Castle of the Vampyre

"You're going to take the lead?"

"Yes."

It had been so long ago that my memories were hazy, but at this point, the perk for entering first probably hadn't been announced yet. The HR department hadn't let slip that there was a benefit for leading the way.

"Don't think I'll protect you."

Madric Blood gave me a look that said she dared me to try.

"Of course."

I hadn't been counting on that anyway. All I wanted was to grow stronger myself. To avoid repeating the same end as in my previous life.

Madric Blood shouted.

"Everyone, move out!"

"Yes!"

The briefing ended, and we immediately prepared to head to Underground Floor 11. The Safety Planning Department's efficiency was lightning-fast. As we all headed to the teleport facility together, Gwak Do-cheol approached me.

"How was it? Did you check your achievements?"

"Yes. All three forms seem mastered."

I was confident I could unleash them freely anytime, anywhere. The biggest obstacle for a beginner using techniques was fear. What if it misses? What if it doesn't reach? What if it doesn't deal a fatal blow? I'd graduated from such novice worries ages ago.

"Lucky you have such talent. But don't get too cocky. The sharper the blade, the cooler the mind must be."

"I'll keep that in mind."

Kim Hansu, who'd been listening in, snickered.

"You his master now, old man?"

"Who knows."

It was ambiguous to call Gwak Do-cheol my master. If just receiving instruction made someone a master, then the guy in the marketplace who taught me third-rate martial arts would qualify too. Unless it was a unique Black Moon Sect secret technique.

Now, with my boosted Gongryeok stat, I could unleash the three forms of Black Moon Tyrant Sword to my heart's content. He seemed to think that was my talent as a martial artist. But once I delved into higher martial arts, my true foundation might show. Only one answer: delay that moment as long as possible.

Woooong.

I stepped onto the teleport facility first. As soon as we entered Underground Floor 11, a decent atmosphere hit us.

The benefit given to the first to set foot on Underground Floor 11. The HR staff who'd entered before had all left, resetting the perk for me.

Choi Heejeong, following behind, looked around and spoke.

"I heard it was a castle, but I expected creepy. This is pretty legit."

She was right. A massive, expensive-looking chandelier hung from the ceiling. Portraits and paintings of unknown figures adorned the walls. It evoked an old, elegant noble's castle.

I glanced back, and Madric Blood nodded as if to say go ahead. I nodded and said,

"Let's proceed."

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I opened the door in front of us and entered a large room. That's when it happened.

"Ahahaha!"

A woman in an elegant dress appeared, letting out mad laughter.

We'd plugged our ears thanks to HR intel, but it dulled the effect at best—we couldn't block it completely.

"Ugh, argh! What is this?!"

"G-get away!"

"J-Jeongha? Why do you look like a monster...?"

"Heejeong. It's me. What you're seeing is a hallucination."

"Huh? Oh..."

Just a taste, so a light touch dispelled it. Still, everyone felt this stage wasn't a joke.

Someone muttered,

"Heard about hallucinations, but not this bad..."

"No floor's a pushover."

Meanwhile, Madric Blood tried chasing the Vampyre Queen that appeared. But.

Clang!

"...Damn it."

To meet the boss, clear stages step by step. Madric Blood bit her lower lip. Makes sense—she knew the Vampyre Queen, Angelica, very well.

Hunter Stock Company's dungeons weren't mere constructs. They were passages linking to real worlds.

Madric Blood said to me,

"Kim Jeongha. Sorry, but I'll take the lead now."

"Got it."

I'd expected as much. My goal was the first-entry perk and hidden stage anyway.

Chaeng!

"Kraaak!"

The guy I one-shot twisted his face like a demon and collapsed. While progressing by slaying Vampyre minions.

I scanned the surroundings calmly while my fellow hunters focused on combat. This was a study. Spotting a hidden mechanism, my eyes lit up.

"Huh? Jeongha. Where now?"

"Got somewhere to be. Heejeong, stick with the others. I go solo this time."

"Why?"

"Heavy curse on the path."

"Can't be helped then."

Then Kim Hansu approached.

"Hmm. Another fun idea? Kukuku."

"Something like that. Anyway, like I told Heejeong..."

As I started, he waved it off.

"No worries if it's curse-related."

Come to think of it, he'd been fine during the Vampyre Queen's appearance. His Gift hid more secrets.

"Fine. Not my responsibility."

I groped behind the books on the shelf. Soon, I pulled a pitch-black book and opened it, reciting softly,

"Seek not, and you shall not find. Knock not, and the door stays shut."

Drurruk.

The shelf scraped open. I strode into the secret space without hesitation. After walking a corridor leaking pure white light,

-Ehehehe...

"Chatterboxes."

Kim Hansu muttered. Ghostly things resembling Vampyre Queen Angelica floated, giggling eerily. Not hallucinations from the curse—these were projections immune to curse immunity. Phantasm Curse.

Difference? Without immunity, you can't tell phantasm from real.

I wouldn't be fooled. Glanced at Kim Hansu—no reaction.

