Fredo von Ejellan, better known as the Vampire Duke and undercover worker in the Endable Kingdom, stared at Cale Henituse. He had crossed his legs and arms, looking quite intimidating, even more than Ron had ever looked like before. Cale sighed and shook his head, somewhat trying to make the scary vampire look at something else other than him.
Eruhaben just sighed as he watched how nervous Cale got. It was strange to him, but ever since he was told that Cale didn't tell him the whole truth about his abilities, he didn't know what to do anymore. The Cale he got to know was someone who put his people before him, often ending up injured to protect them. The ancient dragon was aware that Cale was a very self-sacrificial human, yet he didn't know how bad the secret Cale didn't tell him actually was.
The Vampire Duke, the one who used to fool around quite a lot and was never really serious looked like one of the most adamant people he had ever seen. It was as if they were currently in a life-or-death-situation which Eruhaben certainly hoped that they were not.
Cale seemed to get even more uncomfortable as he stopped leaning on the couch so carelessly and bent forward, sighing. While his expression seemed to be the same as usual, there were these shaking pupils that gave his nervousness away. Usually, Cale had exceptional control over his expressions, yet the topic ahead was a bit too sensitive and important.
"Show me your arm."
Cale flinched upon not only hearing those harsh words, but also the emotion-void voice that said them. Duke Fredo had never, not even once, talked in such a manner with him. He usually used a nice and friendly tone, one that sounded soft, warm and welcoming. One that creeped Cale out because he always acted like a caring parent; yet Cale wanted, for the first and probably only time in his entire life, that voice back, as he preferred the "soft Duke-father" to the "strict-Duke-father".
Cale gulped and looked at the ancient dragon who was looking at him with a strange expression that didn't belong on the beautiful being's face. It was a mixture of a frown, an angry expression and a fearful one. Cale didn't like seeing such worried faces looking at him; hence he looked back at Duke Fredo who had an expressionless, calm-seeming façade.
"I-"
Duke Fredo shook his head and finally got up from the seat he had been sitting on ever since the others went to enjoy their dinner. He took two steps, then stayed still in front of Cale. He stared at the redheaded man for quite a while until he forcefully pulled down both of the man's sleeves, revealing two pale arms, one of which had a red tattoo like think marked on it. As soon as Duke Fredo saw that there was something like that, he let go of Cale's hand as fast as he had taken it, it was as if he had burnt himself by touching it.
Cale rolled his eyes and pulled his sleeves back down. He caressed his right arm. He wasn't feeling any pain – yet that is.
"...What is that?"
Eruhaben, who had seen the red mark on Cale's arm as well, could tell that it wasn't just some fancy tattoo the redhead had decided to have. While it didn't look like much, the ancient dragon could tell by the Vampire Duke's reaction to seeing that thing that it was something bad, something that could potentially harm Cale Henituse even! Eruhaben could also tell by the expression of the redhead that that thing on his arm was difficult to deal with, honestly, Eruhaben could tell that much just by looking at the incredibly fancy and strange design that would be quite difficult to imitate.
"It is a curse."
Eruhaben just wanted to nod calmly but instead almost jerked his head off. He stared at Cale who just casually sat there and talked about a curse that was cast on him as if that was an every-day-thing. Who knew, maybe for Cale Henituse, receiving a curse was and every-day thing to have!
Eruhaben almost snorted.
Almost.
Instead, worry took over and he returned to the worried-mix expression that had been creeping Cale out. The redhead got the chills and quickly looked back at the frozen Vampire Duke who was still standing in front of him, staring at him with a terrified expression.
Cale could understand Duke Fredo's feelings quite well – this time that is. Their problem was information. They had too little information on this strange organization that had been after Cale Henituse ever since (and even before) Kim Rok Soo came to this world. They knew what they wanted, but they didn't know how many people they had, how strong they were, what they actually wanted to achieve with Cale's blood and so on.
They needed to know the goals of such a dangerous organization in order to know how to deal with it.
While people might not think so, knowing the end goal of such an organization that was even scarier than the White Star and his Arm, was important to cancel it, to toy with it. Yet, even after six whole years of searching, neither Cale nor his people were able to find anything.
"Cale Henituse."
The atmosphere in the room had turned darker than before. Cale got the chills. If he was to look at the Vampire Duke's face right now, he was guaranteed to faint. That vicious of an expression was on Duke Fredo's face right now. The Vampire then stopped frowning and started to smile as benignly as Ron always did, yet it looked at least a hundred times scarier. Cale did the mistake and looked at the man's face. The redhead quickly turned his head and instead faces the ancient dragon, who did not have the best of complexions himself.
