Chapter 37

Chapter 37
## Chapter 37

Blood Ties (1)

As I partook in the nourishment, a torrent of Gamma’s deep-seated resentment, indignation, and bitter regret rushed into my consciousness, though… in the grand scheme of things, it holds no relevance anymore.

‘The trait of concealment belonged to that specific lineage. Does this imply that the capacity for psychological coercion is an inherent talent?’

The core explanation for why Gamma’s presence went completely unnoticed—and why his barrier possessed such an exceptional degree of stealth—rested entirely on this “concealment” mechanism.

‘This plays out wonderfully for me, doesn’t it? Given my current circumstances, it is the absolute finest outcome.’

Now that my capacity to mask my internal vitality had reached a higher threshold, I could veil my identity as a vampire with far greater security.

Even in the event that an individual of vastly superior capability crossed my path, unmasking my authentic nature would prove exceptionally difficult for them.

It was an asset that would serve me beautifully whether I occupied a position requiring absolute stealth or one demanding swift assassination.

‘Most vital of all, possessing the means to fully shroud the indicators of consuming my own kind is an immense advantage.’

Creatures of the night possess an incredibly acute awareness regarding the scent of vitality.

Was it not the case that Gamma instantly picked up on the lingering aroma of Heinz’s life force and sought him out because of it?

If the telling remnants of preying upon a fellow kin were left exposed, I would undoubtedly face a lethal onslaught before any form of dialogue could even be initiated.

* Name: Heinz 2nd
* Species: Vampire (Pureblood)
* Common Traits: “Mind Hub,” “Persona,” “Enlightenment Index”
* Individual Traits: “Blood Kin (Pureblood),” “Hybrid Evolution,” “Acceleration,” “Regeneration,” “Blood Magic,” “Penetration,” “Concealment”
* Notable Information: By assimilating the life fluid of a vampire originating from an alternate realm, the internal vampiric essence experienced multiple phases of advancement. Every physical parameter, mystical methodology, and active capability has undergone monumental progression. Under the stabilizing governance of “Mind Hub,” all forms of psychological degradation remain entirely absent.

Regrettably, ascending to the status of a fully realized vampire was not an immediate transformation I could achieve.

It was highly probable that while my fundamental quality had advanced by leaps and bounds, the sheer volumetric presence of the vampiric essence within me remained below the required threshold.

Even so, my performance in actual combat would scarcely fall behind that of a genuine, fully awakened vampire.

While Heinz remained occupied with categorizing the various advancements he had just secured, Hans was already busy manifesting the arts of necromancy at the precise spot where the vampires had met their demise.

The practice of necromancy required beckoning the ethereal remains of those who had passed away, a fundamental branch of the malevolent arts.

It represented a deeply unfortunate but entirely indispensable approach for extracting vital intelligence.

[Grrrr… What utter madness is this? Devouring our own bloodline… Obtaining power… My true ancestry… Grrrr…]

[I refuse to meet my end in such a pathetic manner. For how much longer must I remain hidden in the shadows just to survive? Power.]

The primary deterrent that had previously kept Hans from employing necromancy with any regular frequency was precisely this phenomenon.

Departed souls were incapable of coherent thought, offering nothing more than shattered, isolated reflections of their most potent recollections or their final, agonizing grievances.

The greater the volume of dark, resentful sentiment embedded within those lingering thoughts, the more powerful the spirit’s tether to the mortal plane became, eventually causing it to degrade into a malevolent phantom.

Extracting coherent pieces of information from such fractured entities was never a simple undertaking.

In truth, it was far more straightforward and reliable to scan the neural tissue directly to capture memories.

[That extreme measure, kek! All for the purpose of acquiring… dominance. The experimentation, the endless experimentation!]

Naturally, while the task was formidable, it remained within the realm of possibility.

Hans systematically guided the trajectory of the spirit’s thoughts by applying calculated increments of agony to Gamma’s ethereal form using his dark sorcery, gradually steering the entity toward the specific data he required.

[Kehk… The research initiatives, the mutual pacts. Financial backing… the proprietary methodologies of the Cheonhwehoe! The solemn oath… Beta…]

Every single one of the summoned phantoms underwent rigorous questioning, but in regard to this particular occurrence, Gamma appeared to be the sole individual directing operations, while his subordinates possessed almost no real understanding.

