prologue: âTrust me, I know what Iâm doing.â
summary: Parents murdered by vampires, Yoo-jin Seo seeks revenge on Donghyuck by hunting him down.
genre: thriller drama, vampires, modern au, vampire hunter x vampire, plot twists, enemies to lovers trope.
note: this is a series.
ÂŠď¸ everything belongs to @jjzzhyunie 2024
Footsteps crushing between solid surface, crunching sand and soil mixing together as one compound underneath the crack of the shoe. The wind was just a brief breeze, the afternoon went by quickly. Like the blink of an eye it felt the journey was just starting but the distance they did was great.
Donghyuck and Yoo-jin have been traveling together these past three days, occasionally they just camp together in the wild. But they adjusted to the conditions rather quickly. All they are doing is following the footsteps and signs of clues. Any sign of Jisung.
Yoo-jin was more than determined. She must find him and seek avenge for her innocent parents.
The sight of the similar trees was wrap around her brain the more Yoo-jin focused, it felt like this was a circle and they were going around it. Has she been following Donghyuck mindlessly in a circle or something?
âAre you sure we are going the right way?â Yoo-jin questions in doubt, which can be a bit insulting to Donghyuck.
"Trust me," Donghyuck replied in an almost mocking tone. âI know what I'm doing.â
Yoo-jin managed to make it to another road which lead them to another complete place hidden behind mountains. It was like a village secluded from the village Yoo-jin comes from. It was nearby a city too. The countryside was itself a beautiful scenery.
Though Yoo-jin was more captured by the hostels they offer. She turns to Donghyuck.
Donghyuck almost laughed at the question. His eyes narrowed slightly as he glanced at Yoo-jin, almost offended. She didn't trust him? Seriously? He couldn't help but feel a slight bit of annoyance at her question.
The two of them continue walking for a few more minutes, with Donghyuck leading the way. The area was secluded with a few hut houses. It was a small village with nothing much to offer. Perfect for vampires to seek food for the weak chain. Donghyuck doesnât speak much, but sometimes he would glance at Yoo-jin out of the corner of his eye.
Eventually they reach a small town, and Donghyuck stops in front of an abandoned hotel.
He turns to Yoo-jin and motions towards the entrance of the building. "There's something in here I want you to see."
Yoo-jin wasnât sure what that something was but she reluctantly went over to the hotel with Donghyuck. âWhat are you showing me?â
Donghyuck walks up to the door of the hotel and pushes it open. He walks inside, gesturing for Yoo-jin to follow.
âJust come on inside." Donghyuck says, still not answering her question. Even if Yoo-jin doesnât trust him, he could care less. She wanted his help, so sheâd get what she wanted.
The hotel is empty and abandoned, with broken walls and furniture scattered everywhere.
Donghyuck doesn't bother to turn on any lights, since vampires donât really need it, and just walks further into the building. It seems as though the last person to stay here was years ago. Everything is dusty.
They reach a stairwell, leading up to the next floor. Donghyuck gestures for Yoo-jin to follow him up as he climbs the stairs.
Yoo-jin nearly fell down the stairs because of how steep and the unstable broken wood is, she gasps and quickly managed to stay up. She follows Donghyuck upstairs and inside a certain bedroom.
It must be where they will be staying at, for now. Yoo-jin raised an eyebrow at Donghyuck.
âHowâd you know of this place anyways?â Yoo-jin trails off, Donghyuck mustâve travelled a lot of villages including this to know his way around.
Donghyuck watched as Yoo-jin nearly slipped down the stairs and felt a slight amusement at her expression. He couldnât help but let out a small huff of laughter.
When Yoo-jin asked about how Donghyuck found the hotel, he raised an eyebrow and gave her a sly smirk. He leaned back against the nearest wall, crossing his arms.
"Youâd be surprised where vampires can find shelter." He replied, not answering her question directly.
Donghyuck takes a moment to look around the room, taking note of the old bed and dilapidated furniture. He shakes his head slightly, it'll have to do for now.
He looks back at Yoo-jin, his expression unreadable once more. "Make yourself comfortable." He says, almost mockingly as he leans against the wall.
Yoo-jin throws a small unspoken glare at his mocking comment but she sat down on the floor. Quietly looking around to make a small fire at the abandoned fireplace in the room, Yoo-jin then settled her backpack and rifle down on the floor next to where she sat.
Yoo-jin only packs essentials. Donghyuck kept to the wall and watched the outside sometimes.
Donghyuck watches her silently as she sits down and starts to build a fire. Thereâs a slight sense of amusement in his expression. He watches as Yoo-jin settles her backpack and rifle down next to where she sits.
He keeps his eyes on her for a few more moments before finally turning away. Donghyuck leans back against the wall, looking out at the window. The night is quiet and still, except for the small noise of Yoo-jin getting the fire started.
Yoo-jin slowly ate some toasts she packed with her, she kept her distance with Donghyuck. She didnât speak much but then a thought occurs to her.
âWhatâs your name even?â Yoo-jin trails off, if they will be sticking together for now then might as well get on a name basis.
Donghyuck turns away from the window and looks at Yoo-jin with a raised eyebrow. He seemed a little surprised that she was talking to him, and didnât expect her to ask his name. But Donghyuck responded nevertheless.
"Donghyuck." He replied simply. However, he didn't ask back for Yoo-jin's name, he already knew it.
Yoo-jin gave a small scoff and a few glances at the vampire. âYouâre not going to ask for mine?â She throws sarcastically with a little bit of an attitude to him. Yoo-jin just found it a little bit suspicious that he didnât ask.
Donghyuck lets out a small amused chuckle at Yoo-jin's attitude. He crosses his arms and leans back against the wall again, giving her a small smirk.
"Oh, I already know your name." Donghyuck replies with a shrug. He pauses for a moment, and then adds, "Yoo-jin. Right?" He watches her expression to see her reaction.
Yoo-jin looks slightly surprised that Donghyuck knew her name, but she tried to hide it with a small scoff. She quickly regains her composure and gives Donghyuck a suspicious glance.
"How did you know that?" Yoo-jin asks, her tone almost challenging.
Donghyuck couldn't help but smirk at Yoo-jin's reaction to him knowing her name. He found her obvious attempt to hide her surprise almost amusing.
"It's called being observant." Donghyuck replies nonchalantly. He gestures towards her backpack, which lays on the floor next to her. "It's written on your backpack."
Yoo-jin followed Donghyuck's gesture and glanced down at her backpack. Sure enough, her name was written on the bottom of her bag.
Yoo-jin let out a small sigh and looked back up at him, her expression growing slightly annoyed. "You could have just said that from the start." She muttered, rolling her eyes.
Donghyuck couldn't help but find Yoo-jin's attitude amusing. He held back a chuckle and simply raised an eyebrow at her remark.
"What, and miss seeing that look on your face?" Donghyuck replies, his voice dripping with mockery.
Yoo-jin rolled her eyes once again at Donghyuck's response. She couldn't help but feel a bit irritated by his constant mocking attitude. He seemed to take almost everything as a joke.
She decided to change the subject to avoid any further argument. "So, what's the plan?" Yoo-jin asks, looking towards Donghyuck for an answer.
Donghyuck lets out a small sigh. He can see Yoo-jin's irritation in her expression, but honestly he can't bring himself to care. He's used to annoying people.
"The plan?" Donghyuck echoed, raising an eyebrow at her question. He takes a moment to think before responding. "We can scope out the area tomorrow. Try to see where Jisung could be."
Yoo-jin nodded slightly in agreement, but she couldn't help but feel a sense of frustration. The waiting and the uncertainty were getting to her. But she couldn't do anything about it, and she needed Donghyuck's help.
She was desperate, desperate for clarity. To be free of guilt - perhaps she blames herself for what had happened.
Donghyuck, however, could tell that Yoo-jin was getting restless. He could see it in her expression and the way she fidgeted slightly with her fingers.
âYou need to learn to be patient." Donghyuck remarks, his tone slightly condescending but not without a hint of amusement.
Yoo-jin's eyes snapped up to meet his, and she felt a brief flare of anger. She hated being told what to do, especially by Donghyuck. She opened her mouth to respond, but Donghyuck cut her off before she could speak.
