Chapter 17
Chapter 17
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 17
Chapter Title: Hide and Seek
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Do-hyun gave a lukewarm reaction to the girl's words.
'What a tiresome expression.'
Inferior species, worth less than livestock.
That was how vampires and other heteroraces—not to mention the Outers—viewed humans.
Well, it wasn't entirely wrong.
Compared to the Outers, who were residents of the Outer Gods' realms, humans truly possessed insignificant power.
But Do-hyun was someone who had climbed to a realm equal to the otherworldly lords in every single one of his previous runs.
Threats from these so-called "lowly nobles" just struck him as laughable.
"Among the nobles, you're at the very bottom—like a baronet, right? And here you are, acting all high and mighty. Aren't they basically not even real nobles?"
"!!"
The heteroraces' hierarchy followed a noble system similar to Earth's historical ones. Do-hyun didn't know the exact details, but dimensions of similar stature influenced each other without direct contact, or so it was said.
Demon elves, vampires, dark fairies, hell dwarves, and so on.
The reason these heteroraces resembled the species from Earth's myths and legends was apparently due to that influence.
Not that it mattered right now.
"......How do you know about us? Which Kin's slave are you? One of the pointy-ears'? Didn't we claim this as Blood Noble territory?"
Pointy-ears.
The slur for demon elves.
'Does that mean demon elves are hiding out in America too? Just how much of a mess is this country?'
Do-hyun let out a sigh.
Well, Phase One hadn't kicked off with America collapsing for no reason.
'So, the demon elves must be holed up around Hollywood?'
A few Hollywood superstars with suspiciously unnatural beauty and popularity came to mind.
"If you're a slave from another Kin, I'll give you a chance. Beg for forgiveness right now and..."
"Why? Because you're scared of me?"
Do-hyun flashed a sly smile.
"You're scared right now, aren't you? Huh?"
"An inferior slave like you dares!! I'll show you what true greatness is!!"
Flash!
Blood surged into the air, coalescing into the shape of a spear.
It was Blood Spear, an offensive blood magic spell.
The aura it exuded was incomparable to that of Bloody Gentleman, the former S-rank Lv. 7 villain.
'Vampires are the origin of blood magic, after all. Makes sense they'd excel at it.'
Especially the decisive difference from Bloody Gentleman.
It was infused with Intent and Soul Force.
"Hmph, too late for regrets. Before the power of a great soul..."
"Aren't you pushing too hard? The spear tip's trembling—you look like you're struggling."
"You woooorm!!! Die!!!"
Flash!!
The Blood Spear hurtled toward him.
It was the most powerful attack Do-hyun had faced since this run began.
But.
'The Intent's unstable.'
Do-hyun unleashed his own blood magic.
The exact same spell: Blood Spear.
From proficiency to the infused power, every aspect seemed inferior to the vampire girl's. Moreover, Do-hyun's lacked any Intent.
An ironclad rule: a skill without Intent could never stand against one infused with it.
And yet.
Flaaash-!!
⚙ SYSTEM NOTIFICATION ⚙
The vampire girl's Blood Spear shattered into pieces midair.
"Wh-what?"
"Too flimsy, huh? Can you put a little more oomph into it?"
Do-hyun grinned, baring his teeth.
"I was actually looking forward to today. If this is all you've got, I'm gonna be disappointed."
"Shut up!!!"
Splash!!
This time, three Blood Spears materialized.
Each one radiating an even fiercer aura than before!
But the vampire girl had overexerted herself—her face had gone deathly pale.
Do-hyun summoned three Blood Spears of his own.
The difference? He remained utterly relaxed.
As if this were all just a game.
"Die!!!"
The three Intent-infused Blood Spears shot forward simultaneously.
But.
'Boring.'
Splash!
The moment they collided with Do-hyun's spears, they scattered into the air and vanished.
"Wh-wh-what? How?"
"Yawn. That's what happens when you handle Soul Force so clumsily. Be honest. You're not a proper noble, are you?"
"!!"
The vampire girl cried out in desperation.
"What are you doing?! Everyone, attack him!!"
The vampires melted out of the darkness and swarmed Do-hyun.
But Do-hyun just beamed like he'd received the perfect gift.
"Thanks, I love it!"
Splaaash!
⚔ DEVOUR COMPLETE ⚔
Devoured evil vampire (Blood Noble grade)!Devoured evil vampire (Blood Noble grade)!Devoured evil vampire (Blood Noble grade)! Blood magic proficiency greatly increased.
The vampires were nothing more than fodder to boost his blood magic proficiency.
"I-Impossib... How can a human...?"
"Wanna play hide and seek?"
"Wh-what?"
The moment the girl stammered in confusion.
Whoosh-
Do-hyun vanished from his spot, reappearing behind her to drive his knife down.
"Gaaaaahhhhh─!!!!!"
The girl let out a horrific scream.
It wasn't just physical pain.
🩸 SKILL ACTIVATED 🩸
Blood Drain
Absorbing blood and life force. Target rapidly aging.
Blood Drain.
The knife plunged into her glowed crimson as it siphoned her blood and life force.
The little girl's face aged at an alarming rate, transforming into that of an old hag.
'That's her true form. She was just leeching blood and life from others to maintain that youthful facade.'
