Surviving in my Own Unpublished Failed Novel

"I-I don't know what to do."

Ken, crying with a heavy heart due to his mistake and helplessness, whispered solemnly in the air. His parents' condition flashed in his mind and felt like he was about to go insane since it was more than a month that had passed since he last communicated with them.

More than a month had passed by because of a woman, whose identity turned out to be a vampire — a spy sent by the vampire race, after they were being cast out of the clan, with a mission of providing the clan they came from with vital information so that they could be accepted again.

Based on Russell's unpublished novel, there were at least two reasons why vampires were cast out of their respective clans. First, because their families had sinned, and second because they were born in this world outside of nobility. In other words, similar to a part of human society, vampires could either be from a commoner or slave family.

<Oppa, do you think it's unnecessary to beat him up?>

Freya asked telepathically, glancing at her older brother, who was still looking down at the pathetic state of Ken — the one who Amery fought during the final stage of the Disciplinary Officer Trial Exam.

Russell didn't respond, rather it was Amelie who answered Freya's mild concern.

<No, it's probably for the best because of that troublesome charm. Even though he was under the effect of that skill for quite some time, his body probably got used to the feeling of having Tanya.>

Russell was still silent upon hearing in his head the exchanges of the two. A moment later, Russell looked at Artorious, standing by the door and looking at what was currently happening.

Seemingly understanding Russell's gaze, Artorious first spoke with the same, unchanging emotion.

"I permit you to do what's necessary."

Russell nodded in gratefulness before he looked at Amelie. The latter then understood what he was implying as she took out the Staff of the Lost Shade and opened, even with Artorious' presence, the Spade Warp.

Ken seemed to be jolted awake by the sudden change in atmosphere. Kneeling on the floor, crying his eyes out, Ken slowly looked up and saw the Spade Warp, which gave off a cold atmosphere.

Amelie then vanished from the deceased's dormitory room.

***

"The three of you, including that young man, meet me at the Disciplinary Committee Office."

Artorious said before he disappeared from his spot as his body seemed to implode and compress into fragments of mirror.

He didn't give time for Russell or Freya to voice their opinions regarding the matter.

Brushing off the relentless behavior of the number one Player in the Human Domain, Russell looked, then spoke to Ken.

"Work for me. Be my companion."

Ken tilted his head, perplexed.

"W-what?"

Letting out a sigh and seemingly not wanting to repeat what he said, Freya interjected.

"We will help you in exchange for your permission to join us on our journey."

Ken's ears pricked up upon hearing the word "help." He wasn't a fool — except in choosing a woman to love, as he quickly realized that these students were far from ordinary. Though he wasn't sure what way, with Artorious' presence alone, he became increasingly certain.

"M-my parents! I'll give you my life! Just save my parents from Mana Poisoning!"

"Freya..."

Russell glanced at Freya with a faint smile. She then nodded before inviting Ken to Freya's Star Quest Party.

"Huh...?"

Reading the messages in front of him, Ken was feeling puzzled and astonished at the same time. It's because a student, who was not even an eighteen-year-old, already possessed a series of quests from a higher being.

"W-wait! I need to make sure they're safe."

'He isn't a fool, after all.'

Russell thought upon hearing his words. At that moment, the endpoint of Spade Warp appeared again in Tanya's dormitory room.

Amelie walked out of it, as well as Azalea, and then...

"Mom...? Dad...? Lily!"

He stood up from kneeling, rushed towards his family, and hugged them tightly. His eyes which were becoming dry from crying seemed to become a waterfall again. This time, he could not... No, he didn't restrain any sort of emotions and rather expressed them for his family.

"H-how... I-I thought you two are in critical condition?"

He was more than delighted with the healthy state of his parents, but he couldn't help but ask as his curiosity poked him.

With the door to the dormitory room closed, Ken's parents recounted everything that had happened in the past several days.

With the help of Azalea as the master of the continental black market or known as Thorn of Rose, they quickly located Ken's family.

His information wasn't hard to find since the Obelisk Academy was in possession of every student's personal information, not including the past though — which was why Russell was agitated previously when he knew that he and his younger sister were being secretly investigated by Rumia's shadows — Raya and Yara.

After that, with Russell's money, due to selling the rights of the first Micro-Strayed Dungeon and occasionally trading stocks — his main job in his past life with disregard of the mysteries of his reincarnation, they bought two Elixirs that cost about a one billion Obel each.

Ken looked at Russell in disbelief with his mouth agape because of the money spent for someone like him.

Although his parents didn't understand at first the reason why they got help, Russell explained to them, with all honesty, that their son, Ken Raven, had great potential due to him being a hardworking student and player. They wanted Ken to become their companion in the long run and utilized his talents.

Apart from that, Russell told them the reason why their son wasn't able to contact them for a long time. At that moment, Ken clenched his fists and gritted his teeth as he recalled what had transpired. He felt stupid and useless though it wasn't entirely his fault.

"Mom... Dad... Lily... I'm sorry."

After some time, the discussion between them ended. With benefits from Russell, Ken and his family were provided a new home, just blocks away from their own home in South Olympia.

