Chapter 74
Chapter 74
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Translator: Vine
Chapter: 74
Chapter Title: The Worst Demise
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“A lair?”
Jayden looked around. Black something dripping steadily. It was liquid.
The way it dripped like paint felt utterly alien.
Everything else? The mana concentration was thick. So dense it was hard to even breathe properly.
He couldn’t absorb the mana into his body and convert it to magic power. Too concentrated—impossible.
His powers were off-limits too.
‘Is this for real?’
His brain ground to a halt. The change was too abrupt. If this was truly what he knew as a lair… it didn’t add up.
A mere human. One so weak he had to disguise himself and deceive others just to fight.
‘And that human deployed a lair?’
Lair.
Dragon’s nest.
The implications were beyond imagination. A dragon’s lair was an inviolable domain.
The mana there, home to beings closest to gods, was different from anywhere else.
No other lifeform could absorb it. Couldn’t convert it to magic power.
That alone would be fortunate. Abilities were forbidden. Skills, powers, magic—none worked.
Nothing could manifest inside a lair.
The reason was simple: dragon instincts.
They hoarded gold and treasures—their sole amusement across eons.
That’s how they evolved. To protect their treasures. To safeguard what was as vital as their own lives.
Entering a dragon’s lair meant that. Crawling into a tiger’s den of your own accord.
‘A human in such a domain?’
Even if possible, why bother? No gain whatsoever.
‘Did he give up?’
Given up and deployed this massive spell? Exposed his tricks in a final spasm?
“Ridiculous.”
Thought he could win with powers, magic, and skills all sealed? Jayden let out a hollow chuckle and walked forward slowly.
His blood sword had vanished before he knew it—empty hands now, advancing step by step.
Soon enough, he saw it. A black-haired man lounging there.
A throne of shadows. He sat arrogantly—sprawled out, really.
His eyes, peeking through the mask, burned with fury.
“How is it? Pretty cool place, huh? I infused some of my magic power and tweaked it, but not bad, right?”
Jayden didn’t reply. He just kept walking slowly.
For some reason, everything about him grated. The lounging posture, the pristine white scythe stabbed into the ground like he had no intention of fighting, those eyes through the mask.
He wanted to deck him. Felt bad for the subordinates who’d fallen to this guy.
But his wish went ungranted.
The dripping paint around him lashed out, binding Jayden tight. Immovable restraints.
And with that, a voice rang out.
“I know.”
The man who’d been sprawled rose. He struck a dramatic pose, propping an elbow on his knee.
“You’re the progenitor vampire. Leave you be, and you’d adapt to this place’s mana. Break free and rip me limb from limb.”
The playful tone turned grave. The cocky voice sobered. Jayden swallowed unconsciously.
“I know. I couldn’t beat you even a hundred times. That’s why I brought this.”
I don’t fight battles I can lose.
With those words, it opened.
‘What?’
Jayden had no answer. But he felt it. Something had opened. A door.
Skin prickled with the sensation. Instinct screamed understanding. What he now faced was a superior existence.
Above the progenitor. Above purebloods. Demon-rank or higher.
A transcendent race lording over the world’s pinnacle.
It revealed itself.
“Precisely, a demonkin.”
Her braided purple hair swayed lightly. Deeper purple eyes stole his gaze. Even those alone were stunning, but the sharp jawline, elegant nose bridge, porcelain skin…
Perfect harmony. A beauty that made one think even a god’s handiwork couldn’t compare.
Yet her appearance was… off. Undeniably beautiful, but…
“What are you? And what’s with the outfit?”
She wore bizarre clothes. What were they called? Jayden’s thoughts stalled, memory lagging.
Frilled outfit, mostly black with a white apron—
“Maid outfit…?”
“You see it too? Damn straight? A dragon in a maid outfit!!”
“Yeah, yeah. Sure. Anyway, tough break. Your last sight’s that maid look.”
“Ah~ Can’t hear you~”
Only after their bickering did the purple maid approach. Jayden thought:
That’s a dragon. He’d already grasped that much.
But he hated this end. This finale.
Of course, an honorable death. Dying to a dragon—nothing more glorious.
But…
‘To a dragon in a maid outfit.’
For a vampire who’d lived centuries. Utter humiliation.
—Next up’s you!!
—Nah~ No idea~ This’ll vanish soon? You’d better hop in??
Fading consciousness, last sounds that idiotic banter.
Jayden was probably the vampire with the absolute worst demise in the world.
＊＊＊
Tap.
He landed lightly with a crisp sound. The makeshift ‘Lair’ vanished without a trace.
Along with the progenitor’s corpse inside.
Wasted a precious rune—crafted with one of his rare favors—just on this punk. A shame, but what could he do?
At least it stopped Sophia’s corruption. Good enough.
He stowed [Death Reaper] in his inventory and walked slowly toward Sophia. Confirming his approach, she flinched back, fleeing.
Why run?
“What’re you doing?”
“…Running.”
What kinda answer was that? He squatted before the fool who thought flinching backward counted as fleeing.
“You okay?”
He said, removing his mask. That ‘okay’ carried layers: You really alright? Why’re you here? Spill the reason.
Something like that.
Sophia dodged his eyes. Head down, but her pouting lips were visible.
