Chapter 46
Chapter 46
-----------------------------------------------------------------
Translator: penny
Chapter: 46
Chapter Title: Vampire Uproar #2
-----------------------------------------------------------------
Vampire!
The moment I heard that word, my fist clenched tight, and I felt my fighting spirit ignite.
These summer mosquito bastards have finally shown up...!
Through all my experiences so far, I've grown mentally by leaps and bounds. A mere vampire is nothing to me now. Especially with the Management Bureau by my side—what can those mosquito shits possibly do?
I'll rip their guts out and kill them!
"Your eyes look dangerous, Grong. That's why I didn't want to tell you."
"Team Leader Jaaldi! I want to go too!"
"You really want to fight vampires that badly?"
Jaaldi's eyes narrowed.
Her sharp features looked even more intimidating like that.
"Of course! As long as those bastards are alive, I can't even sleep properly! I've survived multiple field incidents! If you send me, I can do something!"
Sitting on the sidelines as a rookie doesn't suit me. I didn't join the Management Bureau just to suck honey. I need to see as much as possible with my own eyes.
"Grong, we don't usually send rookie agents to dangerous sites."
Jaaldi seemed reluctant to send a newbie like me, but this was just a matter of persuasion.
"Even so, I want to go! Please let me!"
"Hmm."
No matter what, I want to go!
"Grong, you sure? It's dangerous."
"I didn't become an agent for safety. How can I leave monsters like that alone? If I were the type to avoid danger, I wouldn't have become an agent in the first place."
I conveyed my determination to the concerned Jamtree.
"Hmm, kids like you tend to die young. If a vampire bites you, there's no antidote."
"Then I just won't get bitten!"
Spandal's threat wouldn't break my will either.
"Fine. You're approved. You'll have to go eventually as an agent anyway."
"Thank you!"
"Don't charge ahead. You're a sharpshooting master, so provide cover from the rear."
"This is my chance to show off my shooting skills!"
I've practiced shooting to the point of nausea, so I'm confident.
"Then let's get our supplies. Everyone, follow me."
And so we followed Jaaldi.
"Team Leader Jaaldi, what exactly happened? Where did the vampires show up?"
"The location is here."
The spot marked on her phone was in the provinces.
A small city somewhere.
"Vampires and ghouls have appeared in large numbers here. Expect a major battle—stay sharp."
"Got it. Wait, but vampires active during the day?"
Aren't they usually weak to sunlight?
They were weak to crosses and garlic, so sunlight should affect them too. But it's morning now. No matter how I look at it, this doesn't seem like a time for mosquito bastards to be active.
"Take a look at this."
Jaaldi showed me a photo.
"This is...?"
A dim background.
Pouring rain and thick fog blanketing everything.
"A massive fog and storm rolled in. Looks like they're using it to block the sunlight."
"No way... Vampires can do that?"
Was there a weather-controlling vampire among them?
"We don't know the details. Whatever it is, we'll eliminate every vampire and ghoul we see. Jamtree, explain."
"Yes."
Jamtree took over the explanation.
"You're still a newbie, Grong, so I'll go over it step by step. There's a powerful vampire called a Pureblood that's infiltrated the country. It's been dodging the Management Bureau's eyes, slowly building its forces. This incident is probably part of that."
I knew about Purebloods.
"So openly?"
"It might be past the stealth phase... Anyway. When a vampire bites a person, they turn into a ghoul. A blood-crazed monster."
I knew that too.
My mom and dad turned into that and tried to eat me.
"Is there no way to save them?"
"Sadly, no."
"..."
None at all.
"So don't hesitate against ghouls, Grong. You'll just end up dead."
"Understood. Ending their suffering is the only salvation."
"Right."
I had no room for misplaced mercy.
I'd already killed countless skinwalkers during the Giant Apocalypse. Some were even former comrades.
Better to end their lives than let them live as monsters. Even without being an agent, that's the right call.
We survivors had all promised each other: if anyone turned into a skinwalker, kill them on the spot. We swore it under a cherry blossom tree, sharing drinks, becoming true comrades who could trust each other with our lives. The only difference from the legend of the Peach Garden Oath was the minor detail that there was no cherry blossom tree or drinks.
Jinseop was practically like my little brother.
