Hunter, Thank You For Your Blood - Vol. 1 Chapter 1.2 - The Monster Born From Capitalism (2)

The person who woke up Si-wol, who had slumped in his chair in shock, was none other than today’s blood donor volunteer and viewer who had been broadcasting alongside him. Finally regaining his senses, Si-wol hastily spoke up.

“Stop fighting! Okay? Stop, just stop. Let’s not chat for just one minute. Okay?”

However, the more Si-wol tried to intervene, the more the fight escalated like a spreading fire. In the end, they started shouting over each other, each expressing their opinions. Overwhelmed by the uncontrollable conflict, Si-wol eventually resorted to his last resort.

“If you keep fighting, I’ll… I’ll end the stream? Stop it! Just think of it as a talent donation. I don’t know why that person proceeded without consulting me, but I’ll let it go peacefully. It doesn’t seem like their intention was to tear me down. It’s okay, really. Yeah, I’m totally fine.”

As Si-wol forced a smile and spoke those words, some viewers immediately sent donations. The amounts ranged from as little as 1,000 won to as much as 50,000 won. Everyone tried to financially comfort and console our Vampi-nim to help him feel better.

“Ah, I feel so much better now! I’m glad to see new viewers joining today. I didn’t even know about the interview, so I couldn’t properly greet everyone.”

Si-wol made an effort to calm his emotions and raised his finger to slightly lift one corner of his lips. In that moment, Si-wol’s trademark, his sharp canine tooth, gleamed brightly.

“Hello, I’m Vampi the vampire. On weekdays, I mainly play horror games. On weekends, I have casual chat broadcasts with viewers who volunteer to donate blood.”

After a brief self-introduction, he preemptively answered questions that would pour in afterwards.

“Ah, as for the blood donation support. It’s nothing special, but I have a family member who works at a blood center… Nowadays, people really don’t donate blood much. So, in order to promote and help out, instead of offering a chance to meet me, we offer an opportunity to donate blood. Today, Nectar-nim here will also be donating blood before leaving.”

Si-wol pointed to the viewer sitting beside him. In response, the viewer raised both hands in a V sign, as if saying they had been waiting, and chuckled before speaking.

“Ladies and gentlemen, donate blood and meet Vampi-nim. It’s a win-win situation! Please show your support!”

Si-wol greeted the idea of promoting together with a cheerful smile.

‘Yeah, that’s right. I was already worried because the number of potential donors has been decreasing lately. Since it’s being promoted, hopefully there will be a slight increase in donors as well. Let’s think positively, Lee Si-wol.’

Although the number of viewers had increased, the impact seemed limited as the trend was not significant. Si-wol made an effort to think positively and considered it a fortunate development.

To Si-wol, the world was a scary and fearful place. Ever since becoming a half-vampire centuries ago, there hadn’t been a single day where he could peacefully rest and sleep.

Living as an immortal, never-aging creature was an incredibly challenging task. Furthermore, a vampire’s life of periodically needing to drink human blood made death seem sweeter by comparison, as it was an arduous existence.

However, ironically, what was truly amusing was that even though they had obtained immortality, they still feared death. Unless subjected to a fatal attack, vampires would never die. Instead, they would gradually weaken and fall into an uncertain state of slumber, with no way to know if it was truly the end.

So to Si-wol, being in a state of slumber, or essentially death, meant the end. Therefore, he chose to desperately cling to life. He avoided suspicion, sucked blood in secret, ran and hid. He erased his identity, concealed his appearance, told lies, and moved from place to place. In the end, he survived like this, as a vampire hidden within the concept of being a vampire.

“Well, it’s getting late today, so I’ll end the broadcast. Everyone, unfold your blankets and─.”

“Ah, wait a moment!”

“Yes?”

The viewer sitting next to Si-wol interrupted his statement, preventing him from ending the broadcast.

He was one of Si-wol’s long-time viewers, having already volunteered for blood donation five times. He was quick-witted and had a good sense, always cooperative and attentive during their broadcasts. So when he suddenly blocked Si-wol, it naturally caught Si-wol off guard.

However, the viewer had his own reason.

“I haven’t received a sign yet…”

“Ah, a sign.”

Sign. One syllable caused the chat window to explode. Everyone was rushing to post their comments, and the chat was almost a blur of messages.

≫ The reason I’ve stayed up until this hour without sleep.

≫ Nectar-nim lololol Are you a special blood pack for Vampi-nim? LOL

≫ Nectar-nim, is your neck okay? The smallest canine scar LOLOLOLOL

≫ Last time I asked the left side, so today I’ll ask about the right side

≫ Cute~ How adorable~

≫ gtfo. Could you ask it in a sexy way!! Provocatively!

They had their reasons to be enthusiastic about the signature. Si-wol’s signature was a perk exclusive to blood donors, and it was different from a regular signature scribbled on a piece of paper.

