Wizard

[Bomi]

Are you sure you can carry all that stuff? Why don't you lighten your bag?

[Wizard]

This one has a different color from Neon Mushrooms. Is it a new kind? I'd better pick it carefully...

[

Typical wizard... Could that be Jojo?

...? Are you a human?

Jojo? You're Jojo, right? Your colleagues are worried about you. Let's go back. You're not hurt, are you?

No, I'm not Jojo.

Do I look like a human?

Of course.

...

I'm... My name is Bomi. I'm sorry I'm not the person you're looking for.

Bomi? Wait, you're that Bomi?

Do you know me?

I didn't mean to be nosy. I had to know who it belonged to, so I could?

I threw it away.

Why did you throw it away? Why are you staying here?

Because I'm a monster. I belong here.

Because I'm a vampire.

What happened? You were a human.

I got betrayed by my best friend.

Most people try to make the most out of life because they know they can't live forever.

I was given a shorter time to live than most. Ever since I was born, I'd been told I'd never outlive my parents.

People desire what they don't have. I desired strength because I was too small and frail to live like others my age.

I became a wizard because I thought magic could compensate for my physical weakness.

I didn't realize a strong mind comes from a strong body, though...

Magic was exhausting to both my mind and my body. I reached my limits more quickly than I thought. But I wasn't upset. I thought I could remedy that.

Yes. Doing that, I felt more alive than ever. My burning desire for life made me who I was.

Then, one day, while I was here, I met an entity who was not human.

Bomi is gathering her thoughts. I should talk to her later.

So he promised. Then one day, some people came here looking for him, and they fought.

And the next thing I knew, I was turned. Dracula broke his promise.

I couldn't believe he turned me into a monster. I trusted him!

People in the outside world must think I skipped town. How long has it been since I left?

Sigh, maybe they all forgot about me, as if I never existed. That's what pains me the most.

I try to ignore my reality, but this ever-present hunger and thirst keep reminding me what kind of terrible monster I am.

If I go back to the outside world, I won't be able to stop myself from hurting people.

I studied pharmaceutical formulation to make up for my weak stamina with potions.

I drink fake blood that I make with the ingredients I can find here. I may look human enough, but I'm not. Not really.

I'm sorry I bored you with my story.

Not at all.

Adventurer, I don't want to impose on your kindness, but may I ask you a favor?

You shouldn't say that. What if I ask for your blood?

I was joking. I'm in the middle of collecting the fake blood ingredients, but right now I want to examine this mushroom. I've never seen it before. I want to check it while it's still fresh.

What kinds of ingredients do you need? I'll get them for you.

Thank you. I need 10 Sticky Bloods from Matte Drainliars and 10 Mushroom Saps from Neon Mushrooms. Thank you for doing this for me.

Here, I brought the things you asked.

Let's see...

This isn't enough.

Thank you.

How's the mushroom?

It turned out to be an ordinary, invaluable mushroom.

Matte Drainliars feed on the blood of the reanimated corpses in this place.

Did you get it? But their blood is highly toxic. So I use these mushrooms to detoxify it.

Like this!

But even their sap cannot completely remove the toxins in the blood. And when I ingest too much toxins...

Like alchemist, for example.

I didn't know I was talented at this. If I had enough time to live, I would've had many different experiences. I might have chosen a different path.

Oh, by the way, weren't you looking for someone? What did you say his name was? Juju?

I haven't seen any other humans around here, but if I do, I'll let him know you're looking for him.

I hope you'll find him soon. I'm not the only one here, you know. If you haven't found him, maybe he's?

Never mind. Good luck finding him. Maybe you should check the catacombs in the south.

Thank you. I'll see you.

You'd better hurry.

I hope you'll find your friend soon. Why don't you check the catacombs in the south? He might be there.

Stay away from me, and I won't hurt you.

[Marina]

One of us is missing. You hurt him, didn't you?

I've never hurt anyone, and I won't start now.

Even if you won't, we're not going to let you go! Your existence in itself goes against His will!

His will? God loves us all. Isn't that what you preach?

The dead belong in the ground, and you're one of them. What do you think you are?

...But... But I really didn't hurt anyone.

That doesn't guarantee you won't in the future.

[Gem]

Wait, Sister Marina. Calm yourself.

Why aren't we getting rid of her already? The dead shall return to the earth! Brother Antoine!

[King]

Argh, I can't believe you threw yourself in the middle of that! This is why I can't leave you alone!

...Dracula? Why?

There's another vampire! No wonder why this place felt so off it's filled with vampires!

Human, did you just call me a bat? How dare you?

Wait, Sister Marina. I said, calm yourself.

We have to act now. We've already incapacitated one out of the three.

But one of them doesn't want to fight. She wants to talk.

Who wants to talk? Because I don't! I'm not going to go down without a fight!

Grr, let me go! Enough is enough!

[Jojo]

Oh geez, how do you move so fast?

Everyone, calm the hell down!

Brother Jojo! You're safe!

Where were you? We couldn't find you, and we looked everywhere!

[Antoine]

It's true. His wounds are almost fully healed.

[Dracula]

Don't touch Bomi... She... I... We don't want to hurt anyone... She's taught me that...

Dracula! Dracula! Let me heal you!

I'm not going to let you do that!

Leave them be. They saved Jojo.

But they could be using him as bait!

Even if they try to attack us, there are more of us than them.

I agree with Sister Gem. Also, it's not an everyday opportunity that we can see vampires from this close.

You're Bomi, right? I read your notebook. What happened? What did these vampires do to you?

I relayed Bomi and Dracula's story to Nun Gem and the others.

So you're saying they really are innocent.

Dracula, hang on. Drink this.

Whose blood is that? You can't let him drink that!

It's not real blood! He needs it! Can't you see he's dying?

