The next day, In-Su swaggered into the school hall, expecting whispers and sidelong glances.
Instead, he was greeted by a tornado of gossip. Students whispered behind their hands like they were sharing the secrets of the universe, eyes wide and suspicious. Some looked like they'd seen a ghost—or at least a very confused human.
Teachers, including Mrs. Carla, looked more alarmed than usual, as if In-Su had just announced he was the school's new vampire mascot.
In-Su's shoulders sagged as hope slipped away faster than his favorite snack during exam week.
Just as he was about to sneak out of the chaos and hide behind a locker, he heard a voice calling his name softly, like a gentle breeze on a spooky night.
Turning around slowly, he saw Ha-Joon casually strolling over, looking like he'd just come from an anime.
One hand was tucked in his pocket, the other waving like he was trying to flag down a passing taxi.
His hair was swept over his forehead with such perfection giving the '' I'm innocent and cute'' look.
Before In-Su could even say a word, Ha-Joon was sprinting his way, puffing and panting as if he'd just run a marathon to find him.
His face was lit up like he'd just won a prize—probably for the most dramatic entrance of the day.
He threw his arms around In-Su in a tight hug and exclaimed,
"You're here! I've been looking all over for you!" His voice was full of excitement, like he'd just discovered the secret to eternal youth.
Without hesitation, Ha-Joon buried his head on In-Su's shoulder and added softly,
"I'm sorry, In-Su. For what my parents did—and for ignoring you like you're invisible. I feel terrible."
In-Su froze for a moment, caught off guard by the unexpected gesture and heartfelt apology.
Then, hesitantly, he responded, "It's okay, Ha-Joon… I guess I was kind of hoping you'd notice me sooner. But am also sorry..."
Slowly, he wrapped his arms around Ha-Joon and gave him a gentle squeeze. It was a rare moment of genuine warmth amid the chaos.
Just as they were sharing this tender moment, a voice broke through like a referee blowing a whistle. It was Ji-Hoo, smirking like he had just walked into a comedy show.
"Silver, aren't you a little old for that?" Ji-Hoo said, raising an eyebrow while casually strolling over.
Ha-Joon immediately let go, rubbing the back of his neck awkwardly. "Got carried away. Sorry," he mumbled, eyes darting around like he was trying to disappear.
Ji-Hoo chuckled softly and shook his head.
"Yeah, you better be. Anyway, we should get to class," he said, turning on his heel.
In-Su and Ha-Joon nodded in agreement. In-Su, feeling a surge of happiness, draped his arm around Ha-Joon's shoulder and said,
"Let's go. We've got a lot of catching up to do—and maybe some snacks to steal."
They started walking side by side, chatting about how they should start a vampire-human comedy duo or the best ways to sneak snacks into class.
Ji-Hoo watched with an amused smirk, as if he was trying to figure out whether they were planning a vampire circus or just a snack heist.
Whatever their plans were, they seem happy back together again.-
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Vespera floated effortlessly on the air, her form shimmering like a dark star, looking down at the world below.
This wasn't the familiar shadowy realm of Mire or Night.
No, this was the real world—the one humans lived in, or so she supposed.
Yet, strangely, there were no humans in sight—only vast, strange landscapes, endless fields, and quiet cities that seemed to breathe in their own rhythm.
She smirked, her dark eyes gleaming with amusement and menace.
"Look at this world—so beautiful. Too bad we're here to destroy it," she muttered, her voice cold and menacing, echoing across the silent sky.
Dracula, who was drifting beside her, looked down at the peaceful scene with a twisted delight.
"Oh my god, this world is colorful… but it's not worse than Mire. Oh, my eyes! Can I go back home? I feel like vomiting," he said dramatically, clutching his stomach as if the very sight of the vibrant landscape was making him sick.
Vespera arched a brow, unimpressed.
"No. We're going down… carefully," she said softly, her voice calm yet firm.
With a gentle descent, they arrived at the ground, landing softly amidst the quiet wilderness.
Vespera glanced at Dracula. "How many sunscreens did you put on today?" she asked, raising an eyebrow.
"The whole factory," Dracula replied with a smirk, adjusting an imaginary hat.
Suddenly, a teenage boy hurried past them, whistling to himself. He paused, looked up, and sneered.
"Are you doing cosplay or what? Cause it's not Halloween yet," he mocked, laughing with his friends. His voice carried a tone of boredom mixed with mockery.
Dracula's eyes flickered with anger. He took a step forward, fists clenched, ready to punch the boy, but Vespera swiftly pulled him back.
"Calm down, Dracula," she said soothingly, her voice like a gentle breeze. "We're not here to engage with any peasants.''
''We're here for In-Su. Remember, he's been trapped in this world for too long. Let's go somewhere no one can see us—except him."
She whistled softly, and her broom swooped down, catching her effortlessly. Dracula, with a quick transformation, turned into a large bat and flapped his wings alongside her.
"Let's head to his school," Dracula suggested, his voice echoing in his bat form.
Vespera nodded with a sly smile.
"Yes. That's the place." With a flick of her wrist, she directed her broom toward the school, and they soared into the sky, disappearing into the bright, bustling world below, hunting for the one human who had somehow lingered far too long in their world.
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In-Su sat in his classroom, silently listening to the teacher's lecture.
But suddenly, his heart began pounding harder, faster.
An unexpected wave of emotion washed over him—an overwhelming sense that something was terribly wrong.
His eyes fluttered shut for a moment, and in that stillness, he felt it: a distant, ominous presence, like a shadow creeping into his soul.
When he opened his eyes again, he saw them—his parents—walking directly toward the school, their figures dark and imposing, their faces unreadable but filled with an unspoken menace.
A cold shiver ran down his spine.
His breath hitched, trembling. Without a second thought, he shoved his chair back violently, knocking it over, and sprinted down the hall, heart hammering in his chest.
Every step felt like a desperate attempt to outrun the dread threatening to swallow him whole. He gasped for air, lungs burning, mind racing with fear, confusion, and a flicker of hope.
Finally bursting outside, he saw them—Vespera and Dracula—descending with effortless grace, like shadows dancing in the moonlight.
Vespera's smile was cold but commanding; Dracula, in his human form, looked at him with a glint of seriousness.
In-Su, clutching his stomach and trying to steady his trembling legs, looked around wildly to see if anyone was watching.
Then, voice trembling but determined, he asked, "What are you guys doing here?"
Vespera raised her hand, as if casting a spell, and looked down at him with a knowing smile.
"Shut your mouth, In-Su. We're here to stay with you," she said softly but with a dangerous edge.
In-Su blinked, confusion and a flicker of hope battling inside him. "But…"
Dracula stepped forward, voice cold and unyielding.
"No buts… and ifs. If you weren't doing what you were supposed to do, we had to come here and train you," he said, his tone like a blade.
"And don't worry—anyone who sees us gets killed." His eyes gleamed darkly.
They vanished into the shadows before he could respond, like whispers dissolving into the night.
In-Su breathed heavily, clutching his chest as if he'd just run a marathon. Then, with a determined glint in his eye, he muttered to himself,
"It is time. Time to give myself to the training—to kill Bolt, the prince of Mire."
''But I don't wanna fight, the world is full of pain...'' He mutters again.