Into the Creations

=====

[Name: Seong Eugene]

[Level: 18]

[Stats]

[Strength: 14]

[Stamina: 12]

[Agility: 12]

[Intelligence: 2]

[Vitality: 15]

[Available Points: 4]

=====

This was the information about my current points and stats. I had been raising my stats solely through exercise without using any points.

'Well, my strength has increased a bit… but considering I've been working out consistently for almost a month, it's not much.'

At first, I was thrilled that my stats could increase without using points. But as time passed, I realized that using points to raise stats was dozens of times more convenient.

'But I prioritized something else over stats.'

In the world of vampire detectives, these stats were more than enough.

What I focused on was the skill Yeongcheon Style.

[Yeongcheon Style Lv.5]

[You can use Yeongcheon Style.] 

The level of Yeongcheon Style had increased. I can confidently say that, as long as I don't let my guard down, I won't lose in close combat to any Hunter below E-rank.

'I'd like to raise my level even more, though.'

[Would you like to spend 80 points to increase Yeongcheon Style Lv.5?]

[Insufficient points.] 

It took 30 points to raise it to level 5, but now it requires more than double that amount. 

'I'd need to be active in the play world for at least a month to gather that many points.'

Points are calculated and awarded based on my actions in the play world. If I do nothing, I receive fewer points. On the other hand, if I take action, I get more points.

'But it's not like I'll get a massive amount of points just by running wild… I don't really understand the mechanism. It's frustrating.'

Ultimately, what I need to do is be active in the amusement world. Or rather, enjoy it as the name suggests.

'4 points… This is a random draw moment. Let's go!'

Red socks. Additional inventory slot. Clown mask. Water balloon.

I was satisfied.

"This is a pretty good draw. Expanding my inventory is always a good thing."

[Inventory]

[Human corpse]

[Human corpse]

[Human corpse]

–

I clicked my tongue as I looked at my inventory. 

The corpses of three gangsters. I forgot to dispose of them even though nearly two months had passed in the play world. I was so engrossed in having fun with the ladies that I completely forgot about them.

"There wasn't a good place to dispose of them… I'll have to get rid of them when I get the chance."

***

Upon entering the world of Vampire Detective, the first thing I did was check my surroundings. It was the motel where I had spent the day with Hera. 

As expected, nothing had changed. I then took out my smartphone and checked the news articles.

- The secret meeting between a Korean congressman and a Japanese senator four months ago! What was discussed?

- Congressman Kim Pil-joong: "It's true that I met with the Japanese senator, but the topic of discussion was not the economy but the upcoming Olympics." 

- The traitorous actions of the congressman. In this political climate?!

- Traitorous corporations that collaborated with Congressman Kim Pil-joong. Profits gained amount to at least 70 billion won.

- Prosecutors: "We are investigating. We will disclose the progress of the investigation once it has advanced sufficiently." Is the investigation really proceeding properly?

- Protests demanding the resignation of Kim Pil-joong, the traitor to the nation! Gwanghwamun protests for the sake of South Korea!

"So they finally leaked it."

The one holding this information is Reporter Han Sung-woon. He probably leaked the information after securing all the benefits he could. 

It's not surprising. I already knew this would happen. The media will chew on this story for at least three days. 

What I'm focusing on are the stories buried under the traitorous congressman scandal.

- Seoul is in turmoil. Over 30 murder cases this month alone.

- A stabbing incident in a park at dawn.

- "Bang! Bang! Bang!" Gunshots heard at night. What's the truth?

"Seoul has really gone downhill lately. Even Madam sighed, saying that the number of vampire hunters in Seoul has increased."

Madam Kim Mi-ok and I are quite close. We meet often and have a good relationship. 

The close relationship with Madam means she often shares various information with me. Most of it is advice to be careful.

'Was it too much to ram a high-speed bus into the headquarters entrance? No matter how I think about it, that seems to be the reason vampire hunters from all over the country have gathered in Seoul.'

