Chapter 282

Chapter 282
## Chapter 282

European Expansion (1)

Woooosh—

The mechanical roar of jet engines mixed with the steady chatter of a massive crowd drifting through the terminal.

It was a vibrant spectacle rarely witnessed in an era plagued by constant acts of terror, making this particular space feel like a sanctuary detached from the harsh realities of the outside world.

‘That just proves how incredibly tight the security measures are here.’

Standing quietly in a remote corner of the terminal, Heinz the Second crossed his arms, watching the bustling travelers while offering a slight, approving nod.

It made sense, considering this location was recognized as one of the nation’s most vital strategic hubs.

Incheon International Airport.

‘…That’s right. Boarding an aircraft is still the conventional method for international travel.’

Having spent so much time casually stepping through dimensional rifts, he had nearly slipped his mind how tedious long-distance transportation on Earth could actually be.

Utilizing “In the Hero’s Footsteps” required an initial physical visit to the target location, and even the teleportation capabilities provided by Hans came with clear constraints.

‘Neighboring countries like Japan or China are close enough to reach easily, but I can’t exactly fly across the globe to Europe every single time I need to establish new coordinates.’

Even if Hans managed to fly at speeds matching a commercial airliner, the time required to reach the opposite side of the planet would be far too excessive.

Sneaking onto a commercial flight was simply a much more efficient strategy.

-Attention passengers, Ariana Airlines flight OG501 bound for Paris will be departing shortly. If you have not yet boarded the aircraft, please proceed to…

The exact departure notice he had been anticipating finally echoed through the speakers.

Pushing himself away from the wall he had been leaning against, Heinz initiated his plan.

He slipped past the perimeter of the airport, completely bypassing security systems that were publicly deemed impenetrable.

‘Even utilizing fabricated identification, the standard security checkpoints are far too tedious. Slipping through like this is much more straightforward.’

A vast array of awakened personnel, enchanted artifacts, and defensive boundaries were active throughout the facility, yet not a single measure could register Heinz’s presence while he maintained 「Existence Denial」 at maximum output.

Even a vital infrastructure hub such as this wouldn’t have a transcendent-class protector permanently assigned to guard it.

‘I ought to tour a few additional sections of the terminal while I am here. That way, I can leverage “In the Hero’s Footsteps” down the road.’

Having successfully infiltrated the secure zone without triggering a single alarm, he glided onto the aircraft like a specter, and—

-Ladies and gentlemen, we are preparing for takeoff. Please ensure your seatbelts are securely fastened at this time…

—commenced his lengthy journey toward the European continent without encountering any further issues.

‘My very first flight, and I am traveling as a stowaway.’

It was a slightly unconventional debut in aviation, but there would be plenty of chances for a proper flight in the future.

Heinz walked calmly past an awakened guard who was actively patrolling the aisle and slipped into an unoccupied seat, crossing his legs and resting his eyes.

Thirteen hours remaining until touchdown.

The official countdown to the Vampire King’s grand entrance into Europe was underway.

—

A refreshing breeze swept through the air beneath a sky of leisurely drifting clouds.

It was ideal weather for heading out on a journey…

“My negative premonitions are never wrong.”

Kang Tae-san, a novice investigator serving within the Criminal Investigation Department of the Supernatural Management Bureau, grumbled quietly to himself while staring up at the horizon.

The exact anxieties he had confided to his colleague just a few days prior had officially manifested.

“What are you muttering about over there?”

“Ah, sunbae-nim! This is getting ridiculous! Why are we assigned to this… Besides, the White Knight isn’t even classified as a lawbreaker!”

His investigative unit had been handed yet another surveillance and tracking assignment.

Following their pursuit of Hahoe Mask, their current objective shifted to…

The ‘White Knight’, a tactical code name established by the Bureau to identify the armored paladin who had intervened during the recent hospital terrorist incident.

It was a placeholder title, given that applying a broad descriptor like “paladin” to one particular person was impractical. There were a massive number of active paladins across Korea.

Consequently, they settled on ‘White Knight’, a direct nod to his highly recognizable pale armor.

“What options do we have? The guy never bothered to register himself as a returnee.”

Legally speaking, it was a perfectly sound justification.

Granted, the individual was a heroic figure who had successfully neutralized a catastrophic terrorist threat and preserved an immense number of lives, so the agency wasn’t tracking him as a common felon.

