The forest was quiet—too quiet.
Which, of course, meant something stupid was about to happen.
Alex Dragonheart stood under the canopy of whispering leaves, arms crossed, one brow arched as seven figures in dark, crimson-accented cloaks emerged from the mist. They moved with eerie grace, silent, regal, and unsettlingly in sync.
"Oh look," Alex muttered. "A dramatic entrance. Haven't seen one of those in twenty minutes."
The lead vampire, a tall man with ash-white hair and crimson eyes glowing faintly, stepped forward. His voice was smooth as velvet, but carried the chill of death.
"Alex Dragonheart. Our mistress summons you."
Alex blinked. "Summons? Wow. That sounds important. Should I bring flowers?"
None of the vampires reacted.
Alex grinned wider. "Let me rephrase: No thanks. I don't do cult meetings, and I definitely don't follow orders from bloodsuckers."
Another vampire hissed. "You would defy the command of Lilith Noctis Bloodrose?"
"I'm not just defying it," Alex said, drawing his sword with a flourish. "I'm ignoring it, mocking it, and shoving it where the sun doesn't shine—which, for you guys, is basically everywhere."
The lead vampire's eye twitched. "Then you leave us no choice."
"Oh no," Alex mock gasped. "Seven vampires are gonna jump me in the woods. Whatever shall I do?"
They lunged.
The clash began in an instant. One of the vampires moved with supernatural speed, slashing at Alex's throat.
But Alex vanished.
[Shadow Step!]
He reappeared five meters away, sliding to a halt with a smirk.
"Oops. Too slow. Try again."
The vampires converged, moving like shadows, claws glinting red, fangs bared. Blood magic surged around them—crimson tendrils twisting into jagged blades, spears, and chains.
One vampire's claw raked across Alex's chest, sparks flying as [Titan's Resilience] absorbed the hit.
"Ow," Alex muttered. "That almost tickled."
He responded with a heavy downward swing—
[Heavy Strike!]
—shattering the ground as he cleaved through a vampire's guard. The blow landed with thunderous impact, sending the creature crashing into a tree with bones snapping.
But it stood up, body twisting and healing grotesquely fast.
"Ah, regeneration. Of course. You guys are such fun."
Blood spears rained from the air. Alex dove, rolled, and flickered out of their path—
[Shadow Step!]
—reappearing behind a vampire and plunging his sword through its spine.
It screeched, flailing. The others retaliated, casting blood chains to bind him.
Alex narrowed his eyes. "Time to get serious."
Crackling energy surged around his body as he as he started using his lightning affininity.
Electric arcs danced across his skin, and with a roar, Alex became a blur. He zigzagged through the blood magic, blade trailing lightning. One by one, he targeted their heads, knowing that was the only way to finish this.
Slash—Boom! One head flew.
Crack! Another vampire convulsed as lightning fried its nervous system.
He ducked, dodged, countered. Every movement honed by [Force Control]. Every blow delivered with precise, brutal strength.
Blood flew.
[Heavy Strike!]
He severed another head, sending it flying through the mist.
They tried to swarm him. He used [Shadow Step] again, reappearing behind three of them and swinging in a wide arc.
Three more heads fell.
One vampire remained—snarling, regenerating wildly. It lunged—only for Alex to thrust his hand forward.
Lightning surged into his palm, and he slammed it into the vampire's chest.
"Say hi to your princess for me."
The body convulsed, then exploded in a burst of blue sparks.
Silence fell.
Alex stood in the clearing, panting, sword lowered, seven vampire heads around him.
He looked west.
"So… the Vampire Princess is using her minions to capture candidates. Just like in the game."
---
Elsewhere, on the western edge of the island…
As the night fell on the deserted isle island.
The moonlight bathed the forest in silver, casting long shadows across a grand throne.
A throne made of people—beautiful vampire girls, kneeling, their backs arched, hands supporting the structure. Their faces full of nervousness and sweat dripped from their body but they did not dare to move a single inch from their position.
