Lee Yu-ha suddenly woke up.
She raised her upper body off the bed, pushing the blanket to one side, and then swept her long silver hair behind one ear and felt her own forehead to check for a fever. The boiling fever she had since the evening had finally cald down, and now she felt a shiver.
It seems Mr. Heuk-byuns() dicine has worked.(note: Heuk-byun is the Korean pronunciation of the na Kurobe)
For so reason Lee Yu-ha had been feeling weak and dizzy, and Professor Kurobe() of Magicology had called her to analyze her blood.
Professor Kurobe had told her that she was probably showing anemia symptoms as she was getting her blood drained by so outside influence, and he gave her so dicine to prevent this from continuing.
The fever Lee Yu-ha had after taking Professor Kurobes dicine was a minor side effect caused by the accumulation of the mana that would have naturally been expelled from her body.
This side-effect had passed so her temperature had gone down.
Lee Yu-ha, still holding her forehead, looked into the dark night through her window, wondering why she had woken up, and soon realized that it was due to so noise coming from downstairs.
?
What could this commotion at this ti of the night be? She completely pushed the blanket to the side and got out of bed. She was dressed in a light white cotton nightgown, the sa sleeping clothes all dormitory cadets wore.
She left her room wearing rubber shoes that had been supplied by the dormitory, just as the sleeping clothes, with her loose silver hair hanging down to her waist. The noise coming from downstairs beca clearer.
Then, I shall go back to my lab.
You may not do so, Kurobe sensei.
Then, how long am I supposed to stay here?
As she headed down the stairs to the first floor, where the noise was coming from, she could see Professor Kurobe surrounded by n in suits.
Mr. Heuk-byun?
Why had Professor Kurobe co here, and who were the n surrounding him? As Lee Yu-ha stood in the middle of the stairs, hesitant, Aikawa saw her and rushed to her.
Miss Lee! Are you okay?
Lee Yu-ha nodded and asked Aikawa.
What has happened?
Well, you see Shirabayashi-kun,
Aikawa explained the whole story as she knew it. Baek Cheol-yeon had said that he was sure that Professor Kurobe was the vampire, and ordered the n in the suits to restrain him. After listening to the explanation Lee Yu-ha understood the situation.
It seems Cheol-yeon has misunderstood and suspected Mr. Heuk-byun.
Lee Yu-ha walked towards Professor Kurobe, who was surrounded by the n in suits, without hesitation, her long silver hair swinging back and forth.
Uh You! Wait! Lady! D-Dont co closer!
When Takahiro saw Lee Yu-ha approaching them, sohow he was overwheld by her aura and the title of Lady ca out of his mouth before he realized it.
Professor Kurobe, who was sitting in a chair, also noticed Lee Yu-ha and looked at her with his sunken eyes as he said.
Cadet Lee.
Yes.
How are you feeling?
I am better, much.
That is good. You will no longer have your blood drained, but it will take so ti for the amount of blood in your body to return to normal.
Lee Yu-ha bowed to Professor Kurobe and looked at Takahiro and said.
Professor Kurobe, release him.
Taken aback by her speaking to her so informally, Takahiro replied hesitantly.
But this was Master Shirabayashi I an, Cadet Shirabayashis order.
.
He will soon be here, so please wait, miss. He said he was in the research building, so he should be here soon.
Lee Yu-ha thought.
Baek Cheol-yeon, what have you.
Baek Cheol-yeons suspicion of Professor Kurobe had originated from a misunderstanding, but this was all because he was worried about her. It was also Baek Cheol-yeon who had asked Aikawa to look after her and searched everywhere for the cause of her illness.
I understand.
Lee Yu-ha answered Takahiro, and passed him to head toward the exit of the dormitory.
She had been told that Baek Cheol-yeon was headed this way, but she wanted to go greet him first and thank him. After all, he was the one who had most worried about her and gone out of his way to help her.
Ah, Lady! If you go out!
Takahiro blocked the dormitory exit as Lee Yu-ha was about to leave. She was the one Baek Cheol-yeon had ordered him to protect, and he felt that he couldnt just let her go out like this.
Cadet Shirabayashi also ordered to protect you. You have to stay here so we can protect-
Lee Yu-ha interrupted Takahiro and emphatically said, as she looked up to him.
He, did tell you to block my path?
!
If that is not so, get out of my way.
Takahiro couldnt find a response to that and got out of her way.
