****
The occult shop Arjuna was still there in front of the neighborhood park, even now, a year later. It didn't seem like many customers visited, but the shop remained clean, and the interior was diligently changed whenever one might start to grow tired of it.
A young man entered the entrance of Arjuna. The young man, who was still wearing inline skates, came inside with his baseball cap turned backward, blowing bubble gum.
“It really hasn’t changed.”
He muttered to himself and looked toward the counter. A CCTV camera was rotating, but even so, there was no one at the checkout. It seemed that if a thief were to break in, they could make off with the entire contents of the cash register.
However, this Arjuna was no ordinary shop. The items handled ranged from general occult hobby goods to items with truly certain effects, and one could even obtain illegal goods. Accordingly, the shop’s defensive measures were also extraordinary.
“Ho-oh?”
The young man in the baseball cap blew a bubble as if he had discovered something and looked around his surroundings. If one were to recklessly rob this shop, they would likely die before taking even a few steps. And even if that weren't the case, it was better not to mess with Arjuna. This was an unwritten rule understood in the underworld.
“Hmm? Ah, a customer….”
Kim Seong-hui, the owner of this small but intense occult shop, Arjuna, welcomed the guest with her still beautiful voice. Her sophisticated appearance, which reminded one of a dealer in a high-end casino, remained unchanged as well. What man wouldn't have his heart flutter for such a woman?
However, the young man in the baseball cap instead raised his hand and pointed to the ceiling.
“To keep something like that loose. I doubt the Ministry of Health and Welfare would allow it?”
There was a red fly there. This fly, called a tsetse fly, was the host that transmitted sleeping sickness, which still showed a 90% fatality rate, and it was trapped inside a small glass tube.
Because the glass tube was so small and the inside of Arjuna was dark, it wasn't visible, but when the security device was turned on, if one even laid a hand on the counter, the tsetse fly would immediately be released, and at the same time, an acoustic sound of a specific frequency that made the tsetse fly aggressive would play.
It was an excessively harsh punishment for a thief who would move simply out of greed for cash.
“My, are you perhaps Se-geon?”
Only then did she recognize Se-geon. It wasn’t that they hadn't met since he had been brought here by Sylvester, but Se-geon, who had rapidly built up his body by administering growth hormones, had changed so much in appearance and atmosphere that it was no wonder she failed to recognize him.
Although Se-geon was still in his growth period and had not used steroids, which could halt growth, he had consistently administered growth hormones, albeit in small amounts. Deok-yeon’s training, which combined growth hormones with physical discipline, had transformed Se-geon remarkably within a short period.
However, the subject of the change himself spoke while blowing bubble gum, as if it were no big deal.
“Yes. It’s been a while, hasn't it? Has it been four months?”
Se-geon said that and took off his cap. At that, Seong-hui spoke with a smile.
“You’ve become a fine man. You’ve really grown a lot.”
“It’s because I took growth hormones.”
Se-geon said that and sat on the sofa as he pleased. Kim Seong-hui examined Se-geon’s body. The training combined with the administration of growth hormones had explosively strengthened Se-geon’s body, which was already in its growth stage.
But there was always a corresponding side effect, and even if there weren't, the task of fighting vampires was a dangerous job where one never knew when they might die.
She looked at Se-geon and asked carefully.
“How is it? Since then?”
“You know, then?”
Se-geon said that and looked at her. Of course, he was talking about his split with Deok-yeon. Although Deok-yeon wasn't exactly tight-lipped, he wasn't the type to immediately spread rumors all over the neighborhood either. At that, she smiled and deactivated the security device.
“Song Deok-yeon ssi took the request from Father Sylvester to raise Se-geon, and since I am the spokesperson for the Jinma Hunter in Korea, I receive reports to some extent. But it doesn't seem like you came because of that; what’s the matter?”
“For a purchase, obviously. I heard there’s a tool that can detect vampires?”
Se-geon said that and looked at her. At that, Kim Seong-hui put on a troubled expression.
“Ah, of course, there is one. And they say it’s standard equipment for a vampire hunter as well. But it’s not as great a product as you might expect.”
She said that and took a small case out from the display window. Like a seasoned dealer, she took out the product and added a comment.
“Of course, the price is as enormous as you expect.”
