Chapter 17

Chapter 17
## Chapter 17

Vampire (1)

“Is that so? Are you truly claiming you share no ties with that ‘Oath of the Reversal’ crowd?”

“Indeed, Lord Vyrrak. My journey began in the eastern city of Tillak, and my travels merely led me here to Ajantu.”

I spun a seamless tapestry of falsehoods on the spot.

“Then explain why you vanished from sight for several days.”

“I fell suddenly ill during that period, confined entirely to my quarters. I remained isolated for so long that I must have resembled a deceased rodent, which evidently caused the property owner to draw the wrong conclusions.”

The explanation sounded perfectly plausible, though the vampire’s innate thrall held no sway over me.

From the exact moment of my transformation into a creature of the night, an instinctual urge to submit to the greater vampire who turned me, Vyrrak, had been burned into my mind, yet bypassing it required little effort.

‘For the time being, I should play along. This is the perfect setup to gather intelligence on their kind.’

Though I had initially been plagued by doubts regarding how this situation would unfold, it was turning into an ideal gateway to worm my way into the hierarchy of the bloodsuckers dominant in this metropolis.

“Hmph, whatever the case. Just fall in line for now.”

Failing to gain any further leverage, Vyrrak merely flicked his tongue once before leaping straight out into the open window.

I quickly dashed after him.

-Entity Name: Heinz II

-Species: Vampire

-Common Traits: ‘Mind Hub,’ ‘Enlightenment Index’

-Entity Traits: ‘Bloodkinship,’ ‘Acceleration,’ ‘Regeneration’

-Specifics: Received the ancestral bloodline of ‘Brokolak,’ triggers physical transformation into a vampire. Strikingly amplifies physical attributes when shielded from solar rays. Immune to the psychological constraints of the ‘Mind Hub.’

‘My physical prowess has reached a new level. It definitely surpasses the strength I wielded when I put an end to that creature back at the Barkolak base.’

It appeared that my prior enhanced state had been fully integrated into the baseline attributes provided by the vampire transformation.

Keeping pace behind Vyrrak, I drew a thin strand of crimson from the tips of my fingers, molding it into a razor-sharp edge.

‘Ah, precisely as I suspected.’

The unique trait I acquired upon turning, known as ‘Blood Kinship,’ granted me full access to the distinct powers that the vampire at the Barkolak base had brandished against me.

Greater physical metrics, shaping weapons from my own life force, and the drainage of vital fluids—including all the standard techniques available to the lowest tier of their kind.

‘What tier does he occupy? And what exactly signifies this Brokolak line?’

As I observed Vyrrak charting our path ahead, he cast a single backward glance toward me, appearing somewhat pleased with what he saw.

“You have only just received the bloodline, yet you already command it with such precision. It appears you possess a remarkable aptitude.”

Though his demeanor had been hostile moments ago, seeing that I was capable caused his strict attitude to soften slightly.

“Judging by how easily you keep pace, your physical capabilities outmatch the standard fare. I suppose my efforts weren’t entirely wasted on you. You certainly outshine the one who perished, Pauline.”

It seemed the creature I had eliminated back at the Barkolak base answered to the name Pauline.

Brushing past the trivialities, I smoothly kept the dialogue flowing with Vyrrak.

“You have my gratitude, Lord Vyrrak. If I might inquire, what is our current destination?”

“Keep moving and you will see soon enough.”

He seemed far too bothered to waste his breath on granular explanations.

We bound swiftly across the city’s elevated rooftops, navigating toward the affluent sectors where the grand estates of the urban core loomed large.

“We have arrived.”

Reaching the end of our trek, Vyrrak came to a halt right before the most imposing and grand villa in the area.

Creak—

Shortly after, accompanied by a faint scraping sound, the metallic gates of the front courtyard swung backward.

“Welcome back, Lord Vyrrak.”

Just past the threshold stood a middle-aged gentleman with an asymmetric pale complexion, dressed in formal attire, who offered a precise, low bow.

“Yes. I believe I require sustenance. Have my usual selection readied.”

“And this guest…?”

“Ah, a fresh follower I recently brought into the fold. Task a few of the younger ones to show him around the grounds.”

When the attendant questioned Vyrrak regarding my presence, he offered a careless, dismissive reply before stepping inside the grand residence.

“If you would be so kind as to walk with me.”

“Ah, of course.”

