Chapter 4
Episode 4
"Did you dodge?"
The woman muttered in an unrecognizable language. After glancing warily at Doyoung, she quickly picked up a long tree branch from the ground.
Doyoung tightened his grip on the knife. Though it was his first time facing a vampire bare-handed—literally wearing just underwear—with no firearms, having an actual blade made it worth trying.
He sensed her movement as she stepped forward. The branch narrowly missed his arm and struck the ground.
Thud!
"What..."
Doyoung froze. How could a mere branch make such a sound? But there was no time to think.
The embedded branch sprang upward. Even a graze would guarantee severe injury.
Driven by survival instinct, Doyoung leaned back. The branch sliced through the air with an unnatural, bone-chilling screech. When he dodged again, the woman’s eyes widened in surprise.
A cliff loomed behind her. A strong push might send her over.
This time, Doyoung swung his knife. She blocked with her forearm, crimson eyes blazing with murderous intent as she grabbed his wrist and kicked his leg.
A sickening crack echoed.
"…!"
Agony tore through his body, leaving no breath for curses.
He gritted his teeth. Pain was fleeting—failure to endure meant eternal death. Doyoung aimed for her throat.
Despite what should’ve been a broken leg, she seemed shocked he kept fighting.
But she wasn’t about to be fooled twice. The vampire ducked, her gaze leaving afterimages in the air as she seized and hurled him.
"Putain…!"
Mid-air, Doyoung spat the curse before plummeting into water below.
The depths were eerily calm despite the chaos above. He tried to focus, but consciousness faded—likely from hitting his head. Surviving that sky-high fall only to…
It reminded him of phones surviving countless drops but shattering from one unlucky hit.
Am I fish food now?
Through blurred vision, a shadow rippled across the surface—
Thud.
Something massive plunged in like steel beams, churning the water. As bubbles cleared, the woman swam toward him, cheeks puffed like any land-bound vampire holding its breath.
Not fish food—vampire food.
Darkness swallowed him.
Gamal dragged the man ashore, laid him on damp soil, then retreated under broad leaves to observe. He lay motionless, soaked—clearly unconscious, his relaxed muscles unfeigned.
Her sudden attack had surprised even herself; she’d only been watching when he noticed her pursuit.
Wary, Gamal approached and poked his turned cheek.
"Hmm…"
He instinctively faced forward, droplets scattering like startled fish down his face.
She studied him closer: unfamiliar features—delicate face yet a warrior’s body. His fighting seemed inhuman, but he was human.
No mistake.
Human. Gamal tilted her head near his mouth, feeling steady breaths warm her ear. Water trailed down his soot-streaked chest to pooled abs carved like stone.
Ears perked like a meerkat’s, she listened—only insect chirps answered from the bushes.
Hoisting him piggyback proved clumsy; his larger frame slumped over hers until she adjusted him into the jungle… then doubled back for his discarded shirt.
Doyoung’s eyelids fluttered open as light glinted past them—first revealing mobiles of glass, shells, and stones dangling like dried persimmons from wooden rafters. Sunbeams through cracks made them glitter against sweat on his temples.
The hut sweltered, dim enough to imagine being slow-cooked sous-vide in an oven. Empty except for him, harsh daylight streaking through wall gaps.
Where…?
Rope bound his wrists to a post—coarse fibers twisted from bark. Though shirt-clad, only underwear covered legs splinted with carved wood.
How long has it been?
Primitively treated wounds. Water and food bowls sat within reach beside neatly folded combat pants… left by that vampire?
Like Nolbu breaking sparrows’ legs only to heal them, she’d shattered then mended his own.
Why would a vampire live on this godforsaken island?
Miserable luck—escaping vampire terrorists only to land in their nest.
And this Luas female clearly ignored modern laws forbidding bloodshed. Exiled here like others hiding in jungles or underground… Yet…
His splinted leg suggested no immediate harm intended, despite restraints. Technically, he’d attacked first—but who greets a predator stalking them?
A chilling thought struck:
Is she keeping me alive as blood cattle?
Like bile-drained bears…
Doyoung examined his bonds furiously.
"Am I really a bear?"
The rope was thick enough to restrain an actual bear. There was no way a human could break free.
Whether her goal was drinking blood or something else, the crucial point was that the vampire showed no immediate intention to kill him. First, he needed to determine what she wanted.
So Doyoung decided to wait for the female vampire's return while inspecting the cabin. Mismatched wooden boxes stood against the walls, and shelves overflowed with assorted items. Upon closer inspection, the structure resembled a log house more than a simple cabin.
It was unclear whether the builder had architectural knowledge—the framework seemed competent, but the finishing work was crude. 'This...' To be exact, it appeared crafted by "someone with endless time but no construction skills."
Sunlight filtering through a glass mobile cast rippling shadows across the floor. His eyes traveled upward. At first glance, he hadn't noticed the ceiling densely hung with mobiles featuring intricate knotwork resembling primitive tribal crafts. Their creation must have required immense time.
The mat beneath Doyoung bore woven patterns suggesting handmade craftsmanship. If this were a vampire's lair, the description felt mismatched—it carried the humble yet meticulous atmosphere of a country grandmother's cottage.
Doyoung glanced at the door. The vampire still hadn't returned despite the passing time. 'Understanding requires meeting her.' He felt like forgotten food left in an oven. With a sigh, he turned over.
Creak.
The door opened cautiously. A pale foot slipped silently inside.
Doyoung lay facing away from the entrance, feigning sleep. At least he now wore pants.
Only then did Gamal relax and approach, reaching for an empty bowl.
"Since you're not planning to kill me—" Doyoung suddenly spoke. The hand nearing the bowl jerked back.
When Gamal turned, she found Doyoung awake and watching. She recoiled, scrambling toward the door.
"Wait—!"
Doyoung bolted upright but winced as pain lanced through his leg.
"Damn it."
At his growl, Gamal froze by the doorway, hesitating as she watched him awkwardly pull his injured leg closer.
"If you're just going to stare, how about helping?"
After a beat, Gamal approached and helped him lean against the wall. Doyoung scrutinized her.
"You understand me?"
Gamal nodded but remained silent. When no explanation followed, he pressed:
"Then why not speak?"
She hesitated before murmuring:
"Haven't... spoken... long time..."
Her voice held pristine beauty—no embellishments needed. 'Don't get swayed by appearances,' Doyoung warned himself.
"How'd you know I speak French?"
"You swore... in French."
Fair enough.
"Leg... hurt?" Gamal asked timidly while examining him.
"Feels fantastic after your kick," Doyoung snapped. As she fidgeted, she ventured:
"You... human?"
"Look who's asking—Ms. Vampire."
Gamal shook her head slightly.
"Never saw human... so strong. Scared me. Kicked. Sorry."
Doyoung studied her. Her French carried a non-native fluency—communicative but accented. Her features gave no clues to her origins.
"Where are you from?"
She pressed her lips shut.
"Can I at least get your name?" he asked cynically.
This time, she nodded.
"Gamal."