“Nectar-nim, can you open your outer clothing a bit?”

“Of course.”

The viewer partially removed the outer layer of clothing, revealing his bare shoulders and a sleeveless top. As the skin was exposed, Si-wol instinctively followed the scent, tilting his head. More precisely, it was the pulsating flow of blood beneath that skin.

“I’ll take care of it here.”

The viewer pointed to the right side of his neck. Si-wol’s gaze followed his fingertips. The chat was filled with comments about the scars left behind as a signature on the viewer’s neck. Two circular scars were evenly spaced in various places. They were all scars Si-wol had created.

“Let me adjust the settings.”

Si-wol quickly uttered a brief remark and immediately turned off the main light, switching on indirect lighting. The small room was bathed in a vibrant red hue. The red lights flickered slowly, blending with an orange glow. The light, reminiscent of a dimly lit street, spread across the room.

Next came the background music. After a few clicks, an electrifying electronic song filled the air, stimulating the ears. The atmosphere resembled that of a club, and viewers cheered in the chat as they turned their eyes to the lit screens. Inside the monitor, Si-wol, with one corner of his mouth raised in a mysterious smile, looked back at them.

Si-wol stood up from his seat and took slow steps towards the back of the viewer. Then, he bent his waist and delicately touched the area near the viewer’s neck and forearm with his slender fingers.

“The offering tonight looks quite delicious.”

Using his tongue, Si-wol licked his lower lip near the viewer’s right neck, where the viewer had requested.

“I can smell something delicious. Right here.”

He extended his tongue and gently licked the designated spot for the sign. In response, the viewer flinched, his shoulders trembling as he tightly closed his eyes. Si-wol concealed his disappointment.

‘… Could you please play along a bit? It feels so cringeworthy and embarrassing to deliver these lines.’

Although it was something Si-wol reluctantly did because viewers enjoyed this kind of role-play, the overwhelming sense of embarrassment was solely Si-wol’s burden.

Si-wol hoped the viewers would echo his lines, because even though he had done it several times before, he always get nervous whenever he sees them tightly clenching their fists, closing their eyes, and frozen in place.

“There’s no need to worry like that. I’ll make it enchanting for you.”

After whispering softly, Si-wol opened his lips, revealing two sharp fangs that glowed red.

With a brief pause, as if waiting for the chat to become frenzied, Si-wol pierced his own flesh with the fangs. Bite. Accompanied by the sound of tearing flesh, the sharp fangs were driven in, as if grinding.

“Euught…”

As a viewer, even though it was his sixth sign, he still shuddered all over due to the pain that always approached him strangely.

≫ Crazy, crazy

≫ Look at the atmosphere. What are we gonna do, seriously?

≫ It looks painful…

≫ Hey, newbies, pay attention. That’s the moment when his expression loosens up.

≫ Whoa, should I try it next time?

≫ It looks like it really hurts, is the expression for real?~~~ I’m so curious!

Gradually, the rigid expression of the viewer seemed to loosen up. It was as if he was lying on a calm lakeside, basking in the gentle sunlight reflecting on the water. Or perhaps, like someone who had completely lost himself in ecstatic bliss after an intense moment with a lover.

Si-wol removed the fang that had just been inserted. Blood flowed profusely from the gaping wound, staining it a vivid red. In a frantic move, Si-wol leaned closer to the camera, using his thumb to quickly wipe away the blood from his lips, and said:

“Well, see you in your dreams. Good night.”

With his usual catchphrase, Si-wol ended the broadcast. Then, he grabbed a few tissues and approached the viewer who was still slumped in his chair.

“Nectar-nim. Snap out of it.”

Using a tissue bundle to stem the flow of blood from the wound, Si-wol woke the viewer up. The viewer, who seemed to be lost in a dream, responded in a dazed tone.

“Is it…, over?”

“Yes. Thank you so much for helping with today’s broadcast. How about going to donate blood right away? Or would you like to rest a bit more?”

Being an experienced blood donor, Si-wol handed him the tissue bundle and cleared the area before asking. The viewer nodded with a vacant gaze.

“I’ll, donate blood right away…”

“Then please go to the adjacent room. I’ll tidy up here and assist with the blood collection.”

“Okay…”

The viewer staggered and stood up, leaving the room where the broadcast took place. Si-wol briefly glanced at his retreating figure before turning his head. Then, as he tidied up the disheveled room, a sullen expression creased his face.

“It’s becoming more and more tasteless…”

Recalling the recent events, Si-wol curled his lips.

In truth, Si-wol had only pricked the fangs slightly without actually drinking any blood. He had never directly consumed the blood of any blood donor before. And rightfully so, as the aftermath of directly feeding on blood was something he feared to face.

