Chapter 69: Blood Hook (1)

Chapter 69: Blood Hook (1)

Ronan turned his head. A girl with her hood pulled down to the tip of her head stood there. Inside the shadow cast over her face, her red eyes were sparkling.

"...Ophelia?"

"Yeah. Have you been waiting long?"

It was Ophelia, the girl who had left to study blood magic with a feather from Cita. Adeshan's eyes widened.

"Oh, Aren't you the girl who came for the club interview...?"

"Yeah. You've grown taller..."

"Wow, how did you know? You're Ophelia, a third year Potion student, right?"

Adeshan exclaimed, clapping her hands. Indeed, she had grown by about the width of a finger over the past month, reaching a height of 176cm. Ronan, who had been frozen, opened his mouth.

"Is your research all finished?"

"Yeah. It's not perfect, but...to some extent."

"That's a relief. Honestly, I thought you just took the feather and ran away."

"Sorry... I had some things to deal with."

Ophelia's voice carried a considerable sense of fatigue. It seemed like she had gone through her own struggles during the time they were separated. Although there was a pile of questions, there were other matters to attend to now. Ronan raised the note that had become a map and asked.

"By the way, what did you do? All of a sudden it looks like this."

"Yeah. When I saw you struggling with the envelope..."

"Envelope?"

"Oh... I see you didn't know."

Ophelia muttered. Unexpectedly, her voice echoed in Ronan's mind.

[That... is a letter made with blood magic.]

"You surprised me. Why did you suddenly use telepathy..."

Instead of answering, Ophelia turned her gaze to Adeshan.

'Come to think of it, Adeshan still didn't know that Ophelia was a vampire.' Ronan, who had been trailing off, nodded his head.

"I understand."

[Thank you. It compresses information into a single drop of blood... Opening the envelope means infusing mana to unravel the information contained in the blood.]

Ophelia continued her explanation through telepathy. Letters using blood were a method that vampires favored when exchanging confidential information.

"Umm..."

Adeshan chuckled at the sudden descent into silence. There was some secretive current flowing between the two that she was unaware of.

Adeshan alternated her gaze between the now silent Ronan and Ophelia. Even under the shadow, Ophelia's face was beautiful as if it was radiating light.

Clap!

Adeshan, who had been in momentary silence, suddenly clapped her hands and spoke.

"Oh, by the way, I forgot that the professor asked me to organize some documents."

"Adeshan?"

"Sorry. Let's talk later."

"Are you upset about something? Why is your expression..."

"I'm not upset. Ophelia sunbae, I'll head back first."

Her tone was strangely chilly. Adeshan turned around and left with those words. Her steps were noticeably quicker than usual. Ophelia, who had been watching her retreating figure, muttered.

"Perfect timing..."

"It's a good thing. We couldn't keep standing here forever."

"I wonder why she's upset...?"

"Who knows? Women can be unpredictable. Anyway, Ophelia, let's discuss the rest elsewhere."

Ophelia looked around and nodded her head. It was clear that the surroundings were not suitable for having a suspicious conversation since there were people around.

They moved to the club building. When the creaking wooden door opened, a dimly lit interior came into view. The other members hadn't arrived yet, presumably attending classes.

Ophelia pushed back her hood as the door closed, revealing her suppressed silver hair flowing down her shoulders. She stretched as if wringing something out and began to speak.

"I feel better now."

"Because there's no sunlight here?"

"Yes. It's a bit better since it's cloudy... Oh, where's Cita?"

"If you're talking about Cita, It'll be back soon. It has been taking more walks lately."

"I see... I've missed her."

Ophelia slowly surveyed the interior. In the darkened room with all the lights off, there was a subdued atmosphere, almost like an abandoned cabin. She murmured while running her fingers over a three-tiered candle holder on a bar table.

"It's a cool place... Is this your club building?"

"It's not 'yours', it's 'ours'."

"Right, that's how it is... Can I sleep here?"

"Of course. You're a member now. By the way, in our club, we use informal language with each other. Is that okay?"

"Yeah... It's more comfortable that way."

Ophelia smiled bashfully. She seemed to have taken a liking to the club.

During Ophelia's absence, Ronan briefly explained what had happened. The Baydian Mountains incident, the midterm assessment, and Shullifen's enrollment. Ophelia listened attentively, her eyes sparkling with interest.