They had merely submitted to his commands in pursuit of greater personal strength.

The subtle influence of the psychological manipulation he had covertly deployed was undoubtedly a contributing factor in their obedience.

[So, is the Abyssal Conclave(Cheonhwehoe) emerging as the perpetrator once more? Providing technical assistance to the aggressive faction within the Blood Covenant, but what exactly do they intend to harvest from this arrangement?]

Hans attempted to press Gamma’s spirit for deeper insights, but the phantom yielded no further details concerning that particular alliance.

It appeared to be a baseline agreement of mutual support in exchange for specialized technology, and the granular details of their arrangements had not yet been fully articulated.

[Could this entity known as ‘Beta’… be his direct commander? It looks like the chain of command reaches its boundary here. Then again, looking at the sheer magnitude of this operation, it is highly improbable that a low-level operative like this one would be steering things independently.]

He was almost certainly one of the high-ranking commanders directing the aggressive wing of the Blood Covenant.

If one were to apply a structured, logical deduction pointing toward the existence of an ‘Alpha,’ it was highly likely that a connection existed there as well.

‘I shall begin uncovering those details starting this very moment.’

Heinz stepped quietly into the isolated area of the chamber where the dormant form of Jinsol had been relocated.

She remained locked in her state of unconsciousness, resting motionless upon the floor.

“What is the meaning of this space, though…?”

Heinz scanned the immediate surroundings, his features tightening with a sense of discomfort.

The perimeter was packed with diverse manifestations of esoteric practices—intricate arrays sketched in sanguine fluid, human craniums adorned with detailed golden configurations, and an assortment of vibrantly colored mystical items.

Evaluating the fact that specific principles of blood sorcery were integrated into this setup was a task that far exceeded Heinz’s current baseline of understanding.

[Oh-ho, now this represents a genuinely fascinating revelation.]

Naturally, such cognitive boundaries did not restrict Hans in the slightest.

The moment Hans stepped across the threshold, he observed the setting with genuine appreciation.

The lingering traces of malevolent sorcery blanketed across the chamber were meticulously taken apart by his “Vile Wisdom” and methodically deciphered through his “Forbidden Knowledge.”

Even so, the dark arts were far from the only traditions woven into the fabric of this location.

[Esoteric sorcery and profound maledictions… is that the ‘Ein Soph Aur’ derived from the mysteries of Kabbalah? Furthermore, they have incorporated a Qimen Formation into the design. I am seeing a notable variety of metaphysical frameworks that lie outside my typical purview. To intertwine such a vast array of distinct magical traditions…]

Though Hans was undeniably a master of the malevolent arts, his mastery had climbed to such an elevated peak that his fundamental comprehension of mystical energies operated on an entirely different plane.

Throughout his tenure operating within the ranks of the vanguard alliance, he had crossed paths with a sufficient variety of magical frameworks across countless realms to possess a deep, intuitive grasp of their execution.

‘I truly never conceived that a synthesis of this nature could be achieved.’

In the present era, the surface of the Earth was populated by numerous individuals who had returned bearing a wide array of technological marvels and esoteric secrets from an infinity of foreign worlds.

There were factions that had mastered advanced engineering from highly evolved star systems, alongside individuals who had committed themselves to the deeper study of technomagic.

These displaced individuals had initially begun returning roughly two decades in the past.

Despite this, genuine enchanted items remained an absolute rarity, and the pace of mechanical innovation across the globe had failed to yield the spectacular transformations many had anticipated.

What was the underlying cause for this stagnation?

‘It stems from the reality that the foundational principles governing existence vary wildly from one realm to another.’

From the fundamental particles that constituted a specific reality to the thermodynamic behaviors taking place on a subatomic scale, every single realm functioned in accordance with its own distinct operational parameters.

‘Among these various disciplines, the single most volatile and unyielding manifestation is undeniably sorcery.’

While mechanical properties often displayed certain superficial structural similarities across worlds, the operational mechanics of sorcery were entirely subjective and idiosyncratic.

Furthermore, because it utilized energetic currents originating from foreign realms to begin with, it could neither be transferred to uninitiated individuals nor subjected to systematic scientific analysis.

