Chapter 12
Chapter 12
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Translator: uly
Chapter: 12
Chapter Title: 012. Vampire Detective
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The protagonist of the drama Vampire Detective, Moon Ji-hyuk, was attacked by a pureblood vampire in an alley on his way home one day and became a vampire.
But it wasn't the typical vampire known in pop culture.
In this world, vampires look no different from humans at a glance. They're just a bit sluggish during the day, but they can still move around.
At night, they unleash physical abilities that surpass humans. They thirst for blood, but they don't absolutely have to drink it.
Moon Ji-hyuk investigates to become human again and eventually learns about the Orb of Life.
To spoil the ending, Moon Ji-hyuk does become human. It's a happy ending.
But this world is heading for a bad ending. Because I plan to claim the Orb of Life for myself.
I checked an internet news article to confirm the current timeline. This was pretty important. I planned to lay low at first, gradually intervene from the middle, and snatch the Orb of Life at the end.
- Second victim in "Don't Ask" attack case!
- Police: "We are doing our utmost in the investigation." Same old line.
- The incompetent staff of the people! Seoul citizens trembling in fear.
- Where did the victim's blood go?
"This is... the starting point of the drama."
Moon Ji-hyuk becomes the fifth victim and turns into a vampire. In other words, he isn't one yet.
...Should I become a vampire instead?
Becoming a vampire would grant superhuman physical prowess. But I shook my head. The drawbacks outnumbered the benefits. Plus, even if the avatar became a vampire, it wasn't clear if I'd turn into one in reality.
I thought about what I needed to do.
...Should I take out the vampire hunters early?
Vampire hunters appear in the mid-drama as villains trying to kill Moon Ji-hyuk. They're also after the Orb of Life. They'll obviously be obstacles later on.
I couldn't eliminate them entirely, but I felt the need to weaken their forces at least somewhat.
The vampire hunters could become my rivals for the Orb of Life.
After deep consideration, I decided to reduce their numbers to some extent.
This was a fictional world anyway. No need to feel guilty.
Everything is for my benefit.
Hacking time was over.
I reached out and grabbed the mouse. Then I opened the hidden files and documents. They were locked, but I'd already cracked the passwords via hacking.
Why collect dirt on National Assembly members? Planning to go into politics?
I smirked.
It seemed the hacker Kang Yu-jin had a bit of a sense of justice.
Could I use this for blackmail? Nah, that might be too risky.
Kang Yu-jin had been collecting corruption on high-ranking public officials. CCTV footage, evidence of document forgery, that sort of thing.
I belatedly understood the reason. It wasn't cheap justice—it was for money and insurance against worst-case scenarios.
Selling this to rival politicians would fetch a fortune.
Politics is war, after all. Knowing an opponent's corruption means knowing their weakness.
I skimmed the files disinterestedly, then stood up at 9 p.m.
Sitting around like this was making me antsy. No, my dick was antsy. But I didn't want to jerk off even in this playful world.
Time to fuck some actresses. Wait, they're not actresses in this world.
Whatever.
???
My first stop was the bank. More precisely, I withdrew cash from an ATM.
Not bad for a genius hacker. Who knew he had just over 300 million won.
I grinned, patting the jacket pockets bulging like they might burst. They held 50 million won in cash.
Idiot. You don't save money just to save it. You save it to spend it.
I had no idea what hacker Kang Yu-jin's goal was. But to me, he looked like a total fool.
Kang Yu-jin was 22. Very young. At that age, you should splurge and enjoy, not prepare for old age. Just my philosophy, of course.
I could take it to reality... but it might count as counterfeit there.
But with a little thought, there was a way. Convert the money to goods and take them back. Like buying gold with this and selling it in reality after storing it in my inventory.
Or just rob a jewelry store and haul the loot to reality for sale.
With the Playful Life app, I'd never be short on cash again.
The Playful Life app is the ultimate power.
Whistling a tune, I hailed a taxi.
"To Yeonghyejeong, please."
"Yeonghyejeong?"
The taxi uncle asked again, not because he didn't know, but like he couldn't believe that's where I was headed.
"Yes. Yeonghyejeong."
Yeonghyejeong (英慧停).
In this world, it was a room salon known only to those in the know. Luckily, the driver seemed familiar with it and took off without complaint. Not your average cabbie. I'd been ready to name a nearby department store if he didn't know.
This is gonna be fucking awesome.
Yeonghyejeong appeared in the drama. Meaning the actresses from reality were playing hostesses here. Naturally, they were my targets.
By setting, Yeonghyejeong was one of Korea's top establishments, in the top 0.1% of luxury room salons. Frequented by politicians and corporate execs, it had a renowned reputation. Even detective Moon Ji-hyuk gets tangled up with it a few times in the plot.
"Customer. Do you go to Yeonghyejeong often?"
The driver asked, curious since it was off-limits to ordinary folk.
I smirked and replied.
"Just drive properly."
"......"
The driver looked offended, but I didn't care.
Arrival fare was nearly 20,000 won. I tossed him a 50,000 won bill and got out. Change? Whatever.
"Ooh."
I eyed the building in central Gangnam. It looked like an ordinary office from outside, but it housed the ultra-luxury Yeonghyejeong.
