Daisuke, surrounded by Sylvia, Sheba, Aldric, and a few other young adults, spoke with a quiet determination. Their faces reflected a mix of curiosity and hope.

“I’m not here to stay, and I won’t leave any of you behind,” Daisuke stated, capturing their attention.

“...You’re not just talking big, right?” questioned an older male Beastkin. “Do you have a real plan?”

“I do,” Daisuke affirmed, and the group leaned in, ready to hear his strategy. “I managed to get my hands on the manor’s floor plans a while ago, which is how I’ve avoided getting caught sneaking around.”

“What? How on earth did you...” someone started, but Daisuke raised a hand, signaling for silence.

“…”

Daisuke observed Sheba and Sylvia exchanging looks of shock and bewilderment. “What is it? What’s wrong?” he inquired, noticing their expressions.

Sylvia whispered under her breath, “Reginald, I imagine, should be in his office or lab with... someone.”

Daisuke’s expression hardened. “There... was someone.”

“Haxks,” Sheba whispered now. “That someone you saw or heard... was one of the girls that was brought here with us in the wagon.”

Daisuke paled, his expression crumpling.

“Ruth and Tina,” Aldric clarified, his voice trembling with anguish as tears streamed down his face. “Those two girls were taken away earlier today, even though I promised to protect them!”

…Ruth and Tina, Daisuke murmured their names inwardly, a mix of disgust and outrage churning in his veins. One of them is the girl who was sent to my room. B-But they’re just kids! Reginald, that sick bastard!

Sylvia’s arms wrapped around herself, a shiver running through her frame, which immediately suggested that she too might have been ensnared by the man’s sinister intentions.

Though it pained her to discuss it, the girl found her voice, determined to unveil the profound darkness that had taken root within the walls of the Percival estate.

Apparently, after years of immersing himself in research alongside his father, Reginald found himself compelled to cast aside his humanity and forsake all earthly desires in the name of scientific pursuit.

With his family now in ruins, he yearned to seize every drop of life’s essence before time’s grip tightened. A voracious hunger arose, devouring all in its path, from the finest cuisines and garments to the allure of intoxicants and companionship, irrespective of gender.

And as his desires twisted and evolved, a thirst for the forbidden emerged, reshaping his cravings into a darker form of greed. As Daisuke listened to the frightening tale, he couldn’t help but remember the perverse stare Reginald gave April. He knew it was only a matter of time before she fell prey to his sick desires.

With determination blazing in his eyes, Daisuke abruptly stood up, catching the group off guard. “Time is running out; I need to put an end to this before more harm is done.”

“What’s the plan?” the same Beastkin asked eagerly.

Daisuke paused, deep in thought, before responding, “I’m still working on it. But for now, I need to get back before anyone notices that I’m gone. Sheba,” he turned to her with a hint of regret, “how do I say this… I’m really sorry about leaving you guys behind.”

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“You’re being too hard on yourself,” the girl said with a small smile, shaking her head. “Your quick thinking is what allowed you to get close enough to steal the floor plans.”

“She’s right,” Sylvia chimed in, wiping away the last of her tears. “You’ve opened up plenty of options for us now, all because you thought on your feet.”

“Haxks~” Aldric whined, his tears and snot creating a messy masterpiece on his face. Sheba kept him at arm’s length, gripping the waist of his pants. “Please… please save Ruth and Tina! They both need a hero, and you’re the only one who I can depend on to do it!”

Daisuke cringed.

“Aldric, I know how you feel,” Sheba chimed in, fighting the urge to kneel and plead alongside him. “I want Ruth and Tina to be safe too. But don’t you think you’re being just a little bit unreasonable?”

“I hate to admit it, but he’s got a point,” the male Beastkin added, scratching his head. “Haxks is just one guy; if he acts rashly then forget those two girls, we’re all going to be royally screwed, literally.”

The girls flinched back scathingly at the pun.

“Too much?”

They all nodded, pokerfaced.

Daisuke scratched the back of his head awkwardly. “Assuming things go smoothly, I’ll return tomorrow with a well-thought-out plan. But before that, I’ll need to examine the blueprint, survey the estate, and establish a safe way out.”

“Please, take care.”

“And keep an eye on Winston; there’s something about him that doesn’t sit right with me. I can’t quite put my finger on it.”

“I’ve been sensing it too.”

Sheba, Sylvia, and Feng offered words of encouragement, while Aldric, still disheartened, received a playful hair tousle from Daisuke.

“Hey, don’t be too hard on yourself,” Daisuke reassured him. “Just hang tight while I sort things out, alright?”

“Okay...”

“By the way,” Daisuke gestured towards the male Beastkin with a questioning look.

“It’s Feng.”

“Feng, do you know your way around a sword?”

“More or less.”

“Great. Then you’ll be leading the group as the sole vanguard. Can we count on your senses to steer us clear of monsters?” Daisuke nodded at Feng with a hopeful expression.

“Heh. Consider it done,” Feng replied confidently.

“I don’t think we need to worry too much about security,” Sylvia chimed in reassuringly. “After being banished by the kingdom, the Percivals lost their wealth. They no longer have the finances to hire adequate security or even to cater to the manor’s regular upkeep. As you can see, it’s mostly slaves who do all the work.”

Daisuke’s eyebrows furrowed in curiosity. “If it’s obvious Reginald doesn’t have sufficient security, then why haven’t the slaves sparked a rebellion?”

“Winston,” she responded flatly. “Since he single-handedly made short work out of a powerful Wolfkin who attempt to escape, everyone has been pretty docile.”

“You weren’t joking about him being dangerous.”

“No, I wasn’t. If we can’t find a way to stay off his radar, escaping without casualties will be impossible.”

“Got it,” Daisuke nodded solemnly. “I’ll keep that in mind.”

***

Daisuke let out a sigh of relief.

After learning about Winston, it became increasingly nerve-wracking to sneak around the estate. But luckily, he made it safely back to his room, and a strained smile touched his lips upon noting that both girls were still fast asleep.

His features hardened, however, as he contemplated the next innocent girl who would inevitably become a victim of Reginald’s dark and insatiable desires. Sylvia’s story had made it quite clear that he wasn’t necessarily safe either.

Daisuke ran his hand through his hair, gripping his head with a grave expression. I need a plan.

***

The aroma of freshly made eggs and sausages didn’t hold much appeal while sitting across from a devil.

“Julian, how are your studies progressing?” Reginald inquired, peering over the rim of his tea cup.

“Good so far,” Daisuke replied with forced exuberance. “It’s a lot to take in all at once, though.”

The man chuckled softly. “…There’s no need to lie.”

Daisuke cleverly kept his expression guarded, but he stopped breathing. Dammit! Did he somehow find out about last night?

“How did you like the gift I prepared? You kept her all night long, so when could you have found the time to sufficiently study?”

Daisuke breathed.

Reginald smiled, evidently amused. “I must admit, I thought you were too young to appreciate the warmth of a companion, but it seems I was mistaken.

I took great care to provide you with someone of purity, as a gesture of my respect and appreciation for you. I trust this will mark the beginning of a fruitful partnership between us.”

Daisuke frowned inwardly. So, he did have someone watching the room, after all. He’s shrewd, I’ll give him that much. I’ll need to be extra cautious in my actions from now on.

Fear of monsters & the unknown: 37%