Chapter 71

#071

“……”

Ian’s arm slowly lowered.

Charlotte looked at him with a gaze that seemed to ask, “You’re not going to listen to this dog barking, are you?” but he showed no reaction.

Because Tesaya’s words weren’t entirely unreasonable.

If it turned out to be actual dog barking after listening, it wouldn’t be too late to cut off his head.

At that moment, Tesaya let out a breath, whether in relief or for some other reason.

Thud.

Ian plunged the Sword of Judgment into the ground beside him.

Right in front of Tesaya’s neck.

The blade was pointed at her throat.

Ian, who had crouched down next to it, placed his hand on the hilt and said,

“I’ll listen, but if you bark like a dog or play any tricks, this will turn into a scythe.”

Tesaya’s gaze shifted to the blade, which was appropriately thin and long.

The cold, sharp edge.

She swallowed and smiled.

“Alright, I understand. But you should really understand. I’ve given up on drinking your blood. Especially after the day you fought those humans on horseback. Before that, I thought if I just held on a little longer, I could catch and eat you. But strangely, after that day, even the thought of it made my back shiver with fear.”

...The day I boosted my stats.

While nodding calmly, Ian was inwardly surprised.

To have sensed that change by intuition.

“There was no reason for me not to follow you. As I said, I didn’t need to fight unnecessarily. But when you visited that village recently, things were different. I couldn’t get close to the village. At night, it was bearable, but during the day, my body felt like it was boiling and my stomach turned. It was disgusting.”

She must have been talking about the temple near the hearth.

That area was under the jurisdiction of Ru Enter, making it a dangerous place for a vampire like her.

Ian furrowed his brow for a different reason.

His grip on the sword tightened.

“So, what does all this have to do with the request?”

“Now, now, to the main point. While you were in that village, I stayed far away and hid. I planned to follow you again once you left. But a few days later, he found me. He said he was the judge of his clan.”

Ian’s eyes narrowed.

“A judge…?”

“Yes. He said he was responsible for punishing clan members who violated the rules and for dealing with the clan’s enemies. He also said I should consider it an honor to meet him, a mere hybrid experiment.”

Tesaya panted for a moment.

She seemed to be reliving the fear and anger she felt at that time.

“He showed me three small coffins. He said he would separate my limbs from my body and take them away. He assured me not to worry, as he would reassemble me when he returned. …Of course, I told him not to bark like a dog. I said I wouldn’t return to that laboratory. It was truly horrific. Even now, it sometimes appears in my dreams—”

“Just get to the point.”

“…So, we fought. But he was incredibly strong. He used his power in ways I had never seen before. But I didn’t just give in. Thanks to you, I had been steadily building up my strength. I could even mimic his tricks. I thought I might win, but I didn’t. When he showed his true strength, the situation completely changed.”

Ian slightly furrowed his brow.

The Tesaya he remembered was a great vampire who had risen to the throne by drinking the true blood of vampires.

Even then, the pursuit by the judges must have been ongoing.

…Could this also be because of me?

The only change he could think of was that Tesaya, by following him, had not fully developed the potential and combat skills she would have awakened through her own struggles.

Is this also a butterfly effect?

While he was thinking, Tesaya’s voice continued.

“Of course, I had a trump card to survive. It worked. Of course, I wasn’t unscathed… but at least I could buy time to escape.”

“It wasn’t easy to shake off the pursuit, was it?”

“I used my head. I had hunted many beasts, so luring them was as easy as breathing. I smeared my blood on every visible beast and scattered them. I knew they were tracking me by the smell of blood.”

Tesaya looked up at Ian.

“Then I followed your scent. I could only think of you. I thought you might help me, as you had saved me before. After seeing you, I realized it was an unfounded hope. So, I decided to hide and recover my strength by hunting beasts. If you didn’t help me, I had to be able to run.”

“Stop barking. I know you watched for days.”

Charlotte growled.

Tesaya immediately retorted,

“It was out of fear. I thought you would immediately draw your sword when you saw me. You seemed to know how to kill me. I tried to approach you a few times, but each time, I was too scared to get closer. This beast must have noticed that. Got it? You didn’t find me because you’re so great. You didn’t defeat me either. If I were at full strength, you would be in pieces, you beast!”

Is this what they call gradient anger?

Ian thought as he watched Tesaya glare at Charlotte as if she wanted to kill her.

Charlotte’s derisive laugh continued.

“Such assumptions are meaningless, you earless one. In the end, you’re the one lying under me.”

Crack. Charlotte pressed down harder on Tesaya’s arm. Tesaya flinched in pain but didn’t scream this time.

“Just showing off your brute strength—”

Her voice trailed off.

The Sword of Judgment had tilted toward her throat.

Cold, black eyes, devoid of any sympathy, looked down at her.

“So, you want me to kill that judge?”

“He’s not the only one. He told me the clan won’t give up on me. He said it would be better to be caught by him now. So, even if you kill him, another judge will come after me.”

“……”

Ian’s eyes deepened.

Tesaya swallowed and said,

“But they are just pawns. The ones who turned me into this monster are still lurking in Ru Sad. I can never forgive them. So, Ian, help me with my revenge. This is my request.”

