IWTRAE Chapter 102

 

 

#Episode 102

 

 

Todd muttered curses under his breath, trying to convince himself.

 

‘You have to give up what needs to be given up quickly. That’s the only way to survive…’

 

Laurus was no different—completely dazed. In his current state, he was of no help at all; in fact, he was nothing but a burden.

 

Some might think that since Laurus was a follower of Lucy, she might spare him. But such an idea was nothing more than the naive fantasy of someone who knew nothing about vampires.

 

Lucy had acknowledged Laurus as her follower when he was still young. But now?

 

Time had passed, bringing hardships that could not be avoided. Those years had left their mark on Laurus.

 

Considering the nature of vampires, who are drawn to beauty, Lucy might even kill Laurus herself—disgusted by the idea that her past memories were being tainted by his aged appearance.

 

‘That means there’s actually a higher chance of escape now, while Lucy doesn’t recognize Laurus.”

 

And Todd himself was a Van Drake. He had to slip away unnoticed. Now was the perfect moment—before the vampires’ senses reached the back of the auction house.

 

‘A follower losing his mind upon meeting his master… Do you think anyone will commend me if I force him to leave? He’d probably rather die than be dragged away.’

 

It was best for Todd to get himself out of there.

 

At that moment, an image flashed in his mind—Laurus, lifting the paddle toward Wilhelmina’s remains.

 

“Damn it…”

 

Muttering a curse, Todd squeezed his eyes shut. There was no time to hesitate. He immediately shouted toward Laurus.

 

“We don’t have time for this! We need to get out, now!”

 

But Todd’s voice was drowned out by the shouts of people and the crashing of breaking glass. His words never reached Laurus.

 

“Lady Lucy… Is it really you? Has God truly granted this old man’s wish?”

 

Amidst the chaos, Laurus remained entranced, fixated solely on Lucy, whispering to himself. He even seemed to be thanking God for allowing him to meet a vampire.

 

It was clear—he had completely lost his mind.

 

‘So, talking won’t work, huh?’

 

Todd immediately resorted to force.

 

“Ugh? Let go of me! Lady Lucy is right there!”

 

As Todd grabbed Laurus, attempting to drag him away, the old man resisted fiercely.

 

Despite his haggard appearance, Laurus wasn’t physically weak. His frame was still sturdy, and with a cane in hand, he put up a surprisingly formidable struggle.

 

However, to Todd—far from an ordinary child—it was nothing more than an old man throwing a tantrum. Without much difficulty, he subdued Laurus.

 

“Let me go to Lady Lucy! Lady Lucy! Your loyal servant, Laurus Renfield, is here… Mmph! Mmm!”

 

“Why don’t you just go ahead and announce it to the whole world, huh?”

 

Todd clamped his hand over Laurus’s mouth, clicking his tongue. How could the old man blurt out such dangerous words so carelessly?

 

Good thing no one heard him in all this chaos… Not that it really matters. I wonder how many people here will even survive.

 

The composed, enigmatic man Laurus had once been was nowhere to be seen. What remained was a desperate, frenzied wreck.

 

But it was only natural. A devoted follower meeting their master after decades—it would be strange if they didn’t lose themselves completely.

 

Todd had expected resistance the moment he decided to take Laurus with him. He yanked the struggling old man away.

 

To any onlookers, it might have seemed like an act of cruelty. But what did that matter? No one was paying attention. And even if they were, they wouldn’t live long enough to care.

 

Ignoring Laurus’s resistance, Todd pressed forward without hesitation. He had already secured an escape route upon arriving at the auction house, so his steps remained steady, unwavering.

 

***

 

Meanwhile, the vampires watched from the ceiling, observing the near-riot below. The sight of humans running in a frenzy—like panicked sheep herded from one corner to another—made their mouths water.

 

Just as the fear in the air reached its peak, one vampire, dressed in the most lavish attire and exuding an air of refined grace, leaped onto a chandelier.

 

His golden hair flowed in the dim light, resembling a shooting star crashing into the auction house.

 

As he landed, the massive chandelier swayed violently under his weight.

 

Creak. Creak.

 

The metal fastenings strained, on the verge of snapping.

 

Then, he struck.

 

With a single slash of his dagger, he severed the chandelier’s chain.

 

The enormous fixture plummeted.

 

CRASH!

 

Shards of glass and twisted metal rained down as the chandelier shattered upon impact with the auction stage.

 

Lucy alone avoided the destruction, stepping aside while holding onto Laurus’s portrait.

 

But the auctioneer, the guards, and even the event’s host—none were spared. Their screams were cut short as they were crushed beneath the falling debris.

 

Drip. Drip.

 

Thick, abundant blood seeped from the stage, spilling over into the lower seating area.

 

A tidal wave of dust surged through the room, blinding those who remained.

 

“What the hell?! What just happened?!”

 

The survivors, already desperate to flee, had no idea what had just occurred. The deafening crash and the thick, choking smoke sent fresh waves of terror through them.

 

Strangely, instead of dissipating, the fog only grew denser, further obscuring the surroundings.

 

A normal human would not have survived the impact of falling alongside the massive chandelier.

 

Yet, the man now standing below remained unscathed. His clothes were immaculate—not a speck of dust on him.

 

His face, pale as marble, was eerily flawless. But his deep red eyes burned like molten lava, and his golden hair, reminiscent of dawn’s first light, glowed in the murky haze.

 

Gazing down at the auction house, he looked like a fallen angel sent to judge humanity’s sins.

 

But his nature was far from divine.

 

He was a seed of evil, clawing his way up from a place darker and filthier than hell itself—a corrupt and decayed soul. His sharp fangs, visible beneath crimson lips, proved as much.

 

As he stepped down from the wreckage of the chandelier, blood clung to his shoes, peeling away with a sickening squelch.

 

He inhaled deeply, savoring the scent as if it were the finest wine. Then, spreading his arms wide within the thick fog, he declared:

 

“At last, the time has come to reap our long-awaited reward! The hunger ends now—enjoy the feast!”

 

At his proclamation, the vampires perched on the ceiling began dropping into the opera house one by one.

 

And then, the screams began.

 

“Guhh—!”

 

“H-He bit my neck!”

 

“Vampires…!”

 

“There are vampires here!”

 

The mist may have obscured their sight, but it could not silence their cries. As the horrifying reality sank in, panic took hold.

 

A mere thief attempting to steal valuables was nothing compared to a vampire stealing one’s very life.

 

“Help! Someone, please!”

 

Desperation turned the crowd into a frenzied mob. People shoved past one another without hesitation, trampling anyone who fell. Injuries piled up in the chaos.

 

“There’s someone underneath—wait, please!”

 

“Darling!”

 

The sounds of bodies crushed underfoot.

 

The sounds of blood being drained.

 

“Hm, hmm, hmmm.”

 

Arms outstretched like a maestro conducting a grand orchestra, the golden-haired man hummed, relishing the chorus of screams and the thick scent of blood saturating the air.

 

Meanwhile, those who had somehow reached the entrance—their only hope for escape—grasped at the doors in desperation.

 

“What the—?! Why won’t it open?!”

 

No matter how hard they pushed or pulled, the doors refused to budge. As if an unseen force had sealed them shut.

 

Their resistance was meaningless.

 

All they had done was delay their turn in the slaughter.

 

Like pigs corralled into a pen, the survivors were trapped—waiting for the inevitable.

 

Watching them with a satisfied smile, the golden-haired vampire flicked his fingers.

 

In an instant, countless strands of crimson thread stretched through the thick mist.

 

A tracking spell—[Pursuit of the Puppet].