Chapter 305: Doctor (3) |
Heinz the Second slowly nodded as he received Jin So-ran’s report from Romania about the Blood Alliance’s venture into the entertainment industry.
‘It’s not a bad idea, if it works.’
After all, people were instinctively drawn to appearances.
And most vampires were attractive, wasn’t that part of their nature?
Their alluring appearance was a useful tool for luring prey.
‘There’s no need to avoid using the weapons we have.’
Of course, there would be some restrictions and wary gazes to deal with, but that was a manageable problem.
‘And there are many who desire to enter the mainstream.’
They were simply biding their time due to practical reasons. Not all vampires were satisfied with living in the shadows.
So, Heinz entrusted her with full authority.
He told her to handle it as she saw fit, just like she always did.
‘…I’m too busy for this. She’ll let me know if she needs my help.’
He felt a bit guilty, but it couldn’t be helped.
She was being compensated accordingly, so she would understand.
He had too much on his plate right now.
“Nothing new, huh? I was hoping for something.”
Heinz shook his head, having thoroughly searched Doctor’s former hideout.
He had come here to double-check, just in case, while Hans and Horus were examining the data and equipment he had retrieved… but there wasn't anything else of interest.
‘He was practically begging for it.’
He frowned slightly, recalling Doctor’s last words.
-“…I’ll see you again next time! And I hope to see your friends as well! Mwahahaha!”
That was why he was going through all this trouble.
Those weren’t the words of someone accepting their death, so it was only natural for him to feel uneasy.
“Hmm, I’m certain he died.”
There was no doubt about that.
Heinz the Second was a vampire who preyed on the lives of others, accumulating karma and power.
And he was at the pinnacle of his kind.
He could easily distinguish between a real person and an artificial creation.
Everything, from the life signs to the flow of causality, had confirmed that Doctor was the real deal. And he had witnessed his death with his own eyes.
So, he had interpreted his last words as a curse, a promise to meet again in the afterlife…
‘But I don't think that was the end.’
As time passed and he gradually adapted to his new senses, a premonition, a feeling that he would encounter Doctor again, began to surface.
He had no concrete evidence, but his instincts, honed through countless battles, were rarely wrong.
“…He must have some kind of resurrection method.”
That was the most plausible explanation.
He could create a dungeon on Earth that operated under different laws.
If someone with such abilities accepted death so readily, it meant he had a backup plan.
‘Wait.’
He suddenly remembered something.
He himself had the “Extra Life” perk, a resurrection ability!
‘Hans received it after becoming an enemy of over half of the world’s population.’
What if Doctor had a similar ability?
That would explain his nonchalant attitude.
“Tsk, this is troublesome.”
There were no clues related to resurrection in the data he had retrieved.
But there was a way.
Sizzle—
A single drop of blood seeped from Heinz’s fingertip.
It shimmered faintly, emitting a strange wave.
‘I’m glad I kept this, just in case.’
It was Doctor’s blood, retrieved from the scene.
All the blood he had spilled during his self-destruction attempt had vanished along with his body, so this was all that remained… but it was enough.
Wooong—
A strange, floating sensation spread outwards, carried by the wave emanating from the blood.
It flowed through the world’s causality, like a current, instantly gathering information about specific conditions within a radius of several hundred kilometers.
‘Even if he changed bodies, it doesn’t matter. Blood isn’t just a physical component, it’s a link between body and soul.’
And he was a master of blood and blood magic.
He was still adapting to his new power, but he was constantly growing and evolving.
“…He’s not nearby.”
Heinz stared intently at the drop of blood, his eyes gleaming.
It vibrated for a moment, then fell silent, showing no reaction. He retracted his hand and shook his head.
His current range was a little under 800 kilometers.
From Bucharest, the capital of Romania, to Athens, Greece, and even the southern tip of Italy.
And yet, he couldn’t find him…
‘Either he resurrected outside this range, or he hasn’t resurrected yet… or he’s hiding somewhere, using his technology.’
But he wouldn't be able to hide forever.
Heinz was rapidly adapting to his new power, his tracking abilities constantly improving.
It was only a matter of time before he found him.
‘I was planning to consolidate my control over Europe’s vampires using my Divine Blood anyway.’
He would travel throughout Europe, expanding his influence and gathering information.
He would find him eventually.
‘I’ll finish him off next time. Even if I have to summon Hans.’
Leaving no room for escape.
He scanned the room again with cold eyes, then turned and left.
He still had much to do.
____________________
Aberdeen, a city in northeastern Scotland.
