Beast, Blue Blood - Chapter 0

Prologue

<‘Homo bibens’ (from the Latin root verb “bibere” meaning “to drink”), that is, ‘the drinking person.’

An extraterrestrial being that came to primordial Earth from beyond the universe.

A sibling-like existence that has evolved alongside our origin.

We call them ‘Luax.’

– Mariette Blandus, “Origins and History of Species,” p. 32 excerpt>

Light shadows shimmered over the black sea.

Eugene looked away from the night sea beyond the nearby railing. A deck party was underway, with well-dressed people chatting and laughing in small groups.

Watching them, Eugene thought.

‘Such sly smiles.’

She saw her father among the guests in the distance. Dressed in a sleek black tailcoat, with blonde hair fluttering in the sea breeze and striking blue eyes, her father looked like a modern-day Greek god. Even to Eugene, he seemed too young and attractive to have a daughter her age.

Standing by the entrance to the deck, Eugene walked towards her father.

“Father.”

As Heinrich looked down at his daughter, the two guests he was speaking to also turned their attention to Eugene. Both had red eyes.

‘Vampires.’

Eugene immediately realized.

Red eyes were a characteristic of ancient vampires. Even though vampires were recognized in society, it was the first time Eugene had met vampires, especially such ancient ones with red eyes, in person.

One of the vampires wore a lavishly decorated uniform, while the other wore a regular suit under his coat, but it was clear both were high-ranking military officers.

Pretending not to pay them much attention, Eugene spoke to her father.

“Mother is calling for you. She’s not feeling well….”

“We’ll talk later.”

Her father responded with a seemingly indifferent expression. Eugene wasn’t surprised as she had expected this answer.

One of the vampires in a suit was staring intently at her. Eugene bowed her head in greeting and walked away. She overheard the vampire in the suit speaking to her father.

“Your daughter is very polite. Is she your only daughter among the Fuger-Dulloch children?”

He sounded probing.

“She’s also the smartest.”

Her father replied confidently.

Without stopping her steps, Eugene lowered her eyes slightly.

It seemed her father wasn’t bothered by the fact that she had many half-siblings.

Had he been ashamed of that fact, she wouldn’t have had so many half-siblings in the first place.

Thinking cynically, Eugene descended the stairs and headed to the cabin. Her mother sat on the sofa in the cabin, which was as luxurious as any high-end hotel room, with one hand pressed to her forehead. A large ruby ring on her pale, thin hand glinted coldly.

“Mother.”

Her mother lowered her hand and looked at Eugene.

Eugene’s mother was a beauty reminiscent of Xi Shi of the Yue Kingdom, but her black silk dress, contrasting with her white skin, made her appear even more pale today.

Her mother asked.

“Where is your father?”

“He’s talking with the guests.”

At Eugene’s answer, her mother twisted her lips into a wry smile.

“Of course he is.”

It was as if it was expected that her husband wouldn’t come despite her feeling unwell.

Then, her mother said in a slightly irritated tone.

“Get me some water.”

Eugene poured water into a crystal glass from the table and handed it to her mother.

Just as her mother was about to take the glass, they heard the sound of several people approaching from outside. A group of unfamiliar men barged in.

The man who appeared to be the leader spoke.

“Please come with us.”

Her mother furrowed her delicate brow and asked.

“Who are you?”

“We’re here to escort you to a safe place.”

Her mother looked incredulous.

“A safe place? This is probably the safest place from people like you.”

However, the man either lacked a sense of humor or had no time for jokes; he nodded, and the men grabbed her mother’s arms from both sides and lifted her.

“What are you doing?”

When her mother shouted sharply, the man responded with a blank expression,

“Please remain quiet. We don’t wish to be disrespectful to you, ma’am.”

Her mother closed her mouth. Occasionally as innocent as a child, she seemed to realize that these men were no ordinary people.

“Eugene, come here.”

At her mother’s words, Eugene immediately approached her. Her mother then hugged Eugene protectively and spoke to the man.

“I don’t know how you got on this cruise, but if it’s money you want….”

The man interrupted her.

“Ma’am, we don’t want anything. Your husband will be brought here shortly.”

Her mother realized something and glared at the man.

“Are you people working with Heinrich?”

The man didn’t answer, but that was enough of an answer. Her mother, thinking these men were related to her husband, looked even more furious, but she cooperated, thinking her husband had called for her.

The men escorted Eugene and her mother to a lifeboat. As promised, other men brought her father along shortly afterward. However, her father was almost being dragged by them, struggling as he came.

“At least explain why you’re doing this.”

Eugene’s father seemed genuinely puzzled and angry, asking why the men were taking them. The man who appeared to be the leader of the group responded to him.

“There’s no time; please get on the lifeboat.”

Her father glared at the man and asked.

“Did she send you?”

‘She?’

Eugene thought. Her father didn’t seem to know these men personally, but he knew something.

“You’ll regret it if we don’t leave now.”

The man’s expression was emotionless. It wasn’t a threat; it was merely a statement of fact. This made it all the more serious, and despite his displeasure, her father reluctantly boarded the lifeboat.

“Heinrich.”

Her mother called out, but her father didn’t look at her and coldly spoke.

“It’s nothing. Calm down.”

With a splash, the lifeboat hit the water. Eugene wondered why they were using a lifeboat instead of a helicopter if they needed to leave quickly.

It felt like a clandestine escape like they were trying to avoid being seen.

The motor hummed quietly, and the lifeboat started cutting through the water. From the high deck beyond the railing, lights still sparkled, and music and laughter drifted down.

The cruise ship quickly receded into the distance.

“Explain what’s going on!”

Her mother’s voice, demanding answers from her father, was almost lost in the howling wind.

“I told you, it’s nothing.”

“Then why are we fleeing our ship like this…”

The men ignored their argument. They seemed indifferent to whatever happened now that they were off the cruise ship.

Eugene could do nothing. In this situation, no one cared about the opinion of a fifteen-year-old.

Through her hair, whipping wildly in the wind, she watched the cruise ship glowing softly on the dark sea, like a palace of light in a dream.

A deafening explosion shattered the night.

Flames erupted from the cruise ship, and Eugene’s eyes widened.

Her father, who had been shouting at her mother, looked at the burning ship with a shocked expression, completely unprepared for what he saw.

A loud, creaking boom echoed.

The once-idyllic paradise turned into a hellscape, with the cruise ship breaking apart and tilting as it was engulfed in fierce flames. The scene was more surreal than any movie.

“No way…”

Her father turned to the men as if asking if they were responsible. They simply gave a slight bow, neither confirming nor denying.

At that moment, her mother collapsed, and one of the men caught her. But her father seemed too stunned to care about his wife’s condition.

As the man laid her unconscious mother on a seat, Eugene moved closer to check on her.

“She’s just fainted from the shock.” 

The man said. Eugene thought so too.

“You’re very calm.”

The man remarked, sounding impressed that Eugene wasn’t crying or throwing a tantrum. Eugene didn’t respond and turned her gaze away.

Far out at sea, the cruise ship was still engulfed in flames.