Before the Doppelgänger Hollow appeared, this had been just an ordinary commercial street. Thanks to one of New Eridu's top ten schools opening here, the area became lined with stationery stores and hotpot restaurants. By day, the study halls overflowed with people; by night, the streets belonged to movie theaters and internet cafés.
Head north, and you'd reach an overpass overlooking the entire street—a favorite dating spot for school couples. They watched sunrises and sunsets there. The sun would climb the treetops just as hardworking students woke up, then sink again just as they finished their classes. When the afterglow spilled over the branches, students with a moment to spare would notice how every distant leaf shimmered with a golden edge.
Further south, a river ran east to west. Retirees spent leisurely days fishing along its banks. Even if they caught nothing, an empty basket still held a full day of calm—and that was joy in itself.
But everything changed when the Doppelgänger Hollow erupted.
At first, the place turned desolate, like an abandoned city. Every shop around the Hollow shut its doors, each plastered with frantic red characters: "For Lease." Contact numbers were listed below, but no one ever called. Even the most desperate investor wouldn't go near a Hollow, no matter how lively these storefronts once were.
Later, Section 6 stationed themselves at the Hollow's entrance. After two failed attempts, they renovated their camp once more, bringing in additional equipment in hopes of analyzing Black's behavior. Until they understood why Black both devoured Ethereal and commanded them, they refused to act rashly again.
Past glory was like standing on a sheet of ice—
the brighter it shone, the higher it lifted them.
And at that height, the wind cut sharper, every pair of eyes watching their every move.
Honor wasn't a reward anymore.
It was simply the burden the strong had to carry.
And no matter how thick the ice beneath them was, a fall from that height would shatter anyone.
Failure, however, was different.
[So they can fail too…]
[Tsk, told you so. Section 6 isn't that strong. Just like I said…]
[…]
Buzz!
Flames roared beneath the ice. For those already crowned with glory—add another layer of ice, let honor reinforce itself. Only then would the fire below fail to scorch them.
...
"So the army stationed here is also for our honor too?"
Inside a tent, Hoshimi Miyabi polished her family heirloom blade. Its cold gleam reflected the white-haired girl before her, goggles resting across her forehead.
"Yes."
The white-haired girl gave a small nod, expressionless. "The higher-ups said we're here to assist you."
Screech—
A chair scraped across the floor. The small sound rang harshly through the silent tent, like thunder in broad daylight.
Both girls turned toward Tsukishiro Yanagi, who had risen from her seat. Yanagi frowned, irritation already clouding his expression. He pushed up his glasses, maintaining the calm composure expected of Section 6's public representative.
"No. 11, am I to take this as a sign that the higher-ups don't trust Section 6? You should know we can handle this."
No. 11 shook her head. "It's not distrust. The vampires are pushing the entire TOPS organization to pressure the higher-ups."
Tsukishiro Yanagi's breath hitched. "The vampires…"
"That's right. Us."
A lifeless voice drifted in from outside the tent. Hoshimi Miyabi glanced sideways at the sound. Harumasa and Soukaku, who had been quietly watching, jolted upright, staring warily at the man who stepped inside—so wrapped in layers of clothing he resembled a bundled rice dumpling.
He tugged down his hood, gave Harumasa and Soukaku a brief look, then ignored them. His gaze lingered slightly on Tsukishiro Yanagi before settling on Hoshimi Miyabi.
Facing her, he spoke in a flat, emotionless tone:
"Members of Section 6, good afternoon. I am Bern Kunmutu, current Chief Scientist of the TOPS. Though Phaga is not of our vampire clan, the impact he has caused will undoubtedly damage our external reputation. The Doppelgänger Hollow still stands, and Black still roams within—bearing wings that symbolize our clan. Thus, the vampire clan believes Section 6 has grown overly cautious in its approach to Black."
Tsukishiro Yanagi's brows knit together. Her hand slammed heavily onto the desk as she spoke in a low voice:
"But during our last mission, we discovered Black can command other Ethereal within the Hollow. Without understanding the mechanism behind this, confronting him is no different from fighting the entire Hollow—"
"But wasn't our original goal to destroy the entire Doppelgänger Hollow?"
Bern cut her off before she could finish.
"That's why I pushed those freeloaders to redeploy the army and No. 11 here. According to the intel you submitted, Black can consume only Ethereal—not humans, correct?"
Tsukishiro Yanagi's expression shifted. According to Section 6's knowledge, Black indeed lacked the ability to consume humans.
Seeing her reaction, Bern continued:
"Then the first step is to cut off Black's food supply. You now have one thousand well-equipped soldiers at your disposal—yours and No. 11's to command. Wipe out the Ethereal first. It's no different from cutting off one of Black's limbs. Without sustained recovery, he becomes a caged bird, a fish trapped in a net—doomed with no hope of escape."
Bern spoke with absolute certainty, plunging the tent into silence. Everyone fell deep into thought, considering the plan's feasibility.
Just then, the tent flap lifted. A fully equipped soldier peeked inside and whispered:
"Section Chief Hoshimi Miyabi, Deputy Section Chief Tsukishiro Yanagi—the TV crew has arrived. They're asking to come in. Should we—"
Tsukishiro Yanagi rubbed his temples, then glanced helplessly at Bern standing in the center of the tent.
"You vampires invited the TV crew too?"
"Of course."
Bern nodded slightly.
"This time, you have no reason to fail. To better integrate into New Eridu, everyone must see that vampires are not a terrifying race. Even when a Doppelgänger mimics us, there is still a solution."
With that, Bern walked out of the tent, passing by the dazed soldier. The soldier stared blankly after him, muttering, "When did he even come in? How did I not notice?"
Tsukishiro Yanagi's voice called him back to attention. He straightened, and Yanagi sighed before giving the order:
"Let the TV reporters in."
"Yes, ma'am!"
He saluted and left.
Soon after, a stylishly dressed urban reporter entered with a cameraman carrying heavy equipment. The moment she stepped inside, her eyes sparkled. She practically lunged at Hoshimi Miyabi, shoving the microphone toward her, shouting with wild excitement:
"Dear citizens, I've found Section Chief Hoshimi Miyabi!"
"Ah!!! The real Hoshimi Miyabi—fluffy ears, one meter fifty tall—the actual Section Chief Hoshimi Miyabi, not a body pillow!"