TPA 20

Chapter 20

The Imperial Invitation (1)

After finishing the tense conversation and returning home, Ul immediately opened his eyes wide, sniffing around intensely.

Then, as if he had caught a scent he couldn’t quite identify, he frowned and turned his head.

“Do we really have to go this far?”

“Of course. As you predicted, he really was lurking around me.”

In truth, Ul had long known that Libido had been snooping around. No matter how much Libido tried to hide his presence, he couldn’t escape Ul’s extraordinary sense of smell. That was why Misa had insisted on going alone, despite Ul wanting to accompany her.

It was a risky gamble, but one with potential.

“It seems he’s interested in me for other reasons.”

“I heard.”

“When?”

“I secretly followed you because I was worried, keeping a distance just enough to hear your conversation.”

From his perspective, the conversation she had just had would have been unpleasant to hear. Naturally, Libido didn’t desire anything like her life.

“I heard everything, so I know what he wants from me.”

“It must have been hard to hold back.”

“But now I’m certain he’s not someone who would kill me immediately.”

“And I’m even more certain he’s a person who’s aggravating beyond that.”

He ground his teeth and wore a threatening expression, still angry at the thought. Misa awkwardly smiled and patted his shoulder.

“I might be able to gather more information. Maybe I could even find clues to where a woman named Rena is?”

“Beasts are quite capricious, and that leopard cub would be no exception. You never know when he might suddenly turn and sink his claws into your neck.”

“But even so, there’s no immediate way to drive him away while he intentionally circles around me, right?”

She was right.

If he were just an ordinary beast, handling him wouldn’t have been this difficult. But he was on another level, a top predator ranking high in the hierarchy, similar to Ul himself.

Previously, their power struggle at the café had caused chaos, knocking out the patrons inside.

Beast conflicts often manifest through pheromones, which could inadvertently endanger innocent humans.

“Either way, it’s dangerous. As long as we can’t eliminate him immediately, he’ll keep lurking around me. And while watching him, I might find clues about Rena’s whereabouts.”

At this point, it was a gamble worth taking despite the danger.

Ul remained silent, seemingly displeased, but Misa’s reasoning wasn’t wrong.

“By the way, we know that Libido is the culprit behind this cold case, but without concrete evidence, we have no way to lock him up.”

Just then, the doorbell rang.

When Misa opened the door, Glam wore a scowling expression.

“Up early, huh?”

“You asked me to find someone.”

“Oh, did you find him?”

He handed over a stack of documents.

The documents contained profiles of men with black hair and red eyes.

“I didn’t know your exact standard for ‘handsome,’ so I trimmed it down as much as I could. How can I find someone whose name I don’t even know?”

“I know his name. I met him today—he said it was Libido.”

At the sound of the name, he sighed, as if he had expected it.

“You’ve lived here for years and still didn’t know Libido’s name?”

“Why? Is he famous?”

“He’s a capable businessman, from the Hart family.”

“Wait, Hart? The powerful family that produced the Empress?”

“Yes.”

The Hart family was an elite, influential house that had produced the current Empress.

Its head, Leon Hart, was a war hero, praised for countless military achievements, trusted and cherished by the Emperor.

“You’ve really wasted your life if you’ve never read the news. How could you not know that name?”

“I’ve been too busy chasing after beasts to care.”

“You’ve heard of his territory, Langelrk, right?”

“Oh, the place known for the largest Akel ore production?”

“He made a fortune by mastering Akel ore refinement. The Emperor gave him mines with full authority because of his contributions.”

“He’s quite influential, then.”

“His private army outnumbers those of other counts and marquises. He also greatly contributed in the previous conquest wars.”

“Despite his achievements, he’s quite young. No one suspects him?”

“Suspect? Why would anyone? He’s Leon Hart’s son.”

“Right…”

How had a beast lived as the son of a war hero like Leon Hart?

He had been a beast for over 500 years, likely accumulating wealth and influence while periodically changing identities. His current position was the result of long-term investments.

“So that’s why you said we wouldn’t even get started before being blocked.”

“What do you mean?”

“This cold case—the one that has been troubling us—is Libido, that man.”

