“Still holding onto your pride, even now. Did you really think you could defeat Kaerosh back then, when you were that weak?”
“Of course I would have defeated that bastard. If he hadn’t drunk that much human blood, and you know it too. He broke the rule of our clan.”
Rip sprang to his feet and shouted, “Your father wanted us to stop drinking human blood. He considered humans and vampires equal. But we are superior to those lowly creatures. That’s why Kaerosh decided to take action and take the throne for himself.”
“You’ll regret following Kaerosh,” Myor said, his voice filled with rage.
Rip let out a short scoff. “Oh yes? And who’s going to make me regret it? You? A weak fool who doesn’t even understand what’s good for him?”
“Why don’t you free me from this seal and see for yourself whether I am weak or not.”
Rip fell silent at Myor’s words, his face going pale blue. Myor had always been stronger than him in the past. And even now, after years of imprisonment, an Origin’s power was not something to take lightly. He knew he was no match for Myor in a fair fight. The seal was the only thing keeping him safe. If it broke, the tables would turn instantly.
“I think that’s enough chit chat. I’ll finish what I’m here for without wasting any more time.”
Thud. Thud. Thud.
Just as Rip finished his sentence, footsteps echoed through the corridor, making him freeze. He and Myor both turned toward the sound.
From the shadows of the corridor, a figure slowly stepped forward. At first, only his silhouette was visible, broad shoulders forming a solid outline against the faint light.
“There really are vampires,” the figure said with a low chuckle.
Rip and Myor both went still, their eyes filled with shock. Neither of them had noticed the person’s arrival. Myor was restrained by the seal, so perhaps he could not sense anything. But Rip? He should have noticed someone entering the castle.
“How is there a human here?” Rip said, turning fully toward the figure. “No… that’s not right. You’re not human. Who are you?”
The figure stepped into the light, revealing his green eyes and black hair.
“What does it matter to you who I am, when you are about to die?”
***
A few hours earlier…
Wox stepped out of the forest and came to a stop. Before him stretched a vast wetland, its black water unmoving beneath a curtain of pale mist.
Is this the place where the vampire kingdom’s entrance is? And perhaps the castle’s entrance as well…?
He looked around, scanning the area carefully.
“…But how do I open it?”
As Wox contemplated how to open the entrance to the said castle, the silver bracelet on his wrist began to glow unexpectedly.
“...Why is it glowing now?”
Wox reached out to touch it. Suddenly, a bright flash of light burst forth from the bracelet, causing him to close his eyes and momentarily lose his vision.
***
“…Where am I? Did I enter that castle?”
When Wox’s vision returned, he found himself in a dark corridor inside a castle, rather than the forest he had been in just moments before. He looked around. The walls were built from enormous grey stone blocks, their surfaces cold and smooth, dimly lit by flickering torches.
I can sense two presences. One is strong and the other is faint… but undoubtedly, it’s the scent of vampires.
Wox started walking toward the hall where the presences were coming from. As he moved closer, voices reached his ears.
“...Looks like the vampires really held someone imprisoned here,” he murmured to himself.
Lucky me. I should give my thanks to those tavern guys next time.
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