The Warmth of a Cold Heart

The vampires—a weak race that had naturally fallen into ruin after their queen vanished.

The only prominent, and indeed the sole, instance of a vampire belonging to the Mugan 7-gung was the Ecstatic Castle. Even then, the vampires of that ancient castle had merely received the blood of their boss to become thralls, thereby gaining immense power. It was widely accepted as fact ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠that pure-blooded vampires were a weak, minor race.

When the new Mugan 7-gung was established, a pack of vampires had ended up joining them by sheer happenstance. Among them, Isabella was acutely aware of her own contradictory position.

She was so weak that comparing her to the vampires of the Ecstatic Castle was downright embarrassing. The very fact that someone like her belonged to the Mugan 7-gung was utterly absurd.

"What do you all think?" Isabella asked, her voice low as she huddled with her fellow vampires.

"You're absolutely right, Sister," one of them replied.

Isabella quietly conversed with her kin.

Balutak, the guardian, was strong. Charlotte, the deputy, was also strong.

Yet Isabella, despite seemingly holding the same executive rank, was practically a mere mob monster who couldn't even begin ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠to compare to either of them. Hadn't she fainted without being able to do a single thing in front of Wilhelm?

Shame and a sense of helplessness welled up inside her, but she refused to let it show. Instead, she deliberately put on a bright, cheerful facade to mask her true feelings. Even if she was nothing but a burden tagging along, she desperately wanted to stay here.

"To be honest, I wanted to stay here forever."

Even before the title of the Mugan 7-gung, she had grown genuinely fond of the members. The friendly Mr. Balutak. The prickly but secretly caring Deputy. And above all, the Boss, who looked out for them in a way no ordinary boss monster ever would.

"But I have to have some shame. Even if the Boss permits it, my conscience won't allow it."

"Yes. I feel the same way."

"Me too."

This was the Mugan 7-gung. Stronger enemies would invade in the future, and with each battle, Isabella's sense of helplessness would only grow. She knew better than anyone that her presence was nothing but a hindrance.

She had stayed under the pretext of repaying her debt, but all she had actually done was parasite off them, sucking blood like a common mosquito.

"Our presence will only bring harm."

This wasn't just any dungeon; it was the Mugan 7-gung. If word got out that the Rank 7 Tomb of Faith had taken in a bunch of weak, pathetic vampires, the consequences would be disastrous. It was only because they were a newly established dungeon that they remained unknown; the moment they were exposed, the 72 Dungeons would shower them with ridicule and contempt.

The vampires' presence was practically dragging the Boss's reputation through the mud.

"Exactly... The insectoids are at least pulling their weight as laborers. We're the only ones doing nothing."

The insectoids utilized their racial traits to serve as excellent workers, fully doing their part. But what about the vampires? They had taken charge of guard duties, but with the security crystal balls in place, they were essentially just decorative screens.

There was no way the Boss didn't know this, yet he had turned a blind eye without taking any action against them.

"We can't keep sponging off the Boss like this. I believe we must leave right now."

He had evolved her into a True Ancestor, saved her life, and allowed them to live in his dungeon. His grace was so overflowing that she couldn't possibly repay it in a lifetime. If she stayed any longer, she might have to carry a crushing weight of guilt for the rest of her days.

Moreover, if she grew any more attached, she wouldn't even dare to dream of leaving. Now was her only chance.

Having made up her mind, Isabella gathered all the dungeon members on the 10th floor.

Sigh.

Taking a deep breath, Isabella bared her heart to them. The indifferent expressions of those around her shifted by the second.

"Have you reconsidered?" Charlotte asked. "You might regret this decision later."

"Kirik. Balutak likes Isabella-dak. But why are you leaving-dak?"

"I've already discussed it with my kin," Isabella replied. "We all feel the same way. Rather than continuing to rely on your charity, we think it's best to stand on our own two feet. And most of all... Boss. Thank you so much for everything."

In truth, there was no need to explain their reasons for leaving. Except for the insectoids, everyone already knew deep down how useless the vampires were, even if they hadn't voiced it.

"But you have nowhere to go," Charlotte pointed out.

"We'll figure that out ourselves. That's what standing on our own means, after all."

"What do you think, Lord?"

At Charlotte's question, the Boss, who had only been listening, finally spoke.

