Seon-yeon froze for a second.
— The "West Corporation"? The transnational bio group?
— Yes.
— ...Are you manipulating me?
Seon-yeon's face showed pure disbelief. Yet he restrained the urge to shout "That's nonsense!" After all, he was sitting in Liren Hospital, face to face with none other than its Director — and the honorary President of a bio-giant.
Director Gu Tae-seon spoke without a hint of a smile.
— What manipulation could there be? I'm perfectly serious. West Corporation has been secretly conducting illegal bio-experiments on humans for many cycles, trying to artificially create vampires. Their final goal — the creation of a "Perfect Class."
— ...What?
Seon-yeon looked from Gu Tae-seon to Gu Se-yeon. Neither showed even a flicker of amusement. On the contrary — Se-yeon's hands were clasped tightly, as if bracing for his reaction.
This time Seon-yeon actually laughed, incredulous.
— Listen, do you even know how Class activation works?
— As far as I know — through contact with the genome of another vampire.
— Correct. But after such contact, only a handful ever re-awaken. There's no logic, no pattern — just chance. Even if I wanted to transform someone right now, I couldn't predict whether the invasion would succeed. And you claim it can be reproduced artificially?
The very essence of a vampire is that it cannot be created by anyone's will. If it were possible, Seon-yeon wouldn't have spent centuries in isolation after Tae-o's death.
The Director calmly continued with an even more astonishing explanation.
— I understand it's hard to believe, but these bio-experiments have been going on for a long time. Tell me, didn't Lee Myeon seem... strange for a Class?
Seon-yeon flinched slightly. He had indeed noticed it during their fight: Myeon was strong, but his hypnosis ability was suspiciously weak for a Class. And if he truly were a Class — why use a blade against Ji-han at all, when he could have simply invaded?
Suddenly he remembered how Myeon froze for a moment when ordered, "Deactivate your weapon."
Could that have been because he was half-human? A true vampire wouldn't have been affected by such a command.
When Seon-yeon's expression shifted, the Director went on.
— They used to kidnap people for experiments. Now they lure poor young men into signing consent forms for pennies. If anything goes wrong, they hide behind the paperwork to avoid corporate punishment. Lee Myeon was likely one of them. To be blunt — we're trying to stop West Corporation's crimes. Too many victims already.
A short pause. Then Seon-yeon asked quietly:
— ...And how do you plan to stop them?
— We will eliminate the head of West Corporation — Im Jae-ha.
Seon-yeon looked him in the eye.
— And my role?
— If you reach the top five in the Poker Tournament and earn the access ticket, one of us will enter the private reception as the "winner." That's when we strike.
Seon-yeon instantly realized that "one of us" meant Kang Ji-han.
— And you think impersonation is that easy?
Gu Tae-seon smiled faintly.
— You needn't worry. Most players coming to this tournament are just hired "faces" for wealthy clients.
So — a paid cover job. The only difference was that Seon-yeon had to do it for free, while the others were paid. He narrowed his eyes.
— And why do you want to kill Im Jae-ha? For justice?
Gu Tae-seon shook his head with a thin smile.
— That too, of course. But to be precise — revenge for those who remain. I lost my entire family because of Im Jae-ha. In fact, the Shinwu Bio-Group was founded solely to stop him. Over time we gained patients, grew larger, and eventually came to run this hospital.
He glanced at Gu Se-yeon.
— I lost Se-yeon's mother as well, but at least she's still with me.
— ...I see.
Seon-yeon couldn't think of anything adequate to say. The Director continued.
— If you don't mind, I'd like to tell you an old story.
— Please.
The Director took a sip of bio-tea and set the cup down.
— I had an elder brother — twenty-five years older than me. For me, the youngest of four, he was like a father. He gave up the family business — a traditional medicine pharmacy — and became a doctor, studying Western medicine. He believed Korean medicine had limits in saving lives. It caused conflict with our father, but by the time I was born, he was already a physician. He truly dedicated himself to saving people.
His eyes went distant, as if remembering cycles long gone.
— Then war broke out... Hundreds deactivated each cycle. My brother worked in a field hospital, where he accidentally discovered a small boy — declared deactivated — who re-activated in the middle of the night. To their horror, the boy revived after consuming another patient's bio-fluid. There was another doctor who witnessed it.
— ...And that doctor was Im Jae-ha?
— Yes. The two of them subdued the boy when he tried to flee. My brother initially wanted to report it, but Im Jae-ha stopped him: "Let's experiment. With this creature, we can save more lives. Maybe his bio-fluid holds something special. He came back to life by destroying another. Isn't it better to use him to save many rather than deactivate him?"