âYou're restless, I can see it in your eyes." Donghyuck points out, his tone still holding a hint of amusement. "If you let your impatience control you, you'll make a mistake. And mistakes get people killed."
He didnât want her to make a foolish decision which can lead to something called her death.
Yoo-jin's eyebrows furrowed as Donghyuck spoke. She knew he was right. She knew that letting her impatience control her would lead to disastrous results. But she couldn't help it. The desire for revenge burned deep inside her, and she just wanted to take action.
âI know that.â She said quietly before changing the topic more to Donghyuck. She barely knows a thing about him. Donghyuck doesnât know much about her either. âWhy donât you have a coven with you, vampires donât travel alone.â
Donghyuck raised an eyebrow at Yoo-jin's question, and a small smirk played on his lips. He could tell that she was trying to change the subject, and he played along with it.
âI prefer to travel alone. I donât have a need for a coven." Donghyuck replied in a dismissive tone, as if the very idea of having one was beneath him.
He paused for a moment, and then added, âBesides, most of them are annoying."
Donghyuck didnât exactly fit in the genre of a usual vampire; he was challenging and unpredictable. He didnât hate humans either.
Nor did he wish to hurt the innocent, perhaps that is what makes him different from the other vampires. He doesnât hurt the weak.
Yoo-jin couldnât help but feel somewhat surprised by Donghyuckâs response. It seemed he preferred isolation over company.
âAnnoying?" Yoo-jin echoed, her eyes narrowing slightly. She was about to ask Donghyuck more questions about why he thought his own kind was annoying, when her expression suddenly changed to a thoughtful one.
She suddenly realized something.
âYouâre lonely." Yoo-jin stated, the words slipping out before she could stop herself.
She winced slightly, knowing that she had let her thoughts slip out loud. That was a bad habit of hers.
Donghyuck blinked for moment, taken aback by Yoo-jinâs words. He had expected many responses from her, but loneliness was not one of them. He tried to hide the surprise from his expression, but he couldnât help the brief flicker of astonishment in his eyes.
He quickly regained his composure and cleared his throat, forcing a casual tone, âWhat makes you say that?â
Yoo-jin hesitated for a moment, wondering if she had crossed a line. She shrugged slightly, choosing her words carefully.
âJust an observation." She replied, her tone careful. She watched his expression closely, trying to gauge his reaction. âIf you donât like being around other vampires, then you must be lonely." Her eyes met his gaze.
Donghyuck held her gaze for a moment, his expression unreadable. He almost looked caught off guard by her observation, or more specifically, by her conclusion. He let out a small huff, almost in amusement.
âLonely?â He echoed, repeating the word like he was testing it on his tongue. He shook his head slightly, his gaze flicking away from her momentarily. Donghyuck didnât reply, but his silence said enough.
âAre you not lonely?â Yoo-jin begins to ask.
Donghyuckâs expression hardened slightly at Yoo-jinâs question, and a small hint of anger flashed in his eyes for a moment. He didnât like being asked such personal questions, especially from her.
He opened his mouth to reply, a sharp and ready response on his tongue. But then he paused, and the words died on his lips. He hesitated for a moment, caught off guard by his own hesitation. Finally, he answered, his voice flat and almost unreadable.
âNo, Iâm not lonely." He bluntly said.
Yoo-jin didnât believe his response. The way he hesitated and the slight flicker of his gaze told her that he was lying. But she didnât press any further, sensing that he did not want to talk about it any more. There was a brief, almost charged silence between them. Yoo-jin fidgeted slightly with her fingers, trying to think of something else to say. She shifted in her spot on the floor, trying to make herself comfortable.
It was rather awkward, maybe she went over a certain boundary with the stranger?
Yoo-jin couldnât help herself however. She could tell he was most likely lonely. He spent his time god knows doing what all alone. It wasnât like she cares but Yoo-jin felt some sympathy.
All those thoughts eventually shift to a black space where Yoo-jinâs eyes finally close and her brain shut down for a moment.
Donghyuck spends the night pacing the room back and forth, his eyes occasionally glancing at Yoo-jin. He doesnât need to sleep, and he usually doesnât. But it feels wrong to just sit there and do nothing while sheâs sleeping. He doesnât know why he feels that way.
After a few hours, Donghyuck stops suddenly. He turns back towards Yoo-jin, and watches her sleep for a long moment. Donghyuck canât help but feel a strange sense of â curiosity.
Donghyuck moves closer to Yoo-jin, crouching down next to her. He watches her intently, his eyes flicking over her sleeping form.
He can see the peaceful expression on her face while she sleeps, and the way her chest rises and falls slightly with each breath. Then, Donghyuck reaches out his hand, almost instinctively. His fingers almost brush against Yoo-jinâs cheek â
But then he stops himself suddenly, his hand frozen in mid-air. Donghyuck realizes what heâs doing and quickly pulls his hand back, his expression hardening.
What is he doing?
Donghyuck takes a step back, his eyes flicking away from Yoo-jin. He lets out a small huff, scolding himself for almost doing such a thing. He doesnât even know her. And yet,
Something made him stay.
Yoo-jin slowly rolls over in her sleep with a rifle. Donghyuck moves back and he decides to sit down and wait until Yoo-jin wakes up again. Eventually she will start to wake up early morning.
But a bunch of little screams outside was heard, striking Donghyuckâs attention back to the window, it was a sudden fire outside growing. People screaming and running with their kids in arms to escape the terrors of vampires, who were hunting and one of them must be who they are looking for.
Vampires hunt at night, it makes sense to attack now. Donghyuck just didnât expect such a big ruckus from a vampire group. - a big vampire group rather.
When Yoo-jin awoke the blurriness in the eyes was the least of her concerns, she woke up grabbing her rifle in both hands. Yoo-jin only just woke up but that did not stop her from going outside with her gun. The danger itself never mattered when Yoo-jin saw how heartless they were killing her parents inhuman ways.
Only getting outside in time, the vampires roam the streets of the village by pouncing on any human they could get. She points her gun towards one of the vampires, she shot them right on the spot.
The arm was only part shot, so the vampire reacted in angry way and launched at Yoo-jin. Who was doing and reloading her rifle. The intense pressure was on, Yoo-jin kept looking back at the vampire to see how close they were coming to her. The vampire ends up slapping her across the face.
Donghyuck stood at the window, watching Yoo-jin confront the vampire. He could see the determination and anger in her expression. He could also see that she was outgunned and outpowered. If he didnât intervene, Yoo-jin would get hurt. Which didnât seem to make sense to him. He doesnât really care for her well-being. But, if she died then heâd be alone again.
Donghyuck clenched his fists slightly and watched the situation unfold.
The part of him recognised the vampire identity. The vampire was called Keeho, Donghyuck can recognise him a little. Keeho was a vampire with a personality that gets you nowhere, he was a good hunter and was a little dangerous. Heâs violent in terms of this. Usually young vampires are like this. It wasnât surprising that Keeho is violent in his nature.
Yoo-jin fell down and she was instantly picked up by her neck and slammed against the floor. Keeho had this sadistic face on.
âYouâre bleeding, oh oh.â Keeho said softly while running his hands down the bleeding wound on Yoo-Jinâs head.
Yoo-jinâs neck is gripped by Keehoâs hand, and he holds her down, leaning down to examine the bleeding cut on her forehead. Donghyuckâs jaw clenches tightly at the sight. Itâs almost as if he could feel the pain in her eyes. Heâs not sure why he feels this way, and he hates that she has this effect on him.
He takes a step towards the window, ready to intervene when suddenly another voice interrupts.
âKeeho, enough."
Keeho was shocked to see Donghyuck but for another reason, he gave an exciting smile. âAh, Donghyuck. Youâre just in time, wanna share half?â He suggests and points to Yoo-jin whoâs bleeding a little from a head wound, sheâs still choked because Keeho is holding her tightly by the neck.
Keeho and Donghyuck got along pretty well in the past. But, Donghyuck is changed and he suddenly left that life a long time ago.
Yoo-jin could only choke out. âHelp, me.â She knew that she probably messed up by not listening to Donghyuck.
