SSS Awakening: Rebirth of the Strongest Vampire God Chapter 679 I tried to follow your example

Surveying the area with a faint grin, Meira observed her surroundings. She had initially intended to accompany Aurora, her supposed closest friend, but it appeared the treacherous woman had completely disregarded her presence. Left with no other choice, she cast a final, helpless glance toward that direction before departing alongside Phoenix and Blood Wraith.

Once the others had been organized, only Malia, Erin, and the members of his family remained. "Does anyone else wish to depart?" Damon inquired. "Erin, I can assist you with some power leveling as restitution for the trouble." He directed his gaze toward Georgina specifically as he spoke.

The woman merely snorted in disdain, averting her gaze as she stomped away. John offered Damon an apologetic look on her behalf, to which Damon simply responded with a shrug. He then turned his focus toward Erin, who stood waiting with an air of indifference. "Erin, remain here as a sentinel. Extend your perception and monitor if anyone requires assistance."

His brother’s family and his parents were not dedicated players; taking a few days of rest was of no concern to them. Malia, serving as an administrative assistant, found herself occupied with different tasks. While she possessed some combat ability, it wasn't her primary interest. Currently, she was swamped with guild management, as more members were manifesting in the Blood Domain every passing minute.

Arya was similarly engaged. The young alchemist had already taken a spot near Damon, her expression solemn as she began to study the local flora and specimens. Mark was still away on his own training, and Ghost was nowhere to be seen. Both were more than capable of surviving on their own. With everyone settled, Damon was finally free to focus on his own objectives.

Damon then recalled the presence of another individual. The assassin known as the Third.

"Are you coming out, or do you plan to hide forever?" Damon called out to the shadowy figure.

With a sheepish grin, the assassin emerged from his stealth. "Greetings, Master."

"What is your business here? I doubt you're in any real peril. A man of your skills could likely stay concealed indefinitely. So, why are you here?"

The assassin rubbed the back of his head in embarrassment. "Master… well… I attempted to emulate your path, but things didn't exactly go as planned."

Malia, who was busy navigating her system interface nearby, rolled her eyes at his claim. "My Lord… he is being dishonest. He’s spent his time loitering around the Blood Hall, pestering all the vampiresses. I've received word that several people are out for his head."

The Third immediately became agitated. "Wait! Wait! I wasn't lying. I truly did follow in my Master’s footsteps. Just like you, Master, I sought a family of my own—some kind, wholesome wives to provide warmth to my soul."

Damon stared at him blankly.

Malia stared at him blankly.

Even Erin, who rarely showed any emotion, let out a single blink.

"…Wholesome wives," Damon echoed the words slowly, as if questioning his own hearing.

The Third gave a fervent nod. "Indeed, Master. You possess so many. I figured… why shouldn't I also pursue such warmth? Such companionship? Such—"

"—such idiocy," Malia interrupted dryly. "You weren't looking for wives. You were catcalling elite vampiresses from the noble houses."

The Third stood as still as a statue, looking frozen. "T-That is nothing but slander."

"It was recorded," Malia countered. With a flick of her wrist, she summoned a floating hologram. It displayed the Third draped over a balcony railing, shouting down at a squad of armored vampire women:

"Fair ladies! Do not fear the darkness, for I am the man who shall walk beside you through it!"

In the recording, the vampire women responded by hurling a barrage of knives at him. Many, many knives.

Damon rubbed the bridge of his nose in frustration. "So, in reality, you're just using this place as a hideout…"

"I'm training with you, Master…"

Damon sighed at the man's sheer lack of shame before waving him away. "Fine… just stay here. Protect the camp, fight, do as you please. Just do not flirt with anyone or anything. Do not cause trouble."

The assassin nodded with mock sincerity. "Yes, Master. The Third is at your command. I shall not fail you."

Damon gave him a flat look before choosing to ignore him. Finally, the clearing grew quiet—or at least, quieter. Georgina and his mother were bickering about something. His brother had found a spot by the pond to fish, while his father sat nearby, letting out a yawn. Interestingly, another figure had settled comfortably beside the pair.

Nox was peering curiously at the fishing rod and then at the water. It seemed the glutton was waiting for a catch so she could claim the first bite.

Lola, the other mischievous soul, was darting around trying to seize Erin's tail. Erin didn't look bothered; she occasionally flicked her tail to make the game more challenging for the little girl.

Arya and Malia were absorbed in their own tasks, and the Third had vanished once more.

Damon took a deep breath as he surveyed the scene. This was his new family. These were the people he loved, and those he felt a personal duty toward. Protecting them was his responsibility, and as this group expanded, so did the list of his enemies.

While Georgina was abrasive and rude, her point wasn't entirely baseless. His link to them and his role in their lives had placed them in significantly more danger than they would have encountered otherwise.

However, their safety without him would have been fleeting anyway. In his previous life, during those three years, there was no mention of gods, invasions, or the Earth being flooded with mana. Those so-called super guilds weren't lift a finger to prepare the world for the coming storm.

Even a fool could deduce their true intentions. These entities never intended for Earth to be anything more than a vassal world or a planet of slaves. Perhaps the people of Earth would have been coerced into some form of subservient contract.

Not that the current situation was easy. A difficult struggle remained ahead. But at the very least, they were now fighting back. That represented a significant stride in the right direction.

Though Damon’s actions regarding the Blood Domain might have seemed reckless, his long-term strategy for the guild was anything but minor. He already had several concepts in mind; implementation was the only thing that remained.

Naturally, all these plans were secondary to his personal growth. Having staged such a grand and flamboyant display, he was now in a "do or die" situation. Progress was no longer optional; it was a necessity.

The wilderness provided the ideal environment for this. Once he solidified the gains he had already made, he would test himself against the mutated, monstrous abominations of the wilds. He would push his limits until he finally shattered the bottleneck currently holding him back.

It was time to begin his work, and he found himself genuinely anticipating the challenge. For the next two days, he would dedicate himself entirely to his training, free from all distractions.

"Damon! Have you eaten breakfast yet? Your mother is preparing something delicious for you, dear. It’s been far too long since you’ve had my cooking."

Damon offered a helpless smile. Well, he would be *mostly* free from distractions.