In my previous life, I went to Europe once — during a temporary cooperation between the Korean and British guilds.
There, I saw the first vampire of my life.
And contrary to the rumors, they looked terrifyingly human.
The differences were clear enough to distinguish them — unlike humans, their skin was pale, their ears were long and pointed, and their eyes… sharp like blades.
Even their clothing was different, like remnants of the old Victorian era — elegant beyond belief, far more refined than anything people wore in this age.
[ Manifesting: 'Vampire' ]
« For hell's sake… do I really have luck like any normal human being? » His words were laced with sarcasm — though they weren't spoken with that intention.
Tension filled Ji-Kai's chest as he waited for the vampire he had summoned to manifest.
He knew the level of power these beings possessed — creatures closest to demons in both magical arts and sheer capabilities… at least, according to what Ji-Kai believed.
After several moments that stretched into minutes, the system message finally appeared—
[ Manifestation Complete ]
With that message, Ji-Kai realized he was about to see a vampire again — the first since his previous life.
While he was lost in thought, a strange circular pattern began to glow on the ground right in front of him.
« Oh, damn it… »
The magic circle rose upward, spinning clockwise, and as it ascended, more of the creature's body came into view — the body of the summoned vampire.
What caught Ji-Kai off guard was that halfway through, when half the figure had appeared, he noticed something peculiar — the vampire's legs looked… feminine, despite the masculine attire she wore.
And seconds later, the manifestation was complete.
Standing before Ji-Kai was the vampire he had summoned.
She's… a woman?
I've never seen a female vampire before.
A graceful, well-shaped figure, long white hair tipped with red, and those elegant clothes — perfectly tailored to her body despite their formal, almost masculine design.
And as Ji-Kai remembered — the pale, porcelain skin… and eyes sharp as blades.
« Hm? » The vampire opened her eyes, meeting Ji-Kai's gaze directly.
Why is she dressed like that? If not for her clearly feminine features, I'd think she was an androgynous vampire.
Still… she radiates a calmness — an icy composure that sends chills down my spine.
And also... she looks gorgeous, I must admit.
« Who are you, human? And why am I here with you? »
The vampire's voice was almost devoid of emotion — cold and distant.
« What? You don't know why you're here? » Ji-Kai was slightly taken aback by her question, which led him to wonder about the summoning itself.
« Someone summoned me to be their spiritual guardian. Considering how bold he must be to request the Queen of Vampires herself to become his protector, I assumed he was someone extraordinary. »
« So, I accepted — to see for myself. » The vampire explained matter-of-factly, her tone still as unchangingly cold as before.
Wait… she's the Queen? Beautiful.
…
Hold on…
The Queen?! Did I just summon the Queen of Vampires?!
« Wait a second… where's the summoner? »
Realizing the situation, she began glancing around curiously.
After a few moments of scanning the surroundings, her blood-red eyes turned back to Ji-Kai — her expression forming for the first time. And that expression was… disgust.
« Don't tell me… you're the one who summoned me. You didn't, right? » She stepped back slightly, as if recoiling in revulsion.
I can see it clearly — a Queen with immense pride.
Of course she'd look down on a mere human like me.
She might even cancel the summoning now that she knows the truth.
« Yes, I'm the one who summoned you here. » Ji-Kai straightened his posture, standing firmly before her, highlighting the difference in their height — though he was trembling inwardly.
The vampire's face twisted with greater disgust, as if she stood before the vilest creature imaginable.
« By the heavens… what kind of cursed luck do I have to be summoned by such a pathetic being? » Her tone was sharp — though not loud.
« Believe me, I'm just as shocked as you are, » Ji-Kai replied dryly, half-joking despite the situation.
As they spoke, Ji-Kai suddenly heard the voices of guards approaching. Faint whispers grew louder — they were coming this way.
He instinctively stepped back, his hand brushing against something on the wall.
« This is a disgrace to my very existence! Damn you, you— » Before she could finish, Ji-Kai grabbed her wrist and pulled her toward him.
The vampire barely had time to react before a sudden drop opened beneath them — triggered by Ji-Kai pressing a hidden stone in the wall.
A secret passage opened, sending them both plunging into darkness.
Moments later, the wall slid shut again just as the guards arrived at the spot where Ji-Kai and the vampire had been seconds ago — finding it completely empty. They soon turned back.
Elsewhere, Ji-Kai groaned as he hit something solid beneath him.
When he opened his eyes, he found himself lying in a dimly lit chamber, illuminated by torches lining the ancient walls — perfectly spaced, each opposite another.
But what caught his attention the most was the mountain of gold and treasures spread out before him — and beneath him.
« This… this is… the path to early retirement and a royal life till death, » He was so dazzled he couldn't help but sound like a lazy man dreaming of wealth without effort.
« You bastard… » The vampire was still there — lying on top of Ji-Kai, who hadn't even noticed her until she spoke.
After locking eyes for a brief moment, she stood up — but not before driving her knee into his stomach.
« Ugh! What was that for!? » Ji-Kai clutched his stomach in pain as she moved away from him.
Stepping down from the pile of gold, the vampire stood silently on the ancient stone floor for a moment before speaking—
« I am Camistra Orlandria — Queen and Sovereign of all Vampires. And here I am… trapped with this repulsive human. Thanks for nothing. »
Camistra's voice echoed with irritation — loud enough for Ji-Kai to hear as he got to his feet.
« Don't you think you complain a bit too much? You're the one who agreed to the summoning in the first place » Ji-Kai grumbled, still more annoyed by the knee to his gut than her words.
« Don't flatter yourself, wretch. I simply didn't expect the summoner to be someone… like you » she said without even looking at him — which only fueled Ji-Kai's frustration.
« Whether you like it or not, I'm the summoner here.
So you either deal with it — or cancel the summoning and leave. » His tone grew firmer; clearly, his patience was running thin.
« If only it were that simple. This summoning bound me to you as my master. More precisely — you are now my contracted partner. » She crossed her arms, sounding slightly less irritated now.
« What does that even mean? » Ji-Kai asked, raising a brow as he turned toward her.
« It means I'm stuck with you — and the only way to break this bond… is if you decide to. »
Ji-Kai thought about it for a moment — the idea of breaking the bond crossed his mind.
But then… another thought struck him.
Maybe there was a way to use this Camistra Orlandria to his advantage.
Before he could finish that thought, however, a sudden sound came from the right — the sharp crack of pottery shattering.
Both he and Camistra turned their eyes toward the source of the noise.
« I'll think about that later. For now… let's see who our new friend is » Ji-Kai muttered, pulling a dagger from a small pouch.
He approached carefully, each step deliberate, his grip firm on the weapon — ready to strike if needed.
As he got closer, he sensed movement — someone about to jump away.
But Ji-Kai was faster; he lunged and caught the figure before they could escape.
That's when he realized—
« Huh? A girl? What's a girl doing here? »
[ New Side mission Unlocked ]
Huh? What's now ?
[ Mission : Escape the Basement ]
[ Details: You are currently inside the basement of an ancient pyramid, used for treasure storage since the era of the First Pharaoh. ]
[ Objective: Escape the basement. ]
[ Time Limit: None. ]
[ Reward: Consumable Item – Rank C ]
Well, the system sure knows how to keep me busy…
Let's see…