HELLSING Arc

Chapter 1 Do you want a new life?

Saturday. The sky was clear, not a cloud in sight. The provincial museum was packed with people, crowds lining up outside, clutching their expensive tickets and tapping them impatiently as they waited to enter the exhibition hall specially cordoned off for this day.

The Shakyamuni finger bone relic tour—this was something an ordinary person might never encounter in a lifetime. To get up close, maybe catch a bit of good fortune or blessing; even though people didn’t really believe in these superstitions anymore, it was still worth seeing.

Inside the vast exhibition hall, even with the number of visitors limited, it still felt crowded. Most of the other exhibits were deserted, but the very center of the hall was surrounded by people.

Separated by guardrails and bulletproof glass, everyone’s gaze was fixed on the piece of relic inside the case, gleaming white as jade.

Under the soft lighting, the relic seemed almost to emit its own glow, lying quietly on its cushion.

At the front of the crowd, a young, handsome monk and a young man wearing sunglasses were speaking in low voices, as if exchanging opinions.

“I mean, the Shakyamuni finger bone relic is rare, but why did you drag a blind guy like me here?”

The young man in sunglasses looked ahead, but his gaze was not focused on the relic; behind the sunglasses, his eyes were empty, unfocused.

The handsome monk wore a small badge on his chest, clearly identifying him as staff. Only his Dharma name was written on it: "Edward Clark". He smiled and replied, “Even if you can’t see, you can still feel it.”

“Through bulletproof glass? What are you feeling, let me see? All I can feel is that you’re wearing perfume.” The young man in sunglasses shook his head. “You’re a monk—why are you wearing perfume? Trying to seduce female devotees or something?”

“You’re being superficial.” Edward Clark shook his head. “The temple’s finances are bad. Otherwise, they wouldn’t have put such a precious relic on display. The perfume is just for image.”

“Heh, even monks have financial problems. I’ve learned something new. I’ve felt what I can feel, so I’m leaving.” The young man in sunglasses turned to go, but Edward Clark stopped him.

“Why are you pestering me instead of hustling those rich folks?”

The young man in sunglasses didn’t get angry. He lowered his head, and through the gap in his sunglasses, his lifeless eyes met Edward Clark’s. His gray pupils were empty, void of anything.

“You have Buddha-nature. I’m just trying to save you.” Edward Clark said in a low voice, “Want to become a monk? The benefits are pretty good.”

“No matter how many times you ask, I won’t. I’m not even married yet. Go find someone else.” The young man in sunglasses shook his head.

“Henry Clark, you’re five meters from the Buddha’s relic. That’s basically in front of the Buddha. Answer me honestly.” Edward Clark grew serious, dropping his previous playful demeanor. “Do you really have no attachments left in your heart? Buddha saves those with affinity. You were born with spiritual sensitivity. I just feel sorry seeing you so dead inside, living like a walking corpse. Is that really okay?”

“There are empty people everywhere. Why pick me?” Henry Clark shook his head. “I eat well, sleep well, young and rich. As a blind man, I’m content. You really picked the wrong person.”

With that, he ignored Edward Clark, adjusted his sunglasses, slowly parted the crowd, and, gripping his short cane, made his way out.

Suddenly, something cold pressed against his forehead, making him stop.

“Don’t be in such a hurry to leave. The show’s just starting.” A stranger’s voice sounded.

A grinning man pulled out a pistol and pressed it to his forehead, laughing loudly, “This is a robbery!”

As he shouted, chaos erupted in the exhibition hall. Several visitors standing at the edges suddenly drew guns and took control of the entrances and exits.

It was obvious this was a premeditated, organized, and disciplined robbery. As for the target, there was no doubt—it was the finger bone relic displayed in the center of the hall.

The man pointing the gun at Henry Clark fired two shots into the ceiling. “Everybody quiet! Get down!”

Once things finally quieted down, the man holding Henry Clark nodded for his men to smash the bulletproof glass. Unfortunately, after a futile effort, all they managed was a web of cracks.

One sharp-eyed robber noticed the badge on Edward Clark’s chest, grabbed him with one hand, “Staff? Perfect…”

He shoved him against the bulletproof case and pointed a gun at his head. “I’ll count to three. If you don’t open the case, your head’s next.”

“Then just kill me.”