The vampire race, once formidable, had fallen into decline with the disappearance of their queen.
The only notable example of vampires belonging to the Mugan Seven Palaces was the High Castle, teeming with hubris and grandeur.
Even there, vampires only gained significant power after receiving the boss’s blood and becoming his subordinates.

The general consensus was that pureblood vampires were inherently weak.

The newly established Mugan Palace had unexpectedly absorbed a group of vampires.
Among them, Isabella was acutely aware of her precarious position.

Compared to the vampires of High Castle, she was laughably feeble.
Her mere presence in the Mugan Palace felt absurd.

“What do you all think?”
“You’re right, Sister.”

Isabella spoke in hushed tones with her fellow vampires.

The sentinel, Balutak, was strong. The lieutenant, Charlotte, was even stronger.
By contrast, Isabella, who nominally shared a rank with them as a member of the dungeon’s leadership, was nothing more than a glorified minion.

She had passed out in the face of Wilhelm without contributing anything to the fight.

The shame and helplessness weighed on her, but she refused to show it.
Instead, she put on a cheerful facade, masking her insecurities. After all, she desperately wanted to remain in the Mugan Palace, even as dead weight.

“Honestly, I’ve always wanted to stay here.”

It wasn’t just the title of Mugan Palace that attracted her—it was the people.

Balutak was someone she could easily connect with, dependable despite his quirks.
The stern yet surprisingly caring lieutenant, Charlotte, had a way of growing on her.

And then there was the boss—someone who, despite his station, seemed to genuinely care for her.

“But it feels wrong. Even if the boss allows it, my heart feels uneasy.”
“Yeah, I feel the same.”
“Me too.”

This was the Mugan Palace, after all.
As stronger enemies inevitably came, Isabella’s helplessness would only become more apparent.

She understood better than anyone that her presence was a liability.
She claimed to repay the kindness she’d been shown, yet all she did was leech off others, like a parasite.

“We’re just causing trouble by staying here.”

This wasn’t just any dungeon—it was the Mugan Palace, the seventh-ranked dungeon, the Shrine of Faith.

If word spread that such a prestigious dungeon harbored weak vampires, the ridicule from the other 72 dungeons would be endless.

It was only a matter of time before their presence became a stain on the boss’s reputation.

“Exactly. The Insects are productive workers—they pull their weight. We don’t.”

The Insectoids were efficient laborers, fully utilizing their natural traits.
And the vampires?

Though they were assigned to guard duty, the dungeon’s surveillance crystals rendered their role nearly redundant.

Despite this, the boss had taken no action, simply turning a blind eye to their inadequacy.

“We can’t burden the boss any longer. I think we should leave immediately.”

He had granted them sanctuary, saved their lives, and even allowed her to evolve into a true vampire.
The debt she owed him was immeasurable, and staying any longer would only deepen her guilt.

If she lingered, she feared she’d grow too attached, losing the courage to leave at all.

Now, before it’s too late.

***

Isabella, after much deliberation, gathered all the vampires on the 10th level.
Taking a deep breath, she opened her heart to them, explaining her decision.
The expressions around her shifted rapidly—from indifference to concern and regret.

“Have you truly reconsidered? What if you change your mind later?”
“Kiirik. Balutak liked Isabella. Why are you leaving?”

“I’ve already talked it over with my kin. We all feel the same. It’s better for us to fend for ourselves than to keep depending on the boss.” Isabella hesitated but added, “Most importantly, boss, we’ve leaned on you far too much already.”

In truth, there was no need for an explanation.
Everyone, except perhaps the Insects, already knew deep down that the vampires were of little use.

“Where would you even go?” asked Charlotte.
“We’ll figure that out. That’s part of fending for ourselves,” Isabella replied, her tone resolute.

“What do you think, boss?”

Charlotte turned toward the boss, who had been silently observing.

“I think you’re welcome to stay,” he said calmly.

Isabella was taken aback by his response.
A fleeting hope flickered before she shook her head, brushing it aside.