Seon-yeon listened stone-faced, unaware that his body had tensed.
— But the experiments weren't simple. Transfusing the boy's bio-fluid into other patients caused severe side effects. Those who received it looked healthier for a while, but soon writhed in agony and deactivated. Even survivors blistered under sunlight and tore their skin apart in pain. But in wartime, mass deactivations were common, so people ignored it.
The Director's tone darkened.
— My brother suffered terribly, forced to watch patients die from failed transfusions — and worse, to torture that creature, outwardly human, to extract more bio-fluid. The boy was about my age then. Eventually my brother refused to continue. Im Jae-ha promised to "take care of it himself."
— But it was a lie.
— Yes. He secretly locked the boy in a basement and kept experimenting. He discovered that Classes didn't deactivate without feeding or sleep, didn't age, could control minds through eye contact, and could live forever as long as they received human bio-fluid. And those who survived the transfusion themselves stopped aging and could live on bio-fluid. That's when Im Jae-ha realized he could become immortal.
Seon-yeon's throat moved involuntarily.
It was exactly what had happened to him after his own transformation.
— Later, when my brother found out, he tried to stop him — but it was too late. Too many had joined Jae-ha's side. He accused my brother of human experimentation and murder, branding our family as traitors. I escaped to my mother's relatives, but the rest of my family was eliminated.
The old man's even tone carried deep bitterness. Seon-yeon searched his memories — indeed, those cycles had been so bleak he himself had fled into the mountains, surviving on wild beasts.
— Meanwhile, Im Jae-ha, protected by the powerful, fled to the Astrau Federation, changed his identity, and founded a cosmetic company — West Corporation. Their products, astonishingly effective, quickly made it a massive enterprise that swallowed the pharmaceutical market.
The Director's voice trembled.
— But everything they make is derived from human bio-fluid. They endlessly abduct people, inject them with vampire bio-fluid, and then use their modified bio-fluid for others. Concentrate it — you get one result. Dilute it — another. Anything that works.
Seon-yeon's expression twisted. The story was horrifying. That child, used as a test subject, must have prayed for deactivation to end the suffering.
— My wife died first — in a terrorist attack aimed at me. The world collapsed then. Only Se-yeon kept me from giving up.
— ...
— But perhaps because of that, I met many children who had nearly become Im Jae-ha's victims. Ji-han and Baek Jin-hun, whom you've met — both grew up in orphanages. They were almost test subjects of West Corporation.
— ...Kang Ji-han too?
— Yes.
Hearing that, Seon-yeon remembered Ji-han once saying he'd "spent time in an orphanage." His eyes widened. So he hadn't just been there — he'd grown up there.
— ...And Ahn Do-ha? Son Jeong-hee?
— Ahn Do-ha was a researcher at West Corporation, conducting human experiments. At first, he didn't know the truth. Once he did, he escaped — taking Ji-han and Jin-hun with him. He's now their top wanted fugitive. As for Jeong-hee... he was caught hacking into West Corporation, so he's also on their most-wanted list.
— Hm.
It was clear now: these five and Director Gu Tae-seon were something like a Revenge Alliance, united under one slogan — Down with West Corporation.
At that moment, Gu Se-yeon brought out a small transparent vial — half the size of a lip balm tube — filled with bright blue bio-fluid. Seon-yeon recognized it instantly. The Director explained:
— This is a preparation called Blue-5. Sometimes — as with Jin-hun or Ji-han — people come back alive but become dependent on bio-fluid without realizing it. This drug eases their symptoms. It's not perfect, so we're still improving it.
Seon-yeon's eyes widened. This was the same medicine Ji-han had mentioned. He had thought it was a Class deactivation serum — but now he understood it was meant to help victims of inhumane experiments live normal lives.
— ...Wait. So both of them are vampires?
— Jin-hun underwent experiments but, fortunately, didn't mutate. Same for Ji-han. They're stronger than ordinary humans, yes, but nothing critical.
— So they're both human?
— Yes.
It made sense for Jin-hun — but believing Ji-han was "just human" was harder.
Then Gu Tae-seon added:
— However... Ji-han returned alive at the cost of his younger sister. Im Jae-ha consumed her right before his eyes.
— Father!
Se-yeon tried to stop him — clearly, this detail wasn't meant to be shared. Seon-yeon's eyes widened. He couldn't believe that cold, stoic Ji-han carried such a past. His face darkened.
"So that's why he thought I'd come to the orphanage and start devouring kids..."
