episode_0148

The day we were scheduled to meet the 2nd place winners.

The location is the Crystal Palace located in the eastern part of Magusfall!

It was a building that was used as a kind of exhibition hall, and we ended up renting the entire building for our meeting.

“Are you sure this configuration is okay?”

“Yeah, that’s perfect.”

I responded to Lund’s question as if it were a natural thing.

Me, Ray, Lund and Oleg.

One bloodline and his followers, two true ancestors.

It was a truly elite group with no frills.

“Chris, can we not go together?”

The words spoken by Sheila as she approached the general.

“Um….”

I thought it would be okay since they are both my subordinates, but I thought it would be better to leave this one out.

My keen intuition was telling me that was the right thing to do.

Above all, it wouldn’t be strange if something happened after meeting the second place.

“It’s a very dangerous place, so stay home with Midas.”

Before I knew it, Janggun came over to me from Sheila’s side and hugged me. I was wondering what to say, but I just patted Janggun’s head.

While I was doing that, Sheila came over.

“Chris, you shouldn’t push yourself too hard.”

“Yeah, I’ll keep that in mind.”

This time, Sheila hugged me.

In an instant, Jang Gun-i, who was stuck between me and Sheila, ended up like a sandwich.

“Don’t worry too much.”

Meanwhile, Lund, in his wolf form, said something to Sheila, who was worried about him.

“After you hand over your uncle, you can leave right away.”

“But since he asked to see me, I think he’ll ask me about this and that.”

“That may be possible. But there is no need for Chris to respond sincerely.”

Our role was to lure the second place to the crystal palace under the guise of this meeting.

The Northern Sage was planning to make his move while the second place was away for a moment.

Perhaps each base and subordinate force of the Lidocaine Association will be attacked simultaneously.

“….”

But there’s one thing that’s bothering me.

After the previous communication ended, 6th place sent me a separate message.

“Something seems suspicious about 5th place and Hyun-in.”

It was clear that the two forces were working closely together, perhaps excluding the three rankers.

I can’t say for sure that the 1st place and the rankers are on my side… but I can still trust them compared to those two forces.

The fifth place and former saintess openly declared that it was her turn after taking second place.

There was no trust between the wise men of the North and their children.

The waiting time at the house on the third floor of the hideout building was slowly coming to an end.

“Okay, let’s go outside first.”

“Are we going to move by flying car as planned?”

“Yeah.”

As soon as we stepped out the front door, we saw a flying car waiting for us with a loud noise.

***

Oleg will already be riding inside, if Lund is not wrong.

“Then I’ll be back.”

“Yes, Chris. Sheila said enough, but don’t push yourself too hard. ”

Sylvia said, with Sheila and the General behind her.

“Woof! Woof!”

I waved my hand vigorously at three people and… one dog.

“See you in a few hours!”

As I got on the elevator, the three people who had been seeing me off were no longer visible.

“….”

“Chris, are you nervous?”

“…a little bit?”

Because we’re facing none other than second place.

It’s not a friendly relationship, they’ve been at odds all along.

In the real world, people used to call me “Master, Master” as a meme…

While living and breathing in the world of Dream City, it was far from friendly.

A legend of the vampire world that has reigned for over a thousand years in Magusfall, the city of magical engineering.

A monster whose power and abilities were so great that it became bored with reality and gave up on moving forward.

From now on, the beings I will meet are like that.

If I hadn’t been higher in the hierarchy of the bloodline engraved in blood, we would never have met.

Tiring!

Even though it was a normal alarm announcing my arrival, it was jarring to hear.

As Lund and I left the hideout building, one person quietly joined us.

“Chris, what happened?”

Ray, my first subordinate.

“No, why? Was my expression weird?”

“You look a little bit unwell.”

“…I’m trying, but I guess I can’t help but feel nervous.”

“Chris.”

Ray suddenly called my name and raised one of his arms.

Thanks to the recent absorption of Dragon’s Blood, Ray’s two arms were also covered in dragon scales like mine.

No, that wasn’t the point.

Slightly trembling arm movements.

“I’m scared too. Chris, it’s okay because you’re not the only one.”

“…To be honest, I’m scared too.”

“You can’t do that!”

I was momentarily moved by Ray’s words and felt something tugging at me, but Lund’s words ruined everything.

No, Lund was also a victim of the second place, so that could be the case.

But why are you saying that now of all times!

“Well, let’s feed them properly this time.”

“Yeah.”

Ray’s firm answer and Lund’s silent nod.

Afterwards, we boarded the flying car that was waiting for us and Oleg, who was riding in the passenger seat, greeted us.