Donghyuck's eyes narrow slightly at Keeho's offer and the way he's holding Yoo-jin. He can see the pain and fear in her eyes, and for some reason he feels a strange sense of protectiveness over her. Although, he tries his best to hide it.
"Let her go." Donghyuck grits out. His voice was cold and calm, but there was a hint of a threat in it as he took a step forward.
Keeho raised an eyebrow as Donghyuck advanced, his grip on Yoo-jin still firm.
âWhy?â Keeho replied, his voice dripping with sarcasm. He held Yoo-jin up slightly, so that her feet were hovering a few inches off the ground. Keeho seemed to enjoy taunting Donghyuck.
Before Keeho could get an answer, Yoo-jin managed to slip out a silver dagger to stab Keeho in the left eye. She was dropped because the shock of a silver item was just a sting. Scarring will be the worst part of it when itâs taken out.
Yoo-jin was lucky, she ran for it and Donghyuck had an opening to protect her when Keeho was pissed beyond measures, he killed Keeho in one stroke when the vampire moved towards her. His entire hand piercing his heart, taken out and pulled out.
Donghyuck took advantage of the opening and struck quickly. He drove his hand through Keeho's chest, grabbing his heart and pulling it out. There was a loud crunch as the heart was crushed in Donghyuckâs hand. Keeho let out one more gasp before he fell to the ground,
Keeho let out a loud scream as the silver dagger plunged into his eye. He released Yoo-jin, and she ran away as he clutched his face. Keeho was in so much pain that he couldn't even concentrate on fighting.
The blood spew on the floor like an explosion, Donghyuck dropped the heart on the ground and slowly turned around with a deep breath.
Donghyuck stops in front of her, his expression still blank. Thereâs a strange feeling in Donghyuckâs chest as he looks her over, as if heâs checking for any injuries. He then saw a small wound injury, but the blood dripping down Yoo-Jinâs face.
She had this strange look on her face as if she never expected Donghyuck to actually come and protect her but a warm sensation overcomes her. As if there was unspoken trust now. âThank you,â Yoo-Jin said quietly. Almost above a whisper.
Donghyuckâs expression didnât change as he looked her over. There was a strange feeling in his chest, almost as if he was worried and relieved at the same time. But he kept his emotions under control, his expression still betraying nothing.
He saw the small wound on her face, and he hesitated for a moment. As she thanked him in a quiet and almost whisper-like voice, he couldnât help but feel a small twinge of surprise. And something else. But he didnât know what.
âItâs fine." He replied bluntly.
Yoo-jin's words and her expression were a bit of a surprise to Donghyuck. He didnât expect her to say anything, let alone thank him. But there was something else. A feeling that Donghyuck couldn't quite place.
As if he wasnât used to being thanked. Or maybe it was just the unfamiliarity of being appreciated. The only people who knew him were his friends, and he always tried to keep his emotions hidden.
But with Yoo-jin, it felt different.
The air was suddenly thick with tension, and Donghyuck found himself looking at Yoo-jin for a moment. It felt strange. Her presence, her voice, the way she looked. It was almost as if she could see right through all his walls.
âYou should get that head wound checked." Donghyuck finally spoke, his expression still unreadable.
Yoo-jin brought her hand to her head when Donghyuck finally mentions that and she winced harshly, blowing on some air between her lips. She saw her hand had blood.
âOuh, that hurts.â Yoo-jin says when Donghyuck turned her head on the side forcefully to inspect it.
It felt like Donghyuck was going to be like all âI told you soâ because he did warn her how dangerous the choices she makes are.
As Donghyuck inspected her head wound, Yoo-jin winced at the pain. It was clear that she was in discomfort, and he couldnât help but feel a small sense of satisfaction in knowing that he was right.
Donghyuck let out a sigh as he looked down at her wound. It looked like it would need some stitches, which wasnât surprising.
âWe need to get you patched up." He said in almost a resigned tone, his gaze still on her injury.
Yoo-jin felt a brief sting of annoyance at Donghyuckâs tone, but she pushed it down. She knew he was right, but the thought of having stitches made her feel a little nauseous.
She hesitated for a moment before speaking up again. âWhat about you? You got hurt too."
Donghyuck couldnât help but feel a small sense of amusement as Yoo-jin stared at his healed hand, her expression a mix of surprise and irritation. He almost wanted to say âI told you soâ again, but he decided to keep that comment to himself.
When Yoo-jin remarked, Donghyuck let out a small huff of laughter. âYou humans." He replied, his tone teasing. âSuch feeble creatures."
Yoo-jin's expression hardened at Donghyuck's remark, but she was too tired to argue back. She was hurt, exhausted, and feeling a little lightheaded thanks to the wound on her head.
She didnât have the energy to deal with his teasing or sarcastic remarks. Instead, she just rolled her eyes and muttered under her breath. âShut up."
Donghyuck couldnât help but smile slightly at her response. He could see that she was tired, and he was almost enjoying the fact that she didnât have the energy to argue back.
He glanced down at her head wound, still gently holding her face to keep it turned. The bleeding had slowed down somewhat, but it was still pretty bad. Donghyuck wasnât sure if she had gotten a concussion.
Yoo-jin did look a little affected by the blood loss which was only slow, itâs probably making her lightheaded and what not. She pulls her face back and mumbles a few words. âCan we start walking? I need to catch Jisung soon as possible.â She asked, Yoo-jin held her head and she starts to move. Not even a break given to her body when she nearly got killed.
Donghyuck let go of Yoo-jin's face when she pulled away. He let out a small sigh as she started moving, the determination in her voice clear, despite her fatigue. Donghyuck couldnât help but feel a small bit of admiration for her determination, no matter how annoying it was to see her act like this. He followed her silently, keeping a close eye on her wound.
âWhere are you going? Youâre injured." Donghyuck protested, but he knew his words would be ignored.
It only took Yoo-jin a few steps ahead and she managed to fall and collapse on the ground again, she was caught by Donghyuck. Barely caught but luckily enough to catch her arms. She passed out. Most likely from the untreated head wound and the dizziness it mustâve caused.
She didnât listen to him again. But thatâs not surprising. Yoo-jin never does listen to him and she treats his words as just theories.
Donghyuck let out a sigh as Yoo-jin fell unconscious in his arms. He shook his head slightly, almost irritated by her stubbornness. Although, he couldnât help but feel a strange sense of concern as he held her.
He wanted to scold Yoo-jin for giving him such a hard time by dragging him in all of this. But he had no choice but to bring her to a witch he knows.
He knew there was no point in arguing with Yoo-jin right now, and they needed to get her wound treated. So, Donghyuck gathered her up in his arms and started to walk towards the nearest forest he knew the route of.
prologue: "Do you really think you have nothing left to lose?"
summary: Parents murdered by vampires, Yoo-jin Seo seeks revenge on Donghyuck by hunting him down.
genre: thriller drama, vampires, modern au, vampire hunter x vampire, plot twists, enemies to lovers trope.
note: this is a series.
ÂŠď¸ everything belongs to @jjzzhyunie 2024
Should she trust him? This was the only thing running in Yoo-jinâs head. He brought up good points to keep your head from second guessing.
If he wanted her dead, theoretically she would already be dead. Yoo-jin was behind him, again weaponless and she cannot fight him either. Donghyuck was just crawling up the slope until the abandoned building came to view. Yoo-jin gave a small distrustful look around the area.
It did look like it was just Donghyuck. No other vampire surrounding him either, it appears he goes mostly solo.
âIs your territory safe?â Yoo-jin starts to question, catching up with Donghyuck.
She earned an amused smirk from Donghyuck, as if no one would dare to even come and cross in his personal space and land. He claimed it his and it will stay that way.
Donghyuck opens the door, it creaks open loudly. âYou donât have to worry about other vampires finding you here.â
She slowly steps inside, so many dust particles flying around and it is a clearly, abandoned hospital building. Whatâs left of it was barely much. What used to be a lively space is now isolated form with bunch of hospital beds and empty rooms. It gave Yoo-jin the creeps down her spine, a shiver, the eerie smell and silence that everyone hates.
