what if I'm an undead! then so what?-Chapter 24: Old wounds

"So that kid just now, Masaru—he's your student?" Mr Isagi asked, sipping coffee from a fine teacup as he eyed Mr. Mugen, who leisurely enjoyed a glass of wine.

"I'm afraid so," Mr. Mugen replied with a small, resigned smile. "You could say he was one of the unfortunate ones in my class. Academically, he was brilliant—always topping the charts. But socially? He lacked the standing and strength necessary to earn the respect of his peers. Still... things seem to have changed. If school were to resume now, I'm afraid the story would be quite different." His gaze shifted to the door, where Masaru stood framed in the doorway, a tired expression weighing down his young face.

Th𝗲 most uptodate novels are published on ƒгeewёbnovel.com.

"To think my own boy would become what I once swore to hunt for the rest of my life—a bloody vampire," Mr. Isagi said, chuckling dryly with a look of both irony and relief. "Good thing I'm retired, though."

He turned to Mr. Mugen, meeting his gaze squarely.

"Relax," Mr. Mugen said with a wry grin. "I have no intention of hurting him either. I should remind you... I'm indefinitely suspended from the Organization. So for now, you're both safe."

He stood as if to leave but then paused mid-step, his voice growing serious.

"Isagi... You're one of my oldest friends—and one hell of a partner. It'd be a shame to kill you one day. Why not reconsider your retirement? If you can't, then at least relocate somewhere outside the Organization's reach. I don't want to be the one to end your story."

Mr. Isagi's sharp eyes glinted under the restaurant's dim lights, his voice steady and firm. "Even if I wanted to, it's impossible. If I'm going to die, then it'll be here in Japan—no running. Maybe call it atonement for all the innocent lives I've ended in the name of 'duty.'

"You know as well as I do: no organization can wipe out all non-humans. Sooner or later, they'll be forced out of hiding, and when that happens... Humanity won't be ready. There are beings lurking in the shadows capable of wiping us out if they so wish. I refuse to participate in a meaningless war anymore.

"Oh, and if the time comes where you have to kill me... do it outside of my restaurant." His eyes gleamed dangerously. "I have a strict no-violence policy here. Break it—and in return I won't hold back."

Mr. Mugen's smile faded. Slowly, he removed his glasses, the air around him growing heavier—thick with a suffocating presence. All around them, the customers began to quietly get up and leave, their faces blank, as if under a spell.

Masaru, watching from the doorway, felt a shiver run down his spine.

What the hell...? Masaru thought, frozen in place." Is Mr. Mugen a non human as well?... releasing this amount pressure? Is he planning to kill Mr. Isagi? Why can't I... move...? Damn it!"

Before he could process it, another ripple tore through the air.

Mr. Isagi placed his coffee cup gently on the table. In an instant, the very atmosphere around him shifted—more raw and brutal than Mugen's refined force. The air seemed to scream and beg for mercy as it cracked and crumbled under the pressure.

If Mugen was a masterfully honed sword, then Isagi was an untamed war hammer.

The two men stared each other down, the room trembling between them—until, suddenly, they both burst into laughter.

"Hah! You're still the Godhand for a reason," Mr. Mugen said, grinning broadly. "Even after all these years away from the battlefield, your might hasn't dulled one bit. You're not my rival and partner for nothing."

He leaned back slightly, adding with a smirk, "Good thing you can still protect yourself. But... don't push yourself too hard, old man. If you do, you'll die from that injury before I even get the chance to kill you."

At that, Mr. Isagi wiped a thin trail of blood leaking from the corner of his mouth, before coughing up a mouthful more into his palm.

"You're lucky to still be alive," Mr. Mugen said, tossing a small bottle toward Isagi. "Here—consider this a gift. I stole it from the Organization a long time ago. Might save your life."

With that, he disappeared into thin air, leaving only the faint smell of wine and blood lingering behind.

Mr. Isagi caught the bottle midair, looking at it with cold eyes.

"To think you'd misjudge my character so badly..." he muttered to himself, his fingers tightening around the bottle, ready to crush it. "I'll never accept help from the same people I consider enemies."

Just as he was about to shatter the bottle, a familiar voice called out his name, snapping him out of his grim resolve.