Chapter 154
Translator: True Detective
Chapter 154: How to Greet Halloween (2)
“The collaborator is Yul-ah-ssi?”
“That's right. She's also someone who knows the traps of 'Vampire's Castle' very well.”
Na Yuhan affirmed Na Yuri's question. Everyone seemed to understand, but Choi Sujeong suddenly cut in.
“But don't you need the matching non-human race for the dungeon to get the Key, Junior~? Where are you going to get a vampire?”
“A v-vampire?”
At the word vampire, Park Yul-ah flinched and glanced at Na Yuhan.
“I have a plan. Park Yul-ah is the bait. Bait to lure the vampire.”
“Hmm— If you have a plan, Junior!”
Choi Sujeong seemed to debate whether to press further but let it go. It seemed Na Yuhan had no intention of revealing that Park Yul-ah was a vampire-hybrid. Usually, if non-human hybrids don't show it, they live pretending to be human. Months ago, Na Yuhan had lured Choi Sujeong and essentially forced her to use her lineage to open the dungeon. His attitude toward Park Yul-ah today was completely different. He really has changed a lot. Feeling a strange emotion, I faithfully helped Na Yuhan hand out the teleportation items to everyone.
“Alright, I'll explain how we're going to get the vampire.”
Na Yuhan grinned playfully. Like a mischievous boy plotting some wicked prank.
[Story Fragment / Unread]
Park Yulhan, along with Shin Haeun, watched Na Yuhan's group standing in front of the Gate to the Vampire's Castle. As expected, they had included one person with vampire lineage. Just like the previous turn, it was Park Yul-ah. The moment he saw that, Park Yulhan smirked. According to Tornito, in the previous turn, Park Yul-ah was forcibly outed as a vampire-hybrid because of Na Yuhan. Did he use the same method this time?Park Yulhan's eyebrow rose. Shin Haeun, who was quietly observing them next to Park Yulhan, asked.
“What will you do?”
“Hmm— I'll go alone, as planned! It's not like anything will change just because my sister is there!”
They might be vaguely expecting the Wild Hunt to be on their tail. But Park Yulhan judged that Na Yuhan's party was still far too slow to handle his speed, so he'd be fine this time. Park Yulhan reduced his presence and flew in after them. Passing through the Gate, he saw a winding path and, at its end, a giant, ancient castle. It was old, but the years added to the castle's dignity. He saw tall, gray and black spires. Beyond the colorless castle, a dark sky was visible. The sky was full of dark clouds, looking like it would pour rain at any moment. As expected of a dungeon for vampires, the sun was completely hidden, creating the perfect conditions for vampires to be active. Park Yulhan checked his condition and faced the castle. In truth, this sight was very familiar to him. Because that castle was none other than the one his grandpa had offered up. It was the castle for sealing 'that Key', the one his damned grandpa had emphasized and shown him in illusions time and time again. Right, that castle was where his grandfather, Erentos, the Lord of the vampires, had resided long ago.
“How annoying….”
His grandfather had left him a large inheritance, but his memories of him were not pleasant. Erentos had doted only on Park Yulhan for manifesting the ‘talent to read the stars’, and had all but abandoned his sister, Park Yul-ah, for not having it. No, this isn't the time for a trip down memory lane.Park Yulhan bit his lip with his fangs in annoyance and chased after Na Yuhan's group, who were opening the castle doors. His sister was chattering away, laughing, next to the Irregular, as if she liked her so much. From her attitude, it didn't seem like she'd been threatened or forced to come. Maybe this time, because of that Irregular, she had revealed she was a vampire-hybrid herself. 'It's a relief if she wasn't threatened, but…' The Player, having abundant knowledge of this world, broke through the secret traps and headed for the basement where the 'door' was, without issue. Still, the succubus he had released in the castle did its job, and one rather amusing scene played out.
“Yuhan, I—” “...Why am I trying to take my clothes off?” “N-Nahyun, this is—” “Junior~ Since when did you have such lewd thoughts!” “It's not me! It's not!” “Nahyun-ssi, come here! As I thought, we need to stay away from this human…!” “I said it's not me!”
Oh, the Player likes the Irregular. That's a good point to use later.Park Yulhan snickered, quickly pocketing that bit of plot bait.
