Chapter 2

The low growl of a vampire servant rang in my ears. I jolted awake and realized I'd been reborn, back to the day we were captured by the vampires.

At this moment, Julian was running right past me, heading straight for that towering female prince covered in burning flame totems.

"Choose me, Queen Inferna! I'm willing to become your companion!"

I could barely believe my ears—he actually dared to say that out loud! The height difference between them was so obvious.

In my previous life, he trembled with fear when he saw this queen who was nearly twice his height. When Queen Inferna's gaze swept over, he didn't hesitate to push me forward.

Now he's not afraid of dying in her bedchamber? He actually dares to offer himself!

Meeting that undisguised malice in his eyes, I instantly understood—he'd been reborn too.

In the past, shortly after Julian followed Queen Aquila, her clan was absorbed by other princes. He was passed around between several vampire groups, treated as a plaything and blood source, suffering endless humiliation before I finally rescued him.

I never expected that his heart had already been consumed by jealousy. He took advantage of my carelessness and pushed me off a building.

Reborn, he wanted to seize the advantage. He thought that by securing Queen Inferna's favor first, he could become the most respected human in the apocalypse.

I couldn't help but sneer inwardly. Did he really think the position of "Father of the Blood Heirs" was so easy to endure?

Queen Inferna seemed quite interested in his initiative. She lifted him with one hand and placed him on her broad shoulder. "Then I'll take you."

Julian used to study dance. His frame was slender and his appearance was indeed outstanding. I just didn't know if that build could withstand the queen's domineering infernal flames and harsh demands.

Delight flashed in his eyes, and he looked at me with triumph.

His lips moved silently, forming words: "This should have been mine all along. Now it's back where it belongs."

Setting aside where his confidence came from, I had no intention of competing with him.

He only saw my later life—the surface glory, the protection I received—but he had no idea what I paid for it.

I smiled at him slightly. Since he was so desperate to jump into the fire pit, I'd let him have this "honor."

We used to be best friends. After the apocalypse hit, he had limited combat ability and largely relied on my protection to survive until now.

I never called him out on it, but that didn't mean I didn't know about his little schemes.

Secretly cutting my food rations, always making me take the front line when we were attacked, claiming "you learned combat, you can protect yourself better."

In this world where I'd lost all my family, he was my only connection to the past. That's why I tolerated him again and again.

Under my protection, he enjoyed the benefits while secretly scheming with jealousy. Now he wanted to steal my chance of survival and make me step into the hell he already knew.

He even eagerly gestured to Queen Aquila. "Your Majesty, that person over there is my good friend, Mason! He's physically strong, absolutely suitable to provide blood for you!"

His eyes were full of impatience, desperate for me to experience all the suffering he'd endured.