Kim Ji-kai had already realized that someone was following him — yet he showed no sign of knowing.
That had been several days ago.
But on the day he came to visit Kim Haoya, he received a message similar to the one from before — except this time, it came with something new… an intent to kill.
At that moment, Ji-kai and Camestra were inside a taxi, heading somewhere according to Ji-kai's directions to the driver.
Camestra could tell that Ji-kai was planning something, because she too had sensed that someone was tailing them. Even so, she remained silent.
After about half an hour, the two arrived at the designated place — a large, abandoned school.
Once, it had been a middle school for girls, but was shut down after rumors spread about strange creatures inhabiting it — rumors that turned out to be true: monsters.
« What is this building? » asked Camestra, scanning the place with sharp, curious eyes.
« Seriously? You don't know anything? This is called a school — a place where children and teenagers go to learn, graduate, and then contribute to society and blah blah blah, » Ji-kai's reply was sharp, as if he couldn't care less about the question.
« Tsk. Fine. Whatever, » Camestra muttered before falling silent again.
Upon entering the school grounds, Ji-kai broke the padlock on the gate using an ordinary dagger — though one strengthened enough to shatter the chain holding the main gate closed.
Moments after they stepped inside — barely a minute later — a figure slipped through the broken gate behind them.
A man wrapped in a black cloak and wearing a white, featureless mask.
No eyes, no mouth, no holes. Like one of those faceless horrors from online ghost stories.
« This place is pretty spacious inside, » Ji-kai said as he walked ahead, his voice distant. « Reminds me of my old school days… when I was just a laughingstock for those idiots from the Shigon family. »
But these weren't his memories — they belonged to Park Jae-ron.
Camestra walked behind him in silence, seemingly uninterested in the building at all. That, in turn, made Ji-kai uneasy… yet he decided this was better.
Better silence than listening to her endless childish questions. She's only good at mocking people and fighting — that's about it.
Camestra glanced at Ji-kai with sharp eyes, then quietly closed them as she continued to walk.
The pair passed through several places — the teachers' lounge, classrooms, gymnasium, cafeteria, and finally the grand auditorium, where assemblies were once held at the start or end of each term.
Even though it was abandoned, the place was surprisingly well-kept. Ji-kai couldn't deny that.
Even Park Jae-ron hadn't studied in a school this tidy — only those grim, all-boys academies that felt like tombs.
« Girls are really lucky, huh? Studying in a place this nice… I remember my classroom felt like a sardine can. Even smelled like spoiled fish sometimes, » Ji-kai muttered as he climbed the stairs to the rooftop, Camestra following behind.
When he pushed open the rooftop door, the time was just past noon. A soft breeze swept over them, refreshing and calm.
« Ah~ truly refreshing, isn't it? » Ji-kai stretched his arms lazily, pacing about the rooftop without care.
« What exactly are you planning, idiot? You drag me through this whole place just to bring me to the roof — is this supposed to be a game or something? »
Camestra's tone was pure irritation.
« Don't give me that arrogant princess act again. You should be grateful I'm taking you around when I've got more important things to deal with… oh wait, I forgot — you're the proud Queen~ » Ji-kai's words were laced with suppressed anger.
« Listen carefully, » he said firmly.
« You agreed to this — the binding contract. So stop acting like some highborn brat. »
Camestra felt the sting of humiliation cut deep. She wanted to shout back, to scream at him — but instead, she bit her lip and stepped back.
« If you're that annoyed, just break the contract and let me return to that damned hell, » she snapped, her voice trembling with fury as she turned away, her footsteps heavy.
That bastard! Damn him! Damn him!
He didn't know anything!!
Then suddenly — without her realizing it — a stranger appeared behind her.
He grabbed her instantly, pinning her arms and pressing a knife to her neck. Ji-kai didn't move an inch.
« Ugh! Let me go, you'll regret this! I'll kill you! » Camestra shouted, struggling against the masked man's hold.
« You finally showed yourself, huh? I was expecting you to appear sooner, » Ji-kai said calmly, watching as Camestra thrashed helplessly.
