Chapter 3
I made up an excuse about needing to buy more herbs and prepare emergency medicine just in case, then headed out to the bustling commercial district. As I walked through the crowded streets, I seriously considered just running away right now.
No one would expect a midday escape. They might not even notice I’m missing until the next appointment.
But I couldn’t do that. All the banking documents were in my room in the annex of the duke’s estate. I still had time before my impending death. I should just sell things off quickly and come back.
Following the route described in the original novel, I made my way through winding alleys and entered a shabby tavern. Inside were a single napping cat and a couple of drunk patrons passed out at their tables.
I slowly approached the bartender, who asked gruffly,
“Are you ordering something?”
“D-do…”
When I actually tried to say the passcode, the words wouldn’t come out.
The burly, bearded bartender tilted his head.
“Are you ordering something?”
“Dogs go woof, cats go meow.”
Damn it. What kind of dumb password is that? Why is the dark merchant guild using something this cute?
Hearing my words, the bartender set down the glass he was wiping and said,
“Follow me.”
He walked out from behind the bar, entered the kitchen, and opened a hidden door in the corner.
“Go down the stairs, and someone else will guide you.”
“…Okay.”
I nodded and stepped inside. The door shut quietly behind me.
With each step down the dark hallway, lights flickered on to illuminate my way, like motion-sensor lights.
After descending the stairs and walking a bit, a woman appeared, standing silently.
“I don’t believe we’ve met. What brings you here?”
“…I’d like to sell something. Without the gift-giver knowing.”
“I see. Please come this way.”
She walked ahead of me. According to the original novel, this merchant guild appeared for only one reason: Inspector Jerry once pretended to be a customer to investigate rumors that the guild dealt in everything from goods to people. Turned out the rumors were false.
Thanks for the tip, Inspector. I’ll be putting it to good use.
The woman knocked on a large door and opened it. The room beyond was lavish and bright—a stark contrast to the path leading here.
“Please, have a seat.”
A glamorous woman with long, wavy red hair greeted me. I sat on the sofa she pointed to, and she took a seat across from me.
“I don’t believe we’ve met before. What brings you to our guild?”
“I’d like to sell this.”
I pulled a dagger from my bag and placed it on the table.
“Oh, a rather valuable blade.”
“How much could I get for it?”
“Before we get into that, may I ask why you’re selling it?”
“It was a gift. I’m trying to use the money to help with living expenses.”
“…”
She crossed her legs and stared at me intensely.
Why is she looking at me like that? It’s not a lie—living expenses include escape funds, right?
I held my head high and kept my true intentions hidden.
“Alright. You want it sold without the giver finding out, correct?”
“Yes.”
She picked up on it immediately. Even with my brief words, she understood and handled it smoothly.
“But for something like this, you could’ve just gone to an ordinary trading company.”
She examined the dagger, her eyes sharp and discerning.
I was momentarily speechless. Why is she asking such scary questions? I just want the money and to leave.
I forced my reluctant mouth to speak.
“The person who gave it to me is… scary.”
“Scary?”
“Yes. Very dangerous and intimidating. Sorry, but I can’t say who it was.”
If I spoke carelessly and insulted a noble, I could be charged with defamation.
“I see. You’ll receive payment on your way out.”
“Thank you.”
As I turned to leave, the woman called out behind me,
“Hope to see you again.”
“…”
Yeah, sure. Like I’ll ever be back.
Here was my plan:
When Dr. Scott returns, I’ll make an excuse about going to buy more herbs, pack my bags, and escape. Until then, I’ll minimize my luggage and fatten my bank account. On the day of the escape, I’ll withdraw all the money from the bank and disappear without a trace.
Isn’t it a perfect plan? Sure, it’s a bit unethical to abandon a patient as a doctor… but come on. It’s not like he’s a serial killer I’m leaving untreated.
“I’ll transfer 100 gold immediately.”
The woman waiting outside handed me a pouch of coins.
“Thank you!”
“Just head out the way you came.”
“Got it.”
Holding the heavy pouch of gold made me feel even richer and happier.
The Duke really did give me something valuable. As expected of a wealthy heir. If my life wasn’t on the line, I’d honestly want to keep working here.