As the articles show, Seoul's public safety is crumbling. Even ordinary people can feel it, so the underworld is in an even worse state.

'Because of this, over three bars have recently closed down.'

The situation is so dire that some have temporarily shut down their businesses. Fortunately, they were clubs I had only visited once.

'Let's see. I've been to most of the clubs in Gangnam… Maybe I'll check out the ones in Incheon this time.'

While Gangnam is the best in this industry, I've heard that Incheon is also quite good.

'But before that… I need to make some money.'

About 3 billion won. 

That's how much I've spent on girls in the play world. 

When I ran out of money, I either sold information or extorted money, but that's reaching its limit now. The amount of usable information I have on hand is minimal.

Buzz!

My smartphone vibrated. A message came through the Taker-exclusive messenger.

'Huh? It's Moon Ji-hyuk. I gave him information about a marriage scammer two weeks ago, and he's already contacting me again?'

This is unexpected. I thought Moon Ji-hyuk would contact me again next month at the earliest.

[Moon Ji-hyuk: Taker.]

[Taker: What's up?]

[Moon Ji-hyuk: Did you know vampires actually exist?]

"Ah!"

I laughed. 

At this point in the story, Moon Ji-hyuk is excelling as a detective thanks to his vampire-enhanced physical abilities while desperately seeking information about vampires.

'Later, while chasing a hit-and-run suspect in the countryside, he discovers a vampire hiding there. The story progresses as he gains information about vampires from that vampire.'

In other words, that point in the story hasn't happened yet. If Moon Ji-hyuk already knew about vampires, he wouldn't have sent me this message.

[Taker: Are you trying to fish for information? Everyone knows about vampires.]

[Moon Ji-hyuk: Are vampires well-known in the underworld?]

[Taker: Not that well-known. Smart vampires move cautiously.]

[Moon Ji-hyuk: I want to buy information about vampires.]

[Taker: You mean vampire organizations? I know a few hideouts.]

[Moon Ji-hyuk: There are vampire organizations?]

[Taker: South America and Africa are practically vampire territories. In Europe, vampire hunters have the upper hand. North America is mostly vampire hunter territory.]

[Taker: But why do you need this information?]

[Taker: Did you become a vampire or something?]

[Moon Ji-hyuk: No. I just encountered a vampire while working]

I chuckled. Moon Ji-hyuk's reply was about five seconds late.

'Knowing the original story is really something. It feels like Moon Ji-hyuk is in the palm of my hand.'

[Taker: What kind of information do you want about vampires?]

[Moon Ji-hyuk: Their characteristics, weaknesses, information on vampires in Korea, and detailed information about vampire hunters.]

"Hmm…"

I pondered. 

Moon Ji-hyuk wanted information that I already knew. The question was how much I should tell him.

'Since there are many vampire hunters in Seoul, I should give him enough information to avoid getting caught by them.'

[Taker: 1.5 million won. Once you transfer the money, I'll share the information I know.]

[Moon Ji-hyuk: The money's been transferred.]

[Taker: The biggest characteristic of vampires is that they're weak during the day and strong at night. Even during the day, if they're in a place completely shielded from sunlight, they can be as active as at night. Conversely, even at night, if they're exposed to artificial sunlight, their physical abilities weaken, though not as much as during the day.]

[Moon Ji-hyuk: Do vampires have any weaknesses?]

[Taker: Yes. They're extremely vulnerable to silver. Silver weapons are a major weakness for vampires. Even the Primoginators are no exception. If they're hit by a silver bullet, they might have to cut off their arm.]

[Moon Ji-hyuk: What's a Primoginator…?]

[Taker: A vampire with supernatural abilities who can turn humans into vampires. Information about Primoginators is rare, so I don't know much.]

[Taker: Oh, and vampires don't reflect in mercury mirrors. With a mercury mirror, you can easily distinguish between a human and a vampire.]

[Moon Ji-hyuk: What about vampires active in South Korea?]

[Taker: I don't know the exact number. I've heard there are over 3,000. Most of them live in hiding.]

