Blood in Roses ➢『Koo Junhoe Vampire! AU』

Chapter Ⅸ

When Junhoe and I enter the manager's office, Mingyu has been awaiting us with Hyunwoo.

"I thought we needed a witness for the duel, so I asked Hyunwoo. Who else could I ask?"

"Sure, no problem" Junhoe said.

"It's a little troublesome...but having me watch over everything is Harold's will. I sure will take the role as your witness"

"Thank you, Hyunwoo" When Mingyu smiles, the scenery surrounding us quickly changes. I see a quiet scenery where houses are lined up with a river running through, which somewhat reminds me of my village. I've seen this before. When Mingyu came and helped me in this room, I saw this scenery too.

"So Yihyun, if I lose, I'll return your pendant. If I win, you'll grant my wish. This is the promise of our negotiation. I thought it'd be better to tell you my wish before the duel"

"What is your wish Mingyu?"

"My wish is, to put it simply...to destroy this castle. I want to be free from my life confined in this castle. I've had enough of this life only being able to go outside in the books I read. So, I'll become Harold's heir, wither the Rose Garden, and destroy the castle, which is trapping me. Ironic, isn't it? The only way to acquire freedom is to become Harold's heir. Otherwise, I can't get near Rosapast. The only way to break free from this castle trapping me is to wither Rosapast, who is ruling it. This village is where I want to visit first. I want to touch the water running in the river"

"I kind of knew that you've been aspiring to the outside world the whole time. But it's absolutely unacceptable to wither Rosapast" Junhoe said.

"I know, Junhoe. Rosapast is your only friend and it always comes first in your mind"

So Junhoe's No.1 that Mingyu was talking about is...Rosapast?

"You want to save the rose, and I want destroy it. I always knew this would happen eventually. I should've forced you to obey my will a long time ago" with those words, Mingyu taps on the floor several times with his cane. The cane flashes a light and turned into a rapier. "Shall we begin?" Mingyu readies the rapier towards Junhoe.

"Bring it on" Nodding, Junhoe takes a bullwhip in his hand instead of his usual riding crop. I really don't want them hurt each other, but I don't think I can't stop them from fighting either...

"Yihyun, stay here with Hyunwoo"

"...Sure" when he's about to go I grab his arm. "Junhoe, I believe in you" telling him the same phrase from yesterday once again. He nods then I leave him.

"It's been a while since we had our last match" Mingyu said.

"It doesn't matter. I'll win today"

"Then, let's see!"

Suddenly, Mingyu attacks Junhoe with his rapier. Junhoe dodges the point of the rapier by a width of an inch. Pulling himself away from Mingyu, he wields the bullwhip. With a shrill shound cutting through the wind, Junhoe's bullwhip aims at Mingyu's body.

"Not even close" Mingyu scoffs.

Dodging the raging whip, Mingyu attacks Junhoe again but slow enough for him to dodge.

"Too slow" Junhoe dodges the rapier again. The relentless battle continues at they don't yield an inch for each other.

"What foolish brothers..." I didn't miss Hyunwoo's mutter.

"What do you mean, foolish?"

"Be silent. Just watch them"

"Hyunwoo, which side you are on?"