“Are you sure?”

“He confessed himself.”

“But it might not be true.”

“He’s still the prime suspect. All the victims were children of high-ranking nobles. They weren’t just stabbed—they were torn apart by something sharp.”

As Leon Hart’s son, he had plenty of opportunities to interact with them. The Hart family was the most powerful house in the empire. He would have attended numerous events, encountering the victims and committing these acts.

“Who would believe he’s a beast? Or rather, a beast? Unbelievable.”

Glam was right. Who would think a human of such status is a beast?

“We’ll see if more victims appear.”

Currently, his target was Misa. He said as much himself: as long as his goal was her, there would be no other victims for now. If another victim appeared, it would likely be her.

“How did a beast become the eldest son of the Hart family? And Leon Hart…”

“Don’t speak horrid things. Do you know how much he has contributed to the empire? He led the beast hunts more than anyone else.”

“But the man who is the current heir is a beast.”

“If that’s true, then this battle was doomed from the start.”

If one accepts the hypothesis that Leon Hart could have been a beast, it’s over. He was a revered figure, a hero, the Emperor’s right-hand, a living idol for humans. And he might have been a beast?

“It’s too late. The roots of beasts are too deep. There’s nothing we can do.”

It was unimaginable, a chilling proof of how deeply beasts had embedded themselves into human society.

Even if she realized it, Misa could do nothing.

“Sniff… sniff…”

The life she was living now was hellish, worse than hiding in the dark and waiting her turn.

It was grotesque and terrifying. Her own instincts screamed at her when she smelled humans or saw cute children, making her want to bite.

– Aroma, you’re free now. It’s confusing, but you’ll adapt. Finally, you have the freedom you’ve always wanted.

No, no!

The haunting voice of her tormentor echoed. She could see a gleaming platinum-haired woman with a pale yet eerily frightening smile.

– Enjoy your freedom. Run around in the wide world, my lovely 13th daughter.

She wished she had no memory of being human. Or like other beasts, no consciousness at all. Yet both her human memories and rationality remained.

She was terrified. She hated her own existence as a non-human, fearing when her instincts might take over.

‘I hate this, I hate this!’

Hunger gnawed at her relentlessly. Her body demanded food, craving human flesh.

She tried breaking her nose to dull her senses, but her body regenerated instantly. Even suicide was impossible. Life was worse than death.

‘Where should I go? Where…?’

She walked wearily, knowing nothing would change, yet couldn’t stop moving. Her struggle was the only way to try to escape her current plight.

Time passed mercilessly.

As mentioned, Libido didn’t appear to Misa for several days, proving his claim of an important contract wasn’t a lie.

It became certain that the heir of the empire’s most influential family was Libido. Misa, knowing he was a beast, didn’t dismiss suspicions about his father, Leon Hart.

Various investigations revealed nothing significant.

“Wake up.”

Someone shook Misa, exhausted from studying at her desk. She blinked and got up, still dazed.

“Why not just sleep in bed if you were going to sleep anyway? I don’t understand this.”

“I wasn’t planning to sleep, I just dozed off.”

“Even if you worry here a hundred days, nothing changes.”

“I know, but I can’t help feeling concerned.”

“Don’t rush. As you said, this is just the beginning. With time, things will become clearer.”

Yes, it was like a long marathon. To uncover Libido, Leon Hart, and Rena’s whereabouts, a long journey awaited.

Still, Misa was impatient. She couldn’t calm her anxious heart, even knowing there was nothing she could do immediately.

“Come out and eat. Wash your face first.”

Ul went out, and Misa, dragging her heavy body, followed.

‘Hah, too much stress lately. Maybe it’s a cold.’

Her head throbbed, sweat ran despite feeling cold. She washed her face with cold water, noticing her flushed, reddish cheeks and half-lidded eyes. She likely had a fever.

‘I overexerted myself when there’s nothing I can do right now.’

Taking Ul’s advice, she stepped out to rest.

In the kitchen, a neatly arranged table awaited. Instead of rice or bread, porridge was served.

“Why porridge?”

“Porridge is best when sick, then and now.”

