Some weeks later, Iode was in a department store buying groceries. By now, he had become familiar with human norms—using a mobile phone, surfing the internet, and more.
As he moved through the aisles, checking the shelves and picking out items that interested him, he noticed a man dressed in red. On the back of the man's clothing was a distinctive logo: a deep blue stylized eye with a silver-white spear piercing vertically through the iris, surrounded by a crimson red halo of broken runes.
At first glance, the man seemed unremarkable. He was muscular and buff, but otherwise looked like any other human. However, Iode saw something unusual. While the man's core glowed gold like that of a normal human—unlike Dana's fiery core—Iode sensed an unfamiliar energy emanating from him, something he had never felt before. He kept his gaze fixed on the man.
For some time now, Iode had come to realize that Mana—an ambient energy present in all things within the mortal realm—was not the only energy on Earth. There was also Aether: a connective force between dimensions, used to traverse universes or reach celestials in the celestial realm and the underworld.
But the energy he felt from this man was different—new. After a moment of study, Iode resumed his shopping, deciding to investigate the energy further at a later time. Unbeknownst to him, the man had also noticed Iode, and responded with a smirk.
After leaving the department store, Iode began walking back to his apartment. On the way, he heard a woman's distressed cry coming from a nearby alley. He turned sharply and frowned.
"Again? Why do these people love targeting women?" he muttered, curling his lips with irritation as he headed toward the source of the sound.
Over the past few weeks, Iode had made a habit of walking the streets to better understand human society. During that time, he had witnessed numerous crimes—and interfered in many of them. Most of the victims were women, young children, or teenagers. Iode had become a kind of vigilante, protecting the vulnerable and leaving criminals in the hospital—where they often remained for weeks.
As he entered the alley, he saw no one except a handsome, shaggy blond-haired, blue-eyed man sitting on an abandoned box. He wore a green shirt and jeans.
'I'm certain I heard a woman scream. Why is there no one here but him—and he's a man?' Iode frowned and looked around to see if anyone else was nearby.
'And more than that... he's like John. He's a vampire.' Iode could see the light red core within the man.
"It seems I've gotten your attention, White Tiger. I've been watching you for quite some time. You're good," the man said.
"White Tiger? Why are you calling me that?" Iode asked.
"Oh, nothing. It's just... you've been beating my lackeys with nothing but your fists—like an expert martial artist," the man replied.
"So you're their boss. Have you come to avenge your underlings? You can try," Iode said flatly.
"Oh, such boldness. But no, I'm not here because of them. I'm here because I want you to join me," the man said.
"You want me to join a bunch of thugs who steal and extort people? Fat chance. If I needed a reason to say no, it's that you're a bloodsucker!" Iode snapped.
"Because I'm a vampire, you won't join? That's racism. Humans and vampires have coexisted for millennia with only minor scuffles—especially on this island. You're a new parahuman in town. You don't know shit," the man retorted.
"Whatever. I'm not joining a crime syndicate," Iode said firmly.
"Then how are you going to compensate me for my losses? I lost a lot of men—and I'm paying for their hospital bills. That money has to be recovered. So I'm making you a fair offer: join us, and your damage will be forgiven," the man offered.
"Go fuck yourself," Iode replied, raising his middle finger.
"...Had you handed those men over to the police, we wouldn't be having this conversation. But since you didn't, it's only fair that you pay me back," the man said calmly.
"I have a better idea: why don't you stop all this and find a real job?" Iode said, turning to leave. But in the blink of an eye, the vampire appeared in front of him.
"Who said you could leave? We're having a conversation. No one's leaving until the negotiation is done. Let's talk—parahuman to parahuman. Even though we're superior," the man added smugly.
Iode clenched his fist and punched the man in the face. The vampire didn't budge. He took the punch head-on and smirked.
Iode retracted his trembling hand.
'What kind of bone is in that skull?' he thought, perplexed.
"Finally met your match, huh?" the man said with a grin...