Chapter 28: The Master of the Corrupted Corridor (2)
How long had they walked?
Finally, a giant door appeared before the two of them.
Decorations that reminded one of ancient Greece.
But what was concerning wasn’t the mere appearance.
“This is…”
Jinhyuk frowned.
Tingling! Tingling!
An immense magical power.
Even with a door that blocked magic, to feel this much pressure…
Glancing to the side, Theresa’s face had turned ashen.
“Do we, do we have to fight such a monster, just the two of us?”
Her voice trembled thinly.
It was understandable.
The magic piercing their skin crushed any will to fight.
“There’s no need to be scared. We knew we were up against a strong opponent, didn’t we?”
“But, but still…”
“Besides, battles aren’t always won by the stronger side.”
Strategies and tactics were developed to overcome a disadvantage in power.
If victories were decided merely by the magnitude of magic…
‘I would never have reached the last floor of the tower.’
“Do you have a plan?”
“Just one thing. No matter what happens inside, you must trust me.”
Jinhyuk spoke briefly and drew his dagger.
“What do you mean by…”
Theresa asked, but Jinhyuk didn’t answer.
Instead.
Creeeak…
He reached out and opened the door.
A magnificent sight unfolded with a blinding light.
Golden floors and columns.
In a place where a long red curtain was draped, a majestic throne stood.
“You’ve finally arrived. I’ve been tired of waiting.”
A woman leaning on her cheek smiled.
Jinhyuk looked straight at her.
‘It’s a remarkable sight no matter how many times I see it.’
Long silver hair down to her waist and red pupils.
A body so seductive it verged on decadence.
Indeed, the appearance befitting a vampire blessed with immortality.
And that’s just her alone…
To her side, twelve of her kin stood in a row.
Each one looked formidable.
“Are the people safe?”
“I haven’t touched a hair on their heads, so there’s no need to worry.”
Elis lightly gestured with her hand.
Then.
[Lv?? Dimensional Barrier is lifted.] The veil lifted, revealing the people taken as prisoners.
“Ugh!”
“Gah! Ah! Ugh!”
Bound with gags and blindfolds, their senses blocked.
From the assault team, including Songcheonhwa, to
the team leader Kim and the porters.
Most appeared unharmed.
…That’s a relief.
[Lv2 ‘Eye of Truth’ activates.] Jinhyuk used ‘Eye of Truth’ to scan the people.
Dozens of status windows flashed by.
Though the magic consumption was severe, Jinhyuk painstakingly checked everyone’s name and status.
He had to find…
‘That one.’
Just then.
“Now that you’ve seen the hostages are safe, is it my turn to ask questions?”
Elis began speaking.
It sounded like a question, but it was a unilateral demand for answers.
Refusal meant killing all the humans in this palace.
“Ask away. Honestly, I’m curious about the reason for setting up such an elaborate stage myself.”
“I invited you here because of the scent coming from you.”
“Scent?”
It wouldn’t be the smell of sweat.
If it’s a scent that could stimulate a vampire… could it be?
“Yes. The sweet scent of blood flowing from you! An intoxicating fragrance unlike any ordinary human, it has stimulated me.”
Damn.
There are plenty of type B men strewn about the streets, what’s with the sudden talk of sweet blood?
Jinhyuk pressed his temples firmly with his finger.
“You seem very troubled.”
“Wouldn’t anyone be, knowing they’ll be turned into a mummy by having their blood sucked?”
“I’m not a fool who devours tasty things all at once. I’ll allow you to live for at least 60 years, so don’t be too afraid.”
Hearing that made it even less reassuring.
In other words, it’s like saying, ‘I’ll keep you by my side for life and stick a straw in your neck whenever I’m hungry.’
“Thanks for the offer, but I don’t want to live as a vampire’s luxury snack.”
Find that masochistic hobby elsewhere.
There must be some who enjoy it.
“Sorry, but you’re not given a choice.”
“I understand. I’m not proposing to go bare-handed… I’ll offer something else instead of blood.”
“Oh?”
Did the brazen suggestion pique her interest?
Elis’s smile deepened a bit.
But it was only for a moment.
“There’s nothing more precious to us than delicious blood. No matter what you propose, my heart will not change.”
“Even if what I offer is ‘freedom’?”
“…!?”
Elis’s expression changed at Jinhyuk’s words.
Simultaneously.
“How dare you!”
“To mention that word here!”
“I’ll tear you apart, human!”
The vampires standing to Elis’s left and right shouted in unison.
The threat of death was palpable in their words.
It was understandable.
For them, freedom meant more than just a word.
Years of exile in endless darkness.
The beauty of the stars and moon illuminating the night sky.
The soft touch of the wind and the freshness of grass.
All had been lost long ago.
“You… you’ll have to take responsibility for the words you just spoke.”
“If I couldn’t take responsibility, I wouldn’t have come here in the first place.”
Jinhyuk took out a mask from his bosom.
A black mask engraved with geometric patterns.
It had been used in the labyrinth before, but its shape was slightly different this time.
