It was a beautiful summer day, warm sunlight spilling lazily across the campus. The season had barely settled in when the principal's voice echoed over the announcement system, declaring the formation of teams for the upcoming vampire hunt. Io wasn't exactly thrilled. In fact, his stomach knotted the moment he heard it. The contract he'd made with Mercury weighed on him like a stone lodged in his throat. Still, he hadn't expected this.
The door slid open, and a familiar figure stepped inside. The class fell silent, eyes widening in shock. Yota was back. The moment his gaze landed on Io, his eyes sharpened like blades.
"So that's how you make a grand entrance, huh?" Io muttered under his breath.
It had been almost two months since Yota's last appearance at school. He could have at least avoided worrying everyone… But before Io could dwell on it, another presence caught his attention. Nova entered the room. Yota's expression brightened slightly—expecting, perhaps, a warm welcome. Instead, she brushed past him without a word.Her steps carried her straight toward Io.
- "Oh, miss, turn around!" Yota called, half-desperate.- "Why so formal? What's eating you?" Io replied, not missing a beat.
When he mentioned Yota's return, Nova blinked in surprise. She glanced around until she spotted him… staring at her desk. Her eyes widened, and she hurried over to apologize. The awkwardness of the scene was too much for the rest of the class; snickers and muffled laughs rippled through the room. Nova rubbed the back of her head, cheeks flushing red. That was when Subaru leaned toward Io.
- "Is it just me, or does Nova only look at you these days?"
From the back of the room, Nova's ears twitched at the comment. Without hesitation, she hurled the notebook in her hand with frightening precision. Subaru hit the floor instantly. Io just stared—equal parts impressed and horrified.
- "IDIOT! Don't say weird things!" she shouted, though her voice trembled with embarrassment. Before the laughter could fade, Haru appeared, slipping into the crowd like a thief in some RPG cutscene. She pointed dramatically at Nova.
- "In any case, you won't get him so easily! I won't let my master be seduced by another woman!"
- "…His master?" Nova echoed.- "It's… a long story," Io sighed. "I beat her twenty-five times in a row at chess. Since then, she insists on calling me that."
Nova muttered a flustered denial while, on the other side, Ymir tugged at Io's sleeve, holding up a drawing with sparkling eyes. He patted her head gently, only for her to slip into his arms a moment later.
- "Tell us, Io… why aren't you excited about the mission?" she asked softly.
Io's gaze darkened.
- "Because… to me, all races are equal. Exterminating one just because they're different doesn't exactly fill me with joy."
A heavy silence fell over the class. Some students exchanged uneasy glances, quietly wondering why he'd even enrolled in this school. Before anyone could answer, the teacher entered, notebook in hand.
- "Alright! Everyone, take your seats! I'll announce your groups in a moment, but first—Mr. Io, about your question. We do not kill other races for pleasure, but out of necessity. Semi-humans have their own district; if one of them breaks the rules, they are executed. Simple, yes?" Io didn't answer.
- "However," the teacher continued, "there is one exception—vampires. If you encounter one: kill it."
A murmur rippled through the room.
- "Now, the groups. First group: Haru, Nova, Subaru. Second group: Io, Yota, Rhéa…"
Io's eyes wandered to the window, watching a bird disappear into the sky. Being stuck with Yota was… less than ideal, but she only nodded.
- "You begin tonight at 9 PM. Don't be late!"
Io was already on his feet before the teacher finished speaking, Ymir in tow. Nightfall The hours slipped by. At precisely 9 PM, Io stood in front of the high school gates. The summer air was cooler now, yet sweat dampened his palms. His throat felt tight. The teacher briefed them on their target—a vampire named Imari, classified as Class 1: toothless. Io frowned and asked what the classes meant.
- "There are five classes to rank a vampire's danger level—whether they're toothless or noble."
The hunt had begun. The Hunt Classification
[ Class 1 ] "A vampire with no real threat level. Eliminate on sight."[ Class 2 ] "A vampire who has killed one or more people."[ Class 3 ] "Over ten confirmed kills of any race. Hunted even by their own kind…"[ Class 4 ] "Dangerous enough for only experienced hunters. Comparable in strength to a Liaz."[ Class 5 ] "Purpose… unknown."
Yota raised his hand.
- "What's a Liaz?"
The professor didn't hesitate.
- "There are seventy-nine in total. Servants of the Original. Aside from the chief, who remains with the royal family, none leave the castle."
- "Any other questions?" Mr. Charon scanned the room.
No one spoke. The briefing ended, and the group set off for the Semi-Human District.
The Silent Streets
Rhéa drifted closer to Io as they walked.
- "Sorry about my big brother. He's… a little on edge lately."
Io stopped mid-step.
- "Wait—you're telling me the president is his little sister?"
