Scary Master

John cared for Kai's wounds. "There is a very good doctor around here. I got some good ointment from him. I'm sure your wounds will heal quickly."

Kai gulped. Was the doctor in question the same one who treated him yesterday? Should he just go back to that doctor? But Kai decided against it. The thought of being beaten for running away made his body tremble.

"Master Vlad is very impatient. You have to behave yourself and be careful. His moods change quickly," John said while applying the ointment to some of Kai's wounds.

Kai braced himself for the same pain as yesterday. However, this time the ointment was only slightly hot and sore, not as severe. He listened as John continued talking about Vlad.

"I can only warn you. Many slaves came, but not all survived," John said. Kai was confused. Where did they disappear to?

From John's story, he learned that Vlad's mansion was not a slave camp. It was the man's private estate. He was amazed that a human could own such a large house. If he could make Vlad happy, could he stay?

How cruel was that man? Was he worse than the Omino trainers?

Kai was startled when he felt a cold object on his neck. John fastened an iron collar around his neck, attaching it to a long chain that dangled on the floor.

He immediately looked up at John, his eyes wide with fear. In Omino, chains symbolized punishment. What had he done wrong? He hadn't even done anything yet.

John calmed him down. "You just came at the wrong time. But given your attitude, I'm sure Master will like you. You must wear this collar. At night, Obi will tie this chain to the foot of the bed. You'll have to get used to it."

Kai gulped. His chest pounded wildly. What was he about to face?

He followed the steps out of his room to another majestic-looking but eerie building. His bare feet felt the cool grass rub against his soles with every step.

After crossing the garden, he saw the building where his room was located. In the corner, he noticed Gim's shirtless figure pouring wood into a furnace. The wounds on his back were still red. Kai quickly looked away, afraid Gim would see him and get angry.

John was very patient waiting for Kai to walk. "Since when have you been limping?" he asked.

Kai tried to remember. It had been so long. He remembered he was sick with a fever and came late when called. He was taken to the discipline room—because every minute late was a big deal.

"S-since I was a child, Master."

Kai shuddered, remembering the iron rod that pounded his foot. The pain was incredible. He couldn't forget it. He had to stay in the infirmary for a week because of it. His leg bone was broken. Since then, he had trouble walking. But instead of easing his burden, it devastated him—because it led to even more punishment.

"Call me John. You don't need to be formal with me. We're both servants here," John said.

Kai was silent. He didn't know if he could do that. It felt strange. He never even addressed his fellow slaves in Omino, as they were forbidden to speak unless ordered to. If it weren't for speech training, he probably wouldn't be able to talk either.

Kai had trouble climbing the wooden steps in front of the building, despite John's help. John had to lift him. Even though he was old, the man was very strong.

Kai's heart pounded when he entered the building. The floor was made of wood and covered with a red carpet. It was a two-story building. Downstairs, Kai saw huge dog statues standing like guards on both sides of the staircase leading up.

He hated stairs.

After much effort, they finally reached the second floor. There were only two rooms, positioned opposite each other. One could already imagine how spacious they must be.

As they approached the room on the right, Kai gasped when he heard a heart-wrenching scream from inside.

He stopped, but John was calm and told him to keep walking. When they reached the door, John knocked.

"Come in!" Vlad's voice rang out.

Kai trembled. He gulped hard. He stepped behind John, keeping his head down, though his eyes flicked toward the bed.

And he froze. His breath seemed to stop.

Vlad was sitting on the edge of the bed in the same clothes. However, in the center of the bed was a boy around Kai's age, tied up. His body was covered in blood, with several cuts on his skin. The young man breathed heavily, tears in his eyes.

Kai gulped. He glanced at the headboard, which displayed a large dog painting. The painting was smeared with bloodstains. His stomach churned. He wanted to run.

John bowed respectfully. "I brought Kai, Master."

Vlad looked at Kai, who kept his head down in fear, and grinned slightly. Then he looked at the boy still bound to the bed.

"Take him away," Vlad ordered.

John nodded and untied the boy's hands, leading him away and taking the plastic mat beneath him—now soaked with fresh blood.

Kai trembled. He watched the boy crawl behind John like a dog, blood dripping to the floor. He dared not look anymore. His whole body trembled when he heard the door close. That meant he was alone with Vlad.

Silence followed. The atmosphere was tense. Kai didn't dare raise his head.

Vlad stood up, startling Kai. The man laughed at his reaction. He grabbed the chain attached to Kai's collar and pulled it down.

"Oh!" Kai gasped. The tug made him fall to his knees. His hands rested on the floor.

Vlad looked down at Kai's body, which was covered only with a small cloth over his groin. Again, he examined the slave's face closely. He was still captivated by the boy's beauty: a sharp nose, clear skin, round eyes filled with fear, and luscious lips. Everything was beautiful.

"How come no agent ever brought a slave like you?" Vlad whispered, sensing Kai's frightened gasp.

Vlad smiled, his eyes narrowing. "I won't be rough with you. You just got hurt. But there are some things you should know, because I don't like them being violated."

Kai gulped, nodding obediently.

"First, no matter where you are or what you're doing, you must be in this position if you see me. If not, I will not hesitate to cut off your legs," Vlad said calmly.

Kai gulped again. He nodded. Was it not that bad in Omino? He had to crawl like a dog all the time?

"I assure you that you will live a comfortable life. You have a roof over your head and good food. Your only job is to keep me satisfied," Vlad continued.

Kai nodded again, looking down in resignation. But then he was startled when Vlad lifted his chin. His eyes widened as their gazes met.

"I love your eyes," Vlad whispered. He stared at Kai's hazel orbs for a long moment, scaring him.

"Don't blink," Vlad commanded, bringing his face closer.

Kai held his breath. But he couldn't help but blink. Within three seconds, his eyes were already red. He couldn't take it. His eyeballs burned. But he was terrified.

Tears began to form. His eyes reddened.

He couldn't hold it any longer. He blinked.

If his chin hadn't been held up, he would've prostrated himself. "I-I'm sorry... I-I can't hold it, Master..."

Vlad chuckled. "You're so sweet. Do it again."

Kai tried not to blink, but it became harder. His eyes burned more. He tried again and again, until tears fell.

Vlad pressed his jaw harder, making Kai wince. Then he used his left hand to open the slave's eyelids.

Kai was terrified. He groaned involuntarily as Vlad licked his eyeballs, the sensation stinging sharply. The man did it soulfully, as if savoring candy.

Several times.

"Nggh..." Kai groaned softly.

Then Vlad moved to Kai's other eye.

When he was satisfied, Kai's vision blurred for a moment. But he didn't dare move, let alone wipe his eyes—though he wanted to. It felt terribly uncomfortable.

Before his vision cleared, Kai felt Vlad scoop up his lips in a kiss. He immediately opened his mouth slightly, remembering his training to satisfy his master, and returned the kiss. Vlad was very gentle—unlike Jero, who had hurt his lips. He was captivated as their tongues intertwined unconsciously.

"Good boy," Vlad said, rubbing Kai's head as he watched the slave gasp from the intense kiss.

"I'll let you rest tonight. Your wounds need time to heal," Vlad said.

Hearing that, Kai couldn't believe his ears. He couldn't express how grateful he felt for Vlad's concern.

But he soon regretted it, as Vlad meant something very different from what he imagined.