‘It constitutes a form of authority that possesses no natural anchor on Earth and simply cannot be manifested under ordinary conditions.’

Setting aside those enchanted artifacts that had been structurally anchored to endure outside their home realities, the sole remaining anomaly occurred when a returned individual channeled magic through their own person.

The returned individual functioned as a living gateway that naturally accommodated the metaphysical parameters of the realm they had inhabited.

‘This precise mechanism is what granted Hans the ability to manifest malevolent sorcery while standing on terrestrial soil.’

To trigger an established boundary field, a returned individual was required to position themselves at the epicenter, acting as the primary metaphysical anchor.

The widespread creation of technomagical systems was simply non-viable.

‘If we exclude those enchanted items that have been permanently stabilized to survive outside their home dimensions, only a single anomaly remains—the scenario wherein a returned individual actively channels magic.’

Even if a person had achieved the status of a master craftsman in a foreign realm, they would still require raw materials that aligned perfectly with the physical parameters of that world to forge a magical item capable of functioning autonomously.

The vast majority of anomalous items found on Earth had been carried across dimensions directly by the returnees themselves, which explained the severe scarcity of genuine enchanted artifacts.

The display currently laid out within this chamber resembled an array of software codes sourced from entirely incompatible dimensions, violently dismantled, and subsequently forged into a unified, singular matrix—all calibrated to function within Earth’s specific reality.

[An achievement of this caliber is certainly worthy of immense self-congratulation.]

Hans surveyed the environment with deep professional respect.

Granted, a severe restriction remained—a returned individual still had to be present to serve as the initial spark—but managing to realize this specific level of synthesis was nothing short of an extraordinary accomplishment.

Even in Hans’s case, such an evaluation was only made possible through the constant calculations of “Vile Wisdom” and “Forbidden Knowledge”—and even then, it was strictly confined to the parameters of the dark arts.

[Hmm… and yet, it appears as though a vital component is lacking from the equation. Is it possible that this constitutes the entirety of their design?]

While it was undeniably remarkable, the overall construction carried a distinct impression of being unfinished.

Though the layout appeared incredibly sophisticated, the underlying enchantment maintained a highly volatile equilibrium, and under such an insecure configuration, it could never reliably purge the consciousness of a night-dwelling entity without catastrophic failure.

[Even if one were to introduce supplementary stabilization procedures into this matrix… keeping that in mind, the foundational enchantment remains far too precarious.]

An expert could identify the issue immediately without needing to witness a practical demonstration.

Even Hans’s “Vile Wisdom,” representing the absolute apex of the dark arts, brought the glaring architectural defects of the system into sharp focus.

It might offer the illusion of successful operation over the short term, but it was effectively a metaphysical explosive waiting for the slightest disruption to detonate.

‘At this particular threshold of stability, it seems as though a minor external shock could set the entire thing off… truly staggering.’

The collective identified as providing foundational support for this line of investigation had been named as the Abyssal Conclave(Cheonhwehoe).

They had almost certainly played a monumental role in collecting and refining disparate magical frameworks sourced from an array of alternate realities.

The actual mechanism required to set off this hidden explosive was held firmly within their grasp.

‘Ha! Those individuals are certainly orchestrating a massive amount of chaos across a multitude of sectors.’

Furthermore, the sheer scope of their operational resources appeared to eclipse standard expectations.

Systematically accumulating and altering the necessary metaphysical practices to blend them seamlessly into a singular architecture was a feat far beyond the capabilities of ordinary organizations.

‘If only I could extract a greater volume of documentation…’

Driven by the aspiration to uncover additional indicators, I instantly commanded my reanimated thralls to execute a thorough sweep of the entire structural facility.

As an added benefit, I would also appropriate a selection of their research findings.

In a reality where resources are fought over, it seemed entirely appropriate that we should participate in the distribution of the spoils.

While Hans navigated the deeper corridors of the facility, securing valuable assets and completely absorbing himself in the acquisition of data…

Heinz stepped back toward Jinsol, who remained stretched out across the center floor of the chamber.

The physical trauma she had sustained during her brutal engagement with the vampires had already completely mended itself, leaving behind no remaining stains of vitality.

‘Did her physical form automatically draw in lingering life fluid to facilitate self-regeneration even while her consciousness was entirely offline?’

