The night sky above the Castle of Foreverness trembled.
A deep crack echoed through the air, slow and heavy, like the world itself was breaking.
Inside his room, Oban suddenly opened his eyes.
His heart beat faster.
He felt it.
A cold and wild aura spread through the castle walls. It was different from vampires. Rough. Angry. Ancient.
Oban stood up immediately and rushed out of his room.
He ran through the long halls and reached Aijack's chamber. Without hesitation, he pushed the door open.
"Aijack," Oban said, breathing hard. "What's happening?"
Aijack was already standing, his expression serious. He looked older than usual, like memories were pressing on him.
"The barrier," Aijack said. "It has started to crack."
Oban clenched his fists. "Werewolves?"
Aijack nodded. "Be prepared."
Before Oban could say anything else, he felt the castle shake again.
Outside, horns echoed.
Oban moved toward the balcony and looked down.
Below, vampires were gathering.
Klein stood at the front, his dual blades already in his hands. Allisa stood not far behind him, silent, her eyes fixed on the sky. Vampires of all ranks prepared themselves, wearing armor made from night beasts.
The air was tense.
Aijack stepped beside Oban.
"Don't come outside," Aijack said firmly. "This is dangerous for you. Stay here."
Oban turned toward him. "But—"
Before he could finish, Aijack vanished.
Only a fading shadow remained.
Oban froze.
Outside the castle gates, the ground cracked open.
A massive裂 appeared in the air itself. The barrier that had stood for hundreds of years finally broke.
A dark portal formed.
From inside it, heavy footsteps echoed.
The first werewolf stepped out.
Then another.
Then many more.
At the front stood Rakan.
His body was tall, his presence heavy. His eyes glowed faintly under the moonlight. Behind him stood other werewolves, all silent, all waiting.
Rakan lifted his head and looked at the glowing moon.
He smiled.
"So this is it," he said calmly. "The day has come."
From the vampire side, Aijack stepped forward.
The two leaders faced each other across the broken ground.
Rakan's eyes narrowed slightly. "Aijack. Still alive."
Aijack's voice was steady. "Rakan. You crossed the barrier."
Rakan laughed softly. "Your barrier was never forever. It was only borrowed time."
Aijack's eyes hardened. "You know what will happen if war begins."
Rakan spread his arms slightly. "War never ended. It only slept."
Silence fell between them.
Both sides waited.
Inside the castle, Oban stood alone in the hallway.
He could feel it clearly now.
Werewolves.
His chest tightened.
"What should I do?" he whispered.
At that moment, blue light flickered in front of him.
His system appeared.
Its voice was calm, robotic, yet human-like.
[Task Detected]Target: WerewolfObjective: Take down one werewolf
Oban's eyes widened.
"So… they're really here," he said quietly.
He took a deep breath.
Outside, voices grew louder.
Back at the gate, Rakan raised one hand.
Behind him, werewolves lowered their bodies, ready to move.
On the other side, Klein stepped forward beside Aijack.
His blades crossed slightly.
Allisa closed her eyes for a moment, then opened them again.
The air felt heavy, like it could explode at any second.
Aijack spoke one last time. "Turn back, Rakan. This does not have to end in blood."
Rakan's smile faded.
"It already did," he said.
Both sides moved closer.
Vampires and werewolves stood face to face.
The moon glowed brighter above them.
And the night held its breath.
Chapter ends.