Earl Sindro

After scouring the game forums and obscure archives within the in-game codex, Dawei discovered many speculative theories—but few definitive answers. The NPCs often repeated a single phrase like a mantra: "The way forward must be discovered by the players." So, Dawei combined this cryptic hint with the vague details of his quest, filtering every possible clue to deduce a potential solution.

But in hindsight, that line of thinking was a bit too naive.

What he tried—tearing at a vampire with werewolf claws, using sunlight-enhanced attacks, holy water bombs—none of it worked. All those tricks that worked on ordinary vampires were completely useless in the Cursed Forest.

That was because Earl Sindellow was no ordinary vampire. He was a god-level boss, far beyond the reach of conventional logic or monster type counters. The usual mechanics didn't apply here.

Even knowing this, Dawei underestimated the gap. He thought that as a werewolf—cursed with primal power—he could at least inflict damage. But against Sindellow, he couldn't even break the surface. The werewolf's natural advantage against vampires did not mean they were on equal footing. Not even close.

The quest had entered a frustrating deadlock.

As another day passed and the full moon rose once more, Dawei made his decision. He would sneak into the Dark Castle. If there was any hope of uncovering Sindellow's weakness, it had to be found tonight. Missing this window meant waiting another full month.

There was risk, but Dawei calculated it. He had no intention of confronting the count head-on. With his transformation and agility, escape was still a very real option. Besides, there were rumors that even Sindellow had a degree of caution around werewolves. Dawei was betting that the Count wouldn't risk direct conflict unless provoked.

With few options and no alternate quests available, Dawei had no choice but to roll the dice. He logged into Mercenary World.

He stood just outside the towering gates of the Dark Castle, the full moon looming like an unblinking eye in the stormy night sky. A chill wind howled across the stone bridge leading into the frozen domain known only as the Hail World. Thunder cracked overhead.

A system prompt blinked sharply onto the screen.

Warning: High-Risk Zone Detected!

Then, like a klaxon:

System Alert: You have been discovered by [Vampire Count Sindellow]!

From behind the crystal wall at the end of the bridge, a tall figure shimmered into view. His body dispersed into smoke, gliding across the stone path as lightning arced around him. Then, the smoke condensed—materializing into a humanoid shape in front of Dawei.

A dark-golden name tag hovered above the figure, the hallmark of a ****-level boss.

[Vampire Count ▣ Sindellow]Race: Vampire (Blood Monster, Dark Creature, ???? Will)HP: ???Attack: ???Traits: Darkness • ??? • ??? • Lifedrain • Evil Will

His stat panel was riddled with question marks. The talents shown were only fragments—passive abilities with unknown synergy.

Dawei's heart thudded in his chest. This was the final boss. The true threat. And yet the game hadn't even hinted at the transformation trigger.

Sindellow was wrapped in a long black cloak that fluttered despite the absence of wind. His skin, pale as moonlight, looked almost translucent. His ruby-red eyes locked onto Dawei, who instinctively triggered his Werewolf Transformation. His beast form emerged, muscles bulging, claws gleaming.

But the count did not flinch.

"You killed Jugutra," the count said coldly. "You destroyed my laboratory and ruined my research. And now, you'll face the wrath of the Vampire Count."

His voice echoed across the Hail World, laced with unholy resonance. Every syllable seemed to make the storm above rumble louder.

"But you're not Montictu," the count continued, narrowing his eyes. "You're newly infected. A fresh bloodspawn... interesting."

Dawei froze. How did he know that?

System intel, he realized. Some hidden flag must've triggered upon entering.

"I was content to wait," Sindellow went on. "What is time to a being like me? But you... you couldn't help yourself, could you? Couldn't wait to gaze upon the face of your doom?"

Dawei didn't respond. What could he say? 'Yeah bro, I came to kill you'? That would be suicide.

"Montictu knew how to kill me," Sindellow said with a sneer. "But you? You have no idea. That makes you... amusing."

It was clear now—Sindellow saw through him the moment they met. The vampire's words, laced with arrogance and boredom, held a strange truth.

"I'm not afraid of your curse," the Count said as he held up a hand.

Lightning coiled down from the heavens—but didn't strike. It hovered, suspended in a neat orb above his palm.

Dawei's heart dropped.

He controls lightning?

So much for that old strategy about using light and thunder attacks. This vampire wasn't vulnerable to holy elements—he had mastered them.

"I draw my power from the origin—Cain himself," Sindellow whispered. "Your curse and mine… they share a root. That makes you immune to me, yes. But also useless."

It dawned on Dawei. His immunity to Sindellow's attacks wasn't a strength—it was a design limitation. The system deliberately made them immune to each other to prevent unbalanced PvP outcomes. Montictu must have had some unique advantage—a hidden mechanic or a god-tier relic.

"Still, you've caught my interest," the Count said, his voice turning honeyed. "I am on the cusp of ascension. My godhead is nearly complete. Soon I will transcend this realm. But you—you can serve me."

System Prompt:You are being Intimidated by [Vampire Count Sindellow]. All attributes -10%. Fear chance activated.

A pressure slammed into Dawei like a freight train. His knees buckled slightly. Every instinct screamed at him to flee—but his feet stayed rooted.

System Prompt:The Vampire Count is offering a pact.Do you accept Sindellow's recruitment?

Dawei's fingers hovered over the keys. The choice was real.

If he joined, he'd gain access to the hidden vampire faction. Maybe even transformation options, unique gear, dark spells. Who knew what rewards lay ahead?

But the cost?

He'd be siding with a monster on the verge of godhood. A being that made Jugutra look like a lab rat.

Still… Dawei grinned.

This wasn't failure.

It was a new path.

And if he played this right, maybe—just maybe—he'd find the real way to kill the unkillable.