Chapter 1

Early in the morning, I was searching the streets for a job when a handsome man stopped me.

I thought I had run into a vampire looking for a snack, but he handed me a hiring flyer instead.

The moment I saw the benefits, I knew I was meant to be an NPC at the Crimson Carnival.

The handsome man was Victor Drake, the owner of the Crimson Carnival. He approved my application within three seconds.

Thirty minutes later, I followed him through a maze of alleys back to the carnival and successfully started my new job.

Victor introduced me to my new work buddy, Connor Knight. The man immediately stepped up and wrapped me in a massive bear hug.

Connor had a massive, sturdy build, like a werewolf.

His arms, which were twice as thick as my thighs, squeezed me tightly and scared me out of my wits.

I slapped him away, but he only asked, "Does your hand hurt, Morgan?"

I blinked at him. This alleged werewolf didn't seem very bright. I wondered if he was a rogue wolf kicked out of his pack. He looked like a poor puppy.

Having witnessed the whole thing, Victor snapped, "Assaulting a colleague on your first day, Morgan? Impressive."

Guilt washed over me, and I immediately bowed deeply to apologize to Connor.

Connor crushed the strawberry lollipop in his mouth and pulled a fresh one from his pocket, offering it to me. "It's fine. Connor's treating you to candy."

He was an absolute angel. There was no way he could be a notoriously violent werewolf. After all, what kind of werewolf smelled like strawberries?

Since Connor didn't hold a grudge, my new job was probably safe.

It was a rare find that offered free room and board alongside three thousand silver coins a month.

With this income, I wouldn't have to share a slum with rats and cockroaches anymore, nor would I go hungry.

I took the lollipop and thanked him repeatedly for his generosity.

Victor cut off my gratitude with a cold remark. "That's one warning. Three strikes and you're out."

As the boss, he clearly lacked Connor's finer qualities.

I nodded quietly in acceptance.

After all, life wasn't easy for commoners these days, unless they were hunters or priests.

Connor patted my shoulder with his massive hand. "Don't be scared, Morgan. Victor is a good boss."

A wide grin spread across his face, clearly revealing two sharp fangs.

My heart skipped a beat. Why did he seem like both a werewolf and a vampire? Yet his goofy smile didn't fit either creature at all.

Accepting the praise without a change in expression, Victor produced a thick stack of scripts and introduced my duties for the day.

"In five minutes, I need you to become the most professional circus NPC at the Crimson Carnival," he said.

Hearing the name Crimson Carnival again sent a sudden shiver down my spine.

What kind of decent boss would give a cheerful amusement park such a creepy, blunt name? Would anyone actually visit this place? I hoped it wouldn't go bankrupt on my second day, like my previous job.

The Rosewood Circus was the signature attraction of the Crimson Carnival.

The NPCs here didn't need to jump through fiery hoops or swing from trapezes; they only had to follow the scripts provided by the boss.

For my first day, I had to play the mother of the circus ringmaster.

And that ringmaster was none other than Victor himself.

I had no idea how a workplace newcomer was supposed to play the boss's mom on her very first day. Even if it was a script, the whole thing felt completely nuts.

"I am ready," I said, standing at attention.

At Victor's command, I rushed to the dressing room like an excited whirlwind to put on my makeup.

When I emerged, my messy golden curls were styled into a neat bun, and a thick layer of pearl powder covered my face.

My pale lips were painted bright red, and paired with a crimson, corseted medieval gown, I looked exactly like a high-born noblewoman.

Don't ask why a ringmaster's mother was a noblewoman; it was simply how the script was written.

The look was realistic because Victor froze the moment he saw me.

Connor, now dressed in a clown costume, circled me while inspecting my outfit. "Morgan, you look like someone I kn—"

"What are you two standing around for?" Victor interrupted, snapping into his role as a ruthless capitalist. "Get to work. The Crimson Carnival doesn't pay people to laze about."

I had originally planned to take advantage of the role and call Victor my son, but now I didn't dare entertain the thought.