#282
Expanding to Europe (1)
Hoo—
The loud sound of engines echoed heavily, filled with the buzzing and bustling of people moving in all directions.
It felt like a different world altogether, a sight not easily seen in a modern society riddled with terror.
‘That means they’re thoroughly prepared for any threats.’
At one corner of this space, Heinz II stood with his arms crossed, casually glancing around and nodding lightly.
After all, this was one of the country’s most critical strategic facilities.
Incheon International Airport.
‘…Right. It’s best to fly when going abroad.’
He forgot about the hassle of long-distance travel on Earth, having been so comfortably hopping from place to place.
To use “Hero’s Footprint,” one had to visit a location at least once, and there were limits to Hans’ teleportation services as well.
‘If it were a closer place like Japan or China, it wouldn’t be a problem, but flying all the way there just to get the coordinates is a hassle.’
No matter how fast Hans could move, it wouldn’t be possible to travel that way across the globe.
Might as well sneak onto a plane.
– Attention, please. Flight OG501 to Paris on Ariana Airlines will be departing shortly, so passengers who haven’t boarded…
At that moment, the announcement he had been waiting for started playing.
Leaning casually against the wall, Heinz proceeded with his previously made resolution.
He truly attempted to infiltrate the airport’s tight security.
‘Even with fake identification, the inspection process is more stringent than I thought. It’s easier to do this than leave unnecessary traces.’
Numerous Awakened Ones, magical equipment, and barriers were set up throughout the airport, but he, with overwhelming stats, used “Existence Denial” to bypass them unnoticed.
Despite being an important location, there weren’t many transcendent level beings loitering around in such a place.
‘I suppose I should also try visiting other areas ahead of time. Just in case I need to use “Hero’s Footprint” to move later.’
Having concealed his presence and infiltrated the area around the airport, he successfully snuck onto the flight to France like a ghost.
– Ladies and gentlemen, we will be taking off shortly. Please ensure your seatbelts are fastened…
After that, he was able to start a long-distance flight to Europe without any further issues.
‘A smuggler’s first flight, how exciting.’
He felt a bit sad about that, but opportunities would come again eventually.
Heinz strolled past an Awakened One patrolling the cabin, crossed his legs in the empty seat, and comfortably closed his eyes.
About 13 hours until arrival.
A countdown to the European landing of the Vampire King, who ruled over a world.
*
A cool breeze and slowly drifting clouds.
On this perfect day for a trip…
“Sad premonitions are never wrong.”
Gang Tae-san, a rookie agent of the Crime Investigation Division in the Special Powers Management Bureau, muttered while gazing at the sky.
His earlier concerns expressed in conversation with a friend were now becoming reality.
“What are you mumbling about alone?”
“Oh, Senior! Isn’t this a bit much? Why are we… No, more importantly, the White Knight is not a criminal!”
The very team he belonged to was again dispatched for another tracking mission following the Hahoe Mask.
The “White Knight” was the codename assigned by the Bureau to the Knight who had bravely acted during the hospital terror incident.
In Korea, there were numerous Knights, so it was inappropriate to use a common term to refer to a specific individual.
Thus, the name derived from his symbol, the pure white armor, became the White Knight.
“We can’t help it. The fact remains that he hasn’t registered as a returnee.”
The law stated so, giving them sufficient justification.
Of course, he was not treated as an actual criminal since he was a hero who stopped a dangerous terror attack and protected civilians.
Although there were incidents where terrorists met their end during that process, the circumstances were certainly justifiable.
However, they couldn’t just sit back either…
“Think about it. It makes no sense for a national agency not to know anything about such a famous person. Due to the Hahoe Mask incident, our reputation is already on thin ice.”
To be precise, the number of individuals who hadn’t reported themselves voluntarily until now was far from small.
But these individuals hid themselves as much as possible, refraining from stepping into the public eye.
The case of the White Knight gaining massive media attention and global interest was entirely different.
“…True, that’s right.”
Gang Tae-san could only agree, scratching the back of his head.
He was still dissatisfied that they weren’t chasing real criminals, but what power did a mere office worker—let alone a low-level public servant—hold?
He could only do what he was told.
“Still, catering to the Pantheon this much is a bit… We’re not guides.”
Of course, he hadn’t completely accepted the situation either.
If they were asking for cooperation in the investigation, it would be one thing, but the appearance they were currently projecting was far beyond that level.
Gang Tae-san shifted his gaze to the cluster of foreigners wandering around the hospital behind the security line.
They were not priests from the Pantheon Korea branch but rather sent from the main headquarters in the United States.
His senior, glancing in the same direction, exhaled lightly and shook his head.
“…I find it a bit unfair too, but what can we do? It’s tiring if we get on their bad side. Besides, we do receive quite a bit of help as well.”
Due to its nature, the Pantheon had very little cohesion, but they represented the interests of their clergy—a fact that remained unchanged.
They maintained a fairly close relationship with national agencies for their benefits, and due to that connection, numerous agents in the Special Powers Management Bureau had survived dangerous situations.
‘Though the welfare benefits don’t necessarily extend to their families.’