Lee Yu-ha left the dormitory building in her white nightgown and go on the path to the research building. She was hoping to et Baek Cheol-yeon on her way.
***
[User information]
Na (Choi Seong-gil)
Age 27
Mana class E-class
Awakened abilities
tamorphosis/B-class
Blood absorption/A-class
Status tamorphosis maintained (121 days, 8 hours)
[Main screen]
B-class tamorphosis and A-class blood absorption.
Blood absorption was an ability that allowed its user to absorb blood components and use them as energy. He was probably maintaining his tamorphosis by supplenting his poor amount of mana with his blood absorption ability.
If he had maintained his tamorphosis for 121 days, it ant that he had been in this state for at least 4 straight months. There was no way he could achieve this with an E-class mana level.
This fucker was the vampire, not Professor Kurobe.
But what surprised even more was the na Choi Seong-gil.
The na that was displayed on the status window was not sothing soone could change even if they wanted to. It wasnt like changing your na in a family register at so governnt office,
It was a na that beca engraved onto the Ghost considering this na your own from your childhood, over a long period of ti.
He was a Joseon person?
What the fuck was up with this guy?
He was a Joseon person, but he had pretended to be Japanese all this ti? By stealing the face and identity of the real Saigane Seiji?
He even went as far as speaking poor Joseon language to pretend he was Japanese.
What do I do?
I had identified this guy as the culprit through my status window, but this was just evidence that was in my head and I had no kind of physical evidence.
And, on top of that, Professor Saigane Seiji, the false persona that Choi Seong-gil had taken on, was a well-liked Japanese professor who was popular around campus and could even influence the police.
Even if I were to accuse this man, there was no way to prove it and punish him.
However, this was the school I had to attend and graduate from, and I couldnt have a vampire threatening the lives of my peers. So,
I have to solve this myself.
I spoke to Professor Saigane, or rather Choi Seong-gil.
Say, sensei. You see I know it is late, but since we t, I would like to get so advice from you. Is there any place nearby where we could talk in private?
Oh! Do you need counseling? I always welco students who need counseling. But, did you not say you were busy?
I guessed it might look suspicious for a guy who was busy running around to suddenly ask for counseling, especially in the middle of the night. I hurriedly made up an excuse.
Ah. Well, you see, its actually girl problems. I thought you might know quite a bit about sothing like this
If a guy said that hes having problems with girls, most n would be willing to listen to them as if they were experts, and Choi Seong-gil was no different in this regard.
Haha! If it is girl problem, I do not think I have much choice. I shall help you as best as I can.
He continued, still with a good guy smile on his face, pointing to a side trail that led from the path we were one.
Over there, there should a an old temple that is empty now. I always get so fresh air around there when I co out for a night walk. How about there?
The place he pointed to was a narrow mountain path with wooden steps. The path wasnt very steep but it led deep enough.
That sounds perfect.
Sure, I shall lead the way. It is dark, so stay close.
Choi Seong-gil started climbing the wooden stairs first. I was about to follow him when suddenly
Wait.
I was planning on ambushing and do away with Choi Seong-gil up there, without anybody knowing.
Although he had the ability to draw blood from his opponents, he didnt really have any other significant offensive ability. And there was a low chance of failing as he wouldnt expect to ambush him from behind.
However, what if my plan failed? Conversely, what if Choi Seong-gil put my back to the ropes?
The fact that I had been killed in that deserted place up there wouldnt be known by anyone either.
I cant have that happen.
I needed soone to at least realize what was going on and help , or in the case I got into trouble, to at least know the truth about what had happened.
Are you not coming?
He asked as he looked back, having climbed further ahead.
Hmm.
I didnt have enough ti to leave a ssage here, and I didnt want to do anything that would raise his suspicions. But still, there had to be so way to leave a ssage
Ah, sensei, one second. It is nothing. I got so dirt in my shoe.
I squatted down for a mont, took sothing out of my bag and put it neatly on the floor.
With this, at least soone will realize.
Then I got back up again and followed him up the mountain path, thinking.
Then, lets go hunt down a vampire.
***
Fuck, its whos going to end up dying first.
The narrow wooden stairway was only a few dozen ters long, but it left breathless. If I had been my 21st century self, this would have been a piece of cake, but the weak, useless 17 year-old young master I was right now found this straining.
As soon as Im done with this, Im going to work on improving my stamina first.
