-----------------------------------------------------------------
Translator: Vine
Chapter: 21
Chapter Title: First Bite
-----------------------------------------------------------------
The Labyrinth
A maze of tangled passages.
Within it lay a wide cavern, larger than most, that once served as the nest for 1-star monsters called Dwarf Ghouls.
But now, the original masters of this nest, the small dwarven monsters, were all reduced to bloody pulps.
There were four culprits.
One was the countless crow feathers scattered among the monster corpses.
Another was the dark elf maid, clad in steel gauntlets and greaves.
And…
"Using your own soldiers as sacrifices for black magic… How did you intend to deal with the consequences?"
"Hardly words for someone who used their own mother and master as bait."
The black knight met Parsha's cold gaze with a sneer.
The Purgatory Garrison had always been a storehouse for sacrifices before it was a barracks. From the prisoners to the soldiers, all had undergone a ritual to prepare them for that purpose.
If he was going to lose these soldiers anyway, there was no reason to be sentimental about using them as sacrifices for black magic.
Especially since he'd noticed Parsha was creating a diversion with Dion and Arsha.
"I'll give you credit for noticing our diversion and reacting quickly."
Using the soldiers as sacrifices for black magic to pin her down, then sending two high-level Awakened Ones to capture her.
For them, who had been struggling with the diversion, it was an effective and audacious move.
And that was why.
Why a cold smile graced Parsha's previously expressionless face.
"Even if you completely misunderstood our objective."
"What do you mean?"
"It means you were gravely mistaken the moment you thought my targets were merely the soldiers."
"…The soldiers were just a bonus, and your real goal was to defeat me individually?"
"Because your young master would never let our young master escape."
"Hah, what a grand delusion."
Realizing their true plan through Parsha's words, the black knight couldn't help but scoff.
To be honest, it wasn't a plan to be entirely scoffed at.
Silan had indeed left Parsha to him and gone off to capture Dion himself.
Yet, he could afford to laugh at her for one reason.
"Did you think I came here alone?"
*Thud, thud.*
As if in answer to his words.
A colossal shadow emerged from the opposite passage, its steps echoing through the labyrinth.
A massive body, reaching four meters in height, that made even this spacious cavern feel cramped.
Skin petrified in places.
And arms unusually long for its frame.
Though of the lowest class, it was a troll, one of the giant races classified as a superior species, and…
"Elf tastes good. So I'll eat you."
…the third high-level Awakened One of the Purgatory Garrison, the Head Jailer, infamous for snacking on prisoners.
As Parsha's expression turned frigid under Ruba's gluttonous gaze, the black knight's smile widened.
Parsha, a high-level Awakened One, was a dangerous foe, but that was only in a one-on-one fight.
If he fought alongside Ruba, a 3-star Awakened One, there was no reason he would lose.
Above all…
"You'd best give up now. Your young master has likely already been torn to shreds by our young master."
"...Is that what you think?"
"You think otherwise?"
"No, under normal circumstances, that would be a reasonable assumption."
Parsha said calmly.
Now that Silan had used even the soldiers as living sacrifices, he must have already found Dion.
It was only a matter of time before Dion was caught.
"Except for one fact you've overlooked."
"And what's that?"
"That our young master is, after all, of the Unlight bloodline."
"…!"
"Do you believe the word 'ordinary' suits an Unlight?"
The black knight's once-composed face instantly hardened.
Logically, there was no reason to worry about Silan.
Silan, who had grown up with immense support, was a high-level Awakened One who, despite his lack of practical experience, was even stronger than the knight himself. Dion, on the other hand, was a commoner who hadn't even awakened.
But…
The prowess he'd shown, cutting down soldiers and escaping the garrison.
And wandering this labyrinth with only Arsha by his side—was that truly possible for someone who hadn't awakened?
What if Dion had finally awakened?
What if his Unlight talent had blossomed?
Then the one in danger wouldn't be Dion, but rather…
"…It doesn't matter. After we deal with you, we'll simply go and kill that Unlight disgrace."
"Indeed, you are correct."
Perhaps to steady his wavering heart.
Parsha readily nodded at the black knight's sharp declaration.
Frankly, even she didn't believe Dion could win in a head-on fight against Silan.
Only a high-level Awakened One could face another, and no matter how great his talent, Dion was still just a 2-star Awakened One.
And that was why.
Why she took a step forward.
"—Because that was my intention as well."
*CRASH!*
"Gruk?!"
The instant her steel-toed boot dug into the ground and her body vanished.
The drooling troll was slammed into the labyrinth wall.
Befitting a high-level Awakened One, he had used a thick iron club to block Parsha's attack, but it was no use.
The immense destructive power contained within her aura-clad steel gauntlets had sent his massive body flying like a piece of paper.
The black knight, stunned by the sight, rushed at Parsha.
*CLANG!*
"This pathetic little elf…!"
"Pathetic is my line."
"What did you say?"
"—I'm saying your confidence is pathetic, thinking the two of you could take me on just because you're also 3-star."