When a vampire drinks fresh blood from a human, various reactions occur in their body. Among them, there are two particularly noticeable responses. One is the phenomenon where the iris of their eyes turns bright red. If the color of the iris suddenly changes during a live broadcast, it would undoubtedly raise suspicion and should never be revealed.

However, that’s not the only issue. The most significant problem is the second phenomenon, which is the immediate sexual arousal. It seems that the aphrodisiac effect carried in Si-wol’s saliva, when mixed with human blood, produces some kind of effect, but the exact reason is unknown.

The problem was that not only Si-wol, but also the humans from whom the blood was drawn, experienced the same arousal. It was ironic, but vampires and humans both became sexually aroused in the situation of consuming blood and being consumed. They were mutually affected by each other, just like the effect of an aphrodisiac.

With this in mind, Si-wol pursed his lips. On one hand, there were vampires who enjoyed such phenomena. Some claimed it was a blessing bestowed by the gods and should be fully indulged in.

However, Si-wol was different. Believing that life was delicate and long, he was inclined to think that unnecessary settings only posed threats. The immediate manifestation of effects upon consuming blood always brought embarrassment to Si-wol. There were times when, in moments of confusion, he would consume fresh blood and then suffer, unable to handle the sudden surge in his body.

Given these circumstances, there were subtle constraints during broadcasts. If Si-wol were to drink a viewer’s blood during a broadcast and then become sexually aroused, he might be branded as a deviant with abnormal desires, forced to live in hiding for the rest of his life. On the other hand, an aroused viewer could also become uncontrollable and attack him.

It was terrifying even just to imagine. After all, he had managed to find a precarious method to obtain blood stably! He couldn’t afford to lose it due to unintended bodily changes.

That’s why the devised method was blood transfusion. After collecting the blood, he would let it sit for about a day before drinking it, and this prevented any bodily changes. Of course, the taste that surged as soon as the skin was pierced was incomparable, but there was no other alternative.

“No, no, that’s not the problem now. The main issue is that Nectar’s blood has become disgustingly tasteless.”

Si-wol muttered, pouting his lips.

Vampires had varied tastes when it came to their preferences. Si-wol, in terms of gender, favored males, especially humans with a strong and well-built physique. The sensation of tearing through their plump flesh with his fangs was delightful, and the gushing blood from their healthy and robust bodies was vivid and delicious. Therefore, he was meticulous in selecting blood donors. If he mistakenly chose someone whose blood he couldn’t consume, he would be forced to starve for an entire week without a single bite.

Among them, the viewer known as Nectar belonged to the category with a cleaner taste of blood. However, as the number of donations increased, the taste seemed to change, perhaps due to poor personal care, which was quite disappointing.

“I can endure many things, but I can’t stand the foul smell. Phew, I’ll bear with it just this time, but maybe I should consider finding someone else for the next time.”

Si-wol cleared his room and crossed over to the adjacent room. There, the viewer was comfortably seated, leaning against the chair next to the phlebotomy equipment. Unlike his earlier dazed expression, he now had sparkling eyes and appeared fully composed.

“You’ve regained your senses quickly. Well then… shall I draw the blood?”

“Yes!”

Si-wol picked up the needle connected to the blood pack. Then, with skillful precision, he pricked the viewer’s arm. The dark red blood swiftly flowed through the tube and gathered in the blood pack.

“It seems like my mind cleared up earlier than last time.”

The viewer said, staring directly at Si-wol. He seemed somewhat disappointed by his regained clarity.

“Ah, I must have applied a little bit of anesthesia on my fangs, that’s probably why. I’m sorry.”

Si-wol casually lied, glancing at his watch as if nothing had happened.

It was already 11:40 PM. The broadcast had ended, and Si-wol had no desire to unnecessarily prolong the conversation with the viewer. That’s why he intentionally shortened the time for signing.

Even though he didn’t directly consume the blood, the moment his fangs pierced through and left a wound, his saliva would be absorbed and the longer the saliva remained in the human body, the longer the pleasure the human would experience. Naturally, the longer it took for the mind to regain clarity. So, Si-wol had intentionally kept it brief.

Si-wol stood up from his seat with a stern expression. From the neck wound he had made on the viewer, the smell of congealed blood permeated, and the scent that was now tinged with a foul odor made his head throb.

“I’ll proceed with the blood extraction. I’ll be back after attending to some other matters.”

The viewer looked at Si-wol with a wistful gaze as he prepared to leave the room. It was disappointing enough that their encounter was brief, but the fact that he would have to wait two months to meet again, despite admiring Si-wol, was incredibly regrettable. To meet him, he had no choice but to become a blood donor, and once he donated blood, he had to wait for a two-month period.

Si-wol glanced at the dejected expression on the viewer’s face but pretended not to notice as he left the room. He silently wished for the blood of the next week’s blood donor to be delicious. However, unfortunately, Si-wol found himself in a crisis as he couldn’t find a new blood donor for a staggering three weeks after that.