NOVEL NEXT Chapter 29
The queen has vanished, and the weak tribe of vampires has naturally fallen into decline.
The only notable example of a vampire belonging to The Seven Lairs is the castle filled with echoes of grandeur.
Even the vampires of the castle have merely become a powerful subordinate by drinking their boss’s blood.
The prevailing belief was that pureblooded vampires are weak.
The newly formed The Seven Lairs ended up with a group of vampires who stumbled in.
Among them, Isabella was also aware of her contradictory position.
She was embarrassingly weak compared to the vampires of the castle.
The fact that she belonged to The Seven Lairs was absurd.
“What do you all think?”
“Your sister is definitely right.”
Isabella chatted quietly with the vampires.
The sentinel, Balutak, is strong. His subordinate, Charlotte, is also strong.
Yet, despite being a fellow executive, Isabella was essentially at the level of a lowly minion who couldn’t even reach their toes.
Did she not faint even in front of Wilhelm?
Shame and powerlessness surged within her, but she didn’t want to show it.
In fact, she tried to conceal her inner feelings by forcing a lively appearance. She desperately wanted to remain here, even as a burden.
“Honestly, I’ve wanted to stay here all along.”
Before the title of The Seven Lairs, she liked the members.
Balutak, who understood her well. The picky but secretly caring lieutenant. Above all, that person took care of her like a true boss.
“But still, it’s too shameless. Even if the boss allows it, I feel really uncomfortable.”
“Yes. I feel the same way.”
“I share the same sentiment.”
This is The Seven Lairs.
Stronger enemies will surely invade in the future, and with that, Isabella’s sense of powerlessness will only grow.
She knew better than anyone that her presence was just a hindrance.
Having settled down to pay off her debts, all she did was suck blood like a mosquito, merely being a parasite.
“We’re just a nuisance.”
This is not just any dungeon; it’s The Seven Lairs.
Imagine the news spreading about how weak vampires are being taken in at the shrine of the 7th rank Faith.
It’s not well-known yet since they are fresh, but once that becomes common knowledge, they would face ridicule from the 72 dungeons.
The vampires’ affiliation was no different from smearing the boss’s reputation.
“That’s right… Insect contributes as an excellent worker, but we can’t do the same.”
Insect utilizes its racial traits skillfully and pulls its weight.
But what about the vampire group?
They took on surveillance duties, but with the guard crystal ball, they were essentially just decorations.
The boss couldn’t possibly be unaware of this, yet he turned a blind eye without taking action.
“I can’t keep relying on the boss any longer. I believe I need to leave right now.”
The first-generation vampire evolved for her, saved her life, and allowed her to live in the dungeon.
That gratitude was overflowing, something she could never repay in her lifetime.
If she got even further indebted, she might carry guilt for the rest of her days.
Furthermore, if she formed any deeper ties, she wouldn’t even dream of leaving, so now was the only time.
*
After coming to a decision, Isabella gathered everyone on the 10th floor.
Huff—taking a deep breath in front of them, Isabella began to share her true feelings.
The indifferent expressions around her shifted dramatically.
“Have you thought it over? You might change your mind later.”
“Kirik. Balutak, I liked Isabella. But why do you want to leave?”
Bella liked you. But why are you trying to leave?”
“I finished talking with my kin. Everyone thinks the same as I do. It’s better for us to manage on our own rather than keep relying on you, Boss. Above all, I’ve been a burden to you for a long time.”
Honestly, there was no need to explain the reason for leaving.
Except for the insects, everyone secretly knew the vampires were useless.
“Don’t we have anywhere to go?”
“That’s something we’ll have to figure out ourselves. That’s how we manage.”
“What do you think, Boss?”
At Charlotte’s question, the boss, who had been listening, finally spoke.
“I think it’s fine to leave.”
“….”
Isabella was honestly surprised by the boss’s response.
For a moment, Isabella shook her head in disbelief.
“Thank you, Boss. But I’ll just accept your kindness. We’ve already decided to leave. It seems like living here any longer would make it hard for us to exist.”
