The once bustling port of Chiba lay in ruins, its former prosperity replaced by rusting containers and abandoned ships slowly succumbing to decay. Amidst this desolate landscape, five figures in the uniforms of the Japanese Imperial Demon Army moved swiftly through the maze of shipping containers, occasionally glancing back with obvious tension.
Their leader was Guren Ichinose, whose dark hair and determined expression marked him as someone accustomed to command. Behind him were his trusted teammates: Mito Jujo, a tall girl with a bright red ponytail; Shigure Yukimi, whose long blue hair framed an expressionless face as cold as winter ice; Sayuri Hanayori, whose gentle temperament and sweet appearance belied her fighting skills; and finally, Norito Goshi, the only other male in the group, whose messy golden hair and light beard gave him a mature, battle-worn appearance.
"Stop moving forward!"
Guren suddenly raised his right hand, causing his entire squad to freeze in mid-stride. They immediately took up defensive positions, weapons half drawn as they scanned their surroundings with practiced vigilance.
Norito stepped closer to his leader, concern in his voice. "What is it, Guren?"
Guren's hand moved instinctively to his sword hilt, his eyes fixed on the path ahead. "Something is approaching, something that makes every instinct I have scream danger."
The warning spurred the team into action. Steel clanged against leather as they drew their cursed gear and quickly dispersed to form a defensive perimeter around their leader.
"Excellent perception."
The unfamiliar voice drifted down from above, causing everyone to crane their necks toward the massive gantry crane towering over the harbor. Two figures stood casually on the crane's outstretched arm, silhouetted against the gray sky.
What shocked the group the most was the recognition of one of the figures.
"Shinoa Hiiragi?" Guren's voice was filled with both surprise and concern.
The petite girl with light brown hair made no immediate response, instead glancing intently at the man standing beside her.
Guren's sharp eyes immediately focused on Victor, his tactical mind already assessing the threat. "Did this guy kidnap you?"
Shinoa wanted to clarify that she had come here with Victor of her own free will, but finally decided against it. Let Guren think what he wanted, what happened next would have nothing to do with her.
"Who are you? Why are you holding her hostage?" Guren demanded, his voice carrying the authority of his rank.
He quickly assessed the stranger: no fangs, normal ears, black pupils instead of the telltale crimson of vampire eyes. Definitely human. Moreover, he couldn't sense any demonic energy emanating from the man's cursed equipment.
Aside from being remarkably handsome, this person seemed completely ordinary.
But Guren would never make the mistake of underestimating someone based on appearance alone. Ordinary people couldn't make his demon blade, the Mahiru-no-Yo, tremble with what felt suspiciously like fear.
Victor completely ignored the question, his attention focused not on Guren himself, but on something or someone standing next to the Lieutenant Colonel.
A ghostly figure with long purple hair, wearing a white sailor's uniform, possessed a face that bore an uncanny resemblance to Shinoa Hiiragi's, while possessing the mature height and proportions that the younger sister lacked.
Mahiru Hiiragi.
Shinoa's deceased older sister, now existing as a demon in Guren's cursed blade.
When Mahiru noticed Victor's direct gaze, her ethereal features registered obvious shock.
He can actually see me?
Since becoming a demon and residing in the Mahiru-no-Yo, she had remained invisible to everyone but Guren. Even he could only see her when she chose to manifest.
Currently, she existed in her 'invisible' state, theoretically imperceptible to any living being.
Yet, she was absolutely certain that this stranger was looking directly at her.
How is that possible?
Mahiru's curiosity was piqued by this unprecedented development.
"Ah, I see now. It wasn't Guren who sensed my presence, it was you who sensed me first."
After a moment of thought, Victor smiled in understanding.
He had wondered how Guren had been able to detect his approach. Even if he hadn't deliberately hidden his aura, a mortal like Guren shouldn't have been able to sense him at such a distance.
The true detector was Mahiru Hiiragi herself. As a demon, she possessed supernatural perception far beyond human capabilities. She had sensed Victor's overwhelming and ominous presence and then warned Guren of the approaching danger.
Victor's words left everyone but Guren completely stunned.
"You can actually see them?" Guren's voice was a mixture of shock and caution.
"Crystal clear," Victor confirmed.
Without warning, he placed a hand on Shinoa's shoulder and leapt from the crane arm, sending both figures plummeting to the ground dozens of meters below.
Seeing this apparent suicide attempt, Guren and his team were struck with horror.
Is this madman trying to kill himself?
And he's taking Shinoa with him!
Their concern was not for Victor, they didn't care if the stranger died, but Shinoa's life was another matter entirely.
However, their fears proved to be unfounded.
When the pair reached about ten meters above the ground, their descent suddenly slowed dramatically. They touched down as softly as autumn leaves, not even stirring a grain of dust from the concrete below.
"Asuramaru is in your possession, right? I demand that you hand him over." Victor's tone was direct and businesslike.
"So you came here because of Asuramaru?" Guren shook his head firmly. "I'm sorry, but I cannot give it to you."
Victor had expected this answer.
"In that case, I guess we'll have to settle this by force."
Victor grabbed the empty air and a shining sword materialized in his grip. However, it wasn't the Mystic Ice Sword, but the Makete Sword, a blade he had recently forged in his spare time.
Using the Mystic Ice Sword against an opponent of this caliber would be like using a cannon to kill mosquitoes.
"Attack! But don't harm Shinoa!" Guren ordered, leading his four teammates in a coordinated charge at Victor.
"Much too slow."
Victor dodged Guren's overhead slash with casual ease, spun around, and launched Norito across the harbor with a single kick. His follow-up sword technique unleashed a crescent of energy that hit Mito, Shigure and Sayuri simultaneously. Finally, he grabbed the back of Guren's head and slammed him face first into the concrete.
The whole sequence flowed like water, taking less than a second to complete.
It all happened in a heartbeat.
"Impossible!" Guren's pupils constricted in shock and disbelief.
This speed surpassed even the most powerful vampires he had ever encountered! In a single moment, his entire elite squad had been defeated!
"I will repeat myself once. Hand over Asuramaru and I won't make it any harder for you."
"Guren, I think you should give Asuramaru to Victor," Shinoa interjected, unable to watch the one-sided beating continue.
If this fight continued to escalate, she truly feared that Guren would be permanently crippled. After all, he was her sister's former boyfriend and had taken care of her in the past. She couldn't bear to see him suffer such a brutal fate.
"Never!" Guren growled, and suddenly a powerful surge of demonic energy erupted from his body.
His grip on Mahiru-no-Yo tightened as he slashed at Victor, the blade leaving a trail of crimson light in its wake.
Victor immediately released his grip and stepped back.
"Haha, Guren Ichinose, what a pitiful sight! When you can't win with your own strength, you let your girlfriend fight for you instead."
Seeing Guren's eyes flash with demonic red light, Victor knew that Mahiru Hiiragi had taken control of the battle.