Chapter 58
Chapter 58
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 58
Chapter Title: Vampire Slayer #5
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"Grong. It's good to see your enthusiasm. But if you don't pick your battles, you'll die fast. You're official now, but you still lack experience. You shoot well, so focus on covering from the rear. Got it?"
"Yes. Understood, Team Leader."
"Good. You seem sharp, so I trust you'll do well. Jamtree. If combat breaks out, look after Grong. Think of you two as a pair."
"Leave it to me."
Jamtree replied, then turned to me.
"Grong. Stick right by your big sis. Follow the seniors' orders during combat. Got it?"
"I'll keep that in mind."
"Then let's go get our supplies. Follow me."
"Yes!"
We all headed to the elevator together.
"We're really heading out to fight vampires now. What's your take?"
Spandal asked.
"To be honest, I feel my fighting spirit burning. As long as those vampires exist, I can't sleep with my eyes open. If I get the chance to fight them this time, nothing could be better."
I'd been through all sorts of things, but my hatred for vampires had never wavered. Not only did that mosquito bitch kill me horribly, she turned my mom and dad into monsters too.
All I wanted was to drive a silver bullet into one of their hearts.
My dear fellow vampire hunters must feel the same. But I couldn't call them for this. Beyond not having their contacts, the battlefield wasn't just vampires—Fake Management Bureau bastards were there too.
They're specialists at hunting vampires, not suited for bullet-riddled battlefields. Pointy hats and monocles won't stop bullets. That's undeniable.
I didn't want their kind hearts crushed by gunfire.
One sacrifice is enough—mine.
Wounds are mine alone to bear.
Even if they don't know I exist, I'll fight to protect their smiles. Libera nos. If there is a God, deliver us. Watch over me as I fight from the darkest places for the brightest souls. I offer my life for the vampire hunters.
"I can feel the fierce hatred you hold for vampires."
"It was vampires that got me tangled in anomalies in the first place."
"I suppose so."
We boarded the elevator.
But something I'd noticed since yesterday.
—Vrrr.
In the cramped elevator with me, Jaaldi, Spandal, and Senior Jamtree, the soft feminine scents wafting around tickled my nose.
"Grong. Smells nice, right?"
"Y-Yes?!"
Jamtree's sneak attack!
"Why so surprised? Think it's weird?"
Jamtree fiddled with her hair, tilting her head.
"N-No...! It's not that. It was just on my mind, and you mentioned it suddenly. This might be rude, but won't enemies pick up on such a nice scent in combat?"
"Sharp observation, Grong. Of course, we've got countermeasures. We'll spray unscented perfume before we go."
"Unscented perfume?"
"Perfume that erases all smells."
There was such a thing?
—Ding.
The elevator arrived.
On the way, Jaaldi briefed us on the mission. It was similar to last time. Vampires sighted in a provincial small city. Followed by massive fog and torrential rain.
She also explained about Purebloods and how bites turn people into ghouls.
Around then, to minimize variables, I used my ability. Memories from last loop came vividly to mind.
"Is there no way to save them?"
"Sadly, no."
I said only ending their pain was salvation. Jaaldi elaborated, and I asked if we could control information since combat was inevitable.
Same explanation as before.
We arrived at the supply room.
"Here, Grong. Take this."
"Ooh...!"
After that, it was just like last time. The garlic drip, repeating what I'd done before, even buying garlic at the food mart.
I didn't forget to offer it in the car either.
We arrived at the site.
I'd used my ability to eliminate as many variables as possible, but since this loop had major differences from last time, some details varied. Nothing worth worrying over, though.
After chit-chat, we entered the fog.
Everyone went first; I was last.
I quickly messaged the nun my location. She said she could go anywhere in Korea, so she'd make it somehow.
Last loop, I hadn't met her. So on this battlefield, she'd be a variable.
Good.
Let's go.
"..."
A city with an eerie atmosphere.
Just as I remembered.
Here, I'd shot ghouls, run into Fake Management Bureau guys, and watched Jinseop blow himself up at the end. Nearly got bitten by a vampire too.
No matter what.
I won't let Jinseop die.
I had so many questions for him. As I recalled, during the Giant Apocalypse, Jinseop said he was a high schooler. We all teased him, saying since he didn't graduate, he was a middle school dropout.
Back then, we had this game rating combat power by education—the highest scholar died first, ending it.
How did that Jinseop end up a Fake Management Bureau agent? Timeline's too tight. If he joined because no Giant Incident happened, it kinda fits, but I'd have to hear it direct.
Plus, Fake Management Bureau was an anomaly group.
I needed to know why a clearly human Jinseop was there.
Even if saving him now didn't mean instant answers, as long as he lived, we'd talk eventually.
For now, focus on ghoul hunting.
"Whoa, Grong. You look like a different person."
"What? Grong, been on overseas deployment? You look seasoned."
"I'm in the zone right now. Let me show you Grong's divinely inspired marksmanship."
And then.
Ghouls appeared.
—Pew-pew-pew-pew!
They charged on all fours.
But.
More than last time?
"Gonna need a grenade here! Throwing!"
I lobbed a garlic grenade first.
—KABOOM!
An explosion that rang in my skull. Garlic-infused or not, it was a grenade at core. Earth-shaking blast.
Looking up, the ghoul pack was devastated. Not all dead, but I swiftly aimed my K2, piercing heads of those crawling out everywhere.