He turned the weak vampire into a stronger one, saved their life, and allowed them to live in the dungeon.
That kindness was so great it could never be repaid in a lifetime.
“There’s nothing to worry about. We were originally wild vampires, you know? Umm, I’m just really sorry for being a burden while we were here. If we ever get the chance to repay that kindness, I’ll come back right away.”
“I understand.”
The boss didn’t try to stop them any longer.
He only left a door open.
“If you change your mind, you’re always welcome to come back. This place is open for you.”
“If we say that and immediately come back, it’ll be a little embarrassing for us…”
Isabella chuckled awkwardly and scratched the back of her head.
“Thank you for everything, Lord!”
“I’ve been a damn burden! I’ll never forget this kindness for the rest of my life!”
Suddenly, the vampires knelt before the boss and bowed their heads.
Isabella, who was taken aback, eventually followed suit awkwardly.
“I’ve been a burden! If we meet again someday, I will definitely repay you!”
“…Okay.”
Clop, clop. The sound of footsteps was getting closer.
Isabella squeezed her eyes shut as she sensed Charlotte approaching.
She wouldn’t look kindly at vampires who were just a nuisance before leaving.
Charlotte knelt on one knee and handed an honorary ticket to Isabella.
Isabella’s eyes widened in surprise as she looked at it.
“This is the only thing I have to give. If you need help from the association, just mention my name.”
“…You don’t have to give me anything.”
“I have to give you at least this so I can worry less.”
“Huh. Are you worried about me?”
“Yes. Because we were allies.”
“Don’t use Charlotte’s name.”
The boss suddenly interrupted the conversation.
“Use my name.”
“…Huh?”
“If she’s an acquaintance of the boss of The Seven Lairs, the association will treat her like a VIP. If you need help from the association, use my name.”
Isabella opened her mouth slightly.
Charlotte was even more surprised than she was.
“My Lord, that’s too hasty of a decision. The association might not take your reputation seriously.”
“They might see the relationship between Isabella and me as significant.”
Charlotte was left speechless by his unconventional reasoning.
The boss of The Seven Lairs was willing to become merely a guardian for a wild vampire.
Anyone hearing that would have a hard time not laughing.
The more Charlotte thought about it, the more questions arose.
Surely the boss understood the losses that might come from his actions, so why would he make such a decision?
Why would you make such a decision when you already know everything?
“May I ask your intentions?”
“We have some history together. My heart can’t bear to send you off like this.”
“….”
To the boss of The Seven Lairs, a vampire is nothing but a mere creature.
And an undead without a heart finds it nearly impossible to form attachments to others. One could say they lack altruism.
The vampires in front of me have been around for less than a year.
And yet, to have formed an attachment to those who have caused nothing but trouble.
The boss of The Seven Lairs, a cold undead, is willing to help a mere creature out of personal attachment.
I couldn’t believe they would show altruism while incurring losses.
Naturally, the memory of when Balutak first met them and spilled water overlaps in my mind.
At that time, I thought even an undead could have a heart to give water. After all, it incurred no loss to them.
But the way the boss treats the worker insect, the Necronomicon they bestowed upon me…
Could it all have been altruism rather than efficiency?
“….”
The boss of The Seven Lairs is incomprehensible in every aspect.
Just like how I can’t understand an undead having a warmer heart than a human.
‘Even if the body is cold, their heart is warm….’
Charlotte learned of the boss’s new side.
Because of that, her subconscious focus was filled with just one person.
“Isabella, whenever you feel like it, come visit. Balutak is feeling a bit lonely.”
…To even empathize with others’ pain.
Charlotte bit her lips, lest her expression betray her.
“Kirrik. The vampire, I like. But I must let go. I don’t want to send Balutak away.”
“You won’t be gone forever, Balutak. I’ll grow strong enough to repay the boss, and then I’ll visit repeatedly.”
“Kiririk… got it. Before I leave, shall I drink Balutak’s blood?”
“Oh, that might be a bit much.”
Isabella awkwardly waved her hands with a smile.
“We’ll be leaving now. Sorry for just relying on you.”
