Ch.20Woof Woof Princess

After following Ham-jumuk around the camp for quite a while, we had toured every area of the camp, but Hwang-gu’s memories showed no signs of returning.

“Um, do you really not remember anything…?”

“Grrrr…!”

Hwang-gu’s response revealed nothing but hostility.

Ham-jumuk turned his head away to secretly wipe away tears.

I stood with my arms crossed, staring at a large cage positioned in a corner. I wasn’t sure where they had obtained it, but inside the sturdy iron cage were naked humans crammed together. Judging by their lifeless eyes as they barely breathed, they were still alive, at least.

Just as humans used to raise livestock like pigs or cows before the world changed, werewolves had now begun raising humans. Of course, humans grow very slowly, so the amount of meat obtained wasn’t much compared to the time invested in raising them. That’s why the werewolves here had chosen a very efficient method, I was told.

“Charlotte?”

Ham-jumuk’s voice called out to me.

I turned my head slightly to see him forcing an awkward smile as he continued speaking.

“It’s almost mealtime. Would you like to join us?”

“Ah…”

I nodded unconsciously.

As meal preparations began, all the werewolves started moving busily. Some carried armfuls of red potions, while others brought sharply honed Chinese cleavers and buckets. When the werewolves began moving, the humans trapped in the cage also started to react.

“No, please!”

“Stop it!”

“Save us!”

Desperate screams filled the air.

The previously listless humans reached their hands out through the cage bars and began to panic. The werewolves watched the scene without blinking an eye. Some even licked their lips as if imagining the meat they would soon be eating.

A werewolf carrying a large cleaver walked toward the cage and locked the door behind him. Immediately after, the cleaver began to move.

“Aaaaargh!”

The targeted human struggled, but there wasn’t much he could do. Flailing his arms and legs while screaming was the extent of his resistance. With each terrifying movement of the blade, red blood and chunks of meat fell into the bucket below. How much time passed like this?

When the human finally stopped responding, foaming blood at his mouth, the werewolf poured a red potion over the human’s body. The red potion immediately began to work where it touched the wounds. Like replenishing lost health, the human’s severed body parts began to regenerate. It felt like watching a vampire’s body regeneration. After the wounds were fully healed, the werewolf marked an X on the human’s arm with a marker and threw him into a corner of the cage.

“Wow… are you giving us the blood?”

That was Aurel’s question. She was licking her lips at the sight, seemingly feeling no particular emotion about it.

“Yes, of course.”

Ham-jumuk nodded confidently.

I watched the scene with a sour expression. I thought I had adapted to this changed world, but actually witnessing such a scene firsthand made me feel strange.

It’s not that the werewolves’ method was wrong. They were a species that needed to eat human flesh to survive. It was probably an inevitable choice for them.

If they supplied meat this way, wouldn’t it mean other humans wouldn’t have to be sacrificed? It was just the sacrifice of a few for the benefit of many.

At least, that’s what I wanted to think.

“Let’s go, Charlotte.”

Even as I followed Ham-jumuk to the dining area, I couldn’t take my eyes off the cage in the corner.

Aaaaargh-!

Another scream dissipated futilely.

The meal took place inside a large military tent. The werewolves had clearly put effort into the interior decoration. Luxurious chairs and tables. And even candelabras decorated with skulls.

The tableware prepared on the table also looked quite high-end. The wine glasses prepared for me and Aurel, as vampires, were equally impressive.

After sitting down and waiting briefly, a female werewolf approached the tent pulling a cart. Judging by the smell, human meat and blood were prepared on that cart. As I expected, the female werewolf began setting the food on the table. As bright red meat with blood dripping down was placed on the plates, Ham-jumuk and Hwang-gu licked their lips.

The female werewolf took out a large bottle and poured blood into the wine glasses placed in front of Aurel and me. The blood still retained some warmth, clearly freshly drawn.

I rested my chin on my hand and swirled the wine glass. As the glass moved slowly, the rich scent of blood spread subtly. Though no one had officially announced the start of the meal, Ham-jumuk and Hwang-gu had already begun eating.

Ham-jumuk started cutting the red meat with a knife and fork. In contrast, Hwang-gu used only a fork to shovel the meat into her mouth. Her cheeks bulged as red blood trickled down between her lips.

Is it really that delicious?

I narrowed my eyes and continued swirling the wine glass. The blood scent grew stronger with each movement. My vampire instincts kept stimulating my salivary glands.

