I never expected the Queen of Vampires to look like this...
But why did she act so suddenly? And what did the system mean when it said she agreed to make me her master? I'm confused—and my body hurts. This is truly unpleasant…
As it absorbed and did not kill me, I did not understand... rather, I cannot understand.
Ji-Kai tried to make sense of the situation, but he didn't have enough time.
A wave of dizziness washed over him, pain spreading through every nerve, while at the same time he found himself mere moments away from meeting Anubis himself.
From the void, something resembling thick smoke began to form. It gathered into a single point, twisting and solidifying into the shape of a man.
It looked human at first—until the head appeared. The head of a jackal.
« You who dared to lay your hand on Ilv… tell me, who are you? What is your name, and what do you seek? »
It was Anubis—the ancient Egyptian god, known as the deity of death. Ji-Kai knew him well from the myths of the old world.
« My name is Kim Ji-Kai » Ji-Kai said between labored breaths.
« I defeated your dog so that you would come. I want to speak with you. »
He paused briefly, glancing at Camistra before adding with a strained chuckle,
« Well, I didn't exactly defeat him. My partner here did most of the work. I just… bought her some time to prepare. »
His sudden change of words stunned Camistra. That wasn't true at all—and partner? Did he really call her that?
« Your name is strange » Anubis rumbled, his deep voice echoing like thunder.
« No matter. My hound shall return soon; death does not bind him. But what intrigues me is what you wish to speak to me about. Speak. »
Ji-Kai struggled to stand, one hand gripping his right shoulder. After several breaths, he raised his head to meet the towering, mist-woven figure before him.
« The Dagger of Anubis » he said « I've been searching for your blade—the one that binds and restrains evil spirits. I've fought, bled, and risked my life to reach you, even facing your hound Ilv, just to ask for it. »
« Tell me where I can find it… please. »
Ji-Kai's tone wasn't exactly polite. Pain and exhaustion clouded his thoughts, and he silently prayed he hadn't said something foolish.
Silence filled the air between them. The only sounds were Ji-Kai's ragged breathing and the subtle movement of black smoke that composed Anubis's form—his chest and abs defined, his jackal head still and solemn, more god than man.
After a long moment, Anubis murmured in a low, resonant tone.
« My dagger, you say? Hmm… and why do you want it, mortal? What would you do with the weapon granted to me by the great god Osiris? »
The question was absolute—commanding, inescapable. It carried the weight of an ancient god whose voice seemed to vibrate through the very air.
Before Ji-Kai could answer, Anubis continued, his words deep and timeless:
« Since the earth first drew breath, I have been there—watching, weighing, guiding. I am not the demon mortals imagine, but the guardian that stands between life and death, between chaos and order. »
« I walk beside souls on their final journey. I place the heart on one scale, the feather of justice on the other. »
« I do not judge—I reveal the truth. If the heart is light, its bearer crosses into the eternal lands. If heavy, their fate is no longer mine to decide. »
« I have seen kings weep and paupers shine brighter than the sun. Nothing surprises me, yet every soul whispers a new secret to my ears. »
« I am the shadow of truth, bound to no time nor civilization.
In ancient Egypt, I was a symbol. In every age, I am the mirror of what lies within. »
« My duty is to be justice when all fear judgment,
to be a companion when the creature faces its greatest solitude, to be the silence when souls cry out »
His voice carried a grandeur that transcended mortal comprehension—a resonance carved by countless centuries.
For a moment, Ji-Kai felt like a mere insect before that presence, though he knew that Anubis, the Egyptian god of death, did not seek to terrify—only to fulfill his duty.
And for that brief moment, Ji-Kai was reminded of the burden he carried toward Park Yun-Seok.
Anubis, son of Osiris.
God of death, mummification, and the underworld—the eternal warden of souls.
In my previous life, when I was Park Jae-Rhon, I was always fascinated by his story.
Born under mysterious circumstances—some tales say of demonic blood—yet he stood on the side of order, choosing to guard the boundary between eternity and the mortal realm.
