Chapter 434
Chapter 434
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Translator: Ryuma
Chapter: 434
Chapter Title: Harley's Modern Diary (1)
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Unlike what he'd braced himself for, the first schedule at the broadcasting station wrapped up without any major incidents.
In truth, it wasn't all that surprising.
While it might be one thing on the internet, where thorough anonymity and safety were assured, it was always hard to openly show malice when facing someone in person.
'Especially in front of someone with the power to harm you at any moment.'
This was a world accustomed to violence, where even after a massive terrorist attack turned the capital into a wasteland, most shops reopened the next day.
Vampires might be pursuing a moderate path these days, but they were still predators at heart.
No one wanted to provoke them unnecessarily and risk getting smashed, potentially causing a catastrophe. It was only natural for the other side to tread carefully on their own.
"Of course, every now and then, some fool loses all sense of fear."
"Guh...!"
In the broadcasting station's underground parking lot.
Harley scratched the back of his head with one hand while looking down at the man struggling in his grip, face caught in his fist.
The man clawed at his arms and kicked wildly, but Harley didn't budge an inch.
He simply added the slightest bit more strength to his fingers to calm him down.
"Hmm, I did anticipate something like this might happen."
It had been several days since Licorice began their full-fledged activities.
There hadn't been any notable incidents in the meantime.
They'd simply been commuting to various broadcasting stations and showing their faces, just as the idol project's purpose intended.
'To build familiarity, you have to start by getting used to each other.'
As a group that was already the talk of the town, there was no need to worry about bookings.
If anything, sifting through the flood of offers to weed out the hidden malice was more of a hassle.
What if they worked with someone harboring ill intentions and ended up on the receiving end of devilish editing?
They could screen program directors and their circles to some extent, but...
There was no way to preemptively catch every low-level staffer stirring up trouble like this.
"Jeez, even so, who would've thought you'd try planting a bomb in the car."
And not just any bomb—a custom magic bomb with concealment and firepower enhancement spells.
Harley eyed the man, now limp and passed out, with a peculiar gaze.
No matter how he looked at it, the guy wasn't an Awakened.
Just a regular staffer handling all sorts of odd jobs around the station.
He didn't seem like someone who could get their hands on otherworldly artifacts like this.
'Looks like we need a serious talk.'
After all, dialogue was the best way to clear up misunderstandings and resolve issues smoothly.
Of course, there would be limits to what he could learn that way.
This guy didn't seem like he had much info; he looked more like a pawn being used.
'Well, can't be helped. We'll just have to dig through it step by step.'
Ignorance was one thing, but now that he'd sensed danger, he couldn't just sit idle.
It meant someone with the ability to procure such items was lurking out there, targeting them.
'Maybe the Reverse Heaven Society is starting to test the waters.'
Harley tossed the subdued man roughly into the car and turned back toward where the idols were filming.
'I really need to expand the intelligence network. Maybe put together a team entirely of ability users like Andrew Weaver who specialize in that field. Wonder if any will drop from the sky?'
The Blood Alliance might dominate Korea's nights, but that was just a metaphorical expression as the largest shadow force.
This was a democratic nation, after all, and a major power with a functioning government grip.
'Gotta work Andrew harder. He'd probably love working with his fellow professionals anyway. First things first, bulk up the numbers...'
Harley's steps halted mid-stride as he pondered his future plans.
At the same time, his sharp senses focused on a single point.
His brow furrowed beneath his sunglasses.
"Well, now?"
A hollow chuckle escaped his lips.
What the hell happened while he was away for a moment?
Cracking his knuckles, he strode forward.
Looks like he'd have to clean up some trash today.
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇ A chill hung over the variety show set.
But neither the station staff nor the PD in charge of the site could utter a word; they could only fidget and stare at the center of the commotion.
"Tch, figures monsters would act like monsters. Who in their right mind challenges them head-on?"
"It's ridiculous. These demons who might've devoured who-knows-how-many today are strutting around the station openly."
"Kyahaha! Doesn't that just mean they've got some serious backing? Hell, we might be the ones getting blacklisted from the industry."
"Hmph, then we can just emigrate. No thanks to a country run by vampires."
"Ah, guess I should seriously consider moving abroad too."
They had no choice.
The five men and women who had barged in and frozen the set solid wielded that much power and influence.
'Big shots you rarely even see, all at once!'
If they'd come for something positive, the PD might've even tried requesting a collaboration.
But the staff, including the PD, could only hold their breath and watch silently, pretending not to exist.
It wasn't just about their fame; there were far more practical reasons.
"Oh? What're you gonna do, glare at me? Why don't we have a go?"
The woman at their forefront jabbed Licorice's leader, Yun Seol's forehead repeatedly, scowling.
Even knowing they were vampires, she showed not a shred of hesitation.
"......"
Yun Seol and the rest of Licorice simply kept their mouths shut tight.
It wasn't about holding back their power to avoid escalating things.
They knew.
Even if they resisted in earnest here, they couldn't beat that woman at the front alone.
'Sword Fairy Cheon Seolhyang...'
Cheon Seolhyang, who started as a Guardian hunting demons during the early Cataclysm, retired after a tragic accident, then switched to acting and rose to the top.
A Returner who had reached Sword Master—the human limit—far surpassing Yun Seol, who had hit level 6 thanks to the Lord's grace.
Returners had influenced every sector of society, entertainment included.
Licorice had only gained attention because they were vampires branded as demons entering the industry.
Awakened already established worldwide in the field weren't few.
Among them, Cheon Seolhyang was a representative figure with over a decade in the game.
Beautiful looks, stellar acting, and overwhelming action scenes needing no CG or wires.
