Kaius didn’t let go of the boy until they were inside the small house he had rented. He entered and locked the door, adding a simple blocking spell. It was his first time using super speed over such a long distance, and he felt exhausted. The whiplash was brutal—but he’d get used to it.

Dilan squirmed like a tadpole until Kaius gently set him down on the living room rug. The boy was clearly terrified. Kaius knew he was probably confused too, so he started with something soft.

—If you’d like to bathe, there’s a tub in the main bathroom. You can use the bath salts too. I’ll make something to eat. Is there anything you’d like?

Dilan stayed curled up on the floor, watching Kaius move around the kitchen—heating up leftover steak and boiling water for pasta. After a few minutes, Dilan got up and sat at the marble kitchen table. Kaius pulled the food from the stove and grabbed a cold soda from the fridge, handing it to Dilan.

The two stared at each other for a moment. Kaius remembered the boy’s story and understood how hard it would be for him to accept that this was real. He didn’t want to be the hero—but he had nothing against this child. In fact, Dilan had been one of his favorite characters. Yes, he had killed his family… but they had treated him horribly. Dilan feared his own magic because of the souls that could manifest—and those that were drained. He was the only one with a conscience.

—Dilan, I know you’re really scared. But I promise you’ll never go back to that place. You can ask me anything, and go anywhere you want.

Dilan kept eating, listening to Kaius’s calm voice. He started to feel that this stranger might be telling the truth. In that dungeon world, he had always felt alone and afraid—even before the horrible loop began. That fear, that constant dread… it never left him. But the food this man gave him tasted like warmth and peace—something he hadn’t felt in ages.

That’s when he wanted to know more.

—Who are you? How do you know me? How did you get in and out of that world?

Kaius had expected those questions. He already knew what he’d say, though he wasn’t sure if Dilan would believe him—or think he was lying. But he would be kind. He wanted Dilan to understand that he wouldn’t abandon him. He had made a decision: this was just a child, and he needed a family. Kaius would give him one—whether Dilan chose to stay or leave.

He approached and knelt beside him.

—Dilan, I know you’re scared and confused. But I need you to understand something: if I had wanted to hurt you, I would’ve done it already. I know that’s not the best way to start, but I also know that’s what worries you most. My name is Kaius Lindverg, and I’m a vampire. But I can also use magic—not the kind you know, but a different kind. Stronger. One that doesn’t need souls. I know you because of this magic. It also allowed me to enter and break that world. I know it’s not much, but it’s the simplest way I can explain it. Why don’t you take a bath while I clean up here?

Dilan already suspected he was a vampire—because of the super strength and speed. But that explosion of energy… it was unlike anything he’d ever seen. Not even his parents had taught him about something like that. His brothers’ magic had been powerful, but not enough to break a supposedly unbreakable world.

And yet this man—who was supposed to be a sadistic monster—was treating him like a son. Or a little brother.

Still, he couldn’t trust him yet. So he got up from his chair and went to the master bedroom to take a bath.

Kaius knew maybe he shouldn’t be doing this. But he also knew that if he wanted the story to change, he’d have to change small things first. And abandoning that boy would make him no better than the sorcerers. That wasn’t who he wanted to be.

Besides, according to what the god had told him, if he were changing something he wasn’t supposed to, his head would be flooded with alarms. But nothing rang. He felt no warning. So he kept cleaning up the dishes.

When he finished, he went to the master bedroom, pulled out one of his pajamas, and laid it on the bed so Dilan would have something to sleep in. The boy came out of the bathroom, put on the pajamas, and went to the second bedroom.

Kaius thought maybe he wanted to sleep on the couch in the master bedroom with him. But he also knew the boy was so used to being alone that maybe he just wanted to sleep peacefully.

Kaius checked the time—it was 11 p.m.—and he was tired too. So he grabbed his robe and lay down in bed to rest.

A few hours passed.

Kaius woke up to the sound of crying. He got out of bed and went to check on Dilan. The boy was crying in his sleep. Kaius didn’t hesitate. He picked him up—blankets and all—and carried him to his bed. He held him in his arms, and slowly, Dilan calmed down.

Kaius didn’t want to wake him. He looked at the clock: 2 a.m. So he wrapped his arms around the boy and fell asleep… holding Dilan close.