Chapter 29 – Last Carnival

&R;ｅa​&d;​ &o;n ​Kat‌​Read&i;ǹ&g;Ｃ​äf‍​ҽ​

The atmosphere turned cold when a white vampire appeared like a shadowy figure, but the mission itself was successfully completed.  

My heart felt like it was about to burst, but the others were surprisingly fine.  

I was worried when Cheongung collapsed, but it seems it wasn’t as serious as I thought.  

So why was it only my heart that felt like it was about to explode?  

Why was my injury the worst?  

Is it because we’re both vampires?  

Is it because, as fellow vampires, her influence over me was much stronger?  

“I can’t figure out her intentions….”  

It’s hard to grasp what that white vampire’s intentions were.  

Judging by her appearance at the scene, she might have wanted to get the drugs for herself.  

Or, considering how she incapacitated all of us who raided the distribution site, maybe she was the mastermind behind the drugs.  

Both guesses require one common premise.  

If she wanted to erase the evidence, she should have taken all the drugs from the scene.  

But all the red drugs ended up in our hands without exception.  

I didn’t count them properly, but roughly, it seemed to be the same amount we initially secured.  

So the werewolves of the White Wolf Faction could return to their original state and were transported back to China with hope.  

Along with Cheong-an.  

So what was that vampire’s intention?  

Showing off her presence? Trying to imprint herself on us?  

“Vampire Lord, what have you been brooding about?”  

“Just… thinking about what happened yesterday. What was that all about?”  

“I told you, didn’t I? She must be your kin. Such resemblance can only be explained by blood ties. Besides, you’re a Vampire Lord, aren’t you?”  

Cheongung knows nothing.  

It’s not even worth mentioning that I was once human.  

There are too many anomalies to pinpoint why only I experience such peculiar things.  

What’s wrong with this body?  

“Forget it, let’s stop.”  

Since no answer comes from overthinking, I decided to stop, as Cheongung suggested.  

I looked up and saw Cheongung walking beside me.  

Even though Cheongung’s strides are long enough to outpace me, he matched my steps, whether out of courtesy or to tease me.  

I said to Cheongung,  

“So, is everything here done now?”  

“Yes. Although Cheong-an’s situation isn’t fully resolved yet, and we still need to uncover the truth about the drugs, your involvement ends here.”  

“Well, good luck. From now on, and in the future. If you ever run into trouble, consider filing a request with Round Ark.”  

I said that, aware of the watchers observing from somewhere.  

Look, I’m even going viral for you. Can’t you stop your shady activities and come out to tell the whole truth?  

But that didn’t happen.  

Cheongung smiled humbly and said,  

“I was about to say the same thing. The one who owes a debt is me, not you. If our paths cross again, I’d like to fight alongside you as comrades, not adversaries.”  

“I don’t even want to imagine what would require the Sword Emperor to step in.”  

Cheongung chuckled softly again.  

A member of the Martial Alliance, who had come to escort him, bowed quietly.  

“It’s time for the plane to depart, Sword Emperor.”  

Cheongung turned and walked away at the call.  

I waved at the departing Cheongung.  

The Martial Alliance members who had been escorting us also bowed one by one and boarded the plane.  

“Phew, is this the end?”  

The werewolves of the White Wolf Faction have all returned to their homeland, Cheong-an has been transported, and the Sword Emperor has returned to his original position.  

Although the atmosphere turned icy at the end, I’d say we completed the mission splendidly.  

‘Though my bank account is in the red….’  

Thinking about that invoice with at least nine zeros still makes my head spin.  

I just did my job faithfully, but the adults don’t take that into account.  

Well, since the client is a profit-driven corporation, that’s to be expected.  

They’re in the position of “employing” us. Naturally, they expect us to perform tasks in exchange for money.  

‘It’s adult versus adult… professional versus professional.’  

I still want to throw a tantrum. But since I’ve stepped into this money-driven world…  

I need to take responsibility and act more like an adult. Yes, that’s necessary.  