Though her loss of consciousness had prevented me from assessing the absolute peak of her combat efficiency, she appeared to be a far more potent manifestation of a vampire than initial impressions suggested.

Without wasting a moment, Heinz focused his newly unlocked capacity for “Penetration” directly upon her form.

‘Hmm, this particular sensation… it is going to demand a certain amount of practice before it becomes second nature.’

I had harbored the expectation that the data would present itself in a neatly codified format, akin to a standardized informational display.

Instead, the feedback I received felt much more aligned with mapping the unique density of an ethereal resonance.

The vivid, deep crimson vitality circulating with intense vigor through the interior of her physical frame and…

‘Yet it is peculiarly obscured. Almost as if a dense curtain has been drawn over it… Ah! This represents the trace of ‘Concealment,’ does it not?’

Though her current state of unconsciousness had left her severely depleted, what I was detecting were the lingering remnants of the ‘Concealment’ resonance that Gamma had violently disrupted.

The dense, unyielding energy enveloping her entire physical self caused everything, including that vibrant crimson vitality, to take on a dim, clouded appearance.

‘Does this particular woman also inherit ancestral traits comparable to what Gamma possessed? Could she originate from the identical reality?’

For some inexplicable reason, she gave off an aura of profound stillness.

The vast majority of the emotional frequencies I detected skewed heavily toward unmitigated aggression, but regardless of her temperament, this woman represented an indispensable asset for establishing contact with the broader vampire coalition.

She displayed a significant level of personal capability, and provided she operated in alignment with my strategic goals, her presence would be more than ideal.

Whoosh!

Clatter, clatter!

Beyond the boundaries of the chamber, the reanimated thralls executing Hans’s directives made a tremendous racket as they systematically ransacked the interior spaces.

‘Hmm, attempting to restore her to consciousness within this specific environment would be highly problematic, wouldn’t it?’

Heinz tightened his hands into fists, looking straight down at her resting form.

Bound neatly into a single strand, her extended, midnight-dark hair lay pooled across the floor, her fair and nearly translucent skin creating a striking contrast against her deep crimson lips and extended eyelashes—every single attribute coalesced into the ethereal, hypnotic allure unique to a vampire, projecting an almost overwhelming aesthetic perfection.

‘Very well, let us construct this narrative around the classical trope of a warrior liberating a slumbering noblewoman.’

Heinz carefully gathered her up into his arms.

Having never personally hoisted the weight of an adult female prior to this moment, I lacked any frame of reference to judge whether her frame was naturally delicate or substantial, but against the backdrop of my monumental physical power, she felt virtually weightless.

‘More critically, what location would serve as the ideal backdrop for the upcoming performance…’

Naturally, designing a convincing sequence of events remained my primary objective, but for the immediate present…

—

“Hnng!”

Uttering a faint, disoriented sound, Jinsol’s eyelids fluttered open.

Aware through the constant feedback of “Penetration” that her awareness was gradually returning to the surface, Heinz, his features hidden behind his stylized mask, casually directed his gaze toward the adjacent passenger position.

“It appears you have finally returned to the waking world.”

Vroom—

A high-performance luxury automobile glided effortlessly down the open highway. It was the sophisticated machine that Gamma had unwittingly surrendered to Heinz’s possession.

“Um… What exactly transpired… Where are we…?”

Deeply disoriented, Jinsol cast her gaze around the front cabin toward Heinz, who remained focused on steering, before taking in the specific appointments of the vehicle’s cabin and subsequently beginning a rapid self-examination of her physical condition.

Apart from some minor structural degradation to her attire resulting from the prior combat, her physical self remained entirely unblemished.

“I was under the impression that my life had ended without even the opportunity to defend myself… Uh, you are the identical individual who was present during that confrontation, correct? Are you aware of what took place?”

In stark contrast to the adversarial tone she had previously struck with Gamma, Jinsol’s current demeanor was characterized by a distinct, notable level of courtesy.

“To put it simply, fortune favored me. I identified a fleeting vulnerability and executed a rapid departure from the premises. Assessing the dynamics of the situation, it was evident you were caught in the crossfire as well, so I ensured you were extracted along with me.”

“Fortune? In the center of that specific death trap?… Would you mind providing a slightly more detailed account?”

Jinsol pressed for answers with immense care, a slight crease forming between her brows.

