Chapter 12 – Let’s have a conversation

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Only after revealing my name did Suhyeok finally move his foot off the table he was pressing against me. If you’re going to move it, why not just move the table too? Seriously.

“Ouch… Haa, I really thought I was going to die…”

As I pushed the heavy table away and could finally breathe properly, I realized just how much my body was screaming in pain.

After taking off my jacket and checking myself over, I found no major injuries, but there were scattered red bruises from being crushed.

Considering that the table was already heavy, and then a grown man put his full weight on it, it would be stranger if nothing was wrong.

Or maybe… is it strange? My bones aren’t broken, after all. Honestly, it’s amazing that nothing snapped under all that pressure.

“You wouldn’t have died from a hit like that anyway.”

Suhyeok, apparently amused by my whining, tucked the shotgun back under his coat as he spoke.

No, you bastard. If my head had exploded, even the Elder wouldn’t have survived that. I kept that thought to myself.

I needed to leave a lasting impression that if trouble ever arose between us in the future, violence wouldn’t be a viable solution for him.

Maybe as a monster, but in human form, I really, really wanted to avoid getting holes blown in me.

If I kept groaning, he might start looking down on me. And more importantly, it just wasn’t a good look. I decided to stop complaining.

Since I had lied about being a vampire, I should at least act the part.

“So, when are you planning to introduce yourself? I’ve given you my name, so shouldn’t you do the same?”

I righted the toppled table and chair, then sat back down to continue the conversation.

My goal was to establish some kind of connection with him, no matter what form it took.

“You already know, so is there any point in saying it?”

Ugh, if he’s this uncooperative, what am I even supposed to say?

If there was just a lack of topics, I could force something, but this guy had no intention of talking at all.

“Sigh, it’s just common courtesy, you know? We might become family, after all. Shouldn’t we at least show each other some basic respect?”

Since I was the one in need, I had to be patient and explain things carefully. If I were the one with the upper hand, I would’ve just said, ‘Then die.’

“…Kang Suhyeok.”

Well, that’s something. I placed the briefcase full of cash back on the table, relieved that I hadn’t opened it. If I had, I’d be shedding tears picking up all the scattered bills.

“If you’re thinking of buying me into your organization with money, forget it. That won’t be enough—”

I cut him off mid-sentence, unimpressed by his presumptions.

“As if. Do you really think we buy family members with money? How crude. This is a test. A test to determine whether you’re worthy of becoming one of us. You’re getting ahead of yourself, talking about salary raises before you’ve even passed.”

I had no idea how vampires actually chose new kin, so I made up some bullshit.

If I didn’t know, then neither would he.

And… he was actually buying into it.

At first, I’d just blurted out whatever came to mind out of sheer panic, but now I was handling it pretty smoothly. That was a talent in itself, wasn’t it?

I silently praised myself. It wasn’t unfounded—this guy was in a tough spot.

He wanted to leave Korea but couldn’t.

Suhyeok raised an eyebrow slightly, as if he found the unexpected turn of events amusing.

“A test, huh?”

“Of course. If we’re going to be family for a long time, do you think we’d accept someone who only moves for money? That kind of cheap, unreliable person?”

Hearing that, Suhyeok nodded slightly, as if it made sense.

“Fine. What do I have to do?”

“For now, just take on the jobs I give you. It doesn’t matter if you fail—I just need to see what you’re capable of.”

I opened the briefcase, revealing the stacks of cash, and slid 300 over to him.

“I’ve heard that an organization causing trouble in our domain has started operating here as well. I’d like you to teach them a lesson.”

That was a lie. I just wanted Suhyeok to deal with them. Their presence wasn’t crucial to the early story, and honestly, what they were planning wasn’t pleasant anyway.

“What’s the organization’s name?”

“Rabbit’s Foot. Or maybe they call it Lucky Rabbit’s Foot here?”

“Never heard of them.”

Of course, he hadn’t. They hadn’t even started their activities yet. I just wanted them gone before they could.

“We hadn’t either until recently. According to our interrogations… their leader is a monster. Hah, isn’t that funny? Trash like them thinking they can challenge nobles?”

