Chapter 268
Chapter 268
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Translator: Ebonarch
Chapter: 12
Chapter Title: Art
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Now that the decision had been made, it was best to act quickly.
"You there."
"Y-Yes? Did you call for me?"
"Do you know where the cult's warehouse is?"
"I... I do."
"Take me there."
"...Yes, sir."
I donned the vice cult leader's robes the Heavenly Demon had given me and stepped outside, grabbing a passing servant and ordering him to guide me.
I had no idea how it might look for the newly appointed vice cult leader to head straight for the warehouse, but that wasn't my concern.
Anyway, once I earned those 10,000 points, I planned to vanish from this world, so what did it matter?
Why worry about people I'd soon be strangers to?
"W-We’ve arrived."
"V-Vice Cult Leader?"
Following the servant's guidance, I came upon a door that looked like it led to a warehouse, guarded by a gatekeeper.
As a warrior guarding the Demonic Cult's warehouse, her strength was undoubtedly far above average.
"I'm here on warehouse business."
"I... see. What are you looking for..?"
"...Do I have any obligation to tell you?"
But I was the vice cult leader here now.
A position right below the cult leader herself.
No one in the Heavenly Demon Cult could force me to do anything—except the Heavenly Demon.
"...My apologies for the rudeness. Please, go ahead."
Realizing she'd spoken out of turn, she bowed her head and opened the impressively thick door.
"Good. Don't get nosy about this."
"...Yes, sir."
-Thud.
Long after the heavy door slammed shut behind me...
"...Hoo."
I finally exhaled the breath I'd been holding.
I wasn't entirely sure how much authority the vice cult leader actually had, so I'd gone in strong without any backup—just in case. Luckily, it worked.
-Tremble...
"..."
Was it because of that incident at yesterday's ascension ceremony... and the nightmare that followed?
I'd clasped my hands behind my back to hide how they started shaking the moment our eyes met.
Maybe because she was someone I was already used to, the Saintess was tolerable.
'Anyway... let's find the money.'
The Heavenly Demon Cult's warehouse wasn't some pile of gold and jewels like you'd imagine.
It was neatly organized by category—a proper warehouse.
In the section with martial arts manuals, there were even a few techniques I'd heard of as an ordinary person.
Immeasurably valuable on their own, but what I needed right now was cash, so I turned away indifferently. There sat a rather expensive-looking mirror.
"..."
The reflection staring back was a far cry from what I remembered.
I'd always been thin and delicate-looking, but with a lively spark that made people call me healthy.
Now, my face was utterly lifeless.
Not prickly or unapproachable—just devoid of emotion, like something burned white and hollowed out. It felt strangely unfamiliar.
'These eyes used to get compliments all the time for being pretty.'
I'd heard praise for my looks so often it fell on deaf ears, but my eyes always drew special mention.
They'd sparkle like finely cut gems, people said.
'...Hah.'
I couldn't say for sure, but they certainly didn't anymore.
No one could call those dull, lightless eyes sparkling.
Then again, considering the curse on this body, maybe even this was some twisted charm.
It was infuriating.
Being the center of attention for looks was fine in moderation.
But every woman I met lusted after me instantly, while I was weaker than most against them, my body hypersensitive to boot. What was I supposed to do with that?
On Earth, if I could just solve the money issue, I could hole up in a room forever. But here, even that was impossible.
...Not that it mattered anymore, since my face was already public.
'I have to get back to Earth somehow...'
At least there were no monster-like humans there.
If I could get a stun gun or taser for self-defense...
'...First things first, let's just get there and figure it out.'
No time to dawdle.
The Heavenly Demon could return any moment and notice I was gone. I had to grab the gold quick and convert it to points.
I could worry later, after securing the points.
'Still some lingering attachment?'
Get it together, Dan Yuseong.
Stay in this world like this, and even if that dream never came true, my life would be endless sex until I died.
The best move right now was to return to Earth.
And...
-Tremble...
...could I even stand before other women in this state?
Feel love as something sweet again, like before?
Thinking about it, all I got was doubt.
"..........They're all just after my body anyway..."
