NOVEL NEXT Chapter 37
Jin So-Ran (1)
As she drained blood, the thoughts of Gamma’s grievance, anger, and frustration surged in, but… well, it doesn’t matter now.
‘More importantly, Concealment was a Bloodline ability. Then, is Mental Manipulation a Unique Skill?’
The reason she couldn’t sense Gamma and the exquisite secrecy of the barrier was likely thanks to this “Concealment.”
‘Nice! This is the best in the current situation.’
For now, she could better hide her energy.
Now that she could more effectively conceal her identity as a vampire, even if someone stronger than her came along, they wouldn’t easily notice her true nature.
It would also aid in stealth, making her useful as an assassin.
‘Most importantly, being able to hide the traces of cannibalism among kin is huge.’
Vampires are sensitive to blood.
Right now, Gamma had approached by smelling Heinz’s blood.
But if there were traces of several vampires left from cannibalizing kin? Before they even had a conversation, she would be attacked.
[Individual Information]
– Entity Name: Heinz II
– Race: Vampire (Pureblood)
– Common Traits: “Mind Hub,” “Persona,” “Clarity”
– Individual Traits: “Bloodline (Pureblood),” “Hybrid Evolution,” “Acceleration,” “Regeneration,” “Blood Magic,” “Insight,” “Concealment”
– Special Condition: The vampiric elements in the body have evolved through the blood of extra-dimensional vampires. All physical abilities and magic control techniques have increased significantly. Due to the influence of the “Mind Hub,” mental corruption did not occur.
Unfortunately, she couldn’t become a Trueblood right away.
It likely grew significantly in quality, but the absolute amount of vampiric elements was probably lacking.
Even so, her fighting power shouldn’t lag too far behind a Trueblood.
While Heinz was organizing what he had acquired, Hans was attempting necromancy where the vampires had perished.
Black magic to summon the souls of the dead.
He was doing so to gather information, albeit under unfortunate circumstances.
[Huuuh… What the hell, nonsense… Cannibalism… power, my wish… ]
[To die like this, I don’t want to… How long do I have to live in hiding? Power.]
This was why Hans had not used necromancy until now.
Wraiths could only engage in fragmented thoughts, like strong memories or last regrets.
The greater the negative emotions left in those remaining thoughts, the more the soul’s obsession inflated, transforming it into a malevolent spirit.
Thus, gathering information from wraiths was not an easy task.
It would be easier and more certain to directly rummage through their brains and read memories.
[That’s it, cough! To gain power. Research, research!]
Of course, it was difficult, but not impossible.
Hans induced the flow of thoughts he desired by applying appropriate pain to Gamma’s wraith with black magic.
[Kehek… Research, cooperation. Support… Buncheon Society’s technology! Promise… Beta…]
While he interrogated all the summoned wraiths, it seemed this affair was led by Gamma, and the rest knew little.
They merely followed his will, lured by power.
There was likely the unwitting influence of mental manipulation in that as well.
[Speaking of which, the Buncheon Society again. What are they after by supporting the hardliners of the blood alliance with technology?]
Hans asked Gamma further, but nothing more about that came up.
They only promised cooperation in exchange for support; it seemed detailed conversations had not yet taken place.
[Is “Beta”… a higher-up of this? It looks like it’s connected to that level. After all, it would be quite a scale for such a low-level guy to operate alone.]
He must be one of the leaders of the blood alliance’s hardliners.
It was a reasonable inference that if there’s an “Alpha,” that guy could be connected as well.
‘That’s something to investigate from now on.’
Heinz stepped into the corner room where the unconscious Jin So-Ran had been moved.
Having fallen to Gamma’s hands, she was still knocked out cold, unaware.
“But this room…”
Heinz glanced around with a dubious expression.
It was a chaotic room mixed with various occult elements.
A magic circle drawn in blood covering the entire floor, a skull engraved with golden patterns, and colorful ornaments of all kinds.
Heinz could only perceive that part of it contained Blood Magic.
[Oh, this is a new discovery.]
Of course, it had no relevance to Hans.
As Hans entered the room and looked around, he was impressed.
The remnants of black magic used everywhere were dissected piece by piece through “Evil Wisdom” and analyzed with “Forbidden Knowledge.”
However, there were numerous other spells related to black magic in this place.
[Shamanism and curses, is this Kabbalah’s ‘Ein Sof Or’? And it also used the Qimen Dunjia? There are quite a few systems I don’t know about. To weave so many spells together… ]
Hans specialized in black magic, and having reached the pinnacle of a single field, his perspective on magic itself was different.