“The performance doesn't keep up but only the price does. It's a defective product. Surely the price isn't three digits, is it?”
“Fortunately, it’s not such an expensive item. It’s to the point that wealthy civilians often buy it.”
She said that and opened the case. What was inside the quite luxurious silk case was a dark red stone with a blood-colored ripple pattern drawn on it. Of course, there was a loop at the end of the stone, and a string with strange characters written on it was connected; one could tell just by looking that it was no ordinary item.
“It’s a Bloodstone Pendulum with a fixed price of 800,000 won. Its limit for detecting nearby vampires is a 20-meter radius. With this, it will probably be difficult to actually track down a vampire.”
“…….”
Se-geon fell into thought for a moment. Since he had left Deok-yeon’s house, he had to find a place to live, and there was a lot of money to be spent on motorcycle repairs and other things. These days, even for a monthly rental, one had to pay a deposit, so he would need large sums of money in the future. Was it really necessary to buy an item with so little effect?
In truth, unless one was a veteran like Deok-yeon, it wasn't easy for a newbie who had just jumped into this job like Se-geon to make money by catching vampires. Even if you fought a vampire to the death, there were cases where it was better to just do some other ordinary job. No, in fact, it could be seen as the majority of cases.
“Well, as for vampires, there are guys I already know for certain. I’ll buy it right now.”
“Is that so? Then I won’t stop you, but it’s better to use your funds systematically. There’s also a crossbow equipped with silver-tipped quarrels; how about that?”
“I already have weapons. But… I don’t have a ‘weapon’ in the true sense of the word.”
Se-geon said that, took a paper envelope from his pocket, counted out the money, and gave it to her. At that, she shook her head as she accepted the money.
“I suppose Old Man Joo won’t sell it to you? Psychedelic Moon?”
“Yes. Even if buying vampire blood is caught by the police, it’s not a big problem, but for him to sell drugs to a minor like me is a major crime. Old Man Joo is the type to be thorough in his self-management, so now that I’ve split from ajeossi, he won’t deal with me. But without that, I won’t be able to fight against vampires in the future. Isn't there some way to get it?”
“Mmm. Old Man Joo is the most reliable vampire dealer, but I suppose that means he’s a principled man to that extent.”
Seong-hui said that and opened a drawer. Inside was a small glass bottle containing capsules.
“It’s something that’s only about Vamplic Transrate 13, but I have a little. Shall I give you that? It doesn't have cocaine mixed in, so it might be unsuitable for combat use, but what do you think?”
Psychedelic Moon is a special drug made by blending the conversion factor collected from vampire blood with general drugs like cocaine or heroin; if used as is, one cannot obtain the proper effect.
In the worst-case scenario, the user could also become a vampire, but if it is VT 13, it is safe as its effect is low.
“VT 13, huh… I probably haven't built up a drug tolerance yet, so I'll use it. But that story from earlier. Are you saying there’s another vampire dealer besides Old Man Joo?”
Se-geon asked that as he received the bottle from her. At that moment, Kim Seong-hui was startled and her eyes widened. It seemed she had only just realized she had made quite a large mistake. But she couldn't take back the words she had already spoken.
“There is. Their main business isn't that, they’re actually a drug dealer. It seems they pay more for the price than Old Man Joo does.”
“Can I find out their trade line?”
“They probably won't deal with a minor like you either, will they?”
“I’ll have to hold out with this until then, at least.”
Se-geon said that and held up the medicine she had given him.
“Fine. Then I’ll look into it. By the way, where are you living these days?”
“I don't need to tell you that much, do I?”
“It’s a good attitude to have. But you know the Sangdong-pa is looking for you, right? I think it would be better for you not to come out into the city for a while. Especially the motorcycle… how about just giving it up. It’s pretty much trashed anyway, isn't it?”
She gave Se-geon that advice. Originally, she didn't care whether vampire hunters died or not, but she couldn't remain that indifferent toward Se-geon. Perhaps it was because Se-geon was young.
But Se-geon left Arjuna without an answer.
“Hey….”
From his stubborn back, she realized that he would never easily give up the RX-125, his hyung's memento, even if he had to face the Sangdong-pa head-on to keep it.
