Humans fear many things.
Darkness, insects, animals, the depths of the ocean… Death, hunger, disease.
But in this age, what people feared most could be summarized in a single word: Monsters.
With the first light of morning, the forest fell silent. The rain had stopped, and a heavy fog had settled in its place. Rowan was counting his magic crystals one by one, his broken staff resting on his knees. His eyes were red from lack of sleep. He had stayed up all night watching over Dean and Eren in the shelter, and dark circles had formed under his eyes from exhaustion. Just then, Eren stirred. He slowly opened his eyes. He stumbled as he tried to sit up, but managed on his second attempt. He saw Dean lying next to him. He nudged his head, and Dean slowly opened his eyes.
Dean said in a sleepy voice:
Dean: "Everything hurts. My wound is throbbing."
Dean slowly started to sit up. Rowan put his hand on his back to support him. Eren looked at Rowan.
Eren: "I don't know about you, but I'm hungry. Call Mira so we can have breakfast, and then Rowan can get some sleep. The poor guy stayed up all night watching over us. HEY MIRA! WHERE ARE YOU?"
Rowan swallowed hard. He put his hand on Eren's shoulder.
Eren: "Rowan, stop. I'm calling Mira. Where could she have disappeared to in the early morning?"
Rowan squeezed Eren's shoulder harder. In a tearful voice, he said:
Rowan: "Eren, the vampires took Mira."
Dean suddenly turned towards them, his eyes wide with shock. In a harsh voice, he asked:
Dean: "What did you say?"
Rowan: "The vampires took Mira!"
Dean was furious. He quickly stood up and started walking towards Rowan.
Dean: "And what the hell were you doing while this was happening, you idiot!"
Rowan started to cry harder.
Rowan: "I was fighting another vampire with my stupid broken staff to save my life. Then Mira was gone. I had no chance of winning against two! Then… then they took Mira and left, and I came to help you. I'm sorry, I'm really sorry."
Eren put his hand on Rowan's shoulder. He rested his head on his chest.
Eren: "You don't need to cry, you did your best. Besides, if they took Mira, the only thing we need to do is go and rescue her."
Rowan looked at Eren. Shock was added to the sadness on his face.
Rowan: "Are you crazy? They took her to the mansion in the north of the island. If that's the main base of the vampire clan on the island, they won't even find our corpses after we enter there. They'll bury empty coffins."
Eren released Rowan. He looked at Dean, then at Rowan.
Eren: "I really don't care how dangerous it is. If we pass this trial, we will enter the academy. We will become real hunters. How can we call ourselves hunters and take on the responsibility of protecting innocent people when we can't even save one of our friends? I'm not leaving anyone behind. Rowan, Dean, whether you come or not is up to you. I just want Rowan to describe where that mansion is."
Eren's attitude was very serious. He slowly walked into the shelter, took his pistol and his precious sword, Lunar, which were leaning against the wall. He took some bread from the emergency rations they had placed in the corner. His canteen was already full, and he tied it to his belt. He walked out of the shelter and advanced a little.
Eren: "Rowan, where is the nest of these bloodsuckers?"
Dean came next to Eren. He started stretching his body. Then Rowan stepped in front of them.
Eren: "What are you doing?"
Dean: "As you said, it wouldn't be nice to leave one of our own behind. Let's go and get that girl."
Rowan: "Okay, since Mira is unfortunately not with us, follow me. I know where it is."
Eren: "You too?"
Rowan: "Of course, although that doesn't change the fact that this is still dangerous, but anyway, I have some cards I want to play. Let's go."
Eren: "You guys are truly trustworthy people."
Dean: "No, we are just hunters trying to do our job well."
The fog had completely swallowed the forest. They could barely see each other as they walked through the trees. With every step, branches snapped, and the squelch of mud echoed.
Dean was leading the way. As he cleared the path with his spear, he looked back:
Dean: "How much longer to this damned place, Rowan?"
Rowan pointed to the ground with the broken part of his staff.
Rowan: "The tracks are heading north. The vampires tried not to leave a trace, but they weren't very successful because they were in a hurry."
Eren glanced around.
Eren: "Hey, we're deep in the forest, there are always monsters in these areas. Be careful. The fog is so thick you can't see a thing."
Just then, a shadow passed over the trees. All three raised their heads at the same time. A pair of red eyes watched them from between the branches.
Dean spun his spear.
Dean: "I'm watching you, little bastard. And if these are vampires, how can they move during the day?"
But the shadow retreated, followed by silence.
Rowan muttered:
Rowan: "Probably scouts… we're approaching the mansion. The sunlight can't penetrate because of the fog. I read it in a book, it's one of the classic vampire tricks."
Eren frowned.
Eren: "Good, then let's make a plan before we get closer. Rowan, how many people might be inside?"
Rowan took a short breath.
Rowan: "The estimated number is at least ten to fifteen vampires. Also… there's a high probability that the Baron is there too."
