Chapter 22: The Vampire’s Curse

Mo Yu walked through the crowd of vampires, following the red carpet in the center until he reached the area behind the seats, where a room stood. The maid had already entered. Without hesitation, he stepped inside.

The air was frigid, and the candlelight was of a warm hue, yet it provided no warmth to those it touched.

Elise sat on a bench, her back to the entrance. The maid stood beside her, holding a small brush, helping Elise groom her long, golden hair. Near the doorway, several vampires were kneeling, led by a woman.

Mo Yu recognized her; it was Number 7. The other vampires were elites he also found familiar—the decoys who had departed via different routes during the afternoon’s operation. Elise’s plan had been meticulous. Three vans had left the amusement park from different directions; Mo Yu had only managed to pinpoint the vehicle transporting Mary by using his "rewind" ability to stake out the location.

The vampires were trembling, filled with dread. The room was silent, the atmosphere oppressive. Even without words, Mo Yu could feel Elise’s fury. He remained silent, waiting for her to make the first move.

Blood-red thorns emerged from beneath the bench, then grew wildly like predatory pythons, sweeping outward to ensnare Mo Yu and the kneeling vampires in an instant. The air shifted violently, extinguishing most of the candles and plunging the room into deep darkness.

The vampires let out shrill, agonizing screams. Number 7 and the others withered at a visible rate, their bodies shriveling as the blood-red thorns emitted a hazy glow and grew thicker, as if they had just enjoyed a hearty meal.

"My... Lady..."

Number 7 let out a desperate wail. She was the last to be drained, crumbling into a pile of black ash that scattered on the floor. The maid paused briefly, then resumed brushing Elise’s hair with an expressionless face, as if she were accustomed to such sights.

Mo Yu remained motionless. His entire body was wrapped in thorns, many of which pierced his skin, greedily drinking his blood. Other thorns moved in a vortex around him, constantly shifting.

Elise spoke, her voice cold and detached: "Give me one reason not to kill you."

Mo Yu replied with calm confidence: "You won't kill me."

"I asked for a reason," Elise retorted, her voice rising.

The blood-red thorns tightened slowly, the spikes pressing inward—a countdown to death. Mo Yu did not panic, calmly stating, "I saw it."

The spikes paused, then continued to contract.

Mo Yu continued, "They were killed because the mission failed. It is this ruthlessness, suspicion, and caution that will help you, My Lady, become the future Empress. As the final person with knowledge of this operation, it is only natural that I be suspected."

The spikes tightened further.

"My ability is to see fragments of the future related to myself, not the 'player' persona you suspect me of being."

"This future is not fixed; it changes based on my choices. It is also because of this ability that I am hunted by enemies." Mo Yu once again used his prophecy ability as a cover. "My Lady, did they mention the state Mary was in when she was delivered? I was the one who dug out the tracker on her body; I believe that is sufficient proof of my capability. Right now, my ability tells me that if I confess everything to you, I will not die."

The spikes stopped.

Elise finally spoke: "Where did you go after delivering Mary to Number 12?"

Mo Yu: "..."

The spikes tightened again.

Elise pressed, "Why don't you answer?"

The maid interjected, "My Lady, was he not staying with you?"

Elise said coldly, "Are you questioning me?"

The maid bowed. "I dare not, My Lady. I checked his phone’s location data; after he left for the Volcano Castle, he was with you the entire time."

Elise: "?"

Mo Yu coughed, offering a timely reminder: "My Lady, please look back."

Elise turned in confusion, and upon a single glance, she froze. She turned back around and covered her face with one hand. How was she supposed to explain that her subordinate had been following her all afternoon, and she hadn't realized it, instead mistaking him for a handsome stranger trying to pick her up?

The maid looked on, puzzled, as she caught a glimpse of embarrassment and annoyance on the Lady's face.

Mo Yu smiled without a word.

After a moment, Elise steadied her composure and said, "No... that's not enough. These are not enough."

Mo Yu continued, "I hate to admit it, but I must say that you are still in a stage of biding your time, and your strength needs to increase."

"The Rift Moon Organization, the two great Hunter families of Black City, and the two great Vampire families—these five forces are not ones you can confront alone. That is why you are so cautious."

"My ability can assist you. We need each other."

Elise said, "Tell me something I don't know—something that can truly prove your ability."

Mo Yu: "Alice is not human."

He had to surrender this piece of intelligence.

After a silence, Elise said, "I will investigate. You may withdraw."

"As you command." Mo Yu retreated, but just as he was about to leave, Elise called him back.

"Wait, come before me."

Mo Yu was reluctant, but he circled around to stand directly in front of her. Elise, wearing a classic, plain-colored gown, lay elegantly on the bench. She beckoned for him to come closer and kneel.

Mo Yu leaned in. Elise reached out with her slender arms, wrapped them around his neck, and sank her small, sharp fangs into his skin. Mo Yu felt his upper body go numb, unable to move.

*So much for "servants aren't food,"* he thought.

As his blood was drained, he hesitated whether to use his rewind ability, but then he felt something being injected into his body. Elise released him, took a handkerchief from the maid, and wiped the corner of her mouth. "You may leave now."

"What is inside me?" Mo Yu touched his neck. The wound had vanished, but he could feel something moving within him.

Elise replied, "My blood. It will slowly alter your body and eventually convert you into a vampire. When that time comes, your sequence ability will also cease to function. You will need me to suppress it periodically. Consider this a pre-conversion ritual, or a curse, if you will."

"Is this proof that I am 'one of your own'?" Mo Yu probed. "Can you sense my status through the blood?"

"I can sense my own blood," Elise answered.

"Can you pinpoint the exact location of the blood, or is it just a vague sensation?"

"Why do you ask that?"

"You know the principle of the corpus cavernosum, right? It's about blood flow, and if by any chance..."

"Shut up!"

A flush of red stained Elise’s cheeks. She explained, "I can only lock onto your approximate location."

The maid gave Mo Yu a look that said, "You're bold," for daring to tease the Lady.

"That’s a relief then," Mo Yu replied. He performed a small rewind, cutting out that line of questioning and returning to the moment right after Elise said, "You may leave now."

"Splendid! I am grateful for your grace, My Lady."

Mo Yu bowed with a feigned expression of excitement and backed away. He could feel the foreign presence within him—Elise’s blood moving toward his heart—but he had already formulated a plan to deal with it.