I couldn't kill her.
Moon Ji-Hyeok gritted his teeth. He had aimed his revolver at Doris, intending to shoot her in the back of the head. But instead, he accidentally stepped on a fallen leaf, the rustling sound alerting her.
I missed the perfect opportunity.
Doris teleported out of sight. Fortunately, she hadn't moved far, allowing Moon Ji-Hyeok to quickly pinpoint her new location. He aimed his revolver at her, hidden behind a tree.
"A Vampire Hunter...? No, that reaction speed is closer to a Vampire's."
Doris had judged Moon Ji-Hyeok's nature human or vampire solely based on his reaction time.
So she's a high-ranking member of Cantra... She's no ordinary opponent.
Moon Ji-Hyeok tensed, gripping the silver-plated knife in his left hand a gift from Taker.
"If you're a vampire, why are you interfering? I am Doris Ziegler, the fourteenth Trueblood of Cantra. Who are you?"
"I have no reason to give you my name. I'll be taking the Life Orb."
Moon Ji-Hyeok assessed the situation. Even if he couldn't kill Doris here, he had to secure the Life Orb.
"Such presumptuous greed, nameless vampire."
Doris teleported behind Moon Ji-Hyeok. Reacting swiftly, he swung his knife backward, but she dodged effortlessly and seized both his wrists, pinning him against a tree.
"Ugh..."
"This strength... you're not a True Ancestor. How did you learn about the Life Orb? Who's behind you...?"
Bang!
Moon Ji-Hyeok's revolver spat fire. He had twisted his wrist to the breaking point, forcing the angle to pull the trigger. The silver bullet grazed Doris's left shoulder.
"Kaaah...!"
Doris teleported away from Moon Ji-Hyeok. She grimaced, examining her left shoulder.
Silver bullets were lethal to vampires. Even a graze was enough for the silver poison to corrode her flesh. At this rate, she wouldn't be able to move her left shoulder for at least ten minutes.
Who is this guy? Where did the information leak from? Did Kang Wook-sung betray me?
Her mind raced. This morning, she had assumed the person tailing her was a Vampire Hunter. But if it wasn't a Vampire Hunter, then who was it?
How could a mere vampire know anything about the Life Orb... or about me? Whether he's a traitor or part of a new organization, I must extract the information.
An invisible organization. For Cantra's future, I must uncover their secrets.
Doris's expression twisted as Moon Ji-Hyeok recklessly charged toward the Flower of Life.
"No, stop!"
Doris teleported urgently, appearing before Moon Ji-Hyeok. She kicked him in the abdomen, sending him flying backward.
Moon Ji-Hyeok crashed into a tree and rolled across the ground. Doris was a True Ancestor; even without considering her superpower, her physical abilities far surpassed his.
"Since you're a vampire, you won't die even without your arms and legs, will you? After retrieving the Flower of Life, I'll slowly extract the information from you!"
"Hmm. I am curious about that young man's background."
"Who's there?!"
Doris whipped her head to the right. Another presence had appeared.
Rustle, rustle. He emerged slowly, stepping through the fallen leaves. It was a man clad in a traditional Korean robe, a sword at his waist. His attire and weapon seemed out of place in this modern era.
"...Baek Sanggi?" Doris murmured in disbelief.
"You know me?"
"...The Boss told me about you. He said there was a monstrous Vampire Slayer on the Korean Peninsula. But he thought you'd have succumbed to age and taken your own life. Yet... you're still alive?"
"I'm already half-dead."
Baek Sanggi approached her. Doris pulled a knife from her pocket and hurled it at him a blade imbued with the formidable power of a True Ancestor.
Baek Sanggi drew his sword from his waist and lightly deflected the knife. As Baek Sanggi lunged forward, Doris clicked her tongue and retreated. Keeping her eyes fixed on Doris, Baek Sanggi spoke to Moon Ji-Hyeok behind him.
"Are you alright, young man?"
Moon Ji-Hyeok leaned against a tree and forced himself to stand. Doris's single kick had left his entire body aching. If he were human, he would have died instantly.
"Who are you?" Moon Ji-Hyeok asked politely. This was the man Doris had called the Vampire Slayer earlier.
