“But you really did become healthy. To the extent that you are able to complete these types of duties.”
Brod laughed out loud. He was extremely happy that Joachim, whom he had served all his life, was now completely healthy. But soon, he erased the smile off his face and said with a serious expression, “How is your craving for blood?”
“It’s alright. I was also really worried about that, but I don’t have any cravings rights now. Right now, it’s to the extent that I just want a quick snack once a week; and this hunger also quickly disappears. As long as I don’t control other people’s blood, I think I will be fine.”
Joachim bit his thumb. A thin trail of blood dripped down his fingers. However, the trail of blood suddenly changed its path and slowly floated in the air. Then it spread around and the blood droplets began moving.
“It’s a strange ability whenever I look at it.”
“I feel the same way even though I’m the one controlling it.”
This was the Blood Vessel’s ability: ‘Blood Domination.’
“Sir, you are getting better at controlling it.”
“I thought I should at least have the power to protect myself. Since Sir Zich said there are no side effects to controlling my own blood, I’ve been practicing.”
“It’s not bad to have a secret weapon at your disposal. No, it’s really good that you have it. However, sir, you have to be careful to not get consumed by the power.”
“Yes, if that happens, the super scary Mr. Zich will come to kill me.”
Brod smirked at Joachim’s reply. “Yes, the super scary Mr. Zich will come back. I wonder if he’s out of the estate by now.”
“I don’t know. Since he is a free spirit, he might stay a bit longer, or he might have left a while ago.”
“If I think about it, he never revealed his identity.”
“I don’t think we have to find out his identity. He’s a hero who saved our estate. In this estate, that’s the only status we should be concerned about.”
“Yes, you are right.”
“Anyways…”
The easygoing atmosphere as they talked about Zich suddenly grew heavy and dark. Joachim’s face became serious.
“Were you able to find their identities?”
“Unfortunately…” Brod put his head down in apology. However, Joachim did not blame him.
“Even though Shalom was working with them, those bastards moved around the estate without anyone noticing. If we discover their identities this fast, we have to seriously consider that it might be a trap.”
While reorganizing and fixing the Dracul estate, they set aside a small number of resources to find information about the assassination organization. However, as expected, it was hard to investigate and find any information about them.
“The estate’s recovery is our top priority right now. We shouldn’t be anxious if we can’t find any traces of them. That’s the same for the silver-haired woman.”
The estate was also tracking the mysterious and beautiful woman who suddenly appeared and killed Ms. Bargot and then disappeared. She didn’t cause any direct harm to the Dracul estate; instead, she could be considered a benefactor as she defeated Ms. Bargot before Ms. Bargot could harm the surrounding areas. However, it didn’t change the fact that the silver-haired woman was extremely suspicious.
“I will keep that in mind.”
“Are there any more situations to report?”
“No, sir.”
“Then you are dismissed.”
Joachim returned to his mountain pile of reports and documents on his desk. Brod bowed and left the room. From the mountain of documents, Joachim picked out a document from its peak. No matter how heavy the workload was, it was impossible for the meticulous and hardworking Joachim to sloppily do his work. He began reading through the document. His eyes fervently moved as he scrolled down. But after reading five lines, Joachim put down the document. He looked to the side and saw the moon shining through his window sill.
‘I guess I don’t have the side effect where I turn into a monster during the full moon or something like that.’
At this random thought, Joachim smirked and looked at the moon. His situation was completely different from when he last looked up at the moon. In the past, he could only imagine a future where he escaped his family and traveled around the world with his fragile body; but now, he had a healthy body, and even though there were a lot of dangers and tribulations for him to overcome, he was the master of a noble family.
‘It’s largely thanks to Mr. Zich.’
If it hadn’t been for Zich, he would have died at Biyom or Shalom’s hands, or become a monster after being tricked by the assassin.
‘If something happens to him, I have to fully repay him.’
Joachim would never forget his debt to Zich. After making a solemn promise to himself, Joachim moved his eyes away from the moon and went back to the document he was holding.
* * *
At the same time, Zich was also looking at the moon. The blistering heat of the bonfire contested the moonlight, but the moon’s subtle and gracious light firmly held up against the blazing light of the fire.
Several days had passed since they left the Dracul estate. They went back to their crazy routine where they just powered through the forest without following any paths. In contrast, Zich leisurely looked up at the moon as if he had not gone through much trouble.
But that was only Zich.
“Ugh…”
“Argh…”
Hans and Snoc lay flat on the ground; only their faint groans indicated that they were alive.
Koo…
Nowem also laid flat on Snoc’s back. If anyone saw them right now, they would have been mistaken for zombies. Zich clicked his tongue.
“Did I let you guys play around in Ospurin too much? Next time, I should at least make the two of you do basic training…”
“I-I am all right!” Hans quickly lifted his body up.
Snoc, while hugging Nowem, also quickly got up and straightened his back. They moved so fast; it was hard to imagine that they had been lying down on the floor while groaning just a second ago.
Zich smirked. “Rest easy. I was just joking.”
Hans and Snoc glanced at each other. However, judging by Zich’s smirk, it didn’t seem like Zich was lying. The two repressed their anger at Zich for making such a frightening joke and lay on the floor again.
