Chapter 257: How Can I Repay You...?

"D-Don’t e-eat me... M-Mister."

Lucian’s lips twitched as he heard her words.

"I don’t eat humans," he muttered, letting out an inward sigh.

Chloe’s expression didn’t change much. Even after hearing his answer, she was still looking at him with fear and uncertainty, as though she couldn’t quite bring herself to believe him.

"T-Then... didn’t you save us... to turn us into y-your s-s-slaves...?"

Lucian...

He genuinely didn’t know what to say to this young woman’s words.

Just where was she getting these strange ideas from?

Seeing her lowering her eyes again and again, Lucian raised his hand and placed it over Chloe’s head, gripping it firmly as he looked directly into her frightened eyes.

"Girl, just what exactly do you think I’m going to do with you all?"

Chloe’s body stiffened as she felt his fingers settle over her head, but seeing him do nothing else, she hesitantly began to think for a few seconds.

And then...

"D-Drink our blood and turn us into... v-vampire slaves...?" she muttered diffidently.

"..."

Kanna stared at the woman emotionlessly, seemingly unsure of what to make of her strange answer.

But Lucian...

"Hm... you know what, that’s not exactly a bad idea."

A faint, almost chilling smile appeared across his lips.

[Affection: 2...1% (Afraid, Hungry)]

The moment his words reached their ears, every woman aside from Kanna abruptly stiffened.

Their eyes widened, and the little confidence they had managed to gather after receiving food and water seemed to vanish almost immediately.

Lucian gave it some thought, too.

Because... he could actually turn them into his vampire slaves—vampires who would listen to him and obey him with complete loyalty.

And with his Progenitor Bloodline, he could directly transform them into noble vampires, granting them a position and strength far beyond those of ordinary or lesser bloodsuckers.

Akasha had already told him that, and even he could instinctively feel it.

But...

"But I’m not thinking about doing that, so stop thinking too much and eat."

"B-But t-then—"

Before the woman could even utter another word, Lucian immediately grabbed the bread in her hand.

Chloe’s eyes widened as he stuffed it into her parted lips.

"Hmmm! Hmm...!"

"Stop asking questions... or I’m going to stuff the entire thing in there."

Hearing the threatening edge in his tone, Chloe’s body trembled before she quickly nodded, not daring to question him any further.

Seeing her finally eating again, Lucian watched her for a moment, while briefly thinking about the words she had said just now.

’Should I just...?’

His blood-red eyes glowed faintly as he glanced at the other women.

They were weak, their minds exhausted and traumatised, and turning them into vampires would be of benefit to both parties.

But then, he shook his head, dismissing the idea.

The women were already traumatised, and his forceful actions might only break them even further, which would create a massive hassle for him to deal with.

Lucian was about to stand and walk away when—

"M-Mister..."

Chloe’s voice reached him once again, causing him to slowly turn towards her, his eyes glinting with irritation.

"Should I just shove the entire bread into your mouth to shut you up...?"

Chloe immediately shook her head.

"I-I..."

She hesitated.

Her fingers tightened around the bread, and she lowered her gaze for a moment, seemingly struggling to find the courage to say what was on her mind.

But after a few seconds, Chloe raised her head.

"W-Why did you save us...?"

The question caused the women inside the room to suddenly turn towards him—as it was something all of them had been considering.

Someone as strong as him...

Why would he bother helping fragile women like them, especially during the apocalypse...?

It could’ve been because he was kind or had some sort of hero complex, thinking of saving them like damsels in distress—but that was the most ridiculous thought.

This man seemed anything but kind.

That would just be a joke, unless... unless he had some other plans for them.

They wanted to believe him.

But after everything they had endured, believing someone so easily was no longer possible.

"I just wanted to," Lucian answered casually, dismissing her words.

Everyone’s bodies stiffened.

He just wanted to?

That was it?

Their expressions became even more confused, though none of them spoke a single word, simply staring at him, still unable to understand his intentions.

"Do you have any other questions...?"

Chloe nodded once again.

Sigh...

Lucian let out another—almost the nth sigh of the day.

"What is it?"

"W-What can I-I d-do to repay you...?"

Lucian raised a brow, this time genuinely surprised by the question.

Looking at her expression, though, he could tell she wasn’t merely asking out of fear. There was a certain genuineness in her voice, despite it being filled with trembling and hesitation.

For a moment, Lucian remained quiet, his silence slowly making Chloe nervous.

She lowered her head slightly, her thoughts beginning to wander... because despite having said those words, she was afraid of hearing a strange answer.

Perhaps he might even ask for something disgusti—

Before she could complete those thoughts, Lucian knelt before her once again, bringing himself down to her level—their eyes meeting.

But instead of accepting her offer...

"What do you think you can even do to repay me?" he asked quietly, yet his voice strangely echoed throughout the silent basement.

"..."

Chloe stared at him with blank eyes.

Her lips barely parted, as though she wanted to say something, but after a moment, she closed them again.

He was right.

He was painfully right.

There was nothing they could do for him. Nothing they could offer, and no way they could repay what he had done for them.

They had no strength, no money, and no way of knowing what tomorrow would bring. Even if Chloe wanted to repay him, what could she possibly do?

And seeing her reaction...

"Thought so."

Lucian stood up and, without even looking at her again, turned around and walked away from the women.