"…"
"So stop your pointless chatter and come at me."
Not all 3-stars were created equal, after all.
With no burden to protect, she caught the black knight's sword with one hand.
The dark elf maid spoke with an expressionless face.
"Allow me to show you why I am the Unlight's exclusive maid."
"Grrrrr! Ruba, angry! I kill you!"
Before her ever-reckless young master could cause another absurd incident.
She had decided to deal with these bothersome pests and then rush over to blow Silan's head off.
With Ruba, the maid who transcended the 'ordinary', charging forward.
And so, the desperate struggle between the three high-level Awakened Ones, each boasting the might of a hundred soldiers, began.
*KRA-KOOOOM!*
Name: Parsha
Race: Dark Elf (Sidhe)
Title: [Unlight Family's Exclusive Maid]
Class:
[Observer]☆☆☆ LV10
[Light Armor Fighter]☆☆☆ Lv7
[Maid]☆☆ LV10
[Torturer]☆☆ Lv6
[Spiritmancer]☆☆☆ Lv0 (Inactive)
Trait: [Iron Fist, Swift Feet (SR)], [Jack-of-All-Trades (R)], [Blessing of the World Tree (R)](Inactive), [Sense (R)], [Service (Un)].
[Iron Fist, Swift Feet]
1. Power bonus when wearing heavy armor ↑ (Large)
2. Skill bonus when wearing heavy armor ↑ (Medium)
3. Durability bonus when wearing heavy armor ↑ (Small)
4. Skill penalty when wielding a weapon ↓ (Large)
5. Agility penalty proportional to armored areas ↓ (Medium)
6. Stamina penalty proportional to equipment weight ↓ (Large)
—Fists heavy, feet light. Only a fool fights bare-handed, but a turtle hiding in its sluggish armor cannot even be called a fool.
* * *
A wavering field of vision.
The roar of an explosion deafening her ears.
A shockwave washing over her body.
Arsha, lost in a storm of chaos, was brought back to her senses by a single voice.
"Are you okay, Arsha?"
"Yes, I'm fine…"
The same carefree voice as always.
Relieved to hear it, Arsha instinctively turned her head, only to freeze.
"Young Master. Th-those wounds…?"
"Ah, this? It's nothing. Nothing a little spit won't fix."
"Don't be ridiculous."
Seeing the boy's back, not just blood-soaked but completely shredded, Arsha's face hardened.
It wasn't just because his injuries were far more severe than she had imagined.
His position, collapsed on top of her, told her everything.
She had survived the explosion because Dion had used his own body as a shield.
And that was why.
Why Arsha found herself asking the question.
"Why would you do something so reckless?"
"Reckless? What was?"
"I mean you throwing yourself in harm's way for me… no, for our clan."
This incident, and throwing his sword to block the archer earlier, were both reckless enough.
But his most reckless act was something else entirely.
Becoming bait to hunt down their pursuers was merely a means to an end.
—The ultimate goal was to rescue the dark elves captured in the Purgatory Garrison.
"Our station is different from yours, Young Master."
The elves were one of the weakest races in Odobaekryeong.
Among the hundreds of dark elves, only she and Parsha were Awakened Ones. Their value was little more than that of high-priced slaves.
Dion, on the other hand, was a direct descendant of the Unlight family.
Not only was he of the most noble bloodline in Odobaekryeong, but he was already the lord of a domain.
It was natural for Arsha to lay down her life to protect Dion, but the reverse was unthinkable.
No, it shouldn't be.
Especially since if something happened to Dion, the remaining dark elves would have nowhere to live.
"So, why are you going this far?"
If Dion alone…
No, if even just the three of them had aimed to escape, they could have left this place long ago.
Why would he willingly take such risks, devise and execute such a plan, and throw himself in front of danger for her sake, time and time again?
Arsha couldn't understand.
But…
"You're already mine."
"Pardon?"
"Have you forgotten already? You said it yourself. That you'd devote your body and soul to me."
"Well, that is true, but…"
"Because I'm sick and tired of having what's mine unreasonably taken from me."
"…"
"Isn't that reason enough?"
"…It is not."
Perhaps because his words were so unexpected.
After a moment of silence, Arsha shook her head.
She looked Dion straight in the eye and spoke.
"Young Master. Everything comes at a price. If you wish to achieve great things, you must grow accustomed to loss."
"…"
"So please, leave me behind and escape while you still can."
It was the last piece of advice she could offer him.
A piece of wisdom gleaned from a long life of having to give up so much to protect her fellow dark elves.
But Dion did not accept her words.
Instead, he asked softly.
"Arsha, do you know?"
"Know what, Young Master?"
"Losing is a habit."
"…"
At first, you might give up just one or two small things.
But as you get used to losing, you start getting bigger things taken away, until eventually, you have nothing left.
The boy, speaking with the same decisiveness as when he'd slit the soldiers' throats, looked at her with his glowing red eyes.
