God's Choice

Their confusion grew even more when the door to the fortune teller's room opened and someone entered. Everyone was shocked to see the man—the same man who had previously saved Nathan and his friends on the zeppelin. His authoritative face looked slightly more serious, as if he already knew what was happening.

"So, what are you doing here?" the man asked in a flat yet attentive tone.

Nathan, though slightly exhausted, answered calmly. "We're looking for a fortune teller who can help us uncover more about the book and the fate that awaits us. We want to learn more about the journey we must take."

As Nathan spoke, the servant who had been busy picking up the scattered cards approached the man. In a familiar tone, he asked, "Uncle, what are you doing here?"

Those words made Nathan and Diana freeze in confusion. Why did the servant call this man 'uncle'? Nathan felt something was off and immediately asked, "Who are you really?"

The servant looked at Nathan and Diana with a slight smile, then answered, "I am Johan Andrew, the servant you met earlier on the zeppelin."

Diana and Nathan exchanged glances, utterly shocked by Johan's explanation. "Johan... you?" Diana asked, almost in disbelief. "How are you here? How do you know this fortune teller?"

Johan sighed, looking slightly awkward, before beginning his story. "After what happened on the zeppelin, I felt a little lost. I was struggling with the fact that my life had no purpose. Suddenly, this man approached me. He offered me a job, and when I asked further, he said the job came from his friend."

Nathan furrowed his brow. "But this man seems... different."

Johan nodded. "He is different. However, he claimed to know me and knew what I needed. I had no choice but to follow him."

Then, the man whom Nathan recognized as their savior from the day before chuckled and spoke, "Actually, there's something you need to know, Johan. The fortune teller… is my sister."

Everyone in the room fell silent. No one could immediately process what had just been said. His sister? That meant this man was someone close to the fortune teller, possibly even more than just a vampire hunter.

Johan, who had only played the role of a servant before, now seemed more complex, and Nathan and Diana realized they were caught in something far bigger and more complicated than they had imagined.

Diana was the first to speak after the tense silence. "So... you're really part of all this?"

The man nodded slowly. "Yes, I am part of this family. And if you want to know more, you must be prepared to face a reality that might be darker than you expect."

Nathan felt a chill run down his spine, as if something big was awaiting them. Something they could no longer avoid.

"Let's sit and talk further," the man invited them all to sit back down. "There is much you need to know about this world and about what is happening beyond your control."

The presence of this man, who turned out to be related to the fortune teller, only deepened their curiosity. Everything they had encountered, all the clues they had previously dismissed, now seemed more interconnected. However, on the other hand, it also meant they would be drawn deeper into a mystery that was not just about them, but about the fate of the entire world.

Taking a deep breath, Nathan decided to accept the man's invitation, hoping the answers they would receive would bring them closer to their goal while also unraveling the mystery they had been trying to solve.

Once everyone was seated, the man who had saved them earlier introduced himself calmly.

"My name is Alistair Hawthorne," he said in a deep, authoritative voice. "And the woman beside me is my sister, Seraphina Hawthorne."

Seraphina gave a gentle smile, nodding slightly in greeting.

Alistair then continued, "I'm sure you've already realized the threat we are facing. The vampires are growing stronger, and if they are not stopped, they will destroy the world."

Nathan nodded. "I know. I've seen it myself."

Alistair's eyes narrowed slightly. "What do you mean?"

Nathan took a deep breath and began to explain everything—how he had traveled back in time, the destruction of the world he had witnessed, and how the vampires had taken control of everything.

Diana and Rovan remained silent, letting Nathan speak without interruption. Meanwhile, Johan, who had been listening with a bewildered expression, now looked even more shocked.

"What...? That..." Johan could barely find his words. "This world... will be destroyed in the future?"

Nathan looked at Johan seriously. "Yes. And I am here to change that fate."

The room fell into silence once again, with only the sound of their breathing filling the air. Johan was still struggling to accept this reality, but Nathan's sharp gaze told him this was no lie.

After a moment, Nathan turned his attention back to Alistair. "You once mentioned that vampires have symbols on their bodies, and that they are a weakness. I want to know more about their weaknesses."

Alistair gave a small smile, as if pleased by the question. "That's right. The strange symbols on their bodies are one of their greatest weaknesses. But that's not all. Vampires are also vulnerable to energy-based weapons and supernatural powers."

Nathan, Diana, Rovan, and Johan immediately exchanged confused glances.

"Supernatural powers?" Rovan repeated the words hesitantly. "You mean like magic? That's just a scam used by frauds."

Seraphina chuckled softly. "Most of the time, yes. Many people claim to have powers, but they are just deceivers. But some are real... like me."

Nathan and the others widened their eyes.

"Wait... what do you mean by 'like you'?" Diana asked cautiously.

Seraphina simply smiled. "I have supernatural abilities, and so do you."

The revelation left them even more bewildered. "What?"

"We also have supernatural powers?" Johan asked in disbelief.

Seraphina nodded. "Yes. Your powers have always been there, but you just haven't realized them yet."

They remained silent, struggling to accept the explanation.

"Then... what kind of supernatural powers do we have?" Johan asked carefully.

Seraphina smiled wider. "That depends on your tarot card."

They grew even more confused.

"Tarot card?" Nathan asked, slightly frowning. "You mean the fortune-telling earlier?"

Seraphina nodded. "Yes. Every tarot card that appeared during the reading is a representation of the god who has chosen you. For example, Nathan... your tarot card is The Fool, meaning the god who chose you is The Fool."

Nathan stared at Seraphina, utterly baffled.

