Woooosh—
The roar of engines and the murmur of a bustling crowd filled the air.
It was a scene rarely seen in the current era of rampant terrorism, as if this place alone existed in a different world.
‘That just means the security here is tight.’
In a corner of that space, Heinz the Second, arms crossed, observed the bustling crowd and nodded slightly.
After all, this was one of the country's most important strategic facilities.
Incheon International Airport.
‘…Right. Taking a plane is the standard way to travel abroad.’
Having grown accustomed to effortlessly traversing dimensions, he had almost forgotten the inconveniences of long-distance travel on Earth.
Using “In the Hero’s Footsteps” required him to visit the destination first, and even Hans’s teleportation service had its limitations.‘Japan or China are close enough, but I can’t just fly to Europe every time I need to pinpoint coordinates.’
Even if Hans could fly at speeds comparable to a plane, it would still take too long to reach the other side of the world.
It was more efficient to just sneak onto a plane.
-Attention passengers, Ariana Airlines flight OG501 to Paris will be departing shortly. If you haven’t boarded yet, please…
The announcement he had been waiting for finally came.
Heinz, leaning casually against a wall, put his plan into action.
He infiltrated the airport, bypassing its supposedly impenetrable security.
‘Even with forged documents, the security checks are too strict. It’s easier to just do this.’
Numerous awakened individuals, magic tools, and barriers were deployed throughout the airport, but none of them could detect Heinz when he used 「Existence Denial」 at full power.
Even a critical location like this wouldn't have a transcendent-level guardian stationed here permanently.
‘I should visit other areas while I’m at it. So I can use “In the Hero’s Footsteps” later.’
Having infiltrated the airport undetected, he snuck onto the plane like a ghost, and—
-Ladies and gentlemen, we are about to begin our takeoff. Please make sure your seatbelts are securely fastened…
—began his long journey to Europe without any further complications.
‘My first time on a plane, and it’s as a stowaway.’
It was a slightly disappointing debut, but there would be other opportunities.
Heinz casually strolled past a patrolling awakened individual and settled into an empty seat, crossing his legs and closing his eyes.
Thirteen hours until arrival.
The countdown to the Vampire King’s European debut had begun.
____________________
A cool breeze and slowly drifting clouds.
Perfect weather for a trip…
“My bad feelings never lie.”
Kang Tae-san, a rookie agent at the Supernatural Management Bureau’s Criminal Investigation Department, muttered to himself as he looked up at the sky. ʀÁNΟΒЕⱾ
The concerns he had shared with his friend just a few days ago had become reality.
“What are you mumbling about?”
“Ah, sunbae-nim! This is too much! Why are we… And the White Knight isn’t even a criminal!”
His team had been assigned another tracking mission.
Following Hahoe Mask, their new target was…
The ‘White Knight’, a code name given by the Bureau to the paladin who had appeared during the hospital terrorist attack.
It was a temporary designation, since using a generic term like “paladin” for a specific individual wasn’t appropriate. There were countless paladins operating in Korea.
So, they had chosen ‘White Knight’, based on his distinctive white armor.
“What can we do? He hasn't registered as a returnee.”
It was a valid reason, according to the law.
Of course, he was a hero who had stopped a dangerous terrorist and saved countless lives, so they weren't treating him like a criminal.
Even though the terrorist had died in the process, the circumstances were justifiable.
But that didn’t mean they could just ignore him…
“Think about it. We’re a government agency, and we know nothing about such a high-profile figure. We’re already losing face because of Hahoe Mask.”
Strictly speaking, there were many unregistered returnees.
But they mostly kept a low profile, avoiding public attention.
It was different from the White Knight, who had made headlines and garnered international attention.
“…Well, that’s true.”
Kang Tae-san reluctantly agreed, scratching the back of his head.
He was still annoyed that they were wasting time on this instead of pursuing actual criminals… but as a low-level civil servant, he had no choice but to follow orders.
“But still, why are we doing Pantheon’s dirty work? We’re not their errand boys.”
He wasn’t entirely convinced.
This wasn’t just cooperation, it was practically subservience.
He glanced at the group of foreigners moving about within the hospital, now cordoned off.
They weren’t from Pantheon’s Korean branch, but from their headquarters in the US.
His senior, following his gaze, sighed and shook his head.
“…I know, it’s annoying, but we can’t afford to antagonize them. We rely on their support.”
Pantheon might be a loosely organized group, but they still represented the interests of clerics.
They had close ties to various government agencies, and many Bureau agents had survived dangerous situations thanks to their support.
‘Even if that support doesn't extend to their families…’
That’s why his grandmother had been hospitalized in the first place.
They couldn’t rely on Pantheon for everything. The demand far exceeded the supply.
But considering their influence, this level of cooperation was to be expected.
“&$#%&@!”