‘…Maybe it’s better to just stay holed up at home.’  

The plane, adorned with various paints and decorations, soared into the sky.  

After watching the dot shrink for a while at the airport, I turned away.  

‘The completion rank for my first mission is A. Considering S is the highest, it’s rated better than I expected.’  

Now, that A-rank will be permanently recorded in my history.  

For a rookie, it’s practically a meteoric rise, but it’s slightly lower than I hoped.  

But now, money isn’t the goal.  

I just need to settle into this world properly.  

I walked leisurely through the bustling airport.  

With my black hood pulled up, I didn’t feel many eyes on me.  

Good, it’s a good start.  

But I’m exhausted from burning out recently.  

Now, I need to hole up in front of my computer for a few weeks and click my mouse.  

Thinking that, I unconsciously moved my feet.  

* * *  

When I came to my senses, I was back at my original home.  

My poor house, with one wall completely blown away by the insane liberal crusader’s special attack…  

Even though weeks have passed, there’s still no sign of repair.  

Even from the outside, the blackened walls are visible.  

I really got hit hard back then.  

‘Why did I come here….’  

I must have unconsciously sought out a place I considered home.  

My computer, save files, PlayStation—everything was there…  

“Life….”  

Yeah, even my foundational capital is gone.  

The time I spent playing games can’t be converted into money.  

At least the Steam cloud saves are still there, so maybe I can play at a PC bang or something.  

But what about the PlayStation? It’s all gone.  

I hung my head low.  

“…Should I go to the lounge?”  

My most fundamental, primal persona—the desire to hole up in front of a computer and relax—remains unfulfilled.  

In the end, the only way is to work as a mercenary, earn capital, and start over from scratch.  

‘I have plenty of time.’  

I haven’t thought about the future. I haven’t thought about how I’ll live or what ultimate goal I’ll set.  

But isn’t that true for everyone? No one has an ultimate goal in life.  

We’re born arbitrarily, live arbitrarily, and die arbitrarily.  

That’s a good saying. It’s all true, from start to finish.  

So, for now, let’s just live.  

I have an eternity ahead of me.  

But, but.  

“I want to play games….”  

Suddenly, anger surged.  

I want to, but I can’t.  

It’s not about a PC; I want my console.  

I need the same device!  

“If I throw a tantrum and demand they set one up at the lounge, will I get in trouble?”  

Come to think of it, I heard there’s an arcade next to Round Ark’s headquarters lounge.  

I should drop by sometime.  

The air is quite cold, as if rain is coming soon.  

But it’s not cold enough to see my breath, so I took off my hood.  

Suddenly, I turned my head and saw a police car parked near the shattered remains of my house… the “crime scene.”  

An officer was questioning a passing student.  

And with my superhuman vision as a Vampire Lord, I could see what the detective was holding.  

‘…Is that me?’  

Honestly, I thought no one would look for me if I disappeared.  

No family, no friends—who would look for me? Besides, high school isn’t compulsory education.  

‘They’re diligent.’  

Not that they’ll find me anyway.  

Then, the detective and I locked eyes for a moment.  

We stared at each other from a distance for a while, and I saw the detective nudging his colleague with his shoulder.  

…Did they notice me? Why?  

Why would they suddenly take an interest in me while investigating a missing student?  

Things seemed like they were about to get annoying.  

I quickly pulled up my hood and slipped away.  

“Sigh.”  

Dealing with ordinary people in the daylight world is exhausting.  

They’re all rigid, stifling, and lack any flexibility.  

As a collective, they’re practically a hive mind, no different from insects.  

I headed to Round Ark’s headquarters.  

There should be some entertainment there.  

If not, I’ll throw a tantrum and demand they get some.  

Yeah, I’ll be an adult next year, so I might as well throw a tantrum while I’m still a minor.  

Fortunately, the detective didn’t stubbornly chase after me.