Castle of the Vampyre
Ping. A sharp sound effect rang out, and my entire field of vision turned black and white.
I wondered if I'd suddenly gone colorblind, but I soon understood the change.
"People appear white, while the surrounding space looks black or gray."
—It's the temperature difference.
"Ah, I see."
I nodded. Areas matching human body temperature glowed bright white, darkening as the temperature dropped. It was just like a thermal camera.
"So this is vampire vision."
I'd always wondered how Madric Blood could see so clearly in the dark. Now the secret was revealed.
—Now that I've taught you, it'd be great if you didn't talk to me for a while.
"Got it."
Ten seconds later, my vision returned to normal. It wasn't my will; it just deactivated on its own. The duration was pretty short.
I figured it was because I hadn't mastered vampire vision yet. Time would fix that, of course.
For the record, Madric Blood hadn't taught me any supplementary effects of Blood Cycle or anything beyond the basics. That's why acquiring Angelica counted as a stroke of luck.
I set aside vampire vision for now and approached Gwak Do-cheol, who was deep in sword training.
"Do-cheol hyung."
\"What is it, **Young Hero** Jeongha?"\
"About that sparring request you made earlier. I'll take you up on it now."
\"Ho ho. Finally in the mood, are you, **Young Hero**?"\
"Yeah. For growth's sake."
Gwak Do-cheol nodded with a composed expression.
"A competitive spirit is one of the greatest driving forces for any martial artist."
With that, he assumed his stance. It was similar to mine, since I'd been learning the sword from him.
* * *
During our spar with Gwak Do-cheol, his expression shifted subtly moment to moment. After crossing blades with him, I could guess why he'd first requested a spar—even without him saying it.
"That was a feint."
As the tip of Gwak Do-cheol's sword touched my vital point, he spoke.
"Same spot as before."
"Feels like it."
He must have wanted to gauge my talent. But seeing me fall for the same feint repeatedly probably puzzled him. Even someone with a body like Mu-gol-ji-che wouldn't get tricked by the same move over and over.
Gwak Do-cheol sheathed his sword and said,
\"Perhaps **Young Hero** Jeongha is the type who gains enlightenment through the heat of real combat."\
"I do grow in actual fights."
It wasn't wrong. Even if it wasn't about martial arts proficiency, I'd gotten stronger from combat rewards—like the Jade Legged Blood Hand's inner core and the Sealed Sword.
\"Hmm. Shall we go again, **Young Hero**?"\
"Sure. Dinner's soon, so let's wrap up by then."
\"Very well. It seems I've mixed in too many tricky moves for a beginner. This time, I'll stick to the eight forms I taught you, **Young Hero**."\
"Got it."
But Gwak Do-cheol didn't yield the first move this time. He swung his sword at my chest.
Then—
—Neck!
"……!"
Clang!
At Angelica's sharp voice, I instinctively blocked with the flat of my blade. Gwak Do-cheol's fierce sword tip was halted.
"This……."
It was the same feint I'd just fallen for. I'd expected him to mix it in, but not right at the start.
Gwak Do-cheol's eyes flashed as he sheathed his sword. He crossed his arms and spoke.
\"You blocked my killing blow perfectly. Looks like your eyes for reading an opponent's sword have sharpened significantly. Well done, **Young Hero** Jeongha."\
"Uh…… thanks."
I replied awkwardly. Angelica's shout had let me block on reflex. Without it, I'd have fallen for it again.
I sheathed my sword and said,
"Let's grab dinner now."
"Sounds good."
As we headed to the cafeteria together, I murmured quietly to the Sealed Sword.
"Angelica."
—…….
No response even after waiting, so I deliberately tapped the scabbard.
"You'll regret it."
—……What?
"How'd you do that earlier?"
—Telling you where the sword was coming during the spar?
"Yeah."
—You're an idiot if you couldn't even notice that much.
"But unless you're pretty skilled with swords, it's hard to spot that fast."
It was true. The moment Gwak Do-cheol swung had been a split second. Reading his trick and relaying it to me that quickly would be impossible without mastery of the blade.
—That's…… No. I'm not telling.
Tap, tap.
"You sure?"
—Do whatever! Boil me, roast me. I'm not saying.
I let her foul mouth slide for now. But I had to figure out how she'd spotted the feint in our spar.
"Hmm……."
Finally, Angelica spoke cautiously.
—……Well, promise me one thing, and I might tell you.
I was curious what she'd say, but we'd already reached the cafeteria.
"Oh, hyung's here?"
"Jeongha-ssi, you too."
Kim Hansu and Choi Heejeong were there.
"I always come around this time."
Dinner breaks weren't long.
"Why don't we all eat together?"
"Sure."
As the four of us ate, Madric Blood approached me.
"Manager Kim."
"Yes? Director."
"Come to my room after dinner."
"Understood."
What now? She'd said Blood Cycle was a one-and-done lesson.
I had one guess, though. I'd find out when I got there, so I didn't dwell on it.
As Madric Blood walked away, Kim Hansu snickered.
"Summoned to a beauty boss's private quarters. Heart's racing just thinking about it, huh?"
"You called her a classy auntie before."
"Doesn't mean she's not hot."
"……."
He wasn't wrong.