“There is no need for formal speech. I am merely an attendant, after all.”

It was evident that this servant occupied a lower position in the grand scheme than I did as a recognized kin.

As I walked alongside the middle-aged attendant deeper into the estate, a separate worker approached us from within.

“This individual will be taking over your guidance from this point forward. Hayden, since you are someone who only recently received the bloodline yourself, see to it that he is accommodated without any discomfort.”

“Understood, Master Butler.”

The middle-aged administrator offered me another polite gesture before withdrawing into the deeper corridors.

Subsequently, under the direction of Hayden, I walked through the opulent hallways while probing into the various mysteries that occupied my thoughts.

“This establishment serves as the Ajantu sector of the ‘Brokolak Clan.’ To my knowledge, Lord Vyrrak stands as one of only three purebloods residing within these city walls.”

It appeared that out of the triad, Vyrrak maintained a specialized role overseeing the entire vampire population operating in this domain.

As we continued exchanging questions and answers as they naturally arose, our path eventually brought us before a specific doorway.

“This chamber is designated for your personal use starting today. Should any necessity arise, you need only ring the chime placed within.”

Hayden offered a respectful gesture before silently making his departure down the hall.

Clank—

“Remarkable…”

Pushing the door aside, the striking opulence of the grand chamber instantly filled my vision.

From the fine tables and plush seating arrangements to the sleeping quarters, every piece exuded the absolute peak of extravagance.

My own form caught the light in the polished glass hanging along the wall surface.

A sharp, striking visage characterized by a pale, defined face.

I had always viewed myself as quite presentable, but transitioning into a vampire had indisputably remolded me into an absolute pinnacle of physical aesthetics.

‘Well, things could certainly be worse… And it seems the myths are wrong; vampires here actually reflect in mirrors.’

Letting out a breath, I dropped myself onto the mattress.

Even though I had awakened in the deep hours of the night and dawn remained a distant prospect, the lingering enhancements of my transformation kept any sense of fatigue firmly at bay.

I shut my eyes to properly categorize the fresh data I had accumulated.

Based on what Hayden had shared during my introductory lesson, my structured instruction was slated to begin shortly. He had primarily focused his initial efforts on conveying the core realities of our existence.

Vampires operated almost exclusively under the cover of night, dedicating the daylight hours to rest.

This made complete sense, given that the lesser ranks beneath the level of attendants would literally dissolve into ash under solar radiation, and even the highest echelons faced severe suppression of their mystical reserves whenever the sun occupied the sky.

‘If I remain missing without sending word, the little ones will become frantic…’

Hayden had given his word that I would be permitted to wander outside once my training concluded, but remaining confined for the initial days was an absolute certainty.

Knock-knock.

“It is Hayden. May I have permission to enter?”

After a brief pause, the distinct rapping on the wood was followed closely by Hayden’s familiar tone.

“Yes, come inside.”

Pushing the door open, Hayden stepped into the room bearing a platter in one hand, upon which rested a crystal stemware filled to the brim with a dark crimson fluid.

‘That is definitely not vintage grape juice, is it?’

“A significant interval has passed since you received the bloodline, so I presumed your appetite might be starting to manifest.”

“Well, I can’t say I felt particularly ravenous…”

I had felt completely stable up until this exact second, but the very instant the aroma of the life force Hayden carried reached my senses, a sudden, overwhelming wave of desperation gripped my throat.

While I was still processing the sheer intensity of the shock, Hayden moved the crystal glass closer to my position.

“This vital fluid was harvested mere moments ago. Please, partake.”

As the crimson liquid drew near, my physical form began to experience an aggressive, instinctual awakening.

Elongated fangs forced their way out completely unbidden, my eyes locked directly onto the contents of the glass, and a noticeable tremor ran through my entire frame.

‘Is this what the craving feels like? If ordinary vampires lack the mental fortitude to withstand a thirst of this magnitude, it is completely logical that humanity views them as unfeeling parasites.’

Naturally, my circumstances were entirely distinct.

Though overriding the automatic physiological responses of my flesh was impossible, I could tap into the power of the ‘Mind Hub’ to hold my base desires in check. Consequently, I had no intention of going on an uncontrolled feeding frenzy among the local populace.

‘Even so, I have no choice but to consume this right now.’

Refusing the offering would only trigger unwarranted suspicion, and the current timing was completely wrong for a confrontation.

