Chapter 4 : Aurel

I roughly grasped the power I held.

Now it was truly time to leave.

I sighed and slung my backpack over my shoulder.

If Blood Carnival were a package game with an ending, I would have set out to see the game’s ending. But Blood Carnival was just an ordinary online game.

The main story hadn’t even been fully revealed yet, so there was no way the game company had a set ending.

In Ravina’s memory, there were others who had similar thoughts to mine.

Of course, Ravina had no interest in such people, so she didn’t know where they were or what they were doing. She just knew that they existed.

A goal was set.

Joining those who were trying to restore this world to its original state.

That was the first goal, and the second goal was to find the tree that bore the fruit of blood.

As the name suggests, blood fruit was a fruit for vampire users that, when eaten, immediately reduced the desire for blood and eliminated the penalty of decreased stats.

Of course, the information I had was limited to Ravina’s memory.

It meant that blood fruit might have been discovered in places I didn’t know.

I glanced back at the hotel one last time before I started my journey.

I felt a bit sorry for swallowing up the clan leader and running away, but there was nothing I could do.

It’s a useless worry.

Shaking my head, I walked along the road.

I retraced my steps to recall my current location.

A vast map unfolded immediately.

I chuckled at the sight, reminiscent of an enlarged game minimap.

[Daejeon]

The red marker on the map seemed to indicate my location.

I moved the map around and set my destination to Seoul Station.

The world had changed, and my body had changed as well, but I wasn’t going to easily accept this change.

So, I intended to struggle to the utmost.

I set my destination using the map system, but the navigation function in front of me didn’t activate.

Actually finding the way was my job.

I first headed to the nearest subway station. What subway station was closest here?

It was Daejeon Station.

Arriving carefully in front of Daejeon Station.

I groaned at the sight of Daejeon Station’s miserable condition.

Collapsed buildings, trains sticking out, and a foul rotten smell.

That wasn’t all.

Near Daejeon Station, there were fusion creatures crawling around.

Fusion creatures.

Created by combining vampires and werewolves, these artificial beings were a product of human experiments. In Blood Carnival, they usually played the role of monsters, occasionally appearing as special NPCs.

There were four fusion creatures.

No special creatures in sight.

It meant that what I saw was all there was.

Initially, with everything unclear, I avoided fights, but yesterday, it wasn’t necessary.

The drooling fusion creatures turned their heads to recognize me as I appeared.

At that moment, the charge began.

A silent attack without any signal.

Just as seen in the game.

And just as Ravina remembered.

The elongated arms and legs moved grotesquely, quickly closing the distance.

A primal revulsion surged at the sight of its mindless state.

[Keuaaaak!]

The roar signaling the attack came only as it got close.

The moment I frowned at the ear-piercing sound, the shadow at my feet leapt into action.

Crunch!

The shadow, revealing itself and transforming into a giant beast’s head, swallowed the leading fusion creature.

But the fight wasn’t over yet.

Even at this moment, the remaining three were charging at me.

Despite the hideous monsters approaching, I remained calm inside.

An absolute belief in not losing. Just because a fly buzzed in front of your face doesn’t mean it feels threatening.

No need to move.

Ssshhh…

The shadow continued to move.

As the long form that emerged from my feet began to transform into a spike, it soared high and pierced the two fusion creatures rushing from both sides.

Crash!!!

That was it. All this happened in a single breath.

At that moment, the remaining fusion creature exhibited erratic movement.

It jumped high into the sky without breaking its running stance.

I frowned and let out a low breath at the sight of its grotesque form soaring by pushing off the ground.

Of course, just because there was a change in movement didn’t mean the outcome was different.

The body, shimmering like dark red blood, stretched out and swallowed the last fusion creature.

Crunch!!!!

The one-sided slaughter ended.

I didn’t feel any particular emotion.

It was just something that was supposed to happen.

That’s what I thought.

The shadow that had devoured humans and vampires didn’t absorb the fusion creature’s corpse.

It chewed it up and then spat it out as if it tasted bad.

Suddenly, a small curiosity arose.

When Blood Carnival was still a game, vampire’s bloodsucking skills couldn’t be used on fusion creatures.

Would it be the same here?

It seems like I could eat it if I wanted to…

I stroked my chin while looking at the writhing shadow.

“Charlotte…!”

I turned my head to see what was going on and saw Aurel standing a bit away, shrouded in a black shadow. Her expression was as pitiful as her voice.

Her ruby-like eyes, slowly swaying, looked ready to shed tears, and her slightly parted mouth revealed fangs that looked oddly cute.

And that wasn’t all. Her golden hair, slowly swaying like a night sky painted with stars, blended with the moonlight, exuding a peculiar charm.

“Why?”

Don’t be fooled. Even if she looks like that, there might be a dark old man inside.

Just like me.

I also became a cute 145 cm vampire girl, but before this, I was a pot-bellied man smoking in a small room.

“Are you really leaving…?”

Aurel bit her lip gently and placed her hand over her chest.

That action. It’s not something you can do instinctively.

It’s a thoroughly calculated move using her appearance.

“I’m leaving.”

“You’re irresponsible…”

Me?

Of course, I feel sorry for swallowing the clan leader.

But that was purely an accidental incident. There’s no reason I should take responsibility.

I genuinely thought so.

I crossed my arms and kept my mouth shut.

No matter what she said, my thoughts didn’t change.

Seeing this, Aurel changed her approach.

“Take me… take me with you!”

“Go together? What about the clan?”

“I… I don’t care…”

What kind of reaction should I show when faced with a cute vampire girl who wants to join me unconditionally?

I was honestly curious about her true intentions.

I looked straight into Aurel’s eyes and asked her.

“Be honest. What are you thinking?”

“If you don’t answer, I won’t let you follow me.”

I said that while moving the shadow threateningly.

Aurel, with a slightly tearful expression, stepped back and spoke.

“I-If I tell you honestly, will you take me with you?”

“Let’s hear it.”

“You’re so unfair…”

Aurel seemed to hesitate for a moment, then tightly closed her eyes and began to speak.

“T-To be honest, I think it’s safer to follow Charlotte-nim at level 20 than to stay here!”

“Follow me?”

“Yes!”

“Hmm…”

I let out a small groan.

“What do I gain by taking you with me?”

Having inherited Ravina’s memories, I knew what kind of person Aurel was.

Diligent and kind, but with a strangely sinister side.

Of course, this judgment was based solely on Ravina’s memories.

“I’ll give you everything!”

Aurel said, starting to pant.

Her slightly flushed cheeks and the tongue licking her lips made me wonder what she was imagining.

I took a step back from this absurd situation.

“You…”

“H-How about it…? Honestly, I think I fell in love with you at first sight, Charlotte-nim… You’re so cute…”

“Crazy b*tch…”

“Cha, Charlotte-nim, were you a man?”

I didn’t answer.

I kept my mouth shut and stepped back.

“I’ll make you feel good…”

“No, I don’t need it.”

“Charlotte-nim…!”

It’s creepy.

No matter how cute and soft Aurel looks now, you never know what’s hiding inside.

Even if I went with Aurel, it would be a problem.

What if everything that changed really returns to its original state?

I wasn’t confident I could keep my sanity when facing Aurel’s original form.

I took advantage of Aurel’s distraction and ran into the subway.

“Charlotte-nim!”

Ignoring the pitiful voice behind me.