"Anyway, it's not what you're imagining. Shut it down."
"Kukuku."
Gwak Do-cheol chimed in.
\"Hm, I was going to check your swordwork more after dinner, **Young Hero** Jeongha. It is a shame."\
"Plenty of time ahead."
"Haha. If we survive, that is."
"Yeah."
We had to survive. Until we saw the end of Hunter Stock Company.
* * *
Madric Blood's room. She sat in a chair, arms crossed, looking up at me.
Soon, she spoke.
"I have one question for thee."
"Please, ask away."
"Floors 10 and 11 underground. Thou seemest to know something of the dungeons below."
I'd half-expected this. I answered calmly.
"Yes. That's my Gift."
I hadn't planned to reveal it, but since she'd asked, no harm in lying.
Madric Blood's eyes gleamed.
"Ho ho. So thou knowest all dungeon information?"
"Not all. But probably good up to floor 20."
I didn't know every dungeon by heart. I'd actively cleared up to 20. Beyond that was too dangerous for a lowly intern—places where breathing could kill you.
Behemoth had just been overwhelmingly strong.
And Hunter Stock Company held secrets even I didn't know after 20 years. I was too insignificant to gather full intel on the dungeons or the company.
"Floor 20. Quite useful, art thou."
She stood and continued.
"Very well. Thou hast performed well on floor 11, so I shall teach thee one more thing."
"Really?"
Not vampire vision, I hoped.
"Indeed. The secret of our clan that pierces the darkness……."
I waved my hands frantically.
"W-wait a sec!"
"Hm? A problem?"
I racked my brain desperately.
"W-well…… Humans rely most on sight among their five senses, right?"
"And?"
"Since sight is so vital, something to enhance other senses would be better."
I bullshitted on the fly. Madric Blood pondered, then nodded.
"There is merit in that. Then, what of hearing?"
"Can't I turn into a bat?"
Bat form would be handy.
"Only pureblood vampires can."
"Got it. Hearing it is."
"The technique is called ultrasound."
"Surprisingly straightforward."
Probably the ability to hear ultrasonic waves.
At that moment, the Sealed Sword at my side vibrated faintly. Angelica must have been about to teach me ultrasound next—as payment for a deal.
She'd been scooped by Madric Blood. I'd discipline the cheeky sword later.
"Circulate thy Blood Cycle at once."
"Yes."
She explained step by step. The principle was similar to vampire vision—gather energy in both ears.
"But mishandle it, and thou mayest lose thy hearing. Be cautious."
In other words, don't try amplifying smell or touch the same way, or disaster. It required a master vampire's guidance.
This ultrasound was far harder than vampire vision, though.
"As thou saidst, humans rely most on sight, so 'twill not be easy."
"I see."
"Yet master it, and naught is more useful."
Whether it was or not, I'd see once I learned.
Soon, energy gathered in my ears.
"Urk……!"
"Endure it."
My eardrums felt like they might burst. And it was hard!
Still, these processes boosted my Gongryeok stat proficiency, so I gritted my teeth.
"Maintain that energy and listen. Hearing ultrasound is but preparation."
"……."
I was too focused to reply.
"Not just the ears—condense energy in thy throat, precisely the vocal cords."
Ah. I got it. Like dolphins or bats—emit ultrasound, read the echoes for shape, even taste.
Madric Blood continued.
"Hearing alone is useful, but limited. Emit it thyself, and far more becomes possible."
She cleared her throat a couple times, then fell silent.
Moments later, she spoke again.
"Didst thou hear what I just said?"
"……?"
"Thou heardst not. Thou art still far off."
I thought she was teasing, but then I realized. She'd spoken via ultrasound.
Like Murim experts' transmission of voice, vampires could converse secretly.
She placed a hand on my head.
"Intraocular pressure is high. Best stop for today."
I halted the Blood Cycle and sighed softly.
"……Hoo."
"Thy Gongryeok is high, but thy control and sense lack. Didst thou swallow some fine elixir?"
Spooky accurate.
Madric Blood went on.
"Moreover, it feels much like the inner core of the Jade Legged Blood Hand I absorbed recently. Most curious."
I hadn't done anything wrong, but it made me squirm.
"Next time, I'll teach thee to split the energy into three. Come again tomorrow."
"Yes. Thank you for the lesson."
"No need. 'Tis but an exchange."
"No, I mean it."
No one had really taught me anything before. That's why I was so grateful to Gwak Do-cheol, even if it was transactional.
Madric Blood looked surprised, then chuckled softly.
"Very well. How thou takest it is thine own mind."
Her lips moved after that, but I couldn't hear.
As I left her room, Angelica spoke.
—You didn't hear that, did you?
"Seemed like she said something."
Probably ultrasound. No way she'd just mouth words.
—Want me to tell you what?
"Yeah."
—Hee hee hee.
Angelica's voice brimmed with excitement, like she'd seized the upper hand.
—Promise not to treat me roughly until I'm freed from here, and I'll tell you.
"One week."
—Half a year!
"Three months."
—Half a year!
"One week."
After some back-and-forth, Angelica spoke.
—Fine. You won't touch me for a full week?
"Deal. Now spill. What'd she say?"
Soon, Angelica's words continued.