The landscape that eventually erged was a half-destroyed small temple with all its doors broken off and a mossy stone pagoda.
Choi Seong-gil, who had got there first, was breathing in the fresh air and said.
Huff Puff Well, how is it? This is a temple from the Early Joseon Period, but it was destroyed when the school was built here.
Ah yes.
I co here every once in a while. The quiet and lonely atmosphere you feel is rather humbling.
After muttering to himself, he suddenly asked as I was still catching my breath.
Shirabayashi-kun, have you ever owned a pet?
It was a random question. I didnt know why he was asking this, but I had a dog in the 21st century so I just answered.
Yes.
When that pet die, I imagine you were truly saddened?
After saying this, he didnt even wait for my answer and continued with a sad look on his face.
You must have. I did as well. And it was just a few days ago that this happened.
Oh I dont know what to say.
He did not really obey , but he was still a good boy. When I let him free in the mountain, he would bring useful things However, you see, he was killed by so bad kids a few days ago.
?
As I continued listening, sothing seed strange.
Could it be?
A few days ago, the mid-sized monster, Onikumo, that appeared in the training grounds during the pre-field study. At that ti, dozens of students were almost caught and killed by the Onikumo.
My squad and I brought down that Onikumo, but Could he possibly be talking about that incident?
Was it this guy that created that situation, as well?
I was shocked. It wasnt enough for him to secretly suck the students blood, he was even using monsters to actively try to capture more students.
And him ntioning this in front of , did it an that he was holding a grudge and was going to kill this ti?
So, did he bring here to kill ?
There was a possibility of getting killed if I wasnt careful. I tensed up and grabbed the scalpel I put in my pocket. But suddenly I felt dizzy and my legs beca weak.
Anemia?
I hadnt even been attacked, so how?
At that mont, the moon that was hidden by the clouds was shining, and I could see sothing that looked like red steam rising in front of my eyes. Like steam coming from hot potatoes, the red steam was coming out of my skin.
This is?
I was shocked. My blood was seeping through the gaps between my skin cells in the form of red steam and being absorbed by him!
So this is the A-class blood absorption ability!
I never thought hed be able to suck blood this way.
For him, he didnt even need to bite soone with fangs or wound them to draw blood from them. He had already started suck my blood from the mont we were climbing the stairs!
I thought I would be able to kill him if I made a surprise attack, but it was who had been ambushed instead.
I quickly rolled over and hid behind a half-collapsed stone tower. The steam rising from out of my skin stopped. It seed he needed in his line of sight for the ability to work.
Huff, huff.
You have good instincts, Shirabayashi-kun.
I could hear his voice. I answered, leaning my back against the stone tower. Since I had been attacked anyway, there was no need for to treat him as Professor Saigane anymore.
Fuck off, Choi Seong-gil. I know youre a Joseon person, so stop pretending to be Saigane.
Oh!
I could hear a voice of admiration. The voice ca from a slightly different place. It seed he had moved to get into his line of sight again.
Oh my I thought I had erased all traces from back then.
As if he had decided to stop pretending to be Saigane, his voice had changed and he started speaking fluently in the Joseon language. I moved little by little to keep the stone tower between and the direction from where I heard the voice.
I was at a disadvantage.
Unless I had an artifact or potion to stop my blood from seeping out, I was completely helpless.
And, on top of that, the only thing I had in my hands was the small scalpel from the lab. If I wanted to hurt him with this, I had to get close to him, but before I could get close I would probably lose all my blood and collapse.
Damn it.
You, what did you do with the real Professor Saigane? He must have existed.
I asked him a question to buy ti.
Ah, it was when I lived on the mainland as an international student. I t him back then, but he was so condescending just because he had graduated from the Tokyo Imperial University, so I killed him in a fit of rage and stole his identity! Haha!
Well, it was a good title at least! Because of his academic background, I was invited to be a professor at this school, and because he ca from good family, I had connections in the police Thanks to this, I was able to erase most of the past when I was Choi Seong-gil, the Joseon man!
If there was a person better than him, he kills them and pretends to be that person using their face. And to maintain it, he sucks other peoples blood.
This was the way he led his life.
The title of professor is quite useful at this school, you see. I need blood of Awakeneds to keep this face, but, you see, by staying at this school I can get fresh blood from Awakeneds whenever I want.
