To command the heavens, one must subdue the earth.
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Vampires...
Beasts of myth and legend back on Earth actually existed in this collapsing universe?
I couldn't take Pamela's word for it. I had to see it myself.
Our hurried footsteps echoed across the wide corridor. Wind rushed through the tall windows lining the walls, stirring the curtains. After a two-minute walk, we reached the door to the castle's master bedroom. Two soldiers stood guard. They saluted and stepped aside as we approached.
Both glanced at me. There was something strange in their eyes, but I ignored it.
Pamela opened the door and we stepped inside.
This room was twice the size of mine—but everything was wrecked. Broken tables. Shattered shelves. Even the bed was in pieces. It looked like a battle had taken place here.
At the center of it all was a hulking, yet strangely feminine figure. At least eight feet tall. She had blood-red hair and skin pale as moonlight. Dressed in an 18th-century gown, she knelt with her face lowered. Scorching ropes bound her, sizzling with power.
Even on her knees, she was taller than Pamela.
Around her were four metal rods stabbed into the floor, each drawing in blue light. The light pulsed through the ropes, weakening her. She grunted from time to time like a sick child lost in fever.
We weren't alone. Viktor stood at the far side of the room. His eyes narrowed when he saw me. He shot Pamela a sharp glance, but I didn't care about his opinion.
I walked past her, eyes fixed on the kneeling vampire, trying to compare the figure from the window to the one before me.
"Why is he here?" Viktor's voice was cold. He moved to block my path, his large frame casting a shadow over me.
I had to look up to meet his eyes—but my gaze held firm.
He saw it. The lack of fear. And it bothered him.
Before he could say more, Pamela rushed over and grabbed his arm.
"Let's talk in private," she said, tugging him, but he didn't budge. "You owe me a favor, remember?"
Viktor looked at her. Hesitated.
"It's not like he'll ruin anything," she added.
Finally, Viktor sighed and stepped back. But before leaving, he shot me one last glare.
"Don't touch anything."
Bam!
The door shut with a loud bang.
As if she'd been waiting, the vampire slowly raised her head—revealing the most beautiful face I had ever seen.
She had sharp, elegant features—high cheekbones, full lips, and skin like fresh snow. Her crimson eyes glowed like dying embers, and her long red hair flowed like fire down her back. She looked fierce. Haunting. Ancient.
"Come closer…" she whispered, her voice soft, almost musical—but laced with danger.
I raised an eyebrow. Was I supposed to obey just because she asked?
"Why?" I asked.
She trembled.
Confusion flickered in her eyes.
Then—ding!
> [Enemy Compulsion Failed.]
Compulsion?
> [Vampires can compel targets to do their bidding. Host's Intelligence stat is high enough to resist.]
"I see…" I muttered.
That explained her surprise. How could a mere human child resist a vampire's will?
Unknown to her, I may be older than she is—considering how many lifetimes I had to relive to satisfy the heavens' demand.
But wait... Pamela and Viktor are veterans. They should know this. So why didn't they warn me?
I glanced over my shoulder.
The door was cracked open.
Two familiar faces peeked through, shamelessly spying.
Of course.
I should've known she wouldn't give me real privacy. Viktor wouldn't either—my actions could put others at risk.
"This ancient soul cannot be controlled so easily, Madam," I whispered, eyes locked with hers.
Her gaze flicked to the door behind me, then back to my face. But I didn't wait for her reply.
I turned and walked away.
There were questions I couldn't ask with those two watching—especially about the [Gatekeeper] talent or reincarnation.
"I'll have to find another opportunity," I muttered.
Clank!
The door swung open before I reached it. Pamela walked in with Viktor trailing behind.
"Are you done?" Pamela asked.
I nodded.
My gaze shifted from her to Viktor, then back.
"Yes… I'm a supernatural enthusiast, so I just wanted to get a good look at the vampire. It's my first time seeing one."
I lied smoothly, even throwing in a rare excited smile.
Pamela and Viktor exchanged shocked glances—they had never seen me smile before.
With nothing else to say, I turned and walked out of the room, leaving them behind.
This time, I took the opposite path from the one I came through, my thoughts swirling.
The team's original plan was to plunder the castle vault. But it was sealed tight, and they couldn't get the lady of the castle to speak.
According to Pamela, after we dealt with the Blood Throne, they stormed the castle. It had only been guarded by a few vampires, easily taken out by her and Viktor.
That was when they learned the Lord of the castle had left—with an army—to deal with another rift that opened within his territory. The lady of the castle had tried to use that information to threaten them.
I stopped by a window and leaned on the frame, gazing at the empty sky—void of stars.
"When invading a rift, we have two goals," I muttered. "Acquire all the resources we can… and protect the rift until it begins to collapse. Then we leave, to make sure no beast slips into our world."
I turned my gaze toward the rift standing firm just outside the castle gates.
It wasn't crumbling yet. Which meant—we weren't going anywhere anytime soon.
What happens if it holds long enough for the castle lord and his army to return?
That would mean confrontation is inevitable.
And with that, my first mission becomes possible:
"Kill the Lord… and take over his territory."
My brows furrowed.
It was the second part that bothered me.
If I couldn't get anything from the vampire lady, then maybe the library could help.
I'll look through it myself.
Without hesitation, I walked down the corridor and asked the soldiers for directions. Step by step, I found my way to two towering doors—different from the others. They looked like wood but weren't. They had a deep crimson shade, almost like dried blood.
Just standing there, I caught the stench of blood. It filled my nose, making me twist my face in disgust.
I reached for the door—
But it opened on its own.
A group of military personnel walked out, carrying crates full of books.
I blinked, confused, and peeked inside the room.
There were more of them inside. Soldiers. Clearing out the entire library, carting away every last book.
This isn't a raid, this is theft!