"So much has happened... Now that I think about it, I haven't even greeted the other kids properly. What if they dislike me...?"

"Everyone here is a good bunch, so there shouldn't be any issues like that. By the way, I didn't receive any letters from you for the past few weeks. What happened?"

"Ah. There was some friction with my parents... They suddenly asked me to give up my research and focus on governing the territory... I resolved it and came out, so it should be fine."

"Governing the territory...?"

Ophelia seemed to have a strained relationship with her parents and the rest of her kin. Although she appeared to be a part of a considerable high-ranking group, she hesitated to talk about her family matters.

Ronan didn't pry either. He flicked his finger as he placed the note on the bar table.

"So, Ophelia, this is a note made with blood magic, right?"

Can you also tell who sent it?"

"Should I check?"

"Yes, because it seems a bit odd."

Ophelia nodded her head. As she picked up the note, a mark resembling a map, stained with blood, began to move again. The once stagnant blood stain transformed into a red hook shape. Ophelia's face turned stern.

"...Where did you get this?"

"Why do you ask?"

"Just answer first. Did you receive this directly?"

Her gaze was serious. Ronan vaguely alluded that he had picked it up from someone he knew. Ophelia folded the note and handed it back to Ronan.

"That person... Are they trying to obtain the essence of pure blood?"

"How did you know?"

"It says here, this note was sent by an organization called—Blood Hook."

"Even the name doesn't sound too friendly. They're bad folks, aren't they?"

"Yeah. Although it's not a large-scale group... they are an emerging power."

Blood Hook.

It was said to be a group consisting mainly of young vampires who aren't even two hundred years old. Ophelia continued her explanation with a cold tone, almost as if pitying them.

"They're naive rascals, indulging in the glory of a past they've never experienced..."

"Ophelia, how old are you?"

"There are joys in the world—joys derived from ignorance."

Blood Hook longed for the ancient days when vampires ruled over the nightmares of the night. They roamed the outskirts not under imperial rule, attacking travelers and villages, making and selling slaves as their main source of income.

Recently, they also played the role of treasure hunters who could acquire anything as long as they were paid a price. After a brief hesitation, Ronan revealed that the sender of the note was Professor Jhordin, a mage affiliated with the Magic Department. Shallow wrinkles formed on Ophelia's porcelain-like forehead.

"Jhordin...? You mean the person who used to be the Tower Mage of Manwol Full moon tower?"

"Yeah. That's right."

"So, that's why you were in front of the 41st tower... Those little ones must be eager to die..."

"What do you mean?"

"This note... it's an invitation saying that if you're willing to accept the proposal with the essence of pure blood, you should come. The marked location on the map is the rendezvous point."

Ophelia said there was a high possibility they would demand something ridiculous in return. If it was money, they'd demand an unimaginable amount, and if it was an item, it should be a treasure listed in the inventory to be exchanged.

"If they sense your desperation... they might demand you to become thier subordinate."

"No way. Jhordin isn't that foolish."

"To a desperate person, only 'right now' exists... even if it's not immediately, they might request you to become a subordinate later and form a blood pact."

A blood pact was an unbreakable promise, where breaking it meant losing one's life. Ronan let out a bitter laugh.

"I don't get it. Can't you just kill them all and take the item? There's no reason to agree to such a ridiculous deal."

"Of course, with Jhordin's abilities, he could turn those kids into dust in an instant... The problem is that the item they're seeking is the essence of pure blood."

"Why is that?"

"It's a pure cluster of mana that can only be handled with blood magic... Those kids probably have the essence of a pure blood in an unprocessed state. After receiving compensation, they'll probably allow them to finish processing it before taking it away."

"Heh, bunch of weaklings."

Ronan revisited memories from his past life. He couldn't find Jhordin on the battlefield ten years later. Of course, it was hard to imagine that he had fallen so low as to become a slave of pathetic vampires like Blood Hook.

Upon closer examination, the essence of a pure blood was merely an ingredient for one of many resurrection attempts. He had no certainty that it could even bring back his wife, so there was no way he would accept such a proposal.

'If he was in his right mind, that is.'

However, Jhordin was addicted to love. Deluding oneself into believing in slim possibilities was a hallmark of addicts, regardless of the field. Ronan started rubbing his chin and contemplating.

"He's a good person."

Ronan didn't dislike Jhordin. To be honest, he quite liked him, or to be even more honest, he thought he was a damn fine author.

