Chapter 24
Chapter 24
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Translator: Vine
Chapter: 24
Chapter Title: What About Me?
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"What about me?"
"People sometimes have to learn to say no. If it was a joke, just admit it was a joke instead of stubbornly digging your heels in─"
"Shut up. It wasn't a joke. I was serious, but I didn't think you'd actually take it."
I'd planned to just ignore her and mutter a quick thanks to move on. But who knew she'd take my words so literally?
I never pegged her as that rigid. I'm the victim here, too.
"Then just refuse it."
"Are you an idiot? When someone offers you something like this, you take it. Refusing would be rude. Refuse? What's that? I don't know the meaning of the word~"
Raphael pulled a weary face, but what could I do? Lately, food costs for you two─Raphael and Lachesis─have been draining my account like crazy.
God's bank account covers living expenses for two people, not your bottomless appetites.
So, cutting unnecessary spending is just common sense. Wisdom for living, you know.
"So, are we hitting the gates again?"
Raphael grinned mischievously. She was probably hoping for another head-patting scene where she grovels─no way.
"What are you talking about? Do you know how big Justitia's grounds are? It's not just the academy and training fields─that'd be a waste of space. There are personal shops and businesses, too. You've been here a few days and still don't know?"
"I know. I was just asking. I'll go get ready now."
"Do whatever."
I left Raphael bustling around, hopping here and there as she got ready to head out, and turned on the TV.
[Recently, bodies completely drained of blood have been discovered across the country. Experts believe this is the work of vampires and are investigating─]
"Oh."
Vampires, huh. Already making moves? The novel never specified exactly when they'd start, but hearing it on the news like this feels surreal.
"Things are rough out there."
Justitia's insides would be the real mess soon enough, but that's none of my business. Kim Tae-hyun can deal with it. I'll just munch popcorn from the sidelines and stir the pot.
[The bodies have been found nationwide, regardless of location, suggesting organized activity. Avoid walking alone at night─]
I half-listened to the announcer's drowsy drone, tuning out. Those poor bastards are in for it. Vampires attack for one reason: to find someone.
Leaving traces to advertise their presence─how pathetic. That's all they've got.
"Alright!! Let's go!!"
"Yeah, yeah."
Justitia should be safe inside, at least. With that thought, I calmed down the inexplicably excited Raphael and headed out of the dorm.
＊＊＊
"Whoaaaaa!"
"Please."
"What's that? That one? Whoa!!"
"Please. Just... chill."
I crushed Raphael's head as she whipped her gaze around, radiating total country bumpkin vibes. Stay still, for god's sake. This is embarrassing.
Look, people are whispering and staring at us. Your hick status is busted.
"Why are you doing this? You only ever go between the dorm and home, dorm and home. Even after coming down for summer break, this is my first time in a place like this─do you have any idea how I feel?!"
"Nah, I don't get the full-time housewife vibes."
She shook off my hand with a "Then leave me alone!!" What are you, a middle schooler hitting puberty?
Though, I have to admit, it's pretty wild. Just a short walk from the dorm, and suddenly it's this bustling?
The academy grounds feel totally different. Parfait shops, burger chains─all the usual spots you'd see out in society.
This is Justitia. Impressive.
"Even you're lighting up, Seong-hoon. How about we try that crepe thing?"
"Why do you only pipe up for stuff like this?"
I sighed and ordered crepes at the shop. If I didn't buy them, she'd whine all day and be a pain. Easier to just shove one in her mouth.
They arrived soon─big, hefty desserts. Suddenly, Lachesis had shifted to human form, and both she and Raphael stared at my hand with sparkling eyes.
Twinkling gazes, drool dripping down. Two girls fixated on the food in my hand.
Something feels off. Shaking off the weird vibe, I stuffed crepes into their mouths.
"Mmm!! What is this?! It's so good!!"
"Is there anything you don't like?"
"Nope. This is the best thing I've ever─"
Blah blah blah. Ignoring Raphael's chatter─she was clearly in a good mood now─I kept walking until we reached the meeting spot.
A fountain spraying water high into the air. A woman stood in front of it, black hair matching her dark clothes perfectly.
Spotting us, she lit up with a glad expression, then─oops!─cleared her throat with a little gesture.
She waved politely, so I waved back and approached.
"Huh? Who's the one behind you?"
She peered at one spot with a "Who the heck?" look. Following her gaze: a woman happily licking a crepe, ears perked up in delight.
"Ah."
