A sharp buzzing began to fill Nathan's ears, like a saw trying to split his mind in two. He put both hands over his ears and screamed loudly, trying to dull the sound. Then he lost consciousness and collapsed to the ground.
Spring 1901 — Korean Empire
(Two years after Sol's death):
Nathan sat beneath the shade of a giant cherry tree, wearing worn, old traditional clothes eaten away by time. His face showed the marks of malnutrition and hunger; his skin was filthy because he had not bathed for years, and his face was sweaty—he couldn't bear the heat even though he was under a tree's shade.
Cherry leaves fell around him and through the air like eager songbirds longing for life. He lifted his hand and let the cherry leaves fall into his palm, closed his eyes, took a long breath, and began to feel silky touches from their delicate texture.
He smiled, and deep dimples appeared clearly and beautifully on his cheeks, but the smile was full of sorrow and brokenness.
He spoke to himself:
"These pink flowers are so innocent and beautiful; they remind me of my beloved Sol. When I see these flowers it feels like they offer me consolation. But it's all useless—nothing in this world will make me human again or bring Sol back to life. I am nothing but an outcast hybrid who can't even feed himself properly."
He was squatting, head bowed. A moment later he saw a shoe approaching him step by step—clearly a wealthy man's shoe.
Nathan slowly lifted his head to see who this rich man was who approached a homeless person like him.
He looked at the man, but his vision was weak and hazy because of the sunlight; sunlight harmed vampires, especially their skin and eyes—they were extremely sensitive to it.
The man was very mysterious and tall, about 188–190 cm. Nothing of his face or body was visible: he wore a short black coat with a double-breasted chest in white and gold. His trousers were very formal black; he wore a golden mask shaped like an eagle, black gloves, a dark black hat, and high-neck boots.
His clothing suggested a wealthy upper-class Victorian style.
Surprise showed plainly on Nathan's thin face, but he said nothing. He thought to himself:
"This man is very strange. I can't smell any human scent from him, and I don't hear him breathing. But his eyes are not red — so maybe he isn't what I think. Is that possible?"
The mysterious man spoke:
"It's been two years since you've been in this condition."
Nathan was shocked; he opened his mouth and stared at the man, stammering as he spoke:
"Have you been watching me? Did humans or monsters send you to kill me? I haven't harmed a human or come near one before."
The man chuckled softly and said:
"No—I didn't come to kill you. I came to give you a new life."
He extended his hand toward Nathan and said, "From now on I want you to work with me as a hunter of vampires who take human lives and become demons, causing corruption. This is for the good of humans, and you will benefit as well."
Nathan, surprised at the stranger's manner of speaking, asked:
"And what will I get out of it?"
"You will be able to drink the blood of those demons—their blood will not be forbidden to you because it is not human blood. Also, you will become extremely wealthy and your social rank will be high."
"That doesn't matter to me," Nathan replied. "I don't care about what you just offered. I will stay here until I die."
"Don't you know? Vampires don't die by themselves and cannot kill themselves. Do you want to remain here until madness, and then become a killer of humans and spill blood everywhere? My offer is very tempting. You should shake my hand and accept; it doesn't take long to decide."
Nathan raised his hand and shook the man's, full of hesitation, saying:
"I agree. I will work with you, not because I love this offer, but so I won't be the reason innocent people are harmed in this world."
"Yes—I knew that. You are a smart man; you wouldn't pass on such an agreement. My name is Hwayeong Lee. What is your name?"
Nathan looked at the man with sorrowful eyes and said:
"I don't know my name. I've forgotten it."
The man laughed with a smile and closed his eyes:
"Don't worry. In the coming days you will find a suitable name for yourself."
Spring 2023 (South Korea)
11:30 PM
Nathan's sensitive nose began to twitch at even the faintest scents. He licked his lips and moved them slowly, thinking to himself:
"What is this? I smell fresh, hot, very bitter espresso. My God—I can't resist it. Where is it? It's mine."
He opened his eyes wide and saw himself lying in bed while Cheol stood by his head holding a cup of espresso near Nathan's nose.
Nathan addressed Cheol, surprise and shock showing on his face:
"What are you doing? Do you want to kill me, man?"
"Forgive me, sir, for interrupting your speech, but I'm your assistant and you can't kill me."
"What? Are you joking? Tell me why I'm in bed and what time it is now."
"Do you really not remember what happened? Strange symptoms appeared: you started screaming, pressing your head, and I arrived at the palace a few moments later to help you and see what was going on. You kept staring into my eyes and muttering words I didn't understand. The last thing you said before losing consciousness was, 'Is that really you, Sol?' I don't know how you compared my sharp masculine features to a woman—you hurt my feelings, sir."
Nathan put his fist to his mouth and tried to avoid Cheol's eyes, saying:
"Ahem. I don't remember anything I said. It must have been the effect of medicine, nothing more. Besides, you don't look like that woman who called you by that name."