What a shame. If only the Duke weren’t a serial killer, I wouldn’t have to give up this dream job.
Worried about pickpockets, I clutched the pouch tightly as I headed home.
After finishing all my errands, I returned to my room and found a letter on the desk.
Who sent this? I don’t know anyone who’d write to me.
In my memories, Elena was the third daughter of the Viscount Buclert household. After leaving home to become a doctor, she’d pretty much cut ties with her family.
Curious, I checked the sender—it was from Dr. Scott. The contents weren’t anything special. He said his business trip was extended and he’d be returning late.
What’s with the letter though? Dr. Scott wasn’t the type to be considerate or caring.
There was even a P.S. telling me not to throw the letter away and to keep it.
Weird. I’ll do as he says for now, but I couldn’t shake the uneasy feeling it gave me. Like… I kind of wanted to burn the letter.
No, no, stop thinking weird stuff. I’m just being paranoid because of the fear of dying.
Shaking my head, I lay down on the bed. I was more tired than I thought after the outing and just wanted to rest.
Maybe I’ll nap, eat dinner, and then review the novel’s plot.
Sleep soon took over.
“I’m thirsty…”
I woke up groggily and sat up. I must’ve dozed off longer than expected, because the whole room was dark.
My stomach growled loudly, reminding me that I’d missed dinner.
“Think there’s any leftover food in the kitchen?”
Asking for food this late felt rude. I really should start keeping some snacks in my room.
For now, I decided to head to the kitchen and see if there was any leftover bread. The cold night air brushed against me as I stepped out. The estate was completely silent—no one else in sight.
The only figures I saw were Duke Calix and a large brown dog… playing?
What the—? Out for a night stroll again? How can he look that good at night?
As I stared, admiring his beauty in the darkness, our eyes met.
He smiled at me—fresh, charming.
Why… why is he smiling? My heart can’t take this.
A serial killer smiling at you in the middle of the night should be terrifying. But was that really why my heart was pounding?
While I was confused, the Duke moved his lips as if speaking.
“What is he saying…?”
Looking closely, I realized—
“Wanna play together?”
Are you insane?! Who in their right mind would play with you?!
Yet my head nodded on its own, as if controlled by some spell.
Have I lost it? I’m about to play with a serial killer and his dog.
Still, my feet obediently led me to the garden where he stood.
For a moment, I wondered if the Duke used his looks to lure victims before cutting out their hearts. But that thought vanished quickly.
The large brown dog bounded toward me. Seeing its panting, joyful face, all my worries seemed to fade.
“You look excited.”
I crouched and petted the dog’s head.
“Woof woof! (Super excited! Love it!)”
Huh? What was that?
“Are you out walking again tonight?”
“Woof woof woof! (I wanna play during the day too, but my owner’s always busy.)”
…
Am I really understanding this dog?
At first, I thought I misheard, or it was just my imagination. But now I could clearly hear its thoughts. What is going on? Did Elena always have this ability?
There was no mention of anything like this in the original. Elena had very little presence in the story, and if she had this power, she wouldn’t have become the fifth victim.
So did I gain this ability after possessing her? If that’s the case…
“Jackpot.”
“Woof? (What’s a jackpot?)”
The dog tilted its head at my quiet muttering.
If I have this ability, maybe the Duke won’t kill me! I’d need to prove it, of course, but that could come later. Just having a special power made me happy.
“Thank you.”
“Woof? (You’re welcome?)”
“Elena?”
“Oh, Duke.”
“Is something wrong?”
“No, nothing. What shall we play?”
“I was throwing the ball for Luca earlier, but he looks tired now. Maybe we’ll just take a simple walk.”
“Sure, a nice walk sounds great.”
“…”
The Duke stared at me for a moment before speaking again.
“You seem to be in a good mood today?”
Oh no, did I act too cheerful?
“Yes, something good happened.”
“What kind of good thing? Did you perhaps come across some unexpected gold?”
“…!”
At his words, my mood crashed straight to the earth’s mantle.
What the hell? “Unexpected gold”? Could it be… he knows I sold the dagger?!