“Aren’t you going to eat?”

“Hmm…”

I stopped moving at Aurel’s question. Despite her excited expression, Aurel hadn’t yet tasted the blood. It was as if she was waiting for me to eat first.

Though considerable time had passed since I opened my eyes in this world, I had never tasted human blood. Since it was my shadow that devoured opponents’ bodies during fights, I never had the chance to taste it myself.

“If there’s something not to your liking…”

“No, that’s not it.”

Ham-jumuk anxiously watched my reaction. Finally, I had no choice but to tilt the glass in my hand.

Sssip-

The blood began to flow slowly. As if announcing it was freshly drawn from a living body, the blood felt warm as it touched my lips. One sip. The blood that entered my mouth slowly spread across my tongue.

“Ah-“

The first thing I realized was that I had let out a short exclamation. I had sighed in admiration without even being conscious of it.

The first taste my tongue recognized was sweetness. It felt like melted chocolate gently wrapping around my tongue. It was surprising that blood, which should taste metallic and fishy, could taste so sweet. The vampire tongue must have quite a peculiar structure.

The second taste I recognized was a subtle bitterness that spread gradually. If not for this bitterness, I might have floundered forever in an ocean of sweetness.

It was a taste that seemed to stimulate every taste bud on my tongue. My body began to heat up as if every cell in my body was dancing. Just one sip, and I could feel this good.

I wondered what would happen if I drank everything in this glass. I could now understand why Aurel was so enthusiastic about human blood. Anyone who tasted this would be enthusiastic.

The small worry that had been sitting in a corner of my mind disappeared instantly. Of course, that worry had been about the human cage.

Now I didn’t even care about that. All I cared about was the swirling wine glass in my hand. I couldn’t suppress the subtle smile that emerged as I tilted the glass.

There was certainly no alcohol in the blood. But I started feeling elated as if drunk.

My legs, which had been still, began to swing back and forth slowly. Looking down slightly, I saw that Aurel and Hwang-gu were also swinging their legs wildly.

Suddenly, I realized the atmosphere had softened considerably. I took a sip from my glass and casually asked a question.

“Mr. Ham-jumuk.”

“Yes?”

“I’m curious about something. Can you answer me?”

Ham-jumuk nodded eagerly with his fork in his mouth. Despite his mountain-like size, his actions were quite delicate. I savored the blood in my mouth as I chose my words.

Hadn’t I decided to ask questions when I met werewolves?

“The full moon—”

Bang-!

Just as I was about to start speaking, a sudden gunshot rang out. Hwang-gu’s ears, sitting next to me, flapped widely.

The moment I recognized the gunshot, a terrible silver smell began to assault my nose. Judging by the mix of silver and blood scents, it seemed a werewolf patrolling outside had been injured.

Guns and silver bullets. Only human users could use both of those things.

“This is…!”

Ham-jumuk stood up abruptly with an extremely angry expression.

Humans!

Human attack!

Everyone attack!

Bang-! Ratatata-!

Werewolves’ shouts and gunshots from all directions filled the air. Aurel crouched under the table with a very surprised expression.

“Charlotte! Please take care of Meong-meong Gongju!”

With those words, Ham-jumuk rushed out. By the time he exited the military tent, he had transformed into a half-human, half-beast form.

“Ch-Charlotte…”

I nodded at Aurel’s call and leaned back lazily in my chair. Was it because I drank blood? My body felt limp as if drunk. But contrary to that, all my senses had become more sensitive.

I could tell the number of attackers by the smell of human blood flowing through the air.

Twenty people. That’s a lot. Judging by the strong silver smell, they must have brought a considerable amount of silver bullets as well.

Aaaaargh-!

I couldn’t distinguish whose desperate scream it was.

“What do you want to do, Hwang-gu?”

“Pardon?”

“This is your home.”

Though Hwang-gu didn’t seem to remember, this was definitely her home. If Hwang-gu wanted, I could help her.

“I don’t know…”

Hwang-gu lowered her tail at my question. She looked at me with a confused face.

“Then can I do what I want?”

“Yes!”

I drained the glass in my hand and stood up.

Flap-!

The moment I thought I needed wings, huge shadow wings spread behind my back. But their size was unusual.

“Gasp…”

“Wow…”

Aurel and Hwang-gu marveled at my wings. The wings that had spread now were about twice their normal size.