Chapter 322

Vorbuk thought for a second that he heard the vampire sniff him while he took the glass. Lifting the glass towards himself he could see the vampire's smile. It made him feel uncomfortable. Something about it felt cold and eerie. What is Kaiser thinking?

Vorbuk brought the drink to his lips as he heard a familiar sound ringing in his ears. The drink that he swallowed had triggered a notification from the system.

[ WARNING! ]

[ Hazardous substance found in drink! ]

[ WARNING! ] [ Host may collapse unconscious! ] [ WARNING! ]

"You..." Vorbuk tried to speak. It was a fast acting drug as he instantly felt intoxicated. Everything was starting to spin before becoming hazy. His mind hurt from the sight of it all.

"Ah," Kaiser acted like he had recalled something, "That's right. You should really be more careful around strangers. Especially those inside of enemy territory."

Vorbuk could not understand why the vampire had acted against him so quickly, "Why would you do this? I do not recall ever harming you."

"That is correct." Kaiser replied as he watched Vorbuk struggle to remain upright where he sat, "You have done nothing. I told you, right? I enjoy collecting rarities and trade in them."

"I am not some rare object you can trade as you please.." Vorbuk struggled to remain awake as he spoke to Kaiser with a deep growl in his throat.

Am I being treated as an object by this vampire? Vorbuk thought.

BANG!

Vorbuk hand slammed flat against the table as he tried to remain conscious. His body was jerking a bit as he fought against the drug. Other guests pretended to not notice his situation and went about their activities as usual. Nobody in Maroon Inn would interfere in Kaiser's business.

"I do regret this. I can smell your mana... Shadow beast, right? You'd make a nice piece for my collection. Regretful to say but there are some who even I fear betraying." Kaiser enjoyed rare things.

His senses were heightened compared to average mortals. Able to smell the difference in Vorbuk's scent. It was noticeable for him to recognize that Vorbuk was not some simple werewolf. Even if their scents were similar, he was able to realize the difference. Recognizing the beast as his target.

"I will kill you." Vorbuk glared at Kaiser with what little strength he could maintain. It was taking almost everything he had to keep himself sober and maintain his human form in front of everyone.

Kaiser smiled and leaned towards Vorbuk as he whispered, "Are you sure you should be wasting time here with me? Looking really tired there."

Unable to deny the words of the vampire he could only stand up. Vorbuk turned towards the nearest exit he could find.

A door! Vorbuk thought when he saw it. That is the only way to escape before being caught as a beast by the other guests. He was not sure how much longer he could keep himself awake. He had to escape quickly.

Unsure of where the door would lead to he could only take his chances with it. Rushing for the door he bumped into a few guests. Their rude comments to him as he stumbled by could vaguely be heard. He could even feel the gaze of Kaiser on him from behind as he left.

SLAM!

Vorbuk flung the door open and entered the room on the other side. Where did the door lead? Looking around he tried to get his understanding on where he had gone.

The first thing he noticed was the dim lighting. Making it more difficult to see where he was going. His eyes quickly adjusted to reveal the hanging lights from the ceiling that lead the way for him. Walking down a long, deep, stairway.

Going deep under the Maroon Inn in haste, Vorbuk soon arrived at the bottom. He could hear Kaiser's cold voice calling him from behind, "Where do you intend to run? You can not escape me."

"H..Help.." "Urgh.."

Sounds of quiet groans could be heard. All around him as he continued to run were rows of cells. Various mortals were chained behind bars. They were half starved and had eyes that seemed dead inside already. What is this?

That was when Vorbuk noticed it. Those mortals were not just prisoners or slaves. Looking around as he ran he noticed vampires inside the cells as well. Vampires were not prisoners as they were feeding on them. He was running through the Maroon Inn's blood source.

Some of the mortals in the cells were being used as live food for vampires to feed directly. The rest were kept fed and alive to use as a consistent source of blood. Blood would be drained from them and served in delicate glasses. It would be treated as preciously as a rare wine to the guests.

A few would let out an occasional word for help out of the terror they felt inside. Those who did not were already broken. It was the ones who lost the will to care what happened to themselves any further. Most were prepared and awaited death. They knew they were kept alive only as a source of food for the vampire race inside Drethia Kingdom.

Clang!

Vorbuk collapsed against a cell's iron bars. It made his ears ring a bit. His breathing was becoming heavy as he fought to keep himself moving. Sweat was dripping from his forehead.

Clannnng!

The iron bars of the cell rang as a playing card planted itself into it. He got the shivers knowing that Kaiser had just thrown the card. Kaiser had no intent to kill Vorbuk so he had simply thrown the card as a tactic to scare him. Vorbuk's face paled at the sight of the card that was inches from his face.

Taking a few more steps Vorbuk collapsed on his knees on the floor. Palms of his hands were flat on the ground in front of him as he leaned forward breathing deeply. It felt like his heart was pounding hard against his chest.

Kaiser stepped up to Vorbuk and smiled down at him, "Stop fighting it. You wont be able to beat the drug I put in that drink."

"Do you really think I am just some animal you can capture?" Vorbuk growled through his teeth as he spoke back up to Kaiser.

"Yes." Kaiser replied flatly and honestly. He knew that Vorbuk was just a companion beast. Not only that but he was a rare one. The shadow beasts had been extinct for a long time. Smelling that rare mana coming from this beast made his heart race with excitement.

Such a rare beast indeed! Kaiser chuckled at the thought.

With a bit of regret Kaiser added, "However I am not the one who wants you. Consider me the middle man."

Ashley! Damn... Vorbuk wished the vampire was close by to help him. However Ashley had been kept outside to watch over Elas who they were keeping captive. The one time that vampire is somewhere else and this happened.

"Kek!" Vorbuk landed on his side hard as Kaiser's foot slammed against his shoulder.

With a growl Vorbuk forced himself to try and climb back up to his feet. He could see the humorous look in Kaiser's eyes. The vampire looked at Vorbuk like he was watching a mouse. It felt like a game of cat and mouse between the two of them. Vorbuk had become the prey in the eyes of this vampire, Kaiser.