Lilith Noctis Bloodrose sat upon them like a queen of nightmares.
Her long, silky black hair shimmered like obsidian under moonlight. Crimson eyes glowed with both allure and danger, framed by long lashes and a flawless face that looked carved by divine hands.
Her pale white skin glowed faintly, contrasting beautifully with the tight, dark red dress hugging her sensual curves.
Every movement she made was like liquid temptation. Her legs crossed with calculated grace, revealing just enough thigh to command attention, and her ample bust strained against her corset-like bodice.
Around her, dozens of captured candidates knelt—split into four neat groups. They trembled, not just from fear, but from the overwhelming presence of the vampire princess.
She scanned them slowly, lips curled in amusement. "You've all done wonderfully," she said, her voice like sweet poison. "Such lovely catches."
Even her own vampire followers shivered at her tone.
One of them, a younger vampire, took a step back unconsciously.
Lilith's gaze snapped toward the kneeling crowd.
"But… where are the other seven? The ones I sent out to capture that guy?"
A soft cough broke the tension.
A woman stepped forward—curvy, confident, and beautiful in her own right.
Her maid.
She had wavy brown hair cascading to her waist and intelligent black eyes. Her uniform clung tightly to her voluptuous body, accentuating her full bust and hourglass hips with each step.
She was isadora vale her maid.
"My lady," she said with a bow. " I'm afraid… the seven have not returned. Reports suggest they were eliminated."
Lilith sighed, elegantly tossing a lock of her raven hair behind her shoulder. "Tsk. Disposable pawns. Oh well."
She rose from her living throne, each step radiating power and elegance. Her followers stepped aside, kneeling instinctively.
She sauntered towards the terrified candidates, hips swaying hypnotically. Isadora followed closely behind.
She made her way towards the trembling bodies with the grace of a predator stretching its limbs before a feast. Her crimson eyes glowed faintly in the dim light, and her sultry steps echoed across the silent clearing.
She stopped before the trembling candidates—divided neatly into four groups. Her lips curled into a devilish smile.
"I didn't separate you to be practical," she cooed, voice like velvet laced with poison. "No, no… I simply enjoy the dread that builds when you watch others suffer first. Terror, when savored group by group, becomes a delicacy."
She let her nails gently trail under the chin of a girl in the second group, who flinched and whimpered in fear.
"Watching your hope crumble while another dies before your eyes? Mmm… it's the kind of art this world forgets to appreciate."
Her words dripped with twisted delight as she took another step forward, hips swaying, pale skin glowing under the moonlight, her presence both breathtaking and horrifying. Behind her, her ever-loyal maid followed silently.
"You should all feel honored," Isadora announced, her voice cold and elegant. "You will be useful to my mistress."
Realization dawned on the candidates' faces.
Lilith raised one hand.
Thousands of blood spears materialized mid-air, glistening like rubies.
"Goodbye, You guys should try again next year."
Schlikkk!
The first group was impaled in an instant. Screams silenced.
She turned to Second group, licking her lips. "Don't worry, darlings. Your blood will be cherished."
The spears lifted—
—Clang!
An icy barrier erupted in front of Second group, shattering the blood spears.
Lilith's eyes widened. Her smirk vanished.
Before she could react, a volley of icy spears flew in return.
Schlick! Schlick!
Group Two was eliminated… by ice.
The air grew colder.
Lilith frowned, her mood turning dark. Her followers grew tense.
"Who dares…?"
From the trees emerged a figure—elegant, radiant, and powerful.
A girl with flowing blue hair that shimmered like sapphire moonlight. Her figure was graceful yet alluring, dressed in frost-themed battlewear that emphasized her curves without compromising elegance.
Her presence was like winter itself—beautiful, cold, and deadly.
Lilith's eyes narrowed.
"Seraphina Starlight."
The two locked gazes.
The island trembled with anticipation.