Chapter 10: Tower Inside (2)

I’m not a mage.

In this world, the concept of vampires—bloodsucking creatures—doesn’t exist, so even if I wanted to explain it, there’s no way they’d understand.

Think about it.

If you described an elf to someone unfamiliar with fantasy novels, what would they say?

They might find it an interesting concept, but they’d struggle to believe such a race exists in reality.

A species that manipulates blood like it’s second nature and lives by drinking others’ blood—would blood mages, who painstakingly use complex magical formulas to control blood, really want to believe such a convenient race exists?

If they learned there’s a species that does it instinctively, I doubt they’d react positively.

In that sense, since I’m a vampire, not a mage, trying to clarify that I’m not fit to be revered as Tower Master is a foolish idea.

For one, it’s questionable whether they’d even understand my explanation, and even if they did, it wouldn’t just end with me being kicked out of the tower.

A thousand years have passed.

Everyone I knew has long turned to dust.

The Hero? Probably dead. The Saintess? Likely returned to the side of her god.

I was already reeling from the fact that I couldn’t go back, and after sleeping for a thousand years, I thought I was the only one left in this world.

But then I heard someone who knows me well is still alive, serving as the master of the Green Tower. I have to meet them.

And if I’m going to meet them, it should be through proper channels.

I don’t want to barge in and make things awkward for someone who’s been living well and carving their own path.

The best way, for now, is to meet as one Tower Master to another.

Besides…

‘It feels like home…’

To me, who finds the scent of blood comforting, this place—where all sorts of blood gather—is paradise, a utopia.

I’ve finally found a place where I can relax, so there’s no need to make enemies and complicate things.

‘That means my immediate task is to make my blood manipulation look like blood magic…’

I glanced back at the community post analyzing my blood manipulation.

‘…Maybe I don’t need to.’

Seeing a so-called high-ranking mage fail to realize it’s not even magic makes me think they can’t tell the difference.

Even the elders didn’t say I was using some kind of sorcery instead of magic.

If they had, I wouldn’t have been escorted to this room.

Maybe it’s not surprising.

‘Probably because it uses mana…’

The only difference is that I don’t use magical formulas to move blood, but since it’s still mana-infused blood, there’s no real distinction.

If that’s the case…

‘Maybe I don’t need to hide it.’

If so, things just got a lot easier.

For now, though…

I turned back to the pad.

Staring at it for a moment, I carefully flopped onto the bed.

“Time to browse.”

Right now, community scrolling takes priority.

Time passed, and it was the next day.

My eyes felt bleary from staying up all night on the community.

Of course, as a True Ancestor with a body that’s always in peak condition, I was perfectly fine.

“Phew…”

I’m in trouble.

I was supposed to bait them and wait for them to bite, but after a night of diving into the community, I’m the one who’s hooked.

‘It’s… too fun…!!’

But what can I do when it’s this fun?

Just following the buzz or checking every quality post is entertaining enough, but when it’s all about me?

It’s impossible not to get addicted.

Yes, I’m already a community addict.

‘This… is serious…’

My hands were already trembling as I swallowed hard.

I’m on my way to the Council at the elders’ request, and knowing I shouldn’t show any weaknesses, I left the pad behind.

It’s only been a short while, but I’m already feeling withdrawal symptoms. The community has sunk its claws deeper into me than I thought…

Still, it’s not all bad.

I learned about the Crimson Tower’s reputation, how they’re treated, and why the blood mages are so ecstatic about my arrival.

Plus, it’s ridiculously fun, which is the problem…

I never imagined I’d find a raw, anonymous community like this after coming to this world, so the shock was even greater.

“This way.”

I followed yesterday’s guide toward the Council chamber.

Thanks to browsing, I learned about the other towers. The community exaggerates a bit, but it’s clear the Crimson Tower’s poverty wasn’t a lie.

Still, it’s a tower, so the interior is grand and sophisticated.

The blood theme gives it a dark, red, mansion-like vibe, which I quite like.

The more I learn about the tower—its origins, how much they adore me—the more I grow fond of it.

Who wouldn’t?

An entire magical discipline was born because of me, and they’re struggling to emulate my blood manipulation with their blood magic, diligently researching it.

It feels like my efforts to defeat the Demon King weren’t in vain.

I can’t help but feel proud of these blood mages.

Smirking, I turned to the guide.

“What’s your name?”

“Y-Yes?! I’m Jasper, ma’am!”

“Hm… Jasper, huh? I’ll remember that. Thanks for guiding me.”

I gave him a smile and a wave.

“G-Gasp…”

Jasper clutched his chest, looking enchanted, breathing heavily.

Okay, it’s nice that he likes me, but seeing him freak out like that in front of me feels… weird.

‘His reaction feels familiar…’

I’ve seen comments on the community like “Nooooong~” or “Nonononononono!! Gasp… huff… wheeze…” whenever my photos pop up, so his gasping is giving me a strange sense of unease.

No way, right?

Anyway, according to the pad, once you join a tower, you lose your surname.

Sure enough, everyone here only uses their first name—no surnames in sight.

So much has changed in a thousand years.

I clicked my tongue inwardly as I stepped into the elevator.

What kind of reaction will I get this time?

The vibe wasn’t bad.

Based on what Vlad said on the community, I could be confident it’d be positive.

He’s practically advertising that he’s Vlad, so it’s impossible not to know.

He probably never imagined I’d be on the community.

Arriving at the top floor, I entered the Council chamber, where seven elders greeted me warmly.

Among them was the head elder…

“Dmitri.”

That was his name, I think.

When I called his name, Dmitri tipped his hat and bowed.

“It’s an honor to hear you call my name, Lord Tepes.”

“…Huh?”

What’s with the sudden change?

This is way different from yesterday.

“Uh… right. Why’d you call me?”

“As you advised yesterday, we’ve come with proper courtesy to make our request again.”

“…”

I stared silently, and Dmitri bowed deeply.

At the same time, all the elders bowed to me.

“Please, become the Tower Master of our Crimson Tower. We earnestly beg you.”

“We beg you!”

Their voices echoed through the chamber as they followed Dmitri’s lead.

“Hm…”

I grinned.

My answer was already decided.

“Fine. I, Midir Tepes, will become the Tower Master of the Crimson Tower.”

Let’s do this.

As long as I can keep browsing the community, being Tower Master is no big deal.

“Long live Lord Tepes!!”

“Long live the Crimson Tower! Long live the Tower Master!”

The elders, overwhelmed with joy, hugged each other.

Seeing them so happy made me happy too.

“Please cure my baldness too!!”

“Gasp!”

What.

One elder, with thinning hair, threw off his mage hat and shouted.

Silence fell over the chamber.

“Hm.”

Well, sure.

That’s not too hard.

I raised my hand.

That day, every elder in the Crimson Tower had their baldness cured and was rejuvenated.

Truly, a cause for celebration.