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Chapter 18: "Missing Badge Mission 1" — Polished Version
The three guys glared at Androsen one last time before showing the security their badges. Then they turned back to him.
"He doesn't even have the qualifications to enter. How embarrassing," they murmured as they walked into the hall.
Androsen lifted his right hand and gently pinched his brow.
It must be the person who stole the badge… these rumors about the badge, he thought. And they even instructed security to increase badge checks.
He could feel people's gazes on him. Their whispers floated around him, but he didn't care. Amidst the crowd, the Student Council President, Lucin, stood glaring at Androsen with clear envy and hatred—his fangs noticeable even from afar.
It seems the person behind all this wants to remove me from the candidates list.
Before he could finish his thoughts, a young woman—around twenty-six, with silver hair—stepped forward and gave a slight bow. With her head still lowered, she said,
"Lord Androsen, the Hall of Elders demands your presence. Please follow me."
Androsen's expression tightened. He had a strong hunch this would happen.
He followed her quietly until they reached a large hall. She stopped and stretched her hand toward the door. As always, Androsen looked unbothered, his aura dark and sharp.
A man pushed the door open. Androsen walked inside.
The room was enormous, decorated with gold and diamond. Far ahead stood ten chairs connected together like a throne wall. The room itself was tall and elegant, with stairs below and an aura so heavy it could send chills down anyone's spine.
But Androsen remained unfazed.
In the middle seat sat a man whose aura overshadowed everyone else. His expression alone showed authority. His features were sharp—calm, masculine, perfectly carved. His jawline, blue eyes, and long blond hair combined with his brown fur suit made him look powerful and wealthy.
His voice was calm yet strong, echoing across the massive hall.
"Androsen of the Lopez family. Do you know why you were summoned here?"
Androsen already knew. But he stayed silent.
"As a candidate for the next elder," the man continued, his tone shifting with disappointment, "I heard you actually lost your family badge."
Another elder, dressed in an ash-colored suit, added, "Do you know what the badge means to the Blood Clan?"
The atmosphere grew colder. Their calm voices carried power—enough to crush most people. Anyone else standing where Androsen stood would have already begun begging or explaining themselves. But Androsen was not like them.
Another elder spoke.
"It represents the status and glory of a family—of the entire Blood Clan."
"You can't even take care of your family badge," someone else said sharply.
"We would like to ask: what competence do you have to succeed as an elder?"
Androsen met their gazes.
"But what if I told you the loss of the badge was a plot?"
A ripple spread across the elders.
"Is the Hall of Elders turning a blind eye?" Androsen continued.
The blond-haired elder leaned forward.
"You mean someone is framing you? And the goal is to disqualify you from becoming an elder?"
He paused for a brief second.
"But if you can't even fend off someone's plot against you, then your competence is… lacking."
Androsen's eyes sharpened. "Since I already knew there are people intentionally harming me," he stared directly at the blond man, "why would I come unprepared?"
The blond-haired elder gave a curious smile.
"Oh?"
"I promise to recover the badge within twenty-four hours," Androsen said. His voice hardened.
"If not… I will give up my right as an elder candidate."
The elder let out a soft huff.
"Hmph. Very well. Let us see what you are capable of."
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Pilea walked through the hall with Kensley following behind her. Her aura was calm, and every eye turned toward her. Her figure suited the gown perfectly, and her long blond hair—tied into a high ponytail—swayed gently with each step.
"She's so gorgeous," someone murmured as she passed.
Kensley, with his charming playboy smile, gently excused himself.
"I'll go find Androsen first. Stroll around by yourself."
Pilea nodded softly. The hall was huge and packed with vampires.
As she scanned the room, her gaze lifted to the upper floor—and she froze.
Lucin.
Her brows tightened.
"Senior…?"
He didn't seem to notice her. He was having a conversation with a woman in front of him.
"That's right… he indeed is…" Pilea whispered.
She rushed toward him.
"Excuse me, sir?"
Lucin turned at the sound of her voice.
She wasn't surprised anymore. He can't attend this kind of event unless he's a vampire… so he really was a vampire.
"May I have a word with you?" she asked.
Lucin looked at her calmly.
I can't be rational in this situation… I have to act based on the circumstances, Pilea thought nervously.
Lucin scanned her from head to toe with a cunning smile, his hand holding a glass of wine.
"You're really a beautiful lady," he said.
Pilea stayed silent.
"Then this way, please." He gestured politely.
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Meanwhile, Androsen walked down the hall like the king he was. Kensley smiled when he spotted him.
"Turns out you're here."
Androsen looked at him.
"You're finally here. Did you find the badge?"
Kensley gave a reassuring smile.
"Don't worry, the plan is proceeding smoothly."
Androsen looked pleased.
"Is it?"
Kensley cleared his throat.
"However… on the way here, there was a small… interlude."
Androsen's pleased expression darkened.
"Hmm?"
"Because of family relations, Masa had no way to assist us in the next move."
"And fortunately, in that moment, I actually encountered your poor little thing—so I let her do it."
The darkness in Androsen's eyes intensified, enough to send chills through Kensley.
"What?"
Kensley gasped.
He truly didn't understand what he said wrong.
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