Chapter 37
Chapter 37
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Translator: uly
Chapter: 37
Chapter Title: Vampire Detective
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I tried on the mask first. I'd expected it to be a bit tricky since it was my first time, but as soon as I brought it to my face, the mask attached itself perfectly.
I flinched in surprise and pulled it off, and it came away just as easily.
'...So it's not just empty words saying it's imbued with the devil's power.'
Pushing aside a slight sense of unease, I put the clown mask back on.
Once I did, I could tell it was no ordinary mask. Masks usually felt stuffy, but this one had none of that sensation at all. It was like I wasn't wearing anything. Even when I rolled my eyes around, my vision wasn't obstructed by it in the slightest.
'As expected of the Devil's Clown Mask.'
I faced the mirror and opened my mouth wide. The mask's mouth opened along with mine, revealing the inside of my mouth. When I closed my mouth, the mask's mouth closed too. I figured I could even eat while wearing it.
The eyes worked the same way. When I closed mine, the mask's eye area closed.
Tap, tap. I poked the mask with my fingertips. I could feel its characteristic hardness.
'Incredible.'
I reached up to grab the edge of the mask and try to take it off, but it wouldn't budge.
'It won't come off because I don't really intend to remove it.'
It seemed there was no risk of it coming off accidentally.
Finally, I touched the wriggling red wig. Thanks to it, not a single strand of my hair was exposed. I grabbed one and yanked hard, but it didn't come loose. Of course, there was no pain.
'Top-notch.'
I looked at my reflection in the mirror and let out a giggle.
The clown's mouth stretched wide in a grin.
I changed clothes in a secluded spot, hopped into the stolen car, and parked in front of the 'Sunset Fitness Club' in Yeoksam-dong.
My face was covered by the clown mask with its red wig.
I gripped the Hwaryeon Bido in my gloved hand from the passenger seat. Sheathed in its black scabbard, it looked just like an ordinary black baton. That was the original purpose of the Iris Sword. It was a blade made for assassinations.
'I changed in a spot with no CCTV, put on the mask at the right moment. Hacked a random car off the street. Even when I escape, using my abilities and inventory means no one will track me.'
A cackle escaped my lips.
In most dramas, movies, or comics, they assume hunters don't exist. If a powerful hunter showed up, they'd resolve the plot too easily, ruining the story.
The vast majority of people in reality are civilians, and to make them relate, settings without hunters worked better.
And that was a stroke of pure luck for me. No hunters in this world meant no one to stop me.
"Let's do this."
People walking by glanced at me curiously. Some were sneakily filming me with their smartphone cameras.
A man in a disheveled black suit, wearing a clown mask with a frizzy red wig. To civilians, they'd probably think it was some event or cosplay.
I ignored them. Let them snap their pictures.
"Excuse me. Could we take a photo together? For SNS?"
Someone approached me.
"Fu..."
I almost reflexively spat out "fuck off," but then realized she was quite the beauty.
"Sure. Come on, snap it."
"Could you lean down a bit?"
Her face came close to mine. A sweet cosmetic scent wafted over.
Click!
"Thank you."
"No problem. Hey, post it on SNS right now. By tomorrow, you'll be an SNS star."
"Huh? Oh, sure. But... the mask quality is amazing. Did you make it yourself?"
"Yeah, something like that. Anyway, I've got business."
As a farewell, I gave her ass a light smack. Even through her clothes, it was firm and bouncy.
"Kyaa?!"
Ignoring her shriek, I headed toward the entrance of the Sunset Fitness Club.
The 'Sunset Fitness Club,' run on a strict membership-only basis, was actually a training ground for Korean vampire hunters. All the staff belonged to the Black Cross Society, and everyone working out there was a vampire hunter.
I kicked open the automatically sliding glass door with all my strength.
Crash!
The glass shattered, shards scattering across the floor. I crunched over them as I strode inside. The female staffer at the counter jumped in shock, stared at me, then grabbed the office phone and spoke urgently to someone.
"Assault at Sunset Fitness! Requesting immediate backup! Hurry!"
Probably calling Black Cross Society HQ or the vampire hunters upstairs.
"Hey. You're a real beauty too. Sorry about this."
The frantic staffer was pretty attractive. Makes sense—she was a minor actress from the original drama. I'd love to get her number, but I've got work to do.
As I approached, she pulled something from her drawer. A revolver. Not surprising. Vampire hunters favored pistols.
"I'm in a bit of a rush."
The blade drawn from its scabbard traced a red arc through the air, severing the staffer's head. Her blood splattered onto me.
Dawn Light had the drawback of a large wind-up, but when executed properly, even hunters struggled to react to its speed.
"Kyaaaaah!"
"M-Murder!"
"Aaaahhh!!"
Screams erupted from behind. People who'd been watching what I'd do after smashing the door. They panicked at the murder. Though some bold ones were filming with their phones.
'Modern folks, always...'
I stepped over the headless corpse and headed up to the second-floor fitness area. Considered the elevator but took the stairs instead.
The second floor was the sauna and changing rooms, separated into men's and women's sections.
I naturally headed toward the women's side.
'Instinct, right?'