"I am Baek Sanggi. I have many questions, but I'll bury them all and ask just one: What do you intend to do with the Life Orb?"
"...I want to become human again."
"It's been a long time since I've met a young man I like. What is your name?"
"Moon Ji-Hyeok."
"A fine name. Today, you will become human. Watch from there."
Baek Sanggi moved. His leisurely stroll transformed into a sprint as his legs began to pump rapidly. Doris bit her lip and glanced at the Flower of Life.
The second orb hasn't even formed yet.
She could teleport away with the Life Orb. Her superpower was unmatched when it came to escaping.
But she couldn't possibly be satisfied with just one. How long had she anticipated this day? She needed at least two.
Safety versus greed.
Doris chose greed.
The blades of her ring hilt sword and knife clashed in mid-air, the metallic clang echoing repeatedly as orange sparks flew.
Her physical prowess should have given her the advantage.
Then why am I being pushed back?!
Their combat experience was on a completely different level.
Whenever Doris pressed forward with her superior strength and speed, Baek Sanggi's blade moved with uncanny precision, deflecting her force. In the brief openings created, his blade would slash across Doris's body. Her hasty defenses prevented deep cuts, but it was clear the wounds would accumulate as the fight dragged on.
Doris was grateful Baek Sanggi's blade wasn't silver. If it had even been silver-plated, her chances of victory would have vanished long ago.
"Your left shoulder seems to be losing mobility," Baek Sanggi observed.
"Why did a monster like you suddenly appear? Were you after the Flower of Life?" Doris demanded.
"I have no interest in the Life Orb, but as a human, I couldn't allow it to fall into the hands of you True Ancestors."
"You're more monstrous than any vampire," Doris spat.
"I've heard that before. It doesn't bother me anymore."
Doris swung her knife and immediately teleported.
Appearing behind her opponent mid-swing made for the perfect surprise attack. Yet, once again, her blade was blocked.
"Impossible... How...?"
"True Ancestor. I saw your superpower earlier. If I know it, I can prepare for it. And if I can prepare, blocking it is child's play."
Nonsense. This was an attack that couldn't be blocked even if you knew it was coming. Baek Sanggi had only managed to parry Doris's strike because of the immense combat experience accumulated in his body.
At that moment, Moon Ji-Hyeok moved. He had been quietly approaching the Flower of Life, but suddenly he sprinted forward with all his might.
"You bastard!" Doris roared at Moon Ji-Hyeok. "Taking your eyes off me? You're getting too cocky."
Baek Sanggi's ring sword sliced through Doris's left arm, which fell to the ground with a thud.
Doris teleported instantly. Her left arm was irrelevant now. Appearing above Moon Ji-Hyeok, she grabbed his head with her right hand and slammed it into the ground.
"Die, you arrogant fool!"
Just as Doris's right fist was about to crush Moon Ji-Hyeok's skull, Baek Sanggi lunged forward, swinging his sword. Doris hastily rolled backward to evade the strike.
"Baek Sanggi!"
"Did you truly think you could underestimate me so easily, True Ancestor?"
Moon Ji-Hyeok pressed his palms against the ground and lifted his head. His face was a mangled mess, skin torn and nose crushed. Despite his body trembling violently, he forced himself upright.
Ten steps.
The Flower of Life lay just ten steps away.
"Yes, young man. That will. Go and claim the Life Orb."
"You! Stop! The Flower of Life can only bear a maximum of four Life Orbs! Don't you know that?!" Doris screamed.
Baek Sanggi clicked his tongue. He wanted to shut her up, but if he moved away from Moon Ji-Hyeok, Doris would undoubtedly attempt to teleport and kill him instantly.
"...Four?" Moon Ji-Hyeok hesitated.
He knew about the effects of the Life Orbs. If there were four, even after consuming two himself, half would remain.
"As an elder, let me advise you: greed only invites disaster," Baek Sanggi warned.
"...I will become human," Moon Ji-Hyeok declared, resisting his greed. Baek Sanggi smirked.
"You foolish fool...!" Doris exploded in fury, gripping a knife in her remaining right hand and glaring at Baek Sanggi.
