The yard was scorched. Fences lay in ruins. The air crackled with blood magic and petty vampiric rage.
Tachibana panted, knees slightly bent, her skin gleaming with sweat and battle sparkles. Across from her, Veronica floated a few inches above ground, blood roses swirling like a demonic ballerina.
"I must say," Veronica cooed, licking a finger, "you're persistent for a low-tier pact vessel."
"Low-tier?!" Tachibana growled. "I've literally kicked your German goth ass across this entire garden!"
Veronica shrugged. "Yes, but I'm still standing. You're wobbling."
And indeed, Tachibana's legs were trembling, her leotard battle gear scorched, revealing far more thigh than she intended. One stocking had disintegrated entirely. Her chest heaved—not from embarrassment (okay, maybe 40%)—but from the strain of using Blood Drive without full soul synchronization.
"Just... one more hit..."
But before she could attack—
Veronica vanished.
A blur—then a slap of wind—
SLAM!
Veronica appeared behind her, arms wrapped around Tachibana's waist from behind in a crimson-hued grapple.
"Let's end this with a little... heart-to-heart," she whispered.
A burst of red magic pulsed. Tachibana's limbs locked up. Blood threads snaked from Veronica's fingertips, piercing into her back.
"AHH—!"
Her eyes widened, her aura flickered—and the transformation faded.
Tachibana collapsed forward with a grunt, landing face-first into the grass.
Veronica towered above, licking her fangs.
"Don't worry, darling. I'll take real good care of Machio."
Machio, still tied to the pool chair, screamed into his gag.
[WARNING: Pact User Tachibana KO'd. Soul-Link Stability Dropping.]
[Emergency Trigger Activated: Primary Vessel Defenseless.]
[Optional Action: Aura Harvesting Detected.]
As Veronica sashayed toward Machio, blood roses trailing behind her, Machio suddenly felt it.
A shift.
A chill wind curled up his spine.
A strange, humming vibration. Like someone opened a fridge... inside his soul.
The ropes snapped—POOF—as if repelled by divine disdain.
Machio rose slowly.
Eyes wide.
Aura flickering.
Hair suddenly... windblown.
Veronica blinked.
"What in the brooding vampire prince cosplay is this?"
Machio's body moved on its own. His lips barely parted.
"…don't touch her."
"Eh?"
[Emergency Aura Farm Mode: ON]
[Collecting Environmental Magic. Boosting Host Core.]
[WARNING: You are now radiating Alpha Male Aura. Proceed with caution.]
Machio stood tall. Shirt torn. Eyes glowing faintly blue with crimson rings.
"I said… don't touch her."
Veronica blinked again.
Then... blushed.
"W-wait… those eyes... that voice… are you doing a Dominating Demon Lord impression right now!?"
But her knees buckled.
A soft gasp escaped her lips.
She took one step back.
[ALERT: Veronica von Eisgrube's "Tsundere Weakness to Cold Authority" Triggered.]
[Effect: +800 Fear, -500 Pride, +300 Sudden Daddy Issues]
Veronica fell to one knee, cheeks flushed.
"M-Machio Araki... y-you…"
"Stay back," he said flatly. "I'm farming aura right now."
That line should've been ridiculous.
But the tone—
Flat. Cold. Dangerous.
Veronica's breath hitched.
"Y-You're... daddy!?"
Machio blinked. "Huh?"
Aura collapse.
The cold expression cracked.
He immediately tripped over a blood rose stem and faceplanted on the lawn.
Aura farming ended.
"…ow."
Tachibana, groaning, opened one eye.
"…did he just… scare a vampire dominatrix into kneeling?"
Veronica shook herself, gasping, eyes wide in confusion and slight arousal.
"W-what just happened!? Who—what was that version of you!?"
Machio sat up slowly.
"I dunno… I think I accidentally channeled Cool Anime Protagonist Energy for five seconds."
[Achievement Unlocked: Daddy Material]
[+3 Confidence, +1 Mysterious Aura, +10 Veronica Fear Points]
But then—everything flickered.
The Pact Symbols on both his and Tachibana's bodies pulsed—
[WARNING: Pact Overload]
[Soul Synchronization Error Detected.]
[System Rebooting… Initiating Emergency Reset…]
"…huh?"
A brilliant crimson flash exploded from the seal mark on Machio's hand.
Tachibana's pendant glowed violently.
Both screamed.
Then—
BLACKOUT.
---
Somewhere in the Void...
Machio floated in a sea of red light.
He could feel… legs?
But they were smoother than usual.
His chest felt heavier.
He looked down—
"WHAT—?!"
Boobs.
BOOBS.
On his chest.
His voice came out higher, a little raspy—but unmistakably Tachibana's.
Meanwhile, across the void:
Tachibana blinked, flexing her arms.
"…I have abs? And…"
She reached down.
Then froze.
Slowly looked up.
"MACHIOOOOOOOO!!!"
---
Back in the Real World – Morning
The two awoke on the living room couch.
Machio blinked open Tachibana's eyes.
Tachibana, groaning, sat up in Machio's body.
They stared at each other.
Then screamed.
"You're in my body!"
"You're in mine!"
[Quest Complete: Disappearing Dick]
[New Quest Started: Who's Got The Pants Now!?]
Description: Your soul-threads have been swapped. For the next 24 hours, you will experience life in each other's bodies. Try not to look too long while showering.
Machio pulled on the hoodie covering his now-exposed midriff.
"This is the worst. I have your thighs!"
Tachibana adjusted her oversized shirt, trying not to look down.
"I have your hairy legs and... why is it twitching!?"
[New Side Quest Unlocked: Mutual Embarrassment Speedrun]
[Stage 1: Pants Mishap - Complete.]
Tachibana screamed again.
Veronica, peeking from the shattered window, giggled.
"Well well… this is going to be very fun."
---
TO BE CONTINUED…