Plus her ex-Guardian credentials had elevated her to Korea's top actress—and now this powerhouse was openly hostile.
'And that's not all. Everyone there is stronger than Sister Yun Seol... We can't stand against them.'
Nahee, standing protectively at the back, bit her lip.
Even as their eldest sister stepped up front to bear all the humiliation, the helplessness fueled her rage.
'I knew it. I knew we'd face this kind of treatment...'
No matter the debut song's success, it wouldn't instantly change perceptions of vampires.
That was precisely why this project existed—to achieve the impossible.
They'd fully prepared for such hostility.
"You're polluting the air, so why don't you just get lost from this industry? It'd be even better if you dropped dead... "
"......"
Images of Jin Sوران, who had cared for her like a real sister since their Moderate Crew days, flashed in her mind.
Along with the dreams of the 'star world' they'd nurtured through talks together.
'Still, I...!'
Until now, she'd resigned herself.
An idol as a vampire? Ridiculous.
She'd survived thanks to her father's sacrifice, yet here she was harboring greed beyond her station—she'd berated herself.
"I'm disappointed in you too, PD. Desperate for ratings, huh? Even bringing in demons."
"Th-that wasn't me..."
"Hmm, guess I'll have to talk to the station chief... No, the bureau chief."
"Heup! Actress Cheon!"
Her decision to volunteer first for this project as Heterosis's office assistant hadn't been a joke.
Memories of Jin Sوران's joy during planning and the members' shared hardships flickered by.
'How did we get this far just to give up over something like this?'
Past memories overlapped with the present.
And in that instant, something snapped in her mind.
"Hoo."
That was why.
Nahee stepped forward with a deep sigh, unleashing bold words.
"...Auntie. We've got work to do now, so could you wrap up your business and leave?"
The air froze solid in an instant.
The hecklers, the background staff just watching, even her fellow Licorice members—all turned wide eyes her way.
"Aun... You...!"
Cheon Seolhyang's eyes twitched violently.
She maintained her youth through her realm, but she was nearing her 40s.
Words from a girl who looked middle-school age hit that much harder.
"N-Nahee? Even so, she's a senior..."
"Oh right. My bad, my bad. But seriously? Can't you see the hold-up? Everything's stopped because of you seniors. Got complaints? Come back after we're done. How much damage are you causing? Perks of being a senior?"
Her tone was rough, but anyone could see she was spot on.
Veterans like them knew full well how mobbing like this would tank their reputations.
Yet they did it anyway, deeming the backlash worth it for their goals.
They had the clout to smooth it over somewhat.
But regardless...
"How impudent."
Nahee's throat clamped shut as Cheon Seolhyang spoke coldly.
Too late—sanity returned, but the water was spilled.
A chilling gaze bore down on her rigid form.
The surging aura, like a blizzard, silenced the surroundings.
"Oho, the brat poked the tigress."
"Sis~ Go easy. Can't kill her, right? Would be a hassle to clean up."
"Sigh, this is getting troublesome."
The world now differed from pre-Cataclysm.
The Ability Management Bureau and Guardians worked tirelessly to maintain order, but changes were inevitable.
One was disputes among Awakened.
Earth had no monsters or demon kings to slay.
Suppressing ability use entirely was impossible.
"Relying on that fancy Phantom, are we? Looks like you need a lesson on the perils of empty bravado."
Personal might was key.
Unleashing it harmfully on civilians branded you a Villain, but settling grudges mutually wasn't heavily policed.
As long as no killing or severe injury occurred.
'Vampire, so basic regeneration should handle it.'
Cheon Seolhyang casually readied a hand blade and swung lightly.
By her standards, anyway.
"Wait—!"
"Nahee!"
A sharp gust whipped up.
As Licorice members shielded the frozen Nahee and pulled her back, the three strongest—including Yun Seol—raised their blood magic to block ahead.
'Not full power! But at least one blow...!'
An attack surpassing level 7 by vampire standards.
Even blocking would leave them battered.
And if the shoot got wrecked... such escapist thoughts crossed her mind when—
"Jeez, adults picking on a kid for speaking truth—what's this nonsense?"
A familiar man's nonchalant voice drifted into her ears.
Kwaduduk—
When had he appeared? A broad back now blocked their front.
Something crushed in the fist of the man reaching straight ahead into empty air.
""Manager!""
At the call, the giant in slicked-back hair and sunglasses glanced back.
Scanning them, he nodded casually.
"Everyone looks fine. Just fix your hair, and the shoot should be good."
"...Manager, you're insane?"
One member blurted in disbelief.
As if filming were feasible now.
"Kahaha! Well, not wrong. But no choice—we've got the next schedule. Can't waste more time."
"No, the shoot's obviously canceled..."
Ignoring the protest, Harley turned forward.
Toward the five glaring daggers.
'These guys connected to the bomber?'
His eyes scanned them instantly.
The Returner celebs were all seasoned veterans.
A generation that had bodily experienced 'demon' vampires' cruelty.
Plenty of motive with their sense of justice.
'Especially that woman...'
His gaze fixed on the lead actress.
Hesperon fed him the intel in a flash.
'Cheon Seolhyang, strong enough to be tapped as next Guardian branch chief, with solid reputation...'
But over a decade ago, she'd fallen into a Blood Alliance trap, lost her entire squad, survived alone, and abruptly retired into acting.
Tricky foe by skill or connections.
Harley didn't sweat the small stuff.
"...Who are you? Doesn't look like a vampire."
"Whatever. We're busy—let's wrap this quick. Individual talks during the shoot."
Shrugging off his suit jacket, he rolled up his shirt sleeves and cracked his neck.
His pristine canines gleamed dazzlingly under the set lights, bared in a bright smile.