[Moon Ji-hyuk: The information is a bit disappointing for the price. What about vampire hunters?]

I chuckled at Moon Ji-hyuk's grumbling. 

1.5 million won is expensive? I gave him a massive discount because he's the protagonist.

'Well, a detective's salary is pretty low.'

[Taker: The reason it's expensive is because of the information about vampire hunters. It's hard to get this kind of information unless you're someone like me.]

[Moon Ji-hyuk: Alright. Tell me.]

[Taker: The vampire hunter organization is called the Black Cross Society, and their headquarters is in Apgujeong.]

[Taker: You know about the recent ghost bus accident, right? The building the bus crashed into is the headquarters of the Korean Black Cross Society. There are rumours that it was a vampire's terrorist attack.]

[Taker: Because of that, vampire hunters from all over the country have gathered in Seoul. They're hunting vampires like crazy.]

[Moon Ji-hyuk: How dangerous are vampire hunters?]

[Taker: They don't touch ordinary people. But they'll definitely try to kill vampires.]

[Taker: They're armed with silver weapons and undergo training more intense than special forces to deal with vampires.]

[Taker: Plus, vampire hunters are in a cooperative relationship with the Korean government. They probably have ties with the National Intelligence Service.]

[Taker: After all, vampires are monsters from a human perspective. They'll cooperate to kill them.]

[Moon Ji-hyuk: Is that all?]

[Taker: That's all for Korea. I don't know much about other countries, but do you want me to tell you?]

[Moon Ji-hyuk: No, that's enough.]

[Moon Ji-hyuk: By the way, have you heard any rumours about vampires who became human?]

[Taker: Oh, that? I've heard of it, but I don't know the details. Maybe a Primoginator would know.]

[Moon Ji-hyuk: Alright. Let's trade again later.]

[Taker: Sure. Thanks as always.]

"Phew..."

I turned off my smartphone. With this, Moon Ji-hyuk has obtained information about vampire hunters much earlier than in the original story. I also told him about mercury mirrors, so he'll be extra cautious.

"Moon Ji-hyuk, you need to stay alive at least until the Orb of Life appears. That way, I can easily steal it."

I got up from my seat.

"Now, let's go make some money."

If selling information is becoming difficult, I can use the original story's information to make money. 

After leaving the motel, I approached a black sedan parked in the parking lot. It was one of the cars I had stolen from long-term parking at the airport. Of course, I wore a neck gaiter mask to hide my face when I stole it. 

I made sure not to be caught on other cars' dashcams, and even if I were, there's no evidence to identify me.

[Hacking successful.]

[You can hack the K19 car for 3 minutes.] 

The car was a K19, a domestic model that I quite liked. 

From a previous experiment, I learned that if I keep the power on while hacking, the power remains on even after the hacking time ends. 

The same goes for cars. If I start the engine, it won't turn off even after the hacking time ends. The hacking makes the car think the key is still inserted.

"It feels like playing a game."

I got into the driver's seat and moved the car using only hacking, without even touching the steering wheel. Hacking is incredibly convenient. There's no complicated process; it just moves according to my thoughts. 

However, I took the wheel and drove manually when leaving the parking lot.

'I don't have a license, but driving isn't that hard.'

Just be careful of the front, back, and sides, and pay attention to traffic lights. It's not that difficult. 

Sometimes, the cars behind or beside me act up, but in those cases, I just give them a middle finger and ignore them.

'I should get a driver's license in the real world soon. Driving is surprisingly fun.'

Thud!

As I entered an alley, I lightly bumped into a utility pole I hadn't noticed.

"...Well, it's not my car anyway."

I decided to think positively.

'I'll go to the airport again tomorrow.'

***

Hey readers!

Want to read ahead? 📖 Join my Patreon for early access to 20+ advance chapters! Your support helps me write more and bring the story to you faster.

🔹patreon.com/aarvan🔹

Thanks for being awesome! ❤️@@novelbin@@