A few minutes later, the lamia who was at the counter slithered over to us. His top half looked like a middle-aged man with blond hair and beard. While his bottom half was that of a snake, just like his daughter.

I made note of how fast his heart was beating as he came over to us and stopped at our table.

"Greetings, it’s an honor to have someone as distinguished as yourself come into our fine establishment," he bowed his head while sweat trickled down his forehead. "My name is Asmond, and I’m the owner. You spoke with my daughter Asia? She told me how important you were, and I thought I’d come over and thank you for visiting us."

I smiled at him and rested my hand on his shoulder.

"My friends and I here just wanted some alone time without drawing any attention. The owner of the inn bowing to us will surely raise a few heads."

At my words, his body stiffened.

"I-I apologize! You’re right. I should’ve left you all alone."

"Have a seat so you don’t draw any more attention," I said.

He looked at me and nodded, then took a seat beside me.

"Asmond, you said your name was?" I questioned.

"Yes, sir..."

"Your daughter told me you have rooms available that can host me and my friends here."

He gulped hard.

"Y-Yes, sir, there are a few rooms available... If you so desire it, you can have my inn if you want. I’ll relinquish it right now, just let me get the paperwork!"

"You would do that?" I asked, feeling shocked by his proposition.

The way things worked here was strange, to say the least. Having high quality blood grants me such power?

"Of course! Your blood is like gold. A drop of it is enough to buy everything here!"

"So how many drops would it take for me to buy your daughter?"

He swallowed hard, and his entire body shivered slightly.

"Darling~"

"Lee~"

The girls were going to say something, but I gestured for them to keep quiet.

"M-My D-Daughter?" Asmond stammered.

"Tell you what, since my blood is so valuable, I’ll give you an entire vial in exchange for your daughter. You can keep your inn."

Asmond looked up at his daughter, who was watching our conversation with a look of shock. She was sweating profusely and looked quite shaken up by the proposition.

"So what will it be, Asmond?"

Asmond clenched his fist and stared me deep in the eyes as he spoke.

"I’m sorry. I wouldn’t trade my daughter to you even if you offer me all the drops of blood in your body. I wouldn’t trade her for anything. I love my daughter too much, even if I risk offending you, I won’t trade her."

So this is the type of man I was dealing with...

"I’m glad," I responded.

"Huh?" He looked at me confused. "Aren’t you offended?"

"Of course not. I would be offended though if you did decide to take me up on my offer. A man who is willing to trade his daughter for riches isn’t the type of man I would make any type of deal with. I was just testing you. You seem like a good man, Asmond, and for that, I would like me and my companions here to stay at your inn. In exchange, I’ll give you a vial of my blood."

"That’s too much, truly."

"I’ll also want you to keep it a secret that I’m here, and I don’t want anyone finding out about the quality of my blood."

Hearing my words, Asmond and his daughter Asia exhaled in relief, and a smile formed on their faces.

"Yes, sir, no one will find out, I promise you. I’ll make sure that you and your companions get the best rooms we have."

"I appreciate that," I said, giving them a smile. "In the meantime, all the expenses I rack up will be covered by that woman over there," I said, pointing at Khalissi, who sat elegantly with her legs crossed.

"When will I get my drink?"

"Oh, I’m sorry. I’ll go get it right now," Asia said, rushing off as Khalissi spoke.

Since my blood was so valuable, I had to be careful as to how much of it I spent. The quantity wasn’t the problem since I could always regenerate more, but handing out such high-quality blood would surely raise a few questions.

After I was finished with my discussion with Asmond, I allowed him to leave.

"You made the right choice testing him before deciding to deal with him. Many would’ve just rushed in blindly, not even caring if the person they are making a deal with is trustworthy. I admire that about you." The witch said.

"Let’s get back to our earlier discussion. Since you won’t join my pack, I want there to be a contract between us."

Her smile twitched.

"Didn’t I tell you that it’s the witch of greed that oversees all contracts between a witch and her client? Since I’m running away from her, I don’t think it will be possible."

"I’m talking about a demon contract," I said, then turned my attention to Khalissi, who was just now receiving her drink with a smile on her face. "You can write one up for us, right, Khalissi?"

"That won’t be a problem," she responded as her lips perched to take a sip of her smoky black whisky.

"You want me to sign a demon contract?" the witch mumbled.

This would ensure that she couldn’t betray me.

"What would you like the terms of the contract to be?" Khalissi asked.

"The terms of the contract will be simple. The witch is here to give me information; if she holds out on any information, then her heart will stop beating and she’ll die. If she betrays me and contacts any other witch without my permission, then she dies. If she divulges any information about me to anyone I don’t know, then she dies. If she knows any information that could lead to harm befalling me or anyone I care about and she doesn’t inform me, then she dies. If she lies to me, she dies. If she tries to seduce me, she dies. If she harms anyone I care about, then she dies. I f she does anything that causes me to be suspicious of her then she dies."

The witch’s mouth opened in shock as I laid out the terms of the contract.

"That will be all, do you accept?"