“There’s discontentment written right on your faces!”
“T-That can’t be, sir!”
“Yes, yes! We don’t have any complaints!”
With pale complexions, the two denied his claims, and Zich chuckled.
“But the training definitely has an effect. You both must have realized it from the battle this time.” As Zich said, they had both performed brilliantly; Hans had assisted Zich by his side while Snoc had fought against the leader of the assassins by himself.
“Of course, you guys are still lacking.” Zich’s eyes turned cold. “You guys should at least have the skills to fight the leader of the assassins from last time.”
“B-But sir, I beat that man.”
Koo!
Snoc quietly asserted his opinion, and Nowem supported him. Snoc had gained some confidence after fighting the leader of the assassins by himself.
“Fine. Then, the next time we meet someone similar to that assassin leader, I will offer them to you again. But in return, you won’t have the advantage of being underground.”
“…” Snoc closed his mouth.
“Seriously, what are you going on about? You barely managed to beat that guy even after you collapsed the whole basement. You should only talk big when you can beat a guy like that even above ground.”
In response, Snoc slumped his head on his blanket, and likewise, Nowem placed his face on Snoc’s back. But Zich’s sharp words weren’t only aimed at Snoc.
“Hans, it’s the same for you too. Even if Snoc has a cheat-like companion like Nowem, you went through a longer training period than Snoc. Are you planning to let your junior catch up to you already?”
Zich tried to pull out Hans’ competitive spirit by scratching at his pride. Hans also didn’t feel too comfortable about his junior progressing ahead of him, but at the moment, he had a greater concern than that.
“Sir Zich.”
“Why? Do you want to ask me something?”
“What you said before—you know, how you said that you would prioritize defeating Ms. Bargot above the lives of everyone in Ospurin…”
“You’re still thinking about that?” Zich bent one of his knees and raised his arms to put more wood into the fire. The bonfire let out sparks that chased away the darkness for a few seconds and then disappeared.
“You’re not satisfied with the answer I gave you?”
“…” Hans didn’t reply, but Zich could guess what he was thinking.
“You can understand my reasoning with your mind, but it’s difficult to accept it with your heart, right? I understand. Most people wouldn’t be able to ignore the people right in front of them no matter how many more lives they could save in the future. But Hans—”
Unlike usual, Zich talked seriously without teasing him. “Even if your decision leads to an unexpected outcome, you have to make a decision if you are given a choice. Especially if you want to be a hero.”
“I-If you are a hero, shouldn’t you try to solve the situation without sacrificing anyone?!”
Hans was too immature, and he didn’t know enough of the world yet. It was enough to make listeners frustrated, but Zich’s attitude didn’t change.
“Do you want to become a hero or a god?”
Even the amazing Demon Lord of Strength, Zich Moore had failed to live the life he wanted, and it was probably the same for the Sun Hero, Glen Zenard who had beaten him.
“Even a super genius like me couldn’t achieve everything I wanted. It will be the same in the future too. No matter how amazing a person is, as long as they are ‘human,’ they can’t do everything they want.”
“…”
“Well, I guess you can’t accept this right away.”
Zich understood Hans’ silence.
“Think about it carefully. But don’t hesitate so much that you can’t decide on anything. It’s better to make the wrong decision than not make one at all.”
“…Sir Zich, do you really think that I can be a hero?”
Even though Zich teased Hans about his dreams from time to time, Zich was really teaching him how to become a hero. Hans thought Zich was making fun of him at first, but he soon realized that there was some sincerity behind his light-hearted attitude.
“Whatever, I don’t know.” Zich stomped the little bit of expectation rising in Hans’ heart without a care in the world.
However, it was Zich’s first time talking about Hans’ possibility of becoming a hero in a realistic tone, so Hans continued to listen. And Snoc also listened to their conversation with a sparkle in his eyes.
“If you want to become one, you should. You are the one who decides the way you’re going to live. You don’t have to consider what other people think about your dreams. A hero? You should go for it. Since you are my servant, I will do everything within my means to help you.”
“…Then, can I ask you one more question, sir?”
“What is it?”
Hans spoke while thinking that he might get scolded for making Zich repeat his words so many times. “You know the decision you talked about, sir…”
“Yeah?”
As Hans spoke nervously, Zich listened without giving much of a reaction.
“Was there a way to save a few…just a few more people?”
“There was.”
Both Hans and Snoc’s eyes turned wide.
“It’s simple. Do you know why I asked you if you wanted to become a god? If you have a power like a god’s, even the most difficult things will become simple. If you think like that, the best way to overcome a crisis is to become stronger. The higher your skills and powers are, you’ll be able to save more people and you’ll be able to solve more problems.”
“So, what you are saying is…”
“I’m telling you to train harder.”
Drop!
Hans heard something drop, and he looked back to see that Snoc had stuck his face into his blankets again. It was funny to see how Nowem also took the same pose as Snoc on his back. Then, Hans thought about Zich’s training, which was on the verge of torture, and grew pale; but as he despaired about the upcoming, harsh training in the future, he etched Zich’s words deep into his heart.