âYou said you saw them, you must know something.â Yoo-jin exclaims back fixing her gaze on to Donghyuck before grabbing at his sleeve on the elbow.
Donghyuck lets out an annoyed sigh, obviously becoming more irritated by Yoo-jin questioning. He looks down at her and meets her gaze, his eyes narrowing slightly.
"I didn't stick around to ask them for their names. I just saw the chaos and left." He replies, his tone slightly cold and indifferent.
The sheer amount of disappointment running in her head was not enough to keep Yoo-jin from exploding on the spot, but she held tightly and calm.
Yoo-jin gave a disappoint expression, one that almost felt helpless and hopeless. She didnât want to leave her parents unjustly death unsolved like this. She grunts and takes a small step forward reaching her hand forward for the fun. Her eyes growing sharp at the vampire.
âFine, Iâll part ways if you arenât willing to help me.â Yoo-jin mutters. âMy gun.â
Not giving a second chance for Donghyuck to respond when he heard the word gun. Donghyuck notices the small step forward Yoo-jin takes and her hand reaching for the rifle. His eyes narrow slightly as he watches her, and then he glances down at the rifle.
Donghyuck lets out a small sigh, his irritation obvious in his expression. But regardless of how he feels, he slowly moves his hand off the rifle, freeing it from being stuck on the ground.
But just as Yoo-jin is about to reach for it- Just as Yoo-jin is about to grab the rifle gun, Donghyuck's hand quickly shoots out and he grabs her wrist again. This time his grip is tighter than before, he looks down at her with a stern expression on his face.
Donghyuck's eyes have darkened ever so slightly, and he looks almost dangerous in the dim light. He doesnât let go of her wrist, and he doesn't plan to let her go anytime soon.
"Where do you think you're going?" Donghyuck asks, his voice low and dangerous. He stares down at Yoo-jin, his grip on her wrist remains tight.
He doesn't seem pleased that Yoo-jin is trying to leave already, and he definitely isn't going to let her run off on her own after everything that has happened.
A part of him already had a gut feeling that Yoo-jin was going to get in a lot of trouble. He usually stays out of business that wasnât his own, but with Yoo-jin it felt like guilty conscience from stopping her nearly killing herself in every dangerous situation.
âIâm going to find the vampires that killed my parents.â Yoo-jin said out of oblivious laughter, what else would she do?
She lets out a small pained whinging when he took her wrist to stop her from reaching the rifle gun.
Donghyuck lets out a sigh as Yoo-jin's response. He can't understand her determination and her desire for revenge.
"And how do you plan to do that?" Donghyuck asks, his tone laced with obvious sarcasm. "Are you going to go running around yelling for them or something?" He adds, his grip still remaining tight on her wrist.
âNo, Iâm going to find more clues at my house.â She mutters, Yoo-jin gave him a blank stare. Their eyes made eye contact and it strangely felt a bit, unspoken magnetic force.
She was a strange human, not a frail one that you often see. She was driven by grief and well, she sounds freaking insane to Donghyuck.
The eye contact between them continues, and Donghyuck's expression grows more intense as he stares into Yoo-jin's eyes. It's almost as if there's something that draws them to eachother, some strange magnetic force between them.
Donghyuck doesn't understand why he's feeling this way, but he doesn't question it. He simply lets out a small sigh and releases Yoo-jin's wrist, taking a step back from her.
"Fine, go back to your home if you want. I don't care." Donghyuck says, shrugging his shoulders. However, his eyes are still fixed on her, watching her intently.
He then gestures towards the path leading back to Yoo-jin's village, his head nodding slightly in that direction.
Yoo-jin felt like Donghyuck was mildly hurt and annoyed by her persistence to not accept his refuge in his territory where she is clearly more safe than going back to the scene at her house.
âGive me my gun then.â Yoo-jin said matter of factly, sheâs refusing to leave with it.
Donghyuck lets out an exasperated sigh and he shakes his head in response. He looks down at the rifle gun and then back at Yoo-jin, his eyes narrowing slightly.
"Do you seriously think I'm going to trust you with a rifle gun after what you did earlier?" Donghyuck asks, his tone sarcastic and annoyed. He's not going to just hand it over so easily.
âHow else will I protect myself then?â Yoo-jin groans in soft complaints, she turns to him and then walks away down the pathway. âFine then youâre tagging along.â She gave him no choice, other than to go along and have the gun.
Donghyuck lets out another sigh and rolls his eyes slightly. He can't believe that he's actually tagging along with her, just because she insisted on it. Donghyuck follows behind her down the pathway, but he doesn't get too close to her.
His eyes dart around as they walk, wary for any other vampires that might be nearby. And his senses are on high alert, picking up on every little noise and movement in the surroundings.
âYouâre going to help me track who it was.â Yoo-jin said to Donghyuck once they arrived to the house. It was completely wrecked, blood everywhere and two lifeless bodies. Yoo-Jinâs parents. Vampires can easily track other vampires through scent and smell. Yoo-jin needs Donghyuck to do this for her.
Donghyuck's expression becomes serious as soon as they arrive at the wrecked house, his eyes flicking over the blood and lifeless bodies of Yoo-jin's parents.
He takes a moment to take in the scene before him, and then his attention shifts to Yoo-jin. He listens to her request, and his eyes narrow slightly as he thinks it over.
"And why should I help you?" Donghyuck asks, his voice dripping in pure sarcasm. He knows exactly what Yoo-jin is going to say next.
Yoo-jin glares at Donghyuck, her eyes narrowing slightly more at him. She knows he already knows why. But she answers him regardless.
"Because you're capable of it." Yoo-jin replies, her tone firm and determined. She holds Donghyuck's gaze, not backing down. âIf you donât want trouble with me then you better help me out.â
Donghyuck raises an eyebrow slightly at the firm and determined tone of Yoo-jin's voice, noting her unwavering determination.
He lets out a small sigh and shakes his head in mock defeat. "Fine, I'll help you." He replies, his tone sounding reluctant but there's a hint of something else in his voice. Acceptance, perhaps.
"But don't expect me to just do everything for you." Donghyuck adds, crossing his arms and giving Yoo-jin a skeptical look.
The house was that once resembled a normal family house, was no longer the home Yoo-jin comes to. It was heartbreaking to see the half burnt house, rummaged through vampires.
It was all too sudden too.
Yoo-jin saw Donghyuck walking around the scene to catch any scent of a vampire, or any clue. Donghyuck was one of the best vampire trackers, because of his skills and his vampiric ability with his gaze. He could see every detail in any scene to track someone down. There was plenty of scents. It seems more than one vampire so itâs difficult to track exactly one person.
âHow many vampires?â Yoo-jin asked. âDo you know any of them?â
Donghyuck takes a moment to focus, using his heightened senses to pick up on the scents in the scene. The smell of blood and death fills his nostrils, making it difficult to detect anything else.
After a few moments, he shakes his head and speaks. "It's difficult to pinpoint a specific scent with so many overlapping scents. There were at least three or four Vampires here, but I donât know any of them personally."
Yoo-jin nods with a small sigh, her eyebrows furrowing in frustration. She wanted to know every specific detail.
She continues to watch Donghyuck moving around the scene, trying to find any clue. Then suddenly, his expression changes slightly, and his jaw tightens. Yoo-jin noticed that something caught his attention and she tilts her head slightly.
"What is it?" Yoo-jin asks quietly, leaning in a little closer to Donghyuck. It looks like he recognised one of the actual scents.
Donghyuck turns his head slightly towards Yoo-jin, his gaze still focused on something on the floor. He doesn't respond to her question, only muttering to himself.
"I recognize this one..." Donghyuck says quietly, his voice almost inaudible. His eyes narrow slightly as his expression darkens.
He takes a step closer to the scent, his eyes glued to some spots of blood on the floor. Thereâs something specific about this scent that Donghyuck recognizes, something familiar.
Donghyuck bends down closer to the blood, his eyebrows furrowing in concentration as he tries to pinpoint the scent. He takes in a deep breath, the smell of the blood filling his lungs, but thereâs also another faint scent beneath it. One thatâs almost unnoticeable.
