CHAPTER 17: THE EVIL PUNISHMENT

Vlad pulled Hein’s hands behind his back, forcing his elbows together and making his chest bulge. Hein groaned in pain.

"Before I speak, is there anything you want to say to me?" Vlad asked calmly. But his voice only made the already tense atmosphere even heavier.

Hein took a deep breath, his heart racing. He couldn’t admit he had locked Kai up. Vlad wouldn’t be pleased. He didn’t want to die like the slave who had died that morning.

Vlad tightened his grip on Hein’s elbows.

"Arghhh, h-hurts, M-Master..." Hein stifled a groan, his voice choked. His shoulders ached, his arms throbbed with pain.

"So, you won’t say anything?"

Hein was terrified. Though his body was fairly sturdy—like most slaves—he was nothing in front of Vlad. Vlad’s tall, imposing figure made Hein seem small and weak.

Even just one sentence from Vlad left him helpless. What did Vlad want to know? Did he know Hein was the one who had locked Kai up?

"I hate liars. And I don’t like anyone acting foolishly on my land without my knowledge," Vlad said.

Hein swallowed hard, his body trembling from the pain in his arms—but he was more afraid of Vlad’s words. Still, he remained silent.

"So, you really don’t want to talk after hurting your own friend?" Vlad asked, making Hein’s fear spike. How did he know?

Vlad grinned and brought Hein’s neck closer to his lips.

Hein closed his eyes, holding his breath. He was used to Vlad’s fangs piercing his neck. He waited for the pain.

But Vlad didn’t bite. Instead, he licked Hein’s neck. Hein froze, trembling and sweating.

Then Vlad pushed Hein away and glared at all the slaves and servants who stood silently, tense.

"You are wrong if you think you can deceive me. I gave Gim the lashes because he acted arbitrarily toward a stranger without my permission."

All eyes turned to Gim, who bowed his head. Various thoughts filled everyone’s minds.

"I punished Laid because he stole money from another slave."

Most people looked at each other in shock. They had only known that the slave had died that morning from torture—they hadn’t known the real reason. Whose money was stolen? How did Vlad know?

"And some of you still dare to do evil in my residence? Even to fellow slaves?" Vlad asked, his tone calm, now looking at Kai.

Then he turned his gaze back to Hein. "You locked your fellow slave in the horse stable. Your actions are more cruel than a thief’s. What you did was worse than what Laid did. And you’re still trying to hide it from me."

Hein swallowed hard. He didn’t dare look at Vlad. He was already terrified of the punishment he would receive.

Meanwhile, everyone tried to piece together what had happened. Was all this related to Kai’s earlier disappearance? Had Hein really locked Kai in the barn?

They were too shocked to believe it. Hein had always been known as a hardworking and quiet person. They didn’t understand why he would do something so foolish.

Especially in Vlad’s residence.

Everyone exchanged silent glances. The slaves bowed their heads, feeling the fear Hein must be experiencing right now. Laid had died after being tortured for stealing. Hein’s actions were worse.

They couldn’t imagine what Hein would face.

Kai’s heart pounded. Even though Hein had locked him away, he didn’t want that man punished because of him. Hein’s words still echoed in his head—that it was all Kai’s fault Hein hated him.

"You’re trembling." Vlad pulled Hein’s arm tighter. "Scared?"

"Ugh!" Hein groaned in pain, clenching his teeth to endure it. "I—I’m sorry, Master..."

Vlad chuckled. "You’re apologizing now, after knowing what’s going to happen to you?"

Kai could barely breathe. Everyone had fallen silent. Only Hein’s groans and Vlad’s voice could be heard.

Vlad released his grip, freeing the slave’s arm. Hein could breathe again, but didn’t dare move.

Vlad’s fingers traced Hein’s shoulder, moving down to his elbow. "You dared to touch my property—you don’t deserve your hands," Vlad said.

With his strong hand, he yanked Hein’s arm from the elbow.

"Aaaarghhh!" Hein screamed at the top of his lungs, feeling his joints shift, as if they were breaking. His breath was labored. The pain was excruciating. "Aarghh..." He cried, clutching his left shoulder.