- "You looking for trouble, idiot?!" Yota's voice was a low growl.- "Yeah, you pain in the ass! Can't you see I'm talking to someone?!" Io shot back.
Rhéa just laughed at the absurdity.
But laughter faded the moment they crossed into the district. The air was… hollow. No footsteps, no chatter—only the whisper of wind between shuttered doors.
- "Why's it so dead out here?" Io finally asked.
Silence from the group. Only when he turned to Rhéa did she answer.
- "During hunting hours, any Semi-Human caught outside is killed or enslaved. Same goes for humans here without permission."
Io's shoulders sank.
- "…This night's gonna be long."
The House
The official hunter's attire clung to him: long black coat, two-cornered hat with the back open. He caught his reflection in a puddle—and froze. His breath hitched.
Those coats… chasing him through alleys… the shouts…
"Aggressor! Aggressor!"
He clenched his fists.
- "Makes me wanna puke…"
Rhéa's tap on his shoulder snapped him back just as they reached the target's home.
Without a word, Yota strode to the door and kicked it open. Wood splintered, echoing through the quiet street.
Inside, a man sat at the table with his wife and children. The moment the intruders appeared, Yota was on him—hand around his throat, pinning him to the wall. The children screamed; the wife pleaded, eyes darting toward Io.
- "Kill me if you want, but don't touch them!" the man rasped.
- "No promises," Yota sneered. "But I'm sure your wife would fetch a good price."
- "Bastards! I'll kill you! I'll—!"
Rhéa covered her ears as the man's voice broke into gasps. His throat rattled—air and saliva mixing into a sickening, wet buzz.
- "Open your mouth," Yota ordered.
When the man refused, Yota released him. He collapsed, coughing violently. Yota cut his own palm—the scent of blood filled the air. The man's eyes snapped red.
The ax came down in one brutal motion. The father's head fell before his body did.
The Breaking Point
- "Io?" Rhéa's voice trembled.
He had watched every second. If a vampire was going to die in front of him, he owed it to himself to witness it. But Rhéa's eyes… were empty, crystal-clear yet hollow. Io bit his lip until it bled.
Yota turned to the children. Their eyes burned crimson too. He raised his ax again.
- "Target eliminated. Unfortunately, more vampires have been sighted," he said, almost casually.
Rhéa stepped aside, powerless. The mother clutched her children, trembling, yet her gaze locked on Io.
Her voice broke into a scream.
- "Io Andromeda, no! Our King—I beg you, save us!"
Io's eyes widened—then blazed red. In a blur, he was in front of Yota, taking the full force of the ax head-on.
- "Io! What the hell are you doing?!" Rhéa demanded.
He didn't answer.
Yota smirked.
- "So… you've chosen your side, Mr. Original?"
Io's breath hitched as heat surged through his body. His hair—black as night moments ago—bled into pure white. A metallic taste filled his mouth as he bit his lip again, harder this time. When he raised his head, his eyes glowed like freshly cut rubies. Yota clicked his tongue. Rage poured off him in waves.
- "Tell me… who told you that?"
- "Mercury," Io answered, voice low. "After our fight, he picked me up… and trained me."
Yota's grip tightened on his ax.
- "Tch… I should have known. I should've suspected that."
With a swift motion, he yanked the ax from Io's shoulder. Blood poured instantly. Io staggered but steadied himself—there was no choice now but to draw his sword.
- "What's your plan, Yota?!" Io barked.
Yota's lips curled into a humorless smirk.
- "Nothing. I'm heading back to Mercury. And when the end-of-year tournament comes… I'll tell everyone who you really are."
- "So you're not finishing the job?"
- "Not in the mood. Don't worry—what happened here stays between us. Even I have a little honor left."
With that, Yota slid his ax back into place and walked away without looking back. The Weight of Witnessesb Relief washed over Io as the tension in his muscles loosened. He dropped to the ground, his hair darkening again. The pain in his shoulder was a burning, steady throb. When he looked up, Rhéa was staring at him. Her expression shifted from confusion… to dawning horror. Io froze. She knows too much.
- "Well… this is a mess."
He rose slowly, hands up in a calming gesture.
- "Easy. I'm not going to hurt you."
But the girl's breathing quickened. Panic rippled through her like a breaking wave. Io stepped forward, gripping her shoulders gently but firmly.
- "Calm down."
Her body trembled—then went limp. She collapsed into his arms, unconscious from the strain. The Bow When he looked to the mother, he expected fear. Instead, she bowed deeply.
- "Thank you for saving us, O Great King!"
Io took a step back.
- "Uh—don't be so formal. I… couldn't save your husband. I'm sorry."
- "No, my King. Do not apologize. My husband gave his life to protect us—that is the greatest proof of love. And since your disappearance… we knew your mission must have been difficult."
"You understood everything… I won't tell you," Io said with a dry laugh. "…Wait. What mission is she talking about?"