“Thank you, boss. I really mean it. But we’ve already decided. If we continue to stay, it’ll only weigh on us. We’d feel guilty for the rest of our lives.”

He had given them so much—sanctuary, salvation, and even the power to evolve into true vampires.
It was more than they could ever repay in a lifetime.

“Don’t worry about us. We’re used to surviving in the wild. I just feel bad for leaving like this, without being able to repay you. But if the day comes when we can, we’ll come find you right away.”

“I understand,” the boss said with a slight nod, not pressing further.
However, he left them with a parting remark.

“If you change your mind, you’re welcome to return anytime. This place will always be open to you.”

“Coming back right after saying this would be awkward,” Isabella said with a nervous laugh, scratching the back of her head.

“Thank you for everything, my lord!”
“We owe you more than we can ever repay!”

Suddenly, the vampires knelt before the boss, pressing their foreheads to the ground.
Startled, Isabella hesitated before following suit.

“We’re deeply grateful! If fate allows it, we’ll repay your kindness someday!”
“...Alright.”

The sound of heels echoed closer.
Isabella sensed Charlotte approaching and squeezed her eyes shut.
She braced herself for the sharp rebuke of the ever-stern lieutenant.

Instead, Charlotte knelt on one knee, handing Isabella a voucher for a merchant guild.
Isabella opened her eyes wide in disbelief.

“This is all I can offer. If you ever need help from the merchant guild, use my name.”

“You didn’t need to—”
“Take it. It will ease my worries.”

“Wait... are you worried about me?” Isabella asked, dumbfounded.

“Yes. You were a comrade.”

“Do not use her name,” the boss interjected.

“...Pardon?”

“Use mine instead.”

“...What?”

“If you need assistance from the guild, say you’re associated with the boss of Mugan Palace. They will treat you as an honored guest.”

Isabella’s jaw dropped slightly.
Charlotte looked even more shocked than Isabella.

“My lord, this is a rash decision. The guild might not take your reputation seriously.”

“Or they might take her connection to me very seriously,” the boss countered.

Charlotte was momentarily stunned.
The idea of the boss of Mugan Palace—a figure of such prestige—vouching for a wild vampire was almost absurd.
Any observer would likely scoff and call it foolish.

Charlotte’s thoughts swirled. The boss surely understood the potential consequences of his actions.
So why make such a decision?

“May I ask your reasoning?” she ventured.

“There is a bond between us. Letting them leave without support would weigh on me.”

“....”

To the boss of Mugan Palace, the vampires were mere trifles.
As an undead being, he should have been incapable of forming emotional attachments or experiencing empathy.

And yet, here he was, extending kindness to vampires who had barely known him for a year and had contributed little more than trouble.

The memories of their first meeting, when the boss had given water to Balutak, resurfaced in Charlotte’s mind.
At the time, she had dismissed it as a pragmatic gesture, devoid of emotion.

But now, she began to wonder. Was his treatment of the Insects, his gift of the Necronomicon to her—were those driven by efficiency, or by altruism?

“....”

The boss of Mugan Palace was an enigma.
An undead with a heart warmer than most humans—a concept Charlotte couldn’t quite grasp.

Even if his body is cold, his heart is warm...

Charlotte realized she had discovered yet another facet of the boss, one that filled her vision entirely.

“Isabella,” the boss said, his voice steady. “Whenever you wish, you’re welcome to visit. Balutak would be upset otherwise.”

“Kiirik. I liked the vampires. But they’re leaving. Balutak doesn’t want them to go.”

“It’s not like we’ll be gone forever, Balutak. Once I’ve grown stronger and can repay the boss, I’ll visit as often as I can.”

“Kiiririk... Alright. Before you leave, do you want to drink Balutak’s blood?”

“Uh, no, thanks,” Isabella replied with a sheepish laugh, waving her hands.

“Then... we’ll be off now. I’m sorry for leaving after all you’ve done for us.”

“It’s fine. Don’t hesitate to return,” the boss said calmly.

