Chapter 472

Chapter 472

“That thing’s a vampire?”

“Yes. One of the species born of darkness, and an exceptionally powerful one.”

At Teserina’s explanation, Zeon frowned.

Elves and Dwarves existed. So did beastkin. Adding vampires to the list wasn’t strange in itself.

The problem was that vampires didn’t officially exist in Neo Seoul.

High in the sky, the bat spread its wings of darkness wide and soared at full speed. Chasing it, the Blue Leaves Special Unit, led by Borin.

Their official trench coats flared as they sprinted through the air, relentless in pursuit.

Shhhhk!

As the Blue Leaves closed in, the bat suddenly changed shape, morphing into a human mid-flight.

The vampire, now in human form, spread its palm. A crimson current spiraled outward, hurling toward the Blue Leaves.

One of a vampire’s innate skills, Blood Fang.

Anyone struck by it had their blood drawn out through their pores, leaving a shriveled corpse behind.

Instead of dodging, Borin charged straight through.

She drew her rapier and thrust like lightning.

BOOM!

With a sharp blast, the crimson current exploded apart.

While Borin blocked head-on, her subordinates closed in from every direction, left, right, above, below, blades flashing.

Ssshkkk!

Their rapiers cut deep into the vampire’s body.

—KRAAAH!

The vampire’s scream echoed through the slums’ night sky.

Teserina clicked her tongue.

“Poor child.”

“What’s poor about that?”

“Looks like it’s only just awakened, and it’s being beaten senseless already.”

“You mean… a newly born vampire?”

“More likely one that’s just awakened from a long sleep. That skill, Blood Fang, only mature vampires can use. But a mature vampire wouldn’t be getting overpowered this badly by elves. So it’s clear, it was sealed away, or asleep for a long time.”

“Makes sense.”

Zeon nodded.

He didn’t know much about vampire physiology, they were that rare.

The world had once perished. Most knowledge had turned to ash. But even now, legends about vampires lingered.

They were creatures both feared and alluring. A vampire’s presence could enthrall humans.

But this one, ripped apart by the Blue Leaves, was neither alluring nor frightening.

—KRAAAH!

Its shrieks were almost pitiful.

The vampire unleashed every skill it had, striking back at the Blue Leaves.

But it was useless. No matter how hard it fought, it couldn’t break the encirclement.

Everywhere it turned, blades blocked the way. Wounds multiplied.

It healed fast, the hallmark of its kind, but even vampires had limits.

And the Blue Leaves’ rapiers were forged of silver. Weapons crafted specifically for hunting vampires.

Zeon frowned.

“The fact they’ve got specialized weapons like that… means they’ve known about vampires for a while.”

“Seems so. You don’t make those overnight.”

Teserina nodded in agreement.

“You said it’s pure-blooded?”

“If it weren’t, it would’ve burned up under the sun long ago.”

Humans believed sunlight killed vampires. That was half true, half false.

Lesser hybrids burned instantly. But pure-bloods could endure, at least for a while, beneath the sun’s heat.

Just like this one, now fighting the Blue Leaves.

But its end was already sealed.

Its movements were slowing. Regeneration faltering.

“This city is protected by a dragon’s aura. No matter how pure the blood, no vampire can stand long against it.”

A dragon’s energy repelled all forms of corruption. That was why even S-rank beasts never dared approach Neo Seoul.

To a vampire, that aura was poison.

—KRAAAHHH!

As Teserina had foreseen, the vampire’s power collapsed. Borin’s rapier pierced its heart.

The creature crumbled into ash.

The Blue Leaves gathered the remains and vanished swiftly.

During that moment, Borin’s eyes flicked toward Zeon and Teserina. Even in the middle of battle, she’d noticed them watching.

Teserina smiled faintly.

“Sharp girl.”

“The fight’s over. Let’s go.”

“Alright.”

Teserina followed Zeon without protest.

As he led her onward, Zeon’s mind churned.

A vampire, unexpected. And a chimera hosting a dragon’s consciousness.

At least the Northern District seemed to have the vampire situation under control. He only needed to focus on Teserina now.

He showed her around every corner of Sinchon. Teserina’s curiosity burned bright, especially toward human-made artifacts blending magic and science.

Simple magic fused with technology, enriching daily life.

What amazed her most was the Mana Stone Generator.