« Kim Ji-kai. If you care about this girl, you'll obey my orders. Otherwise… »
The stranger's distorted voice buzzed like static from a broken speaker.
« Doesn't matter, man. You can have her. She's nothing but a loud, arrogant nuisance — a background character in this whole mess, » Ji-kai said indifferently, his tone ice-cold.
Camestra stared at him, stunned — then enraged.
She wanted one thing at that moment.
I'll kill him. I'll kill him. I'll kill him!
Her eyes burned with fury and hate. Ji-kai saw it clearly — but still, he didn't react.
Then, out of nowhere, he tossed something aside — an object that caught the stranger's attention just long enough.
The instant the man looked away, Ji-kai was already standing before him.
« Peek-a-boo~ » Ji-kai smirked, reaching for Camestra — but the masked stranger slashed his face, forcing him to leap back.
« Oh… you actually cut my face. Interesting, » Ji-kai said, wiping the blood from his cheek with his right hand.
« You underestimate me, Kim Ji-kai… I'll show you the price of your arrogance— » The man stopped mid-sentence, noticing something strange.
The blood dripping from Ji-kai's hand… wasn't just blood.
Camestra's voice shook the air.
« You filthy bastard! »
Her aura burst out, wild and dark.
« Huh? What the hell is this? » the masked man gasped, stepping back as Camestra's power surged, swirling violently around her.
She tore free from his grip and turned, her crimson eyes filled with murderous rage.
With a single motion, she raised her hand toward him — her magic seized his body, shattering his limbs in an instant.
His screams echoed through the rooftop.
I'll kill them all — anyone who dares to humiliate me!
Her rage deepened when Ji-kai's earlier words replayed in her mind. She spun around to attack him next — only to find him already standing behind her.
« Well done, my partner. You caught the rat — clean and fast, without even a fight, » Ji-kai said lightly, patting her head… a gesture so unexpected, it left her speechless.
Huh? What? Huh?
« Now then, » Ji-kai turned to the broken stranger writhing on the ground. « Time to get some answers. First— »
But before he could continue, Camestra interrupted sharply.
« What do you mean by all this? Are you mocking me?! » she shouted, her voice trembling — with anger… and something else.
« You treat me like an object you can use and discard — insult me freely knowing that I'll suffer because of the contract's binding pain, all while you stay comfortable in your disrespect! » She raised her hand toward him, power trembling at her fingertips.
Ji-kai's eyes widened — not in fear, but realization.
He hadn't known that harming him would cause her pain through the link. Still, he sighed and stepped closer.
« You're a queen with blind pride, in the end. I understand that feeling — being humiliated is disgusting, » Ji-kai said quietly, his tone calm, as he approached her.
« What do you know? What do you know about humiliation?! Do you think you can understand what it means to be degraded, you spoiled son of the Ji family?! »
Her words struck deep — she had discovered the truth of
his background, the money, the bloodline.
Ji-kai didn't answer. He only looked into her furious eyes — and then gently placed his hand atop her head once more.
« I'm sorry… » he whispered. And in his eyes… there was something genuine.
Camestra froze. Her rage, her energy — all of it faded.
Her mind screamed to stay angry, yet her body disobeyed.
She fell to the ground — unconscious.
I didn't expect that to work… or even to happen at all.
But what surprised me most… was the look she had before she fell.
Was she… actually hurting inside?
[ New Mission ]
Of course… I knew it.
[ Side Mission: Earn the Trust of the Wounded Vampire Queen ]
[ Details: Camestra Orlandria bears a mysterious past — one that drives her erratic behavior: anger, sarcasm, and sorrow. ]
[ Objective: Deepen your bond with her. ]
[ Time Limit: None ]
[ Reward: Random Luck Item — Rank A ]
Just as I thought...
While Ji-kai focused on the new mission, the masked man tried to crawl away — though his limbs were shattered.
Ji-kai didn't let him.
« We're not done yet, » Ji-kai said, his tone dark.
« How about we play a little game? » There was nothing friendly in his voice. Not even close.