The pain in his right arm bit him with burning intensity, but the adrenaline kept Do-hyun alert. Each heartbeat seemed to send pulsating waves along the wound, a stark reminder of his confrontation with the vampire. He took one last look at the empty clothes lying on the concrete in the aisle - a simple shirt and jeans now devoid of their occupants. The chilling evidence of his first victory gave him a shiver mixed with nausea.
[Active Sense Vampire]
[Multiple signatures detected]
[Estimation: 3-5 entities]
[Average distance: 150 meters and approaching]
[Directorate: Dispersed - Research Patrol]
"They know," he whispered to himself, panic clenching his throat like a vice. The metallic taste of fear filled his mouth.
[Affirmative]. The elimination of a vampire makes a residual impression. Congeners can feel it.
[The intensity of the signature suggests that it was a member of an organized clan.]
"Great. Just... great." His voice was slightly shaking. He was no longer just a hunter, he was a target.
He rushed into an adjacent, narrower, poorly lit alley, trying to put as much distance as possible between himself and the place of battle. His thoughts swirled, uncontrollable. Go home. I have to go home. But how? The subway? Too many people, too many looks, too many questions about his condition. A taxi? The driver would surely notice his bloody arm and his cadaverous pallor.
[Blood energy: 3/10]
[PV: 18/25 - light bleeding]
[Statute: imminent threat]
[Tip: Avoiding the main arteries]
"I'm not going to last long like this, System." His breath was short, forming little white clouds in the cool night air.
[Recommendation: Use the skill point granted at Level 2 to unlock [LEGEST care]]
[Cost: 1 skill point]
[Benefit: Being able to stabilize your condition and continue the leak.]
Do-hyun did not hesitate for a second. As he ran, a new window opened in his mind, brighter and more detailed than the previous ones. It was as if the System was gaining clarity as it leveled up.
[Congratulations!] Level 2 achieved.
[+1 skill point available.]
[Analysis of available skills options...]
Light care (passive/active): Allows you to heal superficial injuries and restore a small amount of HP.
[> IMPROVED PERCEPTION (PASSIVE): Increases the scope and accuracy of Vampire SENSE.]
Vampire resistance (PASSIF): Gives natural resistance to the debilitating effects of vampire attacks.
[unblock [light care]? (YES/NO)
The choice was obvious. "Yes!"
A flow of lukewarm energy, like hot water flowing through his veins, instantly ran through his injured arm. The sharp pain subsided, replaced by intense itching and a tingling sensation as the flesh began to close. He looked, fascinated and a little horrified, as the torn edges of his skin slowly drew closer, giving way to a pink and sensitive scar.
[Unlocked skill: light care]
[Level: ★]
[Type: Active]
[Effect: restores 5 HP. It costs 5 blood energy. (Reuse time: 10 minutes)
[Passive effect: increased natural regeneration.] Slight bleeding healed.
[PV: 23/25]
[Blood energy: 3/10]
"I'd have almost more energy," he growled between his clenched teeth, but the relief was undeniable. His course became lighter, less hampered by constant throbbing. He could move his arm again without grimacing.
He ran down a main avenue, somehow melting among the last revelers who came out of the bars of Hongdae. Laughter and music came to him like another world. He met a group of students, their blue auras cheerful and carefree. One of them pushed him slightly. "Hey, be careful!" the student said before his friend dragged him away, laughing. They couldn't see the red shadows moving across the roofs, they couldn't feel the danger hanging over them. Every scarlet aura he saw in his peripheral vision gave him cold sweats. He felt like a lamb in the middle of an invisible field of wolves.
His plan was to cross Tapgol Park to return more quickly to his Nowon-gu neighborhood. It was a shortcut, more discreet than the main arteries. A monumental mistake, as he would discover.
As soon as he crossed the park entrance, the atmosphere changed. The noise of the city subsided, replaced by the heavy silence of a space that was too large and too dark. The spaced street lamps created more shadows than they illuminated. His [Vampire Sense] flashed, indicating several red presences in motion on the periphery of his litter, but one, bigger, brighter, was straight ahead.
As he sank under the blanket of the old trees, a figure stood out from the shadow of a pavilion, blocking the path. Bigger than the first one, more imposing. The scarlet aura that enveloped it was as bright and menacing as a blaze, pulsating with a malevolent energy that seemed to absorb the surrounding light.
[Alert: Level 4 Vampire Detected]
[Name: Unknown]
[RANG: Supervisor / Hunter]
[threat: high]
[Fight estimate: Defeat certain at 97.3%]
[Recommendation: immediate leak]
"I was told that you had caused trouble for one of my own," said the creature in a deep, trailing voice, almost weary. She hadn't even bothered to hide her blood-red eyes that shone in the darkness like embers. Dressed in a long black coat, he had a presence that was lacking in the first vampire. "A little human... without even the smell of blood. Interesting."
Do-hyun took a step back, his heart beating against his rib cage. He had neither the energy, nor the strength, nor the courage for another fight. Fear chilled his blood.
"I... I didn't want trouble. I was just defending myself."
The vampire had a little dry laugh, devoid of humor." "Defending himself." Such a human concept. Here, you hunt, or you're hunted. There is no in-between." His eyes squinted. "And you look a particularly... intriguing game."
"Too late for apologies."
The vampire moved with a deadly elegance that chilled Do-hyun's blood. Too fast. Far too fast. A simple black mist, and he was already in front of him. The System's dodge indications flashed erratically, panicking, unable to keep up with the opponent's sheer speed.
A steel-cold hand of incredible strength closed around his neck, lifting him off the ground with no apparent effort. His feet beat in a vacuum.
