Chapter 282
Chapter 282
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Translator: Ryuma
Chapter: 282
Chapter Title: Entering Europe (1)
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Rooooar—
A heavy engine roar echoed noisily through the air, mingling with the bustling murmurs of people hurrying about in all directions.
It was a sight rarely seen in the modern world plagued by terrorism, as if this place existed in a different reality altogether.
'That just means their security is top-notch.'
In one corner of the space, Heinz 2nd stood with his arms crossed, watching the throngs of people pass by. He glanced around casually and nodded lightly.
And for good reason—this was one of the nation's most critical strategic facilities.
Incheon International Airport.
'...Yeah. Taking a plane has always been the best way to go abroad.'
He had grown so accustomed to zipping around effortlessly that he'd almost forgotten, but long-distance travel on Earth wasn't that simple.
To use Hero's Footsteps, he'd need to visit the place at least once first, and even Hans's teleportation service had its limits.
'If it were somewhere close like Japan or China, maybe, but flying all the way there just to set coordinates? That's overkill.'
Hans's speed might rival a plane's, but trekking to the opposite side of the globe like that was out of the question.
Better to just sneak onto a plane.
-We would like to inform passengers that Ariana Airlines flight OG501 to Paris will depart shortly. Those not boarding, please...
Right on cue, the announcement he'd been waiting for chimed in.
Heinz, who had been leaning casually against the wall and people-watching, put his prior resolve into action.
He was genuinely attempting to breach the airport's ironclad security.
'Even with a forged ID, the inspections are tougher than expected. Better to avoid leaving any unnecessary traces.'
The airport bristled with awakened agents, magical artifacts, and barriers everywhere, but none could detect his full-powered Denial of Existence.
No matter how vital the hub, they wouldn't station one of the rare transcendent powerhouses here around the clock.
'Might as well visit other spots in advance. So I can zip there anytime with Hero's Footsteps.'
Having slipped in undetected from near the airport, he successfully ghosted onto the Paris-bound flight—
-Ladies and gentlemen, we will be taking off shortly. Please check that your seatbelts are fastened...
And with no further issues, he began the long haul to Europe.
'First plane ride in my life, and it's as a stowaway.'
A bit regrettable, but opportunities would come later.
Heinz brushed past a patrolling awakened agent and settled into an empty seat, crossing his legs and closing his eyes leisurely.
About 13 hours to go.
The countdown to the Blood King's landing in Europe—a conqueror of one world.
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇ A cool breeze and lazily drifting clouds.
Perfect weather for a trip somewhere...
"Bad omens never miss their mark."
Kang Taesan, rookie agent in the Ability Management Bureau's Crime Investigation Division, muttered at the sky like he was talking to himself.
The worry he'd voiced to his friend just days ago had come true.
"Why you muttering to yourself again?"
"Ah, Senior! Isn't this too much? Why us again... No, more importantly, the White Knight isn't even a criminal, right?"
His team had been roped into yet another tracking mission, following the Hwahweot Mask case.
"White Knight" was the code name the Bureau had slapped on the Holy Knight who'd shone in the hospital terror attack.
With plenty of Holy Knights active in Korea, using a generic term for one specific person was inappropriate, so they'd gone with "White Knight"—drawn from his iconic pure white armor.
"Can't be helped. He hasn't registered as a returnee, fact is fact."
The law was the law, so the justification held.
Of course, he was a hero who'd stopped a deadly terror attack and protected civilians—no one was truly treating him like a criminal.
Even if terrorists had died in the process, the circumstances allowed for full mitigation.
But they couldn't just let it slide entirely...
"Think about it. A national agency admitting they know nothing about a celebrity like that? Especially after the Hwahweot Mask fiasco—we're still losing face."
Strictly speaking, plenty of unregistered folks hadn't come forward voluntarily.
But those hid themselves away from the public eye.
The White Knight was different—global headlines and worldwide attention.
"...Ugh, fair point."
Kang Taesan scratched the back of his head in reluctant agreement.
He still grumbled about chasing non-criminals instead of real ones, but what power did a lowly civil servant have?
Just follow orders from above.
"Still, bending over backward for Pantheon like this? We're not tour guides."
Not that he fully bought into the situation.
If they'd just asked for cooperation, fine—but this went beyond.
He glanced at the foreigners milling inside the cordon, inspecting the hospital.
Not Pantheon Korea Branch priests, but dispatched from the U.S. headquarters.
His senior followed his gaze, sighed softly, and shook his head.
"...Even I'm a bit miffed, but what can we do? Falling out with them is a headache. We get plenty of help from them too."