He could have killed her then and there, but he held back.
Releasing her just enough, the girl—no, the vampire now in her true crone form—scrambled away from Do-hyun in terror, her face twisted in horror.
"Hide and seek's like your little hunting games. I'll count to 100. You get that long to run as far as you can. Make it, and you're free."
The vampire ground her teeth.
What Do-hyun was doing was straight out of the Outer residents' playbook—mocking prey before the kill.
As a proud noble, it was utterly unacceptable.
But—
'!!'
The moment her eyes met Do-hyun's vacant gaze, she swallowed hard.
'Wh-what human...?'
It was the terror of facing a being with an unfathomably superior soul.
Just like the dread she'd felt once in her life, confronting the Blood Lord.
'N-No way. A human? Impossible.'
She desperately denied it, but the fear wouldn't fade.
"Counting now? 100, 99, 98..."
In the end—flash! She transformed into a bat and fled.
True to his word, Do-hyun counted all the way to one before activating Blood Chasing.
His blood magic proficiency had surged from devouring all those vampires.
He knew exactly where she'd gone.
'Let's see.'
He pulled out his phone, opened Google Maps, and cross-referenced it with the skill's direction.
'Bingo.'
The vampire had hidden away in Senator Parks' house.
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇
Kalorama Heights.
The ultra-exclusive enclave where D.C.'s top political and business elites resided.
It wasn't far from Dupont Circle, where the fight had broken out, so he strolled over leisurely.
'The key to a fun hunt is giving your prey plenty of head start.'
About an hour?
He arrived at Senator Parks' residence.
Even among the mansion-lined neighborhood, this one stood out with its imposing grandeur. Exaggerating a bit, it looked like a medieval noble's castle.
There were even walls like battlements, but Do-hyun didn't climb them. Instead, he knocked on the massive iron gate that resembled a castle portcullis.
"Hello? Anyone home? Hello?"
A moment later.
A man with a rigidly hardened expression opened the gate.
It was Senator Parks.
"......What business do you have at this late hour?"
Do-hyun played coy.
"Oh, Senator? What a coincidence. I was tracking a villain, and the trail led right here. Mind if I take a look inside?"
"I know nothing about it. Get off my property. Step one foot in, and I'll turn you into Swiss cheese."
Bzzz—
Red laser dots appeared all over Do-hyun's body.
The mansion's guards had sniper rifles trained on him.
In these turbulent times, VIPs hiring protection was commonplace, but the numbers here were extreme.
Over ten dots on him alone. At least that many guards inside.
'Not just any guards—villains who've committed unspeakable atrocities.'
Evil Destruction began ravenous with hunger.
Do-hyun synced with it, his mouth watering.
'Just a few more minutes.'
"You really know nothing?"
"I said I don't. What're you gonna do about it?"
Senator Parks sneered.
Clearly banking on his social clout and influence.
"Just in case you go mad dog on me—there's police a mile out. Felt like trash like you might show up tonight, so I requested extra patrols. Cause a scene, and they'll haul you off."
He had spotted several police cars on the way.
Any commotion, and they'd swarm in minutes.
"Being suspected as Genocider versus confirmed? You know the difference. You'll be blacklisted from American society."
He had a point.
No matter how much people cheered vigilantes, villains were villains.
Operating in the light was tricky.
But.
"No idea what you're talking about. I'm not Genocider. I'm here as a hero serving America."
"Ha, what nonsense?"
Do-hyun didn't stop there. He pulled out his phone and dialed 911.
"Villain sighted at 335 Q Street—can you come right now? Yes, yes. Senator Parks' house."
"What the hell are you...?"
"Told you. I'm here as a hero for America. Calling the police for backup isn't weird, right?"
The police arrived quickly. Not regular cops—HPD.
Hero Police Department.
B-ranks and C-ranks, strong enough for elite neighborhood duty.
"Did the Senator report?"
"Not me. Him."
"Name's Kim, recently naturalized American."
"Ah, the Pearl Harbor hero! What's the report?"
"Was chasing a villain—saw it head into this mansion."
The hero cops gave Senator Parks awkward looks.
"Did you witness anything, sir...?"
"Haven't seen a thing."
"......In that case, probably a mistake by Hero Kim. Sir's inconvenienced—best head out."
"Even with the blood trail like that?"
"!!"
Everyone's faces stiffened.
A vivid trail of blood stretched from the street to the mansion's walls.
Do-hyun's handiwork with blood magic during their chat.
"St-Still... no warrant, can't investigate..."
"I get it. I understand the police's position."
"......Thank you for understanding."
"But mind if I ask a few things? Under federal criminal procedure law, this is correct, right?"
"......Yes."
"And this too?"
"That's also correct."
The cops tilted their heads but answered. Do-hyun beamed and turned to Senator Parks.
"Hear that, Senator? No plans to get arrested, I take it?"
At Do-hyun's gleaming eyes, a chill raced up Senator Parks' spine.
"Wh-what are you up to?"
"Got it—refusing arrest. Alright, Hero Kim's justice operation starts now! Gotta collect evidence, so officers, double-check those body cams! Ready, go!"
Flaaash-!!!
Blood sprayed into the air.
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