« What do you mean by come with you? » Camistra asked, her tone carrying a clear note of irritation.
« Look closely — that creature over there is one of the followers of the ancient Egyptian god, Anubis. We need to defeat it before I can establish direct communication with Anubis himself. »
He spoke louder than intended, accidentally catching Yasmin's attention.
Yasmin stepped closer until she could see through the opening — and froze.
Her eyes widened in horror as she stared directly into the glowing eyes of one of the servants of Egypt's ancient gods — the gods of her homeland.
« Yasmin, you weren't supposed to see this. » Ji-Kai pulled her back, cursing himself for letting his voice slip out so loud.
The opening was wide enough for an adult to pass through, which made it easy for Ji-Kai — the largest of the group — to enter.
He took a deep breath… and jumped straight in without another word.
« That bastard!! » Camistra shouted as she saw his reckless move and leaped in right after him.
Both of them landed below, standing directly in front of Ilv.
It resembled a black jackal — or rather, a dark, monstrous hound.
Its entire body was covered in cracks glowing with golden light, and its narrow red eyes gleamed like pools of blood.
Yasmin remained above, anxiety clawing through her chest.
But after a few trembling breaths, she gathered herself enough to pull out a small camera from her bag — she had to capture this creature she'd only heard of in myths.
Meanwhile, Ji-Kai and Camistra stood face to face with the beast. It seemed to recognize the threat and immediately prepared to attack.
Before Camistra could say a word, the legendary creature lunged forward — appearing right between them in a flash.
Both Ji-Kai and Camistra leapt to opposite sides to avoid being crushed.
« Damn it! It's fast — way too fast for something that big! » Ji-Kai shouted, barely dodging another strike.
Ilv didn't pause for even a moment. It recovered instantly and charged at Ji-Kai, who kept running and dodging, while Camistra stood aside, her sharp eyes locked on the creature.
It was as if she wanted to do something… but couldn't.
Damn it… this is pathetic. Absolutely pathetic!
Ji-Kai glanced her way every time he found a second to breathe, anger boiling inside him.
What the hell is she doing? Why isn't she moving? Is she really just waiting for me to die so she can be free?
That damned vampire…!
Still running, Ji-Kai found an opening. Gripping his sword tightly, he spun and slashed at Ilv's leg — the blade cutting deep enough to leave a decent wound.
[ Sword Durability has decreased significantly. ]
[ Durability: 15 / 25 ]
« You've got to be kidding me! One swing and half the durability's gone?! If that's a joke, it's a terrible one! » Ji-Kai snapped at the system window floating before him.
But what came next was worse — the wound he inflicted began to heal. Flesh and muscle slowly reformed until Ilv's leg looked completely untouched.
Regeneration? Seriously?
I didn't expect to face something like this so soon…
By his estimation, a creature of this level should have only appeared inside an S-class Dungeon. But clearly, fate — or the system — had other plans for his "second chance."
My second life as Kim Ji-Kai really is… different. Literally.
He realized he'd acted rashly, though it wasn't like he had many options.
The so-called "Vampire Queen" who was supposed to help him was just standing there, watching him struggle against a creature that could easily be ranked S-tier.
When Ji-Kai looked back toward Ilv, the beast was already charging again.
He dodged, weaving through the rubble, knowing any unnecessary attack could put him in an even worse spot.
The underground chamber was enormous, illuminated only by the hole Yasmin watched through above — and the glowing golden cracks along Ilv's body.
Ji-Kai's dodges had taken him far from Camistra, yet he could still see her just standing there, doing nothing. His frustration boiled over.
« Looks like I brought a useless decoration with me — a flower vase, nothing more! » he shouted angrily.
Camistra frowned, her lips curling slightly.
« You fool… you don't know a thing, » she whispered through clenched teeth — teeth that were now showing sharp fangs.
Ji-Kai gritted his teeth, trying to think. Fine. If she won't help, I'll handle this alone.
« System, show me my inventory! »
[ No inventory slot available. ]
« Damn it! Anything — give me the E-rank item I have! Now! » he yelled, barely avoiding another crushing blow that shattered the floor.
[ Item: Leap ] [ Rank: E ]
[ Details: A simple consumable that lets the user jump twice their normal height. ]
[ Available: 1 / 5 ]
« Give it to me! » Ji-Kai roared, desperation leaking into his voice.
The system materialized a small glass vial in his empty hand — filled with glowing green liquid and sealed with a soft cork.
Ji-Kai tore it open with his teeth and drank it in one gulp.
He was cornered against a stone wall — a dead end — while Ilv rushed straight toward him.
Despite its brute-like nature, the creature's constant regeneration and thick hide made it terrifyingly difficult to fight.
Ji-Kai jumped — soaring high, his boots pressing against the wall — and then launched himself downward with everything he had.
His sword slashed across Ilv's face, bursting one of its eyes.
A second later, the blade shattered completely.
[ The sword has reached its limit. ]
[ Durability: 0 / 25 ]
[ The sword has broken. ]
Ji-Kai tumbled across the floor, landing near Camistra. His body ached, blood dripped from several wounds, and the potion's aftereffects kicked in — numb legs, burning shoulders, exhaustion.
« Guess this is your chance to finish me off, huh? Figures, » he said between heavy breaths.
« In the end, you really were a failed summon. »
He scoffed weakly. Would've been better if I got a cat… or even a bird. Anything but a vampire.
They're just demons wearing prettier masks.
Camistra stepped toward him, her expression unreadable. She grabbed his arm and pulled him up effortlessly — despite his size.
« Ugh! Damn it, that's my shoulder! » Ji-Kai hissed, wincing in pain.
Above them, Yasmin was frozen in horror, trembling and praying that nothing worse would happen.
Once Ji-Kai was upright, Camistra's eyes glowed faintly crimson. She opened her mouth — revealing her sharp fangs — and sank them into Ji-Kai's neck.
« Gah!! » Ji-Kai gasped, completely caught off guard.
I'd actually forgotten — vampires drink blood.
Of course… my rotten luck brings my killer right to me.
Moments later, Camistra released him, letting Ji-Kai collapse to the ground.
But to his shock — he was still alive.
At the same time, Ilv's eye had fully regenerated, and it began another charge.
Yet before it could reach them, Camistra stepped forward, crimson energy swirling violently around her.
[ Connection Established Successfully. ]
What… what's happening?!
[ The Vampire Queen, Camistra Orlandria, has accepted you as her Master. ]
Ji-Kai's mind went blank. The sheer pressure radiating from her was overwhelming.
Ilv lunged — and in the blink of an eye, Camistra unleashed her power, piercing the beast's body from every direction with a storm of blood-red energy.
« Fall beneath the heel of the Queen » she said, her voice dripping with regal authority.
Ilv's body was torn apart, obliterated instantly. Ji-Kai stood frozen, unable to process what he'd just witnessed — she had done, with one attack, what he couldn't do with dozens.
[ Congratulations. Mission 4 – Part 2 — Complete. ]
[ Reward Unlocked: Communication Access with Anubis. ]
« My contractor… » Camistra spoke without turning around.
« Huh? »
« You owe me a proper apology… for the insult you threw at me. » She glanced at him from over her shoulder.
[ System Notice ]
[ Anubis is preparing to manifest. ]