Contrary to what he looked like on the outside, Vampire Duke Fredo was devastated on the inside. He didn't know what to do with that foolish boy in front of him.
He had warned him many times already, over and over again, that if he were to continue to act that reckless, no matter how much planning he did, he would end up dead. Of course, he himself hadn't quite believed that statement, yet the odds of that happening weren't as farfetched as one might think. At least not right now.
"Show me your arm."
Cale sighed but knew better than to complain again. He quietly did as he was told and handed his arm to Duke Fredo who carefully lifted Cale's sleeve and looked at the red curse mark that was very vibrant on Cale's pale skin.
Seven circles.
Inside of the smallest, was a crimson fingerprint.
It was the worst case scenario that Duke Fredo could have imagined. He couldn't help but frown as he shook his head in disapproval and finally let go of Cale's hand. He hadn't noticed his strong grip on the frail man's hand until he let go and Cale hurried to pull his sleeves down, hiding the red bruise mark.
It wasn't that his skin bruised this easily, but being marked with the curse mark alone but a great stroll on his body. If it wasn't for the Vitality of the Heart, he wouldn't be able to walk around and speak so easily, instead having to lie down with a fever.
The curse mark was like a seal that sealed the host's vitality, strength and energy away. It wouldn't disappear until the curse was fully over.
The room stayed silent until the ancient dragon decided to say something.
"What is happening right now?"
Eruhaben, who had lived almost a thousand years now, couldn't follow the conservation. While he understood that something bad had happened, he wasn't aware of the graveness of the situation at all. As one of the very few people who knew of Cale's special ability, at least partly, it was only natural for him to want to understand what was going on.
Cale let out a deep sigh as he leaned back, closing his eyes for a few seconds. He didn't want to explain his situation. He had never liked doing that. It wasn't until Duke Fredo had saved him from those blood suckers three years ago that he had to open up and explain for the first time. Who knew it would end up like this?
One glance at Duke Fredo and it was clear that Cale was on his own. The redhead lastly decided to make it quick instead of dragging this out. In the end, Eruhaben would have to know either way. Besides, it wouldn't be all too bad to have another person knowing about his secret, as this would make his life a bit easier. After all, this would mean that Duke Fredo, Glenn and Bud wouldn't have to be around at all times if there was such an emergency as the past week.
"Are you going to tell me?"
The Vampire Duke smiled evilly as he nodded his head.
"Yes, my dear son~ why don't you explain yourself?"
Cale rolled his eyes at that absurd title the Duke was always using when addressing him, well, at least most of the time. The redhead then turned to face the ancient dragon and pointed towards his fingers.
"You remember what I showed you last time, right?"
While Duke Fredo, who was unaware of what Cale had shown the ancient dragon last time, was frowning, Eruhaben nodded his head.
"Yes indeed."
Eruhaben recalled that strange encounter from a week ago. Cale had called him into his office to "tell" him about his secret, well, a part of it at least. He had then made the ancient dragon swallow a bit of his blood, making Eruhaben feel much younger. While Cale had said that the effect would wear off in a few days, Eruhaben couldn't feel any better, even after a full week.
"Well, now think about it, in this world, there's this principle that says every action has a reaction, and in most cases the reaction is similar to the action."
Eruhaben nodded his head, as he was very familiar with that principle. It was the same as karma in some ways: if you do good, good follows and if you do bad, bad follows.
Yet, the ancient dragon failed to understand what Cale meant with bringing such a simple principle up. The redhead, noticing that the ancient dragon didn't understand, shook his head.
"Okay, let me explain it differently then: If both you and I were given a certain amount of food and water – let's pretend we can't buy any other food and water –, and that amount would be enough for us to survive on for the rest of our lives, and I were to give you a piece of my food and water, I'd have less while you'd win some time more, right?"
Eruhaben's eyes widened in comprehension as soon as he realized what Cale meant with telling him that analogy.
"...Wait a second, does that mean... The drop of blood you forced me to drink, it gave me at least ten more years to live! Did it take ten years off of your life?!"
The Vampire Duke's eyes widened and he sat up straight, ready to scold the foolish redhead once again. Eruhaben was certain that this was the case and felt horrible. No, horrible couldn't describe what he was currently feeling. He was devastated! How could such an old being as himself, who had lived his life to the fullest, take away ten whole years from a young child who hadn't even lived for two whole decades?!