“You’re telling me it actually produces electricity, from mana stones? In bulk?”

“Yes.”

“Can I see one?”

“The real units are managed by City Hall, so I can’t—”

Zeon stopped mid-sentence. He remembered. He had one at home.

Teserina caught the flicker in his expression immediately.

“You have one, don’t you?”

“Yes. Just one.”

“Can I see it?”

“It’s… at my place.”

“Then let’s go.”

She looked at him as if wondering why that was a problem.

Her innocent look made Zeon sigh softly.

He wasn’t sure if showing her was wise.

A dragon, a being called the master of magic, could likely understand the generator’s principles in seconds.

If she passed that knowledge to other races, Neo Seoul’s technological edge would vanish overnight.

Teserina, reading his hesitation, said,

“Don’t worry. I won’t share human technology with anyone else.”

“You promise?”

“I swear, on a dragon’s honor.”

“Then I’ll show you.”

“Thank you. Oh, and—”

“Yes?”

“When are you going to stop talking so formally?”

“…What?”

“We’re about the same age. You can relax.”

“You’ve lived at least a thousand years.”

“Two thousand three hundred, to be exact.”

“And you call that—”

“In human years, that’s about the same as you. So talk comfortably.”

Her innocent reasoning gave Zeon a headache.

Never in his life had a dragon told him to speak casually.

Every dragon he’d met had looked down on humans, even the ones who respected him, like Akaide or Nigel.

To them, humans were fleeting, mayflies burning bright for a moment, then gone.

Never equals.

But Teserina… didn’t seem to share that arrogance. Even through a chimera body, her tone held no superiority.

She spoke again.

“Don’t overthink it. No hidden meaning. Just talk easy.”

“…Alright. Let’s do that.”

Zeon nodded and started walking.

Teserina followed, smiling like a girl tagging along after someone she liked.

From afar, that’s exactly how they looked. She didn’t care what others might think.

Her curiosity, her hunger to know, outweighed everything else.

They reached Zeon’s home in the Ant Nest.

At the door, he said.

“This is my place.”

“Oh! There’s a strong barrier over it. Quite high-level, too.”

“You can see it?”

“I can feel the mana’s flow. If I were in my true body, I’d have dismantled it easily, but not like this.”

“Really?”

“No matter how it’s made from my blood, bone, and muscle, this body can only use twenty percent of my full power.”

“That’s still a lot.”

“By human standards, sure. But I’d built this body to handle at least fifty percent. So yes, it’s disappointing.”

She looked down at herself, faintly regretful.

Zeon asked.

“Then this body, it’s like a relay, linked to your true self?”

“Not quite. I divided my consciousness, eight to two. Naturally, the main body is the eight, this one’s the two.”

“That’s even possible?”

“I’m a dragon. Of course it’s possible. But they’re linked, separate, yet capable of full synchronization if needed.”

“Incredible.”

“What’s so incredible? Now, open the door. I’d hate to break your precious barrier.”

“Fine.”

Zeon placed his hand on the door, the barrier dissolved.

Inside, he pointed.

“This is my home. The Mana Stone Generator’s over there.”

“Impressive. The barrier’s solid, the layout efficient, I can tell what kind of person you are.”

“My personality?”

“Meticulous. Calculating. But protective of those within your circle.”

“You can see all that?”

“The barrier says as much. And there are traces of other people living here. If you lived alone, you wouldn’t need protection this thorough.”

Teserina’s perception was truly draconic.

Zeon had no response, only a shrug.

She smiled and approached the generator.

Her eyes lit up at the gem resting atop it.

“So ‘The Watching Eye’ was here all along.”

“You know that artifact?”

“Asentio.”

“Huh?”

“A dragon of my own Silver lineage. An ancient elder, long returned to the mana’s embrace. I never expected to find one of his creations here. No wonder your barrier felt so unnaturally strong.”

Teserina gazed at the artifact in genuine awe.

Just seeing a masterpiece crafted by one of her elders was enough to make her heart race.

At that moment, the door suddenly swung open.

“Hyung!”

It was Levin, calling out cheerfully,

Then he froze.

He saw Teserina, and his brain stopped working.

Her beauty was so unreal it short-circuited his thoughts.

He looked from Zeon to Teserina… then silently closed the door.

“Enjoy your time together.”