Bang!
Alpha burst through the back door, nearly tearing it off its hinges, and rushed into the parking garage.
Shin Ian, supporting the injured Beta, followed closely behind him.
In the waning hours of the early morning, beneath a crescent moon.
The parking garage was utterly deserted, the club’s patrons having presumably already departed.
The police, it seemed, had yet to arrive.
All that remained was a large, black limousine, guarded by a woman wearing a deer mask.
She was impeccably dressed in a sharp suit, a stark contrast to the genuine leather deer mask that concealed her face.
Yet, she wore this incongruous combination with an air of utter nonchalance, bowing deeply to the group with her hands politely clasped.
“Esteemed clients. Did you enjoy your hunt?”
“…Deer.”
Alpha lowered his bandana, uttering her name.
The woman, known as Deer, clicked open the limousine door and stepped aside, gesturing for them to enter.
“The engine is running. Please make your swift departure,” she announced.
Without a moment’s hesitation, Alpha nodded and climbed into the limousine.
Shin Ian paused for a brief moment, but a distant siren began to wail, prompting him to click his tongue in irritation before he, too, stepped inside.
As soon as all three were seated, Deer followed them in, closing the door behind her.
The man at the wheel immediately pressed the accelerator.
Vroom!
The limousine surged forward, speeding down the open road.
Shin Ian watched the club diminish in the distance through the window before turning his gaze toward Deer.
Just then, Deer, who had been observing him, offered a slight bow of her head.
“It is an honor to meet you, esteemed Sorcerer. Though our service today is fleeting, I assure you of our utmost dedication.”
“…Are you with the Cartel?”
“Indeed. I am Deer, an employee of Indemnis, the Cartel’s secure transport service for our esteemed clients. You may address me as Deer, Stag, or even ‘Deer Head’ if you prefer.”
As she spoke, she placed ice into a crystal glass within the limousine and poured water with a gentle trickle.
Alpha, who had just lit a cigar, exhaled a plume of smoke before draining the chilled water in one gulp.
Shin Ian followed suit, taking a sip of water himself.
The cold water, tracing a path down his throat, seemed to clear his mind.
He set the condensation-beaded glass onto the table and retrieved a cigarette from his pocket.
“So, you are the Cartel-hired van that hunter mentioned.”
Sizzle.
He ignited the tip of his cigarette with a lighter.
Far from reprimanding the group for smoking directly in front of her, Deer simply bowed her head with an unperturbed expression.
“Precisely. We prioritize our clients’ safety above all else, operating a service that ensures a thorough and secure escape route from any scene, preventing entanglement with the police, military, or the Bureau of Administration.”
“…The cost for such a service must be considerable. If you intend to deduct it from my compensation…”
“Ah, you needn’t worry about that. It was the Vampire Hunter who engaged our services today, not you, Sorcerer. We intend to collect our fee from him.”
Having said this, Deer turned her head toward Beta.
“The total cost for our service is three thousand dollars. How do you intend to make payment?”
“…Hey, can’t you see I’ve injured my leg? Can’t we discuss business later?”
“My apologies. It is our company policy to settle financial matters promptly and decisively. If possible, we would appreciate your answer now.”
“…Hmph.”
Faced with Deer’s unyielding demeanor, Beta, a cigar still clamped between his teeth, leaned his head back.
“I’ll transfer the cash when day breaks. Just send a suitable person to collect it.”
“Understood. We will ascertain the location ourselves and contact you.”
“Do that. More importantly, give the Sorcerer his compensation.”
“Very well.”
At Beta’s instruction, Deer reached into the passenger seat and retrieved a small case.
She promptly extended the case toward Shin Ian.
Shin Ian, with a somewhat dubious expression, glanced down at the case while flicking the ash from his cigarette.
“…Why is the compensation only for me? Are those two not receiving anything separately?”
“Ah, the request today was not an official Cartel commission. Rather, those two gentlemen utilized our name to post a recruitment notice for their own purposes. Therefore, only you, Sorcerer, are eligible to receive compensation.”
“…I did not review the request form so carelessly. I’m certain no such details were noted.”
Instead of responding immediately, Deer produced the request form and began to speak.
“Do you see the additional seal stamped at the top of the request form, beside our Cartel’s official insignia? This signifies, as I just explained, that a highly reputable external party has leveraged our name to issue this request. It is considered common knowledge, hence the absence of a written explanation. My apologies. I will convey this feedback to headquarters, so please bear with us for a few days.”
Deer stated, unlocking the case.
Shin Ian nodded, indicating his comprehension.
It seemed that not every request bearing the Cartel’s authentication mark was necessarily issued by them.
Given that Lee Seoa hadn’t mentioned it, it was likely she hadn’t been aware of this detail either.
Or perhaps she had simply forgotten to inform him.
In any case, it wasn’t a matter of great importance.
The compensation would be received regardless.
Nevertheless, having acquired this information, he resolved to scrutinize future request forms more carefully to prevent similar misunderstandings.
As Shin Ian pondered this, he observed Deer slowly opening the case.
With a soft click, the case sprang open, revealing stacks of banknotes nestled within.
“The exact amount is seven million Korean Won. We can verify the sum for you right now.”
“Please do verify it, just in case.”
“Very well. Please wait a moment.”
Deer began to meticulously withdraw and count the stacks of fifty-thousand Won banknotes.
