05

"So, how about we continue the postponed discussion?" Glaen asked, crossing his arms over his chest, his gaze sharp and full of confidence. "Sorry Seraphina, this seems to be my talk with this kid, so for now can you wait outside?"

"Alright, commander. Then I'll take my leave." Seraphina bowed slightly, her movements graceful and respectful, before turning and leaving the room with calm and steady steps.

Kai tried to stand, his hand injured from his own bite slowly starting to heal, Glaen frowned, "So, what's your name?"

"Kai, just Kai." Kai replied in a hoarse voice, but his tone was firm, showing his determination.

"Alright, Kai. How much do you know about Hunter?" Glaen stood with his back to Kai, waiting for a response from him.

"Not much, but I heard from Alfred's subordinate that Hunter is an organization of humans that hunts vampires." Kai answered calmly, but with a direct gaze into Glaen's eyes, his voice showing an implied self-confidence.

"So do you understand what that means?" Glaen looked back at Kai, then raised an eyebrow, slightly impressed by Kai's newfound confidence.

"Yeah." Kai replied firmly, standing tall and steady. He looked at Glaen with a challenging gaze, showing his confidence in himself. Glaen shook his head, "Huh." He sighed, his hand movements quick as he opened his small silver cigarette case, his slender fingers taking a cigarette and lighting it with a sparkling gold match.

"Looks like you don't know anything, huh? Do you know about oracles?" Smoke curled around Glaen's face, obscuring part of his expression, but his voice still sounded cold and judgmental.

"Not..., what is that?" Kai frowned, his hands lightly clenched, showing a bit of doubt but still maintaining his upright posture.

"I figured you wouldn't know anything, Kai. Do you remember what that vampire did after turning you into a vampire?" Glaen took a cigarette, put it in his mouth, and took a deep drag, his eyes still fixed on Kai.

"He didn't change me, this happened because of my stupidity." Kai replied in a low voice, looking down for a moment, then lifting his head back up, his eyes showing regret.

"What?" Glaen frowned, he dropped his cigarette and stepped on the cigarette.

"It was when I came home, and saw that my family had been killed by the vampire. I lost my mind and bit his leg, and then the blood accidentally entered my body." Kai told his story in a slightly trembling voice, but still trying to calm down, his hands clenched tightly, showing his pent-up emotions.

Glaen sighed, he pulled his hair up then looked at Kai sharply, "So let me guess, originally the vampire wanted to suck you in as well but because of your stupidity. You were left alive and taken to the southern base?" He crossed his arms.

"Eh how did you know that?" Kai asked, his eyebrows raised slightly, his body leaning forward slightly, indicating his increased curiosity. His hands involuntarily clenched his fists, revealing a hint of tension.

"It's very predictable, stupid, because of the oracle." Glaen said in a disdainful tone, pointing to Kai's chest with his long, slender index finger, "It seems like you don't know anything, alright I'll tell you." Glaen leaned against the wall beside her, her gaze turning serious, showing her readiness to explain.

A few hundred years ago, it is said that because of the rampant power of vampires, he killed all the non-human races without a single left, and the human races were left alive because they were a source of energy for them, inevitably at that time humans were living as cattle by vampires.

However, a hope arises: an oracle prophecy that predicts the destruction of vampires in the future, at the hands of their own fellows. Although vampires considered him a common threat, this prophecy ignited a fire of hope for humans. Encouraged by the prophecy, humans began to develop alchemy and special training methods, trying to learn the weaknesses of vampires, looking for a glimmer of hope in the midst of despair.

Of course, vampires ignored human efforts. They are convinced that, no matter how hard people try, it is all in vain. However, oracle prophecies still haunt them. To keep themselves safe, the vampires vowed not to attack each other, hoping to prove that the prophecy was mere nonsense. 

The oath lasted for several generations, creating a fragile balance between humans and vampires. Humans kept developing their abilities, while vampires enjoyed their power, but always stayed alert to threats from within. Generation after generation, the struggle of humans against vampires went on in the shadows, interspersed with periods of fragile ceasefires and small, stealthy attacks, and that's when Hunters were formed. Human alchemical progress continued, creating new weapons and tactics to fight vampires, then building a training academy for vampire hunters.

"From here, do you get what I mean?" Glaen crossed his arms over his chest, his gaze sharp and piercing, waiting for Kai's answer patiently yet with pressure.

"Yes. That's why the vampire didn't kill me because the blood had already entered my body and they thought I was part of them." Kai replied in a quiet voice, lowering his head slightly, showing a hint of doubt.

"To be honest. If I were you, then I'd enjoy it. Isn't that a good thing? Remembering that I am getting stronger than ever," Glaen smiled faintly disdainfully, a smile that didn't reach his eyes.

Hearing that, Kai's eyes widened. Spontaneously, he storms Glaen. His body moved at a staggering speed, his hands clenched into fists forming a powerful punch. Glaen easily dodged, his movements were so fast and precise. He doesn't even need to shift far from his seat. Calmly, Glaen pulled out a gun—an elegant, deadly-looking weapon—and shot Kai in the leg. Kai's body became completely stiff.

"You're too naïve," Glaen said, his voice cold and emotionless. "It's useless to try to stand up; The bullet I just fired had a temporary paralyzing effect. You won't be able to move for a few minutes." Glaen leaned forward, her gaze remaining cold and judgmental, observing Kai's reaction.

"So, I asked once again. Are you serious about getting your revenge, or enjoying the rest of your life as a vampire? Since you're already here, it's no longer possible." Glaen asked with a sharp look, while brandishing a gun right at Kai's temple. His fingers, which were holding the gun, trembled slightly—not because he was nervous, but because he was enjoying the moment.

"Yes, I'm still clinging to my revenge, at least. As a way to get rid of the regrets of that day," Kai replied, his voice trembling, but still showing determination. He tried to stay upright, even though his legs were sore.

Glaen smiled broadly, then laughed heartily for a moment. He pulled his gun back. His laughter echoed in the room, showing how much he enjoyed the situation. "You're really interesting, kid. This is the answer I've been waiting for." He said while putting the gun back into his jacket.

"To be honest, Seraphina brought you here to use you. Because that oracle has hopes, and from Seraphina's report, you want to avenge your family, right?" Glaen extended his hand to Kai, "how long are you going to lie around like that, the effect has worn off, you know?"

Kai grabbed Glaen's hand, "No problem, as long as you help me take down those vampires." Kai replied in a still slightly weak voice, but his determination was clear in his eyes.

"Don't know why, but hearing this from a vampire like you feels super impossible," Glaen said, raising an eyebrow, showing some hidden doubt.

"Alright, first we need to cover up your eyes and fangs." Glaen smirked, "I know you've come, Lilia." He said loudly.

At the door, it opened to reveal a girl standing there, she had long brown hair flowing down and sharp pink eyes. The woman wore a long dark purple cloak, showing her profession as an alchemist.

"I kinda figured something would happen when you asked to make this, but I didn't expect you to bring a vampire to join as a Hunter." Lilia said, her voice sounding a bit surprised, yet calm. She glanced briefly at Kai, her eyes showing a hint of unease.

Glaen took a slow drag, moving his cigar between his fingers. "You're too naive, Lilia. This world is way more complicated than you think. Sometimes, we need to team up with our enemies to take down a bigger threat." He looked at Kai with a meaningful gaze, as if assessing how much potential Kai had. "Besides, he has skills that are really useful for us."

To be contiuned