It was entirely reasonable; having personally navigated the sheer lethality of that encounter, such a basic summary was unlikely to satisfy her suspicions.

“The Hahoe mask, does that designation resonate with your intelligence reports?”

“The Hahoe mask… Indeed, I am familiar with that title. The reports indicate that this entity targets not merely isolated syndicates but entire structured networks. Is it possible that…?”

“Precisely, the Hahoe mask materialized at that location,” Heinz maintained his steady, measured tone, seamlessly spinning a pre-planned narrative.

The absolute pandemonium triggered by the sudden, violent intervention of the Hahoe mask had thrown the entire stronghold into utter chaos.

Capitalizing on the brutal, high-stakes collision between the opposing forces, Heinz claimed to have seized the perfect opening, securing the immobile Jinsol and conducting a rapid withdrawal from the hot zone.

In the midst of the confusion, he noted that he had fortuitously intercepted Gamma’s abandoned ignition keys, allowing for a perfectly synchronized departure.

“My goodness, you truly benefited from an unbelievable stroke of luck,” she whispered, her voice carrying a stunned quality.

Regardless of the skepticism that might be lingering behind her eyes, Heinz simply offered a single, self-assured nod of confirmation.

“Uh, but who exactly is that individual…? No! What I truly meant to say was, you have my deepest gratitude! It must have presented an immense challenge to navigate an escape on your own through that degree of violence, let alone making a deliberate choice to ensure my safety.”

The initial fog clouding her perceptions, which had dominated her thoughts immediately upon regaining consciousness, appeared to have dissipated to a significant degree.

She lowered her head forward, offering sincere recognition for an act of salvation she had never anticipated.

“Please accept my apologies. My cognitive faculties were entirely disorganized, and I completely neglected to present myself properly. My designation is Jinsol, and I operate under the authority of the Blood Alliance. I hold a rank 6 classification out of Nokternia, and our intelligence network uncovered definitive proof that the Wolfpack, specifically the faction operating under Doo Hansu, had illegally detained members of our operational team…”

As she delivered her explanation with absolute seriousness, she abruptly cut her own sentence short.

Following a brief window of internal debate, she picked up the thread once more, her delivery becoming slightly uneven.

“Consequently, I… Well, I proceeded to engage them directly because several of my trusted associates indicated they would provide tactical support. Even though we maintained separate crew allegiances, we were both anchored to the broader moderate faction. And yet, when the moment came… Yes, the situation devolved into what you witnessed.”

Jinsol brought her unstable narrative to a close, her gaze dropping toward the floorboards.

It was glaringly obvious that discovering she had been actively betrayed by individuals she viewed as trusted compatriots had dealt a massive blow to her emotional stability.

Uncertain of what specific reassuring phrases would best serve the moment, I chose to maintain a quiet observation of the surrounding highway, preserving an analytical, deliberate silence.

“That outlines the entirety of the situation! Even so, I remain immensely thankful that I managed to exit that facility in one piece! We successfully unmasked the individuals responsible for the betrayal, and we have firmly mapped out the trajectory of that criminal’s conspiracy. They often say that surviving an ordeal paves the way for greater fortunes, don’t they?”

She made a deliberate attempt to elevate the oppressive atmosphere, injecting an artificial sense of optimism into her voice.

She proceeded to articulate her highly positive expectations, asserting that submitting a formal briefing to the executive leadership and systematically neutralizing the elements tied to that traitor would effectively bring an end to their operational difficulties.

‘Well, I find myself questioning whether this scenario will conclude quite so painlessly.’

Evaluating the true dimensions of the conspiracy, it appeared highly probable that the rot extended deep into the executive command of the aggressive faction itself.

Bringing the matter forward into the light would most likely serve as the catalyst for an all-out civil war within their ranks, rather than a smooth, orderly correction.

‘Naturally, I have absolutely no intention of allowing this situation to merely resolve itself outside my influence.’

When all is said and done, an intact, fully functioning infrastructure is far more advantageous for my long-term consumption goals.

‘Dismantle the leadership of the aggressive wing completely, and position the moderate faction to inherit absolute command over the entirety of the Blood Alliance.’

The opening move required to secure that ideal outcome would involve systematically utilizing Jinsol as my primary lever.