Chapter 9: Phyllis, Who Is Fed Upon Daily, Plans to…

“This can’t go on like this, meow...”

Phyllis lay on the bed, gently rubbing her neck with her hand as she sighed helplessly.

The numbness from having her blood sucked still lingered there, along with the marks left by Carola’s lips.

Her body’s recovery speed was indeed astonishing now; she could feel the wounds Carola had caused fading rapidly.

However, the stifling sense of being completely controlled and unable to resist weighed heavily on Phyllis’s heart.

Furthermore, after Carola had discovered Phyllis’s rapid healing ability during their intimate contact last night...

Carola had become even more excited!

Then, she had launched an even more vigorous assault on Phyllis.

Since she didn't have to worry about breaking her so easily, why not play with her more?

What made Phyllis feel even more ashamed was that yesterday, she herself had actually felt a bit of... longing.

“Meow...”

Phyllis rolled over on the bed and buried her face in the soft pillow, her tail agitatedly thumping against the sheets.

'This can’t go on! Absolutely not!'

Phyllis shouted in her heart.

'I’m being used as a mobile blood bag by that pervert every day, and I have to be on guard against her using all sorts of methods to deepen our understanding and share the fun. If this keeps up like a frog in warming water, I’m afraid I really will become her exclusive pet!'

The thought of escaping was stronger than ever.

Thinking of this, Phyllis sat up in bed.

Her blue eyes shimmered with the light of deep thought.

But clearly, she didn't have any good ideas.

She summoned her system panel and carefully examined her status.

[Status Window]
Name: Phyllis
Race: Catman
Attributes: Strength: 15, Defense: 8, Agility: 25, Intelligence: 10, Luck: 7, Charisma: 25
Status: Healthy
Talents: Feline Agility (Intermediate), Night Vision (Intermediate), Sensitive Smell (Intermediate)
Skills: Claw Strike (Basic), Stealth (Beginner)
Special: Vampire Master-Servant Contract; Blessing of the Cat God; Carola’s Gift; Physiological effects of catnip (Dissipating)

Seeing the last entry, Phyllis’s brows furrowed.

The physiological effects of catnip... physiological... effects...

'Fortunately, it was just the catnip.'

Phyllis breathed a sigh of relief, finding an answer for her excessive behavior last night.

She had almost thought she had fallen for Carola!

Before Phyllis closed the system interface, she felt like something was still off, so she took another look just to be safe.

“Huh? How did my Luck increase by one point? And my Charisma increased a lot, too!”

Phyllis finally noticed what was wrong.

Her attributes had increased again.

“Strange. Is it because of the Gift?”

After receiving the Gift, the connection between her and Carola seemed to be growing deeper.

'Connection? Hmm, connections are usually two-way... If Carola can sense me, then... what about the other way around?'

A bold idea surfaced in Phyllis’s mind.

No sooner said than done!

Phyllis closed the system interface and jumped off the bed.

To verify her idea, she had to find the castle’s library today.

She needed to see if there were any books regarding the Master-Servant Contract.

The two little bats still followed her like shadows, but Phyllis had grown used to ignoring them over the past few days.

Unless she went to the forbidden areas in the basement, they usually just followed her symbolically and didn't interfere with her actions.

*Sniff, sniff.*

Phyllis stood in the hall, sniffing the air of the castle.

She still hadn’t explored many parts of the castle yet.

Finding the library wouldn't be an easy task.

However, Phyllis had a way.

She intended to rely on her nose to smell the scent of books.

A place where the scent of books gathered would surely be the library.

Phyllis gradually moved deeper into the castle.

“Hmm? Found it!”

Phyllis finally caught a faint, lingering scent of books.

After walking up a spiral staircase, Phyllis saw a door that looked somewhat out of place in its surroundings.

The door was simple, with no ornate carvings, decorated only with a basic brass knocker and a keyhole.

A massive amount of book scent was leaking out from behind the door.

Phyllis didn't rush to push the door open.

A library like this was bound to have protective magic.

Phyllis tentatively reached out her hand, her fingertips stopping a few centimeters away from the door panel.

A weak repulsive force field emanated, carrying a sense of warning.

'As expected, there’s protection... Forcing my way in definitely won't work.'

Phyllis withdrew her hand and examined the area around the door.

There were no windows nearby, only cold stone walls.

Phyllis tried knocking on the wall.

To her surprise, the wall was also reinforced with protective magic, just like the door.

'Do I have to wait until I’ve served Carola enough that she’s in a “good mood” before I can come here?'

Phyllis felt somewhat unwilling.

*Sniff, sniff.*

She pressed close to the crack in the door and inhaled deeply.

'This scent... is it a ghost?'

This closer sniff actually allowed Phyllis to discover a scent other than books.

A ghost!

Phyllis remembered some rumors she had read among the Catman tribe.

The libraries of these ancient castles often had special guardians.

'Maybe... I can try communicating?'

Phyllis hesitated for a moment, cleared her throat, and spoke softly to the door, “Um... hello? Is anyone inside? I mean... is there a consciousness present? Meow...”

Phyllis’s voice echoed in the surroundings, sounding a bit out of place.

A few seconds passed with no response.

Phyllis no longer felt embarrassed.

Over the past few days, she had encountered too many creatures that could move but couldn't communicate.

She was already used to it.

Just as Phyllis was about to give up and try another method...

*Hummm.*

A translucent figure slowly floated out from the door panel.

It was a specter with a blurred face and a spectral lower body. Phyllis could only see that the specter wore a pair of slightly crooked glasses on its face.

She couldn't even tell its gender.

“According to Article 324 of the Castle Internal Management Regulations... and Article Seven of the Private Library Loan Standards... visitors without permission... are prohibited from entering...”

The specter’s voice sounded like it was coming from a distant tunnel, filled with echoes and static-like noise.

The voice recited the articles mechanically.

“So it still won’t work?”

Phyllis lowered her head, intending to leave.

“Hmm? It’s Miss Phyllis! You do not need to follow these regulations...”

The specter adjusted its glasses, seemingly just realizing who was in front of it.

“Huh? You know me?”

Phyllis didn't think she knew this specter at all.

“Lady Carola has already described your appearance to me. Furthermore, she specifically instructed me that you do not need to follow these regulations...”

The specter explained to Phyllis.

“Re — Really, meow?” Phyllis was so pleasantly surprised she almost jumped. “I can go in? And read whatever I want?”

The specter didn't speak; it simply made a nodding gesture.

“If that little kitten messes up the books or tears them, you are responsible for tidying them up and reporting it to me.”

Carola’s lazy voice emanated from the specter.

Phyllis: “...”

'That pervert! I knew she was up to no good! She even arranged surveillance and a place to file reports here!'

Phyllis grumbled in her heart.

“Of course! I’ll definitely be very careful! Thank you, Librarian! Meow...”

“There is no need for thanks. It is my duty!”

The specter retreated back behind the door.

The door opened soundlessly.