First floor: just a cafe. A front. Politicians frequented, so they were thorough about camouflage.
Second floor: empty offices. I knew from the drama. Real Yeonghyejeong started on the third, with over 200 staff.
I passed the cafe, took the elevator to the third floor. Spotted the CCTV on the ceiling and smirked.
Politicians use secret passages, not stairs or elevators.
I wanted to try the secret passage too, but it was only mentioned in the drama, so I had no idea where it was.
Ding!
The doors opened to Yeonghyejeong's main entrance: a steel door. I opened it without hesitation.
Screeech.
A burly guy in a pitch-black suit scowled from his chair. Scar on his face screamed "I'm a gangster."
I smirked at him. I recalled him getting beaten by Moon Ji-hyuk later.
My smile irked him, and he growled low.
"No passage here. Get out."
"Doorkeeper telling a customer to fuck off? This Yeonghyejeong or what?"
Behind him was a wooden door. Antique style, unlike the steel one. Worth at least a million won easy. The real entrance to Yeonghyejeong.
"......Customer?"
The brute eyed me up and down openly.
"Hm."
I looked down at myself too. Ratty jeans, hoodie, outdated jacket.
Fine, I admit it. Didn't match a top-tier room salon like Yeonghyejeong.
But who cares about a customer's clothes? It's the money that counts. I got a bit pissed.
"Didn't they teach you not to judge customers by their outfits? Steve Jobs wore hoodies too."
"Steve Jobs."
"Gangster acting cultured. Don't know jokes?"
"Anyway, you can't pass."
The brute glared, eyes bulging.
I smiled, but inside I was annoyed. I didn't come here to brawl with this loser.
"Fine."
I replied flatly and tried to pass him for the wooden door.
Grab.
The brute seized my left arm.
"Told you, no passage. Turn back. This ain't your place."
So stern.
"...Ha."
Slap!
My right palm struck the brute's cheek. As his body rocked and he started to topple, he gritted his teeth and swung his right fist at me.
Thud.
I easily blocked with my left hand. Slight sting. That's it. Swung my right again.
Slap!
Blood sprayed from his mouth.
Slap!
Hit the other cheek.
Slap! Slap! Slap! Slap!
Slapping echoes rang out. Blood poured from his nose and mouth, cheeks swollen black-and-blue.
My current physical abilities were above average humans but below hunters. Somewhere in between. Enough to subdue normals easily.
Two or three brutes like this? No sweat. More might be tough.
Slap! Slap!
"You...!"
As he took slaps, he pulled a knife from his pocket and stabbed at me. I grabbed his wrist with my left, twisted it.
Crack.
"Aaaagh!"
I snatched the falling knife and stabbed his thigh. As he opened his mouth to scream again, I slapped it shut.
Slap! Slap! Slap!
Kill him? ...Know your place, you mere character...
The moment killing intent flared, the wooden door opened. A suited man emerged. Better dressed than the brute, but still thuggish.
"Customer."
Courteous voice.
"Our mistake. Please forgive us."
Familiar face. Name escaped me, but he was Yeonghyejeong's security manager by setting. Real identity: mob underboss.
I lowered my hand.
"Tch. Ruined my clothes."
The brute's blood splattered my outfit. Jacket was okay, at least.
"Sorry. We'll clean them if you wish. Or compensate for new ones."
"Forget it. Cheap rags anyway."
I brushed past him. He didn't stop me.
Inside Yeonghyejeong, I headed to the counter. A suited man there eyed me fearfully. CCTV visible on the counter.
Regular entrance had surveillance.
"W-Welcome. How may I assist?"
Voice trembling. I smirked.
"Top room. Three girls. Want to nominate. Got a list?"
"H-Here."
He handed over a fancy roster.
I scanned it and was impressed. Worthy of Korea's best room salon. Over 130 girls, all above average looks. Idol-worthy faces.
All look fuckable.
Shaking off regret, I nominated my pre-picked three.
Two actresses and one from a disbanded idol girl group. Reality terms. Here, just hostesses.
"Reika, Hera, Mi-young. These three."
"C-Customer. These are our aces... Nomination fees are high."
"How much?"
"Aces only for premium rooms. Room fee: 20 million won. Nomination for Reika, Hera, Mi-young: 5 million each. Luckily, all free tonight. Normally can't nominate without reservation, but... special service for you."
"Appreciate it."
I pulled wads of 50,000 won bills from my jacket. Rough count would take time, but he fetched a bill counter. Cash customers common, huh.
Makes sense. Cards leave traces. Politicians prefer cash.
After a bit, security manager Park Chan-seong—who introduced himself—led me upstairs. Different elevator from before.
The room was jaw-droppingly lavish. Everything top-tier: TV, sofa, table, wall decor. Capping it: chandelier on the ceiling.
"Sudden nominations need prep time. About 15 minutes."
"That's fine. I can wait."
"Thank you. Call bell here if needed."
"Got it."
Then a man entered, handing a wrapped suit to Park.
He politely offered it to me.
"What's this."
"Your clothes got bloody. Our apology gift."
"Hm... Fine, I'll take it."
I accepted. He bowed courteously and left. Alone in the room.
Blood made my clothes sticky. Perfect timing.
I stripped without hesitation and changed.