"This⌠this scentâŚ" He mutters to himself, his voice tinged with a mix of realization and surprise.
It was one of Donghyuckâs close friends, but no longer someone he associates with.
Yoo-jin gave him a gaze with a small nod. âWho is it? I need to know their name.â Yoo-jin crouched down to Donghyuckâs gaze so they can see eye to eye.
Donghyuck turns to look at Yoo-jin, his expression still unreadable. There's something in his eyes, something conflicted, as he stares at her. He takes a moment before replying.
"... Park Jisung." He replies, his tone almost reluctantly.
Yoo-jin saw the reluctance in his reply which answered her question, Donghyuck knows the guy that killed her parents. She reverts her gaze on him and becomes firm when speaking.
âI need to find him.â Yoo-jin said and she stood up.
Donghyuck stood up straight as Yoo-jin spoke, his eyes holding a hard and cold expression. He knows exactly what Yoo-jin is going to do, and he doesnât like the idea of helping her murder someone.
Donghyuck shakes his head slightly. "You canât." He replies firmly, his voice leaving no room for negotiation.
Yoo-jin stares at Donghyuck, her eyes filled with determination. Sheâs not backing down from this.
"Why not?" Yoo-jin asked, and this time thereâs a hint of desperation in her tone. The desperation to hunt down Park Jisung.
Donghyuck doesnât care for Jisung much, but the fact that itâs dangerous for her. Itâs selfish to put away your human life. Donghyuck sees that desperate look in Yoo-jin's eyes and he knows what she's feeling. He's felt that same rage and need for revenge before.
He takes a step closer to Yoo-jin, his eyes holding her gaze. Donghyuck's voice is firm as he speaks.
"Because it's dangerous. You could get yourself killed." He spoke matter of factly.
âThatâs for me to worry about, but I need you to help me track Jisung down.â Yoo-jin begins quietly. âI cant do it without you.â She said this time more desperately.
Yoo-jin was not leaving any point of argument left, she made up her mind already a long time ago.
She went to tug on Donghyuckâs sleeve with a firm hand, she wasnât going to stop at nothing. Donghyuck didnât really want to sacrifice his own life and time for it either but Yoo-Jinâs desperation.
Donghyuck felt the tug at his sleeve, and he looked down at her hand holding onto him. He could see the determination in her eyes, and he knew that nothing he said would change her mind.
He sighed in defeat and shook his head slightly. "Youâre a stubborn one, you know that?"
Donghyuck knew that he couldnât stop Yoo-jin from doing this, and he didnât want her to get hurt. Maybe if he helped her, he could protect her, right?
âI have nothing left to loose.â Yoo-jin mutters quietly in desperation, loosening her grip on him. She searched his eyes and something tells her that Donghyuckâs willing to help her just this once.
She pulls back and Yoo-jin takes back her rifle gun, putting it over her shoulder. Yoo-jin starts to slowly walk out of the house. Donghyuck watches Yoo-jin pull away from him and pick up the rifle gun. He lets out a small sigh and rolls his eyes. But then he follows her anyway, starting to walk next to her as they leave the house.
He doesn't know what he's getting himself into, but he can't seem to leave Yoo-jin alone. Donghyuck glances over at Yoo-jin as they walk, his expression stoic and unreadable.
Donghyuck walks silently beside Yoo-jin, his eyes scanning the surroundings. He can still sense the lingering vampire scents in the air, and he knows that they had only left here not too long ago.
After a moment of silence, he speaks up. "Do you really think you have nothing left to lose?" He asks, breaking the silence between them.
Yoo-jin only glanced at Donghyuck when he asked those words, it was just a glance that made her look away soon after. Deeply in her heart, she felt alone the most. Yoo-jin had nothing to lose. Nothing at all.
âI do.â Yoo-jin said again. Perhaps Donghyuck sees himself a little but in Yoo-jin. But he lived so long the pain eventually became a scar. Now itâs an apathetic reminder.
Donghyuck saw her glance his way and then look away, and he could tell that she had said what she meant. Donghyuck doesnât question it anymore, knowing that he won't get the answer he wants.
The two of them continue walking in silence, the air around them almost suffocatingly silent. Donghyuck glances at Yoo-jinâs back and wonders about her. She seems strong. Not physically, but something else altogether.
Now all that is left was tunnels, a long aisle of tunnels waiting to be walked through.
prologue: "Do you really think you have nothing left to lose?"
summary: Parents murdered by vampires, Yoo-jin Seo seeks revenge on Donghyuck by hunting him down.
genre: thriller drama, vampires, modern au, vampire hunter x vampire, plot twists, enemies to lovers trope.
note: this is a series.
ÂŠď¸ everything belongs to @jjzzhyunie 2024
Should she trust him? This was the only thing running in Yoo-jinâs head. He brought up good points to keep your head from second guessing.
If he wanted her dead, theoretically she would already be dead. Yoo-jin was behind him, again weaponless and she cannot fight him either. Donghyuck was just crawling up the slope until the abandoned building came to view. Yoo-jin gave a small distrustful look around the area.
It did look like it was just Donghyuck. No other vampire surrounding him either, it appears he goes mostly solo.
âIs your territory safe?â Yoo-jin starts to question, catching up with Donghyuck.
She earned an amused smirk from Donghyuck, as if no one would dare to even come and cross in his personal space and land. He claimed it his and it will stay that way.
Donghyuck opens the door, it creaks open loudly. âYou donât have to worry about other vampires finding you here.â
She slowly steps inside, so many dust particles flying around and it is a clearly, abandoned hospital building. Whatâs left of it was barely much. What used to be a lively space is now isolated form with bunch of hospital beds and empty rooms. It gave Yoo-jin the creeps down her spine, a shiver, the eerie smell and silence that everyone hates.
âYou said you saw them, you must know something.â Yoo-jin exclaims back fixing her gaze on to Donghyuck before grabbing at his sleeve on the elbow.
Donghyuck lets out an annoyed sigh, obviously becoming more irritated by Yoo-jin questioning. He looks down at her and meets her gaze, his eyes narrowing slightly.
"I didn't stick around to ask them for their names. I just saw the chaos and left." He replies, his tone slightly cold and indifferent.
The sheer amount of disappointment running in her head was not enough to keep Yoo-jin from exploding on the spot, but she held tightly and calm.
Yoo-jin gave a disappoint expression, one that almost felt helpless and hopeless. She didnât want to leave her parents unjustly death unsolved like this. She grunts and takes a small step forward reaching her hand forward for the fun. Her eyes growing sharp at the vampire.
âFine, Iâll part ways if you arenât willing to help me.â Yoo-jin mutters. âMy gun.â
Not giving a second chance for Donghyuck to respond when he heard the word gun. Donghyuck notices the small step forward Yoo-jin takes and her hand reaching for the rifle. His eyes narrow slightly as he watches her, and then he glances down at the rifle.
Donghyuck lets out a small sigh, his irritation obvious in his expression. But regardless of how he feels, he slowly moves his hand off the rifle, freeing it from being stuck on the ground.
But just as Yoo-jin is about to reach for it- Just as Yoo-jin is about to grab the rifle gun, Donghyuck's hand quickly shoots out and he grabs her wrist again. This time his grip is tighter than before, he looks down at her with a stern expression on his face.
Donghyuck's eyes have darkened ever so slightly, and he looks almost dangerous in the dim light. He doesnât let go of her wrist, and he doesn't plan to let her go anytime soon.
"Where do you think you're going?" Donghyuck asks, his voice low and dangerous. He stares down at Yoo-jin, his grip on her wrist remains tight.
He doesn't seem pleased that Yoo-jin is trying to leave already, and he definitely isn't going to let her run off on her own after everything that has happened.
A part of him already had a gut feeling that Yoo-jin was going to get in a lot of trouble. He usually stays out of business that wasnât his own, but with Yoo-jin it felt like guilty conscience from stopping her nearly killing herself in every dangerous situation.
âIâm going to find the vampires that killed my parents.â Yoo-jin said out of oblivious laughter, what else would she do?
She lets out a small pained whinging when he took her wrist to stop her from reaching the rifle gun.