Even if the action he took was for his own benefit, it was undoubtedly something to be grateful for, even if it meant enduring a curse. Ronan sighed and spoke up.

"Ophelia, help me out a bit."

"Huh? Help you...?"

"Write a reply for me. Accept the proposal."

Ophelia's eyes widened. Ronan then calmly explained the plan he had just concocted. As always, it was a clear yet somewhat insane strategy.

"Are you serious...?"

"Yeah. Just make sure to change the meeting spot."

"I'm really sorry, but I can't accompany you. It's a matter involving my kind..."

Ophelia's words trailed off. It seemed to be related to her family situation. Ronan let out a wide yawn and clapped his hands together.

"Yawn... You don't need to come. I'll go alone, so don't worry."

"...Those 'kids' are considered young by vampire standards, but they're not to be compared with mortals. They are even more vicious and aggressive because they lack knowledge."

Ophelia explained the dangers of Blood Hook. While their strength might not compare to high-ranking vampires, they posed a greater threat to humans. Accumulated malice and malevolence over centuries eroded the human body and mind like a sandcastle. Ronan chuckled.

"Heh. Who do you think I am?"

His tone was arrogant, but Ophelia didn't hate it. In fact, she found his confidence somewhat charming. Ronan tilted his head, waiting for her reply.

"Alright. I'll help you write the reply. But promise me something."

"What is it?"

"Do not, under any circumstances, let them form a blood pact with you."

Ronan laughed, replying, "I have no intention of becoming a slave to anyone, ever again."

"Huh?"

Approaching the window, Ronan drew the curtains aside.

Whoosh!

Before he could open the window, a shadow lunged forward, attaching itself to Ronan's face. The soft black feathers tickled his nose, almost making him sneeze.

"You're back."

"Beah!"

"Where have you been wandering this time?"

Ronan cradled Cita in both hands. From the salty smell, it seemed like Cita had flown as far as the dawn sea.

"Do you have any idea how much trouble I got into with Lucy because of you? You didn't bring back anything bizarre like a stingray this time, did you?"

"Beah~"

Cita playfully poked Ronan's cheek. Ophelia stood up, interlocking both her hands.

Compared to before, Cita's increased size was noticeable. She looked at it as if entranced, her lips slightly parted in awe.

"Will you come here?"

"Beah?"

Ophelia extended her hand. Cita, who had been blinking its round eyes, moved to the bar table right in front of her. Ophelia touched it as if handling a delicate gem that might break if mishandled. As she stared at it, Cita's pupils briefly flashed.

"Beah!!"

Simultaneously, a blood-made rose appeared before Cita's eyes. It was similar to what Ophelia had shown when they first met. Cita plucked the rose and handed it to her. Ophelia's eyes widened in astonishment.

"This is...!"

"Looks like it remembers you."

Trembling, Ophelia picked up the blood rose with her shaking hand. Cita hopped onto her shoulder. Ronan, with both hands in his pockets, spoke.

"I'll leave it to you. You just need to teach it how to handle that pure blood thing. It should be fine, right?"

After a moment of silence, Ophelia spoke.

"Yeah... I think it'll work."

"Before Jhordin starts messing around, we need to finish the job, so teach it as quickly as possible. We'll depart on the upcoming weekend."

"Okay. Let's start right away. I'll teach it diligently, considering I can't accompany you. There's so much I want to share."

"Go ahead and start. I'll be there shortly."

Ophelia proclaimed herself as Cita's mentor. Embracing Cita, she walked out of the building. Silence echoed in the empty room. Ronan, gently caressing the hilt of his sword, muttered to himself.

"...I can't afford to lose such talent."

Ronan recalled the mana emitted by Jhordin as he growled softly. If there was a possibility that he would turn against them, it would be rational for a powerful individual to eliminate him in advance.

However, the world didn't function solely on reason. Ronan knew he had to exhaust all possibilities before any regrets would linger.

As Ronan refined his plans once again, an eerie sensation pierced through the air, making his shoulders tense as if they were about to crumple.

"Ugh..."

His entire body felt goosebumps. Ronan quickly turned his head. Like Ophelia's and Cita's, a red mana was seeping through the gap in the door.

"Damn it, what the hell is she teaching?"

Kicking the door open, Ronan stepped out of the building. His eyes squinted as he saw the scene outside.