Chapter 35
Chapter 35
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 35
Chapter Title: The Shy Pureblood Vampire
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Everywhere was buzzing with talk about the press conference.
That was the same even at school.
“Hey, Yoon Seo-hyun, that press conference was something else. Hahaha!”
Just look at Han Tae-hoon cracking up the moment he saw me. He definitely came over to tease me.
Even I thought those lines were a bit embarrassing. Setting the world ablaze and all that.
But honestly, I had to drop that kind of impact to stop people from messing around.
“I didn’t really want to say something that cringy either, you know?”
“I know, I know.”
“You know, and you still do this?”
“When else am I gonna get a chance to mess with you? But seriously, were you for real?”
“Of course I was serious. Dude, you don’t get it yet, but a guy like me whose only real-world experience is college and the military suddenly taking a top government job? If they underestimate me, I’ll end up dragged around like a slave doing every crap job imaginable. That’s why I threw that out there.”
“Oh…… So there was some real thought behind it?”
“Yeah. Would you just wing it without thinking in a spot like that?”
“I’m never gonna end up in a spot like that anyway.”
“……Let’s drop it.”
“Kidding, kidding. I was watching seriously. You were pretty good at speaking, though? Guess it’s because you always say what’s on your mind?”
“If you hem and haw in a position like that, it kills your basic credibility.”
“But didn’t you used to get nervous doing presentations? I still remember you popping heartburn pills before that group project one.”
“That’s……”
The moment I trailed off, Tae-hoon picked up like he got it.
“Thanks to the Graceful Dragon trait, right?”
“Yeah. Anyway, what about the others?”
“In the department lounge.”
“Same as always with Han-gyeol.”
“You going?”
“Dunno…… Got something today. Meeting someone after class.”
“Who?”
“Government official. A mutant who’ll be working with me at the agency from now on.”
“Oh…… What kind?”
“Vampire.”
“That’s cool, right?”
“They say she’s really nice. Honestly, kinda looking forward to it.”
“Looking forward……?”
“Yeah, the vampires in media are all noble-looking, aristocratic vibes, super flashy. I like that color scheme too.”
“You’ve got weird tastes.”
“It’s just personal preference. Hey, any assignments announced while I was at the press conference?”
“They always post them on the lecture site, so check there. New one dropped today.”
“Ugh…… That’s gonna be a pain. Anyway, thanks. Heading to class.”
“Come see the others next time. They’re all dying to see you.”
“Is this what it feels like to be popular?”
“Calling you a loner in the first place would insult the real loners. Insult.”
“Hmm…… That bad?”
“That bad. No real loner shows up when someone suggests hitting a newbie hangout. That’s where you flunk out of loner status. Fake loner.”
“Fake loner, my ass…… Anyway, got it. I’ll swing by next time I’m free. No events or anything, right?”
“There is. Academic field trip.”
“Oh.”
“You skipped last time, so this one’s mandatory. Got it? Or you’ll have to do two in your senior year.”
“Yeah, damn, this sucks. Guess I can only hope nothing comes up.”
“Yeah, pretty much.”
“But hey, after that threat, no crazies will act out, right?”
“Honestly, if they do after seeing that…… Might as well call ’em suicidal.”
“Right?”
“But Seo-hyun, remember this.”
“What?”
“There are a lot of crazy people in the world.”
“Ah, come on! Don’t jinx it!”
“What can you do? World’s like this. Most people think, ‘That won’t happen to me.’ Mutants probably aren’t exceptions.”
“That’s what scares me for real.”
I shuddered.
“But hey, can’t you just breathe fire on them and call it a day?”
“Yeah, but I’d rather not. Just got out of the military—feels like waiting for the other shoe to drop.”
“Ah……. That does suck.”
“Yeah. At least being agency head means good pay…… Gotta take that win.”
“You’re something else. How do you even think to take on agency head?”
“Better than getting called a dragon to subdue later. Jumped on the government side quick. Annoying stuff ahead, but I don’t wanna watch people dissect and devour me for fun.”