I extended a shaking hand to take custody of the crystal stemware.

A profoundly rich, fragrant scent rose from the liquid.

‘Even so, simply drinking this down without precautions carries too much risk.’

I absolutely could not allow myself to find the taste of blood appealing.

Bringing the rim of the glass flush against my lips, I entirely severed my ability to perceive scent and flavor, establishing a firm mental link with Heinz.

Gulp, gulp…

As I forced down the life force that my numbed senses could not evaluate, my physical framework grew increasingly tranquil with every passing swallow.

It felt as though my cognitive processes were growing sharper, and a sensation of profound vitality washed through me, mimicking the immediate surge of a potent chemical stimulant.

“Furthermore, Lady Rosillica, who shares your standing as a kin, intends to pay a brief visit momentarily. Though your structured lessons will officially commence tomorrow morning, she wishes to introduce herself and share a few brief pleasantries.”

I offered a subtle nod of acknowledgment to Hayden as he retrieved the drained vessel.

Getting these mandatory interactions out of the way as quickly as possible was undoubtedly the superior path forward.

After passing a short interval in solitude, the door opened to reveal my next vampire acquaintance.

“Well, hello! It is a pleasure to meet you, newcomer. You may refer to me as Rosillica. What might your name be?”

“The pleasure is mine. My name is Heinz.”

“Drop the rigid posture. Speak casually with me. We both occupy the rank of kin, after all. We stand on equal footing within our tier.”

My initial assessment of Rosillica was that of a vibrant, striking woman. Flawless features, a beaming expression, and an incredibly outgoing demeanor.

At the very least, during the opening moments of our greeting, she left a highly positive impression, though that perspective quickly evaporated.

“By the way, do you care to know what brings me the greatest joy? The life force of striking men. The more defined their build, the better. Oh, come to think of it, you fit my preferences flawlessly, don’t you? Had you crossed my path while still human, I would have drained every single drop from your veins. Ahahaha!”

This individual was completely unhinged.

“Tell me, Rosillica. Now that I am fully aware of your unique culinary preferences, perhaps you could enlighten me regarding our position in the hierarchy? Having only just transitioned, I am completely in the dark.”

“Ah, right. And since you haven’t regularized your consumption yet, it makes sense that you lack context. We should arrange a sampling gathering later down the line so we can trade recommendations once your palate matures.”

I possessed absolutely zero desire to foster a close relationship with her, but under the current circumstances, maintaining a polite facade was mandatory.

“Our tier is designated as the fourth tier. It trails beneath Holy blood, Noble Blood, and Pure Blood. Below our station, you will only find Servants and Slaves, meaning we essentially occupy the lowest tier of true vampires. Those beneath us aren’t even recognized as proper members of our race.”

Processing her explanation allowed me to deduce that Servants referred to the thralls handling the daily operations of estates like this one, while Slaves served as the collective classification for mindless, predatory ghouls.

‘Securing a place as a kin was a massive stroke of fortune.’

The opportunity had clearly materialized only because a vacancy had opened up due to a recent casualty, and I displayed enough utility to fill the void.

“To put it into perspective using mortal terms, the kins represent the warrior class. Pure Bloods function as the high nobility. Noble Bloods comprise the sovereign royalty, directing the entire collective. As for the Holy Bloods… well… they exist purely as deities to be revered.”

“Deities to be revered?”

“Our original progenitor and the absolute master whom we must obey without question. The foundational source of our existence.”

Rosillica uttered the words with a tone of deep devotion before letting out a soft laugh.

“Granted, bottom-tier existences like ourselves will almost certainly never catch a single glimpse of them throughout our entire lifespans.”

As my dialogue with Rosillica progressed, I began to perceive the initial shifts indicating the approach of dawn.

Heavy, opaque drapes fully obstructed the window panes, yet the subtle alteration in the quality of light remained perceptible to my senses.

“Oh dear, look at the hour. Let us postpone the remainder of your orientation until tomorrow evening since the night has grown old. It is an undeniable fact that stunning women require their beauty sleep, after all.”

Offering a playful gesture with her eyes, Rosillica made her exit from the private room.

‘The night has grown old, has it…’

I let out a quiet breath, momentarily struck by a profound sense of estrangement from my former life.

It was only when the outdoor environment reached its peak brightness that a subtle wave of physical fatigue finally washed over me.