Dean gave a mocking smile.
Dean: "Perfect. Then it will be a little exercise after breakfast."
Slowly, a structure emerged from the fog. Massive stone pillars, walls turned black, and pale red lights seeping through the windows... The mansion was like a living tomb.
Eren: "Is that it?"
Rowan nodded.
Rowan: "The vampire sanctuary in the north of Moon Eye Island. The Nest of the Bloodsuckers."
Dean checked the hilt of his sword.
Dean: "I hate the name already."
Just as they were about to move forward, the sound of metal hitting stone was heard from the depths of the forest. They immediately took up positions. A group of silhouettes slowly emerged from the fog. A tall figure was walking in front. He had a three-pronged spear on his shoulder. His eyes glowed greenish.
Dean raised his spear.
Dean: "Stop right there. If you take one more step, I'll plunge this spear into your throat."
The man continued to advance without stopping. The light at the tip of the spear glowed faintly in the darkness. When the man's face began to become visible, a smile appeared on Eren's face. He never expected to see this familiar face here.
Eren: "You!"
Raphael: "How are you, Eren? It's been a long time."
Eren: "How are you here? I saw you badly wounded with my own eyes."
Raphael: "The blessings of what we call magic. The donut hole in my stomach closed completely in a few days. So, where are you going? I see one person is missing. Wait, let me introduce my team. Guys, come here, I want to introduce you to someone."
Dean: "Eren, where do you know this giant from?"
Eren: "A friend. You know how I told you a friend of mine was badly wounded? Well, this is the badly wounded one."
Dean: "Okay."
Three more people appeared after Raphael:
— Sora, with his black scythe resting on his shoulder, a deadly coldness in his eyes.
— Thomas, making the metal rings embedded in his gloves crackle.
— Emma, carrying two pistols and a bow; dozens of ammunition sparkled on her belt.
Raphael: "Here is the Joker team. Due to some setbacks, we couldn't be included in the rankings like the others."
Eren: "Pleased to meet you. These are my teammates. The one with the greenish hair is Dean, and the other is Rowan."
Raphael: "So, aren't teams supposed to be 4 people? Where is your 4th?"
Eren: "We're going to the vampires' mansion to get her. Last night, we fought four vampires. While we were busy saving our own lives, the other member of our team, Mira, was kidnapped."
Raphael: "I see. You know going to rescue her is a kind of suicide, right? There's a high probability they've already killed her by now."
Eren clenched his fists.
Eren: "I know, but I don't want to leave a teammate behind. Anyway, we should go now."
The group was about to move again when
Thomas: "Come on, guys, let's go. We haven't had a proper fight since we got here anyway."
Emma: "You're right, vampire teeth are worth a lot of money, I want some."
Raphael: "As you know, Eren, I have a problem with these bloodsuckers. Sora, are you coming?"
Sora: "It's a lot of trouble, but I don't want to be alone either. I'll come."
Eren: "Raphael, what the hell is going on? You were the one who just called it suicide. This is very dangerous."
Raphael: "As I said, I have a grudge against vampires. They turned me into a donut, and on top of that, they killed my girlfriend, Luna. But the real reason why all of us are coming is that the Joker team is a bunch of war maniacs."
As the fog dispersed, the group slowly walked towards the mansion. The wind crashed against the stone walls; the sunlight entering the building filtered through the red glass. When the door creaked open, the smell that came from inside — of rotten blood and burnt flesh — made all of them sick.
Raphael put his hand on the shaft of his spear.
Raphael: "Here it is. The Vampire Baron's mansion."
Rowan squeezed his cracked staff.
Rowan: "I feel an aura of… at least ten people inside. They are all downstairs, and one of them is… much stronger than the others."
Dean: "Must be the Baron."
Eren: "Exactly. In that case, we're heading to the basement."
The group began to descend the dark stairs. The wooden steps creaked with every step. One of the lanterns hanging on the walls was unlit; the others burned with a pale flame.
Thomas: "This place is literally a tomb."
Emma: "No… tombs are more lively than this."
Sora remained silent, dragging the tip of his scythe on the stone floor. The tension increased as their footsteps echoed. Finally, they reached the heavy door of the basement. There was a chain in front of the door, and a carved seal on the chain — made with blood.
Raphael raised his spear.
Raphael: "Get ready. There's no turning back after this."
Eren drew Lunar from its scabbard. Dean held the chain at the tip of his meteor hammer. They pushed together — the door opened with a bang.
And when they entered, their eyes froze. There was a large stone table in the middle. Mira was on the table — chained at the wrists, pale, motionless. Dozens of vampires were gathered around her. In the back, a figure sat in a throne-like chair: the Vampire Baron. His eyes glowed like hellfire, and he held a blood-filled goblet in his hand.
The Baron slowly stood up.
Baron: "So I have visitors… Hunters, are you? How… fresh you smell. I am Agnes, the 4th-degree ancestor of the Volid Tepes clan."