"I think ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠it is fine if you stay."

"..."

Isabella was genuinely startled by his response. Tempted for a brief second, she quickly shook her head.

"Thank you, Boss. But I'll only take the thought. We've already made up our minds to leave. If we keep relying on your kindness, we won't be able to live with ourselves."

He had evolved her into a True Ancestor, saved her life, and allowed them to live in his dungeon. His grace was so overflowing that she couldn't possibly repay it in a lifetime.

"You don't have to worry about us. We were originally wild vampires who lived in the wilderness anyway. Um... I only feel incredibly sorry for leaving after receiving so much. The moment we are strong enough to repay your grace, we will come find you immediately."

"I understand."

The Boss did not try to stop them any further. However, he left the door open.

"If you ever change your mind, you may return at any time. This place will always be open to you."

"If we came right back after saying all this, it would be a bit embarrassing..." Isabella scratched the back of her head with a sheepish chuckle.

"Lord! Thank you for everything!"

"We've owed you a hell of a debt! We will never forget your grace as long as we live!"

Suddenly, the vampires fell to their knees and bowed their heads to the floor before the Boss. Startled by their sudden movement, Isabella quickly followed suit a moment later.

"Thank you so much! If we ever meet again, we will definitely repay this debt!"

"...Very well."

Click, clack.

The sound of footsteps drew near. Sensing Charlotte approaching, Isabella squeezed her eyes shut. The prickly witch couldn't possibly look kindly upon vampires who were leaving after doing nothing but causing trouble.

But then, Charlotte knelt on one knee and held out a merchant guild ticket to Isabella.

Opening her eyes to look, Isabella's eyes went wide.

"This is all I have to give you," Charlotte said. "If you ever need the guild's help, use my name."

"...You really didn't have to."

"Taking this is the only way I can ease my worries."

"Ah. Are you... worrying about me?"

"Yes. Because we were comrades."

"Do not use Charlotte's name," the Boss suddenly intervened.

"Use mine."

"...Pardon?"

"If you are an acquaintance of the Boss of the Mugan 7-gung, even the merchant guild will treat you as a VIP. Use my name if you need their help."

Isabella's mouth parted slightly.

But the one more shocked than her was Charlotte.

"Lord. That is too hasty a decision. The guild might take your prestigious name lightly."

"Or they might see my relationship with Isabella as highly significant."

At his counter-logic, Charlotte was left utterly speechless.

The Boss of the Mugan 7-gung was actually offering to act as a patron for mere wild vampires. If anyone else heard of this, they would call him foolish, and he would have no defense.

The more Charlotte thought about it, the more her confusion grew.

The Boss must know the potential losses that could arise from his actions. Why is he making such a decision?

"May I... ask your intention, Lord?"

"We have built a bond. My heart would not be at ease letting them leave like this."

"..."

To the Boss of the Abyss Palace, vampires were nothing but insignificant creatures. Furthermore, it was practically impossible for a heartless undead to form emotional attachments to others. One could even say they completely lacked altruism.

These vampires were creatures he had known for less than a year. What's more, they had done nothing but cause trouble, yet he had grown attached to them?

For the Boss of the Abyss Palace—a cold undead—to help such insignificant creatures out of personal affection...

It was unbelievable that he would display such altruism, even at his own expense.

Naturally, the memory of him giving water to Balutak during their first meeting overlapped in her mind. At the time, she had thought that giving water was a small gesture even an undead could manage. After all, there was no loss to himself.

But then there was his treatment of the insectoid laborers. And even the Necronomicon he had bestowed upon her.

Was all of that not for the sake of efficiency, but out of pure altruism?

"..."

The Boss of the Mugan 7-gung was incomprehensible in every way. Just as it was impossible to comprehend how an undead could possess a heart warmer than any human's.

His body may be cold, but his heart is so warm...

Charlotte had discovered a completely new side to her Boss. Because of this, her subconscious vision became entirely filled with his singular figure.

"Isabella. Come visit whenever you like. Balutak is feeling sad."

...He even empathized with the pain of others.

Charlotte bit her lower lip as she watched him, terrified that her emotions might show on her face.

"Kirik. Balutak likes vampires-dak. But you leave-dak. Balutak does not want to let you go-dak."

"It's not forever, Mr. Balutak," Isabella said with a soft smile. "Once we've grown strong enough to repay the Boss, we'll come visit you as many times as you want."

