Chapter 120
Chapter 120
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 120
Chapter Title: Camilla
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The tunnel's interior was thick with yin energy. The evil spirits' breaths floated lazily across the floor like mist spreading over the waters of the River Styx, while those clinging to the walls matched Ian's pace, staring at him with grotesque faces.
"......"
Ian tapped the salt bottle in his hand with his fingers, exchanging glances with them.
Now that his Re-creation magic had a usage limit, he couldn't just grab ghosts like before and cast spells on them without a second thought.
That's why he'd brought salt.
From time immemorial, salt had been the exorcist's symbol, a holy relic with purifying and banishing power. The evil spirits couldn't withstand its might and were all rendered powerless. The tunnel's evil spirits were no different.
"In the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit, Amen."
Ian pulled the cross from his pocket and sprinkled salt around him. The evil spirits that had been watching hungrily let out shrieks of "Kieeeek!" and scattered.
Of course, powerful evil spirits couldn't be exorcised with just salt. They often took it as a provocation and rampaged even more fiercely. But the tunnel's evil spirits fled with girlish screams the moment the salt touched them. They weren't anything special.
Maybe they sensed he was a mage and bolted. Or perhaps they just wanted to wander the nine heavens a little longer rather than become materials.
Either way, it wasn't important to Ian. He sprinkled salt haphazardly as he replayed the scenes he'd seen before regressing in his mind.
'The vampire's probably that girl with the black hair.'
The village had taken direct hits from the Nazis' assault and the moon's mental attack, making it the first place on earth to fall under the moon's domain. Every living being had become devotees and shrine maidens of the moon, joining hands in the village center and chanting hymns to it.
And among them was a girl with blood smeared around her mouth and gleaming red eyes.
She was too beautiful to be a monster, too alien to be human.
She had to be the vampire nesting in this village.
'Saved me the trouble of tracking her down.'
Tracking usually started with the hardest part: finding the target. Skipping that crucial first step drastically lowered the mission's difficulty. All he had to do was search the village, capture the vampire alive or retrieve her corpse, and done.
'Rural folks might shun outsiders, so better to move alone without asking around if possible.'
Lost in those thoughts, he soon reached the tunnel's exit.
No sign of the Nazi ghoul. No corpses strewn across the road. It was just wide open.
"......Should've brought the bike."
He'd parked it outside just in case, but now he regretted it. Should've ridden it in.
Whatever. Turning back now would look suspicious, so Ian walked the asphalt road on his perfectly fine legs.
"......"
The road was poorly maintained, with cracks and potholes everywhere.
They weren't man-made. Rain, snow, and wind had probably worn it down naturally. At least it didn't look like a ghoul had smashed it up.
'The ghouls are probably hiding somewhere in these mountains.'
Ian eyed the trees and bushes lining both sides of the road as he walked.
Even in broad daylight, the nameless mountain's depths exuded a thick chill that sunlight couldn't penetrate. There was a faint bloody scent too, and something like a foul stench. Might be his imagination, but better safe than sorry.
"......"
Ian tapped the pistol tucked in his coat, feeling the hard metal.
Its magazine was loaded with silver bullets. He'd also packed stakes, crosses, garlic, and more in his backpack. He'd even had alio e olio pasta for breakfast. Facing a high-ranking vampire for the first time, he'd prepared everything he could.
Complacency was poison, but overpreparation often helped. Ian was certain it would this time too.
"Hm."
While thinking, he reached the village entrance.
Nothing special. No name, so no signs or markers. Just a few weathered totems by the road, all looking battered like they'd been through a typhoon.
Ian considered one last smoke before entering but decided against it—not worth upsetting the locals. He cleared his throat a few times, flashed a friendly smile, and slowly entered the village.
'From now on, minimize thoughts. Might fall to mind reading.'
The village was full of rice paddies. Mostly single-family homes, with pavilions and benches dotted around where elders chatted idly.
"Heard from the grandkids recently. They're coming for Parents' Day. Hope May gets here soon......"
"You gonna be able to hug 'em? Didn't you say your back hurts?"
"Even if I'm old, I've still got strength to hold my little puppies!"
Ian watched the two old men in the pavilion, then smiled and approached. They noticed him mid-grandkid talk and turned.
"......Who're you?"
"Don't recognize the face."
The chatty elders tilted their heads at Ian's face. He chuckled and bowed.
"Just a traveler passing through. Doing a motorcycle tour around the country, but it broke down suddenly, so I had to stop here."
"Hmm...... Really? But we don't have any inns or anything......"
"Ah...... I see. Guess I'll sleep outside tonight then. Thanks for letting me know."
Ian bowed deeply, polite as could be. Maybe that's why one silent elder adjusted his glasses and spoke up.
