Just a little more…
The psychic connection was almost complete. Jack felt the fluctuations in the Vampire pack. A few of them began to falter. He could… issue a command.
But at that very moment—a Lesser Vampire suddenly shrieked, lunging straight at him from the left. Too fast, too sudden.
Whoosh!
A silver arrow pierced directly through the Vampire's head, just before its claws could reach Jack's chest.
A thunderous explosion tore through the air. A white flash of lightning crackled from the arrow's shaft, incinerating the beast's skull like a living furnace.
Jack was shaken.
The already fragile psychic connection suddenly relayed intense pain from the violent death of the struck Vampire. His emotional system became chaotic. And then—the entire link collapsed.
The remaining Vampires shrieked wildly. Their eyes filled with killing intent. They turned… and lunged straight towards Mira.
On the hilltop to the right, Mira stood, her eyes calm. She flashed a mischievous smile.
"Let's see… Nova. Let's see how strong your weapon is."
She spun around. Drew her bow.
StormFury Bow—the bow imbued with lightning runes—glowed with a blue-white light. Mira pulled the string taut, her body enveloped by a powerful static electric current. The Lightning Rune flared, enhancing the silver arrow nestled firmly on the string.
Pew!
A silver arrow shot forth like lightning. It pierced through the head of an approaching Vampire. Lightning from the arrow's shaft spread, drawing a terrifying electrical current that linked three or four adjacent Vampires. They shrieked. Then—they burned black, shriveled, falling like lightning-struck branches.
She didn't stop.
Mira moved. The rune's enhancement boosted her speed, her body light as a feather, her eyes reacting instantly. She spun, jumped back, and drew three more arrows in a continuous motion.
Pew! Pew! Pew!
Three shots. Three bodies fell. Electrical sparks intertwined, creating a small storm in the forest. The smell of burning flesh spread, ash swirling in the wind. The surrounding trees were also scorched by electricity.
The entire Vampire pack… annihilated in less than ten seconds.
John stood behind, mouth agape. Jack… was speechless. Both could only stare at Mira in silence.
A scene of… satisfying explosions.
"I told you. My whole family consists of notorious monster hunters." Mira laughed loudly, lightly flicking the bowstring then slinging it over her shoulder as if nothing had happened.
John stood behind the tree, his eyes wide. The old man applauded excitedly.
"Amazing, Mira! You surprised me!"
But Jack… didn't smile.
His face turned angry, his eyes darkening. He shot a glare through Mira's smile.
"Why… why did you kill them, Mira? I almost did it! I was almost connected!"
His voice was heavy, choked in his throat.
"Don't you know… they're living beings too?"
Mira froze. She raised an eyebrow, seemingly surprised.
"Oh my god, what is it? I just saved you! They're just Lesser Vampires! Can't you see that?"
Jack's face hardened, he took a step forward.
"Do you know… they used to be human. They once had names, memories, families. If I—someone like me—could be purified, then I believe they could have that chance too."
His voice sharpened.
"And you… you're the one who stole that chance."
Without hesitation, Mira spun around, eyes wide.
"What?! Are you kidding me?"
She pointed a finger at Jack's face, her voice just as loud.
"Purified? You think you've been purified? My esteemed noble Vampire… you still drink blood. You're still one of them!"
The air thickened for a split second.
John stepped forward, spreading his arms to stop them.
"Come on, you two—"
"Don't interfere, John!" Jack snapped.
"Let him talk!" Mira shot back.
John retreated. Helpless.
The argument… couldn't be stopped.
The wind blew through the forest, carrying the scent of burnt corpses and lingering fire. But in the eyes of all three, at this moment, what was burning most fiercely… was the trust that had only just begun to form.
…And that's how it happened.
Back to the PresentAfter the words that cut straight to his heart, Jack suddenly froze.
He didn't know when… he had begun to want to save everyone. Not just Mira. Not just the frail refugees in the bunker that day. But… every living being. Even those who were once Vampires, even those who were no longer considered "human."
Perhaps, from the moment his soul returned… Jack's true nature truly awakened. Not a monster in human guise. But a human whose soul had been stolen, and was now trying to reclaim lost humanity.
…It was entirely possible. Before becoming a Vampire, he had inherently been a kind person.
Jack clenched his fist, then suddenly called out loudly.
"Mira!"
She turned, her eyes still tinged with anger.
"I'm sorry," Jack said, his voice not loud but firm. "I know you did it… because you were worried about me."
Mira was momentarily surprised. But Jack didn't let her speak.
"But my desire to save you… and even those Lesser Vampires… is true." He took a step forward, his amber eyes glowing with a strange light in the cold, wild forest.
"You don't need to say anything. I will prove it to you… Just give me time."
Jack's eyes were strangely resolute at this moment. They conveyed not just belief… but also a promise, quiet yet powerful.
Mira stood silent. She said nothing. But in her heart… something seemed to stir. That look in his eyes, she had seen it… in the bunker, when he shielded everyone with his own body. That warm feeling, strange yet familiar.
…Jack was slowly becoming more human. Truly.
She slightly parted her lips. As if to apologize. But then, she turned away again, silent. The silence was broken by John, who spoke from behind, diffusing the tension.
"Alright, alright! You two are just misunderstanding each other. We've arrived."
He pointed towards the foot of the hill. Below, through a thicket of trees, the Hollowrest guard post appeared. Thick stone walls and a few silver spears reflecting the dim red light from the sky signaled their proximity.
"Just past that station, we'll be able to enter the town."
Jack and Mira turned to look at each other. Neither said another word. But in their eyes… they had forgiven each other.
"You don't seriously think we can just walk right through there, old man, do you?" Mira crossed her arms, her eyes narrowing with suspicion as she looked towards John.
Before them, the Hollowrest guard post loomed with its towering black stone watchtowers and steel gate carved with control runes. A few Vampire guards patrolled, their cold eyes scanning the surrounding area.
John frowned, his voice suddenly serious.
"We don't know the exact situation yet. Jack's 'disappearance' might have been exposed, or it could be… they're setting a trap. I don't know what the Vampires are planning. But we can't just charge in, understand?"
Jack interjected, a slight smile playing on his lips:
"John's right. Also… don't you two realize something? As far as I can tell, neither of you has a Blood Sigil, you know."
He held up both hands in a 'capture' gesture, then teased in a fake voice:
"Go in there without a mark, and the Vampires will haul you off immediately. I bet you anything! Hehe."
Mira narrowed her eyes, immediately retorting:
"What about you? What Vampire has orange eyes like that?"
Jack froze. His hand instinctively went to cover his eyes—then he remembered.
That's right.
His eyes… were orange. The color of twilight, the color of purification. No Vampire in all of Aetherion bore eyes of that color. It was too obvious a sign of his difference—a truth that couldn't be hidden if exposed.
Jack chuckled wryly, holding his head.
"Hmm… good point."
The atmosphere was somewhat awkward when John suddenly spoke, his voice lower and quieter than usual. A smile… somewhat mischievous, spread across his face:
"I have… an idea."