiding in plain sight. You know what that means, right? Humans will hunt you and your people because they will think the Dullahans are my people.”