Donghyuck lets out a sigh as Yoo-jin's response. He can't understand her determination and her desire for revenge.
"And how do you plan to do that?" Donghyuck asks, his tone laced with obvious sarcasm. "Are you going to go running around yelling for them or something?" He adds, his grip still remaining tight on her wrist.
âNo, Iâm going to find more clues at my house.â She mutters, Yoo-jin gave him a blank stare. Their eyes made eye contact and it strangely felt a bit, unspoken magnetic force.
She was a strange human, not a frail one that you often see. She was driven by grief and well, she sounds freaking insane to Donghyuck.
The eye contact between them continues, and Donghyuck's expression grows more intense as he stares into Yoo-jin's eyes. It's almost as if there's something that draws them to eachother, some strange magnetic force between them.
Donghyuck doesn't understand why he's feeling this way, but he doesn't question it. He simply lets out a small sigh and releases Yoo-jin's wrist, taking a step back from her.
"Fine, go back to your home if you want. I don't care." Donghyuck says, shrugging his shoulders. However, his eyes are still fixed on her, watching her intently.
He then gestures towards the path leading back to Yoo-jin's village, his head nodding slightly in that direction.
Yoo-jin felt like Donghyuck was mildly hurt and annoyed by her persistence to not accept his refuge in his territory where she is clearly more safe than going back to the scene at her house.
âGive me my gun then.â Yoo-jin said matter of factly, sheâs refusing to leave with it.
Donghyuck lets out an exasperated sigh and he shakes his head in response. He looks down at the rifle gun and then back at Yoo-jin, his eyes narrowing slightly.
"Do you seriously think I'm going to trust you with a rifle gun after what you did earlier?" Donghyuck asks, his tone sarcastic and annoyed. He's not going to just hand it over so easily.
âHow else will I protect myself then?â Yoo-jin groans in soft complaints, she turns to him and then walks away down the pathway. âFine then youâre tagging along.â She gave him no choice, other than to go along and have the gun.
Donghyuck lets out another sigh and rolls his eyes slightly. He can't believe that he's actually tagging along with her, just because she insisted on it. Donghyuck follows behind her down the pathway, but he doesn't get too close to her.
His eyes dart around as they walk, wary for any other vampires that might be nearby. And his senses are on high alert, picking up on every little noise and movement in the surroundings.
âYouâre going to help me track who it was.â Yoo-jin said to Donghyuck once they arrived to the house. It was completely wrecked, blood everywhere and two lifeless bodies. Yoo-Jinâs parents. Vampires can easily track other vampires through scent and smell. Yoo-jin needs Donghyuck to do this for her.
Donghyuck's expression becomes serious as soon as they arrive at the wrecked house, his eyes flicking over the blood and lifeless bodies of Yoo-jin's parents.
He takes a moment to take in the scene before him, and then his attention shifts to Yoo-jin. He listens to her request, and his eyes narrow slightly as he thinks it over.
"And why should I help you?" Donghyuck asks, his voice dripping in pure sarcasm. He knows exactly what Yoo-jin is going to say next.
Yoo-jin glares at Donghyuck, her eyes narrowing slightly more at him. She knows he already knows why. But she answers him regardless.
"Because you're capable of it." Yoo-jin replies, her tone firm and determined. She holds Donghyuck's gaze, not backing down. âIf you donât want trouble with me then you better help me out.â
Donghyuck raises an eyebrow slightly at the firm and determined tone of Yoo-jin's voice, noting her unwavering determination.
He lets out a small sigh and shakes his head in mock defeat. "Fine, I'll help you." He replies, his tone sounding reluctant but there's a hint of something else in his voice. Acceptance, perhaps.
"But don't expect me to just do everything for you." Donghyuck adds, crossing his arms and giving Yoo-jin a skeptical look.
The house was that once resembled a normal family house, was no longer the home Yoo-jin comes to. It was heartbreaking to see the half burnt house, rummaged through vampires.
It was all too sudden too.
Yoo-jin saw Donghyuck walking around the scene to catch any scent of a vampire, or any clue. Donghyuck was one of the best vampire trackers, because of his skills and his vampiric ability with his gaze. He could see every detail in any scene to track someone down. There was plenty of scents. It seems more than one vampire so itâs difficult to track exactly one person.
âHow many vampires?â Yoo-jin asked. âDo you know any of them?â
Donghyuck takes a moment to focus, using his heightened senses to pick up on the scents in the scene. The smell of blood and death fills his nostrils, making it difficult to detect anything else.
After a few moments, he shakes his head and speaks. "It's difficult to pinpoint a specific scent with so many overlapping scents. There were at least three or four Vampires here, but I donât know any of them personally."
Yoo-jin nods with a small sigh, her eyebrows furrowing in frustration. She wanted to know every specific detail.
She continues to watch Donghyuck moving around the scene, trying to find any clue. Then suddenly, his expression changes slightly, and his jaw tightens. Yoo-jin noticed that something caught his attention and she tilts her head slightly.
"What is it?" Yoo-jin asks quietly, leaning in a little closer to Donghyuck. It looks like he recognised one of the actual scents.
Donghyuck turns his head slightly towards Yoo-jin, his gaze still focused on something on the floor. He doesn't respond to her question, only muttering to himself.
"I recognize this one..." Donghyuck says quietly, his voice almost inaudible. His eyes narrow slightly as his expression darkens.
He takes a step closer to the scent, his eyes glued to some spots of blood on the floor. Thereâs something specific about this scent that Donghyuck recognizes, something familiar.
Donghyuck bends down closer to the blood, his eyebrows furrowing in concentration as he tries to pinpoint the scent. He takes in a deep breath, the smell of the blood filling his lungs, but thereâs also another faint scent beneath it. One thatâs almost unnoticeable.
"This⌠this scentâŚ" He mutters to himself, his voice tinged with a mix of realization and surprise.
It was one of Donghyuckâs close friends, but no longer someone he associates with.
Yoo-jin gave him a gaze with a small nod. âWho is it? I need to know their name.â Yoo-jin crouched down to Donghyuckâs gaze so they can see eye to eye.
Donghyuck turns to look at Yoo-jin, his expression still unreadable. There's something in his eyes, something conflicted, as he stares at her. He takes a moment before replying.
"... Park Jisung." He replies, his tone almost reluctantly.
Yoo-jin saw the reluctance in his reply which answered her question, Donghyuck knows the guy that killed her parents. She reverts her gaze on him and becomes firm when speaking.
âI need to find him.â Yoo-jin said and she stood up.
Donghyuck stood up straight as Yoo-jin spoke, his eyes holding a hard and cold expression. He knows exactly what Yoo-jin is going to do, and he doesnât like the idea of helping her murder someone.
Donghyuck shakes his head slightly. "You canât." He replies firmly, his voice leaving no room for negotiation.
Yoo-jin stares at Donghyuck, her eyes filled with determination. Sheâs not backing down from this.
"Why not?" Yoo-jin asked, and this time thereâs a hint of desperation in her tone. The desperation to hunt down Park Jisung.
Donghyuck doesnât care for Jisung much, but the fact that itâs dangerous for her. Itâs selfish to put away your human life. Donghyuck sees that desperate look in Yoo-jin's eyes and he knows what she's feeling. He's felt that same rage and need for revenge before.
He takes a step closer to Yoo-jin, his eyes holding her gaze. Donghyuck's voice is firm as he speaks.
"Because it's dangerous. You could get yourself killed." He spoke matter of factly.
âThatâs for me to worry about, but I need you to help me track Jisung down.â Yoo-jin begins quietly. âI cant do it without you.â She said this time more desperately.
Yoo-jin was not leaving any point of argument left, she made up her mind already a long time ago.
She went to tug on Donghyuckâs sleeve with a firm hand, she wasnât going to stop at nothing. Donghyuck didnât really want to sacrifice his own life and time for it either but Yoo-Jinâs desperation.
Donghyuck felt the tug at his sleeve, and he looked down at her hand holding onto him. He could see the determination in her eyes, and he knew that nothing he said would change her mind.
He sighed in defeat and shook his head slightly. "Youâre a stubborn one, you know that?"
