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The Four Penguins of the Apocalypse

 

“You know, people sometimes need to learn how to refuse. If it was a joke, you could just say it was a joke instead of being so stubborn—”

 

“Shut up. It wasn’t a joke. I was serious, I just didn’t think you’d actually give it.”

 

I was going to ignore it and just say thank you. I thought that would be enough. But I didn’t expect you to take what I said so literally.

 

I didn’t know you were that straight-laced. I’m a victim too.

 

“Then you could just refuse it.”

 

“Are you stupid? You have to accept these things when they’re given. Refusing is also impolite. Refuse? What’s that? I don’t know such a thing~”

 

Raphael made a disgusted expression, but it can’t be helped. Recently, the food expenses for you two — Raphael and Lachesis — have been insane.

 

God’s account is for living expenses for two people, not for your bottomless appetites.

 

So it’s better to cut unnecessary expenses as much as possible. That’s the wisdom of life.

 

“Then are we taking the gate again?”

 

Raphael said with a grin. For some reason, she seems to be expecting another situation where I have to bow my head, but that’s not happening.

 

“What are you talking about? Do you know how vast Justitia’s land is? It would be a waste of land if there were only the academy and training grounds. There are also privately-run shops and such. You’ve been here for days and you still don’t know?”

 

“I do know. I was just asking. I’ll get ready now.”

 

“Do as you like.”

 

I turned on the TV, leaving Raphael who was busily running around preparing to go out.

 

[Recently, bodies drained of all blood have been found one after another across the country. Experts are investigating this as the work of vampires—]

 

“Oh.”

 

Vampires, huh. Are they already active? In the novel, I never mentioned their activity period in detail, but it feels strange to hear the news on TV now that I’m actually here.

 

“It’s serious out there.”

 

Well, in a little while, the inside of Justitia will be in the most trouble, but that’s none of my business. Kim Taehyun will handle it. I’ll just interfere from behind while munching on popcorn.

 

[These bodies are being found all over the country regardless of region, and as there’s a high possibility they’re operating as an organization, people are advised not to go out alone at night—]

 

I picked my ear indifferently while listening to the announcer’s boring speech. Those guys are in trouble too. There’s only one reason for the vampires’ attacks. To find a certain person.

 

They’re leaving traces to make their presence known, which is quite pitiful. To think that’s all they can do.

 

“Alright!! Let’s go quickly!!”

 

“Yeah, yeah.”

 

Justitia should be safe anyway. Thinking that, I calmed down the oddly excited Raphael and left the dormitory.

 

* * *

 

“Wooooow.”

 

“Please.”

 

“What’s that? And that? Wow!!”

 

“Please. Stop.”

 

I pressed down on Raphael’s head as she looked around, showing her country bumpkin side. Please stay still. It’s so embarrassing.

 

Look there. Those people are whispering while looking at us. They’ve figured out you’re a country bumpkin.

 

“Why are you like this? Do you understand how I feel coming to a place like this for the first time, when all I’ve known is dormitory, home, dormitory, home, even after coming down to the mortal realm?!”

 

“No. I don’t really understand such housewife-like talk.”

 

Then leave me alone—!! Raphael said something like that and shook off my hand. What are you? A middle school girl going through puberty?

 

But I’m a bit amazed too. We didn’t walk far from the dormitory, but there’s such a bustling place.

 

It’s inside the academy, but the atmosphere is completely different. There are parfait shops, hamburger chain stores, and many shops you’d commonly see in society.

 

This is Justitia. It’s amazing.

 

“You say that, but your eyes are shining too, Seonghoon. Shall we try eating that thing called crepe?”

 

[I agree, meow.]

 

“Why do you only speak up at times like this when you’ve been quiet all along?”

 

I sighed and approached the store to order crepes. If I don’t buy them, they’ll whine and bother me all day, so it’s easier to just stuff one in their mouths.

 

Not long after ordering, a large dessert came out. Then Lachesis, who had suddenly turned human, and Raphael with shining eyes stared intently at my hand.

 

Sparkling eyes and drooling mouths. Two girls looking at the food in my hand.

 

Something feels off. Feeling strange, I shoved the crepes into the mouths of the two gluttons.

 

“Mmm!! What is this!! It’s so delicious?!”

 

“Is there anything you don’t find delicious?”

 

“No. This is the best among what I’ve eaten—”

 

Chatter chatter. Ignoring Raphael who was talking a lot, seemingly in a good mood, we continued walking until we reached the meeting place.

 

A woman standing in front of what’s commonly called a fountain, with water shooting upwards. She was wearing black clothes that matched well with her black hair.

 

She seemed to have spotted us and made a happy expression, then made an “Oops!” gesture and cleared her throat.

 

Then she waved her hand politely, so I waved back as I approached.

 

“Oh? Who’s that behind you?”

 

She looked at a certain spot with an expression that seemed to say ‘Who on earth is that?’ Following her gaze, there was a woman happily perking up her ears and licking a crepe.

 

“Ah.”

 

How should I explain this? I thought about it, considering that she had seen her once at the department store, but did I really need to explain?

 

“An acquaintance.”

 

“Pardon?”

 

As she looked at me as if to say ‘Why an acquaintance?’, I avoided her gaze. Honestly, it’s troublesome. To explain. And it would be weird to make her turn into a cat now.

 

So just think of it as ‘that’s how it is’. Okay, Ishia?

 

* * *

 

“Wow.”

 

“This is really amazing.”

 

A shiny rectangular machine. It fits perfectly in one hand, and its subtle silver color catches the eye.