“Oh, come in.”

What? It’s not just Lund, Oleg is shaking too.

Clearly, the four of us were composed of the bloodline, his followers, and two true ancestors, but… the description of the four cowards felt more appropriate.

***

The flying car with the four cowards in it headed straight to the Crystal Palace.

“Lund, wait a minute. Isn’t that too fast?”

“No, it’s normal speed.”

Lund said it was okay, but my heart wasn’t in it.

Is this because I’m so nervous?

That kind of serious, determined look is nice, but I’m so far from that.

“Ugh, this won’t work.”

“Chris?”

He gave up his true form and transformed into a small baby bat.

Immediately afterwards, it landed directly on Ray’s head.

“It’s comfortable here.”

“Christ is real….”

Ray reacted as if he couldn’t stop me from acting so suddenly.

“But Lund, who do you think will come from over there?”

“Probably the elder and the second tribe leader.”

“Maybe all the clans will line up to welcome us?”

Following Lund, Oleg mentioned a sight he hated to think about.

If that happens, the major powers of the Lidocaine Association will be gathered in one place.

This is a very welcome situation for the Northern Sage, who plans to attack during this gap.

On the other hand, it won’t be a good thing for us who have to meet the second place team directly.

“Wait a minute, stop saying such unlucky things!”

“I was only talking about possibilities.”

“Lund, what do you think?”

“I don’t know about that guy, but an elder might do something like that.”

Is the elder the problem?

Well, aside from the second place elder and the second tribe leader, he’s not a great person who would show up with all the other tribe leaders in a row.

Amidst all this conversation, the flying car was getting closer and closer to the crystal palace.

Now, the shape of the crystal palace could be seen with the naked eye.

“Oh, is that right there?”

“Yeah, I’m not sure if that guy got there first.”

If possible, it would have been better if we had arrived first. I think that would have been a relief in many ways.

But my earnest wish did not come true. I un-transformed myself and looked out the window in my true form.

“Ah, that….”

“Looks like you came before us and are waiting.”

A view of vampires loitering around the Crystal Palace.

And the existence of other flying cars.

I could only swallow my saliva silently as I watched the sight.

While Lund and Oleg were busy checking out their surroundings… Ray suddenly grabbed my hand.

“….”

Although he didn’t say anything, his straight-forward gaze seemed to calm my heart a little.

“Ray, thank you.”

“Yeah.”

I didn’t say anything else and just grabbed Ray’s hand.

Lund turned his head towards us as the two little ones held each other’s hands.

Lund nodded slightly as their eyes met for a moment.

‘What? What does it mean?’

***

While struggling to understand the meaning of that action.

The flying car rattled.

At the same time, the altitude begins to decrease.

‘Ah, it really happened.’

Finally, the flying car landed at a suitable spot.

The car door opens coolly, without any regard for our feelings.

I could see people approaching through the door.

Vampires of the Lidocaine Society.

“Lund, do you know the tribe?”

“No, I don’t know.”

“It’s an honor to meet you.”

The blue-haired vampire who came out first spoke with his red eyes shining.

She introduced herself as the third tribe leader.

“The third?”

“Yes, my predecessor owes it to the person behind me.”

The body leading the third tribe, doesn’t Lund know? His predecessor was indebted to Oleg?

In context, we should assume that the former chieftain was killed by Oleg.

“Do you have any complaints?”

“No. There isn’t.”

She immediately backed away at Oleg’s question.

In the movements of the branch leader, something strange was seen on her waist.

A sword that looks like a mixture of fire and water? A whip? In any case, it looks like he’s using a strange weapon.

“Okay, let me explain.”

“Yes, then follow me.”

I entered the crystal palace.

True to its name, the structure, built entirely of cast iron and glass, appeared to be some kind of exhibition hall.

Since we don’t usually have anything to do with it, we might have it all to ourselves today.

“Huh?”

As I followed the leader of the tribe, a strange sight caught my eye.

A fountain located in the middle of the street of Sujeong Palace.

Underneath the fountain that was spouting water magnificently even though there were no people.

The elder standing blankly and the second tribe leader.

Meanwhile, the second place was sitting on a luxurious chair.

‘Is this true?’

“Brought to you.”

“Okay.”

…even the way he speaks is just like his grandfather.

The second person looked like a young man with white hair, so it seemed more appropriate for an elder to sit on the chair than the second person.

“Put down the chair.”

“Yes.”

At the wink of the elder and the second tribe leader, vampires suddenly appeared from the surrounding darkness, each holding a chair.

