Chapter 66
Chapter 66
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 66
Chapter Title: Vampiric World #4
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[You have learned about the 'Loop Play Element.']
[Your current loop is Loop 2.]
[You can now check the death count list by loop and the endings you have collected.]
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[●Death Count List by Loop]
[●Collected Endings]
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I can check them...?
In my confusion, I checked what the status window told me.
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[●Death Count List by Loop]
[Total Death Count: 15]
[Reduced Death Count: 0]
-[Loop 1 Death Count: 1]
-[Loop 2 Death Count: 14]
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What the hell is this?
So loops meant something like this...?
I died once in Loop 1 and immediately moved to Loop 2?
Everything was incomprehensible, but as the status window said, I had learned about the 'Loop Play Element.'
And so I understood.
I had reached one ending in Loop 1 and moved on to Loop 2.
I thought back to my first death.
It wasn't being torn apart by the vampire, nor disemboweling myself. It wasn't even being eaten by Mom and Dad after they turned into ghouls.
I was bitten by a vampire.
I died after being bitten by a vampire.
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[●Collected Endings]
[Non-Human]
-[You became a vampire and destroyed the world.]
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But I didn't die from being 'bitten.' Nor did I die right after becoming a vampire. I lived on as a vampire, acting until I eventually destroyed the world.
It was only natural that I had no memory of that process.
My sense of self had vanished after becoming Non-Human. Since I was no longer judged as a normal 'me,' it had gone into some kind of auto-play mode. That's why the entire process was skipped, and I moved to Loop 2.
I thought I had opened my eyes on the subway right after dying to the vampire for the first time, but in reality, I had become a vampire, destroyed the world, and only then looped back and opened my eyes.
"..."
My memories of the previous loop... were still hazy.
But one thing was clear: I had been turned into a vampire by the 'Pureblood' standing before me, and in the end, I had conquered the world alongside her.
In that process, it seemed I had grown quite close to the Pureblood... I recalled sharing breaths and warmth with her. Rather than feeling disgust, I felt some kind of stability. An emotion I didn't want to acknowledge.
Wait.
Hadn't my sense of self disappeared?
Then what was this memory?
Ah... I see.
At first, I was a ghoul. I had been promoted from ghoul to vampire. I had a bit of memory of that process too.
One question lingered... In my memories, I was very close to the Pureblood. We even expanded our bloodline together. And yet, that same me became the Vampire Angel and sent the vampires to hell?
It made no sense... If things had gone that way, there's no way I would have sent the vampires to hell. From the vibe, it felt more like we created heaven than hell.
"Grong! Snap out of it!"
Spandal's sharp shout snapped me out of my thoughts.
"Ah... Senior Spandal."
"Hic!"
The hypnosis was broken.
What I saw before me was the long-haired Spandal, trembling as she held me close.
Her panicked, anxious expression.
Spandal wasn't some emotionless superhuman. She was a reliable senior, but of course, she had her weak moments.
But even when weak, the moment I started whining, Spandal would pull herself together and comfort me instead. She was the type who grew stronger when she had someone to protect. She was perfectly reliable compared to a pathetic mess like me.
That's why she felt so comforting.
Spandal was a very familiar and warm woman.
With her, I felt like I could even survive this hell.
...
And I felt similar emotions.
Toward the trembling Pureblood, Secriem, over there.
This fact brought intense disgust surging up, along with contradictory emotions opposing it. Far too many feelings toward a mere vampire.
Above all...
The realizations I had come to.
Secriem, standing there, seemed to have realized them too.
"Ah, aah... So that's how it all... happened."
The Pureblood gazed at me wistfully.
Tears welled up in her eyes. Having clearly understood all the fear and confusion she'd felt until moments ago and the reasons behind it, only her feelings for me remained.
"Get up. Come here."
The Pureblood said, her voice choked with sobs.
"Come be with me."
"..."
"Vampire Grahnak... You're mine, aren't you? So don't stay there—come to me. Come close and whisper my name. Hurry."
Her words struck my mind like lightning.
The Vampire Angel's true name was Grahnak!!!
Secriem, that Pureblood, had turned me into a ghoul and raised me into a vampire. The name she gave me upon my promotion to vampire was Grahnak...!
This was an overwhelming clue!
A clue to slaying that Vampire Angel!
"You guys... really do have something going on."
At that moment, Spandal said with sunken eyes.
"Grong. Is that Vampire Angel really you?"
"That's..."
"What the hell are you? Human? Agent? Or vampire?"
Spandal's body trembled as she held me.
"Senior Spandal."
"I don't know... I really don't know... If that Vampire Angel is really you, Grong."
What terrified me most.
Was Spandal's interrogation.
"What did you ask that demon for back then?"
I couldn't answer. Naturally, Spandal understood everything just from my expression.
"You did it. You made a weird wish. Right?"
Drip.
Drip.
Tears fell from Spandal's eyes.