-Step...
As I forced my heavy feet to move again—
-Crash!
"Ack!"
Before I could react, someone burst from thin air and tangled with me.
"Who... who the hell are you..!"
Long black hair, slender frame, and a scent tickling my nose told me this was a woman.
Now at the point of fearing women outright, I seethed at being interrupted by one at the very last second.
"Why...! Why can't any of you fucking leave me alone..!"
All the pent-up emotions nearly burst out—then our eyes met.
"......Hero?"
-Freeze.
Her title for me and those signature red eyes doused my boiling rage like ice water.
Vampire.
One who knew I was the hero and was still alive at this point...
Return to Earth within reach, and here I faced my worst crisis yet.
"Of course... With Erdel in this world, you'd have to be here too."
His appearance had changed a bit from what I remembered, but it was definitely the hero.
Those two cockroaches had clung to each other in my past life as well, so it was only natural.
If anything, Erdel seemed to be the one obsessively fixated on him unilaterally.
Long ago, the hero had lost all emotion, reduced to mechanical movements.
'And yet she claims this body killed her precious hero...'
The part I'd never understood was the relationship between Erdel and this hero.
I'd long analyzed and exploited her obsessive attachment to him.
But there was no sign of tender lovers' affection between them.
As a vampire, distinguishing virginity or chastity by scent was child's play, and in all those years, those two had never reeked of filth.
Factually, their bond was deeper than most couples.
I'd puzzled for ages over what madness led this fool—who had nothing special beyond a slightly unique soul—to bind himself to that living holy power factory.
Ignorantly making such a dangerous pact would shatter anyone's mind.
He was probably deceived by Erdel too. Pitiable in a way, but...
This bastard had blocked my path countless times regardless.
-Grip.
"Well, hero? Tell me why I shouldn't kill you right here."
"...Urk."
I grabbed his cheeks and squeezed; soft flesh yielded, his lips puckering out.
...Now that I looked, he was pretty cute.
That dead expression and eyes were the same as ever.
'Hold on.'
Revenge had blinded me momentarily—if he counterattacked now, it could be dangerous.
His infamous trade secret: exploding the massive holy power from Erdel...
'...It's gone?'
No holy power.
No mana, nor that nauseating inner energy this world called qi. Nothing at all.
Meaning his physical abilities were as pathetically frail as he looked.
"Urgh... Uuugh..."
This guy before me had no way to fight back.
-Gulp.
-Thump thump.
I should sink my fangs into his neck and drain him dry.
With my prolonged weakened state and the recent impact, I needed to replenish vitality fast...
-Thump thump thump thump.
"...What is this?"
Something was wrong.
My unbeating vampire heart was pounding, and my vision was blurring.
This familiar yet alien sensation...
'Lust?'
I almost laughed in disbelief.
Lust? Me?
Toward the hero of all people?
Don't make me laugh.
I am the lord of vampires. One of the legion commanders leading the undead.
Me, feeling lust?
That pathetic urge born from foolish mortal breeding instincts?
-Grind.
Don't be ridiculous.
I am the monarch of the night. The emperor who rules blood.
When I could sink my fangs into this fragile creature's beautiful nape and savor it—what was this confusion?
His lovely moans and the taste of his saliva didn't intrigue me at all, no.
Get a grip, Barshutain.
I am... the proud...
-Rip.
"...Hic..."
Vampires'...
"Don't move if you don't want to get in the way! You're hindering me undressing you!"
"Hic!"
"Why resist?! A beauty like me offers to bear your child! As a man, you have no reason to refuse!"
"N-No..."
"Shut that mouth! If one more sob escapes, these fangs go straight for your throat."
"...Heh."
What.
What was happening.
Why was I stripping the hero...
-Flutter.
"Damn... What kind of art is this? Born from a god's mistake or something?"
The last shred of reason vanished the moment I saw his pristine naked form.
Beauty beyond words—
No, calling it art felt blasphemous against its transcendent perfection.
Impossible to believe it belonged to a human.
-Drop.
As a vampire innately compelled to praise beauty, I couldn't resist.