NAPE - 14

The association president was at a loss for words. What he said wasn’t boasting, it was the truth. Usually, when a hunter took on a case, it would take a week to close, but when Kwon Doyoon took it, it took three days. Even a large case that would take half a year for others was enough for him in three months.

Kwon Doyoon was an unparalleled expert in vampire knowledge, and his shooting skills were so outstanding that even a 30-year veteran would be amazed.

Above all, he was a man with an iron heart who never lost his composure in any situation. Whether blinded by revenge or by money, anyone who rolled around in this underworld for any reason was bound to be tainted by the shadows and become jaded. But instead of darkening, he became even more vibrant, like an evening primrose blooming at night.

His overwhelming skill was a great asset to the Hunter Association. Shortening the time taken was a huge benefit. Not only did it save physical strength and money, but it also created rotational leeway for hunters to take on other cases.

“...Don’t just do things that interest you. Help out a bit? The military has been probing and contacting us, trying to figure out how they found out. Why the military of all things, geez. And your skills are top-notch in the country, why do you keep trying to waste them?”

The association president, lowering her tone, nudged Doyoon’s side.

“What’s the reason for trying to catch the Trainer?”

“Why else? Because he’s causing social unrest. What should happen in the shadows is trying to encroach on the light.”

“It’s not because you’re worried about the military and the prosecution noticing? You value protecting your own interests, don’t you?”

“A little bit of both.”

“So, there’s no need to capture him alive.”

“Hmm… Well, is there? It’s better if we can keep him alive. If we frame it as a serial murder case and set up a photo line, it’ll look good. We can also help the assemblyman during the next election.”

As expected, there seemed to be another main purpose. Doyoon wore an indifferent expression.

“What about the hunting dog? How are you going to deal with it?”

“It’s a hybrid. We’ll frame it as a survivor and then eliminate it without any future trouble. How about it? Doesn’t it appeal to you? You like that kind of thing, don’t you? Cleaning things up neatly without any loose ends.”

“I’m very grateful for your generosity.”

“Well, well.”

The association president, unfazed by his sarcasm, smiled shamelessly. That slick expression always irritated him. Doyoon didn’t get along with selfish humans. It was like a kind of self-loathing.

“I’ll operate unofficially.”

This meant he wouldn’t leave a report. Doyoon was thinking of Bibi. He didn’t want her to be exposed to the association.

The association president let out a long sigh. In a market where experienced personnel were scarce and only newcomers were abundant, leaving documents was a very important issue. Moreover, it was an insurance policy to avoid responsibility later when the corpse business was exposed to the public, proving that their activities had been ethical.

Documenting the evil deeds of the Trainer would later serve as strong evidence to support the association’s existence and the actions that took place within it.

“...Fine.”

The association president nodded resolutely, as if offering one of her arms.

“And one more thing. I want to see the pureblood vampire family tree kept in the association.”

At Doyoon’s words, the other’s eyes widened like saucers. He could see cold sweat trickling down her temples. It was a look that said, “How did he know?”

“Th-that’s a top-secret document. I’ll give you something else. Didn’t you say the blood demon records kept in the association were pretty? Take those instead.”

“No, thank you. Please get out now.”

“Ah! Or how about ten times the usual fee?”

“Let’s get out, please.”

“You little… You never give in once. Sigh… Okay, okay. Just for ten minutes. Got it?”

“I’ll contact you when I go to see it next time.”

Having achieved his desired goal, Doyoon smiled brightly. The association president shook her head, looking as if she wished she could punch Doyoon once. Having closed the deal, she got out of the car without any regrets. Doyoon smirked.

Once he saw the pureblood vampire family tree, he would be able to find out where Bibi came from. He had intended to pay the association president to see it, but it was like getting a rabbit for free. Moreover, she had asked him to catch the Trainer. He had been personally investigating that guy anyway.

His goal was different from the association president’s. While she was chasing the Trainer to cover up the underwater dealings and use him, Doyoon was closely watching him to bring him completely to the surface.

If the Trainer, the hybrid vampires, and the victims caught by them were made public… the human world would fall into great chaos. In that case, Bibi would be a very valuable witness. He absolutely had to bring her to his side.

Bibi, being a pureblood, was very useful. She was a good hunting dog who brought in two rabbits at once. The fact that she looked cute in unexpected ways was a bonus.

