After parting ways with him, I speculated about the mysterious transcendent with the coal.

“Who could it be? To appear so boldly in the heart of the capital, are they fearless, or are they that confident in their abilities…?”

There were few transcendents. Because of that, news traveled quickly among them.

Unless they were reclusive beings living deep in the mountains, any transcendent who’s even slightly interested in humans would know that all attempts to conquer Mount Acheron had ended in failure.

At the very least, those weaker than Janet or the Fairy Queen had long since given up on the mountain.

“Moreover, why is it so quiet when there are at least two victims? Even if the bodies weren’t found, the victims’ acquaintances would have noticed their disappearance.”

“The victims are not humans.”

“What? How can you be so sure without even seeing them?”

“Did you see the bodies after dealing with the fairies? It’s not just fairies that don’t leave corpses.”

“Does that mean the transcendent has dealt with other transcendents hiding in the capital?”

“Probably.”

“Why?”

“I can’t say for sure, but many transcendents have unique ways of thinking. Perhaps they are more interested in you than in Mount Acheron. If that’s the case, they will contact you first, so it’s better to watch and wait rather than rashly seek them out and attack.”

I was worried, hearing that another transcendent had appeared just a few days after defeating the Fairy Queen. It was hard to rely solely on the male leads, especially since the Crown Prince was dragged away without any resistance.

‘He’s as useless as ever.’

I felt more reassured by Iscallion than by Pinion.

Of course, the most reassuring was Shahar. I had a reasonable suspicion that the Sun God sent Shahar to the mortal world because he found his descendants lacking.

“Whoever it is, let them come. As long as I have Shahar, I have nothing to worry about.”

I quickened my pace toward the mansion, determined to gift him the most splendid decoration.

For the first time, I felt grateful to the Sun God.

***

However, days passed, and the mysterious transcendent did not approach.

Perhaps it was all just drunken rambling.

‘If so, that’s good.’

While looking out over the darkened city, I heard the flapping of wings, and a small bat hung on the window sill.

“Master.”

The bat tapped on the glass with its wings.

When I opened the window, a cool breeze blew in, and a beautiful woman leaped into the bedroom.

“You look pale since I last saw you. Did something happen while I was asleep?”

“There were many things.”

I responded nonchalantly, pricking my finger to smear some blood on the iced tea stirrer.

It was obvious why Janet was being so affectionate.

Sure enough, she quickly snatched the stirrer and licked the blood off the end.

“Ugh, what did you eat today?”

“Butter garlic roast.”

“Ugh…!”

Janet gagged immediately.

I ignored her and handed her a gold-embossed card.

“You’re just in time. Take this.”

“Ugh… What is this?”

“My birthday party invitation. You are formally invited, so enter proudly through the front gate.”

Janet made a subtle expression at my words.

“Hmm. I appreciate it, but aren’t you inviting Roengreen too? I can’t be in the same place as him.”

“Do you think he will come? He’s a very busy person… If you don’t want it, forget it.”

“When did I say I didn’t want it?”

Janet quickly tucked the invitation into her pocket.

“Is that Ines or Hannes girl coming to this party too?”

“Probably?”

“She’s so arrogant for someone who still smells like milk. I’ll have to teach her a lesson if I see her, hehe.”

Janet hummed a tune, seemingly pleased just imagining it.

She looked excited, like any ordinary girl my age.

Remembering how she wandered the garden alone during the two parties I had met her at, unable to enter, made me feel a bit strange.

“Fine. As the main character, I must maintain my dignity, so you can prank her all you want.”

“Leave it to me, Master.”

Janet smiled with the most eager expression I had ever seen.

***

Sitting on the roof of an abandoned building, Janet lightly flicked the invitation between her index and middle fingers.

“Funny girl.”

A powerless human who couldn’t do anything without Shahar. Yet she fancied herself a master, trying to take care of Janet.

“Still, her stupidity makes things easier.”

Humans who made deals with demons generally fell into two categories.

The first were those so corrupt that even demons shook their heads, and the second were those desperate enough to sell their souls.

The former were exhausting, constantly fighting for dominance, and the latter were desperate to exploit their contractors and left a bad aftertaste.

But Lou Dronay was neither.

Young, naive, and easy to manipulate, she was surrounded by ignorant brutes, so Janet rarely had to step in.

Moreover, thanks to the contract, she didn’t have to hunt for prey, so she spent her days lounging around.

Janet liked her current, peaceful life, where she didn’t have to obey the orders of the old elders. She had come to wish for Lou’s long life.

“For that to happen, the Demon King mustn’t tire of the middle world… Hah, I must be getting old, worrying about a human.”

Janet chuckled.

But the next moment, her laughter vanished without a trace.

“I’m curious what’s so amusing, Janet.”

Janet looked up in shock at the man who had approached her without a sound. He was tall and thin, with the same pale skin and red eyes as her.

The man bent down and snatched the invitation from Janet’s hand.

“Your new master seems to cherish you quite a bit.”

He smiled.

But Janet’s stiff expression didn’t relax.

“M-my lord…”

“I wondered why you hadn’t returned, and here you are, playing the loyal dog for a human girl. I suppose your lowly origins can’t be helped?”

Janet quickly bowed before the man.

“I’m sorry, my lord. I didn’t expect such a big shot to be with that girl… But I’m not truly loyal to her. I only made the contract to get close to Lou Dronay! Give me a little more time, and I’ll complete the mission.”

“Yes, you must have been surprised. Who would have thought a mere human would have the King of the Underworld? Sending a half-wit like you was clearly my mistake.”

“Just give me one more chance…”

“Fine. I’ll give you three days to bring your master to me. Even someone as incompetent as you should manage that, right?”

“But, my lord. I have already made a contract with that girl. If she gets hurt, it will affect me too.”

“You speak as if I intend to harm your master. Don’t worry, I just want to make a deal.”

Despite following the man for a long time, Janet still couldn’t trust him.

The vampire lord was cruel and capricious. Lou was nothing more than a snack to him.

Even with the King of the Underworld by her side, it was uncertain how much power he could exert as a stone.

“What are you hesitating for, Janet? Don’t tell me you’ve developed genuine loyalty to that human girl?”

“No, no! It’s just…”

Janet’s lips trembled.

What was she trying to say? It was the perfect opportunity to get rid of that annoying girl with minimal cost. All she had to do was lure her to the man as usual.

‘You are formally invited, so enter proudly through the front gate.’

That one sentence gagged her.

Noticing this, the vampire lord sneered coldly.

“This is amusing. Let’s see how much your master cherishes you.”

“No, my lord! I’ll bring her!”

She cried out too late. His large, pale hand touched her earring. The earring glowed as if rejecting his touch.

“How cute.”

The man chuckled and forcibly ripped Janet’s earrings from her ears.

“M, my lord, aaagh…!”

A sharp scream pierced the night air.