Ch. 6 End of Childhood
by AfuhfuihgsChapter 6 – End of Childhood
I’m not particularly good with vocabulary.
I can mechanically describe something, but I have no talent for emotional expression.
But even with my poor vocabulary, I feel like I might be able to express this level of ecstasy.
It was that intense. Blood was like a drug.
The sweet scent, the refreshing sensation—it was truly like a drug.
Though it’s a bit off to call it a drug since it’s the only food for vampires, from a human perspective, it’s no different.
It’s addictive, with withdrawal symptoms like starvation if you stop, and an endless craving.
If you think about it, humans might be addicted to carbohydrates and proteins too.
Gulp, gulp.
Warm blood continued to flow down my throat.
Like an ion drink after sweating, like a sweet and refreshing soda, it was the ultimate beverage that would hold its own anywhere.
Half in a trance, I lost track of time and drank the blood like an animal.
One sip, two sips. With each sip, I felt more vitality coursing through my body.
Then, someone tapped my back.
“That’s enough, you can stop now.”
“Ah.”
Only then did I snap out of my trance.
“Haa, thank you. The blood was delicious.”
“Is that a compliment?”
I tilted my head.
“Well, today’s the first time I’ve ever drunk blood….”
The man, touching the two small holes in his neck, lay still for a moment before getting up.
Because of that, I lost my balance and rolled onto the alley floor.
Anyway, it feels good. I feel full of energy.
It’s been so long since I felt this alive.
It’s like the feeling after a dreamless sleep following two days of staying up all night.
It was that good.
I even started to doubt if I had been living in constant exhaustion all this time.
The man straightened his tattered suit, trying to look presentable, and I brushed myself off and stood up.
If someone shows this much kindness, I shouldn’t just think about betraying them and running away.
If they’ve shown kindness, I should return the favor. That’s the principle of mutual respect.
Even if I don’t understand, at least I should try to respect it.
“So, will you listen to what I have to say now? I’m not asking for anything harmful.”
“Yes, yes. Of course.”
I smiled as naturally as I could.
As I faced the man, I suddenly frowned.
“…But you look familiar.”
“Good memory.”
“The delivery man?”
His clothes were quite different, his hat was off, and his hairstyle was neat, so I didn’t recognize him at first, but his distinctive narrow eyes gave it away.
He was definitely the delivery man who came by this afternoon. The one who handed me the invoice with at least eight zeros.
In short, he’s part of “this industry.” I still don’t know what “this industry” means, though.
As soon as I confirmed he was the delivery man, the last bit of wariness in my chest melted away.
‘He said they’re an absolute sanctuary, completely neutral. Someone from that group approaching me can’t be bad news.’
But realizing that, I also shuddered.
‘Wait, didn’t I attack him first?’
I looked at the large trash can lying shattered nearby.
The pile of torn plastic pieces clearly showed it had been used for a horrific purpose.
‘…It was self-defense. He had every reason to kill me. I attacked first. I made the first move!!’
I was the one who made the mistake.
Feeling my heart race, I looked up at the man again.
His tattered suit, disheveled hair, and the clear fang marks on his neck.
There was plenty of room for self-defense. Even I could see he had every reason to kill me.
How did I end up doing something so crazy?
No, this isn’t the first time I’ve done something crazy.
How did I end up committing such an outrageous act?
With trembling eyes, I waited for the delivery man to speak.
And when he reached into his pocket, I half-resigned myself, ready to pay for my sins.
‘I messed with a neutral faction. There’s no denying I was in the wrong. So, as long as I don’t die, some punishment is….’
And the next moment.
When I saw what came out of the delivery man’s suit, I felt all the tension drain from me.
“Take this. It’s a simple map, but once you receive it, you’ll be entrusted with industry secrets.”
It was a map.
A crudely drawn map on a torn piece of paper.
I nodded and took it.
The map was marked with minimal lines and text, but even that was hard to decipher without proper geographical knowledge.
“We know you’re in a difficult situation. We know about the massive debt and that you lost your home this afternoon.”
“…Are you threatening me?”
“Of course not. If I wanted to harm you, would I have come so peacefully? I even let you attack me first and drink my blood.”
I hung my head. It was all a misunderstanding, my pathetic comedy from start to finish.
No, if he was going to act suspiciously, he shouldn’t have appeared from the shadows like that.
Muttering to myself, I looked over the map again.
“So, you want me to go to the place marked in the center here?”
“Precisely, it’s an arrangement. I’ll show you a way to earn money and adapt to this society. Normally, we’d let you find the information on your own, but consider this a special case. Think of it as clearing your debt.”
“…Debt?”
“It’s not much of a debt, really. It’s very simple. I’m not asking for money, forcing you into dangerous situations, or using secrets as collateral.”
“Then what is this debt…?”
The delivery man, or as he called himself, the “courier”, held up a finger and spoke in a low voice.
“It’s simple. Just remain as you are. It’s fine to get used to violence and murder, but you must never become someone who doesn’t hesitate to do such things.”
There was a deep authority in his voice, unusual for a mere delivery man.
With his disheveled hair and tattered suit, he looked quite ridiculous trying to maintain his composure.
But there was an undeniable aura about him.
His narrow eyes, in a more cartoonish expression, might just be another way of showing he’s a formidable figure.
Well, I imagined that too.
I pretended to think deeply about the delivery man’s words, then nodded with a dramatic smile.
“Of course! No matter what, I could never become someone who enjoys killing people.”
“Good, very good. Then I’ll guide you to the place marked on the map, customer. I hope you remain our customer for a long time.”
“Of course.”
As we left the alley and walked along the main street, the delivery man told me various things.
For example, explanations about “this industry” I’ve been curious about, the broader landscape, and miscellaneous knowledge.
But I only half-listened, my mind busy with other thoughts.
Thoughts that allowed a growing suspicion to take root firmly in my mind.
‘The delivery man is giving me special treatment. He’s overlooking my attack and showing me kindness. It can’t just be a personal whim.’
The delivery man seemed like a loyal member of an organization.
So, the special treatment I’m receiving isn’t just from him but likely the entire organization’s decision.
This makes me suspicious. There’s something off about all this.
The perfectly fitting robe I received this afternoon, the special treatment only I’m getting.
And the debt the delivery man mentioned is also quite profound.
‘Am I special?’
A shiver ran down my spine.
What am I even thinking?
If I accidentally said it out loud, I’d die of shame.
There’s a limit to self-consciousness, stop thinking weird thoughts.
It feels like my brain is working overtime for no reason.
I decided to stop overthinking.
For now, I’ll take it as pure kindness.
Endless suspicion just tires everyone out.
I’ll think that way for now.
AlucardLovesFish
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