Suddenly a memory surfaced. He blurted:
— ...Her name wouldn't happen to be Kang Min-hee?
— Correct.
Seon-yeon froze, stunned.
And then he remembered Tae-o's words about people immune to hypnosis:
"Those who suffered deep psychological trauma in childhood and survived it on their own cannot be hypnotized."
Silence fell. Seon-yeon shuddered.
"Survived it on his own..."
He'd suspected Ji-han and his allies had secrets, but not ones this dark. The words Ji-han once spoke, chaining him to the wall, echoed in his mind:
"I hate Classes more than anything in the world."
For a moment Seon-yeon was speechless. Then another voice — Tae-o's again — whispered in memory:
"I hate myself, Seon-yeon. I hate being this monster."
Pressing his fingers to his temples, Seon-yeon finally muttered:
— Why tell me all this now?
— ...We found out about your existence by accident. To be honest, at first we planned to deactivate you. I'm sure you guessed.
Of course he had.
— But Ji-han said something incredible: that you resisted consuming bio-fluid. That contradicted everything we knew about Classes. So we tested again — we placed you near a bleeding man, and again, you resisted.
— That man in the warehouse with the severed leg...?
— Yes. The one who tried to kill Jeong-hee.
Seon-yeon frowned. He wasn't opposed to vengeance, but humans playing with others as bait still unsettled him.
— Then Do-ha suggested using you. I doubted it. The plan was good, but risky. Yet after you risked your life to save Ji-han, we realized we were wrong. That's why we want you not as a temporary ally but as a true member of our team. And that required full honesty.
Gu Tae-seon continued:
— In times like these, every capable ally is priceless. Jin-hun, Ji-han — they were both on the brink of deactivation as children. They may have treated you harshly, but I hope you can forgive them.
Seon-yeon now understood their confession. They feared that after being injured because of Ji-han, he might refuse to help. "So that's why they're pushing this 'real ally' talk..."
Material benefit was one thing; fear of him leaving was another. The clearer their intentions, the calmer he felt. After a pause, he nodded.
— Don't worry. I'll help you get that access ticket. Seems I won't be safe either while Im Jae-ha lives.
Relief lit the faces of both Gu Tae-seon and Se-yeon. Seon-yeon asked:
— But what's the connection between this ticket and killing him?
— If you make the top five, you'll get a private meeting with him. Im Jae-ha never attends public events. We'll eliminate him there.
— Hm.
He nodded thoughtfully.
— But why does Im Jae-ha even hold such a tournament? Why not just recruit loyal followers?
— No sane businessman would buy that. Who would respond to: "We'll make you immortal — just pay ten billion"?
Seon-yeon couldn't argue.
— He needs people rich enough to wager ten billion for eternal life — but reckless enough to do it. Look at the real sponsors hiring poker players: all elderly, nearing deactivation. The tournament lets him test them — and use stand-ins while hiding his identity. That's why you can join without questions.
— Right.
— Everyone who comes here is drowning in wealth and power. Im Jae-ha enjoys watching their desperation — a test of how far they'll go, how many they'll trample, how much they'll pay to become vampires.
— ...And people actually fall for it?
— Im Jae-ha's very existence is like a cult. When a hundred-year-old man visibly grows young after drinking bio-fluid, others crave it too.
Seon-yeon tilted his head, still puzzled.
— Growing young from bio-fluid? But bio-fluid has nothing to do with youth...
Human bio-fluid only helped Classes keep sanity. Even if Seon-yeon never drank again, he wouldn't suddenly age — he'd simply lose his mind.
Gu Tae-seon nodded, as if expecting the question.
— That's the fatal flaw of artificial Classes. If Im Jae-ha stops consuming bio-fluid, his skin would sag. He's the same age my brother would be — about a hundred and four cycles. He funds orphanages and kidnaps children precisely for their bio-fluid. I suspect he suffers uncontrollable impulses far more often than you, Ryu Seon-yeon. To suppress them, he's developed countless drugs.
Still stunned, Seon-yeon asked:
— Then the man shown on the news — the proud Korean, chairman of West Corporation...
— A double, of course. I know his real face. How could I forget?
Silence fell.
Seon-yeon ran his hands over his face, trying to steady his thoughts.
Then his eyes flared crimson. Director Gu startled — but confined to his wheelchair, he couldn't retreat. Seon-yeon, however, wasn't looking at him — he was staring at Se-yeon.
— ...Everything your father just said — is it true?
— It is.