Strictly speaking, vampires were outdated relics, while monsters were the modern evolution. But since I had to play the role of a vampire, I stuck to the narrative.

“A monster-led group, huh? Do you know who the leader is?”

That would be a spoiler, so I feigned ignorance.

“Just take out a few of the lower ranks. They’ve caused trouble, but no one’s died yet. That should be enough of a warning.”

“Just take out a few grunts. They’ve caused trouble, but no one’s died yet. A warning should be enough.”

“What’s the deadline?”

“Two weeks.”

“Any useful intel?”

The way he asked so matter-of-factly made me think—maybe this could be my way to keep the conversation going.

“Didn’t I just say it’s a test? This isn’t some kids’ math quiz. You want a hint? Fine, but there’s a price.”

I smirked playfully, and Suhyeok, after observing me for a moment, asked what the price was.

“Nothing big. Just… tell me about yourself. Or even just some random small talk. That’s the price. What do you say? Pretty fair, right?”

“…I don’t get it. That’s a price?”

He looked at me like I was speaking another language. But after a moment, he sighed and said he wouldn’t answer everything, but I could ask.

“That shotgun earlier—where the hell did you pull that from? There’s no way it fits inside your sleeve.”

I actually knew the answer. But since this was the first time I was supposed to be seeing it, I figured it’d be natural to ask.

Also, I just wanted to keep talking.

“…Starting with a tough one, huh?”

“Is that a trade secret?”

“Let’s go with that.”

He wanted to keep it hidden. The truth was, it was his mutant ability.

“Well, that’s no fun. Whatever. Your turn. Anything you’re curious about?”

When I encouraged him to ask anything, Suhyeok frowned, still confused.

“Weren’t you the one with the questions?”

“Huh? I said let’s talk. If I just wanted to interrogate you, I would’ve set up a hearing. A conversation is about give and take. Oh, and this is part of the test too. Social skills are important for family. Go on, ask away!”

“Except for my age and weight.”

…Not sure why I added that last part.

Suhyeok hesitated, then, after a long pause, finally asked:

“…Are you really a vampire? You act too casual… and it’s still daytime. How did you get here? With an umbrella or somethi—”

For someone reluctant to talk, he sure had a lot of questions.

“Whoa, whoa. One at a time. We’ve got plenty of time, don’t we? Let’s see… you asked if I was really a noble of the night?”

“Yeah.”

Hmm. How should I put this? Should I just say I’m immune to the sun? That’d be a bit…

After thinking it over, I came up with a pretty plausible excuse.

“My blood’s a little diluted.”

“Diluted?”

It was a setting I just made up on the spot, but it sounded fairly convincing. After all, vampires did grow weaker with each passing generation.

“To put it simply, I’m a ‘modern-day vampire.’ We’re weaker, but that also means we’re not as bound by traditional weaknesses. That kind of thing.”

“Never heard of that before.”

“Of course you haven’t. Normally, someone like me wouldn’t even be considered family—I’d be seen as an abomination to be executed on sight. But the Elder, in his mercy and generosity, accepted me into the family. That answer your question?”

If Ilie heard this, she’d probably clutch her head and collapse. The Arad family was the biggest thorn in her side, and their leader was Mirche.

But hey, she’s not here, right? So, it’s all good.

“Huh. So that’s how it is.”

“Exactly. Now, it’s my turn again. What should I ask… Oh, right. Where did you get that gun?”

“That’s a secret.”

“Ugh. Then why are you holed up in a place like this?”

“That’s a secret too.”

“You sure have a lot of secrets.”

“That’s why I’m living in hiding, isn’t it?”

Fair point.

I didn’t get any valuable information out of Suhyeok in the end, but it didn’t matter. After all, I already knew everything.

For now, I was satisfied just having established a connection with him.

That was enough.

“Alright then, see you later. I’ll be expecting good news. Same meeting spot as today?”

“Yeah.”

“Then, bye-bye~”

Waving my hand as I said goodbye, I grabbed the money bag and left the stinking office.

Phew.

I seriously thought I was going to die.

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