By the time the limousine had left the main city streets and entered a small alleyway, her count was complete.
“Six million nine hundred thousand Won, six million nine hundred fifty thousand Won, seven million Won. It is precise. There is no discrepancy whatsoever.”
“…Hmph.”
Shin Ian exhaled a stream of smoke and nodded.
Deer closed the case once more.
“How would you prefer to receive the funds? We offer two methods: immediate cash collection or direct bank transfer.”
“…Wouldn’t a sudden, large transfer appearing in my account be traceable by the Bureau of Administration?”
“Have no worries. We possess dozens of methods to protect our clients. Not only the public authorities of this nation, but even the Bureau of Administration itself will show no interest in you. In the same vein, you may utilize any of our Cartel’s establishments without any risk whatsoever.”
Deer declared this with a voice that was both courteous and utterly confident.
Shin Ian looked beyond her mask.
Gazing into the deer-like, pitch-black eyes concealed within, he pondered for a long moment before replying.
“Send it to my account.”
“Confirmed. Please wait a moment.”
Deer began to make a call to an unknown party.
Shin Ian shifted his gaze from her to Alpha, who was bandaging his shoulder.
Skillfully, he tied the bandage knot, then removed his sunglasses and let out a long breath.
“That feels good… There’s nothing quite as satisfying as tearing a vampire to shreds.”
“Did you become a Vampire Hunter purely for pleasure?”
Alpha chuckled softly, shaking his head.
“My family was slaughtered by vampires.”
“…”
“A common tale, I suppose. For an ordinary person, not a Sorcerer like you, to step into this mysterious world, such a sacrifice is often required.”
“…My condolences.”
“Enough. It’s just the story of an old man driven by a common desire for revenge. More importantly, are you satisfied with the compensation?”
“Not bad. In fact, it feels like I’ve been paid quite generously for the intensity of the work.”
Shin Ian remarked, a hint of jest in his tone.
Alpha let out a hearty laugh, leaning back into the seat.
“It’s rare to find a Sorcerer who can perform so effectively in the field. Have you had prior combat experience?”
“Literally a few times. Not many.”
“Is that so? Then that’s even more remarkable.”
Alpha fell silent after that comment.
Shin Ian, seeing no need to press further, simply gazed up at the dim night sky.
Unlike the club, where the scent of blood and gunpowder had lingered heavily, the world outside was profoundly quiet.
Only the faint hum of the car’s engine echoed through the stillness.
The boundary between the extraordinary and the ordinary was strikingly clear.
As Shin Ian realized this, he once again felt the undeniable truth that he had stepped into a world beyond the mundane.
Returning to a state of ignorance would likely be impossible.
And that was fine.
Having opened his eyes, there was no need to return to blindness.
“…Hmph.”
Shin Ian extinguished his cigarette in the ashtray and leaned back into the seat.
It was a peaceful world.
At least, for most people, it would be.
****
[Depositor: Deer]
[Amount: 7,000,000]
The limousine was parked in a dark alleyway.
As Shin Ian exited the car, he received a deposit notification and turned to look at Deer.
Unperturbed, she followed the departing group and bowed.
“Thank you for utilizing the Cartel’s secure transport service. We wish you all a pleasant night. We look forward to your next patronage.”
“Alright then,”
Alpha waved to her.
Shin Ian made a gesture to confirm the deposit, then followed Alpha, who was leading the way.
Beta limped behind them, dragging his injured leg.
Vroom.
Soon after, the sound of a car engine emanated from behind them.
The noise started from where the limousine had been parked and gradually faded into the distance.
“…”
Shin Ian briefly gazed at the full moon hanging in the sky before stuffing his hands into his coat pockets.
At that moment, his fingers brushed against a metallic object.
It was the pistol.
“Ah,” he murmured, returning the borrowed pistol and sunglasses to Beta.
“Thanks for the use.”
“Oh, right. I almost forgot and left without them.”
Beta took the pistol and tucked it into his inner coat pocket.
There were no more items to handle.
Shin Ian tapped the grimoire tucked into his waistband with his fingers as he walked beneath the streetlights.
Before long, they spotted a hangover soup restaurant that was open despite the early morning hour.
The group entered the establishment without hesitation.
“Welcome!”
A young owner with pronounced dark circles under his eyes greeted them.
Alpha ordered three bowls of congealed blood soup and took a seat in the furthest corner.
Beta sat beside him, and Shin Ian took the seat opposite.
As he hung his coat, a sudden question came to mind, and he turned to Alpha.
“By the way, what was that capsule you threw at the end?”
“It was smoke that erases spilled blood. I used it to avoid any trouble if the police took samples for DNA testing.”
“Ah.”
Shin Ian nodded, understanding.
Shortly after, their congealed blood soup arrived.
The two Vampire Hunters, who appeared Western, skillfully seasoned their soup and even ordered an additional bottle of soju.
Shin Ian offered a wry smile as he sipped the warm broth.
At that moment, Alpha uncapped the soju bottle and casually uttered, “Albert.”
“…?”
“That’s my name.”
“I’m Benjamin.”
Following Alpha, Beta also introduced himself by his true name.
Then, they both fixed their gazes on Shin Ian.
Shin Ian met their stares with a faint smile and spoke.
“I am a Sorcerer.”
“You son of a b*tch.”
Albert let out a curse mixed with laughter and downed his soju.