"Sir, I told you taking it without a doctor's consultation is dangerous, but you never listen."
"Leave that. Tell me—what time is it?"
"It's 11:30 PM."
"What? And why didn't you wake me up earlier?"
"I wanted you to rest. You're always overworked and exhausted. You can sleep a little—you should take advantage of it, even if it's just a little."
Nathan looked at Cheol for a full minute, as if there were many things inside him he could not reveal.
"Come on, let's get ready. Our appointment is approaching."
"My work clothes are ready, sir. Change your clothes so we can head out for the mission."
"Alright. Tell me the mission details while I change—time is short."
Cheol held a white tablet containing all the mission information. Serious, stern lines formed on his face as he began to speak:
"The name is Nam Gil. He is one of the vampire-converted hybrids who rebelled and became a demon. He stole a human identity by possessing someone's soul and now trades humans—luring them in various ways, kidnapping them and selling them for huge amounts to wealthy vampires."
Nathan listened attentively, nodding while adjusting his tie.
"These are illegal market operations—the black market," he said.
"Yes, sir, they are," Cheol replied.
A wicked smile crossed Nathan's face and his beautiful dimples appeared.
"There's an intriguing chaos we must rearrange. I love crushing pests like them. I'm extremely thirsty—I can't wait to meet him."
Nathan glanced at his classic wristwatch on his right hand:
"It's 12:00 midnight. Let's begin."
In seconds they were inside a car moving at incredible speed.
It was a Bugatti La Voiture Noire in a deep black.
Nathan sat with Cheol, heading toward their planned target.
"Sir, a few minutes and we'll be near the warehouse where that demon is guarding the captives with his followers."
"It won't be difficult. I can kill them in a few minutes—I'll tear them to pieces. I hate scum like them."
Nathan gripped the steering wheel tightly, clearly furious at what this demon had done.
"Sir, stop. This is the closest place to the warehouse. We should get out of the car and sneak toward them on foot so they won't sense us."
Nathan and Cheol crept silently toward the warehouse.
Nathan approached the door, opened it slowly, and carefully stuck his head inside, but what he saw shocked him.
He stared with his dark eyes at the scene before him.
The old deserted warehouse had once stored barrels of oil imported by foreign companies, but now it was filled with filth and trash and emitted a stench of poisonous gas to humans.
More than a hundred human bodies lay on the floor, unconscious from severe beating and torture.
Nathan couldn't bear what he saw. Rage consumed him and he darted forward in a hysterical frenzy toward that demon, shouting:
"Today is your death. I won't let you escape. I'll tear you to countless pieces."
Within seconds Nathan and Cheol had disposed of all the demon's followers. Nathan's mouth was stained red from drinking the blood of those demons, and his eyes had turned a deep, deadly red.
Fear and panic covered the demon's face as he attempted to lunge at Nathan:
"A hybrid like you can't defeat a real demon like me!"
Nathan looked at Cheol and ordered him to take all the kidnapped humans out of the warehouse and deliver them to the nearest street and contact emergency services so they could be taken away.
"And what will you do, sir?" Cheol asked.
Nathan looked at the demon and replied:
"There's still more pleasure left for me with this scum. Go, Cheol—carry out my orders."
The demon rushed at Nathan to attack him and bite him, but Nathan leapt onto the warehouse roof and looked down at the demon with eyes full of hatred:
"I will kill all the demons of the world and all the vampires who feed on the innocent and the poor and try to cause destruction."
Nathan jumped onto the demon, bit his neck, and drank his blood.
The more he drank, the fiercer his eyes became.
Nathan pulled his fangs from the demon and began kicking him against the warehouse walls.
The demon started to cry and begged for mercy and help:
"Please let me live. I'll do whatever you want—have mercy, please."
"There's only one thing I want from you," Nathan said.
"What is it? Tell me—I swear I'll do it."
"I want your death, you filthy creature."
Nathan lunged forward, sat on the demon's shoulders, and tore off his head with both hands. After that, his eyes returned to their natural color.
Nathan felt deep relief after decapitating that demon:
"It's wonderful to crush these pests. I feel somewhat satisfied today."
But wait—he still smelled a human scent in the warehouse. He had ordered Cheol to take everyone away. Could there really be someone left, or was there a malfunction in his senses?
Relying on his powerful sense of smell, Nathan traced the scent slowly, praying it wasn't anyone so he wouldn't be seen. If a human saw him and saw what he'd done, he would have to kill them, and he never wanted to kill a human.
He approached large black barrels where the scent was strongest—the smell of poisonous gases.
There were small openings between the barrels through which one could see behind them.
Nathan peered carefully to make sure whether there was a human or not, and said in astonishment at what he found:
"Damn it… it's a human girl…"
Next....