Outside the labyrinth-
“…!”
While was standing in front of the hole that Dohyuk made, Jung Ilhu turned toward a certain direction.
‘Something’s there.’
He heard the sound things clashing against each other.
‘It’s far from here. Somewhere deep inside…’
It was probably related to Dohyuk. When he leaned in a bit to hear better, he didn’t go too close to the hole. There was no reason to take the risk.
‘It’s probably sound of him getting beat up,’ Jung Ilhu thought. It was Ilgyu’s idea to hide his collections in the Vampiric Region in the first place. Ilhu was a loyal servant of Vampire God Vehume, even in the previous life. As Jung Ilhu searched his region to find a place to store a ‘treasure box’ for Ilgyu’s collection, he came across the labyrinth. It was a mysterious place where even Vehume’s power could not reach.
Ilhu became curious, and he decided to send some of his best fighters to check it out. Yet no one came back alive. They were either found dead or they were never found at all. After wasting some of his fighters and slaves, all Ilhu knew was that the top floor of the structure was one of the only safe places in the region.
If he was in a position to make decisions, he would never hide his collection in that place. But the decision Ilgyu’s to make and the Tyrant did not care about such ‘petty dangers’.
– I like the place. Put my stuff there and protect it.
‘How can I not obey? Dammit.’
Jung Ilgyu was more terrifying than the labyrinth itself to most and it was the same for Jung Ilhu. Ilhu was then stationed on the topmost floor of the labyrinth. He did not dare to venture down, even when there was a chance for him to find something great. Like the others, he too valued his life.
“Four Circle!”
A voice came from the top. It was one of his fighters. All of them had climbed up the labyrinth to search.
“We found the entrance!”
The labyrinth that was now above ground was as tall as it was wide. The entrance Ilhu used to use was now located at the top of the structure. It also meant…
‘That fool went into the deepest part.’
The deepest part no one could get to without being killed. To be honest, Jung Ilhu wanted to follow after Dohyuk at this moment. Dohyuk killed him once and Ilhu wanted to settle things once and for all.
‘And it doesn’t feel good.’
Yoo Dohyuk didn’t just kill him in the previous life.
Jung Ilgyu.
He was the man who Ilhu feared the most. The beast who seemed unbeatable lost to Dohyuk’s hands. If he found something inside and returned as a stronger version of himself…
‘No way,’ Ilhu shook his head.
“NO WAY, DAMMIT!”
He continued shouting to himself, “I even fought him! That bastard is nothing! He won’t come back alive, and even if he does, he can’t get something that’s too good with his strength.”
What he needed to do was simple: go into the labyrinth through the top entrance, and reclaim Ilgyu’s collection. And when that was done, he would go to the beach to prepare for the ‘migration’ in two days.
“Yeah. I can’t risk having issues with brother…”
-There are better ways than mumbling to yourself, boy.
“…!”
Ilhu crouched at the sudden voice. He knew who it was. How could he not know? It was the one who owned half his spirit and body. It was the Vampire God Vehume, speaking directly to him.
-Why are you afraid of such a weakling?
“I… am not afraid, my master!”
However, Ilhu’s voice made it seem like wasn’t so sure. He knew the reason for his hesitation.
-Then it is simple. Follow him inside the labyrinth. If you kill him before he does anything, there is nothing to be worried about.
Yes. His master was correct. Jung Ilhu was afraid. He was afraid that Yoo Dohyuk had gotten a chance to become stronger at this moment. And as if the god was aware of all this-
-OH! I see. You are not afraid of him at all.
God Vehume baited him instead.
-You know you can beat him, but you are afraid of the labyrinth. Isn’t that right? You are not sure what that crude structure is hiding.
“Y-YES! That is right, Master! I thought maybe it was your doing with that structure…”
It was a petty excuse, but there was no other way. Vehume rarely spoke to his followers and he never forgave any sign of weaknesses during these discussions. But-
-Don’t worry, my boy.
His answer was reassuring.
-I know what’s inside is too much for you to handle. That is why I’m giving you a chance. A chance given to my boy, whom I think highly of, to overcome your own fears.
Jung Ilhu couldn’t believe it. He was considered the most valuable one out of all of Vehume’s followers.
-I will help you. You will be the one to walk down, but I will hold your hand so you will not fall. And when you learn how to overcome your fear and enter the final stretcn…
What came next was enough to deeply touch Jung Ilhu.
-I will help you overcome your greatest fear of all. You know what I mean, right?
“Jung… Ilgyu…”
-Right.
Vehume’s whisper swept through Jung Ilhu. It was very inefficient for a god to control powerful beings like Jung Ilhu. That only worked best when it was used on weak ones so they could be used and disposed of. The most effective combination was when the follower and the god’s desire was the same, and the follower obeyed to their god wholeheartedly.
When it was achieved, the god would be allowed to use their faith on the follower. However, gods also were cunning enough to play with people’s minds without even controlling.
-Then you must know what you need to do first.
“Yes, my master.”
Ilhu nodded and looked up. A few of his followers who met his eyes flinched. Until then, they did not realize that Ilhu was watching them with the desire to kill. No…
-You must drink before you go engage in a fight.
It was the desire to drink their blood.