A large, hidden laboratory, located in the basement of an inconspicuous building.
It was a secret facility, its existence unknown to most, its purpose a mystery.
It had been practically abandoned recently, with no one entering or leaving… but a change was occurring.
Whirr—
The automated systems, which had been in standby mode, hummed to life, their functions reactivating.
Bubble—
Bubbles rose from the fluorescent green liquid filling the incubators lining one of the walls.
And then,
Gurgle— Thump!
A large bubble burst, shaking the incubator violently.
Thump! Thump! Crash!
A dull thudding sound, growing stronger and more frequent, echoed from within, as if something was struggling.
And finally—.
Crash! Shatter—! Rumble—
The incubator shattered, and its contents spilled onto the floor.
A naked male figure, covered in fluorescent green liquid, twitched and writhed.
Cough, cough—
He coughed, spitting out the liquid that had filled his lungs, and then took a deep breath.
Gasp—
His movements were strangely reverent,
As if he was taking his first breath.
After a while,
He slowly sat up, his body still trembling.
His mousy brown hair, soaked in the liquid, clung to his face, but he ignored it, focusing on his breathing, and then slowly raised his head.
“Hehehe… Success?”
A distorted voice, a chuckle escaping his lips, echoed through the quiet lab, filled only with the hum of machinery.
A sinister smile twisted his lips, visible beneath the hair covering his face.
“The loss rate… Hmm, I’m not sure. I’ll have to run a thorough diagnostic later…”
He tried to stand up, but his legs gave way, and he collapsed back onto the floor, laughing softly.
He felt a sense of loss, having lost most of his abilities and the energy he had accumulated… but he didn’t care.
He still had his brilliant mind, his unique skill, and a body he could use for his experiments.
“Phantom… and Masquerade…”
He muttered, two words escaping his lips.
Doctor’s eyes, filled with a mixture of longing, desire, and greed, burned brightly.
“Hehehehehe!”
And then, a manic laughter, echoing softly, filled the soundproof lab.
____________________
As the events in Europe unfolded, pushing the world towards an unpredictable future,
A woman in Auterica was also experiencing an unimaginable situation.
“Um… What did you just say…?”
Isea blinked, her mind still reeling from the unexpected words, and instinctively asked again.
She had understood the words, but their meaning was so absurd that she couldn’t process it.
“So… you’re saying you went to Earth? Saint-nim?”
“Indeed. And to Korea, your and Hesperon’s homeland. It seems our connection played a role.”
“…H-how?”
“Hmm, if you ask how… I can only say that the Main God guided me. I am but His sword.”
Isea stared at him, speechless.
She opened and closed her mouth a few times, then finally nodded, accepting his answer.
It didn’t explain anything, and she still couldn't fully comprehend it, but the Saint’s words, attributed to ‘God’s will’, were irrefutable.
“…This is… surprising. I never thought such a thing was possible. I’ve never even heard of it before.”
“I’ve also heard that it’s unprecedented. So, many on Earth didn’t believe me either.”
Isea nodded gravely.
She still couldn’t believe it, but he had no reason to lie to her, so it must be true.
The thought that Heinrich might be an Earthling crossed her mind, but even that didn't explain how he could freely travel between Earth and Auterica.
And it was difficult for her to suddenly change her perception of him, having firmly believed he was an otherworlder.
“So, why are you telling me this…?”
“I thought I could be of help to you. You’ve been troubled lately, haven’t you?”
“…How did you know?”
“We’re comrades. We’ve been through a lot together.”
Heinrich smiled gently, his face kind and benevolent.
He was a natural liar, his demeanor showing no hint of deception.
‘Perhaps Heinrich’s “Persona” includes a talent for deception?’
More precisely, it was a consequence of his ‘fanatical faith’.
He believed everything he said the moment it left his mouth, making him a walking, talking lie detector.
Even 「Eye of Truth」 wouldn't be able to detect his deception.
Thanks to that, their conversation flowed smoothly.
Isea, grateful for his concern, and Heinrich, laying the groundwork for future manipulation.
But their peaceful conversation didn’t last long.
As they were chatting amicably—
[“Saint!”]
…Saintess Liesta’s urgent voice echoed in his mind.
[“It has begun!”]
Heinrich’s gentle smile vanished, his face hardening.
There was only one thing she would contact him about so urgently in this situation.
[“Through the abyssal seal…!”]
Before she could even finish her sentence, he was already gone, his body moving like the wind.
To prepare for the uninvited guest’s grand arrival.
Comments 1