________________________________________

Why isn’t she coming out today?

Opening the front door and stepping inside, Doyoon tilted his head with a question mark. Usually, when he opened the front door like this, Bibi would cautiously peek her head out, but today she wasn’t visible. The front door lock hadn’t been tampered with, so she probably hadn’t run away. Had she hidden herself again like before?

Doyoon, filled with doubt, looked around the house. He opened the doors of each room, the dressing room, the kitchen, and even the bathroom. But the doll-like woman with long curly hair was nowhere to be seen.

“What the…”

Opening the bathroom door, Doyoon discovered the microwave lying pathetically on the shower booth floor. The door was missing, the corners were dented as if it had been dropped roughly, and it was soaking wet. The fact that the once intact microwave was lying here… it must be related to Bibi.

His curiosity piqued, Doyoon searched every nook and cranny more quickly. Behind the sofa, on top of the refrigerator, above the curtains. Had there been so many places to hide in this house? Doyoon felt a slight irritation rising as he flung open the closet in the small room.

Ah, found her.

Finally, a small, curled-up figure appeared. Garnet-red eyes looked up at Doyoon.

“What are you doing here?”

Bibi shuddered, her shoulders drooping with a frightened expression, and froze. Great fear lingered on her startled face. Why did this woman shrink back pitifully every time he saw her? Doyoon’s heart softened towards the weak. Seeing Bibi so scared, he couldn’t treat her roughly like the others.

“Why did you fight with the microwave?”

“F-fought…”

Bibi stammered an excuse in a cracked voice before swallowing. Her heart pounded rapidly. She couldn’t look directly at Doyoon’s face. Experiences from similar situations in the past flashed through her mind one after another.

Every time Bibi made a mistake, the trainer would wield the whip. If she hid or ran away because she hated the violence, even more severe consequences followed. The reasons for punishment varied greatly, but the result always ended in pain.

Her owners hadn’t been much different. They would rage furiously if Bibi accidentally broke a cup or damaged something. What would Doyoon be like? He seemed like he would be very scary if he got angry.

She had tried to escape this place before seeing that side of him, but the windows were too thick, and the front door wouldn’t open at all. Helplessly, she had hidden as deeply as possible… but she had been discovered so quickly.

“Why did you stop talking?”

Doyoon tilted his head, looking very curious. Bibi hesitated before opening her mouth again.

“It… it exploded.”

“Exploded?”

“The bread… I wanted to eat it warm like last time.”

Doyoon was dumbfounded. She had tried to heat up bread and ended up blowing up the microwave. He couldn’t have imagined it. Should he call her amazing?

“...So you hid because you thought the whole house would be destroyed?”

Bibi quietly shook her head.

“I broke something.”

So what? She broke something, so she hid? Doyoon couldn’t follow the other’s way of thinking at all. Rather than trying to understand it right now, he couldn’t bear to see Bibi trembling, so he wanted to take her out of the closet. He reached out his hand to help her up.

“……!”

Seeing Doyoon’s approaching hand, Bibi hunched her shoulders and lowered her head. It was a movement a person accustomed to violence would make to defend themselves. Doyoon withdrew his hand, a subtle expression on his face, and observed Bibi. It was like looking at a wild animal caught in a trap, unable to even defend itself. An animal beaten so badly it couldn’t even think of fighting back.

“I bought pudding.”

Doyoon unconsciously softened his voice as much as possible. Seeing Doyoon lift the plastic bag, Bibi wore a bewildered expression.

“…….”

“Come out here. Let’s eat together.”

The smell of yellow corn cream stimulated her sense of smell. A rumbling sound echoed embarrassingly from Bibi’s small stomach.

Sitting on the living room floor, Bibi took a large bite of the pudding topped with big crumbles. It was savory and sweet, quite delicious. She eagerly licked up the crushed bits that were about to fall off the fork with her tongue. The sweet egg flavor was so good. Her heart, which had been startled by the fire, calmed down somewhat with the sweet taste.

“Is it good?”

Doyoon, who had been propping up his chin and quietly watching her, asked. Bibi, unable to open her mouth because of the pudding, just nodded her head vigorously.

“Next time, just leave the burning thing alone and get out of the way. The fire alarm system here is pretty good.”

