Light snow began to fall over the desolate mountains of Eastern Europe as Zak stepped out of the thick fog. With his firm, athletic posture, and calm yet sharp face, he seemed to contrast with the slum village that looked rotting before him.
Zak didn't carry many weapons, just a tactical knife tucked into his waist and his instincts were already honed. As he passed through the creaking village gate, the silence was broken by the sound of a low growl from behind the ruins of a wooden house.
Suddenly, a shadow jumped from the roof of the house—a Lycan with fangs that was drooling hungrily.
First Chance: The Cursed Village
Zak reacted very quickly. As the creature lunges, it performs a precise dodging motion, utilizing its physical strength to rotate position and pull out its blade. Black blood splattered into the snow as the tip of its dagger found a gap in the creature's neck.
However, one Lycan is just the beginning. From a distance, the bells of the old church began to ring, and dozens of pairs of red eyes began to light up in the darkness of the village alleys.
Pov : The Great Castle on the Hill: Towering with majestic yet menacing gothic architecture. The door opened slightly, as if inviting guests in.
Zak's steps were steady towards the hill. The increasingly heavy snow did not hinder his efficient and athletic movements as he climbed the rocky trails to Dimitrescu Castle. The towering gothic architecture in front of it looks majestic and gripping, with ancient carvings that seem to watch its every move.
As Zak pushed the giant oak door, his creaking sound echoed in the vast main hall. The interior of this castle is in stark contrast to the slums of the village below; The shiny marble floors, velvet red carpets, and dimly lit candles create an atmosphere of deadly luxury.
"A male guest... in our castle?"
A cold and seductive feminine voice rang out from the balcony upstairs. Three black-robed female figures appeared, slowly descending with unnatural movements, as if they were floating in the air. They were the daughters of the castle owner, with a smile that hid sharp fangs.
Confrontation in the Main Hall
Zak stood up straight, his hands on standby near his tactical knife. His muscles tense, ready to react to any threat. The three women began to surround him, their laughter sounding like the hiss of thousands of flies.
"Mom would be so happy to see a specimen like you, Zak," whispered one of them, Bela, as she approached and breathed air around Zak's neck. "So fresh... so strong."
Suddenly, heavy and authoritative footsteps rang out from the direction of the grand staircase. The figure of a giant woman with a wide hat and a long white dress appeared. Lady Dimitrescu looked at Zak with a piercing gaze that was hard to describe—between hunger and admiration for Zak's incredible physique.
"Enough, my daughters," he commanded in a deep baritone voice. "He's mine for now."
Me : *I asked* huh? Who are you. I'm lost
Zak stood tall in the middle of the hall, the sharp glare of his eyes sweeping the entire magnificent but gripping room. Despite being surrounded by threats, his voice remained baritone and controlled as he asked, "Huh? Who are you? I got lost."
Hearing the question, Lady Dimitrescu stopped her steps on the last rung. He adjusted the position of his wide hat, then chuckled—a sound that sounded like the clinking of an expensive crystal glass.
"Lost?" Lady Dimitrescu approached, her towering height making Zak look up slightly, but she still maintained her intimidating athletic posture. "Many people break into this village and end up in my basement, but few have the courage—and physique—as you do, Zak."
One of his daughters, Bela, hissed near Zak's ear, "We are the owners of this place. And you... You are the entertainment we so desperately need."
Lady Dimitrescu raised one hand wearing white gloves, gesturing for her daughters to step back for a moment. He seemed attracted by Zak's calmness that did not show excessive fear like previous victims.
"I'm Alcina Dimitrescu," she said in a majestic tone. "And you're in my territory. Since you confess to being lost, I will give you one chance to prove that you are more than 'fresh meat' for my daughters' dinner."
He pointed to a large door at the end of the hall that was locked with a dragon-shaped relief mechanism.
"Behind the door is a Collection Room. Find the missing Maroon Eye from there, and maybe I'll consider not letting my daughters tear your neck now. But be careful... the hallway was never completely empty."
Pov : *I found Maroon Eye*
With a calm but swift movement, Zak walked down the dimly lit hallway in the Collection Room. Her keen sense captures every detail—the sound of water dripping from the stone walls to the musty smell of old carpets. After passing through several displays of armor that looked as if they could move at any time, his eyes caught the blood-red sheen of a small statue in the corner of the room.
That's it. Maroon Eye.
Zak picked up the gem with a firm hand, feeling the cold sensation of the precious stone. However, as the gem changed hands, the secret mechanism under the statue clicked. The stone door behind him was tightly closed, and the hissing sounds of thousands of insects began to fill the room.
Lady Dimitrescu's daughters wouldn't let her go so easily.
Escape from the Collection Room
Zak didn't panic. With his athletic physique, he made a side-scrolling movement when a group of black flies—which was the form of one of the princesses—lunged at where he was standing. He saw a narrow gap in the ceiling, perhaps a ventilation duct or an ancient escape hole.
Zak jumped up, his strong arm muscles pulling his body upwards in one efficient motion, just before Cassandra's pale hand tried to grab his leg.
He crawled through the narrow hallway and finally fell back into the main hall, right in front of Lady Dimitrescu who was sipping the red liquid from her crystal glass.
"So fast," muttered Lady Dimitrescu, a little surprised to see Zak return so quickly without any significant injury. "Where's the gem?"
Zak stood up, tidied up his slightly dusty clothes, then showed the Maroon Eye in his palm. His handsome face remained calm even though he had just escaped death.
Lady Dimitrescu approached, the strong scent of rose perfume sting Zak's sense of smell. He picked up the gem, the tip of his long black fingernails had touched the skin of Zak's hand on purpose.
"You have talent, Zak. It would be a pity if you ended up as a display on this wall," he said in a tone that now sounded more like an invitation than a threat. "But remember, you're still in my castle. And my husband... Ah, I mean, the other residents here might not be as patient as I am."
Me : My husband? Hm.. What do you want from me *I ask*
Lady Dimitrescu paused for a moment, a thin smile full of secrets lingering on her red lips that contrasted with her pale skin. He stepped around Zak, staring at the man's firm shoulders and athletic posture with a look that was unpredictable—like a collector who had just discovered a very rare antique.
"My husband?" He laughed lowly, his baritone voice echoing in the hall. "That's just a term for those who think they can have me, Zak. But you... You're different from the frightened rats that usually crawl on this floor."
He stopped right in front of Zak, so close that Zak could feel the cold emanating from the giant's body. His long fingers, with shiny sharp nails, were lifted to simply smooth the collar of Zak's shirt with a slow and intimidating movement.
"What do I want?" she whispered, her golden yellow eyes staring directly into Zak's eyes. "I want to see how long a guy like you can survive in this place. Your strength, your calm... It was a refreshing sight in the midst of the boredom of these centuries."
He took a step back, giving Zak room to breathe, but his aura still dominated the room.
"I could have let my daughters drain your blood right now," he continued, glancing at Bela and Cassandra who were growling in the shadows. "But I have other plans. I want you to prove that you're not just a handsome guy with strong muscles."