Chapter 21
Chapter 21
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 21
Chapter Title: Safe Ride Service
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**BANG!!**
Alpha burst into the parking lot, flinging open the back door as if he were about to smash it off its hinges. Ian supported Beta, whose leg was injured, as he followed behind.
The dawn sky tilted with the waning moon.
The parking lot was completely empty, the club's patrons having already left.
No police had arrived yet, either. The only things there were a massive black limousine and a woman wearing a deer mask, standing guard beside it like a sentinel.
She wore a impeccably tailored suit paired with a realistically crafted deer mask—a mismatched combination she sported without a hint of awkwardness. She bowed politely toward the group, her hands neatly clasped together.
"Dear customers. I hope you enjoyed the hunt."
"...Deer."
Alpha pulled down his bandana as he called her name. The woman called Deer clicked open the limousine door and stepped aside, gesturing for them to enter.
"I've got the engine running. Please make a swift exit."
She said. Without a moment's hesitation, Alpha nodded and climbed into the limousine. Ian paused briefly but clicked his tongue at the distant wail of sirens starting up and followed suit.
As soon as the three were aboard, Deer entered after them and shut the door. The man at the wheel floored the accelerator.
*Vroooom!*
The limousine sped off down the open road. Ian stared out the window at the club receding into the distance, then turned to Deer. She had been watching him and gave a slight bow.
"It's an honor to meet you, Wizard. Though it's only for today, I will serve you with utmost dedication."
"...You're with the Cartel?"
"Yes. I'm Deer, an employee of Indemnity, the Cartel's safe ride service for valued customers. Feel free to call me Deer, Stag, or even Deer Head."
As she spoke, she filled a glass from the limousine's bar with ice and poured water over it.
Alpha, who had just lit a cigar, exhaled a plume of smoke and downed the cold water in one go. Ian took a sip as well.
The cool water sliding down his throat cleared his head. He set the beaded glass on the table and pulled a cigarette from his pocket.
"So the band the hunter mentioned—the one hired by the Cartel—was you guys."
*Tsssk.*
He lit the cigarette with his lighter. Deer didn't scold them for smoking right in front of her; instead, she bowed nonchalantly.
"That's right. We prioritize our customers' safety above all, ensuring escape from the scene via thorough, reliable routes that avoid police, military, or the Management Bureau."
"...Must cost a pretty penny. If you're thinking of skimping on payment..."
"Oh, no need to worry. The one who hired us today wasn't you, Wizard—it was the Vampire Hunter. We'll collect from him."
Deer turned toward Beta as she said this.
"Service fee: three thousand dollars total. How would you like to pay?"
"...Hey, can't you see my leg's busted? Can't we talk business later?"
"I'm sorry, but company policy is to handle payments promptly and definitively. If possible, I'd appreciate an answer now."
"...Haa."
Faced with Deer's unyielding demeanor, Beta stuck his cigar in his mouth and tilted his head back.
"I'll hand over cash at dawn. Send someone reasonable to pick it up."
"Understood. We'll investigate the location and contact you."
"Fine. More importantly, pay the wizard his cut."
"Right away."
At Beta's words, Deer reached into the front seat and retrieved a small case. She promptly offered it to Ian.
Ian eyed the case dubiously and tapped ash from his cigarette.
"...Why only give the pay to me? Don't those two get anything?"
"Ah, the job today wasn't a Cartel commission. Those two borrowed our name to post a recruitment notice and gather manpower. So only you get the reward, Wizard."
"...I didn't skim the request that sloppily. There was nothing like that written."
Rather than answer immediately, Deer pulled out the request form.
"Do you see the seal at the top of the request form, besides our Cartel stamp? That's proof that a trusted external individual borrowed our name to post it, as I mentioned. It's common knowledge, so there's no written notice. My apologies. I'll pass your feedback to headquarters—please wait a few days."
She spoke while unlocking the case. Ian nodded as if he understood.
Apparently, not every request stamped with the Cartel's mark was directly from them. Given Seo-ah's silence on the matter, she probably knew about this too—or maybe she'd just forgotten to mention it.
Not that it mattered much. He was getting paid either way.
Still, now that he knew, he'd scrutinize requests more carefully next time.
With that thought, Ian peered into the case as Deer slowly opened it.
*Click.* It opened with a metallic snap, revealing stacks of bills inside.
"Exactly seven million won. I can verify the amount here if you'd like."
"Then check it. Just to be safe."
"Understood. Please hold on a moment."