That’s why Gang Tae-san’s grandmother had no choice but to stay in the hospital.
There was simply not enough supply to meet the demand.
Considering the status of such priests, what was happening now was hardly significant.
“&$#%&@!”
“@$^#@#.”
At that moment, the foreigners inspecting the area began conversing with the nearby Korean priests.
Then they each nodded and began approaching from all directions.
“Uh, I guess they’re done?”
Thinking that, Gang Tae-san straightened his posture alongside his senior, but their investigation was far from over.
“Uh, yes?”
Caught off guard by the sudden question, he unwittingly asked it back, and a Korean priest spoke again with a gentle voice.
“I heard you were at the scene during that incident.”
“Ah… Yes. But I lost consciousness right after the first attack, so I don’t know much. I just got caught in the explosion and lost consciousness.”
He had already said this countless times after returning from his leave.
He awkwardly laughed and waved it off.
“I heard the reason you were at the hospital that day was for your grandmother’s discharge.”
“Yes, I was rather unlucky. The accident happened just as I stood at the front door.”
The priest nodded seriously at his words.
They had already shared enough information, so that much was known.
The important part was what came next.
“I’ve heard from the medical chart that your grandmother has been recovering rapidly since then.”
“…Yes. Due to her age, it wasn’t a complete recovery, though.”
He looked around at the priests with him and then shifted his gaze back to Gang Tae-san, slowly opening his mouth.
“Could we meet her once?”
*
Looking back now, getting “Xenoglossy” from the VIP Market’s “Random Other Skill Acquisition (500,000)” felt like a stroke of luck.
After stealthily exiting the plane like before, Heinz II wandered through Charles de Gaulle Airport and reflected on this.
“Did they load my luggage correctly? Why is it like this…”
“Let’s get you to your accommodation first. This way…”
“Oh! Agnes, you made it back safely! Let’s go home quickly…”
He could easily understand the exotic languages around him, and reading the signs scattered around was a breeze.
He felt the capabilities more acutely this time, having experienced it in China once before, as he was in such a faraway land.
‘It’s nice not to have to repeat the cumbersome processes like the first time I went to Japan.’
Avoiding security measures placed everywhere just like at Incheon International Airport, Heinz nodded.
He had no plans to just stay in France and was glad that he could understand the various languages across Europe immediately.
Language itself had always been the greatest barrier when gathering information while acting.
‘Hmm?’
While lost in thought, he noticed a blonde woman sitting on a bench in the middle of the airport playing a game, who subtly glanced in his direction.
She lightly furrowed her brow, as if considering something, and then returned her focus downward to her smartphone.
‘Not bad.’
Yet Heinz knew.
It appeared she was engrossed in her game, but she was still keenly eyeing his direction.
He took a moment to collect himself, utilizing “Existence Denial,” and slowly moved forward.
Naturally, the watcher failed to detect his movements.
‘She seems to be around mid-level in the detection specialization at best. Perhaps about a level 7 among Vampires?’
However, the fact that she felt even the slightest discomfort from his level 9 stealth gave him an idea of her detection skills.
It was intriguing to think that such a talent was stationed for airport security here.
‘Does this mean the level here is high, or is there another reason they must have such talent?’
Either way, it was an interesting fact.
Moving like a ghost in a situation where no one recognized him, Heinz took a white mask from his pocket.
A simple white opera mask, covering from forehead to nose without any special patterns.
‘Now that I think about it, was the original Phantom of the Opera a French creation?’
He felt inexplicably joyful.
As he gazed at the mask for a moment, he slowly brought it to his face.
It was the mask he had worn consistently, but wearing it in a different location felt exciting.
Almost as if he had truly become the Phantom.
‘Then where is my Christine?’
Wearing the mask and taking a deep breath, his gaze led in a particular direction.
Driven by the intense Blood Desires that had been stirring since just hours ago as he approached European shores.
In an instant.
His figure vanished from that spot.
Of course, no one perceived it.
And he reemerged some distance away, in an alley a good ten kilometers from the airport.
Now visible and no longer using “Existence Denial,” he adjusted his attire and confidently strode forward.
Thud thud—
A stark black top hat and well-tailored suit contrasted sharply with the white mask now on his face.
Heinz, looking like a refined gentleman, approached a young man at the alley’s end, who frowned warily at him.
In his usual calm voice, he uttered a line.
“Are you my Christine?”
“…Who the hell is this crazy guy?”
Facing the unintended slip of words and the incredulous expression of his counterpart, Heinz finally realized he wasn’t merely excited.
‘Oh no, using “Mind Hub” slowed my recognition.’
If he were the typically cynical and composed Heinz II, he would never have made such a mistake.
It seemed the effect of the “Blood Desires” on an individual was greater than he had anticipated.
“Sorry about that.”
The young vampire of Paris stiffened at the suddenly audible voice behind him.
Before he knew it, the space in front of him was empty.
He couldn’t even comprehend how the other had moved behind him.
‘What the hell just happened…!’
As he cursed inwardly, a cold hand gripped his neck.
Sharp claws dug into flesh and muscle, tightening around his throat.
“Let’s chat later.”
Once you’re a bit more cooperative.