"So don't take sacrificing the few for the many for granted."
"…"
"That's just a coward's pathetic excuse for giving up on having anything because they can't protect everything."
"…"
Arsha could understand.
His mother, his maternal family, his inheritance, his authority.
The life of a boy who had everything stolen from him by his siblings since birth, until nothing remained.
At the same time, she couldn't understand.
He was still just a boy.
So why did those red eyes hold a void of loss that seemed to surpass even her own?
But Dion didn't bother to explain further.
He simply smiled.
"Besides, I made a promise to Parsha."
"A promise, you say…"
"—That I would definitely protect you, so she shouldn't worry."
If he abandoned her here, Parsha would probably grab him by the scruff of his neck.
Dion spoke playfully, then tilted his head.
"This is a bit of a problem, though."
"…The pursuit, you mean."
"Yeah. After making such a scene, that dog bowl must be close by now."
Recalling the reality she had momentarily forgotten in her turmoil, Arsha's face tensed.
The core of their plan was for Parsha to handle all the soldiers, the black knight, and even Silan, while they ran relentlessly.
But for her, with an injured leg, and for Dion, so gravely wounded, fleeing any further was impossible.
And that was why.
Why Arsha blinked at Dion's next words.
"It's not that I'm not confident I can take him…"
"Pardon?"
"Thanks to that dog bowl feeding me EXP, I leveled up faster than expected."
"…?"
"But it'll be tough in my current state. Could you help me out?"
"Me, Young Master?"
"Yeah. If you help me just a little, I have a way to take care of that dog bowl easily."
Words that anyone would dismiss as a bluff or the ramblings of a madman.
But for some reason.
Dion's demeanor, so matter-of-fact.
So composed, even leisurely, was strangely reassuring.
Arsha found herself speaking without thinking.
"…Just give the word. If there is anything I can do, I will do it."
"Really? You'll do anything I ask?"
"Of course."
"Hmm, in that case…"
The boy lowered his head.
He pressed his lips close to the dark elf's long ear.
*Whisper,* he murmured what 'help' he wanted from her.
"…!"
Perhaps because the request was so unexpected.
Her long ears trembled for a moment in agitation.
She lowered her eyes slightly, then opened them again, her golden gaze meeting Dion's squarely.
"…If it will help you, Young Master, then I don't mind at all."
"You're sure? Really?"
"Yes."
Perhaps he hadn't expected her to agree so easily.
As Dion looked surprised, Arsha spoke, her elegant face filled with firm resolve.
"Did I not tell you? That I have already devoted my body and soul to you, Young Master."
*Rustle.*
As if to prove her resolve.
Her fingers undid the collar of her own clothes.
As she revealed the pale nape of her slender neck, Dion gazed at her with his blood-red eyes, then let out a soft chuckle and slowly lowered his head.
Deeper, and deeper, and deeper.
His breath tickled the fine hairs on her skin.
So close she could feel his warmth.
And when the boy's soft lips finally touched her smooth skin.
*CRUNCH.*
"Ngh?!"
The predator's sharp fangs pierced the soft vein.
The slender elf's body arched.
*Gulp.*
"Ugh, haah…!"
It flows.
It flows out.
Blood, essence, life, which should have circulated only within her body.
It drained away relentlessly like water from a punctured vessel, her vision blurring in an instant.
And so, her survival instincts screamed.
To push him away, to run.
That this was the natural, instinctual thing for a living creature to do to survive.
But why?
Why did the sensations that grew clearer as her blood drained feel so hot, so ecstatic?
It devoured not only the pain but her very will to live, compelling her to pull the predator even closer.
Like a doe offering herself to the wolf, even as it tore into her flesh.
*Gulp.*
"Hah, ah…"
Her ears trembled.
Her arms wrapped around his neck.
Her head tilted back completely, revealing the elegant line of her throat.
Between her pale lips, she gasped for breath, exhaling melting moans.
With utmost yearning.
Utterly desperate.
As if begging him to take every last drop of blood from her veins.
*Gulp.*
And yet, as if to deliberately tease her, the boy drank her blood slowly.
Until the wounds on his back healed.
Until a flush returned to his pale face.
Until vitality surged through his weary body.
*Shlk.*
"…Ah."
When the fangs finally withdrew from her flesh.
And as the slender, sweat-drenched body went limp with a moan that could have been relief or disappointment.
The boy, who had kept his eyes closed, opened them.
A crimson light shone in his beautiful, ruby-like eyes.
—A baleful and eerie starlight, bright enough to swallow the entire world whole.
『Achievement: First Feeding』
『Achievement: 300 Kills in a Day』
『Achievement: Corruption of a Pure High Elf』
『Some classes can now be fused and upgraded.』
『[Grave Robber]☆ + [Petty Thief]☆
→[Rogue]☆☆』
『[Merchant]☆ + [Apothecary]☆
→[Berserker]☆☆』
...…
...
…
『—The hidden effect of the unique trait [Blood Star] has been unlocked.』