"Kiririk... Understood-dak. Before you go-dak... do you want to suck Balutak's blood-dak?"

"Ah, no thanks." Isabella laughed awkwardly, waving her hands in refusal.

"We'll be on our way now. We're so sorry for leaving after doing nothing but receiving your kindness."

"It is fine. Do not worry about what others think, and return whenever you wish."

"Kirik. Balutak is a tree-dak. Vampires are the wind-dak. When the wind blows, the tree happily waves its branches-dak. When the vampires come, Balutak will happily wave-dak."

Led by Isabella, the vampires bowed politely. Then, turning their backs on the group, they began to walk away.

Usually, if one has lingering regrets, they tend to look back as they depart. But the vampires, having cast aside all their worries, walked straight ahead without looking back once.

I hope we can surely repay this debt one day.

When they returned, they wouldn't be blood-sucking parasites, but vampires who could truly return his grace. Isabella clenched her fists tightly, steeling her resolve.

"They have finally departed."

"Kirik. Balutak's chest hurts-dak."

The figures of the vampires grew smaller and smaller until they finally vanished from sight.

To be completely honest, I had wished they would just stay.

I really grew attached to them.

The vampires. Especially Isabella, who had been my companion for the longest time here. She was a bit of a klutz, which made her impossible to hate, and she always brightened up the gloomy atmosphere Charlotte tended to create. It was impossible not to grow fond of her.

Of course, the vampires hadn't been of any practical help to the dungeon. But so what?

I had no desire for relationships built purely on calculating gains and losses. In any relationship, there are times to seek utility, but there are also times to maintain loyalty. If we only pursue utility, how are we any different from heartless machines?

"You seem to miss them," Charlotte remarked.

I was about to reply when I noticed her level color had suddenly shifted.

Bone-fucker mode: ON.

What kind of flirting did I even do just now? It feels like it just changes out of nowhere these days, without any trigger at all.

"Boss."

I met her eyes, prompting her to speak. Yet, quite unlike her usual self, Charlotte hesitated, fidgeting.

"Um... what would you do if I said I was leaving?"

"Absolutely not."

Are you insane? If you leave, this dungeon is ruined!

"Then... is that also because of affection?"

"It is not entirely absent."

Well, affection was part of it, but more than anything, she was an incredibly versatile deputy. She transformed a mere cave into a proper dungeon, used powerful magic as a witch, replenished our forces with undead, kept track of the Empire's political situation, and even established a communication network with the merchant guild.

...She basically does everything around here, doesn't she?

"You are the most precious person here."

So please, don't ever leave.

That was what I meant, but Charlotte let out a sharp gasp. She quickly hung her head, her lips trembling slightly.

"Ah... Um, I... I see. I am deeply honored that you think of me that way."

Though she hid her face, her level color turned a deep, vibrant green.

With awkward, unsteady steps, she began to retreat, taking one step, then two.

Did I just flirt again?

But what am I supposed to do? I'm a bone-dry undead. Even if Charlotte shows signs of falling for me, I have to reject her flat out. Otherwise, I'll end up dead at Rosesha's hands.

"Kirik. Great Chief. Balutak will also head down to the 8th floor-dak."

"Go ahead."

Isabella had departed, and Charlotte had practically fled back to her office. With Balutak gone as well, I was left entirely alone.

Since I had nothing better to do, I wondered if I should head down to the mining site to help the insectoids.

Whoosh!

That would have been the plan, had a portal not suddenly materialized out of thin air.

They say when one thing ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠leaves, another arrives, but things were moving way too fast.

"I greet the Great Lord."

As expected, the Demon Merchant stepped out of the portal and bowed with perfect, crisp etiquette.

Did Charlotte summon him? I thought so, but his next words shattered my assumption.

"Seventh Lord. Please forgive my sudden intrusion. I have come in great haste due to an urgent matter."

"An urgent matter?"

Before answering, the merchant extended his hand.

"It is this, Lord."

What he held was a letter made of what appeared to be black goat hide. The seal, made of dried human blood instead of wax, looked incredibly ominous.

I took it and pulled out the letter, only to realize it wasn't a mere letter at all.

A cold, sigh-like breath escaped my mouth.

Finally... what was bound to come had arrived.