No, are we really talking here?

The vampires quickly disappeared, leaving four chairs for us.

Along with him, the second tribe leader began to carry a large coffin on his back. It was probably the second brother that the second leader had kidnapped.

“….”

***

“Everyone, sit down. I have a lot to talk about.”

“….”

Lund and Oleg sat down on the chairs first.

I deliberately chose the chair next to them. Ray pulled the chair that was given to him next to me.

Fortunately, it didn’t feel like I was facing the second place.

“….”

Of course, the second place’s gaze was fixed on me.

“I want to end this ceasefire thing quickly.”

“That goes for us too.”

Conditions for a ceasefire.

As it was a temporary ceasefire, the duration was half a year. In addition, the condition was that Oleg’s brother be returned.

The second tribe leader brought the large coffin he was carrying on his back towards us.

Thud!

The coffin was placed right next to Oleg. Oleg got up and checked on his brother inside the coffin.

Although it wasn’t completely visible from my position, it was clear that someone was inside.

“…confirmed.”

“Isn’t he dead?”

I said it just in case, because Oleg said it so easily.

Oleg then responded by telling her not to talk nonsense.

“Although unconscious, it is clear that he is alive.”

“Really? Then that’s good.”

With the hostages returned, it was time to swear a blood oath of truce.

The elder took out a cup to hold the blood and a sharp dagger.

First, the second in command stabbed his own hand with a dagger and poured the flowing blood into a cup. Then the elder and the second chieftain repeated the same action.

With this, the three of them have no choice but to keep the truce.

Then why can’t someone else break the truce? The three of them can’t give orders for something like that, nor can they just stand by and watch.

Because in that case, you will be at a clear disadvantage.

The elder, holding a cup containing the blood of three people, now approached Oleg.

“….”

Oleg stabbed himself in the hand with the dagger he had received from the elder.

“Chris, should I do this too?”

“…I don’t think you have to do it.”

I was also puzzled by Ray’s words next to me.

“Miss, give me your hand.”

“I can do it alone.”

Meanwhile, when it was Lund’s turn, the elder’s attitude became obviously more lenient. However, Lund’s attitude towards the elder was not like that.

I heard Lund stab himself in the hand.

The sound of a sharp dagger piercing flesh, and a moment later, hot blood flowed into the goblet.

The elder passed Ray and came towards me.

It seems like Ray’s blood isn’t even necessary.

“…ugh.”

I pricked myself and felt a little pain.

No matter how much it heals, it still hurts.

It seemed like everyone else was indifferent to this pain, and I was the only one who let out a sound.

“It’s all over.”

After the second word, the elder lifted up the cup containing blood.

A few drops of blood mixed together and swayed repeatedly… and then changed into the shape of a small ring.

The elder first gave the rings to the second place winner, then to me and Lund.

Should we say that these are the three people who represent this ceasefire?

“Okay, that’s all the annoying stuff over with.”

“Can I go now?”

As soon as the second person spoke, we all stood up. Oleg carried the coffin of his brother on his back.

“Are you going to go already?”

The second place seemed to have something to say to me.

But from my point of view, there was no need to respond to that.

There are guys who are after this spot right now.

“Do you have anything to say?”

“I have a lot to talk about. Can you spare some time?”

The elders and the second and third clan leaders were standing around, their eyes shining as they listened to their lord’s words.

Since we have already pledged a ceasefire, we cannot harm each other.

“Isn’t the ceasefire talk already over?”

“….”

When I didn’t say anything, Lund intervened.

But… will this opportunity ever come again?

I don’t think I’ll ever have another chance to talk to the runner-up, even if it’s in a game world.

“If it’s really just a little bit?”

“Chris.”

Before I could answer, Lund stopped me.

“Okay, that’s fortunate.”

The second place person suddenly got up.

Although he looked like a young man, it was impressive to see him naturally holding a cane in his hand.

“How about taking a short walk?”

The second place said this and invited me to follow him.

When Ray and Lund tried to follow me, the elder stopped them, as if he had something else to say.

“Is it okay?”

Oleg’s question and Ray and Lund’s gaze.

“Don’t worry. I’ll be back soon.”

I followed in second place, responding to all three.

But… suddenly, a large light emanated from outside the crystal palace.

“What is that?!”

“…Those old-fashioned guys. Well, that’s what they’re going to do.”

The second one showed hostility towards the direction the light was coming from.

“Still, I think there’s still time to talk. What do you think?”

“….”

You don’t think it was my doing?

Even though I felt anxious at every moment… I walked forward confidently.

Then the second place person smiled.