You're dead already!

Gosh, you're so stubborn. Feed him. I'll keep them at bay.

You're letting her feed him, that vampire? Sister Gem, have you forgotten your duty as our leader?

Marina, I don't care who they are. They saved me and asked for nothing in return.

I didn't understand why vampires would help humans, but now I know. Dracula learned from Bomi how to be more human.

He said he wanted to understand humans, so he could better understand her. And I think he's achieved his goal.

He helped me and expected nothing in return. Such a random act of kindness is a human trait, isn't it?

And you shouldn't help someone because of who they are. Marina, are you really going to let him die because he's not one of us?

That only applies to us humans. They're vampires!

Now I understand why Dracula was so distrustful of you humans. I thought he was being too picky.

Hey, you monk, over there. What do you think makes you human? What do you think makes a vampire a vampire? What if there's a vampire that's never hurt anyone in their life?

I'll get rid of them.

What if there's a human who did nothing but hurt others. What would you do about them?

I'll let justice decide their fate.

When I hunt, I treated all humans equally because I'm a vampire. That's my rule.

Their rule is to help anyone who needs help regardless of who they are. Simple, isn't it?

Mm... Bomi?

Did you... save me? I thought you wanted me to die.

No, and now I understand why you made that decision. You couldn't just let me die, could you?

Because I couldn't do it, either.

Brothers. Sisters. We need to talk.

Thank you, and I'm sorry.

I'm sorry I broke my promise. But even if I could go back in time, I would do it again.

I understand now why you did that.

Did you guys make up? Dracula, the worst is over. You just need to rest and regain your energy.

*Snort* You can't beat mushrooms, but you can save vampires.

Drac, let's go. I know you're not hurting anymore. We should really go back to our castle this time.

I'm going to stay.

What? No! You've made up with her. It's time to leave!

Please hear me out.

We know you haven't hurt anyone, and you want to keep it that way. And we appreciate you saved Brother Jojo.

But that doesn't change the fact that your existence in itself defies our god's will. We can't leave you alone.

Drac, they won't leave us alone. Let's just get rid of them!

Sister Gem, this is just a waste of time. They're going to kill us the first chance they get. Let's get rid of of them before they do!

Sisters, let me talk. Your tendency to jump to conclusions is not helping this situation.

We understand you don't want to hurt anyone.

But you're dangerous to others, whether you like it or not.

Why are you looking at me? I didn't do anything!

Now that we know you exist, we can't ignore you. I can, but these people here can't. Their church won't allow it.

We're not going to make any decision. Instead, we'll stay here with you.

So you can keep an eye on us. Drac, I can't take this anymore!

What? Drac! Stop acting like a human! We're proud, dignified vampires!

Let's go back. I'm tired. I want to sleep.

I'm not happy with this arrangement, Drac. I'm going back to our castle once you get better, got it?

So we've come to an agreement. We'll leave now.

You! I'm watching you! Better keep your coffin lid shut tight while you sleep!

I should leave too. Excuse me.

Argh! I don't ever want to see them again! Let's go!

Let's go.

Bomi, I'll see you when I get better.

Okay, go.

Thank you, Adventurer. Everything went well, and no one got hurt because of you.

I do.

I didn't know you when you were a human, but I don't think you were different from who you are now. You're still trying to protect what's important to you.

I think you're more human than anyone else I know. You also taught a vampire humanity.

...Thank you. I never imagined someone would say such kind words to me one day, but I've longed to hear them.

I couldn't get over the fact that I became a monster, but now I know better. I may not be a human anymore, but I'm still me.

I should go. It's time I report back.

Okay. Travel safely. And thank you for your help.

Didn't you say you have to report back? Go to the exit. I smelled your friends there.

Adventurer, thank you for trying to help me, but I don't want you to strain yourself. Why don't you rest for now?

You can come back after dawn.

I'm away right now. Please come back after dawn.

Adventurer, welcome back. Could you help me today as usual?

Bomi is away. She has left a note.

I need 10 Sticky Bloods from Matte Drainliars and 10 Mushroom Saps from Neon Mushrooms. You can get them if you hunt at least 5 Matte Drainliars and 5 Neon Mushrooms.

Thank you for your help.

Adventurer, did you report already? Do you have something else to do here?

If you're not busy, could you help me with something?

Oh, are you? I'm sorry. Maybe you could come back later? no, never mind.

As you know, I live on that fake blood that I make with the ingredients I find around here. I'm thinking I'll make some more for Dracula as well.

But since this fake blood is not pure, drinking it regularly causes your body to accumulate toxins, which drive you insane until they are completely purged from your system.

But maybe that only happens to me. I'm a new vampire, and I'm weak. Dracula has lived for a long time, and he's anything but weak.

Anyway, I need 10 Sticky Bloods from Matte Drainliars and 10 Mushroom Saps from Neon Mushrooms.

You can find them if you hunt at least 5 Matte Drainliars and 5 Neon Mushrooms.

Bomi is away. I'll just leave these here.

I think I forgot something.

Adventurer, did you forget what I asked? I need 10 Sticky Bloods from Matte Drainliars and 10 Mushroom Saps from Neon Mushrooms. Thank you.

Adventurer, thank you for bringing these to me.

By the way, I told you about the dangers of this fake blood. Remember? It leaves toxins in my system.

Right now, there are so many toxins in my body that I can feel like I'm turning into a monster.

I can't wait it out like I used to.

Not when there are people to worry about.

When I turn into a monster, I want you to stop me from hurting them. Please, help me.

Then please come back after dawn.

I ran out of the ingredients I had.

If I mix them like this and drink...

Oh, no! There is too many toxins in my body. It's getting dangerous!

If I drink this toxic blood about thirty times, I might turn? oh, never mind.