 

This is an electronic device! 21st-century civilization!

 

“It’s already activated. You can just use it. Does this clear the debt from when you were kidnapped?!”

 

Ishia said, elegantly tilting her teacup, seeming to be in a good mood. It wasn’t really a debt to begin with, and I had no choice but to do it, but I’m happy about this unexpected gift.

 

I was shocked by the price of both the activation and the phone itself, but Ishia paid for it without batting an eye. This is why rich people are the best. And to think such a rich person is my maid.

 

Am I perhaps invincible?

 

“…What kind of expression is that..?”

 

“Oh. I know. This is the face of someone thinking ‘To think I only used such a good maid for such purposes’ while looking at Ishia who casually paid for that expensive device. Congratulations. From tomorrow, the intensity and cost of the tasks I ask you to do will probably increase.”

 

“What?!”

 

Ishia looked at me in confusion. I shook my head. I did think that, but I can’t admit it here.

 

Raphael, are you using mind-reading or something?

 

“More importantly, how do you use this?”

 

“Ah. Is this your first time using one?”

 

Raphael squinted her eyes and peered at the screen. I couldn’t help but laugh at her appearance, like a grandfather using a smartphone bought by his grandchild for the first time.

 

“What? You laugh at me instead of teaching me?”

 

“No. The home button next to… pfft… press it…”

 

“Home? Is it this?”

 

“That’s… pfft… volume… pfft…”

 

“Is it this?!”

 

“Pfft… pfft…”

 

“Ah!! What is it!!”

 

I calmed down Raphael, who looked like she was about to pounce on me, and taught her how to use it. It took a while because she couldn’t understand after being told just once.

 

“You can watch TV lying down with this?! In a comfortable position? Holding it with one hand? What kind of place is the mortal realm? To think there’s such an amazing thing?!”

 

After roughly teaching her how to use it, I raised my head and our eyes met.

 

It wasn’t Ishia. It wasn’t Lachesis, and it definitely wasn’t Raphael.

 

On the terrace of the cafe where we were sitting. A man sitting at a table a little distance away.

 

A man with eyes even deeper red than blood was looking at us. The man who was staring at us didn’t avoid my gaze. Instead, he stared even more intently.

 

Then a blue window popped up.

 

[You have resisted the status effect “Charm” due to the Dragon’s Blessing.]

 

“What?”

 

“What’s wrong?”

 

As I kept looking at the man without answering, the man seemed to sense something was off and stood up from his seat.

 

“Hey. Run—”

 

My words were cut off. Before I could finish speaking, a voice that was charming even to a man was heard.

 

“You have good instincts, kid.”

 

The man suddenly disappeared from my sight. As if to replace him, a thick fog that obscured everything filled the surroundings.

 

“Don’t worry. Your friends won’t be hurt.”

 

I wanted to answer the voice I heard. My body was trembling with fear, and I was too shocked to move, but I really wanted to ask.

 

What about me?

 

* * *

 

Ishia was having a somewhat strange experience. When she opened and closed her eyes, she found herself in a fog where she couldn’t see an inch in front of her.

 

She was sure that just a moment ago, she was drinking tea at the cafe terrace, watching Seonghoon and Raphael bickering with each other—

 

Before that thought could continue, a man appeared.

 

Strangely, the man was clearly visible even in the dark space. Captivating eyes and features that anyone would call handsome.

 

The man slowly approaches. He slowly raises the corners of his mouth, flashing a smile that makes her heart flutter a little.

 

Their eyes met. For some reason, she couldn’t look away.

 

Why? Ishia recalled the news she saw yesterday.

 

—Recently, bodies drained of all blood have been discovered across the country.

 

“Don’t move.”

 

She couldn’t refuse. She didn’t know why. She just waited as the man slowly approached.

 

—Experts are investigating these acts as the work of vampires.

 

The man opened his mouth and licked his lips. Sharp fangs gleamed. His tongue swept across his lips as if he had seen a delicious meal.

 

Goosebumps rose on her skin. Even though she tried to move her body to run away, it wouldn’t budge.

 

‘Vampire.’

 

Even when she tried to inject magic power, even when she tried hard to move, her body wouldn’t move.

 

“No… don’t…”

 

“Oh. What’s this? You figured it out? It doesn’t change anything though.”

 

She tried to speak through her unmoving lips, but the man only smiled more dreamily.

 

“I’ll enjoy my meal.”

 

The man who had already come right up to her opened his mouth. A fragrant smell spread.

 

In the brief moment when the man’s fangs touched her neck.

 

What filled Ishia’s mind were the images of the corpses that had appeared with the news. The already dead bodies that were no different from mummies.

 

Blaming her body that wouldn’t even let tears flow, she thought of one thing.

 

‘Save me.’

 

And.

 

‘Help me.’

 

But that prayer would never reach heaven. The man’s fangs touch her skin, and she feels a chilling sensation.

 

And then blood—

 

Spurts out.

 

“Huh?”

 

It’s not Ishia’s blood. She’s standing there unharmed. As she receives the rain of blood falling all over her body.

 

In her sight, she sees an enchanting face rolling down from the sky. Blood spurts like a fountain from the body that was bending down to bite her.

 

That’s not all. It’s a face that would usually irritate her if she saw it, but at this moment, it’s the most welcome face of all.

 

“Ptoo ptoo ptoo ptoo. It got in my mouth. Damn it.”

 

Among the fountain of blood, a black-haired man stands holding a scythe.

1 Comment

  1. Ki L-Me
    Nov 5, '24 at 8:31 am

    I thought it would be yellow aqua that can move.

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