Once again, Bibi nodded her head. Doyoon had many questions he wanted to ask, but he decided to wait quietly, thinking it would be better to ask after she had calmed down more.

#14 While Bibi ate the pudding, Doyoon, who had been casually observing her, narrowed his eyes. Bibi’s hand holding the spoon was swollen and very red, more so than usual. It looked like a burn.

“You got burned.”

Quickly noticing, Doyoon took out a first-aid kit from under the display cabinet and brought out burn ointment and aloe vera gel. Bibi had just finished the last of her pudding. As Doyoon approached, she became slightly wary, her eyes a little sharp.

“Let me treat that.”

Doyoon held out the burn ointment, his hand extended. It was an unspoken request for Bibi to allow his touch. Come to think of it, this was the first time he had tried to make physical contact with her other than when she drank his blood.

“It’ll heal soon anyway.”

Bibi said in a low voice. A vampire’s regenerative abilities were far superior. This little thing would disappear within a few hours as if nothing had happened.

“It might heal, but it hurts, doesn’t it?”

That was true… but why bother treating something that would heal anyway? It wasn’t even that bad, just a bit hot. Ah, not just a bit, it was quite stinging. She felt like taking a bowl of water and soaking it all day. Still, it wasn’t unbearable.

Besides, it wasn’t like he was going to suck her blood, so any unnecessary contact with a hunter… was something she wanted to avoid.

“Think about it. Excluding our first meeting, have I ever hurt you?” “…….” “If you don’t give me your hand… I won’t give you blood again.”

Doyoon was a person who found threats easier than persuasion. He cajoled her in a not-so-strong voice. Honestly, this was already a lot of leniency on his part. Did she even realize it?

Mentioning blood, Bibi reluctantly held out her hand. Doyoon didn’t miss the opportunity and snatched her hand. He ignored her flinching and squeezed out the ointment, quickly spreading it on the back of her hand.

Bibi stared at Doyoon while her hand was in his. His usually languid and indifferent eyes were very serious. His touch wasn’t exactly gentle, but there was no malice in it.

“How is it?”

He asked confidently after spreading the aloe vera gel as well. Bibi looked at her cooled hand with wonder.

Come to think of it, Doyoon was the first person who had ever cared about her injuries like this. It was ironic. A hunter treating her. When she thought about it, he had never actually hurt her. On the contrary, he was helping her maintain a healthy body.

Okay, let’s admit it objectively. Vampire hunter Kwon Doyoon wasn’t a bad person to her. Unlike her other owners, he didn’t starve her, beat her, or neglect her. On the contrary, he was the one who filled her belly and treated her wounds. It might be nice if this person… was her new owner.

“It seems… okay.”

Her thoughts kept drifting in strange directions. In the past, she wouldn’t have dared to even dream of an owner not permitted by the trainer… Was it because of his newly tasted blood, or her changed body?

She had many things she wanted to ask Doyoon. Since she couldn’t talk to a hunter for long, she barely swallowed her curiosity. But there was no way to stop the questions and confusion that had accumulated in her chest from surging back up.

“Doyoon.”

And so, Bibi called the name of the man who had become a turning point in her life. His eyes, which had widened slightly for a moment, continued to gaze at Bibi before softening into a smile. His crescent moon-shaped eyes were pleasant to look at. Doyoon had the most exquisite and beautiful appearance of any owner she had ever met. Enough to make her stare blankly.

“You’re finally calling my name.”

Seeing that smile, a vivid memory from the past surfaced.

It was a memory from when she was born. Amidst the thick smell of blood all around, she felt the strong beating of a heart. Someone’s warm embrace, ornate patterns, and joyful laughter flashed by in succession.

Bibi remembered for the first time that there was someone who had given birth to her. Back then, she hadn’t been a hunting dog. Strangely, her heart ached. A lot.

________________________________________

In the middle of the night, Bibi tiptoed quietly across the living room. At the end of the living room was a small room, and Kwon Doyoon was asleep inside.

It was the first time he had slept in this house. He must have decided not to leave her alone because of the microwave explosion. Bibi had tried to sleep in her usual bed, but she couldn’t easily fall asleep, feeling conscious of his presence in the house.

The hunter’s presence was immense. Even though he was in a distant room, it completely filled her mind, preventing her from sleeping. While she believed he wouldn’t harm her, she was uneasy about whether it was okay to be so unguarded. Bibi decided to look at him while he slept to confirm that he was just an ordinary human.