"Don't worry, it'd not like that. While it gave you ten years, it only took a bit of my time. It really is nothing."
Cale had a fresh smile on his stoic face; he was trying to reassure the ancient dragon. Yet, he failed at doing so, especially with a certain vicious, extremely powerful certain vampire by his side, who didn't think it was nothing at all.
"...You gave him your blood?!"
Cale got the chills after hearing that cold, emotionless voice. He slowly turned his head – even if it was unwillingly – to face Duke Fredo who smiled at him. That smile didn't match that scary voice at all.
"Um...it was only a very tiny amount, not even half a drop, so it's nothing to worry about."
Eruhaben could swear that it indeed was something to worry about! What if Cale went around, spreading his blood to every so sick and dying person? No, what if he did something even more foolish than that! While Eruhaben didn't think Cale would do something like that, that foolish bastard was out of his worst imaginations. He couldn't quite tell what Cale was capable of doing and what he wasn't capable of doing.
"You say it's nothing...then tell me how much time it took off of your lifespan."
Duke Fredo nodded his head in agreement, which made Cale groan. Why were these two powerful individuals so curious about such trivial things? It wasn't like they could change anything either way, even if they knew.
"It is nothing for you to worry about. So, shall I continue, or is that enough for you?"
While it took the ancient dragon his entire strength to not press the matter any further, especially since he just had to know how much time he had robbed Cale, he also just had to know what the redhead had to say, So he decided to listen for now.
"...Please continue."
Cale nodded his head, successfully ignoring the Vampire Duke's glare.
"Well, now that you know the full context, I can also answer your question from last time."
Eruhaben nodded his head as he remembered the question he had asked last time. While he had an idea of the answer, he still wouldn't mind a detailed explanation.
'Who is chasing after you?'
That was the question Eruhaben had asked last time. While he was certain that the answer were those strange 'blood suckers', knowing the reason why they were chasing after Cale would be quite helpful, even though he already had a rough idea now that Cale fully explained his blood ability.
"They're, like I told you last time, after my blood. But they aren't really after my regeneration ability."
Eruhaben frowned even more now that his thoughts had been proven wrong. He waited for Cale to continue, but the redhead stayed silent while staring at his frail hand. The ancient dragon stayed patient, not to pressure the redhead.
After a while, it even payed off. Cale took a deep breath before continuing.
"Do you still remember how I controlled my blood like water?"
Duke Fredo's eyes widened. The ancient dragon knew more than he had thought at first. It must have been because Cale thought he was someone trustworthy, else he wouldn't have revealed his secrets this easily. The Vampire Duke was very well aware of that; after all, he had been someone whom Cale hadn't trusted at first. It took him two years to fully earn the redhead's complete trust, but that's a different story.
"Vaguely."
Cale nodded his head and folded his hands.
"Well, that's not the only thing I can do with blood. And I don't exactly have to use mine."
Another break followed and the room stayed silent, both the almost a thousand year old dragon and almost six-hundred year old Vampire Duke dared to disturb the silence made by the not even twenty-year old kid.
"...It is a vicious ability I have not really a use for."
Cale let out a frustrated sigh. He was slowly getting annoyed, even more so than before. Just thinking about this battle related part of his ability, it gave him the chills. Yet, Cale was no one to stop after starting. He continued to say what he wanted to say.
"It's an overpowered ability that allows me to command blood like a dragon's able to control his given attribute. And it isn't just restricted to my own blood; I can use other's blood just as well... As you may imagine, it is a devilish power that I hope not to use, or for that matter, for anyone to use it."
Eruhaben's heart was beating fast for some odd reason. Actually, the reason wasn't truly odd. It as to be expected that one's heart would beat this fast when they were receiving news this shocking.
As Cale wasn't adding anything else, Eruhaben finally broke the heavy silence.
"...And these people- no, this organization that is chasing after you, they want this ability?"
Cale nodded his head and pinched the bridge of his nose in sudden annoyance at those crazy blood suckers.
"Yes, they are convinced that they can make this special ability theirs."
Eruhaben frowned.
"Can't they?"
Upon hearing that question, Cale shook his head.
"No, they can't. This battle-related ability of mine, it is mine. What I try to say is that it is bound to my soul and I am not able to give it someone, anyone, else."
"Ah."
Eruhaben's eyes widened in realization and his gaze wandered unconsciously to the Vampire Duke who was sitting in the armchair next to Cale while quietly observing their conservation.
"But they're convinced that they can do it, be it by doing sick rituals with me, drinking my blood of whatnot."