“Kiirik, Balutak is a tree. Vampires are the wind. When the wind comes, the tree waves its branches. Balutak will wave when the vampires return.”

Isabella led the vampires in a deep bow before they turned to leave.

Often, those who depart with lingering attachments glance back.
But the vampires, having resolved themselves, walked forward without looking back.

One day, I’ll repay this debt.

Clenching her fists, Isabella silently vowed to return not as a parasite, but as someone worthy of the boss’s trust.

***

"They're gone, in the end."

"Kirik. Balutak’s heart aches."

The vampire group, fading into the distance, finally disappeared from sight.
If I were being honest, I wished they had stayed.

‘I got too attached.’

The vampires, especially Isabella, had been with me the longest out of everyone here.
With her clumsy tendencies, she was impossible to dislike.
She also had a knack for brightening up the heavy atmosphere that Charlotte often brought.
How could I not grow fond of someone like that?

Of course, vampires weren’t particularly helpful in a dungeon.
But so what? Relationships based purely on cost and benefit were not my style.
Sure, practicalities matter, but loyalty is just as important.
If all you ever care about is profit, how are you any different from a soulless machine?

"You seem to miss them."

It was Charlotte who spoke.
I was about to reply, but something caught my eye—the color of her status bar had changed again.

‘Skeleton Mode: Activated.’

What did I say this time to trigger her?
At this point, it seemed like it could flip with no provocation whatsoever.

"Boss."

I locked eyes with her, signaling her to continue.
But uncharacteristically, she hesitated, fidgeting awkwardly.

"Um... if I were to leave, what would you do?"
"Absolutely not."

Are you out of your mind? If you leave, the dungeon is doomed!

"So... would that also be because of attachment?"
"It’s part of it."

Sure, I’ve grown attached to her, but she’s also ridiculously capable as a lieutenant.
She transformed this cave into a proper dungeon, wields powerful magic as a witch, reinforces our forces as an undead summoner, analyzes the Empire’s political landscape, and even set up a trade network with merchants.

‘She literally does everything.’

"You’re the most valuable person here."

So please, don’t leave.
That’s what I meant, but Charlotte’s reaction was… unexpected. She inhaled sharply, dropped her head, and mumbled under her breath.

"Oh… um, well… thank you. That’s… very kind of you to say."

Though her face was hidden, her status bar turned a deeper shade of green.
She retreated, her steps awkward and hesitant, as if unsure of herself.

‘Did I just flirt again?’

This is a problem. I’m a eunuch undead, for crying out loud.
Even if there’s a chance with Charlotte, I’d have to reject her outright.
If I don’t, Rozesha will kill us both.

"Kirik. Great Chief. Balutak will head to the eighth layer."
"Alright."

Isabella was gone, Charlotte had practically fled to her quarters, and now Balutak was leaving too.
That left me standing alone, feeling aimless.
Maybe I should head to the mining base and help the Insectoids.

Wooooong—!

A portal suddenly appeared, interrupting my train of thought.
As they say, when one thing goes, another comes.

"We greet the esteemed Lord."

Out stepped a demon merchant, bowing with precise formality.
Was this Charlotte’s doing?
That’s what I assumed until his next words shattered my guess.

"Seventh-ranked Lord, I beg your forgiveness for this sudden visit. Urgent business has brought me here unannounced."
"What business?"

Instead of answering immediately, the merchant extended his hand.

"This."

In his grasp was what appeared to be a letter made from black goat leather.
The seal wasn’t wax but solidified human blood, giving it an ominous feel.
I took the letter and opened it, only to find it wasn’t just a letter.

【Summons to the Seventh-ranked Faithful Mausoleum, Boss Barugor】
—The Association congratulates you on the first 72 Lords’ Summit to be held in a century. We humbly request the attendance of all Lords, rulers of the countless hordes and defiers of fate. This 8th Assembly of the 72 Dungeons has been initiated under the guidance of the Second-ranked Lord... (abridged).

A cold breath escaped my lips.

At last, the inevitable had arrived.