That was true. If he had the ability to suck blood without sinking his fangs, he could pretend to hold counseling sessions with students, or turn into a dormitory master to absorb all the blood he wanted.
And Lee Yu-ha and Aikawa were two of those victims who had lost so of their blood without even realizing it.
However, considering he could take as much blood as he wanted without taking his victims life, why had he kills Kye Hyeong-bok, the tea house robber?
Why did you kill Kye Hyeong-bok? You didnt need to go as far as killing him, right?
Choi Seong-gil replied with a somber tone.
There was nothing I could do about that. Shirabayshi-kun I an, I was at a disadvantage against him. You saw it as well. His poison had the effect of destroying my control over my tamorphosis. I was quite surprised. Wouldnt a guy like that always be a threat to if I keep him alive?
I was asking question just to buy myself so ti, but at this point I had genuinely started to get furious.
Were you planning on spending you whole life living as Professor Saigane, killing people to survive?
I shouted out, but the answer I got back wasnt what I had expected.
No, no! Of course not! Of course, the Professor Saigane mask Im wearing right now is quite good but I cant be satisfied with this! I am thinking about becoming the principal of this school in a few days, Shirabayashi-kun!
The principal!
The principal I had seen in the principals office a few days ago was just an ordinary old man who looked indecisive, as if he had just been placed as a puppet boss. This guy seed capable of killing the principal and taking that position if he really wanted to.
If this guy becos the head of the school!
That alone was ridiculous, but he laughed brightly and continued.
Hahaha! Of course, that isnt all! I am an ambitious man, Shirabayashi-kun. After becoming principal, the next goal would be head of school affairs! Or maybe, hmm, since I have connections to the police, chief of police could be good as well!
And then I would go into the governors office! And then, of course, the next step would be to beco the governor of the Japanese Governnt-General of Joseon! Then, after that, I would go to the mainland and beco the Pri Minister! And then And theeeeeen Do you know what cos next, Shirabayashi-kuuuuuun?
Hahaha! What would be next?! Think about it! Cant the Pri Minister have an exclusive relationship with the Emperor?! Then I would beco the Emperor, of course! Hahaha!
With that, he opened his arms and shouted out, loudly.
This man would beco the Emperor, the Arahitogami () (note: Original text used the Korean pronunciation for the word: Hyun-in-shin)!
This guy was crazy. Completely insane.
Yes. You too would be offering nourishnt to , the man who will one day beco a god. Did I not tell you before? That even the useless Joseon Awakened have the choice of making a contribution to this society.
As Choi Seong-gil said all of this, he was going around the stone tower at a distance, and he finally ca into my line of sight. However, I didnt even have enough energy to get up now. Just holding on to my senses was as much as I could do.
When he reached his hand out to , red steam started rushing out of my skin again.
Urgh!
As my blood was rushing out of and my vision was starting to go black, he suddenly stopped absorbing my blood and suddenly scread.
Ah? Agh, AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAARGH!
Guuuush!
The palms of the hands he was holding out to started to get covered in a thick frost, and there was ice starting to freeze on the ground, covering his feet.
And then, I could barely make out silver strands of hair and hear a clear voice coming from my side.
I hath picked this up on my way here. This, is this not thy shoes?
With that voice, sothing fell on the ground in front of .
?
What was placed in front of was a pair of shoes. These were the shoes I had changed out of and put inside my bag, as I put on the rubber shoes in the research building. These were the shoes I had neatly placed before I started climbing up the mountain in hopes that soone would notice.
I lifted my head. Wearing a white dorm nightgown with her silver hair untied, she turned her head back to Choi Seong-gil and smiled ever so slightly, that I barely could make it out, and she continued.
Although I hath seen soone that would take off their shoes to climb on a bus, I hath never in my life seen a man take of his shoes to climb a mountain.
I knew it.
Was what I thought. I knew it. I knew soone would be able to tell. Although I never expected that soone to be her. Still sitting on the ground, I only lifted my head to see Lee Yu-ha and greeted her.
Yu-ha.
? Cheol-yeon.
Lee Yu-ha kept releasing her ice on Choi Seong-gil as she put on an expression full of doubt and answered my greeting awkwardly. Phew, youve got a long way to go if you want to beco a modern person.
You should be answering Cheol-ha, you dummy. (note: OO-ha is modern Korean internet lingo where only the first letter of a persons na is said followed by -ha to greet them)
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