"Tsk tsk...... Sleeping outside in this weather'll give you a crooked mouth. Come with me. I'll talk to the village hall; you can stay a night."
"Eh...... You sure that's okay?"
"'Course it is, you fool. We're not those stuck-up types on the news. We can put up a visitor for a night."
The elder chuckled, struggling to his feet. Ian quickly supported him.
"Careful there."
"......Heh, what a polite young man. Reminds me of my younger days. Eh?"
"Bet you were way cooler than me back then, sir."
"Right? I think so too. Listen here. When I was young, eh? Girls lined up for me......"
Ian responded earnestly to the elder's tales as they headed to the village hall. The other elder followed.
The hall was a plain brick building. The elder, leaning on Ian, flung the door open. Go-stop players inside whipped their heads around at the rattling.
"What, Yeong-su? Didn't you go for a walk? Back already?"
"Got a guest, you lot!"
Yeong-su patted Ian's back.
"Traveler whose bike crapped out, no place to stay! Let him crash here a night!"
"Oh, yeah? Can't be helped then. Hey, young man! What's your name?"
"Uh, Shin Ian."
"Ooh, pretty name. Come sit. Eaten?"
A gray-haired old woman in socks bustled out and dragged Ian along. He gave a wry smile and shook his head.
"Breakfast yes, lunch no."
"Eek, it's past 2 already? No good. Sit quick. I'll whip up food."
"Pardon? No need to......"
"Hush. Relax. You remind me of my son. Be right back?"
She plopped Ian on the floor and laughed as she headed to the kitchen. Ian kept a straight face, scratching his head apologetically. Pure young man vibes.
The go-stop elders grinned and called out.
"Don't stand there—come play a few rounds. Got cash?"
"Hm...... A bit. Shall we until lunch?"
"Young guy's got fire. Come on. We'll suck you dry."
"Won't be easy."
Ian grinned and joined in seamlessly.
That day, the elder cartel fleeced him for 50,000 won.
Nearly nightfall, Camilla finally woke. Her red eyes, glowing bright even in the dark, blinked as she slowly sat up and threw off the covers.
"......Fuu, feels refreshing."
Sleep was optional for vampires, but Camilla always got just enough. No big reason—just woke up feeling good.
"Hm."
She tousled her messy hair and checked the wall clock.
6:30 PM. Not too late, but enough for winter sun to set. Camilla rubbed her face, pondering whom to kidnap and drain tonight.
Her cold expression instantly turned innocent childlike. She poked her face to confirm nothing off, then opened the door and headed to the village hall's living room.
Thud thud.
Descending the stairs slowly, she heard excited elder voices.
Nothing new. She knew their moods swung wildly. She slid the door open without a thought.
"Grandma! Grandpa! I'm up!"
The bright voice pierced the rattling door. But unlike usual, few eyes turned her way. Most watched two people playing baduk in the center.
One familiar elder, one unfamiliar young man.
Camilla tilted her head at the stranger, then widened her eyes at his sweet scent, cheeks flushing red.
"Oh, Camilla's up. Come here, dear. Time for dinner."
"......"
"......Camilla?"
"Ah, y-yes. Grandma. Listening. But who's that guy......? Never seen him......?"
"Oh, that kid?"
The elder tending her giggled, waving her ladle.
"Traveler passing by, staying tonight due to circumstances. Probably your neighbor's room, so bear with it a day."
"Ah......"
Camilla's mouth fell open, hot breath escaping. Saliva pooled automatically.
'What is this smell! Wanna sink my fangs in his throat and kill him right now!'
She bit her lip at the sweetest scent she'd ever smelled. Just inhaling was ecstatic. Wanted to mind-read his thoughts, but too many people—over five in range overloaded her brain.
Thoughts didn't matter. Camilla trembled with bloodlust surging through her, staring at Ian.
Then Ian, playing baduk carefully, felt the gaze and looked up. Their eyes met in midair.
"......"
Clack.
Ian's stone dropped limply on the board. His sweating opponent grinned, throwing hands up.
"You dropped it! I win! I win!"
"Damn it, you old coot! Dropping like that when I had it won?!"
Ian ignored the noisy elders, staring at Camilla. He eyed her crimson irises, lips twitching, then wryly smiled at the elders.
"Haha...... Sorry. Lost focus at the end. Anyway, who's the kid?"
"The kid? Oh, Camilla."
"......Camilla? Not Korean, huh."
"Right. Kid living here due to some story."
"......Hmm."
"Stay in the room next to hers tonight. Say hi at least."
"......Shall I?"
Ian grinned, stood, and approached Camilla, extending a hand while looking down.
"You're Camilla, right? Nice to meet you. I'm Shin Ian. Let's have a good night?"
His lips curled up wide.