How do I explain? We saw her at the department store once, but do I really need to? I thought.
"Someone I know."
"Pardon?"
She stared like "Why bring an acquaintance?" I averted my eyes. Too much hassle to explain. And turning her back into a cat now would be weird.
Just go with "it's like that." That's fine, Isia.
＊＊＊
"Whoa."
"This is insane."
A shiny rectangular gadget. Fits perfectly in one hand, its subtle silver gleam captivating.
This is electronics! 21st-century civilization!
"It's already activated, so just use it. Consider the debt from that kidnapping incident cleared!"
Isia tilted her teacup gracefully, clearly pleased. It wasn't really debt anyway, and just unavoidable, but the unexpected gift felt great.
The activation, the phone itself─my jaw dropped at the price, but she paid without batting an eye. Rich people are the best. And she's my maid?
Am I invincible?
"...What kind of face is that?"
"Oh, I know that look. You're thinking, 'I had such a great maid and only used her for that?' Congratulations. Looks like the intensity and cost of your requests are going up starting tomorrow."
"What?!"
Isia stared at me in panic. I shook my head. I had thought it, but admitting it here? No way.
Raphael, do you have mind-reading powers or something?
"Anyway, how does this thing work?"
"Ah, first time, huh?"
Raphael squinted at the screen. She looked like a grandpa fiddling with a smartphone his grandson bought him for the first time─I couldn't help but chuckle.
"What's so funny? You won't even teach me?"
"No. The home button on the side... pfft... heh... press it..."
"Home? This one?"
"That's... heh... the volume... pfft..."
"This one?!"
"Pfft... heh..."
"Ah!! What the hell!!"
I calmed Raphael─who looked ready to lunge─and explained how to use it. She didn't get it on the first try, so it took a while.
"You can watch TV lying down with this?! In any comfy position? Holding it with one hand? What even is the 21st century? This is insane!!"
I gave her the basics and looked up. Our eyes met.
Not Isia. Not Lachesis, and definitely not Raphael.
On the terrace of our café, at a table a bit away, sat a man.
Red eyes deeper than blood stared right at us. He didn't dodge my gaze. Instead, he stared harder.
Then, a blue window popped up.
"What?"
"What's wrong?"
I kept staring at the man without answering. Sensing something off, he stood up.
"Hey, dodge─"
My words cut off. Before I could finish, a voice so seductive anyone would fall for it rang out.
"Sharp instincts, little one."
The man vanished from sight. In his place, thick fog filled the air, blinding everything.
"Don't worry. Your friends won't feel a thing."
I wanted to reply to the voice. My body trembled in terror, frozen in panic, but I had to ask.
What about me?
＊＊＊
Isia was having a bizarre experience. One blink, and she was engulfed in fog so thick she couldn't see an inch ahead.
Just moments ago, she'd been sipping tea on the café terrace, watching Lee Seong-hoon and Raphael bicker─
Before the thought finished, a man appeared.
Even in the dark void, he stood out clearly. Mesmerizing eyes, features so handsome anyone would agree.
He approached slowly, lips curling into a smile that made her heart skip.
Their eyes met. For some reason, she couldn't look away.
Why? The news from yesterday flashed in Isia's mind.
─Recently, bodies drained entirely of blood have been found across the country.
"Don't move."
She couldn't resist. No idea why. She just waited as he drew near.
─Experts believe this is the work of vampires and are investigating.
He parted his lips, licking them as if savoring a feast. Sharp fangs gleamed.
Chills ran down her spine. She tried to flee, but her body wouldn't budge.
'Vampire.'
Mana surged, but still, no movement.
"C-can't... move..."
"Oh? Figured it out? Doesn't change a thing."
Her unresponsive lips formed words, but he only smiled dreamier.
"Bon appétit."
He loomed right in front of her, mouth opening. A sweet scent wafted.
As his fangs grazed her neck:
Her mind filled with the news footage─mummified corpses, desiccated husks.
Tears wouldn't come, but one desperate thought burned:
'Save me.'
And then:
'Help me.'
But her prayers didn't reach the heavens. Fangs pierced skin, a horrifying sensation spreading.
Blood─
gushed out.
"Huh?"
Not hers. Isia stood unharmed, drenched in the raining blood.
A captivating face tumbled from above. Blood fountained from the body that had bent to bite her.
And not just that. A face that usually annoyed her─but right now, the most welcome sight.
"Ptooey! Got in my mouth. Gross."
Through the spraying blood stood a black-haired man, scythe in hand.