<><><>
The boss of the Sangdong-pa, Jeong Sang-dong, was someone who possessed a benevolent impression to the point that no one would believe he was a gangster just by looking. In fact, he had placed a plaque on the building he used as an office, calling it the ‘M High School Alumni Association Office,’ and by hiring only those with neat appearances, he planted a good impression on the surroundings as well.
Although they were regarded as a group of thugs by those around them, one of his sources of pride was that he never lost his businessman-like composure.
But that was only true until today.
“So? You're saying you were all beaten? Well done!”
He caught his breath as he put the clothes hanger back in its place. The hanger made of duralumin had turned dark red, stained with blood, and the very people who had stained that hanger with blood were lying on the ground, squirming.
Cheon Yeong-hu also twitched his forehead, which had been split from being hit a few times. Once Jeong Sang-dong got angry, he was a typical ‘fuse-type’ person who saw neither friends nor anything else.
“But… who would have thought that guy was a vampire hunter.”
“Mmm.”
At that one remark, Jeong Sang-dong calmed down.
The fact that they were beaten even though they had mixed in vampires meant the opponent was a professional hunter trained in anti-vampire tactics. No matter how well-armed or how much of a master of martial arts one was, if they didn't assume the opponent was a being that transcended humanity, they were bound to be defeated in an instant.
“This has become a headache. Until now, there hasn't been anyone with the guts to mess with the Sangdong-pa. Is this guy a new one?”
Jeong Sang-dong asked that as he put his suit jacket back on. At that, Cheon Yeong-hu nodded. Blood poured down every time he moved his head.
“Since he said he was a minor, there's no doubt. And they said he rides a motorcycle remarkably well.”
“Is that so? A minor who rides a motorcycle… then the motorcycle gangs might know him well. I don't care if you scatter some pocket money to the kids, so find him at all costs and kill him!”
Jeong Sang-dong said that, opened the safe, and took out bundles of money. At a glance, it looked to be about twenty bundles of million-won notes.
Of course, compared to the money pulled out by organized gangsters in adult graphic novels, it was true that 20 million won might not look that large, but the organizations in South Korea that could readily pay the huge sum of 20 million won to catch just one person could be counted on one hand.
“W-will it be alright?”
Even the mid-level boss, Cheon Yeong-hu, trembled upon seeing such a large sum. As someone who knew well about the operation of the organization, he didn't want to agree to using such a large amount.
And it was the same for Jeong Sang-dong.
“Hmm… hmm. Of course, use it for your medical bills too, and bring back the remainder if possible.”
“…….”
As his blood pressure went down, Jeong Sang-dong, who had quickly recovered his fuse, showed a weak side unbecoming of a head of an organization.
<><><>
It was unknown since when, but fantasies about organized gangsters were imprinted on some kids who played around to the point that it was almost like a religious faith.
Thus, as Cheon Yeong-hu’s black Grandeur entered the entrance of a construction site, the biker gangs who had gathered in the vacant lot and were practicing wheelies or Maxwell turns (a technique of spinning with the front wheel fixed in place) all stopped at once. Of course, the biker gangs had pride in themselves, so that was all.
“Hre-hem.”
Cheon Yeong-hu stepped out in front of the kids while fingering the bandage wrapped around his head. Then his juniors (?), two vampires, followed behind him.
The biker gangs had put wood left behind by construction workers into a drum and were burning it. The expressions of the bikers reflected in the firelight were not very pleasant. Even if the opponent was an organized gangster, there were only three of them at most; biker gangs were originally fearless and rough because they were people who rode with death as a companion.
“What’s the matter? Huh?”
They said that and approached Cheon Yeong-hu. At that, Cheon Yeong-hu carefully raised his left hand. With just that, the bodyguard standing next to Cheon Yeong-hu moved his body and grabbed the biker’s side in an instant. At that, the ribs began to scream.
“Kuaaaaaaack!”
The biker couldn't even finish his sentence and collapsed with his mouth wide open. At that, Cheon Yeong-hu quickly restrained the bodyguard. Although the sun hadn't completely set, the vampires still couldn't overcome their reason and easily became ferocious.
The fortunate thing was that their consciousness from when they were human was also strong, so they listened to Cheon Yeong-hu’s words, but it was unknown how long they would continue to listen to such orders.
“This is a headache. It would be nice if they could be controlled with crosses and garlic.”