Through his vigilante activities, Hans had encountered various spells from different worlds, having enough insight to recognize where and how they were used.
‘I never imagined this would be possible.’
Currently, Earth was filled with people who had returned, having learned all kinds of technologies and mysteries from various worlds.
Some had come back learning techniques from more developed civilizations, while others had delved deeply into magic engineering.
It’s been about 20 years since such returnees started to appear.
Yet magical equipment remained rare, and technological development was dramatically insufficient.
How could that be?
‘Because the laws that apply in each dimension are different.’
From the elements that make up the world to the laws of physics that occur in the microscopic world.
Everything operates under its own set of laws.
‘Among them, the most extreme case is abilities.’
At least the laws of physics had some superficial similarities; the laws of abilities were completely unpredictable.
Additionally, since they were energy from another world fundamentally, passing it onto others or scientifically studying it is impossible.
It’s a power that doesn’t exist on Earth and cannot be used.
‘Excluding magical items that are permanently fixed in a stable state of the otherworld, the one exception is when a returnee directly uses abilities.’
The returnee themselves were an embodiment that deviated from the world’s laws.
That was why Hans could use black magic on Earth.
‘Even when activating the barriers installed, a returnee must serve as a medium to trigger it. Thus, it’s impossible for magic engineering to advance.’
Even if one was a craftsman in another world, they needed materials associated with the laws of their world to create magical items that operate independently of themselves.
Since most items on Earth were brought directly by returnees from other worlds, there was no wonder magical items were scarce.
The scene in this room was akin to taking various programs each operating under different laws and refurbishing and combining them into one coherent system.
And that was adjusted to the environment of Earth.
[This level of complexity certainly radiates confidence.]
Hans looked around, marveled.
Although it still required a returnee to activate it, just like the barriers, it seemed like it was still incomplete.
Even so, it was an incredible achievement.
Even Hans could barely manage it with the assistance of “Evil Wisdom” and “Forbidden Knowledge.”
And that was strictly within the category of ‘black magic.’
[Hmm… but it seems lacking. Could it be this is the end?]
It was undoubtedly impressive, yet something felt off.
The structure appeared sound, but the spells remained unstable, and in such a vulnerable state, it was impossible to safely eradicate the thoughts of the vampiric elements.
[Even if additional processes were carried out here… considering that, the spells in this place are far too unstable.]
It was clear without trying directly.
The flaws were laid out in Hans’s “Evil Wisdom” honed at the pinnacle of black magic.
It might seem effective at first, but it was a ticking time bomb waiting to explode.
‘I feel like even the slightest trigger could set it off… could it be?’
The ones supporting this research were the Buncheon Society.
They must have contributed significantly to gathering and weaving spells from various dimensions into one.
Now, they held the trigger button for this ticking time bomb.
[Hah! Those fellows are causing quite a stir from various places.]
Moreover, it seemed their capabilities were beyond imagination.
Collecting and refining various spells to merge them was not something just anyone could do.
‘I wish I had a bit more information…’
He thought perhaps he could find other clues and immediately commanded his undead to search the entire building.
Additionally, he would gather a bit of their research outcomes.
Sharing is caring in this vast world; good things should be shared, right?
And so, while Hans continued his search inside the building, gathering useful items and collecting information…
Heinz approached the collapsed Jin So-Ran in the middle of the room.
The wounds from fighting with vampires had healed, and there were no visible traces of blood.
‘Did she recover blood to start self-restoration even in an unconscious state?’
He hadn’t seen her fight properly since she was ambushed by comrades, but she seemed to be quite a powerful vampire.
Heinz immediately used his newly acquired “Insight” on her.
“Hmm, this is… It seems it will take some time to get used to.”
He had expected information neatly organized like a status window.
What he felt was more akin to an abstract distribution of energy.
The vivid crimson energy actively moving within her body…
‘But it seems strangely faint. It’s obscured as if covered… Oh! This is the “Concealment?”’
Despite being weakened due to her unconsciousness, it was indeed the energy of the “Concealment” stolen from Gamma.
The opaque energy covering her whole body made herself, as well as the crimson energy, appear blurry.
‘Does this woman also possess the bloodline ability like Gamma? Is she from the same dimension?’
No wonder she seemed strangely familiar.
Of course, most of those feelings were filled with hostility.
