In a small oval glass bottle, I placed the magic power bar and sent ripples across it. Frowning at the pungent scent that stimulated my nose, I laid back on the sofa.
[ Did I put in too much? ]
“It doesn’t make much of a difference, so it’s fine.”
Blinking dazedly from exhaustion, I took a deep breath. Now that I thought about it, I was running low on blood.
It might be a good idea to subtly mention it to the director to find out the group’s location. Anyway, I needed to keep myself occupied until the Behemoth’s combination recipe landed in my hands.
I briefly imagined its appearance. It must be massive if it’s a monster.
I waved my finger in the air. A red thread of wind traced a picture along my finger.
“Wings, two arms, two legs.”
The figure of the Necro race would probably resemble a dragon. It would have enormous wings extending from its arms.
And…
[ Features include split violet skin, two horns, and pronounced fangs. ]
Unconsciously following Bloody’s words, I sketched out its outline in red before pausing.
“You know it well. It’s the Necro race.”
Bloody also flinched. A moment of silence fell.
[ D-Don’t misunderstand! It’s natural for a princess of the spirit world to be knowledgeable! I’m not involved in that at all! ]
“I didn’t say anything.”
It’s quite strange that you, who make a fuss when killing people, would say that.
[ I just wanted to clarify to avoid misunderstandings. The princess is pure, after all! ]
With a vague nod, I waved my hand. The red outline twisted and scattered.
Regardless, thanks to the materials harvested from the necromancer group, the plan was progressing.
I lifted both hands and grasped the crown resting on my head. Lowering it onto my lap revealed a light with a reddish tint.
Three more steps. Once the crown is finally stained red and all my blood grows even darker, I will finally become a vampire.
The rapidly depleting regeneration energy causes my heart to fall into a state of oversaturation. The transformed heart releases all the magic power it holds, polluting all life around me.
Everyone except me, or perhaps even including me, will groan in pain. I would face Erica.
That spectacle would be so brilliant it could blind me.
“Hehe…”
[ Are you okay? You must have taken today’s medicine. ]
“I’m fine.”
I closed my eyes against my blurred consciousness.
[ Do you not plan to go out today? ]
“I should go… but why do you get to decide that…?”
[ You always seemed in a good mood when you went to work. ]
The fluttering of wings disturbed the air. I turned my head in that state.
[ That too, and that girl… ]
“Erica?”
[ Yes. When you’re with that girl, your expression improves markedly. The same goes for her. ]
Sudden anxiety washed over me.
Erica’s interest in my frail body has been growing day by day.
It isn’t just that. The smile she sometimes shows… it’s beautiful…
Get a grip.
It’s time to do whatever it takes for my goal.
Should I put some distance for a while?
After all, Erica goes to work at the association every day, so if I don’t go, we won’t meet. If I commit a terrorist act during those days, she will inevitably raise her sword against me.
The relationship will be rebuilt over the period we don’t see each other. Communication decreases, and during that time when our faces aren’t reflected, we get to understand each other’s positions.
Suddenly, the texture of the sofa felt intensely through my skin.
But I’ve been discovered at home. Isn’t there nowhere to escape?
Not escape, no, not escape.
Thinking about it, I shouldn’t worry too much. After all, the house I’ve modified has another basement for research purposes.
If I hide there…
Fool.
Do you think Erica wouldn’t find you just because you’re hiding?
Now that it’s a home, there’s a reason for combing through the premises under the pretext of capturing a wanted Awakened One.
It’s thrilling. I want to experience it.
“Hehe… heh.”
I must be crazy.
This isn’t love. It’s merely a desire soaked in pleasure.
I raised my body and looked around. After much time had passed since Erica helped me clean up, it had become a mess once again. Books and clothes were scattered about the floor. Dishes and utensils.
When do we actually visit each other’s homes? Is it possible when the level of mutual thought surpasses a certain point?
When we think our relationship is deep enough to share each other’s refuge.
In that sense, what is the relationship between her and me? Is it something that can be defined with clear words?
It can’t be lightly thought about. That’s because it’s been a long time since I’ve forgotten what emotions are. I’m such a fool that I can’t even sense a person’s gaze, their touch, or even the signs someone sends.
I opened my eyes again. If the conclusion I’ve squeezed out is this, then I should take action.
After a quick wash, I left the house.
On my way to the association, I suddenly heard a noise. A familiar burnt smell tickled my nose.
An empty street devoid of people. After several terrorist incidents and happenings in the spirit world, people had increasingly avoided going out.
For that reason, gazes converged in one direction.
“AAAAAH!”
It didn’t take long for a pained scream to echo from the other side.
A man with a strange device attached to his face staggered down the street, almost crawling.
His eyes, barely visible, were filled with terror.
I tilted my head.
“That must hurt.”
[ Of course it hurts! Go help him! ]
“He looks already dead.”
Amid the blazing sun, the man seemed to groan from the heat of the device, then eventually collapsed with a brief death rattle.