Vlad grabbed Hein’s fingers in his left hand, making Hein scream again. "P-please, M-Master... forgive me... pleaseee..."

Kai held his breath. The fierce figure of Hein from earlier that day had vanished, replaced by a broken slave begging for mercy. He hadn’t expected to see Hein cry.

Everyone trembled, holding their breath as they watched Hein’s suffering. No one dared look directly. Even hearing Hein’s screams made their blood run cold.

Then—

CRACK.

A terrifying sound echoed down the corridor as Vlad twisted Hein’s arm back with inhuman strength.

"AARRGHHHHHH!!!" Hein let out a long, hoarse, broken scream as his bones snapped. His body collapsed, but Vlad held him tightly, his expression calm.

Suppressed screams rippled through the room. Even the servants were shocked.

Kai’s breath caught. His heart pounded so hard it felt like his ribs might shatter. Hein’s screams echoed in his ears like the ones he used to hear in Omino’s torture chamber.

But this time, he was the cause.

No. He didn’t do it. Hein had done it to himself. Hein had locked him in the warehouse, threatened him. Hein had called him names, blamed him for something he hadn’t done.

But still...

Kai pressed his forehead to the floor, trying to breathe—trying not to feel anything. But Hein’s face—twisted in pain and humiliation—refused to leave his mind.

The other slaves were silent. No one moved.

Hein’s voice echoed again. "P-please, M-MASTER... FORGIVE ME!!!" His scream was desperate.

Everyone watched. They stared in shock as Vlad grabbed Hein’s right arm. Instantly, they bowed their heads, closing their eyes. None of them dared to look.

Kai trembled violently. For some reason, he crawled quickly toward Vlad, drawing the man’s attention.

"M-Master, p-please... Forgive him..." His voice was hoarse with fear. He already regretted speaking. He could die! How dare he defy his master?

Kai swallowed hard. But he didn’t want Hein to die because of him. He felt sick seeing Hein’s limp arm on the floor. If it wasn’t treated in time—or if he lost the other arm—he would surely die.

No. Don’t.

Kai stared at Vlad with determination. "P-please, Master..."

Silence. The room was tense and suffocating.

Vlad said nothing.

Kai bowed his head and closed his eyes, expecting a slap, a kick—anything.

But nothing came.

The silence felt endless.

Then Vlad’s laughter echoed—heavy and ominous.

Kai’s heart raced. Vlad’s cold fingers touched his chin, lifting his face. "You’re begging mercy... for him?"

Kai choked.

"After what he did to you?"

Kai swallowed, unable to speak from fear.

Vlad stared at him intently. Then he grinned. "Do you want to take his place?"

DEG!

Kai’s face burned. His body reacted instantly, anticipating pain. Would he lose his arm?

"Uuhh... D-does it hurt?" he asked softly, almost to himself. Seeing Hein’s limp body, he knew the pain must be unbearable.

But if Hein lost his other arm, he would die. Should Kai sacrifice his own arm—for someone who had harmed him?

Kai finally nodded. He realized he was a fool. But he knew he could never live in peace if Hein died today.

Vlad threw Hein’s body to the floor. "Take him away!" he ordered.

Gim rushed over and carried Hein’s blood-soaked body. John had already gone ahead to call a doctor.

Now everyone focused on Kai. Would he really lose his arm for Hein?

Vlad lifted Kai onto his lap, replacing Hein. Kai bowed his head nervously. His mind braced for the pain.

If he didn’t have an arm, how would he eat? Would he be okay?

Those thoughts haunted him. But even though he was afraid, he couldn’t take back his words.

"Which arm do you want me to cut off?" Vlad asked, making Kai even more anxious.

Kai swallowed hard. He held his left arm.

Vlad grinned. "Alright."

Kai groaned softly, even before the man did anything. Vlad chuckled as he watched him.

Kai tensed as Vlad’s strong hand gripped his arm. It was cold. Then the grip tightened. He closed his eyes, gritted his teeth, and braced himself.

Vlad pulled his shoulder closer. Instead of severing Kai’s arm, he sank his fangs into the slave’s shoulder.

Kai gasped. He felt his blood being drawn. He didn’t know what would happen next, but his body felt incredibly light. His vision blurred.

Would he lose his arm? Or his life?