"So... I'm connected to the God of The Fool?"

Seraphina nodded calmly. "Just like the others. The tarot card that appeared is a manifestation of the god who has chosen you from the very beginning. They grant you power, but it is up to you to discover and develop it."

Diana, Rovan, and Johan exchanged looks.

The idea that they had supernatural abilities... that they had been chosen by gods through tarot cards... it all seemed too unbelievable.

However, seeing the serious expressions on Seraphina and Alistair's faces, they knew this was no joke.

Nathan clenched his fist slowly. "Then... how do we activate these powers?"

Seraphina smiled mysteriously. "That is something you must figure out for yourselves."

Johan, who had not yet received a reading, immediately asked Seraphina for one.

"Seraphina, I also want to know my tarot card."

Seraphina smiled and nodded. "Alright, Johan. Hold my hand."

Johan hesitated briefly before reaching out and grasping Seraphina's hand. Instantly, the air around them grew colder, and the tarot cards on the table began to tremble. Slowly, one card started to glow, emitting a soft silver light.

Seraphina smiled slightly. "The Moon."

Johan looked at the glowing card on the table. "The Moon?"

"Yes," Seraphina replied. "This card represents illusion and uncertainty. A card tied to mysteries and hidden truths."

Johan furrowed his brows, trying to grasp the meaning behind the card.

"I don't fully understand... but at least something has chosen me," he said with a small smile.

Then, Nathan turned his attention back to Alistair.

"I have another question. Do you know about the hierarchy of vampires?"

Alistair shook his head. "It's difficult to determine a vampire's rank just by looking at them. There isn't much information available on that."

Nathan nodded, already expecting that answer. "Then I'll explain it. Vampires have a hierarchy divided into four main ranks. The lowest are the Rippers—they're wild, aggressive, and lack intelligence. The mid-tier is called the Crimson—they are more organized and intelligent. Above them are the Ancients—vampires who have lived for centuries and possess incredible power. And finally, there are the Primordials—the vampire kings who are nearly unstoppable."

Hearing that, Alistair gave a small smile. "Interesting information. I didn't expect you to know this much."

Alistair leaned back in his chair, scanning each of them before finally saying, "How about you all join me?"

Nathan, Diana, Rovan, and Johan immediately looked at Alistair in shock.

"Join you?" Diana asked hesitantly.

Alistair nodded. "Yes. We share the same goal—stopping the vampires. By working together, we will be much stronger."

Nathan thought for a moment. "Do you already have a group?"

Alistair smirked slightly. "To be honest, I just formed it right now."

They were even more surprised by that honest confession. Though Alistair's offer intrigued them, doubts still lingered in their hearts.

Noticing their hesitation, Alistair said, "I won't force you. You can think about it first. Take your time."

Nathan and the others exchanged glances before finally nodding in agreement. "Alright, we'll consider it."

After that, they bid farewell and returned to their inn in Waverston. They decided to rest and meet with Alistair again the next day.

However, the night's peace did not last long.

While relaxing in their inn room, a voice from the radio caught their attention.

"Breaking news: A violent attack and riot have broken out in one of Waverston's districts. Sources report that this incident happened suddenly, and the exact cause is still unknown..."

Nathan immediately stood up. "A riot? This is suspicious."

Diana and Rovan exchanged glances before also standing.

"Looks like we need to check it out," Rovan said, his voice slightly trembling.

They quickly left the inn and headed to the scene. Upon arrival, their suspicions were confirmed—the chaos was caused by vampires.

Amidst the turmoil, a sharp-fanged vampire was attacking terrified civilians. Its glowing red eyes and erratic movements marked it as a Ripper—the lowest tier of vampires.

Nathan quickly pulled out his revolver.

"That's a Ripper. Its movements are wild and unpredictable, but still dangerous."

Rovan swallowed hard, then pulled out his firearm. Despite his fear, he tried to muster the courage to fight alongside Nathan.

Nathan carefully observed the vampire's movements. "We need to find its symbol. That's the only way to defeat it."

Rovan nodded and began distracting the vampire with gunfire while Nathan searched for the strange symbol on its body.

However, the vampire moved too fast. Nathan struggled to locate the symbol as it was hidden beneath its clothing and erratic movements.

Rovan started to tire from dodging the vampire's attacks. His breath was ragged, while Nathan was still searching for an opening to strike.

Suddenly, a pink light shone from behind them.

A strange energy flowed toward Rovan, enveloping his body. In an instant, his fatigue vanished, and his body felt rejuvenated.

"What...?" Rovan gasped. "I feel lighter..."

Nathan turned toward the source of the light. "Diana?!"

Diana stared at her hands in shock. "I... I don't know how this happened!"

The pink light seemed to be flowing into Rovan, making him stronger and more agile. Meanwhile, the energy's effect also created an opening against the vampire.

Nathan seized the opportunity.

Quickly, he raised his revolver, aiming carefully. The strange symbol finally became visible beneath the vampire's clothes, though only partially exposed.

Nathan took a deep breath, focusing on his target. "Now or never..."

BANG!

The gunshot struck the symbol perfectly.

The vampire let out a painful shriek, its body trembling violently. Slowly, its body darkened before finally crumbling into ash, carried away by the night breeze.

The chaos was finally over.

Nathan lowered his revolver, still catching his breath. Rovan exhaled deeply, relieved.

Diana continued staring at her hands, confused about what had just happened.

"What was that...?" she whispered.

Nathan looked at her seriously. "It seems... you just awakened your supernatural power."

After that, the city finally returned to peace from the riot.