“@$^#@#.”
The foreigners conversed with the Korean clerics, their words incomprehensible.
They nodded in agreement, then approached Kang Tae-san and his senior.
“It seems they’re done.”
Kang Tae-san and his senior straightened up, but the investigation wasn’t over yet.
“Um… yes?”
He was startled by the sudden question and blurted out a response. The Korean cleric spoke again, his voice gentle.
“We heard you were at the scene.”
“Ah… yes. But I was knocked unconscious right away, so I don’t know anything. I just remember the explosion and then… nothing.”
He had repeated this countless times since returning to work.
He smiled awkwardly and waved his hands dismissively.
“You were at the hospital because of your grandmother’s discharge, we heard.”
“Yes, it was bad luck. I was standing right by the entrance when it happened.”
The cleric nodded seriously.
They had already shared information, so he knew that much.
The important question came next.
“According to her medical records, your grandmother’s condition improved dramatically after the incident.”
“…Yes, that’s true. But she’s still not fully recovered. She’s quite old…”
He looked at the other clerics, then back at Kang Tae-san, and spoke slowly.
“Could we… meet her?”
____________________
Acquiring “Xenoglossy” from the “Random Other Skill Acquisition” in the VIP Market had been a stroke of luck.
Heinz the Second, having disembarked from the plane as stealthily as he had boarded, looked around Charles de Gaulle Airport and nodded.
“Is my luggage here? Why is it taking so long…?”
“I’ll escort you to your accommodations. This way…”
“Oh! Agnes, welcome back! Let’s go home…”
He could understand the foreign languages around him without any difficulty, and the characters on the signs were instantly deciphered.
He had experienced it in China, but the skill’s usefulness was even more apparent in this foreign land.
‘I don’t have to go through the same tedious process as in Japan.’
Heinz nodded, skillfully avoiding the airport’s security measures.
He wasn’t planning to stay in France. He would be traveling throughout Europe, and being able to understand various languages was a huge advantage.
Whether gathering information or taking direct action, language was the biggest barrier.
‘Hmm?’
As he was leaving the airport, he noticed a blond woman sitting on a bench, playing a game on her phone.
She glanced at him, her brow furrowing slightly, and then returned her attention to her phone.
‘She’s good.’
But Heinz could tell.
She was still focused on him, despite her seemingly casual demeanor.
He gathered his focus and activated 「Existence Denial」 at full power.
Naturally, she didn’t notice him as he walked past.
‘Master-level, mid-tier. A sensory specialist?’
About level 7, in vampire terms.
But the fact that she had sensed even a trace of his presence, despite his level 9 “Existence Denial”, was impressive.
To think such a talented individual was working airport security…
‘Is this how high the standard is here, or is there another reason?’
Either way, it was an interesting observation.
Having left the airport unnoticed, Heinz reached into his pocket and took out a white mask.
A plain, white opera mask, covering his forehead and nose.
‘The Phantom of the Opera was originally a French novel, wasn’t it?’
He smiled faintly.
He put the mask on.
It was the same mask he had been wearing, but in this new environment, it felt different.
As if he had truly become the Phantom.
‘Now, where’s my Christine?’
He took a deep breath, the mask concealing his expression, and then his gaze shifted.
Following the pull of 「Bloodline Craving」, which had been growing stronger since he arrived in Europe.
And then.
He vanished.
Unnoticed, as always.
He reappeared in a narrow alley, several kilometers from the airport.
He deactivated 「Existence Denial」 and adjusted his clothes, then confidently strode out of the alley.
A black fedora, a tailored suit, polished shoes… a stark contrast to the white mask he wore.
The picture of a sophisticated gentleman, Heinz approached a young man loitering at the end of the alley. He was frowning, his eyes fixed on Heinz, clearly wary.
And then, in his usual calm and collected voice, he spoke.
“Are you my Christine?”
“…What the hell? Are you crazy?”
Heinz, momentarily stunned by his own unintended slip of the tongue and the other man’s bewildered expression, realized that he wasn’t just excited.
‘I’ve been filtering my emotions with “Mind Hub” for so long, I didn’t notice.’
His usual composure had faltered. He wouldn’t have made such a mistake otherwise.
It seemed the influence of 「Bloodline Craving」 was stronger than he had anticipated.
“My apologies. I am Phantom. Or you can call me Erik.”
“…You’re asking for a beating…”
The young vampire, his face twisting in anger, was about to lash out.
“I’m afraid I can’t allow that.”
But a sudden voice from behind made him freeze.
Heinz was no longer in front of him.
He hadn’t even sensed him moving.
‘What the…?!’
As he cursed inwardly, a cold hand gripped the back of his neck.
Sharp fingernails dug into his skin and tightened, his breath catching in his throat.
“We’ll talk later.”
After he was a bit more… cooperative.
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