"Why? Why would you do that? Why?"
I felt an excruciating horror and despair in this situation. If Spandal had known nothing, she wouldn't be hurting like this.
"Why did you deceive me all this time? Was everything a lie?"
"..."
"Can't you tell me?"
"Senior Spandal. I..."
For a moment, I wondered what would happen if I told her about the loops and regression here. But the thought alone sent chills down my spine. I still remembered Jaaldi's final attitude.
Was I truly unable to share this with anyone?
"I..."
"You're going to that vampire?"
The air grew heavy.
The Pureblood and Spandal glared at each other.
I grabbed Spandal's hand.
"Senior Spandal. The most precious thing to me is you, Senior Spandal."
"Uh, uh-huh?"
"I only wanted a better future. I never... meant to betray or hurt you, Senior Spandal."
"Then..."
Whoosh!
In that instant, an intense aura erupted from the Pureblood.
"That woman... It's because of that woman. That's why you won't come to me."
Her eyes turned red.
Her fangs lengthened.
A sinister aura rose.
"Grahnak. If you won't come, I'll turn you into my vampire again."
Turn me into a vampire?
"I don't care anymore. Grahnak, all I need is you."
Spandal stood up.
"Shut your mouth."
"What?"
"You're going to turn Grong into a vampire? Who the hell do you think you are, spouting that crap? You don't know how much Grong hates vampires. Especially you, the one he despises most, yet you act all high and mighty...?"
"You...!"
The Pureblood scowled.
And in the next moment.
Her figure vanished.
"Wait! Secriem! Senior Spandal!"
I reached out and shouted, but Spandal melted into the shadows in an instant too. No, they couldn't fight here.
We could cooperate!
From recalling Loop 1 memories, I could somehow form a united front with the Pureblood. Plus, I'd learned the Vampire Angel's true name. If I could find a solution in this situation and regress, I could end it.
But why...!
Clash!
Secriem and Spandal collided.
Vampire claws met black thorns, sparking flames. Thorns exploded forth, piercing the Pureblood's body. Flying blades of blood tore Spandal's clothes.
"Stop it! Both of you!"
I wanted to intervene, but they were beyond me.
Spandal was a powerful superhuman. And Secriem was a Pureblood who had survived to this day.
They ignored me, screaming as they fought.
"I said stop!"
Classic method.
I threw myself right into the middle of the fight. But they effortlessly shifted positions and continued battling around me.
With my power, I couldn't even keep up.
Splurt!
Their blood sprayed.
I could only watch the two women's fight in despair.
Spandal, covered in blood.
The Pureblood, riddled with holes.
They glared at each other.
"Haa, haa... I absolutely won't let you turn Grong into a vampire."
"It's not Grong—it's Grahnak. I'll make Grahnak my vampire again. Even in this shitty world, as long as I have Grahnak, I don't care!"
"You don't even know how much Grong hates vampires!"
Conclusion.
Their battle reached its final clash.
Black thorns pierced the Pureblood.
Vampire claws raked Spandal's chest.
Both spewed blood and collapsed simultaneously.
"Senior Spandal!"
Why did things turn out like this...!
"Urk, urgh... Grong..."
The fallen Senior Spandal looked up at me, sobbing.
She reached out weakly, touching my face.
I couldn't hold her hand.
I had to administer first aid.
"Why! There was no need to fight like this! I didn't want to see you get hurt, Senior Spandal!"
"H-Hand... Hold my hand... quick..."
"Don't talk...!"
"Hand... hurry... hand..."
In the end, I stanched the bleeding with one hand and grasped Spandal's with the other.
"It's warm... Grong..."
"Please, please...!"
"Grong... There's something... right? A-a way... A way to resolve this mess..."
"Yes! There is! When I go back, I definitely will! I'll definitely resolve it!"
"Heh, hehe... Go back where... Hic."
I couldn't stop the bleeding.
"Grong... I love you."
"Me too! I love you too, Senior Spandal!"
At my shout, Spandal smiled.
I already knew.
Even if I regressed and returned.
This Spandal wouldn't be there.
"Don't forget me..."
"I won't forget, never...!"
"Thank you... My junior... I believe... you'll do great..."
Her smile faded.
Spandal's hand slipped away.
"Ha, haa...! Haa!"
Harsh breathing came from behind.
The battered Pureblood was approaching.
"Grahnak... Come here... You have me. Let's live together. Okay?"
Just as I thought.
I hate vampires.
"Secriem."
"G-Grahnak...?"
"What I hate most."
"Huh?"
"Is vampires."
"W-Wait!"
Rather than become a vampire.
I'd rather die.
Whoosh!
I drew my pistol.
Pressed the barrel to my temple.
"Grahnak! No!!!"
I pulled the trigger.
[You have achieved a new accomplishment.]
[Accomplishment: Suicide by Pistol]
[■■■.■■■ has detected your death.]
[■■■.■■■ approaches you.]