[ He’s dead… ]
Is the princess quick to accept things? The sulky appearance was a far cry from the earlier hysterics.
“Death is common for the Necro race, isn’t it? Aren’t you familiar with it?”
[ How many times do I have to say I’ve never been part of that?! I’ll get genuinely angry! ]
“Alright, alright.”
I approached and drew my knife. Since he was already dead, I figured I might as well collect some blood.
An explosion was heard.
Looking up, a thin missile was diving from the sky. Above it, a human figure was visible.
“AHHHHH!”
I took two steps to the side. I drew the knife vertically in time with the scream, extending the line, and the missile disintegrated.
The girl lost her balance and flailed in the air, her green hair scattering. The ground was getting closer.
“Ugh! Ahh! Aahhh!”
“Fighting!”
As I watched her crash and roll on the ground, I tucked the knife back into my pocket. Reaching into my pocket, I rummaged and brought out a few red cubes.
Unfortunately, there were no support sticks or anything like that.
“Ugh… ah.”
After a few more muffled sounds of pain, Zhukyl tended to his head and then looked at me, gently lowering his head.
“Nice to meet you. We meet again.”
“Indeed!”
I twisted a strand of hair. She seemed fine on the outside. Was she not hurt?
After a moment of silence, Zhukyl’s eyes flickered near his lower eyelids and lips. His arms trembled.
“You don’t have to endure if it hurts.”
“No, strong people must be able to bear this sort of thing.”
I smiled slightly. I have no intention of stopping someone from wanting to be strong.
Naturally, his gaze shifted from my knife to the man lying prone.
“Ah… he’s dead.”
The device attached to the man’s face emitted a beeping noise. Zhukyl took out a key and inserted it into the hole of the device from which smoke was leaking, turning it.
“Is this your work, Zhukyl?”
“Yes. He said he wanted to raise his magic stats. Hehe. I gave him an amplification device, but it seems he couldn’t endure it.”
The device opened.
“I explained about the device, but he suddenly resisted, so I severed his tendons and forcibly attached it. I didn’t expect that to be his last moment…”
“Whoa! That’s bad!”
“Is it… bad?”
“If you do bad things, you get punished.”
I nodded vigorously on purpose. In my case, doing such things would get me pierced by Erica’s sword.
It would feel good, I suppose.
“But it was unavoidable. He said he wanted to engulf the metropolitan area, so I merely provided him with the appropriate strength.”
“Bad girl.”
I pointed my finger at him as if scolding.
“Heh. In a way, you’re right. I’m happy you think that way, Lord Orley.”
“Uh…?”
Zhukyl tossed the device into the air. The device sparkled and exploded in an instant, sending fragments flying in all directions.
“I’m aware of being like this. I’ve accepted it all at once.”
His green eyes shone gracefully. I smiled slightly.
“I hope to see you again next time. Where can I meet Lord Orley?”
“Are you asking even though you know?”
“Hehe.”
I twisted a strand of hair.
Should I hint this to the director?
“I’ll see you again.”
Watching Zhukyl fade away with a fluttering smile, I turned my gaze back down. Anyway, I should wrap up the blood extraction process.
Just as I was about to strike near the heart with my knife, a voice came from afar.
“You crazy girl! Did you kill someone again!”
I hurriedly hid the knife.
Seeing Erica approach, I tidied my hair. My hands were shaking, so it looked messy. I smoothed out my clothes. Suddenly, sweat started pouring down, dampening the fabric.
A familiar scent wafted through. I opened my mouth.
“N-No, Erica. I didn’t kill him. Look.”
Pointing at the collapsed man with drowsy eyes, I gestured. He had long since lost his breath, and there were burn marks on his face and mouth.
On his neck, the ring-shaped device that Zhukyl evidently forgot to retrieve was still tied.
A moment of silence passed. I was about to make an excuse but then stayed silent.
I had decided to keep my distance. Am I trying to dive into love again and initiate a conversation?
“Magic engineering…”
Erica murmured quietly while looking at the device attached to the man, then grabbed my shoulder and turned me around.
“Did you do this?”
“No.”
“Then who did?”
“I don’t know.”
“Do you really not know?”
I shut my mouth. I then gently pushed Erica’s hand away.
Erica wore a perplexed expression.
“…When did you see this?”
“……”
“Aren’t you going to answer?”
“….Just now.”
Tired of it, Erica sighed heavily.
“I’ll contact the association for now… you should remember the features of the body and the situation here.”
“……I don’t want to.”
“What? No, I know you didn’t do this. I mean, you wouldn’t have done a hostage situation otherwise.”
“……I don’t know.”
Silence filled the air.
Erica turned back to me again. I subtly avoided her gaze.
As I took a step back, she stepped forward. When her hand reached for my cheek, I once again created distance.
An unknown atmosphere flowed between us.
Cold sweat broke out.
