Several black cars pulled up in front of a massive corporate building, their engines coming to a stop one after another.
The building towered over the surrounding streets, its glass walls reflecting the afternoon sunlight.
The doors of the middle car opened.
The CEO stepped out, followed closely by his Head of Security.
"Sir, I don't believe it's safe for you to be out in the open right now. Haven't you heard what happened to the rival organization?" the Head of Security asked.
"That's exactly why I should be in public," the CEO replied.
"What do you mean?"
"A rival company just disappeared out of the blue. I can monopolize the market now, and that sucker had it coming anyway. It was most likely Divine Visionary Val Hellsing or a Sorcerer Supreme."
"Sir, you're quite off," the Head of Security said as he pulled out a tablet.
"It's stated here that Dracula and the Right Horn, Varin, were the culprits."
The CEO frowned.
"That's strange."
They both entered the elevator.
"After rising back from the dead, he goes and kills him and his son?"
"Maybe he did something in the past to offend the King," the Head of Security replied.
"No. The bastard isn't that old."
"Maybe it was an ancestor."
"Hmm… Maybe." The CEO shrugged. "I really don't care. My slate is clean. There's no way Dracula could be in my office."
Inside the CEO's office, Dracula sat comfortably with three empty bottles by his leg.
Rebecca continued pouring drinks for him.
"Did that secretary lie to me?" Varin muttered as he stared at the clock on the wall.
Diana nervously played with her dress as she glanced at Dracula.
He's still avoiding me… and he's drinking too much.
"Diana," Varin called, drawing her attention.
"Focus, love. He'll be fine. You should focus on yourself and try to close this deal without our help."
He looked at her seriously.
"The fate of those children at the orphanage—and the future of Sanguinastra—rests in your hands."
Diana took a deep breath.
Varin is right.
I need to focus on what's important right now.
The elevator doors slid open.
The CEO and his Head of Security stepped out.
They both froze.
Dracula, Varin, Diana, and Rebecca were already sitting inside his office.
Who are these fuckers in my office?
"Were you expecting them, sir?" the Head of Security asked.
"Not at all. Call reinforcements to chase them out. And tell the secretary she's fired."
The Head of Security quickly pulled out his phone and typed a message before slipping it back into his pocket.
He took a step forward.
Then he froze.
His entire body began to tremble.
"S-S-Sir… I believe we're in the presence of the Vampire King… and his Right Horn."
"What kind of paranoia are you going through?" the CEO asked.
The Head of Security silently handed him the tablet.
The CEO looked at the screen.
His expression immediately froze.
He slowly lowered the tablet.
"Sigh…"
He rubbed his forehead.
"I just had to jinx myself."
Diana got up from her seat and walked toward the CEO, extending her hand.
The Head of Security immediately stepped in front of Monroe to protect him.
"Good day, sir. My name is Diana Morvain. We've been waiting all day for you. We have quite a lot to discuss."
Monroe stared at her for a moment before glancing at Dracula and Varin.
It feels like there's a guillotine around my neck, and it could chop my head off the moment I say the wrong thing.
Running away wouldn't even help.
He slowly extended his hand, and they shook.
"Call me Mr. Monroe." He forced a smile.
I just have to play along.
"Sorry, but who are you? Have we met somewhere before?" he asked.
"Oh, not at all. It's just the mask," Diana explained as she removed it.
Oh… Is that how they were able to move around without being spotted? Neat trick.
Monroe pointed toward the chairs.
"Let's sit down. It seems whatever you want to discuss is of great importance."
They both sat down.
"What do I owe this visit?"
"It's about the future of Sanguinastra and its people," Diana replied.
Monroe's expression darkened.
"Oh…" He paused. "Would you like coffee, tea, or tequila?"
"Water will do."
Monroe turned toward his Head of Security.
"Bring out the crate of bottled water from the cupboard."
The Head of Security nodded and went to retrieve it.
"I knew this day would come sooner or later," Monroe said. "Look, Miss Diana, if the Elders are now working with the Auravine Council to force vampires to be deported back to that hellhole called Sanguinastra, I promise you, vampires across all the realms—including myself—would rather slit our own throats right now."
Varin and Dracula glanced at him.
Just a moment ago, he was fidgeting over the fear of dying.
"What?" Diana was too stunned to speak.
"Why would you think I would be here alongside the Vampire King and his Horn just to obey the orders of those bastard Elders?" Diana asked, her voice filled with rage.
Monroe's expression softened.
"That's valid. So what are you here for?"
"Very soon, the Elders will be killed."
"Wait…" Monroe stared at her in shock. "Were you part of the revolution?"
"Ummm… No. But Rebecca over there and my late brother were. And I'm going to complete his mission."
Monroe leaned back in his chair.
Something told me the revolution was involved in Dracula's return… but it's amazing to finally confirm the rumors.
"I'm guessing you grew up in Sanguinastra, Miss Diana."
"Yes, I did."
"So you know just how ambitious and hungry those vampires are for even a speck of power. And now you want to dethrone the current power, leaving the position vacant."
He leaned forward.
"I can already see the wars and bloodshed it will cause. How do you plan to deal with the consequences of your quest for vengeance?"
"That's why we're here. After the Elders are dead, Dracula will immediately assume authority alongside the Horns."
Diana looked directly at him.
"Vampires are ambitious and hungry, but we're not stupid."
"So where is my help needed? Because I know you're not here for my power."
The elevator doors opened.
Several vampires and humans wearing special-ops suits rushed out.
Monroe raised an arm.
"Stand down, you fuckers. Is this when I called for your aid?"
The soldiers immediately stopped.
Diana continued.
"You don't have physical power, but you have financial power. You're a billionaire climbing toward trillionaire status, and now the richest vampire on Earth."
She paused.
"You're what we need."
"I envision a Sanguinastra that's just like Earth. A civilization that can flourish."
Monroe stared at her.
"It seems you haven't been given the opportunity to travel to other planets on Eryndor or across the other realms."
"There's so much more beauty out there than Earth."
"But that's a start," Diana replied.
Monroe turned his attention toward Dracula.
"Hmm… But I can't wrap my head around why you would agree to something like this. There doesn't seem to be anything in it for you."
"There isn't," Dracula replied.
"So why?"
Dracula remained silent for a moment.
"I've never thought about it before."
He took a sip from his cup.
"But let's call it a sense of responsibility long overdue."
"You're joking, right?"
Monroe suddenly began to laugh.
"You, of all people, have a sense of responsibility?"
Dracula slowly turned his gaze toward Monroe.
"Did I make a joke, boy?"
His voice was completely disconnected from the situation.
The air became heavy.
Monroe immediately broke out in a sweat.
A thin drop of blood trickled from his neck.
"No, sir."
"Good."
Dracula looked away.
"Now shut up and focus on the woman in front of you."
One of the human soldiers shoved Rebecca aside and pointed a gun at Dracula.
"Who do you think you are to talk to the boss like that?"
"What are you doi—"
In an instant, his body exploded.
Blood splattered across the floor.
Varin sighed.
"Ignorance is bliss."
Dracula looked down at his cup.
A single drop of blood had landed inside it.
He stared at it for a moment before throwing the cup onto the pool of blood.
"I need a new cup."