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After the brief sigh, Henry got straight to the point.
"Who are they?"
Charlie hesitated for a long moment before finally answering.
"I should advise you to stay far away from them. But with your status, it's not surprising they've approached you. And honestly… you probably can't shake them off."
"They're the Mystikos Sect, one of the Thirteen Vampire Sects."
"These vampires generally follow the ancient Camarilla principles—controlling their own kind, including limiting the spread of their progeny. But they don't strictly follow the Masquerade rules. Instead, they actively infiltrate human society."
"They rarely step into the spotlight or become media headlines. Most of the time they appear as important investors in financial circles."
Henry's earlier guess had been confirmed.
But instead of feeling proud, he felt only annoyance.
Being targeted by creatures like this was not something any sane person would celebrate.
"Camarilla?" Henry said casually. "I thought that was something novelists made up. So it actually exists? Don't tell me there's also a Sabbat."
Charlie snorted.
"There is."
"Simply put, the Camarilla believes in parasitizing human society, while the Sabbat believes humans should be enslaved."
"But those ancient factions have splintered into many sects over the centuries. Their doctrines aren't exactly what they used to be."
Henry grinned.
"Sounds like the Sabbat probably got wiped out by so-called heroes. Otherwise we'd be seeing blood farms everywhere by now."
Charlie gave him a strange, unpleasant smile.
"How do you know they're all gone?"
But he didn't continue down that path.
Instead he asked:
"So—what exactly do you want to know about the people who contacted you?"
Henry shrugged.
"Maybe… the parts I should know?"
Charlie nodded approvingly.
"Smart choice."
"I won't tell you too much. The more you know about them, the harder it becomes to leave their sight."
"They're probably approaching you for business cooperation. That's their usual method. Give you a little sweetness, then take a share of your business."
Henry laughed dryly.
"That sounds about right."
"I doubt they're trying to turn me into one of them. Honestly, I'm not even sure their teeth could pierce my skin."
Charlie smirked.
"Even if they couldn't bite you, imagine a vampire pressing its mouth against your neck. Wouldn't the saliva alone disgust you?"
Henry grimaced.
"Oh hell. You're absolutely right."
Charlie chuckled before returning to seriousness.
"My advice is simple. If you can avoid them, avoid them. And don't even think about cooperating."
"Why?" Henry asked. "Business is just mutual benefit, isn't it?"
Charlie leaned forward slightly.
"We like to call Jews vampires sometimes."
"But they're actual vampires."
"You understand what I mean?"
Henry silently interpreted the statement.
So their business tactics were even worse than Wall Street bankers.
"That bad, huh?" Henry said.
"Worse," Charlie replied.
"They'll use all kinds of tricks and pressure tactics. They'll cling to you for a while. But if you hold out long enough—or if things risk becoming public—they'll withdraw."
"Remaining unseen is one of the Mystikos Sect's core principles."
Henry tapped his fingers lightly on the table.
"Pressure tactics, huh…"
Charlie's gaze sharpened.
"Take care of your girl."
"If you create a weakness for yourself, don't blame others for targeting it."
Henry frowned.
He had already considered that risk when he began dating Charlize Theron.
But accepting the possibility didn't mean he liked it.
"Do you know how far they're willing to go?" Henry asked.
Charlie nodded slowly.
"Generally, they still follow rules of the game—both society's and their own."
"Once things turn violent, it becomes a war. And war attracts attention."
"That's the last thing they want."
This information mattered a great deal to Henry.
The worst scenario would be enemies with no limits whatsoever.
Of course, vampires had limits very different from ordinary humans.
Understanding that difference was crucial.
Judging vampires by human moral standards would only get someone killed.
"So," Henry said slowly, "should I hire vampire hunters or priests to protect my girl? Flex a little muscle so they know I'm not easy prey?"
Charlie shook his head immediately.
"That would only escalate things."
"And honestly, instead of hiring some fake priest or amateur hunter, you'd be better off going to the man behind you."
Henry blinked.
"My boss?"
"Tony Stark?"
Charlie shrugged.
"Tony's situation is hard to judge right now."
"But Howard Stark had dealings with vampires before. Even if certain factions disliked him, both sides maintained a respectful distance."
Henry raised an eyebrow and leaned closer, clearly eager for gossip.
Charlie pushed his face away.
"This isn't some secret conspiracy."
"During World War II, Howard Stark supplied Captain America and the Howling Commandos."
"Even if Stark couldn't order them to eliminate his business rivals, if some vampire idiot provoked him…"
"The Howling Commandos would wipe them out."
Henry looked surprised.
"They'd really do private jobs like that?"
Charlie shrugged.
"Even setting personal relationships aside—think about it from the government's perspective."
"A genius brain equivalent to all the scientists of the Manhattan Project combined."
"If vampires tried to mess with someone like that, they'd be grabbing the government's balls."
"In that situation, whichever hand reached out would be cut off."
"Unless Howard Stark was the one who approached the vampires first and made a deal."
"Do you see the difference?"
Henry rubbed his chin.
"That sounds a lot like the legend about vampires not entering a house unless invited."
Charlie nodded.
"Every legend comes from somewhere."
"Maybe some writer heard about vampire etiquette and turned it into fiction."
Henry frowned again.
"But does Stark still have that level of deterrence today?"
Charlie snorted.
"Probably not."
"But dragging that rich young playboy into the situation to split the pressure on you—sounds easier than taking vampire attention alone, doesn't it?"
Henry waved it off.
"Let's skip that terrible idea."
"You don't have anything more useful?"
Charlie thought for a moment.
"Actually… there is one development you might want to pay attention to."
Henry leaned forward.
"What is it?"
Charlie lowered his voice.
"A group of old monsters have come to the West Coast."
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