“Smart move…… I guess? The old folks won’t just boss you around, right?”
“Got a chance to talk with the National Intelligence Service Director who appointed me yesterday. He said something.”
“What?”
“Those guys value their lives too, so they won’t mess with me lightly. As long as I behave, they’ll leave me alone.”
“Hearing that really drives home how big a deal you are. Even top government brass have to grovel to you, right?”
I tilted my head at Tae-hoon’s words. Huh…… Is that how it is?
Oh, yeah, it is.
“Really? Yeah, it is. Ah, crap, I’m late. Gotta go for real?”
“See ya later.”
“Yeah.”
* * *
Waiting for me after class was Agent Choi Jeong-ho. Or rather, now he’s Deputy Agency Director.
Oh, and the agency got its name.
Mutant Crime Eradication Agency (MCEA)
I figured it’d be something fancy, but they went straightforward. Makes it crystal clear what we’re for.
They call it MCEA for short…… But said to just call it the Eradication Agency. English is too much hassle.
“So, have they arrived?”
“The Fairy-type Mutant…… Yoo Ha-rin hasn’t yet, but the Vampire-type Mutant Ha Yeon-hwa has. You’ll see her right away at the agency.”
“……The agency base is already set up?”
“Just borrowed an office at National Intelligence Service. Can’t build a new building. It’s under them anyway.”
“One room……”
“Yeah, we don’t have a huge staff. Think of it as a National Intelligence Service office.”
“Sure.”
Not like we need some flashy headquarters.
“It’s called an office, but it’s decently spacious. Clean, well-organized. Agents busted their asses setting it up.”
“Looking forward to it.”
“Haha! Nothing to get too excited about. It’s like those cop drama or movie offices. Anyway, Yeon-hwa’s waiting there now.”
“Any…… tips for dealing with Ha Yeon-hwa?”
“Hmm…… She’s super shy around strangers.”
“Huh?”
“Super shy. In young people terms, classic outsider. Hates meeting new people, so just don’t approach too suddenly.”
“Okay……”
Makes sense, given her type. Vampires are weak to sunlight, nocturnal by nature.
“But does that mean she only operates at night? Being a vampire.”
“No, then she couldn’t work here. Her exact classification is Pureblood Vampire-type Mutant.”
“Pureblood……?”
“Might sound unfamiliar, but think upper-tier vampire, like High Elves. Vampire-type Mutants are pretty common. Plenty overseas…… But only she qualifies as Pureblood. Proof? She walks in daylight no problem.”
“Sounds kinda scary.”
“Haha! Not scary at all. Really kind, good person. Hasn’t attacked anyone since awakening—lives on blood packs or animal blood.”
“……Ah, she’s that one.”
“Pardon?”
“No, there was this one mutant pushing hard for blood donations on the communities. That was her……”
“Haha, yep.”
“But is it okay to give her blood packs? Doesn’t that count like…… selling blood?”
“Nah, it’s fair trade—they get compensated. No issue. She doesn’t go through tons anyway. Half a pack a day max? Even that, she often does pig blood to avoid bothering people.”
“Kinda…… sad.”
“Can’t be helped. Her innate good nature overrides vampire bloodlust, plus she’s ascetic. Lucky for us. Most Vampire-types can’t control it. Honestly, feels like the Virgin Mary descended in modern times.”
“No way……”
Real-life Virgin Mary? If she’s that highly rated, I can’t help but expect more.
And the moment we arrived at the Eradication Agency, I came face-to-face with…… a woman of overwhelming beauty, with radiant silver hair and crimson eyes.
Something decadent, seductive. If I were still a guy, I’d have fallen for her on the spot.
But the instant she opened her mouth, my first impression shattered.
“H-Hi, h-hello…… Hello? I-I’m Ha Yeon-hwa. Y-Yoon Seo-hyun, right……? P-Please take care of me……”
She couldn’t even meet my eyes, staring at the floor as she spoke. I could only think one thing.
This woman’s the real deal.
Her speech was nothing like what I’d seen on the communities.