Donghyuck knew that he couldnât stop Yoo-jin from doing this, and he didnât want her to get hurt. Maybe if he helped her, he could protect her, right?
âI have nothing left to loose.â Yoo-jin mutters quietly in desperation, loosening her grip on him. She searched his eyes and something tells her that Donghyuckâs willing to help her just this once.
She pulls back and Yoo-jin takes back her rifle gun, putting it over her shoulder. Yoo-jin starts to slowly walk out of the house. Donghyuck watches Yoo-jin pull away from him and pick up the rifle gun. He lets out a small sigh and rolls his eyes. But then he follows her anyway, starting to walk next to her as they leave the house.
He doesn't know what he's getting himself into, but he can't seem to leave Yoo-jin alone. Donghyuck glances over at Yoo-jin as they walk, his expression stoic and unreadable.
Donghyuck walks silently beside Yoo-jin, his eyes scanning the surroundings. He can still sense the lingering vampire scents in the air, and he knows that they had only left here not too long ago.
After a moment of silence, he speaks up. "Do you really think you have nothing left to lose?" He asks, breaking the silence between them.
Yoo-jin only glanced at Donghyuck when he asked those words, it was just a glance that made her look away soon after. Deeply in her heart, she felt alone the most. Yoo-jin had nothing to lose. Nothing at all.
âI do.â Yoo-jin said again. Perhaps Donghyuck sees himself a little but in Yoo-jin. But he lived so long the pain eventually became a scar. Now itâs an apathetic reminder.
Donghyuck saw her glance his way and then look away, and he could tell that she had said what she meant. Donghyuck doesnât question it anymore, knowing that he won't get the answer he wants.
The two of them continue walking in silence, the air around them almost suffocatingly silent. Donghyuck glances at Yoo-jinâs back and wonders about her. She seems strong. Not physically, but something else altogether.
Now all that is left was tunnels, a long aisle of tunnels waiting to be walked through.
prologue: âDo you even know what you're doing? You don't even know how to use it correctly.â
summary: Parents murdered by vampires, Yoo-jin Seo seeks revenge on Donghyuck by hunting him down.
genre: thriller drama, vampires, modern au, vampire hunter x vampire, plot twists, enemies to lovers trope.
note: this is a series.
ÂŠď¸ everything belongs to @jjzzhyunie 2024
In the tapestry of time, death spins a web of tales, each moment woven with care into memories to recall. Yet Yoojin eyes afire, holds fate in trembling palms, against the hourglass' constant sand.
As Yoojin walks through the forest woods, the memories of her parents' funeral seep in, wearing a tradional korean attire in all black comes back to her. The solemn procession, the sounds of wailing, and the sight of her parents' pictures being lowered down with the coffin to the ground.
This all flickers like a tape in her mind, Yoojin pushes onwards despite all of this. Determination was a weak word for what she is feeling. The pain on that day was a fresh wound, still bleeding.
'I'll catch him.' Yoojin tells herself, like a mantra that strengthens her doubts. She will catch him.
She contiues down her search in the unknown secluded area, parts of the forest were barely lit by the sun and Yoojin can't help feeling a sense of uneasiness. The trees seem to loom over her, their shadows dancing eerily in the dim moonlight. Every rustle of leaves makes her jump, every snapped twig sounding like a potential threat. But Yoojin pushes through the fear.
Looking for any signs of life but her own, Yoojin was unsuccusful at it. Though her body was nothing but left weak. Hunger, a constant companion on the journey with her, it's presence felt in every pang of emptiness. But grief and anger, stronger than any hunger that consumes her, leaves no room for respite.
A relentless restlessness grips at her soul, as the darkness of mourning and rage take take their tol. Each step, each breath, a struggle against the troubling tide of pain, fueling her ceaseless pursuit.
Going up somewhere the soil sinks under her boots, four men start to spot Yoojin and their presence immediately setting off warn signals in her body, even before her mind had fully registered the danger. The two men behind let out a whistle of some kind, which made Yoojin's arms stand up with hair.
Their smirks were a big gateaway that they cannot be trusted, with their rifles in their hands casually held. "You look lost," was the smooth reply from one man. He looks to be older, mid forties and the leader of his three friends behind him.
Yoojin was ready to reply to them instantly. "I'm heading somewhere," she said cooly.
They looked at each other, their expressions sly as they exhanged looks. "Well, we wouldn't want a beautiful young miss like you getting lost all alone in the forest. Especially with vampires lurking around lately." One of them said.
"Maybe we can help you out?" The man in front of Yoojin said, his tone drippng with insincerity.
She grits her teeth together, her body tensing as she prepeared to defend herself in neccessary when the men took few steps forward to where Yoojin stands. She keeps her vague answers sharp.
"I appreciate the offer, but i can manage on my own." Yoojin replies with her gaze sweeping over the group, sizing them up nearly.
Yoojin quickly went past them around and starts to walk the front path to leave them, but one spoke behind Yoojin and the men hurdle to follow Yoojin anyways, despite her protest from earlier.
"Now now, lets not be hasty. We're just trying to protect you from the vampires that can be around." The sinister tone was a camouflage by the fake-pretend chivalry.
Yoojin could see right past it with her uncomfortable intuition.
Before she could react, the two leap to the front and block the path, their large bodies looming in the narrow pathway. In blink of an eye, she was suddenly pressed up against them, her rifle falling to the ground with a loud thud. And soon enough, before she knew it Yoojin felt a rough hand grab her arm and push her down. Face hitting the rough ground betwen soil and auburn dry leaves. Pinned up behind four men.
Men's laughter rang out, a cruel sound that sent chills down her spine. Yoojin struggles to get out, any sort of movement was impossible under the weight of four men. It became tiring, a tug of war rather to escape this clinch.
Yoojin grows numb real quick, despair clawing at her as the men overshadow behind. The sounds of clothes become a scary alert to her. Yoojin's eyes widen and she panics once more.
"Now isn't the time to be screaming," He laughs. "No one can hear you anyways. We're deep in the forest."
The three men that watched everything unfold suddenly turn towards the sound of a twig snapping. The three rifles turned towards the trees and steep flooring. The man pinning her down looks up too.
"Go check it out you three," their leader said nonchalantly but fimrly too. They can only glance back at him, the tension was papable in their hesition to walk up to where the sound came.
Then without a humanly possible warning, a flashing scene through the trees from above landing on one of the men with a deadly precision. There was a brief moment of shock.
"It's a vampire!"
Chaos erupts when the two remaining men saw how their friend was dismembered and killed with a single slash, the sounds of rifles being fired sets Yoojin's adrenaline on fire.
But it was too late, the figure had moved way before the human eye could counter.
The vampire dispatched the two men next, his movements like lightning came to life. Only one remaining was the leader and it wasnt long until the man moved off Yoojin to grab his rifle to deal with the vampire. He raised it up to fire at the shadow-figure only to be met with a deserved fate.
Yoojin took the advantagr to crawl closer the familar weight of her own rifle in arms. With a determined cry she rose to her two own feet, spinning around and firing both the man and unknown vampire.
He fell to the ground and mortally wounded, but the vampire was merely scratched and its eyes ablazed by the challenge.
In quick movements it lungs to Yoojin. She leapts back, her own rifle clutched title to her hands. Yoojin knew she had to run away, she did not stand a chance against this vampire.
She ran for it. Yoojin darted through the forest, her feet pounding against the ground as she ducked under low hanging branches and leapt over a fallen logs. It was as if the trees themselves were closing in on her, their trunks forming a disoreinting maze that all looked the same.
Each step forward felt like a step eeper into a nightmare, as if she was trapped in a cycle of endless chase.
Yoojin stumps her foot over a rock, tripping on the ground front face. As Yoojin stumbles and fell, her eyes catching sight of the abandoned hospital in the area. Its crumbling walls cast long shadows across the floor. Before she could even process the situation, the vampire leaned down his hand grasping her arms.
But just as he moved closer, a voice cut through the stillness breaking the tension. As Yoojin looked up, she saw Donghyuck standing there. His eyes fixed on the other vampire, his stance was tense and intimdating.
The guy looks so familar, then it all clogged Yoojin's mind. That was him. The night of her parents death, he was the last one Yoojin saw before disappering in the night.