Eruhaben nodded his head, finally getting the seriousness of this urgent situation. It was way worse than he had initially thought.
"...Is the White Star after you for the same reason?"
Eruhaben recalled an old memory, well, it wasn't that old actually, but it seemed quite distant now, where he had first met Cale. He had been captured by 'Arm', the White Star's organization. The guards for the redhead had talked about how precious Cale's blood was.
To his surprise though, Cale shook his head.
"No, the White Star doesn't know of this ability. While he and these blood suckers who are after me partly work together, their goals are completely different. As I mentioned, my blood has the ability to extend one's lifespan, yet it can also heal injuries, sickness and whatnot. The White Star is a reincarnator who's in constant pain. To him, my blood must be like pain killers, taking away his pain for some time."
Eruhaben nodded. Now that he fully knew of Cale's secret ability and its powers... He felt strange. It was a mixture of strange emotions the ancient dragon had felt in a long while. Eruhaben couldn't tell when he had last felt so...iffy. It was like he was back being a young dragon, being very arrogant and aggressive. He wanted to destroy everything that was hindering Cale's way and beat everyone who dared cause Cale pain to a pulp.
"But you don't have to worry, Eruhaben-nim."
The ancient dragon looked up from the floor at the confident looking redhead. While he could see how weak and fragile Cale was...he was oddly strong. Not physically, but mentally. That was something Eruhaben could see in Cale's unbreakable gaze.
"But I do worry. What is this curse? I understand that these blood suckers are after you, but if they are after that special ability of yours, why should they curse you?"
There was a proud smile on Duke Fredo's expression all of a sudden which made the four-hundred years older dragon frown. Why was that 'Vampire Douchebag' looking at him like a proud parent seeing its child walk on two feel for the first time?
"Well, this is a different story. I'm not quite sure either, but I suppose it's just a part of their plan to catch me."
Eruhaben nodded his head. The ancient dragon was unable to forget the curse mark on the redhead's hand. Seven thin circles and in the smallest of them all was a crimson fingerprint, probably the fingerprint of the curse caster.
"But why should they curse you?"
Cale, in the end, was just as clueless as Eruhaben. Hence, he shrugged. That was the moment Duke Fredo chimed in on the conservation (finally).
"They're bad people who do bad things. I suppose they couldn't stand the thought of my dear son~ getting away and thus decided to at least cause him some pain, as a reminder."
The Vampire Duke shook his head in disdain before he continued.
"Furthermore, it serves more like a source of fear. This specific curse is like a magic bomb, it could go off any time the caster tells it to go off. And following that command, the cursed subject, in our case my dear son~ would suffer for seven days straight."
"Ah."
Eruhaben couldn't help but gasp. Duke Fredo was right. What he said all made sense. Of course it did. What other reason did those cursed blood suckers have to do such devilish deeds but to shake Cale and his people to the core. Of course, they didn't plan it half as well as they should and didn't consider variables such as Cale being oblivious to that "warning" and not getting scared of them at all.
Just annoyed. Yes, Cale got very annoyed.
"Is that the reason you sent everyone away, again? Tsk, you unlucky, foolish bastard."
Cale ignored the ancient dragon's words as he simply shrugged. That had been indeed the reason he had sent everyone away. There was no need for anyone – especially the children – to see such a bothersome sight such as Cale suffering in pain. Especially since it was something children weren't supposed to see anyways.
"I see."
The ancient dragon couldn't help but frown, even though he was saying it in a gentle voice. Cale Henituse, he was nothing like the rumors suggested. Not even an ounce of "trash" was in him. The ancient dragon, who wasn't aware of Cale's reputation besides what Choi Han had been calling him, couldn't help but dislike that ungrateful and uncivil title given to such an extraordinary individual.
~
"Oi thug!"
Choi Han looked up at the five-year old dragon flying next to him. For some reason – yet again – the young baby dragon looked upset. Choi Han could only sigh as he waited for – yet another – tantrum to start.
"You're walking in the wrong direction! Tsk, you can't do anything right! You're so stupid! Stupid thug! Such a stupid thug!"
Choi Han was a very patient person, even though one couldn't exactly tell from the outside. He also really liked Raon, even if the baby dragon didn't seem to be able to stand him at all. But listening to him complain the whole time... It was tiring and exhausting.
"Raon-nim, we're scouting, so we're supposed to cover every direction."
The five year old Raon clicked his tongue. While he looked really cute, that frown on his face and that angered expression in his eyes made him look vicious as well.
