The three of them moved swiftly through the dark tunnel, navigating the ruins of the underground shelter.
Above their heads—screams echoed. Weapons clashed. Walls collapsed. The fortress was falling.
Beneath their feet—corpses. Humans. Vampires. There was no telling them apart. Only cold bodies, strewn in the darkness. Another fortress lost. And the world… where was it heading?
Jack kept his eyes on the old man. Something was off. Just hours ago, the man claimed to know nothing of this place. Yet now—he knew every passage by heart, leading them through hidden alleys, avoiding collapsed paths like he'd lived here his entire life.
Jack and the mysterious girl followed closely. Suddenly, Jack spoke:
"What's your name, old man?"
The man didn't turn around. He lowered his voice, alert.
"Shut it. Vampires have sharp hearing. If they hear us, we're dead."
Jack nodded, whispering quietly.
"I just want to know your name."
A pause.
"…John. Just call me that."
Jack nodded. Beside him, the girl still said nothing—but her gaze stayed fixed on him. Jack felt uneasy. He glanced at her. Their eyes met. For a second—then she quickly looked away.
He frowned, then asked gently, "What about you?"
The girl hesitated. As if reluctant. But eventually, she whispered:
"…Mira."
Jack nodded, wanting to ask more—but sensing her discomfort, he stayed silent.
Suddenly—John halted, signaling with his hand.
"Stop!"
The three pressed against the stone wall. Jack leaned forward slightly, peering ahead.
Just a short distance away—five Vampires stood guard by a large iron gate.
John whispered, "That's the tunnel. If we can get through, we're out."
Jack narrowed his eyes, enhancing his vision. Something was off.
"They're not just standing… They're searching."
John nodded.
"They have the fortress map. But they don't know how to open the gate… I do."
Jack thought quickly. If they couldn't open it… they couldn't enter. That meant—
"So what do we do?"
Then, an insane idea struck Jack. He gritted his teeth and whispered:
"They might recognize me. I'm still Jack the Butcher… Maybe I can order them to leave."
John's eyes widened. "Are you insane?!"
Even Mira looked doubtful. But Jack smiled and winked.
"Trust me."
Then—he stepped out.
"HEY!!! SOLDIERS!!!"
John and Mira flinched behind the wall.
"What the hell is he doing?!"
They peered out anxiously. Jack walked slowly toward the group, eyes sharp.
He was banking everything on one hope: that his name still carried weight.
The Vampires turned. Their eyes lit with surprise—but not fear. One, a scar-faced axe-wielder, smirked.
"Jack the Butcher! You're here too? Ha! We're almost done up there!"
Jack narrowed his eyes, forcing calm. A fat Vampire with a warhammer laughed heartily.
"We're looking for this tunnel! The map says humans hid treasure here! Interested, sir?"
Another Vampire nodded, excited.
"Exactly! Let the army handle the killing. We like treasure hunts, not bloodbaths!"
Jack spotted a strange symbol on their uniforms—a crest.
Treasure Hunters.
A rogue Vampire squad, unaffiliated with any military unit. Their job: find relics, weapons, armor for the Empire. Operate in small teams. Do not follow military chain of command.
"Damn it…"
Jack cursed silently. He couldn't command them.
The plan was failing.
Then—the mage Vampire stared at him, eyes narrowing.
Jack froze.
The mage stepped forward, suspicious.
"Jack… your eyes… why are they like that?"
Jack flinched.
The others turned too.
"Your eyes… they're golden!?"
Confusion spread like wildfire. Jack's skin chilled. He was running out of time.
John clenched his jaw in the distance.
"Knew it… this guy must've been an idiot before becoming a Vampire."
Mira remained silent, watching sharply.
The mage stepped closer, sniffing.
"I smell humans on you… Are you carrying food?"
Another gasped.
"Golden-eyed Vampire? That's never happened!"
Suspicion deepened. Jack forced composure.
"I was attacked by a human mage. Maybe I'm injured. My eyes are affected. Keep looking—I'm scouting for survivors."
He turned, trying to walk away, nerves screaming.
"Get out of here…"
They were mid-tier Vampires. Dangerous in teams.
Suddenly—
"WAIT!!!"
Jack froze. Fist clenched.
The axe-wielder stepped up, serious.
"Vampires don't get hurt like that. Jack… what ARE you?"
Tension snapped. Jack said nothing. He was out of excuses.
As he turned to leave—
*BOOM!*
The mage chanted. His staff glowed.
A scanning spell shot out.
"I cast a locator spell! Two humans—right over there! He's a fake!!"
The Vampires roared. The whole squad readied for battle.
Jack cursed under his breath.
"Damn it…!"
John and Mira's faces went pale.
These weren't ordinary mid-tier Vampires. They were a full party:
- Fat, shield-wielding Vampire with hammer – **Tank**
- Scarred dual-axe wielder – **DPS**
- Mage in robe with staff – **Support**
- Elegant Vampire in noble suit – **Leader/Mage**
- Archer with slicked-back hair – **Ranger**
A complete squad.
Jack now had to face them—alone.
"GET THEM!!" the axe-wielder roared.
*WHOOSH!*
Jack didn't dodge.
He spun, muscles surging—
*BOOM!*
A punch like thunder exploded into the Vampire's face. The axe-wielder flew backward, slammed into the wall, cracking the stone.
That… was the power of a Commander-class Vampire.
Jack was strong. Very strong.
Enhanced strength, speed, and special ability.
His gift: **"Rage"**—amplifying his physical power and Vampire traits exponentially in battle.
"GHHH…!!"
The axe-wielder coughed blood and collapsed—unconscious.
Silence.
Jack slowly raised his head. His amber eyes glowed in the dark.
"If any of you lay a hand on them…"
His voice was cold steel.
"You're facing a Commander-class Vampire…"
"…Back off… BEFORE I CHANGE MY MIND."
The four remaining Vampires froze.
"Huh…? He's really a Vampire?"
"But he's protecting humans…?"
"Those eyes… what are they?"
The mage stepped forward, uncertain.
"You… are you really Jack?"
Jack's gaze sharpened like a blade.
"I'm serious…"
He raised his hand—
"COME ON, THEN."