“Siwoo—” “Ah, don't you think you cut it down too fast, Junior~?” “...There's no need to be confused by something so amusing.” “Isn't it just because you didn't want to see it~? I caught a glimpse of brown, so in fact—” “Let's just go.” “My, my. So prickly!”
The Hero likes the Irregular, too. But he doesn't want to get caught, does he? Unlike the Player, who was hopelessly afflicted, the Hero cut the succubus down in one stroke, before its mist could even take on a faint brown color.
“Hm? What's that money? Whose illusion is it?” “Th-that's?”
Though the Irregular herself seems to have no interest in the boys, and likes money the best. In any case, it was good they were heading to the castle basement. There wasn't anything good at the top of the castle. ...Not that there's anything good in the basement, either. He smiled, thinking of his grandfather's rotten taste. Well, he wasn't the one who'd have to deal with 'them', so it didn't matter.Park Yulhan leisurely followed the Academy students. 'When they retrieve the Key, should I tease my sister a bit?' He thought, relaxed.
The change in Park Yulhan's relaxed attitude came after the group he was following had passed all the traps and illusions and arrived at what should have been a safe place. Park Yul-ah's eyes suddenly turned cloudy, and she began to harm herself.
“Park Yul-ah!” “What's wrong?!” “Sunbae, please check if there's anything nearby causing hallucinations!” “Got it!”
Park Yulhan grit his teeth, seeing Na Yuhan panic. Confusion rocked his mind. What? There shouldn't be any more traps in this castle. And definitely no traps that would harm someone with vampire blood.Did that damned grandpa have something he didn't tell me?What the hell did that Player do? If he had the information, he should have been more careful!
“Her strength is too…!” The group desperately tried to stop her self-harm, but it seemed Park Yul-ah was temporarily strengthened. In the end, Park Yul-ah'sdagger stabbed her in the stomach. “Dammit…!” The thick scent of blood wafted out. He could tell. This was the smell of real blood. What's the problem? What trap is this? He activated his eyes and scanned his sister, but he couldn't find anything. Damned grandpa…!Do I need to get closer? His reason was wavering.
“This is bad!” “What do we do? At this rate, Yul-ah will…!”
And the moment he saw his sister's truly endangered eyes, he made a decision. The traps and illusions in this castle were fundamentally for those with the star-reading talent. If he looked, he could break them. I'll break the curse and get out, fast. Thinking that, he threw a smoke bomb from his Inventory and approached Park Yul-ah— “—Got you.” —He lost consciousness.
And when he opened his eyes again, he was tied up. Park Yulhan very slowly scanned the faces of Na Yuhan's group looking down at him. The damned Player was grinning, looking down at him. And to top it off, his sister was looking down on him, perfectly fine, as if he were pathetic. …He understood the situation all too well. …God damn it. I was tricked. Feeling the pain in his stomach, he let out a hollow laugh.
Na Yuhan poked the bound and unconscious Park Yulhan'sfang and grinned.
“See? Got him.”
“You did…”
I wonder if this is really okay… I shook my head, looking at Park Yul-ah, who was screaming and clutching her head next to Park Yulhan. It was understandable. When Na Yuhan had explained the plan:
'Will he really come? He and I cut ties a long time ago! He won't even care!''He'll come. That guy has a sister complex.''...Please don't say such horrible things…''We'll see.'
…Na Yuhan's prediction had hit the nail on the head. Park Yul-ah was now practically gagging....
“Disgusting….”
Wouldn't Park Yulhan cry if he saw this?
“But what's the relationship between Park Yul-ah and that guy? Yul-ah-ssi is human, and that guy is a vampire...?”
“We're half-siblings.”
“Ah.”
Na Yuri shut her mouth at Park Yul-ah's answer. That was a lie, of course, but there was no better answer. I decided to feed that setting to Park Yulhan when he woke up. He'd play along. Na Yuhan spoke coolly to Park Yul-ah, who was still gagging.
“Let's wake him up. We're not out of time, but we don't have time to wait for him.”
“Should we?”
Park Yul-ah, snapping to her senses, kicked Park Yulhan with a cold expression. Paaak—! It sounded like she'd really kicked him; it was an incredible noise. “...Ow.” Maybe that's why. The first words Park Yulhan said, after letting out a hollow laugh, were that it hurt.
“Like I care?” And Park Yul-ah's reply was ice-cold.
“Isn't that too much? It's been a while.”
“Who was it that ghosted who?”
“……”
A truly ideal sibling relationship....