A rune letter engraved with magic on the right cheek was noticeable.
“That is…”
Elis’s eyes narrowed.
As expected. She recognizes it.
The meaning this mask holds.
Jinhyuk bowed deeply.
Enough bait has been thrown, it’s time to get to the point.
“My name is Kang Jinhyuk.”
To brainwash.
“Representing the demons in the tower.”
The character I must portray.
And.
“I will now free you from this place.”
The personality and goals of that character.
Demons.
A term referring to those who turned their backs on humanity for money, revenge, or personal beliefs.
Demons hindered players from climbing the tower and even allied with monsters in labyrinths and relics.
Just like now.
After the Tower of Trials manifested in reality, numerous misdeeds, including [Coin Farms], were hot topics in various media, making the demons as well-known as any large guild.
“I’ve heard about them too. But, you’re one of them?”
Elis seemed incredulous.
Indeed, a mask alone wasn’t enough to convince.
Then.
I just need to give more information.
Information that only a demon would know.
“I’m already in contact with the [Temple] on the 27th floor of the tower. They informed me that Elis is here, and even shared how to bypass the seal enveloping this relic.”
Words flowed smoothly without a hitch.
The calm expression was a bonus.
“Indeed… If you know about the Temple, it’s not mere bluster.”
“So, do you believe me now?”
“No.”
Elis shook her head.
“You know too much about us. And you claim to solve something we considered impossible all at once.”
A beautiful rose has its thorns.
“Above all, I cannot easily trust someone whose words are too polished.”
Rejection.
If it had been a simple request or suggestion, they could have just walked away.
But here, rejection meant death.
Elis slowly raised her hand.
The vampires standing in formation twitched, ready to act.
At her signal, Jinhyuk would be captured, and Theresa killed.
It’s not as easy as I thought.
She didn’t live all these years for nothing, did she?
“If I prove that my words aren’t just empty talk, would you believe me then?”
“Hmm?”
Elis stopped raising her hand.
“Rejecting our proposal and the Temple’s suggestion based on mere suspicion would be too much of a burden, wouldn’t it?”
“…”
“I’ll do anything. Just give me a chance.”
“Fine. If you’re truly a demon…”
Elis’s gaze moved past Jinhyuk to the people behind him.
“Killing humans shouldn’t cause you any discomfort.”
With those words, a blue status window appeared.
[Sudden Quest] Objective: Kill your companion.
Reward: Elis’s trust
Failure: You will no longer be able to persuade Elis with words.
Kill or be killed.
The only two choices.
And Jinhyuk…
“I understand.”
Clutched the dagger without a moment’s hesitation, feeling a thrill as everything went according to plan.
“What are you doing!”
Theresa screamed, her face stained with betrayal and anger.
He had been a mysterious man since their first meeting.
A porter, yet he displayed overwhelming bravery.
Mysterious and somehow warm.
That’s why she clung to his words, telling her to trust him.
But.
The moment she saw him nod without hesitation to the command to kill a companion…
Doubt turned to certainty.
He truly was one of the demons.
“Was it your plan to use me from the beginning?”
“Isn’t it too late for such a question?”
Jinhyuk extended his dagger forward.
As if conversation was unnecessary.
“I won’t go down easily.”
Theresa shielded herself with her armor.
Planning to focus on defense.
“I know you’re not an easy opponent, Theresa.”
The legend who single-handedly stopped Amsterdam’s outbreak wasn’t for nothing.
But that was when facing monsters.
“Have you ever fought against humans?”
Whoosh!
Jinhyuk vanished.
“!”
Behind!
Theresa turned her head.
Clang! The heavy impact transmitted through the shield.
The dagger grazed the metal and disappeared.
‘So fast!’
And this movement…
Unorthodox and bizarre.
Clang! Clang, clang!
Overwhelmed by the barrage of attacks, Theresa’s face paled.
She thought focusing on defense would be enough.
What a huge mistake.
If this continued, in 5 minutes? No, even 3 minutes…
The moment she bit her lip.
“Ah…”
A regretful sigh escaped Theresa’s lips.
She had misread his move.
And that mistake led to a misstep.
Of course, Jinhyuk wouldn’t miss that opportunity.
Thwack!
A gap left for joint movement, not protected by armor.
The dagger plunged into the unprotected spot.
Theresa staggered greatly.
Blood spurted from the wound like a fountain, a fatal injury.
“Ah…ugh…”
Groaning, Theresa finally collapsed.
And died.
‘One won’t be enough.’
Shaking the blood off his dagger, Jinhyuk turned around.
The trembling assault team.
Jinhyuk stood in front of about a dozen people.
‘Eye of Truth’ had confirmed it, so there was no mistake.
Crack!
Jinhyuk smashed the gag off the man in front and removed his blindfold.
Freeing the man bound in constraints, he burst into cheers.
“Rescue… team! Thank you! I owe my life to… huh?”
The man’s gratitude turned to confusion mid-sentence.
His face contorted into horror.
On the other hand.
Jinhyuk smiled faintly.
“Hello?”
Long time no see.
You damned rascal.