Even though the perpetrator had perished during the confrontation, the actions taken were deemed completely justifiable under the circumstances.

However, that did not mean a government entity could simply overlook his existence…

“Look at it logically. We operate as a state department, yet we possess zero intelligence on a figure drawing this much public scrutiny. Our reputation is already suffering enough because of Hahoe Mask.”

To be precise, a large population of unregistered returnees existed within the borders.

For the most part, however, they maintained low profiles and deliberately avoided drawing public attention to themselves.

That stood in stark contrast to the White Knight, whose actions had dominated news broadcasts and captured global interest.

“…I suppose that makes sense.”

Kang Tae-san conceded reluctantly, reaching up to scratch the back of his neck.

He remained frustrated that they were expending valuable energy on this case rather than hunting down actual fugitives… but as a subordinate public servant, he lacked the authority to dispute his directives.

“Even so, why must we handle the investigative errands for Pantheon? We aren’t their personal couriers.”

He still harbored reservations about the arrangement.

This partnership crossed the line from mutual cooperation into outright compliance.

He cast his eyes toward a assembly of foreign nationals operating within the perimeter of the cordoned-off medical facility.

These individuals belonged to Pantheon’s primary headquarters located in the United States, rather than the local Korean branch.

His superior officer followed his line of sight, letting out a weary sigh while shaking his head.

“…I get it, it’s incredibly frustrating, but we are in no position to offend them. Our operations depend heavily on their resources.”

Though Pantheon functioned as a decentralized global collective, they fundamentally represented the broader interests and authority of religious spellcasters.

They maintained deep connections across multiple state intelligence sectors, and numerous Bureau operatives owed their lives to the timely intervention of their assets.

‘Even if that assistance never trickled down to benefit their own relatives… ’

That harsh reality was the precise reason his grandmother had been admitted to this facility in the first place.

It was impossible to rely on Pantheon for every single crisis. The overarching demand far outpaced what they could provide.

Yet, when evaluating their global leverage, this degree of compliance was deemed necessary.

“&$#%&@!”

“@$^#@#.”

The foreign representatives carried on an incomprehensible conversation with the domestic Korean clerics.

They nodded to one another in consensus, then began walking over toward Kang Tae-san and his superior officer.

“It appears they have concluded their sweep.”

Kang Tae-san and his senior stood at attention, though the inquiry was far from over.

“Um… pardon?”

Caught off guard by the abrupt inquiry, he stammered out a hasty reply. The domestic cleric spoke up once more, maintaining a calm and reassuring tone.

“We received word that you were present when the event occurred.”

“Ah… yes, sir. However, the force of the blast knocked me out almost instantly, meaning I have no useful details to offer. I merely recall the initial blast, and then… total darkness.”

He had repeated that exact narrative dozens of times since returning to active duty.

He offered a strained smile, waving his hands defensively to dismiss further questioning.

“You were visiting the medical center specifically to handle your grandmother’s discharge papers when it transpired, correct?”

“Yes, it was just terrible timing. I happened to be positioned right near the primary threshold when the situation escalated.”

The cleric gave a slow, solemn nod.

They had already reviewed the initial case files, meaning those baseline facts were verified.

The truly critical inquiry followed immediately after.

“Based on the medical documentation we reviewed, your grandmother’s overall health exhibited a miraculous surge in recovery following the conclusion of the crisis.”

“…That is accurate. However, she hasn’t reached full recovery just yet. Given her advanced age, it takes time…”

The cleric glanced briefly at the surrounding team members, turned his attention back to Kang Tae-san, and articulated his words with deliberate care.

“Would it be permissible for us to… speak with her directly?”

—

Securing the skill “Xenoglossy” via the “Random Other Skill Acquisition” pool within the exclusive VIP Market had proven to be incredibly fortunate.

Heinz the Second, having exited the aircraft with the exact same level of stealth he utilized to board it, scanned the interior of Charles de Gaulle Airport and nodded to himself in satisfaction.

“Where is my baggage? What is causing this massive delay…?”

“I will guide you directly to the vehicle for your lodging. Please follow me…”

“Oh! Agnes, it is wonderful to have you back! Let’s head home…”

The spoken foreign dialects drifting through the air were completely clear to his ears, and the text displayed on the overhead guidance displays translated seamlessly in his mind.

He had previously witnessed this utility during his time in China, but the sheer practicality of the skill became immensely more pronounced now that he was operating in a completely different territory.

