The fluorescent lights in the hospital gave off a cold white glow, making the pale skin of the blond, slicked-back man beneath them almost painfully bright.
When the nurse knocked on the door, he was writing up a patient’s case file.
“I understand. I’ll be right there.”
Carlisle nodded politely and immediately rose to change into surgical scrubs.
In the meantime, the other assistant doctors would handle some basic preparations, but he still needed to move quickly.
After all, a human life was at stake.
In a room where no one could see, Carlisle’s movements were so fast that no ordinary person could possibly follow them.
Soon enough, changed and ready, he appeared in the operating room.
“What’s the situation?”
“The patient has fractured his sternum and ribs — likely from being crushed by something heavy. The ribs have punctured his internal organs. It’s very critical.”
“Is the anesthesiologist in position?”
“Everyone’s here and waiting for you to begin, Dr. Cullen.”
“Good.”
Carlisle picked up the sharp, small scalpel from the tray.
“Let’s bring him back.”
The scalpel parted the skin, and blood welled up.
Carlisle’s eyes didn’t waver in the slightest. Even through his mask, he could smell it — that scent that no vampire could resist, that could drive them into madness.
Over the past few centuries, he had learned to fully control his thirst for blood.
Though human blood was still the most delicious food for a vampire, his powerful willpower allowed him to completely refuse such temptation.
This was virtually unheard of among vampires. Because of it, he had even drawn the attention of Aro, the head of the Volturi family.
To test whether Carlisle could control his craving for blood, Aro had more than once ordered blood-soaked corpses thrown before him.
The result was Aro failing again and again…
After several hours of surgery, the patient on the operating table finally pulled through.
His task complete, Carlisle removed his blood-soaked gloves and turned to leave the operating room.
“Who brought in that injured man earlier?”
He went outside and asked the nurse in charge of reception.
She had been nodding off, but upon seeing Carlisle, she perked up considerably. After thinking for a moment, she gave her answer.
“A young man with black hair.”
The nurse glanced around, somewhat puzzled.
“Strange. He was just here a moment ago.”
“It’s fine. I was just asking.”
Carlisle smiled to indicate there was no problem, then returned to his office, his mind still on the surgery he had just performed.
There had been the scent of other vampires on the patient.
And not just one.
Clearly, a small roaming group of vampires had come here to hunt.
They had crushed the injured man’s bones, preparing to feed.
But for some reason, they had stopped.
Why?
Humans?
Humans without heavy weaponry were no match for vampires. No matter how many there were, they were nothing but a meal.
Other vampires?
Or werewolves?
But either way, they should have left some kind of scent on the injured man.
The truth could only be learned by asking the black-haired young man who had brought him in.
Yet the man was nowhere to be found.
Carlisle sensed something was off.
Just as he was lost in thought, a voice suddenly came from the doorway.
“A vampire who doesn’t drink human blood. Carlisle Cullen, is it?”
Carlisle’s entire body tensed. He crushed the pen in his hand and immediately looked up.
There stood a young man with a long canvas bag on his back, leaning against the doorframe at some point. His dark eyes held a hint of scrutiny.
A human…
The moment Carlisle laid eyes on him, he was certain of his race.
Vampires didn’t have such healthy color in their skin.
Rather, the blood energy radiating from this person was frighteningly intense.
Even at this distance, he could feel the man’s immense vitality.
“Who are you?”
“A tourist.”
The young man’s tone was calm, unhurried.
“I just ran into a bit of trouble along the way.”
“You’re the one who saved that injured man from the vampires, aren’t you?”
Carlisle had already guessed as much, but he still wanted to hear the answer from the man himself.
“He ran into hunting vampires. I happened to be passing by and saved his life.”
The young man leaned against the doorframe, his posture quite lazy.
He knew Carlisle, knew his true identity.
Yet he showed no nervousness at all. His stance was full of openings, as if he wasn’t worried in the least that the other might suddenly attack.
“I confirmed with the receptionist earlier — you’ve lived in this town for a long time. This should be your family’s territory.”
“Roaming vampires have appeared in your territory. You have a responsibility to drive them out.”
“We weren’t able to detect them immediately either… After this, I’ll discuss the matter with my family.”
Carlisle could sense the other’s intent for normal negotiation and responded politely.
“That might be a bit late. Two of them have already been completely wiped out.”
Hearing this, Carlisle’s eyes widened, losing his composure.
This young man meant to say that he had destroyed two vampires all by himself?
Vampires who fed on human blood were already immensely strong, and on top of that, these were nomads who roamed from place to place — their power far exceeded that of ordinary vampires.
Even so, they had still fallen to him?
To a human?!
“I’d like you and your family to provide some assistance in return.”
While Carlisle was still stunned, the young man spoke again.
“There’s something in this town more powerful and troublesome than vampires, and it also feeds on human flesh and blood.”
“I’ve wounded it severely, and it’s desperate for food to recover.”
“Keep an eye on recent missing-person cases, and you’ll find its trail. Report to me promptly.”
The young man didn’t give Carlisle room to refuse, directly stating his request.
“…All right. Where should we find you?”
After thinking for a moment, Carlisle nodded.
“No need to find me. If something comes up, just call the front desk of this hotel.”
The young man flicked his finger, and a card shot through the air, embedding itself in the desk in front of Carlisle.
By the time the latter looked up to ask something else, the young man was already gone from the doorway.
Carlisle didn’t know how to express the shock in his heart.
“Am I falling behind the times…?”
In his memory, humans had never possessed such tremendous power.
He had encountered individuals with special abilities before, but never anyone who could reach this young man’s level.
Every gesture the man made seemed to trigger his instinct for self-preservation.
This kind of oppressive presence — even in the Volturi family, where experts gathered in abundance — had never existed.
“I’ll need to discuss this thoroughly with Esme when I get back.”
And while Carlisle was sighing to himself like this, the young man had already arrived at a hotel.
Tossing his backpack carelessly onto the bed, the young man pulled out a chair and sat down, a thoughtful look on his face.
“So, it’s Twilight, is it?”