Honestly, it was a very tempting offer.

If he kept Tesaya around, the vampires he would eventually have to hunt down would come to him.

Perhaps the way Tesaya had gained strength in the game was by killing the judges who came after her and absorbing their true blood.

If he helped Tesaya, he could gain the experience points from the judges and prevent Tesaya from becoming stronger.

Incidentally, he could also reduce the strength of the vampires he would have to kill someday.

But he didn’t show any of these thoughts on his face.

He just looked down at Tesaya with a blank expression.

“I can’t defeat them on my own. But if you help me, things will be different. I’ve seen what you can do. You’re strong, and you never give up on a request, no matter the situation. So, please, Ian. Accept my request.”

Tesaya pleaded.

After a moment, Ian spoke.

“I understand your situation, Tesaya.”

“Tessa. Please.”

“Alright, Tessa. Maybe I will fight the judges who come after you. Maybe I can help you take revenge on the vampires of Ru Sad.”

“You can definitely do it—”

“But a request isn’t just a plea. I don’t move by cheap sympathy.”

“……!”

Tesaya’s eyes widened.

Ian, who was holding the hilt, added,

“A request requires proper compensation. According to you, I will be fighting the entire vampire clan. How will you compensate me for that?”

“Anything. Anything I have. Vampires have a lot of money. If you help me with my revenge, it’s all yours. I don’t care about such things.”

“Uncertain compensation. Besides, that’s also loot I would gain even if I didn’t help you. The reward for a request should be something you have, Tessa.”

Ian cut her off and bowed his head.

“Tessa, one last question. If I accept your request, what can you give me?”

Tesaya’s eyes trembled and then gradually calmed.

She seemed to realize that there was only one thing she could lose and one thing she could offer.

“…I’ll give myself, Ian.”

She finally spoke.

Ian’s eyes narrowed slightly.

“I can only give you my life right now.”

“My life has no value to me.”

“Use me as you wish. I’ll do whatever you say. I’ll help with whatever you’re doing now. In return, help me with my revenge when you’re done. You won’t stay in the north forever. Keep me by your side until then.”

“Become my slave?”

“Call me whatever you want. I have no other choice, Ian. If I don’t, I’ll end up being dragged back to Ru Sad.”

“……”

“I don’t want to be treated like an animal and die without anyone knowing who I am. Rather, I’d rather live as your client and slave, dreaming of revenge.”

Not completely stupid, then.

But that didn’t mean he believed everything she said.

“The balance still doesn’t work out.”

While saying this, Ian looked down at Tesaya’s red eyes.

“All the loot from the judges will be mine.”

“Understood.”

“And you won’t get a single drop of true blood from them.”

“……!”

Tesaya’s eyes widened.

Desiring true blood is a vampire’s instinct.

It wouldn’t be easy to resist.

But Ian’s words left no room for choice.

“…Understood.”

Tesaya finally answered.

Ian nodded and reached out, pulling the dagger still embedded in her bony shoulder in one swift motion.

“The contract is established.”

He looked at Charlotte.

Though her eyes widened in surprise, Charlotte released her grip on Tesaya.

Tesaya, rubbing her wrist, stood up and smiled.

“Thank you, Ian. I mean it.”

“Remember this. If you break the contract and run, I will hunt you down, along with the judges.”

“Of course. …In that sense.”

Tesaya’s gaze shifted to Charlotte, who was frowning.

“Now, this beast seems useless. Can I kill her?”

“Kill her if you want to die. Otherwise, sit quietly.”

“…Understood.”

While sending a sharp glance at Charlotte, Tesaya obediently moved toward the campfire.

Charlotte, who had been glaring at her back, turned to Ian.

“Do you really believe the promise of a vampire like her, Ian?”

“We didn’t make a promise. We made a contract. You’re a mercenary now, so remember the difference.”

“She will definitely betray us.”

Ian shrugged.

“When that happens, I’ll let you kill her. Since you caught her.”

“……! Really?”

Charlotte’s eyes sparkled.

Ian nodded.

“Yes. I don’t trust her either. So, you keep an eye on her. Make sure she doesn’t mess around.”

Charlotte, who had flinched for a moment, looked at him with a strange anticipation.

“If she messes around, can I just stab her with a knife?”

“If necessary.”

She won’t die from that.

A faint smile spread across Charlotte’s face. Nodding, she turned and walked to the campfire.

“I’ll be watching, you earless wench. I hope you mess around.”

“I heard that, so don’t talk to me. Your breath stinks.”

Charlotte growled, but Tesaya ignored her.

Watching the scene, a hollow laugh finally spread across Ian’s face.

A few days ago, he was traveling with a holy knight of Tir En and a child blessed by Ru Enter.

Now, he was traveling with a prisoner and a vampire elf.

…The future is truly unpredictable.

Muttering to himself, Ian approached the campfire and picked up his robe, which was lying on a blanket, and handed it to Tesaya.

“……?”

Tesaya tilted her head and looked at him.

Is she really that clueless?

Ian clicked his tongue and said,

“Wear it from now on. I don’t want to see you running around naked all the time.”