The tone in his voice was like a challenge between sarcasm and unbothered. "What are you doing in my territory?" he echoed, his gaze narrowing studying the other vampire. He looks newly turned and batshit-crazy to Donghyuck.
His words were met with defiance, the other vampire refused to answer or move out of the area which Donghyuck has claimed since last night.
Yoojin watched in silence, her gaze flickering between the two vampires with uncertain fear and fasincation. She had never seen such an interaction, and she wasnt sure what is going to happen. What will this mean for her?
The tension in the air could be cut with a knife as Donghyuck's rolled up his sleeves, his body language was a clear gateway to how threatening he became. Before Yoojin could even react, he took a decisive step forward, his gaze locking onto the other vampire. In the moment, the vampire's face shifted to Donghyuck, dropping Yoo-jin carelessly to the ground.
"I am going to count to three, and you better run off."
For a brief moment, the vampire hesitated, as if hoping for some sort of reprieve. But Donghyuck's tone was clear, his expression firm. Before the vampire could fully proces the situation, Donghyuck's voice rang out.
"One."
Suddenly the latter ran off, he took the cue and left for Donghyuck's final number. Yoojinâs body became tense, a sense of familiar danger alerts her to run for it. She grabbed her rifle and took off running. As if her life depends on it.
Donghyuckâs eyes on her as Yoojin fled suddenly. But she didnât dare to pause to look back at the killer of her parents.
Unfortunately, her escape was cut short when she trips up over a patch of loose soil on the edge of a steep slope.
She stumbles, losing her balance and then she starts to roll down the hill, tumbling recklessly down like a sack of potatoes.
As Yoojin lands front face to the bottom, at the base of the hill. She groans, her body aching from the rough fall and landing. She felta wave of embarssment wash over her.
Suddenly, Donghyuck's voice rang out above, and she looked up to see him standing at the top of the hill. "What an idiot," he muttered, his tone laced with annoyance, as he begins to go down the slope to get to her.
She could feel her cheeks burn with anger and shame. The humilation was enough to sent her to her early grave. Her legs felt like jelly amongst the many bruises from the fall.
Donghyuck approached her, his expression unreadable. Under his gaze was this human girl, who strangely looks at him as if she's already known him. Hated him.
But he can't seem to remember her.
Yoojin found herself in a situation sooner than she expected. She takes a small peak and saw that Donghyuck is armed with a knife, not only that, but his foot on top of her rifle when she reached for it. She was once again, weaponless.
"It's you." Yoojin said with an itch to now seek her revenge.
Donghyuck tilts his head slightly at the sound of how hateful she sounds to him, as if she already knows him. He turns to look down at the girl properly with his eyes.
"Do i know you?" He asks smoothly with an undertone sarcasm in it.
"No but i know you." Her reply begins. "You killed my parents!" Yoojin starts while turning her lips to a thin unwelcoming line. Fists clenched together.
Donghyuck's mouth twitchs slightly at the accusation. He narrows his eyes at the human girl, Yoojin was slowly getting up from the ground. Dusting off any bits of dirt remaining to the clothes.
"Killed your parents? I don't ever remember laying a finger on them, darling." Donghyuck casually said, uncared for the situation of the loss. It's more like he's certain that the accusation is wrong.
Yoojin never expected such belief that seems so real, but she saw Donghyuck that night. She remembers a face like his anywhere. "Liar, i saw you that night and i'm going to kill you."
Yoojin's hand reached out a knife to slash forward to the vampire's shoulder blade. It never crossed Yoojin's mind there would be a power difference, even though thats the most basic knowledge out there. Vampires are much superior in terms of hunting. But she didn't care for her safety. She was driven by grief and revenge more than the fear of dying.
Donghyuck was amused more than surprised by the attack. An attempt, he would call it rather. He easily pushed back Yoojin and twists her around until a single push to her back makes her fall over a large tree to the front. Completely he parried a knife, not even using his vampire genetics. More just his heightened survival.
"Do you even know what you're doing? You don't even know how to use it correctly." He said with his head tilted with arms crossed over his chest.
Was he seriously just correcting Yoojin on how to land a slash on him? She felt insulted. Belitted.
Which only caused her grief and anger to mix together, close to exploding like an erupted volcano. Yoojin turned back and lung her hand forward, the knife creating this whoosh sound in the air. Donghyuck takes simple steps back to avoid being slashed by a basic knife, a kitchen knife it looks to be.
She then ends up being tripped up, again, for what felt like a hundreth time falling over on the ground. Donghyuck saw how she was so easily tripped by his feet. Yoojin's defence was down, she's not rationally thinking. Donghyuck made sure to put a stop to her mindless swinging with a knife.
It looked like child-play to him.
Yoojin lets out a small eugh when she lands on the ground with her head slightly bumped. The rifle was somewhere on the ground between the auburn leaves, and her knife laid next to her face. Her blurry vision grew to normal, Yoojin saw Donghyuck standing above her in front.
She flashed him a glare, her hair completely roughed up with leaves in them from the fall. "What do you want?" Yoojin throws because Donghyuck was just staring at her, not impressed.
An eyebrow was raised on his face when he saw that glare on her face. He sighs tiredly.
"Get up," Donghyuck says simply looking around the area, his voice smooth yet demanding. He doesn't make any move to remove his foot from the ground, he just waits for her to get up from the pathetic ground.
Looming over her, he did see a few things in the dim light outside on her face. Donghyuck saw the minor cuts and scratches on her face, indicating it from the falls. Maybe even struggle against the troublesome people earlier.
She grunts when leisurely going up on her feet, Yoojin blows some of her messy hair away in a huff, like a small child does. Yoojin made sure there was a good enough distance between the vampire and her eyes ocasionally observe the surroudings.
"What do you want?" She asked again. "Going to kill me like you killed my parents, huh?" Yoojin slowly brought up with an intent to provoke malicous to him.
Yoojin saw Donghyuck let out an exasperted sigh, the patience starting to wear thin. He rolls his eyes slightly and crosses his arms. "I already told you, i didn't kill them." He repeats sounding frustrated.
But when he saw her eyes constantly looking down towards the rifle, he simply reached for the weapon and shown it to her. He held the rifle with his two hands. "Looking for this?" he mocks, tapping the rifle on the ground.
Yoojin tried to hold the urge to just, try and stab him again. But she failed because the next thing that happened was Donghyuck quickly dodging a knife in the air that Yoojin reached for nearby before. He gave a disappoited eye roll.
The next thing she knew, she was held in a tight grip. Wrist held by a very strong hand forcing her to drop the knife and Donghyuck wasn't being so, tolerant anymore.
His grip was pretty tight but not enough to snap a bone yet. It is strong enough to keep the girl from not atacking him every five seconds like a maniac.
His expression is unreadable as he looks down at her widen eyes full of fear, his dark eyes piercing into them. The amusement from earlier is gone and now he was simply serious on the matter.
"I'm going to let go of your wrist now, and if you try anything i'm going to break it. Got it?" Donghyuck threatens sternly. But he saw Yoojin's non verbal reply as a sign that she understood it.
Yoojin was tempted but she didn't act on it this time. In fact she stood still and slowly takes back her wrist released from his hand. Donghyuck trails off next.
"See? I'm trying to be Mr nice guy, i don't usually do that." He points out sarcastically at the sudden quiet girl, but all he got was a glare. And as if she wants to just run away. Far away from him.
He sighs again. "Look, you're hurt and you must be lost. I have enough space for you to camp in my home."
"How do i know you won't kill me?" She shot at Donghyuck, defensively holding suspicion.
He gave her a look, as if thats the most obvious thing in the world. Donghyuck matter of factly points out. "Because if i wanted you dead, you'd already be dead."
She scoffs but Donghyuck already started to make his way back up, he assumed the girl will follow. She has nowhere else to go and her chances being safe from other vampires are high with him.
"Didn't realise vampires have sense of hospitality." She sarcastically shouts but eventually Yoojin weighs the pros and cons. Ultimately she starts to slowly tag behind Donghyuck.
Maybe she can always get back at him. But not right now.
