"You're so cute, but why say such scary things?"
Taking advantage of the girl's momentary distraction, Li Ming reached out and pinched her adorable cheeks. The texture was surprisingly pleasant.
"Little one, do you know where I can find something to eat? I'm starving."
The girl glanced at Li Ming expressionlessly and, without a word, led him to the kitchen. Inside, ingredients of all kinds were neatly arranged—fresh bread, cakes, fruits, as well as raw meat and vegetables, mostly seafood.
"Thank you." Li Ming grabbed a few fruits and began devouring them. As he ate, he surveyed the eerie surroundings and asked, "By the way, where are the adults in your family?"
Isabella simply watched him eat with an indifferent gaze, offering no reply.
"Isabella, what are you doing here?" An untimely voice interrupted. The speaker was a dark-skinned young woman whose curvaceous figure was barely contained by her maid outfit.
"Clar."
Isabella responded flatly, then pointed at Li Ming, who was still eating.
Following her gesture, Clar noticed Li Ming. A flicker of greed flashed in her eyes, but she quickly suppressed it, her expression turning cold.
"Lowly human, how did you escape from the underground?" she sneered. "I suggest you return to where you belong. If the masters see you, you'll wish for death."
Her tone dripped with disdain, as though she were looking at a piece of meat destined for digestion. The frustration of being unable to partake made her inwardly resentful.
Li Ming observed the newcomer. Despite her dark skin, her every movement exuded elegance—though the way she looked at him was filled with contempt, as if he were an ant she could crush at any moment.
Though called a "lowly human," Li Ming felt no anger. Perhaps years of workplace abuse had numbed him.
"You... should go back underground," Isabella said quietly, as if unwilling to witness Li Ming's torment.
Clar didn't bother with further words. After all, what was there to say to food? She simply signaled for Li Ming to follow her.
Li Ming, still confused, obeyed—mostly because he hoped she might lead him to other normal humans.
Clar guided him through winding corridors and dimly lit passageways before stopping at a locked door. Seeing the lock intact, she frowned.
"How did you get out?"
"I don't know. I woke up outside."
Clar gave him a sidelong glance, her expression unreadable. She didn't seem to believe him, but what did it matter? Arguing with food was pointless.
She led Li Ming to the basement, where about ten people were held. Every one of them was strikingly attractive, the oldest appearing no more than twenty-three, the youngest a red-haired boy around nine.
The basement was better than expected—resembling an underground hotel, with private rooms for each person and shared spaces like a central lounge with entertainment facilities.
After escorting Li Ming inside, Clar inspected the area, searching for any breaches in the walls. Finding none, she left, though her puzzlement lingered.
"Are you new here?" The youngest boy approached curiously, flipping a gold coin in his hand. "I'm Will, the youngest prince of the Rossa Kingdom. We've got a genius mage, an elf, a swordsman, and even a bard here. What about you?"
"I'm Li Ming, just an ordinary guy. No idea how I ended up here."
Will studied him, then nodded knowingly. "Then you were probably captured by Duchess Asevaria. The handsome bard next door, Karan, was brought here the same way—no warning, just snatched."
"Though he's way better-looking and cleaner than you," Will added bluntly.
"Who's Duchess Asevaria?"
"You don't know Duchess Asevaria?!" Will looked shocked. "She's one of the most powerful archmages in Roland Continent—and a vampire progenitor. How can you not know her? Are you even from this world?"
Li Ming considered explaining he wasn't from this world, but revealing too much could be dangerous.
"Why is she crying?" Li Ming pointed to a room where a green-robed, pointy-eared beauty sat. Her emerald hair was neatly combed, her forehead flawless save for a delicate vertical mark between her brows.
Will followed his gaze and sighed. "She's an elf from the Rossa Forest. One of today's chosen 'blessed' offerings."
Seeing Li Ming's confusion, he continued, "The 'blessing' means being sacrificed to the vampires. Every so often, Duchess Asevaria holds a banquet. And the main course? Us."
Li Ming's eyes widened. "Sacrifices? But you're a prince! Why would you be food?"
"Princes and princesses of human kingdoms have no rights. Humans are the lowest race on this continent," Will said bitterly, sounding far older than his years.
"Our kingdom offers a royal family member to the Duchess every five years in exchange for her protection. Without her, Rossa—the last human kingdom—wouldn't survive." His voice was heavy with resignation.
"Has no one tried to escape?"
"Escaping might be worse. We're deep in the Norton Sea, surrounded by monstrous sea creatures. Even if we got past them, traveling hundreds of thousands of kilometers back to Rossa is impossible. Compared to that, the vampires are almost merciful. Their venom kills painlessly."
Li Ming rubbed his temples. This world seemed brutally hostile to humans.
Just as he was pondering his next move, the door creaked open.
Clar strode in, her face icy, followed by several robed figures—clearly vampires, though far weaker than her.
With a casual wave, she signaled for prisoners to be taken.
Finally, her gaze lingered on Li Ming and Will before she pointed at them.
Five were chosen in total.
To Li Ming's surprise, Will showed no fear—only a quiet acceptance. The nine-year-old prince was eerily composed.
Li Ming, however, panicked. "Wait, I just got here!"
Ignoring him, the vampires began chanting.
The world blurred.
When his vision cleared, Li Ming found himself on a stage alongside Will, the green-haired elf, and twin beauties—all trapped in glass containers.
Below them, a sea of masked figures partied wildly.
Though their eyes were hidden, the crimson glow beneath their masks was unmistakable.
None of them were human.
One licked his lips, revealing sharp fangs.