In any case, this woman was essential for gaining access to the blood alliance.
She seemed to have quite a background, and if she could be made to act according to their wishes, that would be perfect.
Crash!
Clatter— clatter
Sounds of undead following Hans causing chaos as they rummaged through the place echoed from outside the room.
‘Hmm, it wouldn’t do to wake her up here, would it?’
Heinz crossed his arms and looked down at her.
Long black hair tied up in a ponytail sprawled on the floor, contrasting with her pale transparent skin were her red lips and long lashes, and her harmonious features displayed overwhelming beauty with the inhuman charm of a vampire.
‘Right, let’s go with the concept of rescuing a sleeping princess.’
Heinz picked her up effortlessly.
He had never lifted an adult woman before, so he couldn’t tell if she was light or heavy, but to his overwhelming strength, she felt weightless.
“More importantly, where would be a good stage…”
Of course, it was imperative to plan the scenario first.
*
“…Huh!”
With a strange impulse, Jin So-Ran suddenly opened her eyes wide.
Heinz, aware of her gradual waking thanks to “Insight,” calmly gazed at the side while wearing a mask.
“You’re finally awake.”
Vroom—
A sports car smoothly roared down the road.
Heinz’s new ride, graciously donated by Gamma.
“Uh… What? How did this happen…”
Jin So-Ran looked bewildered as she glanced around the inside of the vehicle, spotting Heinz at the wheel, then started examining her own body.
Despite the holes in her clothing and her slightly diminished stamina due to the battle, she seemed fine overall.
“I thought I was dead without a chance… um, is it you who was there earlier? Can I know what happened?”
Unlike with Gamma, her tone was surprisingly polite.
Well, I guess that’s what a civilized conversation looks like.
“Luck was on my side. I had an opportunity to escape quickly. Given the situation, it seems like you’re a victim too, so I took you with me.”
“Luck…? In that situation? …Could you tell me a bit more in detail?”
With slightly furrowed brows, Jin So-Ran cautiously asked.
Given that she was the one who experienced that situation, such an explanation wouldn’t likely persuade her.
“Have you heard of the Hahoe Mask?”
“The Hahoe Mask… I’ve heard of it. They say it attacks various criminals and organizations. Could it be…?”
“Indeed, the Hahoe Mask appeared there.”
Heinz calmly relayed the concocted story.
Due to a sudden assault by the Hahoe Mask, their base became chaotic.
Amid their fierce clashes, he seized the chance and abducted the unconscious Jin So-Ran, escaping.
During that process, he managed to snatch Gamma’s car key conveniently.
“Wow, you really got incredibly lucky, didn’t you?”
She muttered with a slightly displeased voice.
Despite her attitude, Heinz confidently nodded in agreement.
“By the way, who are you? …No! That’s not it. Thank you for rescuing me! You probably had a hard time escaping alone amidst that chaos, and yet you even saved me.”
Having calmed down a bit after waking, she bowed her head and expressed her gratitude.
“I’m sorry. I was out of it, so I haven’t introduced myself. I am Jin So-Ran from the blood alliance. I’m a level 6 from Nocturnia, and I found suspicions that our crew members were kidnapped by the forces of the ‘Big Bad Wolf’.”
She offered a detailed account of herself before she paused for a moment.
Then, she hesitated and continued to stammer her explanations.
“…So, I was going to address it because my allies were helping me… but, um, what happened is… yeah.”
Jin So-Ran, speaking in a trembling voice and bowing her head, was clearly shaken by being betrayed by those she trusted as allies.
Not knowing what to say to comfort her, I quietly kept my eyes on the road in silence.
“It turned out that way! But I’m glad we got out safely! The traitor was unveiled, and we figured out their schemes, so this is a silver lining, right?”
She spoke bright words as if trying to lift the mood in the vehicle.
Then she expressed optimistic views about reporting to the higher-ups, declaring that they would soon deal with everyone affiliated with the traitor, and that she could now relax.
‘Well… I wonder if it will resolve that easily?’
Given the scale of the matter, it felt like it had already resonated with the upper echelons of the hardliners.
Even raising an issue would only lead to an internal conflict, with no peace to come.
‘Of course, I won’t let it be that way.’
After all, it’s a group I plan to consume; the more intact, the better.
‘I’ll wipe out the hardliners completely and grab the blood alliance led by the moderates.’
Taking the first step toward that happy ending hinges on Jin So-Ran.