Dean drew his sword.
Dean: "Don't drag this out, bloodsucker. Let the girl go."
Baron Agnes took a sip from his goblet and smiled.
Baron: "Let her go? Ah… you misunderstand. It would be a shame for a beautiful girl like her to rot among you humans. I won't let her go, I will turn her so she can stay with me."
Dean: "How do we split up?"
Eren: "I'm going straight for the Baron."
Dean: "I think so too. Rowan?"
Rowan: "I will burn him so badly he will prefer to go out into the sun."
Raphael: "The split is made. The rest of you deal with the ones around."
After Raphael finished his sentence, he lunged at the Baron. He swung his spear at his head. The Baron easily dodged. As he was attacking Raphael's stomach, Eren blocked the attack with his sword. The Baron threw Eren and Raphael against the wall with a swing of his hand and started running towards them. Dean pulled the Baron towards himself with his meteor hammer.
Baron Agnes: "You're pulling me towards you, huh? Fine, I'll kill you first!"
Rowan: "You're not killing anyone. -caecitas (Blindness)"
A black smoke covered the Baron's head. He stumbled from side to side. When he swung his hand randomly, he hit Rowan, and Rowan also fell to the ground. Meanwhile, Dean plunged his spear into the Baron's neck. The Baron suddenly dispersed the black smoke on his head and kicked Dean in the chest. Dean fell to the ground, his breath knocked out of him.
Baron Agnes: "It's unacceptable for you stupid insects to interfere with the work of a noble being like me!"
Eren, who had stood up, and Raphael had taken up positions again.
Raphael: "Do we have a chance to kill this thing?"
Eren: "Something is coming to my mind. But it's definitely been a long time since I did this, I don't know if I can. For now, let's keep hitting him with small damage."
Eren pulls out his pistol and fires. Although the Baron dodged the bullets, Raphael managed to plunge his spear into his head. As the Baron pushed Raphael away, Eren fired 5 shots in quick succession, all of them hitting.
Eren: "Your turn, number 1."
Dean was standing behind the Baron. Green vein-like structures were forming and disappearing on his body, just like they did at night. His black sword also had green veins, as if reacting to this.
The Baron started laughing.
Baron Agnes: "It's been a long time since I saw a Guilliman. You are usually the most troublesome among the humans I fight. You don't die even if your body is torn apart."
Dean: "Shut up and die without making it difficult."
Dean lunged at the Baron at a very high speed, he was so fast that he disappeared from sight. When he reappeared, he struck such a blow that the Baron's torso was almost split in two.
Dean: "You're not that strong. You died in one move."
Baron Agnes: "That would be very true. That would be very true if I were a normal vampire."
The Baron suddenly regenerated. He caught Dean off guard, but Dean still managed to block the blow. Their fight was a visual feast. They were stopping each other's attacks, dodging, and counter-attacking. But looking closely, one thing was very clear. Dean was at a disadvantage. Dean could land very clean hits, but the Baron healed very quickly. Dean's wounds, on the other hand, were permanent. Slowly, he was exposing himself more and more. Eren was constantly shooting at the Baron to support Dean, looking for an opening.
Eren: An opening, any opening, I need to see an opening. His movements are too fast. If I can see the slightest opening, I can help.Eren was straining his eyes hard. But suddenly, he started to see something he had seen before the vampire attack that day. A red aura was pulsating around the Baron. Dean's aura was dark green. As he strained his eyes, he saw a path. A blue path, as if he was seeing what he needed to do. He suddenly trusted his instincts and lunged at the Baron. As he swung his sword, he opened a cut on the Baron's chest.
The Baron recoiled a few meters.
Eren: Damn, my reach won't be enough.
???: "Eren, I will explain this move to you only once because you insisted so much. Now, the most important area is the abdomen. You need to stabilize your abdomen. Then you will contract all the muscles in your legs at once and lunge forward. The hardest part is here: you will dislocate the shoulder that holds the sword by contracting the muscles. Since a joint no longer holds this place, the flexible tissues will increase your reach. You can increase this reach with a swinging motion coming from your torso. This is it! The 19th move of the 100 basic sword techniques, the Shoulder Root."
Eren: First, tighten your abdominal muscles. Then, contract your legs at once and lunge. Eren lunged forward like lightning.
Eren: Then, dislocate your shoulder by contracting your muscles.The pain Eren was in could now be read on his face.
Eren: "100 BASIC TECHNIQUE, 19TH MOVE, SHOULDER ROOT!"
With his incredibly fast attack, Eren cut both of the Baron's eyes horizontally.
Eren: "Raphael! Now."
Raphael suddenly lunged at the Baron.
Raphael: "Wind magic, wind vortex."
A visible vortex formed around Raphael's spear, and Raphael struck the Baron with his spear.
Eren: "Show yourself, number 1."
Dean suddenly appeared and cut off the Baron's head in one move.