Pantheon lacked unity due to its nature, but it still represented priests' interests.
They'd built cozy ties with state agencies for their rights, and many Bureau agents owed their lives to them in hairy situations.
'Though that welfare doesn't extend to families.'
That was why his grandmother was stuck in the hospital.
Demand outstripped supply too much.
Given priests' status, this was hardly a big ask.
"&$#%&@!"
"@$^#@#."
The foreigners, surveying the scene, chatted with nearby Korean priests.
They nodded and headed straight for them en masse.
"Looks like they're done?"
Kang Taesan straightened up with his senior, but their probe wasn't over.
"Uh, yes?"
Caught off-guard by the sudden question, he blurted a reflexive reply. A Korean priest spoke gently again.
"We heard you were there at the time."
"Ah... yes. But I blacked out right after the first blast—don't know much. Just got flung by the explosion and lost consciousness."
He'd repeated it ad nauseam after returning from leave.
He gave an awkward smile and waved it off.
"Heard you were at the hospital for your grandmother's discharge."
"Yeah, bad luck. Right as we stood at the main entrance, boom."
The priest nodded solemnly— they'd shared intel already.
The key was what came next.
"The chart says she suddenly recovered dramatically from a certain point."
"...Yes. Not fully cured, given her age."
The priest scanned the agents with him, then fixed on Kang Taesan and spoke slowly.
"Could we see her?"
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇ Looking back, getting Xenoglossy from VIP Market's Random Miscellaneous Skill Acquisition (500,000) was pure luck.
Slipping off the plane as stealthily as he'd boarded, Heinz 2nd toured Paris Charles de Gaulle Airport, reflecting on it.
"Did you pack your luggage right? Why so...?"
"We'll head to the accommodation first. This way... "
"Oh! Agnes, back safe! Come home quick..."
Exotic languages rang out naturally intelligible, signs read effortlessly in a blink.
He'd felt it in China, but far abroad, its utility hit home.
'No need to repeat the hassle from my first Japan trip.'
Like Incheon, he dodged security setups and nodded.
Not planning a quick round-trip to France alone, instant grasp of Europe's tongues was a boon.
Language was the biggest barrier, whether acting or gathering intel.
'Hm?'
Mid-thought, a blonde woman on a central bench, gaming on her phone, flicked a glance his way.
She frowned faintly, tilted her head quizzically, then dropped her eyes back to her smartphone.
'Impressive.'
But Heinz knew.
She feigned absorption in her game while razor-focused on him.
He tightened his loosened guard, maxed Denial of Existence, and stepped away slowly.
Naturally, the watcher detected nothing.
'Realm's mid-high elite tier. Detection specialist?'
Vampire terms: end of level 7.
Yet she'd sensed unease against his level 9 stealth—her prowess was clear.
Such talent wasted on airport security.
'High standards here? Or some reason forcing it?'
Intriguing either way.
A ghost unseen, he exited the airport, then drew a stark white mask from his coat.
Plain white opera mask covering from forehead to nose.
'The Phantom of the Opera originated in France, right?'
An amusing vibe.
Gazing at it briefly, he raised it to his face slowly.
He'd used it often, but a new locale thrilled him.
Like becoming the real Phantom.
'Where's my Christine, then?'
Mask on, he inhaled deeply, gaze drawn one way.
Following Bloodline's Craving, roiling fiercely since nearing Europe hours ago.
Then—
He vanished from the spot.
Unnoticed, of course.
He reappeared in an urban alley, over ten kilometers from the airport.
Dropping Denial of Existence, fully visible, he straightened his attire and strode confidently.
Tap, tap—
White mask contrasting black fedora, fine suit, gleaming shoes.
The epitome of elegance, Heinz approached the alley's end, where a wary young man scowled.
His usual icy voice cut through.
"Are you my Christine?"
"...What the hell is this psycho?"
Facing the baffled reaction to his unintended slip, Heinz realized he was more excited than thought.
'Oops. Mind Hub filters kept me from noticing.'
Cool, cynical Heinz 2nd wouldn't slip like this.
Bloodline's Craving influenced more than expected.
"My apologies. Phantom. Or Eric, if you prefer."
"...You looking to die with that bullshit...!"
The Paris vampire youth twisted in rage—but froze.
"Sorry."
A voice from behind.
Empty space where his foe had stood.
No clue when he'd circled back.
'What the—!'
As curses filled his mind, cold fingers clamped his nape.
Sharp nails dug into flesh and muscle, throttling him.
"Talk later."
After you're more compliant.