“It’s fine. Don’t hesitate to come by anytime.”
“Kirrik, Balutak is a tree. The vampire is the wind. When the wind comes, the tree will wave happily. Balutak will wave happily when the vampire arrives.”
Starting with Isabella, the vampire group politely bowed.
Then they all turned their backs and left.
If there are lingering attachments, you tend to look back occasionally while leaving.
The vampires, having shed all lingering feelings, walked straight ahead.
‘I hope to pay you back someday.’
When I return, I shall not be a blood-sucking vampire but one that shows gratitude.
Isabella clenched her fist and vowed.
*
“They’re gone, after all.”
“Kirrik. Balutak’s heart aches.”
The vampire group, gradually moving away, finally vanished from sight.
Honestly, I wished they would just stay.
‘I’m really attached to them.’
The vampires, especially Isabella, had been my companions for the longest time here.
With their bumbling ways, I couldn’t hate them, and they brightened up the atmosphere that Charlotte had sunk into.
They were the kind of vampires I couldn’t help but get attached to.
Of course, the vampires were not much help in the dungeon.
But so what? I was done with the mindset of weighing gains and losses.
“I was being polite on my end.”
“When it comes to relationships, sometimes you look out for your own interests, and sometimes you have to uphold loyalty.”
“If you’re just going to chase interests, what’s the difference between you and a heartless machine?”
“I suppose it’s disappointing.”
That was what Charlotte said.
I was about to reply when I noticed the changed color of the levels.
“Bone Mode on.”
What kind of flirting did I just do?
Now it seems like they change suddenly and without any reason.
“Boss.”
She met my gaze as if telling me to speak.
But unlike Charlotte, she seemed hesitant.
“Uh… If I were to leave, what would you do?”
“You can’t.”
“Are you insane? If you run away, the dungeon is done for!”
“Then, would that also be because of feelings?”
“Not entirely.”
It’s partly because of feelings, but also because you’re such a versatile aide.
Transform the cave into a dungeon, use magic well because you’re a witch, reinforce our forces with undead, grasp the imperial political situation, and build a connection with the merchant guild.
‘…So basically, you’re my all-purpose aide?’
“You are the most valuable here.”
So please, don’t go.
That was what I meant, and Charlotte took a deep breath. She then lowered her head and mumbled something.
“Oh… um… I see. I’m truly honored that you think so.”
Even though she didn’t show it, her face turned a shade greener.
That level was slowly drifting away. One awkward step at a time.
‘Did I just flirt again?’
But what am I supposed to do? I’m a castrated undead.
Even if I see signs of a spark with Charlotte, I have to absolutely refuse.
If not, I would die together by Roseha’s hands.
“Kirik. Great Chief. Balutak will also head to the 8th layer.”
“Sure.”
Isabella left, and Charlotte almost fled into the aide room.
Now left alone with Balutak gone, I had nothing particular to do. Maybe I should go help the insects at the mining base.
Vroom─!
If a portal hadn’t suddenly appeared, that’s what I would have done.
They say when something goes, something else comes, and with something zipping past, another one comes in a flash.
“I humbly greet the great Lord.”
As expected, the Demon Merchant that popped out of the portal bowed with elegance.
Was she calling for him?
I thought so, but my predictions were shattered with his next words.
“Seventh Lord, I apologize for the sudden visit. I have urgent business that brought me here unannounced.”
“What business?”
Before he replied, he extended his hand.
“This is it.”
What he held looked like letter paper made from black goat leather.
The seal, made from congealed human blood instead of wax, was chilling.
I took it and opened the letter, but it turned out it wasn’t a letter at all.
【Order from the Faith’s Tomb, ranked 7th. A summons to Boss Barugore.】
-First, congratulations on the upcoming meeting of the 72 Lords, which is being resumed after a hundred years. We humbly request the attendance of all 72 Lords who defy the heavens alongside their ten thousand followers. This 8th meeting of the 72 Dungeon is being organized by the 2nd highest Lord… (cut off)
A cold breath, akin to a sigh, escaped my lips.
Finally, it’s here.