Moon Ji-Hyeok staggered forward, his steps growing more determined as he approached the Flower of Life. The ten-step distance narrowed to five, then to an arm's reach.
"Stop! Detective Moon!"
The familiar voice belonged to Taker.
A flicker of relief crossed Moon Ji-Hyeok's face as he turned toward the sound.
"...!"
There stood Taker Sung Yujin her left hand clamped over Yang Jeongmin's mouth, a crimson blade pressed against her throat.
"Taker...?!"
Moon Ji-Hyeok collapsed to his knees. The unbelievable sight before him made his legs buckle. His brain struggled to process the impossible reality unfolding before his eyes.
Why is Taker with Yang Jeongmin? And what's that crimson sword he's holding?
"...That sword. Were you Jeokgwang all along?" Sung Yujin asked, staring at Baek Sanggi.
A moment later, Sung Yujin smirked bitterly and replied, "That's right. I am Jeokgwang."
The revelation struck Moon Ji-Hyeok like a bolt from the blue.
What?!
I knew from the original drama where Doris would plant the Flower of Life on Seorak Mountain. Three days earlier, I had even scouted the location to confirm it. Not content with that, I had also planted a listening device under a nearby rock.
I glanced at Yang Jeongmin beside me. She was still in her police uniform, having left work early. The outfit seemed rather impractical for hiking.
"Yang Jeongmin, this way."
Focusing on the eavesdropping device in his left ear, he moved alongside Yang Jeongmin. Timing was crucial.
While Moon Ji-Hyeok fought Doris, he would swipe the Life Orb. If any unexpected variables arose, he would take Yang Jeongmin hostage. If everything went according to plan? He would secure the Life Orb, kill Moon Ji-Hyeok, and then violate Yang Jeongmin.
But a variable emerged during their ascent up the mountain a completely unforeseen one.
What the hell? Why is that bastard here?
He spotted a man climbing the mountain silently and swiftly. Though he couldn't clearly make out the man's face, the black robe he wore gave away his identity.
Baek Sanggi.
In the original drama, Baek Sanggi was a fleeting presence, barely appearing for a minute of screen time.
He was supposed to have consumed the Life Orb 300 years ago, right?
Rumor had it that Baek Sanggi originally had a significant role. However, the male idol cast in the role reportedly delivered such a disastrous performance that his screen time was drastically reduced.
To be fair, his acting was truly awful.
He was said to be the legendary Vampire Hunter of the Korean Peninsula. Honestly, I didn't know much about him. His role was so minor, and there was no mention of him in any interviews with the director or writers.
...Shit, did something go wrong?
"Mr. Taker?"
"Ah, Ms. Yang Jeongmin. My apologies. I was lost in thought for a moment. Let's hurry."
The sounds of battle crackled through the eavesdropping device. Just as I'd predicted, Moon Ji-Hyeok and Doris were fighting. Now was the perfect time to intervene, but I couldn't. Baek Sanggi was lurking nearby.
"Mr. Taker, why did you suddenly stop? We don't have time to stand around daydreaming. Ji-Hyeok is... Mmph?!"
I clamped my left hand over her mouth and pressed the blade of the Fire Lotus Flying Dagger, drawn from my inventory, against her throat.
"Stay quiet if you don't want to die."
"...!"
Yang Jeongmin stared at me in shock, likely realizing I was Jeokgwang the moment she saw the crimson blade at her neck. But I couldn't afford to worry about her reaction.
Focusing on the sounds from the eavesdropping device, I kept Yang Jeongmin's mouth covered as I quietly approached the battle zone.
"You! Stop! The Flower of Life can only produce a maximum of four Life Orbs! Don't you know that?!" Doris's shout rang out, causing me to freeze in my tracks.
"Haa..."
This was a fact I had been completely unaware of. In the original drama, Moon Ji-Hyeok obtained the Life Orb when only one had formed.
This setting even existed? Fuck. Why didn't the drama's director or writer reveal this?!
A setting the creators had kept hidden. It was a loophole I had never considered before.
Four! Four Life Orbs!
In the distance, I could see Moon Ji-Hyeok reaching for the Life Orb that had only just begun to form.
That stupid bastard!
I had to move forward. I had no choice.
"Stop! Detective Moon!"