‘This saves me from having to execute the same slow, painstaking setup I had to go through back in Japan.’

Heinz nodded quietly, seamlessly maneuvering through the terminal’s various security grid points.

He had no intention of remaining stationary within France. His broader objective involved traversing multiple European territories, making the ability to comprehend diverse languages an invaluable asset.

Whether his goals required intelligence gathering or direct physical engagement, communication barriers typically posed the greatest obstacle.

‘Hmm?’

As he made his way toward the exterior exit of the terminal, his attention was drawn to a fair-haired woman resting on a public bench, casually engaged with a mobile game on her device.

Her brow twitched with a subtle furrow as her eyes momentarily flicked toward his position, after which she immediately returned her focus to her screen.

‘She possesses remarkable intuition.’

Despite her relaxed presentation, Heinz discerned the truth.

She was maintaining a tight sensory lock on him regardless of her superficial distraction.

He gathered his internal focus, driving 「Existence Denial」 to its absolute peak.

Predictably, her tracking dissolved completely, allowing him to walk directly past her position without drawing further scrutiny.

‘Master-level classification, mid-tier standing. A specialist focused purely on sensory perception?’

Roughly equivalent to a level 7 tier when evaluated by vampire standards.

Nevertheless, the reality that she could detect even the faintest ripple of his presence while he maintained a level 9 “Existence Denial” was highly commendable.

To encounter an individual of that caliber assigned to standard airport surveillance was unexpected.

‘Does this reflect the baseline standard of strength across this territory, or is there an underlying motive for her presence here?’

Regardless of the answer, it served as an illuminating piece of data.

Having cleared the airport perimeter entirely undetected, Heinz reached into his attire and retrieved a pale visage mask.

It was a minimalist, white opera mask designed to conceal his brow and nose.

‘The original literary work of the Phantom of the Opera was penned by a French author, if I recall correctly.’

A subtle smirk traced his lips.

He secured the mask over his face.

Though it was the identical mask he had utilized previously, donning it within this specific region evoked an entirely fresh sensation.

It felt as though he had stepped directly into the persona of the legendary Phantom.

‘Now then, where might my Christine be hiding?’

He exhaled deeply, his expressions fully masked by the porcelain surface, as his focus shifted sharply.

He began tracking the instinctual tug of 「Bloodline Craving」, an internal pull that had been steadily intensifying ever since his arrival on European soil.

And then.

He dissolved into thin air.

Fading out without a trace, precisely as he always did.

He materialized a moment later within a secluded, narrow alleyway situated several kilometers away from the terminal grounds.

Deactivating 「Existence Denial」, he smoothed out the wrinkles in his attire before stepping boldly out into the public thoroughfare.

A dark fedora, a precisely tailored formal suit, and pristine dress shoes created a striking visual juxtaposition against the stark white mask adorning his face.

Exuding the aura of a refined aristocrat, Heinz walked directly toward a youth who was idling near the mouth of the alleyway. The youth’s features twisted into a deep grimace, his eyes locking onto Heinz with immediate suspicion and hostility.

Maintaining his signature calm and poised delivery, Heinz addressed him.

“Are you my Christine?”

“…What in the world? Have you completely lost your mind?”

Heinz paused momentarily, caught off guard by his own accidental verbal blunder and the utterly perplexed expression on the stranger’s face. He recognized that his internal state was far more erratic than he realized.

‘I have relied on “Mind Hub” to regulate my emotional output for so long that I failed to perceive the shift.’

His characteristic mental stability had slipped. Under normal circumstances, an error of that nature would never have occurred.

It appeared the underlying pressure of 「Bloodline Craving」 was exerting a far more powerful grip on his psyche than he had initially calculated.

“You have my apologies. I am recognized as Phantom. Alternatively, you may address me as Erik.”

“…You are practically begging for a beating…”

The young vampire’s features contorted with rising fury, his posture shifting as he prepared to launch an aggressive strike.

“I am afraid I cannot permit you to do that.”

The abrupt statement originating directly behind him caused the young vampire to freeze instantly.

Heinz was no longer positioned in front of him.

The youth had failed to register even a fraction of the movement.

‘What on earth…?!’

As panic flared in his mind, an icy palm clamped down firmly around the back of his neck.

Elongated, razor-sharp nails pressed directly into his skin, tightening their hold until his breathing hitched sharply in his throat.

“We can conduct our discussion shortly.”

Once he had become just a bit more… amenable to conversation.