“Why.”
“Why?”
“Why’d you help me.”
If he hadn’t, she’d have corrupted and come for him first, right? He kicked a nearby black cross.
“Told you already.”
“Liar.”
This some non sequitur? Conversation wasn’t clicking.
“All lies.”
What was she on about? Absurd, he just listened—then the bombshell dropped.
“You’ve got a kid, so why keep making me misunderstand!!”
“...?”
Three seconds of silence. Having mustered courage, Sophia watched him quietly after speaking.
His sluggish brain churned. What the hell?
“What… kinda talk is that?”
“Huh? No?”
His unexpected reaction flustered her; she flailed her arms. What was she doing? More importantly—kid?
One possibility flashed by. No way?
“You didn’t.”
“…What.”
“See it?”
“If I had.”
Sophia replied curtly. Scary expression too. Then it clicked. Why a hidden human was chased out of Justitia.
Yeah. That was the plan. He flicked the forehead of Sophia, still glaring.
Black crosses littered nearby—perfect aim.
“Eek!!”
“You idiot?”
“Why?!”
To her teary face, he thrust out all ten fingers.
Fun math time now.
“No matter how old she looks,”
“…Five?”
“How old are we?”
“Seventeen.”
“Seventeen minus five?”
Sophia spread her own fingers, counting. Come on, that’s instant math.
She folded fingers a few times, then lit up with realization—an exclamation mark practically over her head.
“B-but you called her ‘Dad’… and Raphael ‘Mom’!!”
“Kids don’t know many words yet.”
“Ah.”
Shut down cold, Sophia slammed her head into the ground. Hunting for a hole to crawl into?
“So, who is she? Looked exactly like you.”
“Raphael’s cousin. Blood ties, so similar.”
Whew. Guess his writing wasn’t for nothing. It flowed smoothly despite the fluster.
Head fully bowed—no expression visible—but the sizzling shame vibe was clear.
“S-so it was all… my misunderstanding?”
“Yeah.”
“No way. I was thinking tragic heroine vibes—!!”
Sophia spun around and started smashing her head into the dirt furiously. Might off herself later—better pretend he saw nothing.
After an eternity of ground-pounding, she turned back, enlightened.
Head still drooped. Blood dripped from her forehead.
“Then.”
Hesitant mumbling.
Fiddling fingers wildly, she hemmed and hawed. Finally opened her mouth.
“Can I keep bringing lunches from now on?”
“Yeah. Gotta beg you for that.”
Head low hid it well, but her lips twitched upward.
“You and Raphael aren’t a thing, right?”
“Sworn enemies.”
Sophia wouldn’t stop. Answer one, new question popped. Like a faucet left running.
“Then… then… if you two are walking, can I wedge between?”
“Thanks in advance if you deck the blonde.”
“Before other maids handle stuff, can I do it all?”
“Maids are cutthroat. Only the strong survive.”
Don’t get weeded out! She nodded at his words.
She chattered endlessly with questions, then abruptly shot up.
Standing let him see her face clearly despite downward gaze. Blushing furiously, she approached.
What? What’s this?
Spooked, he snatched a nearby black cross. Prepared for whatever.
But Sophia’s move was beyond prediction.
Sweet fragrance pierced his nose. She’d just rolled in dirt, yet smelled divine.
Soft warmth enveloped him. Arms locked around his back—no escape.
Her next act topped it.
“Thanks. My gratitude.”
Whispered in his ear. Kept going. A few more lines like “You were so scary~” before springing up.
“I-I’m heading out.”
She bolted for the gate, kicking up whooshes of sound.
Frozen mid-hug, arms up in surrender, he blinked back to reality.
“What…? Storm’s gone?”
Confirmed her total exit. Recalled her words slowly.
“Lachesis.”
“Foreigners do thanks like that normally?”
Nope.
Probably not?
No. Right, no.
What now?
＊＊＊
“Ugh, guh.”
A gray-eyed man lay collapsed. Before his hands, a blood-red hexagram glowed.
‘Just one more step.’
Failure. Plan was flawless. Waited for the demonkin counter squad’s heroes to enter, ambushed successfully.
But the snag came elsewhere.
A white-haired man. Odd mask, but everyone here knew him.
“Ice Knight.”
Grinding teeth changed nothing. The torso under his foot would soon pulverize and vanish.
That’s what he was. The Ice Knight. Who could beat the pinnacle of an era?
“Retired and still recognized? I’m touched.”
Crunch!!
Bones ground down. Crushed into oblivion. The man gnashed his teeth with stubborn vitality.
Couldn’t end like this. One more sacrifice needed. Just one.
One more would do. That man interfered. Cost him the pink-haired girl.
—Deputy!! Kill that bastard!!
—I’ll handle it.
—Argh!! Infuriating!! Damn demonkin!!
Amid the racket, the man thought.
‘If only a chance.’
Just once. He’d stake even his soul. If the demon descended, everyone here died—even if he did too.
‘Just once.’
Anyone. Just once.
As if answering the demonkin’s prayer, it appeared.
Boom—!!!!
“Angel Punch incoming!!”
A split-second opening. Born from two blondes bursting through the door.
The man didn’t miss it.
The demon manifests in the mortal realm.