Saquin: Death To My Enemies

As they walked, Lilia began her explanation. "Let's start with mythics. They're supernatural beings born either from a complete spiritual mutation of humans or a condensation of Spiritual Power—SP—linked to humans and their spirits. Mythic beasts are similar but formed through beasts instead."

"Hmm, that's nice to know, but I'm more concerned about the smell thing and the attacks." Saquin kept a vigilant eye on their surroundings, scanning for any surprises.

"Rude," Lilia said, her tone dignified. "The smell thing is due to high-level mythics of the same species each having a unique SP signature."

"And you can judge the species by smell?" Saquin cut in, his voice tinged with skepticism.

"If you'd let me finish, you'd understand these signatures all have distinct scents." She paused to sniff the air. "It's hard to explain—the smell is more supernatural than natural. But with how advanced the other side has become, we've sampled each one and are taught to memorize them from a young age."

"Oh? Even by stages?" Saquin asked, still unconvinced.

"Yes. We can't know every scent, but some species are essential to recognize. Vampires are one of them." She turned to look at Saquin. "I've reached my destination."

"Oh? The other side is Ocean's Gate?" Saquin glanced at the cliff near the waterfall.

"The other side is… never mind. It's not important for you. Vampires are not exactly welcome." Lilia's expression softened before she continued. "The mythic beings here aren't from the other side, but for some peculiar reason, they all recognize the scent of vampires. And with the Red New Moon tonight, they'll be in a frenzy—and most will likely target you."

"The Red New Moon?"

"A night when the new moon turns red as blood. It's a time when mythics and mythic beasts, empowered by the red moonlight, go into a frenzy and attack everything in sight."

"But why target me?"

"Because, according to a proven myth, killing and consuming a vampire on this night grants a permanent boost in power, possibly elevating a rank or two. It's part of why vampires are nearly extinct."

"Hm."

"But you're in luck to have met me." Lilia removed a charm from her wrist and placed it on Saquin. "With this, no mythic beast ranked level 6 or below will attack you. Head north to the county capital. As a newly bitten, you're not affected by sunlight yet. Take a carriage to Narisha—it's a three-day journey. There, you can be cured of vampirism, provided you abstain from drinking blood. You'll survive at least five days without it. Good luck."

Finishing her instructions, Lilia extended her hand, and a staff materialized in it. Moving to the cliff's edge, she sat on the staff, which floated like a storybook broomstick.

"Good luck, newly bitten," she said as she floated down the cliff.

Saquin looked at the charm on his wrist, then back at Lilia. Bowing slightly, he said, "Thank you. I'm more than grateful. If Miss Lilia ever needs my help, I, Prince Saquin, will do my utmost to fulfill your request."

"Prince, huh. Okay, your highness." Lilia smiled—a genuine one, unlike her usual polite expression—and descended into the mist below.

Saquin watched her disappear, then turned, looking at the charm with a chilling smile. "Let's go kill some unfortunate lackeys."

---

Meanwhile,

On the outskirts of Brimar Forest, a man clad in silver stood with a massive broadsword on his back, a silver compass emitting a blue mist in his hand. The compass pointed steadily at Brimar Forest.

He scanned the few subordinates he had brought—just ten, but they were elites among elites.

"Let's go kill this bastard, boys." His low voice carried as he sprinted toward the forest, his team close behind.

---

Somewhere in the Brimar Forest

Saquin sprinted through the forest. "This forest is unnecessarily huge."

[ What is your destination, host? ]

"Where else? The big guy, of course."

[ Don't you think this is unnecessary danger? ]

"Danger? There's no such thing."

[ Ah, a peculiar being, indeed. ]

"Hahahaha."

[ Why abandon the cliff plan? ]

"It was valid, but that would just take me off the trail of those village burn—"

Slash!

A whip-like object sliced through where Saquin had just been. Impossible. Even those monsters can't catch up this fast, he thought, sliding to dodge the strike, calculating his next move.

Forcing himself to a halt with his claws extended, he glanced back. A young, petite woman in a black, body-hugging outfit stood there, her attire barely covering her.

Is she… wearing undergarments? Saquin thought, having never seen such clothing.

[ That's a jumpsuit, host. ]

A what? Saquin asked, intrigued by a dress so revealing.

[ Host, I think we have bigger problems than her choice of attire. She's coming. ]

Relax, she's only level 3.

[ Have you forgotten the sun is still out? ]

"Oh! F—" Saquin's curse was cut off by her whip flying straight for his head.

Voom!

He dodged, raising his forearm to block her simultaneous kick.

Slash!

The whip struck the ground, slicing through it like a hot knife through butter. Saquin held her kick off with his right forearm, his left hand braced against it like a pillar.

Bam!

He felt foreign SP press against his right arm. If I were just a vampire, this would have hurt. But as a higher human, he dispersed the SP with .

Slash! Voom! Bam!

The whip, completing a full arc unimpeded by the ground, sliced back toward Saquin in a sharp clockwise swing. He tilted just enough to dodge, then caught her leg as it retracted, his grip reinforced with SP. In one fluid motion, he pivoted back, flinging her overhead and slamming her hard into the ground.

Boom!

Saquin straightened, about to check her condition when a wave of SP hit him, sending him flying.

Swoosh!

Mid-air, he saw a glowing purple sphere speeding toward him. I can use that. Charging his legs with SP, he flipped mid-air, deflecting the sphere with his feet.

Boom!

The sphere exploded, its force propelling him even farther through the forest. Perfect. I'll use this blast to get closer to the big guy and have him wipe them all out, Saquin thought, grinning.

Boom!

Another explosion sounded up ahead. Through the smoke, he spotted another woman being thrown backward, hurtling directly toward him.

Who is that?

The woman, sensing his gaze, turned mid-air. Their eyes locked—just for a second. Her expression wavered, then grew steely as she raised something in his direction.

Damn, she's beautiful. And she's… pointing something at me. Is that a… gun?

[ Gun! ]

Bang!

The gunshot rang out, reverberating through the forest as a silver bullet, inscribed with strange patterns, ripped through Saquin's head.

Thud.

His lifeless body hit the ground.