I wonder what that guy's up to now.
He said he was just a high schooler before the apocalypse. Of course, I'd forgotten the school name. Even if I remembered, tracking him down would be weird. I know Jinseop well, but he doesn't know me.
He's probably living fine on his own.
Even if I miss him, it's best to bury it.
"Your eyes look good, Grong. Remember this: don't show mercy to those already eaten. The only way is swift elimination. That's how you prevent more victims."
"Yes. You're right. Cold choices save more lives."
"You get it."
"But Team Leader Jaaldi, we're basically heading into battle. Even so, if gunfire breaks out, can we keep it under wraps? From what I know, a shootout in Korea gets massive media coverage..."
"No problem."
Really?
"We can cover up incidents. Wipe memories or implant fakes—it's all possible. And about those shootings? Some of the shocking domestic cases you know were our staged ops."
"No way!"
"So if you encounter civilians during the op, rescue them and get info. Say you're government secret agents—they usually cooperate."
"That makes sense."
If vampires suddenly appeared before me as a civilian and weird agents showed up to save me and ask for cooperation, I'd help on the spot.
Memories can be erased anyway.
We arrived at the Management Bureau supply room.
This is where we'd gear up.
Inside, there were all sorts of items.
Clack.
Jamtree, in body armor, handed me a K2.
"Here, Grong. Take it."
"Ooh...!"
My lifelong partner, the ultimate weapon!
With this, I fear nothing!
"This is an anti-vampire mag. You did your military service, so you know how to handle it?"
"I was a top marksman. Want to hear some army stories? I was insanely good at soccer. And the company fart ghost!"
"That's... uh, no idea what that means. Pass on the stories."
I really wanted to tell Jamtree the fart ghost tale.
"But Senior Jamtree, the rounds are silver."
"Yeah, silver bullets."
"Silver bullets too?! This is straight out of a movie!"
Insane!
They actually use silver bullets!
"Don't get too excited."
Vampires seem to have all the classic traits. A K2 loaded with silver rounds could strip those vampire scum to the bone in seconds. True vampiric bone marrow pad thai steak.
Maybe even easier than skinwalkers.
"Got any garlic? Like a garlic machine gun or minced garlic grenades!"
"Here."
Spandal handed me a grenade.
"Oh, this grenade?"
"It's laced with garlic. Eat it if you're hungry."
"I'll enjoy it!"
Garlic grenades actually exist!
"Oh, Team Leader Jaaldi! Suggestion: garlic body armor as an anti-vampire weapon! If attacked, it rips open, spraying minced garlic—offense and defense in one!"
"Was just about to give you some. Here."
"They exist?!"
These crazy bastards!
I suited up in garlic body armor immediately!
"Grong, grab some crosses too. The more, the better."
"Ooh...!"
The Management Bureau was more capable than I'd imagined. They really seemed like pro vampire hunters. No, even more professional.
I'd once been possessed by madness and become a vampire hunter myself, hoarding garlic and crosses. Seeing all those weapons here made my trust explode.
Everything I'd dreamed of as a hunter was prepared.
This is the Management Bureau's power.
"I'll arm myself with faith!"
Finally, grabbing a stake for close combat completed my anti-vampire loadout. Far more professional and transcendent than what I'd pieced together as a civilian.
Anyone would think I was the legendary Van Helsing.
"You're a bit late saying this."
As I armored my mind with faith, Jaaldi looked at me.
"Forget faith. Management Bureau agents can't believe in religion."
"Huh? Why not?"
When I asked why, Jamtree grabbed my shoulder.
"Grong, just accept it. Religion and faith are tools. Don't surrender your heart."
Don't surrender your heart.
It felt like a grave warning.
"Got it. There's a reason for that."
"Yeah. Just know it's dangerous."
I still have much to learn as an agent.
"Let's move out."
"Yes. But it's not just us, right?"
"Suppression Team's already deployed."
"Oh."
Gorgodio and Quras must be there already. But not just them, so I'd meet new Suppression Team seniors.
"Wait! Team Leader Jaaldi! Can I grab a ton of garlic from the nearby ingredients mart?"
"What? No, not to that extent."
"You don't get it! Garlic's essential! Oh, the supply room fridge needs permanent garlic stock!"
