Hyesu, Haesu 2 – Vampires is the sequel to the beloved Hyesu, Haesu 1 – Predator of the Soul. The book showcases a more developed chemistry between high school girl/novice shaman Hyesu and Haesu, the first reaper to ever become a martial divinity. Where the two once struggled to reconcile their shared senses with their dramatically different tastes, now they go on the hunt for quality brews to satisfy coffee connoisseur Haesu’s appetites and deftly drop their sensory connection when spicy ddeokbokki-lover Hyesu dives into her favorite dish. If the previous installment in the series was a lighthearted depiction of the process of two completely different people learning to work together, this latest release is a warm portrayal of two people who have grown intimately familiar with one another. This work aims to be an enjoyable read for all audiences, yet does not fail to demonstrate a keen insight into our lives. A reaper who guides the souls of the dead to the afterlife, Haesu reminds us that he is always by our side and raises the question of what values we must pursue within our finite lifespans. This installment introduces more formidable villains in the form of vampires. Haesu, a professional reaper who has ferried the dead for 700 years, begins to experience strange occurrences such as changes in the supposedly fixed roster of the dead and odd fugue states in the souls he reaps. Meanwhile, Hyesu watches popular dance team Familiar perform onstage with unease. Her friend Yoori, an aspiring singer, is overjoyed by the chance to collaborate with Familiar on a Halloween joint performance, but Hyesu grapples with an inexplicable anxiety that proves well-founded when she uncovers the vampire conspiracy underlying the concert. To save Yoori, Hyesu must wage a one-girl campaign against not only the vampires stronger than any evil spirit encountered in the previous book, but also the familiars bound to follow them. Will Hyesu and Haesu be able to save Yoori and stop Dracula’s conspiracy in its tracks? The character development of the reaper Haesu is especially notable in this work. Hyesu’s whimsical cheerfulness inspires Haesu to leave behind the cynicism that previously characterized him in favor of a growing curiosity about the lives of humans. Everything about the world of the living now feels new and fascinating to him, when before he neither knew nor cared about anything in it. The idea of a reaper concerned with human emotions and happiness seems ironic, but following in Hyesu and Haesu’s perspectives as they fight evil spirits together and look out for one another, the changes in Haesu feel only natural. The novel alternates between Hyesu and Haesu’s perspectives, allowing for easy immersion in their emotions.

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