He never complained, never wavered. He simply stood his ground, guarding the eternal lands from the corrupted and the damned.
At one point in my life, I wanted to be like him.
I never saw him as a hero, nor as a role model, but… his story inspired me.
« Answer me, Kim Ji-Kai » Anubis spoke again, his voice calm but chilling.
« For what purpose do you seek my dagger—the dagger bestowed upon me by the great Osiris himself? »
Ji-Kai drew a deep breath and raised his head to meet Anubis's gaze directly.
« I'm being targeted by a demon » he said steadily .
« And there's someone at risk of turning into one. They're creatures we cannot defeat—beings that threaten our entire world. That's why I need your dagger. »
He straightened with effort, clutching his shoulder.
« You guard the eternal lands because that's your duty.
I'm in the same position. I'm being hunted by something powerful—something I might not survive. But still… I want to protect my world. That's my responsibility. »
His words were sincere—born from the very foundation of his second chance, the vow that this time, things would be different.
Camistra was stunned. To her, it sounded absurd—like a man trying to play hero.
But Anubis did not share her sentiment. He saw something else within Ji-Kai.
« Kim Ji-Kai » Anubis intoned,
« to shoulder the burden of protecting your world is no small matter. Between you and me, there is a vast divide—I am an immortal god, unyielding in battle, while you are a fragile human who might perish in your first confrontation.
Are you certain this is what you desire? »
« I know I'll fail » Ji-Kai admitted, his voice rough but resolute.
« I know this is beyond me. But even so, I'd rather die trying than die standing still. I don't want my life to end while I'm still full of regret! »
His final words rang out loud enough to draw Jasmine's attention from above; she leaned forward to look down.
Anubis fell silent once again, his expression unreadable as he contemplated Ji-Kai's every word.
Though he knew the human's chances were close to impossible, he chose—to give him a chance.
From the swirling black smoke that formed his body, a new shape emerged—small at first, then solidifying before Ji-Kai's eyes.
Within moments, it materialized completely.
The Dagger of Anubis , The very artifact Ji-Kai had been seeking with desperate determination.
A weapon of elegant design—a blade shimmering with violet and pure silver hues.
Though small, it was as long as half a sword, close in length to a Japanese katana.
Ji-Kai grasped the dagger, feeling its divine weight—the essence of the god of the underworld himself.
« Thank you… thank you for trusting me, Anubis » he said softly, looking from the dagger to the god before him.
« Know this, mortal Kim Ji-Kai » Anubis replied, his tone unchanged yet strangely different.
« I do not hate demons—nor do I like them. I am the guardian of the eternal lands. Do not assume I granted your wish merely because you seek to use it against them. »
Before Ji-Kai could ask what he meant, the divine apparition faded, the smoke dispersing into nothingness.
Moments later, Ilv reappeared—reborn as if nothing had happened—but this time, he did not attack.
He simply stood there, silent and calm.
« Well, you got what you wanted. Are we done here?»
Camistra asked as she approached Ji-Kai, her eyes fixed on the dagger's radiant form.
« Yeah… we're done here. Ugh— »
Ji-Kai stumbled, nearly collapsing, but Camistra caught him instinctively—without meaning to.
The Dagger of Anubis.
The sacred blade of the guardian and god of the Egyptian underworld.
With this… I can finally change everything.
That was the first time I ever voiced my dream and my desire—not as Kim Ji-Kai, but as Park Jae-Rhon.
Or perhaps… we both shared the same wish all along.
[ Congratulations. ]
[ You have obtained a Mythical-Grade Item: "Dagger of Anubis." ]
[ Item Type: Dagger ]
[ Durability: Unbreakable ]
[ Item Description: The Dagger of Anubis, also known as the Reaper's Blade. A gift bestowed upon the land of the Nile by the great god Osiris, after Anubis proved his worth. ]
It was once considered a Legendary-grade item… perhaps because I obtained it directly from Anubis himself.
I can feel it—things are going to get better now.
At least… that's what Ji-Kai believed.