I passionately voiced my opinion. The war on vampires is no joke. We must use every means available. Garlic is a miracle cure. In a life-or-death moment, a pocket garlic could save you.
That's how I survived.
I did.
"Go run and get it. Motorcycle in the first-floor lot. We'll wait in the parking lot—don't be late. Vampires are moving even now."
"Yes!"
I bolted to the parking lot, hopped on the bike, and raced to the mart.
There, I swept up every garlic in sight.
Peeled cloves and minced—domestic, Chinese, no discrimination. Ancient Celts got battle tattoos to boost morale before fights. Management Bureau agents need garlic rubs for garlic tattoos. No one escapes—not Jaaldi, Jamtree, or Spandal. Garlic enchant and buffs are mandatory.
"Kid, buying that much garlic?"
"I love garlic. Like an onion addict, but garlic."
After checkout, I returned to the parking lot.
The van was honking. I boarded immediately.
"You're back. Got enough garlic?"
"Grong, I didn't think you'd actually go buy garlic."
"It's essential."
Enough stock?
"Here! Peeled cloves and minced garlic, one pack each...! I recommend applying minced like lotion!"
"Grong, really..."
Jamtree stared, but no compromises.
I started opening the minced garlic.
"Grong, stop him, Jamtree."
"Ah! Grong! Don't actually do it!"
Why stop me!
"You might think it's weird, but when I encountered that vampire that night, I did exactly this. Devoured garlic like a three-day-starved bear woman and slathered minced all over. That's why the Pureblood didn't come that day."
"Three-day-starved bear woman... Grong."
"...Pfft."
"Hmm, overflowing with madness. True Management Bureau talent."
Only Spandal understood me.
"Sigh. That's valid madness. Gotta take you to Mental Health Team sometime. Jamtree, handle it."
"Grong, calm down. Silver bullets are stronger than garlic. No need right now. Relax."
"Got it."
Fair enough. Unlike me, they're specialists. They'll focus on other things over garlic.
"Then I'll just eat these peeled cloves. Everyone, have a bite."
"I'll pass."
"Sis, me too."
"Senior Spandal!!! Peeled garlic!!!"
I shoved garlic at Spandal.
"Not tempted."
Rarely, Spandal averted her eyes.
"Fine, I'll eat alone."
I dumped peeled cloves into my mouth right there.
Vroom.
The van started moving.
Heading to the site now.
"..."
Truth is.
Maybe.
Part of me just wants to run. Compared to scarier unknowns, vampires are straightforward—something I already know.
Fleeing from the unknown to the known.
Just trying to forget fear by fixating on vampires.
Even so, it doesn't matter.
The fact I must get revenge doesn't change. That's why I became an agent. I can't live under the same sky as those mosquito bastards.
We arrived at the site.
Rumble!
Rain poured down. The sky was dark, fog thick, thunder and lightning cracking.
Perfect atmosphere for vampires to emerge.
"Nervous, Grong?"
Jamtree grabbed my shoulder as I swallowed.
"Yeah. Worried I don't have enough garlic..."
"Can we drop the garlic talk? No need to be that anxious. Team Leader Jaaldi and Spandal are super strong."
Strong?
"Come to think of it, I don't know details, but how strong are they?"
Jaaldi's probably on Sal-hyung's level. In raw combat, he'd win summoning terrorists, but she's still Giant core-piercing tier.
What about Spandal?
The Spandal I know torments juniors but turns monster or dies instantly when the basement lights go out—a total klutz.
"Team Leader Jaaldi goes without saying. Spandal's a powerhouse even Suppression Team respects. Secret: she's that strong but doesn't join because they won't take her..."
"Jamtree, quiet."
Swish.
Spandal spoke, thorns emerging from her fingertips.
"Heh heh heh, kidding."
"Senior Spandal, show me your power so I can respect you more!"
"Insolent fool. Really."
"Don't get too playful."
"Yes!"
"Sigh."
Jaaldi stubbed her cigarette in a portable ashtray.
"That fog is the boundary. Head in."
"Yes."
Jaaldi led, and we followed.
My heart raced.
My revenge burned hot, but tension boiled too.
My first deployment as an agent.
Of course it's dangerous.
I might die.
Dying means some unknown penalty increases.
I can't die.
Give it my all.