"Who is she…?"
Io hadn't regained his memory, but each day another fragment surfaced. Today's was… different. He looked at the woman seriously.
- "You'll be taken care of by the royal family. They'll help you grieve and find a new home."
- "How will you get them to safety?" she asked.
Calling the Liaz That voice in his mind—LaVoix—threw him off balance. He forced himself to think. Then a memory came. The Liaz… servants and bodyguards of the royal family.
- "There!" he shouted suddenly.
- "Your Majesty?" the woman blinked.
Io froze. He didn't even know how to summon the Liaz. Looking around for answers, his gaze landed on his phone. Only one number was saved. He pulled it out and called. First ring—no answer. Second ring—
- "Please… pick up," he murmured.
Third ring—
Click.
A soft voice answered.
- "H…Hello?"
Io's heart skipped.
- "Hello!?"
The voice trembled faintly.
- "Io… is that you?"
- "Sorry to bother you. This will sound crazy, but… I've lost my memory. Your number was just… saved in my phone."
Silence.
- "Hello?" Io prompted.
- "You've lost your memory?"
From the other end came faint sounds—like someone trying not to sob. Paper crumpling. Then, the tone of her voice shifted entirely.
- "Can you hear me, my little Io?"
- "Ah—hello! What happened to the other person I was talking to?"
The voice on the other end of the line paused.
- "You ask a lot of indiscreet questions…"Her tone tightened, trembling with something that wasn't quite anger—more like pain.- "I suppose anyone would react that way… if their husband forgot who they were."
Io nearly dropped the phone.
- "H-His wife?! I… I have a wife?!"
- "Well, my little Io, I imagine you're not coming back after all these years—like some dirty jerk—just for a picnic, are you?"
Ouch, TheVoice muttered in Io's head. She doesn't pull punches.
- "Listen… we'll talk about this later," Io said, forcing his voice steady. "Right now I'm with a family of vampires who just lost their father. I need to get them to safety."
- "I see… then look at the ring on your hand. The gold one. Turn it—it will summon the nearest Liaz to you."
Io raised his hand. The ring bore a number: X. He turned it down to VI.
- "But don't turn it too far!" the voice snapped. "Never beyond IX unless you want to cause mass destruction."
Io froze.
- "Oh crap… oh crap…"
At first, nothing happened. He let out a breath.
- "Guess I was worrying for—"
- "From what I can tell, you really weren't lying about losing your memory," the voice interrupted. "It's normal—your body is just… remembering how to react."
Then it hit. The Awakening. A wave of pure, crushing power erupted from Io's core—so vast it could be felt across continents. Black wings tore from his back, unfurling like a predator's shadow over the district. The air thickened with swirling purple mana, flecked with drifting white particles. The atmosphere pressed down on everyone like the depths of the ocean—breaths caught in throats, hearts skipped beats. Io's eyes widened in panic. He twisted the ring from VI to X. The oppressive force snapped back into him. His hair—flaring crimson for a heartbeat—returned to its usual ashen black.
Across the World Somewhere in an ancient forest, an elderly elf lifted his head, lips curling into a knowing smile. In the mountains, a grizzled man with wolf ears stroked his beard. High above the clouds, a man in white robes paused mid-flight. And in a shadowed chamber, another figure grinned from ear to ear. All four had felt it. On the far side of the continent, a woman with long white hair and eyes of blue and red heterochromia froze by her window, tears still wet on her cheeks.
- "He… he's alive!"
Her voice shook with joy. She pressed against the sill, her chest rising sharply as she turned to the armored figures behind her.
- "Go. Bring him to me."
The Arrival of the Liaz Minutes later, two figures appeared before Io. Their steps were silent, their armor black as obsidian.
- "You're alive!" one of them cried, throwing themselves into Io's arms.
Io staggered back.
- "Wait—please… step back."
From the shadows, another approached—the same figure who had once attacked him. Io narrowed his eyes.
- "I recognize you. Why did you attack me?"
The Liaz knelt.
- "With all due respect, it was Lady Éiréné's order. She wished for us to strike you once… in her stead… should we meet you again."
Io sighed.
- "Fine. Take care of this family—and recover the man's body for burial."
- "Master," the first Liaz spoke, voice trembling, "Lady Éiréné—your queen—has searched for you all this time. She has cried every night since thinking you were dead!"
Io blinked.
- "C-… Come again? My… queen?"
- "Yes. Your wife, Lady Éiréné."
The words slammed into him like a blade through the chest. He looked away, struggling to process it.
- "I… can't go back. Not yet. My memory is gone, and my mission here isn't finished."
The Liaz exchanged glances, then slowly nodded.
- "As you wish, Master."
-One last thing, tell Eirene that I can't die, so I'll end up coming back one day or another.
The young women look at each other and smile all three in perfect synchronization.
-Yes, master!