"What a singular fragrance you have..." whispered the vampire as he approached his neck, smelling the air for a long time. His breath was freezing. "It looks like... fear, pure and delicious. But mixed up with something else. A spark. A trace of power that should not exist in a being like you."
Do-hyun struggled, choked, his lungs on fire, frantically scratching the iron fist that was clutching him. The edges of his field of vision began to sprinkle with black spots. That's how I die.
[Critical blood energy: 1/10]
[Passive skills removed to preserve vital functions.]
[Vampire sense is deactivating.]
Suddenly, the vision of the System died out. The world became normal, colorful, noisy with its menacing silence, and infinitely more terrifying. He was alone, helpless, at the mercy of this monster. The panic became an icy wave that overwhelmed him.
"Let go of him."
A new voice, firm, clear and sharp as a blade, burst into the night, breaking the noose with terror.
The vampire turned his head with exaggerated slowness, seeming more annoyed than worried. "Another fly came to burn its wings? Decidedly, this night is full of imprudents."
A female figure stood at the entrance to the park, silhouetted by the city lights behind her. She was dressed in a dark and practical coat, and held what looked like a short spear or perhaps a long dagger whose tip glowed with a cold silver glow. Even without the System, Do-hyun felt a different aura around her: not the vampire's predatory threat, but a cold and dangerous authority.
[Emergency scan...] Emergency energy injection...]
[Bloodline user detected: PARK SOO-AH]
[Level of ability: high]
[Affiliation: undetermined.] No known clan marker.
[Intention:??? - Behavioral analysis: Defensive/interventionist posture.]
The system's message was weak, distorted, like a radio with weak batteries, but clear enough to give it a glimmer of hope.
"This case is none of your business, hunter," the vampire sneered, "but his grip on Do-hyun's neck was imperceptibly loosened.
You're wrong." The young woman, Soo-ah, raised her gun, holding her with an ease that spoke of hours of training. "Everything about you, the leeches, is watching me. That's my calling."
In a movement too fast for Do-hyun's eyes to follow him completely, she charged. It wasn't the supernatural speed of the vampire, but something more... effective. Every movement was economic, precise, deadly. The vampire, surprised by his audacity and speed, completely let go of his grip on Do-hyun to ward off a spear bomb aimed at his heart. Do-hyun collapsed to the ground, coughing violently and panting, massaging his bruised neck.
He looked up just in time to see the deadly ballet that followed. Soo-ah moved with a grace and precision that commanded respect. She didn't need a system to tell her what to do; her entire body was a perfectly oiled weapon, anticipating the vampire's movements, exploiting her openings. His spear whistled through the air, forcing the vampire to back off, to dodge. She didn't waste a single movement.
The vampire, realizing that he was technically outperformed and that his prey was slipping away, growled in frustration, a bestial sound that was not human. Your head will end up hanging on my wall." With a prodigious leap backwards, it disappeared into the deep darkness between the trees, much faster than it could pursue it.
Soo-ah did not pursue him. She remained for a moment still, her weapon always ready, listening to the silence to ensure her departure. Then she turned around and approached Do-hyun, her gaze piercing him in the dark. His eyes, he now noticed, were dark brown and intense, and they didn't let anything appear.
"Are you breathing?" she asked, her voice was neutral, professional.
Do-hyun, still on his knees, manages to nod his head, his breath still wheezing. "Yes... thank you. I... I owe you my life."
She squatted near him, but did not let her guard down. His expert gaze examined his arm, where the wound was now a closed but visible scar. She squinted her eyes, a slight frown betraying her curiosity.
Wounded by a vampire, a deep laceration after the traces of blood on your sleeve... but already healing. Almost healed." His gaze rose to his face, gauging him. "And you don't smell like a Bloodline, not a spark. Explain that to me."
Do-hyun felt a shiver running down his spine. The question was direct, dangerous. Should he trust her? The System was silent, exhausted, unable to offer any advice. Lying? She must have had enough experience to recognize a lie.
"I... I can't explain," he finally confessed, lowering his eyes. Not like that."
"Hmm." His gaze remained fixed on him for another moment, evaluating him, weighing the risk. He seemed to find what he was looking for, or maybe he decided it wasn't worth pushing any further. "You're lucky I've been hunting this specimen for an hour. He killed two women in that neighborhood this week. You would have become the third." She got up perfectly fluently, wiping the tip of her spear on a rag that she took out of her pocket before making it disappear under her coat. Heal this... thing." She made a vague gesture towards her arm." And be careful who you meet at night. All that shines is not light, and all that smiles at you does not wish you well."
Before he could find the words to answer, to thank her again or to ask her who she was, she had already turned on her heels. In three silent strides, she had disappeared into the night, absorbed by the shadows of the park as completely and mysteriously as she had appeared.
Do-hyun was left alone in the middle of the park, his heart still beating, his body sore and covered in cold sweat, and his mind filled with questions more pressing than ever. Who was Park Soo-ah? Why did she help him? And most importantly, what did she know?
A faint glow returned to his vision as he caught his breath.
[Blood energy: 2/10 - Active passive regeneration (1/hour) ]
[QUEST Accomplished: Surviving the Night]
[reward: 50 EXP]
[Progress: Level 2 (50/200 EXP) ]
[new quest available: understand the system]
[Objective: to regain home security and analyse new unlocked features.]
[Sub-objective: Investigating the identity of Park Soo-ah (OPTIONAL) ]
He rose painfully, his muscles trembling with fatigue and nervous tension. The night was saved, his body was safe, but a new mystery, just as dangerous as vampires, had just entered his life.
And he had a stinging feeling that their meeting was not just a coincidence.