-Follow me...

-Ehehehe.

-Come here. Play with me.

"They're multiplying?"

"More to come."

Over 10.

-Follow already.

-Why not?

-Over here...

-Here. Here.

-Look here.

Over 50.

"Ears'll burst before hypnosis."

Chittering. Whispering. Murmuring. Tiny voices, but dozens at once could drive you mad.

-Over here!

-Play with me.

-Play, please.

-Huh? Huh?

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At 100 phantasms.

"Sure. I'll play."

-Really?

100 pairs of eyes gleamed. I nodded, opening the black book from the study.

-Wh-what's that?

-You won't read it, right?

"Fairy tale for you. So hush and listen."

-Liar!

-That's Mom's exorcism rite...

"No, no. Nothing like that."

I read on regardless.

"Noon on the twelfth hour of the twelfth month..."

-Kyaaak!

-Stop!

-Don't read!

-Stop or else!

-I'll tell Dad!

Good. Snitch. That's what I want.

The 100 phantasms flew off together.

"Chase 'em."

"Mm."

They'd lead; I just follow. Soon, entering a space, blinding white light poured out—brighter than the corridor. Hard to see.

Source: a massive cross on marble floor.

"Altar?"

"Yeah."

"Cross in a vampire castle? Contradiction."

"Vampyre. Not vampire."

"Same diff."

Different beings, but no time for lectures. The 100 merged into one and slammed into the cross—into the man hanging there. Precisely, into the sword in his chest.

"What the...?"

Kim Hansu's shock turned intrigued.

"Oh."

The man on the cross lifted his head, eyes bulging.

The man glared, yanked the sword from his chest. Landing, he looked up.

"You lot. Tormenting my daughter?"

"I'm helping your daughter body and soul..."

Before I finished, he vanished. No talking, huh. I scanned: front, back, left, right. Wrong—above!

Sword already drawn, I blocked Lubrid's strike with my blade's flat.

Chaeng!

The impact felt heavy in my hands.

"Kuh!"

Nearly dropped it. His hollow gaze screamed, You're weak.

So what if I'm weak? Team up!

Snap!

Kim Hansu snapped his fingers.

Woooong.

Vision tinted blue everywhere. He clasped hands into claw or fang shape.

"Kukuku."

Grinning sinisterly, he clashed fingers. A beast's maw appeared midair, chomping Lubrid's spot.

Paat!

Lubrid ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠reappeared farther, cape half-torn but unscathed.

"Bro. This guy's tough. Kuku."

Nosebleed already.

"Tch."

As Lubrid vanished again, next spot: dead ahead! Like crushing straight on.

Could I win? After several impromptu combos with Kim Hansu,

Puk!

"Guh."

Chest stabbed. Five exchanges. That's how many clashes with Lubrid.

"Bro. See ya next life. Cough, cough! Kukukuku."

Last sight in my third death: blood-vomiting Kim Hansu.

I died.

And revived.

Honestly, no confidence we'd win. But this powerless? Whatever. Restart.

From Underground Floor 10. Challenge endlessly.

Day one: tackled Jade Legged Blood Hand. Madric Blood took its inner core, taught me Blood Cycle.

Saved Gwak Do-cheol's life; next day, grinded Black Moon Tyrant Sword.

Now, with mere first-rate Gongryeok, he said,

"Hm. Not just Gongryeok—you're truly first-rate as a swordsman in the three forms. Quite the aptitude."

Boosted my confidence. Day three.

Paat!Lubrid vanished. Above me. Remembered.

Twisted body, dodged, unleashed prepared form.

Black Moon Tyrant Sword.

Half Moon Slash.

Sliced a crescent in air. But Lubrid parried like he'd foreseen it.

Chaeng!

This time, he staggered back—not me.

It works. A few more, and it'll land. Improved swordplay helped, but pattern memory too.

At least 12 exchanges.

"Now!"

"Ung."

Kim Hansu's beast maw struck. Lubrid couldn't fully evade—shoulder torn.

But one arm still too strong.

Puk!

"Ugh..."

15 exchanges. Second try's limit.

"Bro. Next life. Kukuku..."

My fifth life began. Same flow as befo— no.

I poked at section-chief soy crab set, spoon to mouth.

"Deep in thought? Jeongha."

"Huh? No, nothing."

"Jeongha bro. You not eating the shell bits?"

Passed crab bits to Kim Hansu, pondered. Decided: eat Jade Legged Blood Hand's inner core again.

Acted fast. Safety Planning Department at Underground Floor 10.

"Heejeong! Now!"

"Yes!"

Paat! Swapped positions with Madric Blood. Infused qi, ripped corpse—extracted core easier.

Swallowed without pause.

Gulp.

Body already knew the energy. Adapt this time?

Naive thought.

"Puh!"

Vomited blood—more than second life.

"Trying to die?!"

Madric Blood sank fangs into my nape. She could take half. If I absorbed the rest!

Dying to live.

Eyes closed.