Deer meticulously pulled out each bundle of fifty-thousand-won bills and began counting.
By the time the limousine left the city streets and entered a narrow alley, she finished.
"Six million nine hundred thousand... six million nine hundred fifty thousand... seven million. Spot on. Not a cent off."
"...Whew."
Ian exhaled cigarette smoke and nodded. Deer closed the case.
"How would you like to receive payment? Options are cash on the spot or direct deposit—two choices."
"...Won't a big sudden transfer to my account flag me with the Management Bureau?"
"No need to worry. We have dozens of methods to protect our customers. Neither the authorities nor the Management Bureau will take any interest in you. The same goes for safely using our Cartel shops, free of any risk."
Deer stated this with polite confidence.
Ian stared past her mask.
Into those pitch-black, deer-like eyes. After a long moment of thought, he replied.
"Direct deposit."
"Confirmed. One moment, please."
Deer began making a call somewhere. Ian turned away from her and looked at Alpha, who had a bandage wrapped around his shoulder.
He tied off the bandage knot with practiced ease, removed his sunglasses, and let out a long breath.
"Feels good... Nothing beats ripping vampires apart."
"Did you become a Vampire Hunter just for the thrill?"
Ian asked. Alpha chuckled and shook his head.
"Vampires slaughtered my family."
"..."
"Boring story, right? For a regular guy like me—not a wizard like you—to step into this mystical world, you need that kind of sacrifice."
"...My condolences."
"Forget it. Just your typical tale of a vengeful old coot. More importantly, happy with the pay?"
"Not bad. Feels like a lot considering the workload."
Ian quipped.
Alpha barked a laugh and leaned back.
"Not many wizards can perform like that in real combat. You've got some battle experience, huh?"
"Just a handful, like I said. Not much."
"I see. Makes it even more impressive."
Alpha fell silent after that. Ian didn't press further and gazed at the pitch-black night sky.
Unlike the club reeking of blood and gunpowder, the world outside was utterly still. Only the faint hum of the car filled the air. The line between the extraordinary and the ordinary was so stark.
Realizing that, Ian felt once more that he had stepped into the world of the extraordinary.
Going back to blissful ignorance was probably impossible now.
Fine by him.
Once your eyes were open, there was no need to play blind again.
"...Whew."
Ian stubbed out his cigarette in the ashtray and leaned back.
A peaceful world.
At least for most people.
*
[Depositor: Deer]
[Amount: 7,000,000]
The limousine pulled into a dark alley. Ian glanced back at Deer as he stepped out, the deposit notification arriving simultaneously.
She followed the group out as if it were nothing, bowing.
"Thank you for using Cartel Safe Ride Service. Have a pleasant night, everyone. We look forward to your next visit."
"Sure thing."
Alpha waved to her. Ian flashed a thumbs-up confirming the deposit, then followed Alpha, who led the way. Beta trailed behind, dragging his injured leg.
*Vroooom.*
Moments later, the sound of an engine rose from behind. It started where the limousine had parked and faded into the distance.
"..."
Ian glanced at the full moon overhead, then shoved his hands into his coat pockets. His fingers brushed a metal object.
The pistol. With an "ah," he handed the borrowed gun and sunglasses back to Beta.
"Good as new."
"Oh, right. Almost forgot and walked off."
Beta pocketed the pistol in his coat.
No more borrowed items to return. Ian tapped the grimoire at his waist as he walked under the streetlights.
Soon, he spotted a hangover soup joint open despite the early hour. The group entered without hesitation.
"Welcome."
A young owner with deep dark circles greeted them. Alpha ordered three bowls of haejangguk and took the corner seat. Beta sat beside him, Ian across.
He hung his coat on the rack, then turned to Alpha with a sudden question.
"By the way, what was that capsule you tossed at the end?"
"Smoke that erases blood traces. Didn't want the cops grabbing it for DNA testing—too messy."
"Ah."
Ian nodded in understanding.
Soon, their haejangguk arrived.
The two Vampire Hunters, who looked Western, seasoned their stew expertly and ordered a bottle of soju. Ian smiled wryly and sipped the hot broth.
Then, as Alpha cracked open the soju bottle, he tossed out casually:
"Albert."
"...?"
"My name."
"I'm Benjamin."
Beta followed suit, introducing his real name. Then they both stared at Ian.
Ian grinned under their gazes and spoke.
"The Wizard."
"You little shit."
Albert let out a laughing curse and downed his soju.