‘Adapting to this lifestyle is simply something I must achieve.’

—

Over the subsequent days, my schedule settled into a routine centered around instructional dialogues with Rosillica alongside my own personal exploration of the grounds.

Fortuitously, on the dawn of the second full day, I secured authorization to venture outside the estate boundaries, leveraging the rationale that several of my personal effects remained at my previous lodgings.

‘To speak candidly, I removed them without permission initially, but I didn’t anticipate they would treat the matter so lightly.’

When I raised the point with Rosillica, who maintained oversight of my orientation, her reaction was entirely dismissive.

“Simply attend to your business and return when finished.”

“Pardon? Is it not standard protocol that we are restricted from leaving until our orientation is fully realized?”

“Well, yes… but what I mean to say is that while other territories might enforce that strictly, you have no reason to stress over such rules within this city.”

It turned out the regulation existed primarily to safeguard fragile, newly turned fledglings. Given that Ajantu already rested entirely within the palm of their clan’s hand, enforcement was largely irrelevant.

Because the intrinsic nature of vampires dictated absolute submission to those of superior lineages, the concept of interrogation—let alone open insubordination—was an impossibility that never even crossed a lesser vampire’s mind.

Benefiting from this lenient environment, I managed to slip out into the evening air, gather my remaining belongings, and seek out the siblings.

“Oh, mister!”

“Mister! Where did you vanish to?! We returned to the room at the lodging house, but you were completely gone. We were paralyzed with fear!”

The moment I stepped across the threshold, the pair instantly threw their arms around me.

After a brief second, Diana narrowed her gaze slightly, taking a deep, inquisitive breath as she evaluated me.

Noticing the intense conflict written across her features as if she possessed a mountain of unspoken words, I offered a melancholy expression and gently stepped back from their embrace.

“Listen, things have developed in this specific manner. However, you have absolutely no reason to fear; I will ensure no harm ever reaches either of you.”

Ugh…

As I attempted to bring myself down to her height, Diana only locked her arms tighter around my frame, leaning close to speak in a hushed tone, “I am not afraid. Should you ever require sustenance, you are entirely welcome to use my blood. Just a small amount at a time, if that is alright?”

I found it impossible to suppress a sudden burst of amusement seeing the young girl speak with such intense caution while stealing quick looks toward Aaron.

“Ow! Hey… what do you think you’re doing!”

“You are the one uttering absurdities. Now, take these funds and establish a proper life for yourselves elsewhere. I will find a way to reestablish contact down the road.”

Even though I had effectively ascended to a position of authority within the city’s ruling shadow, ensuring these children departed from this metropolis remained the safest path.

I couldn’t predict how another kin might act, but if an entity of Vyrrak’s stature—a genuine Pure Blood—ever developed a desire to prey upon these siblings, my low-tier standing would leave me entirely powerless to intervene on their behalf.

‘The moment I am capable of summoning Hans, my tactical alternatives will multiply significantly. Until that window opens up, my best course of action is to maintain a completely low profile.’

Following my parting with the young pair, I immediately returned to the grand estate to resume my structured training under Rosillica’s tutelage.

Our lessons advanced to the practical mechanics of controlling the distinct internal vitality utilized by our race, commonly referred to as “blood mana.”

“What in the world? Are you certain this is your introductory attempt? How are you demonstrating this level of mastery already?”

Whether the cause rooted back to Hans’s deep background navigating the complexities of forbidden sorcery, or perhaps stemmed from his exceptionally high threshold of psychological fortitude, I achieved a fluid control over the mystical life force with astonishing speed.

Simultaneously, we covered the critical hazards and taboos that governed a vampire’s survival.

“Allium plants? They pose zero threat to us~ Why would they? Flowing currents? I have a profound fondness for heated springs. In fact, a private one is situated directly in the estate’s lower levels.”

It became readily apparent that the vampires of this domain suffered from very few traditional vulnerabilities.

While solar exposure significantly drained their reserves and silver armaments severely impeded their natural recovery processes, even those factors did not represent insurmountable, fatal weaknesses.

“Those elements can be mitigated through sheer strength of will. The singular force we must genuinely fear is consecrated energy. It represents our absolute antithesis, after all.”

Piece by piece, I systematically gathered the foundational insights and behavioral protocols required to navigate my new existence as a child of the night.