Looking around, everything—bricks, beams, and wooden rafters—was intricately decorated. Beneath the round ceiling, several floating orbs illuminated the space. These were light magic spells.
"Lighting magic? I heard its materials are incredibly rare and only a high-ranking witch can create it," Charles said in awe. He hadn't expected the underground city's decor to be so luxurious.
A few gnomes, who had been sitting in a corner, scrambled to their feet as soon as they saw more hunters enter the underground city hall. They hurried over to the two.
"Oh, gentlemen, the underground city is quite complex. Allow me, Herbert, to guide you for just one gold coin," one gnome said, smiling in a clumsy, almost comical way. His already distorted face seemed to squish further with the grin.
"Please forgive my rudeness, but I, Dalen, have a brand-new map of the underground city. You can explore wherever you'd like for only one gold coin," another gnome added. He had yellow hair and a more restrained smile, holding a few pieces of parchment, which must have been the map he mentioned.
"If you don't mind, Theodore is willing to take you gentlemen to the research lab. Today's special event features the Vampire Queen Annaliea, with Night Jasmine Magic Potion available. Highest bidder wins."
This gnome maintained a respectful distance, his smile polite and refined.
"Research lab? Does guiding us really not cost a coin?" Charles asked, as one gold coin did seem a bit steep.
"Yes, sir," Theodore replied succinctly.
Charles appeared pleased. "How about we go to the research lab then? I don't want to waste money. Also, what is this Night Jasmine Magic Potion?"
"It seems like it's your first time here. If you place the highest bid, you can personally experience it," Theodore answered in a formal tone, clearly accustomed to this line of business.
The other two gnomes, realizing they had lost out, retreated to a corner, waiting for the next group of hunters.
"I think that's fine. Please lead the way," said Frey, finally speaking. However, it wasn't the lack of a coin charge that motivated him to move, but the mention of the special event. The Vampire Queen Annaliea—could she be the owner of the serpentine monster? And the Night Jasmine Magic Potion… He had heard about it from the old witch at the market. It could make female vampires go into heat. Clearly, something was amiss here.
Theodore led the way, while Charles pondered about the Night Jasmine Magic Potion. Frey, however, was more interested in the special event involving Annaliea. As for Theodore, what he was thinking, we can only guess.
They passed through the underground city hall and entered an archway in the southeast corner. The decorations were equally extravagant, with each crack and crevice in the arch meticulously detailed.
Walking through a long corridor, even the hallway was illuminated by floating magical light orbs. At the end of the corridor stood another large, ornate door, which Theodore pushed open forcefully.
"Here we are, the research lab. Please, gentlemen, make yourselves at home," Theodore said, bowing slightly before heading back the way they came.
Upon entering the research lab, both hunters were struck by the realization of just how complex the underground city was. The lab's hall was also circular, much like the main hall, just smaller and a bit more crowded.
Several gnomes were seated in the corners, though they didn't immediately approach the two, likely having already performed their duties as guides.
The interior of the lab had a more research-focused feel to it. The walls were lined with marble, and the lighting was still provided by the magical orbs. The floor was paved with greenish-blue stone tiles, and in the center of the hall was a round platform, where a person was speaking loudly.
Next to the speaker was a woman seated in a chair. She had short white hair and wore a white camisole, one strap slipping off her shoulder, looking seductively tempting—if not for the chains binding her hands to the chair.
"That must be the Vampire Queen Theodore mentioned? She doesn't look very strong," Charles said, narrowing his eyes as he walked forward a few steps.
Frey was equally curious about the situation and followed Charles closely. There were too many people around to get a good look, but they could at least hear the conversation.
"This week's special event is the Vampire Queen Annaliea. It's a paid event, as the head of the research lab has stated. Whoever gets Annaliea pregnant will earn 500 gold coins," the announcer on the platform declared.
"Isn't she a vampire queen? What if she refuses?" a voice from the crowd asked.
"No need to worry, sir. Look at what I have here." The man on stage held up a syringe filled with silver liquid. "This is mercury. If I inject it into the vampire, her powers will be greatly diminished. Allow me to demonstrate."
As the syringe was brought toward her, Annaliea immediately began to struggle violently. But her hands were chained to the chair, and she could do nothing to stop it. Her body writhed in pain as the mercury was slowly injected into her arm.
A low growl escaped her throat as she endured the excruciating agony. Her body trembled, unable to raise even a hand. The crowd cheered, clapping at the demonstration.
Charles, towering above everyone, could see the scene clearly. He furrowed his brow. "How is this different from abusing a vampire?"
"Brother, you're new here, right? You don't know? Once the Night Jasmine Magic Potion is used, that female vampire's reaction... well, it's quite something," a middle-aged man standing nearby explained. He appeared to be reminiscing about the experience.
Charles stepped back, clearly disturbed by what he had heard. Frey also frowned, realizing the twisted intent behind this so-called "special event." To make the Vampire Queen pregnant? Was this some effort to create a non-pure vampire?
Frey looked up at the weakened Annaliea on stage. The mercury had indeed made her much quieter, and her once-bright red eyes were now dull and lifeless. He noticed the bandages wrapped around her neck, arms, and thighs—whether from injuries or as part of a grotesque aesthetic, he couldn't tell.
Unable to bear the sight any longer, Charles decided to leave, with Frey following close behind. Neither of them had any interest in examining the research lab further. They just wanted to get back to the surface and breathe fresh air.
Neither knew how many other vampire hunters had witnessed such a spectacle, but they were sure that most had chosen to accept it.
The research lab wasn't far from the exit. The two made their way back to the underground city hall on their own, bypassing the gnomes. They left through the main doors, ascended the spiral staircase, and emerged into the open air.
They both took a deep breath, feeling a sense of relief.
Charles glanced back at the underground city window, where more hunters were entering.
"I thought the underground city was supposed to be a bastion for vampire hunters, but it seems more like a hell where humanity is lost."
"This world has always been a hell," Frey replied quietly.