Back then when Choi Han had been on the mission with Cale, Raon didn't misbehave like that. Now that Choi Han was thinking about it, every time Raon was in the presence of Cale, he didn't insult the swordsmaster and just minded his own business. Yet, now that Cale was not here, the young dragon behaved just like his older brother. Actually, being teamed up with the young Raon was better than getting paired with the even more vicious and savage Dodam.
"I know what scouting is, you stupid thug!"
Choi Han let out a deep sigh as he looked around the forest on the mountain. He was currently on the Eastern Continent with the young Raon, the vicious Molan father-son duo and Dodam. Luckily, the five of them had split up into two teams yet again to search the area faster.
It all had just one reason: They were determined to search every location Cale had written down quickly so that they could return even quicker. Going back to Cale – to their home – was their top priority.
That was also the reason why Rosalyn, Lock, Bud, Glenn and the cat-tribe children were currently equally split up into two teams and searching every possible location for that so called 'end room' Cale was looking for.
Choi Han let out yet another deep sigh. It was their third location already, yet they still haven't found a trace of that space Cale was looking for rather desperately. Just as Choi Han was about to suggest checking out yet another location, as there was clearly nothing in these mountains, Raon's eyes widened and his vicious expression cleared, turning into a cheerful one.
"Oi you stupid thug! Can you see that space ahead?"
Choi Han chose to ignore Raon's insult to him yet again as he looked at the location the young dragon was pointing at. While he couldn't see anything special at first, he quickly realized what the five-year old dragon was pointing at.
There, carefully hidden behind the many trees, was a big door inside the mountain. The only reason the two of them were able to spot it, was because the door that guided inside the mountain was open, as someone was currently entering. And unsurprisingly enough, it was a dwarf.
They had successfully found the 'end room', just like Cale had told them to. While he said they would go scout for about a week, what reason did they have to continue to scout if they had already found what they were looking for?
A smile appeared on Choi Han's face as well, now that he was thinking about getting back to Cale.
"Raon-nim-"
"Tsk, I'm already on it you stupid Choi Han!"
The edges of Choi Han's lips quickly went up and down as soon as he heard Raon use his name instead of the insult "thug" to speak to him. Talking about progress.
Just as the young, five year old dragon had mentioned, he had already taken out a communication device and started contacting the others who had the same mission as them.
The first he contacted was naturally, his older brother, Dodam. It didn't take long for the thirteen-year old dragon in human form to accept the call. He looked extremely similar to Cale, though he looked a lot healthier than the pale, sickly human.
-Raon? Did that fucker do something?
Raon grinned as he shook his head.
"No! That stupid Choi Han was just scouting with me!"
Choi Han guessed that Raon wasn't as angry with him as he was before, now that he even used his real name while talking to his older brother Dodam, who practically hated him with a passion.
-Okay, why did you call then?
Raon proudly puffed his chest as his grin got wider.
"Guess! You can try three times!"
In the background it was visible, how both Ron and his son Beacrox smirked. It seemed like they already guesses what was going on. Dodam was also quick to realize, as he got it on his first try.
-You found it, didn't you?
Raon proudly nodded his head.
"Yes! Choi Han and I found what the human is looking for! Let's go back now!"
Dodam couldn't help but smile too, though his smile looked a lot more evil. Obviously he was thinking about something else than Raon.
-Good, you call Glenn, I'll contact that strange mage Rovelyn or whatever.
"It's Rosalyn! Her name is Rosalyn!"
Dodam let out a deep sigh as he nodded his head in agreement. He knew the name of that special mage very well but wouldn't ever admit it. He knew how much it actually meant to Raon if he appeared to be smarter than his older brother.
-Yes, Rosalyn. Thank you.
Raon nodded with his eyes shining brightly. Dodam couldn't help but smile at that.
-Okay, when you're done, let's just teleport back to Cale.
Raon nodded his head, excitement filling his body as he was finally able to see his favorite person again. After three whole days in which he couldn't see him it felt like a big relief!
"Okay!"
After that, Raon hung up and quickly called Glenn to inform him about their successful scouting mission. Both Bud and Glenn didn't wear their women disguise anymore and were back to their normal looks.
It naturally was quick, which meant that Raon could also quickly report back to the 'Hope and Adventure Loving Inn' in which Cale was currently staying at. It wasn't too long, that Dodam, Glenn and Rosalyn teleported their teams back too, and cluelessly the scouting team entered the oddly silent inn.
After, they would come to regret that decision, wishing they wouldn't have returned from the scouting mission just yet.