Chapter 90
(TL: This chapter is here thanks to these generous donors: Gerald C, Keneth P, Donevin T, Mario R, Erik A, Maxwell G, Dale B, Timothy W, Karlis A, Jan B, Stephen M, Donald B, Robert R, Martin G, David R, Daniel T, Dennis D, and Philipp G. Thank you for your support.)
The ranks of Vampires were divided into six.
From: slave → moner → henchman → Believer → Apostle → and finally, the Elder.
And to clarify further, the rank of slaves wasn't filled by Vampires. This was the class consisting of those non-Vampire races under the spell of 'charm' magic. In other words, they were literally slaves under the beck and call of the Vampires.
On the other hand, a Vampire had to be at least of the rank of 'foot soldier/henchman' in order to be treated as a real fighting force; the ones in this rank possessed bat prowess equal to that of low Mid to Mid Tier Knights or C~D ranked Wizards.
From here onwards, every elevation in rank corresponded with the hike in power equal to that of Knight's Tiers. So, at the level of an 'Apostle', it was at least around the mid High Tier Knights or the Wizards with rankings around A-.
However - if one was only strong at performing magic but not so much in physical abilities, then that person was as good as a sitting duck for the Lycanthrope. That was the case with the 'Apostle' Sae-Jin had captured alive just now, when this guy was pared to the other Apostles that attacked him and Hazeline a few days ago.
The name of this poor Apostle he caught was 'Rhosrahdel'. (TL: ????????) As he was still too young, the powers of his bloodline hadn't fully manifested yet, and thus his strength was no better than that of a 'Believer'.
"…It's the truth!!" (Rhosradel)
At least, according to his own mouth, that was.
"Well then, is that all the info you know?" (Sae-Jin the Lycan)
"Yes, yes!! Besides the stuff already revealed to the world, and the fact that Bathory is jumping around in anger, that's all I know, I swear- Ahhaaaahark!! Euahahaaark!! Ahhhakk!!"
The ever-so talkative Apostle began screaming his head off utterly frightened as soon as Sae-Jin pressed his face closer. This reaction was quite funny, so Sae-Jin let out a light chuckle that sounded like a threatening growl.
"Kkhek, kkeeeeeececk…"
Because of that, though, foams bubbled up from the corners of the Vampire's mouth as if he was about to faint again.
Sae-Jin was a bit miffed about this, thinking, 'Is the Wolf's appearance that scary? I thought I looked pretty good, especially among other Wolves…'
"Hmm…"
Stepping back, Sae-Jin lightly scratched the fur on his chest with his claws while falling into a deep thought. He had already finished establishing the Dark Energy Link between himself and this Vampire. Since all his Skills increased in Proficiency Levels after his evolution to the Lycanthrope, if he went around this smartly, couldn't he be able to insert a mole within the Vampires' ranks?
"Oh, yeah. Isn't it possible to identify those 'slaves', normal people under the charm magic or whatever?" (Sae-Jin the Lycan)
He thought of this just now. This was the one of the main reasons why Vampires could exert enormous influence in the world, despite their numbers being low. Although this terrified guy did tell him that a full fledged Apostle could control up to five 'slaves with will', he still hadn't mentioned how big the scale of this whole thing was yet.
"H, huh? I, I don't know yet, who controls which slave. I haven't talked to many other Apostles because I'm still too young!"
"You don't even know your own slaves?"
"No!! Nononono. Of course I know who they are. I can tell you all you want to know, of course!"
Was it because this fool was still immature? His somewhat "honest" attitude even took Sae-Jin aback greatly. It was as if there was no need to even do the whole Dark Energy Link thing at all.
"There are only three people under me. An entertainer named Oh Yeon-Hui, an assistant prosecutor for the Seoul Metropolitan Area, Kim Soo-Ho, and finally, Yuk Soh-Hahn, a recently elected member of the National Assembly."
But when this Apostle told him of the type of people that was under his charm spell, Sae-Jin couldn't help but be astonished. To think that someone like Oh Yeon-Hui, who was considered as the top actress in South Korea was a 'slave' - not to mention, a prosecutor who was in direct contact with the centres of political power, as well as a member of the National Assembly, too…
Didn't this mean, Sae-Jin now had influence on those three, too? At this unexpected bonus, Sae-Jin's lips quivered in happiness.
"Keuhm. You only use big shots like them as slaves?"
"Oh, no, no, no. My luck was on the better side. I charmed them before they became famous and then I quietly supported them within my means. They climbed up to where they are by their own hands."
That was quite an acceptable answer.
"How interesting. However… since I got what I wanted, you no longer have any uses for me." (Sae-Jin the Lycanthrope)
Sae-Jin deliberately made an eerie smile and opened his palm wide. His hand, which was twice the size of the Vampire's head, drew a threatening shadow across the walls.
"Noooo!! Eu, euhaaaaahk!! P, please, waaaaaaiiiit!!"
The young Apostle's body writhed around while crying like a baby. At the same time, he began hurling insults towards his useless 'colleagues' with a high-pitched voice that might split apart in a moment or two. Trashy henchmen, Apostles and Believers that were good for nothing, and finally, even his owners, the Bathorys.
How pathetic and desperate he must have been.
"…Oi."
Sae-Jin grabbed the Apostle's face and spoke. Since his mouth was covered by that huge hand, all he could do was to nod his head urgently.
"Wanna live?"
"Heu-beubeubeup!!"
Showing how much he wanted to carry on living, this Vampire even began licking Sae-Jin's palm.
"Oho, really?"
Looking down on this desperately pathetic weakling, Sae-Jin's lips twisted in an evil smile.
*
Five days later, the promised day with Kim Yu-Rin.
Sae-Jin waited for her to arrive in front of the Orc village and when she showed up like clockwork, he quickly changed into the Hero Orc and received her.
< < 24. >>> >
The 'Intelligence Agency' that was established within the shadows of the Monster Mercenary pany now boasted over 130 agents. Most of them happened to be Cat-type Soo-ins, and according to Kim Yu-Sohn, there were three of them that were good enough to be inserted into a plicated information warfare.
Obviously, it'd be too much to expect these agents to uncover top secret information erased from the records by the leaders of the current administration, but conversely, finding out about faults of a handful of people would be easier than snatching candy from a baby. And as long as those faults were uncovered, the public and the media will do the follow-up and bury them alive.
Rather obviously, the media people would choose to side with the stronger party so the whole affair might bee a battle between the behind-the-scenes backers. But it'd never be a war.
They would never be able to figure out who was attacking Kim Hahn-Seol. And, what would happen under the situation where Kim Hahn-Seol's substitute was already set in stone, someone who could swear her loyalty and obedience, on the surface at least, and also possessing twice the ability? Namely, Yu Baek-Song?
Which choice would they make? Whether to hold onto a walking political liability with heavy losses stacked against him, or to kick him to the curb and embrace a cleanly polished and beautiful pearl, instead?
It was painfully obvious.
Kim Sae-Jin couldn't wait to meet Kim Hahn-Seol two days from now.
< 26. Truth? (4) > Fin.
(TL: And now, there's only one left in the queue.)
(TL: The last remaining chapter will go live tomorrow. And then, I'll be off for a while~.)
Reviews
All reviews (0)