But when I opened the door, I was disappointed. Not a single woman inside. Makes sense—most vampire hunters were guys.
"Tch."
I clicked my tongue and opened the door to the men's side next door.
My eyes met those of a burly man who was in the middle of taking off his shirt.
"Fuck. A guy's body. What a letdown."
I approached him.
He didn't panic, swiftly grabbing a revolver from his bag and aiming it at me. Trained movements.
"Who the hell are you?! A vampire? Take off the mask!"
"If I was gonna take it off, I wouldn't have put it on."
"Don't come any closer! These are silver bullets! If you're a vampire, you know what they can do!"
I didn't stop.
"Why don't you just shoot?"
"You bastard!"
Bang!
I twisted my body slightly. The bullet had been aimed at my shoulder. Trying to capture me for interrogation instead of killing.
Bang! Bang bang! Bang!
I dodged the shots, using Yeongcheon-ryu practical techniques.
If he shot from outside my vision, maybe it'd be trouble. But straight on? No chance he'd hit me.
Bang! Ting!
The last shot, I swung my blade to deflect it aside.
"Oh, nice. It worked."
I'd tried it on a whim while dodging, thinking "no way," but it succeeded. My sword was fine, of course.
It was forged from the scales of an SS-rank Red Dragon. Too prestigious to be scratched by mere silver bullets.
"D-Damn it...!"
The guy turned to run.
"Didn't they teach you not to show your back in a fight?"
I charged and swung. My blade separated his upper and lower body. Blood and guts spilled onto the floor.
I stepped carefully around the blood and entered the bathhouse.
Three naked men rushed at me amid the steamy heat.
'They heard the shots and set up an ambush.'
They were trying to disarm me. Way too naive.
I might've fallen for it before learning Yeongcheon-ryu, but not anymore.
My blade danced gracefully through the air, slicing the men apart.
Using their blood as paint, it drew patterns in the air until they fell as corpses, motionless. The line never broke.
Flowing Line was perfect for crowds.
When the blade stopped, the three men around me were in pieces. My body was drenched in their blood like I'd taken a shower in it.
"Oops."
Casually kicked one guy's severed head into the large hot tub. The once-clear water turned red.
I scanned the bathhouse.
'No one left.'
I stepped out.
Spotted the beverage fridge. Grabbed a banana milk and chugged it.
"Banana milk in a bathhouse hits different."
Tossed the empty carton anywhere. I'd removed the straw, so no DNA traces.
Third floor: the gym, lined with equipment.
I grinned widely. At least twenty vampire hunters ahead, armed variously, staring me down.
"What kind of psycho is this?"
"Isn't that a pureblood?"
"What's with the ridiculous clown mask?"
"Don't kill him. Might be connected to the bus terror."
"Cut off limbs and interrogate. Find out how he knew this place, his affiliation."
Twenty-three men and women.
A lot. But I wasn't scared at all. If anyone's terrified, it should be them.
I twisted my lips into a sneer.
"Time to kill."
I moved first. Half had pistols, so I needed a shield. Their comrades would do nicely.
Bang bang bang bang!
Gunfire rang out. Not a single bullet grazed me. I dodged what I could, used gym equipment for the rest.
"Don't shoot! We'll hit our own! Get in close!"
"Shooting's better, though?"
I mocked them. The guns were the only reason I couldn't go wild.
My body was superior to a civilian's, but not bulletproof. Flesh and blood, after all.
I swung at the first foolhardy one charging me.
'Thinks his dagger gives him an edge... Dream on.'
Fast for a civilian, but nothing to me.
"No one-on-ones! He's no amateur! Surround and encircle him!"
A loud command. The vampire hunters started moving with order. I eyed the middle-aged man who'd barked it.
'Im Bu-jeon. Here, huh. Didn't expect to take down a squad leader. Lucky.'
Im Bu-jeon was top-tier among vampire hunters. Skilled in combat and brains. Killing him early benefited me.
They surrounded me. Swords, spears, clubs, pistols all aimed my way.
"...Hey, clown. One question. Why this reckless stunt?"
Im Bu-jeon fixed me with a piercing gaze. Well-maintained hand axe in his right hand.
"You're in my way, so I'm clearing you out."
"...We're in your way? Planning to turn Korea into vampire land?"
"Vampire country? Sounds good."
Impossible, really. Vampires at best become Korea's mafia. For a vampire nation, head to West Asia.
"Your antics are just a declaration of war on us... no, on Korea. Your rash actions will get countless Korean vampires killed."
"Ah. That's a problem. No choice—gotta wipe you out more aggressively."
Acceleration
Maintained for 10 minutes
I charged the nearest woman, blade raised.
"...!"
She swung the swords in both hands. Impressive reaction to my accelerated speed, but still too slow for me.
Thrust into her chest center, pierced her heart, grabbed her throat with one hand, and hurled her at the guy beside her.
Exploiting his hesitation to swat away his comrade's corpse, I slit his throat.
Two down in under ten seconds.
I didn't stop, slashing away. Killed the closest first. Their attacks merely brushed my clothes.
"Damn it! Just kill him! Can't capture this one! Shoot!"