When Seon-yeon sighed heavily, Gu Tae-seon's face tightened. The red light faded from Seon-yeon's eyes. Se-yeon, unaware she'd just been hypnotized, looked bewildered.
Then Seon-yeon rose abruptly.
— ...All right. If that's all, I'll go.
Gu Tae-seon, still tense, stopped him.
— Mr. Ryu Seon-yeon! Before the operation, we'd like to gather the whole team for dinner. Would you join us? We need to discuss details.
Seon-yeon smirked.
— What, a welcome party for the newbie? As you wish, Director.
The office door slammed behind him.
At once, Se-yeon asked anxiously:
— Father, why did you tell him everything? What if he betrays us?
Gu Tae-seon fell silent for a moment.
It was his first time witnessing a true vampire's power — not from reports, but in person. Good thing his long sleeves hid the goosebumps on his arms. He was still trembling.
After calming himself, he said quietly:
— From what Ji-han said, he's merciful. If compassion can move him, why not evoke sympathy? For such beings, pity can weigh heavier than force.
— But still...
— Besides, just now—
— ...?
Gu Tae-seon glanced at Se-yeon, who hadn't even realized she'd been hypnotized. Ryu Seon-yeon had used his power only to verify truth. If he'd wanted, he could have done far worse.
— No. This time, perhaps we truly have a chance.
Leaving the Director's office, Seon-yeon staggered slightly. Every word from Gu Tae-seon had been a shock.
So Im Jae-ha tortured Classes, drained their bio-fluid, turned humans into monsters, and drank that same fluid to extend his own life. The thought alone made Seon-yeon sick.
Now he understood why the Shinwu Director had gathered victims into an alliance of vengeance.
But could Seon-yeon truly trust these people?
He felt a strange chill when Gu Tae-seon casually mentioned using a wounded man as "bait" — the same cold practicality he'd sensed from Kang Ji-han.
"Deep down, they still don't see Classes as human."
At best, to them, he had merely graduated from "Beast" to "Tame Beast." In their righteous world, Classes would always remain outsiders. The sin of consuming human bio-fluid could never be erased.
He knew it was foolish, but when Gu Tae-seon said he wanted them to be "one team," something in Seon-yeon's chest trembled — and he hated himself for that weakness.
He was lost in thought when he saw Kang Ji-han leaning against the far wall of the corridor. The man's foot tapped nervously against the floor, eyes lowered. When he noticed Seon-yeon, he straightened sharply.
Their eyes met for a heartbeat. Seon-yeon involuntarily held his breath, then looked away and walked past.
"If you saw a vampire devour your sister… how could you trust anyone? I wouldn't either."
Just then, Ji-han grabbed his wrist, visibly shaken.
— ...Did you activate Rage?
— Why would I?
Seon-yeon genuinely didn't understand. Ji-han seemed even more flustered. He hesitated, then muttered:
— The incident in the car...
— Ah, that.
Seon-yeon cut him off quickly.
— Let's deactivate that memory. Better for both of us. I'll blame it on my amnesia — happens sometimes when I black out. And not just with you, so forget it.
— What?
Ji-han's eyes widened at his nonchalant tone. Seon-yeon added bluntly:
— You don't want to remember it either, right?
Ji-han's pupils quivered. If Seon-yeon hadn't heard his tragic story, he might've thought the man looked... hurt.
"What the hell? Did he actually... like it? I clearly remember trying to bite his neck to invade his bio-fluid…"
Considering Ji-han's usual temperament, the fact that Seon-yeon was still alive was a miracle. Better to stay quiet and not provoke him further. Avoiding his gaze, Seon-yeon turned to leave — but strangely, Ji-han's grip only tightened.
"What's wrong with him?"
Seon-yeon tried to pull free, but Ji-han's hold only grew stronger, as if clutching a lifeline. Seon-yeon muttered irritably:
— You're hurting me. Deactivate the grip.
Just then, Gu Se-yeon exited the Director's office and witnessed the scene — Ji-han's hand being flung away, the hurt expression flashing across his face. She froze briefly, then pretended not to notice and addressed Seon-yeon:
— Um... Mr. Ryu Seon-yeon, forgive me for bringing this up right after your talk with Father, but we need to fly to Merai immediately. The others are already there. We were supposed to depart earlier, but... unforeseen circumstances.
Seon-yeon blinked. Indeed — he'd lost track of time after that long conversation. If he'd been unconscious for three cycles...
— What's the date today?
— October 31. The tournament starts November 2, 6 p.m.
— That soon?
— I'll explain everything on the way. We have a private bio-jet prepared.