"I love you, son! Be strong!"

His father encouraged his son. The worry they had in the past few weeks was gone, and they were even presented with opportunities.

With a trembling mouth, Ken didn't shy away from saying the words back to his parents.

"I love you, Mom... Dad... and Lily. I promise I'll become strong and protect you!"

His parents then disappeared upon entering the Spade Warp.

***

Because it would an unusual sight, Russell and the others — Freya, Amelie, Azalea, and Ken, traversed via Spade Warp to go to the Disciplinary Committee Office.

Being informed earlier, Azalea wasn't surprised when she saw Artorious Hall, standing and checking some books tidily placed on the bookshelf.

'I should have charged her more.'

Russell jokingly thought upon realizing that Azalea and her party quickly finished conquering the Tower of Growth with the help of his knowledge.

Taking their seats in the cold and seemingly awkward atmosphere due to the lack of noise, Artorious took the initiative to speak.

"There was a time when numerous players tried to access the ominous veil that separates this continent from the other side.

"Some were opposed, while some wanted to venture further. Even after some time passed, humanity couldn't find any way to access the other side of the world.

"Why do you think that is the case?"

Russell's deep blue eyes became serious at what Artorious was hinting at. He didn't answer his question, but rather firmly spoke regarding what he was hinting about — accessing the uncharted territory that man-made spacecraft couldn't fly past through.

"What you're thinking about is impossible..."

Russell paused and glanced at Amelie before he continued:

"Her teleportation skill is restricted only to locations she has seen first with her naked eyes."

'Don't worry, you'll get what you and some others want soon.'

Russell inwardly, and seriously thought because when the veil blocking the other side of the world opened, it would never be pretty for the entire human race.

Artorious fell silent and looked at Russell with his grey, glass-like eyes.

"We can not harm any of you because of the Soul Contract we agreed and signed on, but, if you know anything that could further advance humanity's future, it would be better for you to speak.

"For example, how do you know of vampires' existence? I don't know if it's luck, but they seemed to skillfully avoid my eyes."

Azalea's ears pricked up upon hearing the word "vampire". She glanced at Russell and tilted her head in confusion because she wasn't informed on the case regarding Tanya yet aside from Ken's parents that needed to be located and to be given aid.

'Ha... This man, really... Just how many things do you know??'

She inwardly thought in admiration, waiting for Russell to answer. At that moment, a smile was painted on his face.

"I can tell you how I know, but what can you give in exchange for it?"

"It seems you anticipated that this would happen, young man. What do you need?"

Artorious looked at him suspiciously, but the information needed to be known was more important at the moment.

"With all honesty, I am about to commit an act of crime in the near future, and all I want you to do is turn a blind eye to it."

Russell spoke firmly. He couldn't ask for more because the jurisdiction regarding the confidential "Lunaria" wasn't something that Artorious alone had. It would most likely be certain that the other main heads of the Obelisk Organization knew of her existence.

Russell and the others felt the change in the atmosphere upon hearing Russell's direct words.

"You better know the consequences of your words, young man."

Artorious seriously spoke, he put the book he was holding on the bookshelf.

"I know. Although the Soul Contract says you can not harm me and the others unprovoked, it will be a different story if I'm the one who initiated something that can give you a justification to act against me."

Russell responded resolutely. Even at this moment, he had yet to share the details of his Star Quest with his Chaos Companions. He was even reluctant to tell them because it was a different case, especially since it was related to the Goddess of Night and the truth that was lost in an ancient past.

"I don't know what you are planning, but the matters regarding the vampire seem more important at the moment.

"You have my word. I'll turn a blind eye to the one crime you will commit whenever that may be."

Heaving a sigh of relief, Russell spoke regarding Ruina and the Elven's knowledge of vampires. In other words, he didn't directly tell him that it was because of an unpublished novel, rather, he did his best to lead the lofty man into believing his words — which weren't nonsensical either.

Russell told Artorious regarding the Student Council President, Arthur. His issue with him and how he tried to sell a few artifacts personally and met with something monstrous.

In short, he twisted the truth and told him that Ruina was a vampire who couldn't resist and showed her identity. Intoxicated and wanting blood, she spoke some truths before she got disposed of.

After that, Russell took out from his Dimensional Inventory the Crimson Ring that every vampire spy possessed. It was a hundred percent similar to the one that Ken was holding, which was the one that came from Tanya.

Amelie told them that she noticed it before when Tanya approached her when Maya first appeared to become her Personal Attendant, which Ken clearly remembered as he vouched for her testimony.

"The Elves aren't fully trusting humanity, and I'm sure we're the same for them."

Russell spoke because he knew the truth. Not only him but also probably those who were keen enough to observe the different nation's policies such as the restriction in building a Warp Gate that connected each country — something that was publicly disclosed more than a few decades ago.

After some time of discussion regarding the imminent and possible futures, Artorious left them.

***

More than a thousand kilometers away from the Elnira Kingdom, Northwest above the Orion Continent.

"Some spies are killed in the Human Domain, huh..."

A vampire, exuding a great crimson aura, whispered as a wide smile spread from his face.

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