Creak—

As she opened the door, a small sound came from the hinges. Kwon Doyoon’s unique, fresh scent rushed into her nostrils. She swallowed hard, resisting the urge to drool. An intruder had entered, but the figure buried in the bed didn’t seem to notice anything.

Bibi held her breath and approached the sleeping hunter without making a sound. She could hear his even breathing, and Doyoon was sleeping soundly, oblivious to the world. Moonlight streaming through the window illuminated him. Unexpectedly, when he slept… he wasn’t threatening.

His neck was fully exposed because his clothes had slipped to one side unguardedly. The smooth surface of his skin shone subtly like porcelain. Her mouth watered. Bibi strongly resisted the urge to run her tongue up and down and then sink her fangs in.

Come to think of it, one of the owners she had served a long time ago had told her Greek and Roman myths. The moon goddess Selene had fallen in love with the handsome youth Endymion and made him maintain that appearance forever. Bibi’s imagination was weak, and she couldn’t picture a human appearance beautiful enough to be preserved like a taxidermy.

Only now, after decades had passed, could she finally understand.

Looking at that face, the questions she had barely swallowed earlier came to mind.

‘Why are you keeping me?’ ‘What’s the reason for wanting to be my master, and why don’t you order me to do anything while claiming to be my master?’ ‘Why do you, a hunter, give me blood?’ ‘What does it mean to you whether I’m a pureblood or not?’ ‘Who exactly are you?’

Wanting to have a proper conversation with a hunter. It was a dangerous thing. But wouldn’t the trainer understand? It was a special situation right now anyway.

Bibi was trapped, and the trainer’s influence couldn’t reach this far. When they reunited later, if she just kept her mouth shut… he wouldn’t know anything. Ah, these were really bad thoughts.

Bibi sighed and let her shoulders droop. Now that she had confirmed Kwon Doyoon was asleep, she should return to her room.

“Where are you going?”

As she turned around, a languidly deep voice spoke. Startled, Bibi jumped up from her spot.

“You can keep admiring my face.”

Was he awake? She glanced back. Doyoon was slowly raising his upper body, as if just waking up. He yawned, opening his mouth wide.

“Isn’t that too unguarded… for a hunter?” “You’re nothing to worry about.”

Bibi’s pride was hurt by Doyoon’s nonchalant attitude. Even if he was a hunter with a gun, how could he be so careless? Was she really that unthreatening? Generally speaking, wasn’t she the predator here? Fine. There was no point in arguing about it now… she had already shown too many pathetic sides of herself.

Bibi took a step closer to Doyoon, who was adjusting his pillow to go back to sleep.

“Hey. I want to go outside.” “It’s about time you wanted to go out.”

Doyoon nodded indifferently.

“Will you let me go?” “Hmm… Instead, let’s go out with a leash on. Just in case you attack a human.”

Bibi frowned at the casual mention of using a leash. He hadn’t even been accepted as her master, yet he was already jumping ahead.

“I’m not going out to hunt.” “Then?” “I want to go… to find the woman who gave birth to me.”

Perhaps influenced by the old memory that had surfaced earlier, Bibi felt longing, sadness, and sorrow. And she had developed a desire to know more about herself.

Doyoon wore a surprised expression. He probably hadn’t imagined a personal story would come up.

“Are you sure? You’re quite a loyal hunting dog.”

At Doyoon’s question, Bibi shrugged. This wasn’t strictly against the hunting dog’s principles. The trainer had only taught her to serve, worship, and obey. There were no instructions on what to do when she had a personal desire, so it should be okay.

“What exactly are your old memories like?” “…….”

Bibi remained silent. There was no reason to tell him every little detail. Doyoon seemed to have expected this and gave up. He was lost in thought for a moment. The sleepiness had completely vanished.

“Shall I find her for you? The woman who gave birth to you.”

He, who had been deep in thought, made a surprising offer.

“...H-how?” “It’s easy. We just need to check the genealogy of pureblood vampire families. The association has data that comprehensively compiles the family trees and histories of 60 families at once.”

Something like that… existed? Bibi blinked. She was learning for the first time now about the existence of pureblood vampire families and the data related to them. A curiosity about the vampire society arose.