—Bang!
—Bang!
—Bang!
My shooting hadn't rusted a bit.
One shot, one kill. Swift eliminations.
"Wow! Grong's an amazing shot!"
"Hoo. Didn't know you were this good."
Everyone marveled at my marksmanship.
"Does this make me the Management Bureau's top marksman?"
"Heh, we'll see. Suppression Team has an insane sniper. Kurosna. Shoots like a god."
Kurosna... Last loop, Fake Management Bureau agents mistook me for him. Hearing it again deepened my interest.
"Kurosna senior? Shoots that well? Can't wait to meet him."
"Spandal. Isn't he on another mission?"
"Who knows."
"Meet him next time anyway."
We chatted while mopping up ghouls.
But.
Vampires should show by now.
"..."
What?
No vampires no matter where I looked. Jamtree didn't mention any fleeing either.
"Senior Jamtree. Enemies all eliminated?"
"Yeah. Nothing left around here."
"No escapees?"
"Doesn't seem so."
What.
Why isn't this vampire bastard showing?
Last time, I shot it dead right here.
Progress same, but details differed. Could my official agent status be why no vampire?
Needed to minimize variables... Maybe butterfly effect. Tiny changes snowball big.
Anyway.
We advanced, clearing ghouls. Everyone shot guns but no abilities. Even Spandal shot her pistol instead of thorn frenzy.
Same for Jaaldi... Come to think, I'd never seen her superpower direct.
Saw big explosions climbing Giant's core alone, cleared high floors fast—so definitely powerhouse.
Lost in thought, we reached the burned gym. Inside, as expected: incinerated corpses greeting us.
"Not vampires. Someone else."
Jaaldi said.
"Fake Management Bureau. They gathered people and burned them."
"Those bastards really did this?!"
"Only they'd do filth like this."
Truly horrific.
"See? All piled up. Couldn't gather ghouls like this and burn at once. They herded people and torched 'em together."
"..."
Even I saw it.
Couldn't neatly pile ghouls for mass burn. If people sheltered here and ghouls invaded, survivors wouldn't cluster— they'd scatter post-massacre.
Anyway.
Fake Management Bureau Incineration Squad due soon.
Anticipating, Jaaldi spoke.
"Jamtree. Enemies nearby?"
"None seem to be."
"Good. Let's move."
What?
No Fake Management Bureau either?
"..."
Anxiety creeping in.
Too different.
No vampires in first skirmish, now no gym fight?
"Message from Suppression Team. Vampires and Fake Management Bureau fighting."
"Ah."
"Join Suppression Team first."
We moved to link up.
Corpses and ghoul remains littered the path. Wounds varied wildly: bite marks, gunshots, clean cuts into chunks... Cuts?
"Team Leader Jaaldi. Some ghoul corpses look sliced."
"Fake Management Bureau sword squad. Mad bastards who wield blades like pros."
Oh, right, them.
"Led by Lee Do-hyung. Extremely dangerous. Stay sharp."
"Yes."
Moving along.
"Kyaaack!"
Ghouls hidden here and there charged. Numbers decent, but futile against my gunfire—and I wasn't alone.
—Bang!
Ghouls dropped under collective fire.
Then midway.
"Queeek!"
A ghoul far bigger than others burst through a building wall!
"What the hell!"
—Bang!
Headshot—ricochet!
What, rhinoceros?
Mutated forehead protruded thick!
"Mutant ghoul."
Jaaldi stepped forward.
Mutant ghoul leaped powerfully at her.
Next instant.
—Whoosh!
Jaaldi snatched the falling mutant, spun her body, gripped its head and torso, and yanked.
—Rip!
Tore the head off!
—Thud.
Casually tossed the severed head...!
"What monstrous strength!"
"Cool, right? Jaaldi Team Leader holds her own in close quarters anywhere."
"Didn't expect her to rip off that monster's head!"
Thought she was martial artist type, but this level!
"Jaaldi Team Leader is the best! So strong! As expected of Management Bureau elite! Wow, me! Didn't know she was this tough!"
"Stop gawking and move. Jamtree?"
"Yes. Further ahead... Huh? They're here!"
Jamtree's shout—I got the gist.
"Fake Management Bureau. Everyone, cover!"
"Yes!"
We took cover on Jaaldi's order.
First mutant ghoul, now Fake Management Bureau. No more variable worries. Too changed.
Soon, armed Fake Management Bureau appeared.
"Grong. Hit 'em hard."
"Yes."
Aimed, checked faces. All sunglasses, hard to ID, but no Jinseop.
—Bang!
One dropped, head hole. Fakes immediately ducked cover. I swiftly tracked, nailing others.
"Damn! Ambush!"
"Fake Management Bureau...!"
"Report positions!"
Skirmish erupted.
Last time I grenaded them—what now.
"Starting short-range wiretap."
Jamtree said like before.
—Fuck! Throw the grenade guy!
—Yes!
Grenade call right on wiretap!
Focused—grenade arced up.
—KABOOM!
Nailed the grenade again.
"Nice one, Grong!"
"Child's play!"
My marksmanship inhuman!
And.
—Grong! It's Grong!
—Grong showed!
—That crazy fuck... Shot the grenade with a rifle!
—Fuck! Kurosna's bad enough, now this Grong too!
—He's a marksmanship master! Don't expose heads!
What?!
These bastards know my code name?!