“How did you know I was sick?”

“You’ve been running around non-stop; your body couldn’t help but weaken.”

It had been so long since she last had porridge. Her mother used to give it to her when she was sick. Alone, she had no one to care for her. She had never shown weakness before, even working harder when sick.

“Porridge, it’s been ages.”

“No one would have noticed your sickness if you never showed it.”

“You know me too well.”

“Anyone could see that kind of foolishness immediately.”

Misa smiled foolishly and took a steaming spoonful.

“It’s in my nature.”

“I know.”

“I know I’m foolish and stubborn. People always said I suffer unnecessarily. True, but changing isn’t easy. Even trying to change, I don’t.”

Ul watched her quietly, speaking calmly:

“You don’t need to change.”

Indeed, she was foolish. Her overzealous energy was sometimes irritating, yet he didn’t dislike her.

He merely wished she were a bit more mindful, more self-reflective.

He had experienced this before. People like Misa, when they change, often change in unfavorable ways. Once core beliefs shift, it could lead to disaster.

Rena had.

“You’re not bad now. Just a bit foolish.”

“Should I take that as a compliment or insult?”

“Both.”

“Ha…”

“It means reflect on yourself as much as you do for others.”

Human nature was diverse, complex. Some were altruistic; most were self-centered. People who put others first were rare.

“You sacrifice yourself too much for others.”

“Do I? I don’t notice it.”

“What you do requires a sense of duty; you take on tasks you don’t need to. That sense of mission drives you.”

“Seeing victims reminds me of my childhood. I know how they feel. That’s why I’m passionate.”

“I know. It’s not bad. But cultivate the habit of self-reflection. Don’t be sickly like today.”

“Nagging.”

“Nagging that builds character.”

“You’re like an old man.”

“I am old, lived a thousand years.”

Misa grinned playfully.

“You’re shamelessly telling a young girl to marry.”

“I became a beast at thirty; body’s fixed at thirty. Only a five-year gap anyway.”

Initially, she had worried about living with him, but now it felt comfortable. Few weeks together felt like years.

“I wish there were more beasts like you. Then maybe humans and beasts could coexist?”

“Coexistence?”

Ul scoffed lightly.

“That’s impossible. Carnivores don’t survive on grass alone.”

“So it’s sad. Why do beasts suffer these desires?”

“No one knows. Certainly, it’s not Rena’s intention. It’s a side effect of the experiment.”

“You can’t expect all beasts to restrain desires like you.”

“Desires are natural instincts. Humans can’t resist satisfying them; neither can beasts.”

Evolutionarily natural, a process.

Misa put down her spoon. Ul frowned, placing the spoon back in her hand.

“Eat more.”

“I’m full.”

“Full after a few bites? Nonsense. Eat. Your stomach will adjust.”

“Force-feeding is torture, you know?”

“Not eating properly is also torture. Humans need daily nutrition. Your intake is below average.”

Skipping meals had reduced her stomach capacity. Recently, Ul ensured she ate regularly, but before that, she often went without food.

Reluctantly, she took the spoon.

“Eating too fast will upset your stomach.”

“This is fine. You won’t die eating this much.”

As Ul finished speaking, the doorbell rang.

Misa seized the moment, rushing to open the door.

A woman she had never seen before stood there. Despite being a stranger, Misa recognized her as a palace maid. The wing-shaped badge on her chest marked her as palace staff.

The maid handed Misa a letter without a word and left.

Misa, stunned, returned to the kitchen and sat down.

“Who is it?”

“Someone from the palace.”

“From the palace? For what?”

“I don’t know. She gave this and left without explanation.”

Misa frowned, inspecting the envelope carefully.

“It’s an invitation.”

“Invitation?”

“To a ball hosted by the royal family for allied dignitaries and nobles.”

Why would they invite me?

She briefly doubted the letter’s authenticity, but then saw the imperial seal at the bottom—definitely from the royal family.

“There are two invitations.”

Why invite someone like me, a mere hunter, to a gathering of powerful nobles?

“Seems one is for you.”

Misa slowly turned her head. A chill ran down her spine.