Vampire

Author: I tried a new way of writing I hope you guys like it!

Kazuki's POV

Aurelith—a city unlike any other. Built inside a hollowed mountain, the golden sunlight filtered through the massive hole at the peak, casting an ethereal glow over the bustling streets below. Waterfalls lined the inner walls, feeding lush hanging gardens that cascaded downward like emerald waves. It was a sight to behold, yet my mind was elsewhere.

Selena and I made our way through the city, eventually stopping at an inn. As we stepped inside, the scent of roasted meat and ale filled the air. The innkeeper, a burly man with a thick beard, greeted us with a nod.

"A room for two. We'll be staying for a few weeks… or days," I said, tossing a few gold coins onto the counter.

The innkeeper grabbed them, his fingers moving deftly as he retrieved a key. As I observed him, my mind flashed back to Mirkdusk—the vacant expressions of those controlled by that cursed magic, Roberto and his group attacking the city. Was there something off about this place, too? No… nothing seemed out of the ordinary. I let it slide.

Selena and I ascended the wooden staircase in silence. My thoughts drifted to our earlier confrontation—her questioning me about being a hero from another world. Why did she ask that? Why did it bother me so much?

Reaching our room, I unlocked the door and stepped inside. Selena turned to me, her golden eyes glinting with curiosity.

"So… what was your life like before this world?" she asked.

I hesitated. "It was fine," I lied, forcing a small smirk.

In truth, there was nothing good to say about my past. A world that rejected me. A kingdom that banished me. A life filled with betrayal. I refused to relive it. Before she could press further, I turned toward the door.

"I need some fresh air."

Selena's POV

I watched as Kazuki left, his expression unreadable. I merely nodded and smiled, not wanting to pry further. But deep down, I wondered—how much was he still hiding? How much pain did he plan to shoulder alone?

With a quiet sigh, I lay down on the bed, closing my eyes.

Kazuki's POV

Stepping outside, I shielded my face from the golden sunlight streaming through the mountain's peak. I walked aimlessly, my mind plagued by a single question: What did I truly want?

Revenge. That was the answer, wasn't it? My classmates, the kingdom of Malvora—they all deserved retribution. But then why? Why hadn't I struck them down during the mammoth attack?

Lost in thought, I found myself in front of a strange shop. Dust covered its wooden sign, and the windows were clouded with age. Something about it felt… odd. I pushed the door open, the bell above ringing dully.

The air inside was thick with dust. Shelves lined the walls, filled with trinkets and relics that seemed ancient. A man behind the counter, presumably the shopkeeper, looked up in surprise.

"Apologies for the dust," he chuckled. "Not many customers these days."

My gaze wandered. "Why's that?"

"Most of these items come from the Abyssal Realm. People tend to avoid things they don't understand."

The Abyssal Realm. The name alone sent a shiver down my spine. I had heard of it before—a forbidden land, one of the seven that humans were not meant to tread.

My eyes landed on a pair of daggers. Their dark steel gleamed under the dim light.

"Those," I pointed. "What are they?"

The shopkeeper followed my gaze and nodded. "Duskpiercer. Not from the Abyssal Realm, but effective against vampires."

Vampire-killing weapons, huh? I didn't think I'd need them, but something told me they might come in handy. I paid for them without hesitation and stepped out of the shop just as the sun began to set.

???'s POV

A carriage rattled down the dirt path toward Aurelith, its wooden wheels creaking under the weight of its passenger. A girl with long black hair sat atop it, legs swinging idly as she strummed a guitar. Her crimson eyes gleamed with amusement as she played a slow, haunting tune.

The carriage halted at the city's entrance. The driver—his once-light blue eyes vacant and clouded—stared blankly ahead.

With a snap of her fingers, the glow faded. The driver's eyes widened, fear overtaking him as he realized where he was. He turned to look at her, horror spreading across his face.

"I'll give you ten seconds to run," she purred, licking her lips as sharp fangs peeked from beneath her smile. "Go on. Call for help."

The driver bolted, his screams echoing through the alleyway. But he never made it far.

In a blur of movement, she was upon him. Her fangs sank into his neck, warm blood spilling into her mouth. Ecstasy. She had missed this taste.

A moment later, she snapped her fingers. Her guitar shimmered, morphing into two sleek daggers. Without hesitation, she grabbed one and slashed. The driver's head fell limp.

She sighed, wiping her lips with the back of her hand. "Humans really are fragile."

Glancing around, she stepped into the shadows, her body dissolving into black smoke. Moments later, she reappeared atop a building, her sharp eyes scanning the city below.

That's when she saw him.

A boy exiting a shop, two daggers in hand—Duskpiercer.

Her lips curled into a sinister smile.

"This city just got interesting."

To Be Continued…