The vampire completed his transformation.
Immaculate scales rippled across his frame — smooth, ancient, and unnatural. The bones of the castle groaned and cracked, echoing deep and low, like the entire structure breathed through him.
His face? Stripped of skin. Bare muscle and bone gleamed in the firelight — crimson, grotesque… yet eerily noble.
He exhaled, slow and cold.
"Ah… the hour tolls," he said. "How unfortunate. You'll die at the hands of one who has survived this wretched domain for two long months. I have one more to endure. And you… a fleeting breath in the dark."
Blade's eyes stayed locked. Cold. Dead calm.
He pulled a blade straight from his palm.
"Two months? That explains the stench."
Jater chuckled softly, crimson eyes glowing.
"Sharp tongue. But blades are sharper. Shall we?"
He raised his hand and slammed it to the ground.
Bone cages dropped like hunting traps from the ceiling — the castle itself responding like it was his own flesh.
Blade didn't blink.
He opened the coffin strapped to his back and pulled free a massive chrome hammer — The Owner of Truth.
Then he slid a pinky ring off his finger.
Instantly, his skin paled — like something old and inhuman stirred beneath the surface.
Jater paused, expression tightening.
"No contract? No sigil? You mean to tell me… you're simply a man?"
Blade shut the coffin with a dull thud and gripped the hammer.
"I hate devils like you. All shine, no bite. But I knew you were different…"
His tone dropped. Cool turned cold.
"So I'm breakin' character."
A subtle shift filled the air. His calm cracked just enough to show the edge.
"You're strong. That's why I need this. But don't get cocky — I ain't losing my first solo mission. HQ'll tear me apart for killing you instead of dragging your ass back. But hey… too late now."
Jater lunged. Bone spikes launched.
Blade swung the hammer — BOOM — the cages shattered like brittle glass. The impact roared through the room like thunder.
"Hell yeah. That's what you get, vampire scum."
He grinned.
"I could kill you with a spoon if I wanted."
He charged forward, slammed the hammer into the stone. The shockwave rocked the entire hallway — but Jater had already sidestepped.
"You mock me?" Jater growled.
Too late.
From Blade's hand, hidden knives shot out — straight into the vampire's chest.
Jater gasped, stumbling backward.
"Disgraceful…" he hissed. "To die… by a human…"
Blade calmly slid the ring back on. His finger flushed with color. The pulse returned.
"Unlucky for you. 3:00 a.m. kills don't come back. Devil rules."
Jater coughed blood. His glowing eyes flickered.
"Wait… wait…"
Blade stopped. Boots grinding stone.
Jater's voice cracked.
"Let's make a contract. My power… it's yours. Let me live. I'll be your prisoner. Just… don't let me vanish. Please."
A heavy silence.
Blade stepped forward, close enough for Jater to see his shadow stretch across the wall like a coffin lid.
"Should've begged before I stabbed you."
He twisted the blade.
Jater's mouth opened — but no sound escaped. Just black smoke curling from his eyes.
Blade whispered:
"You really thought I couldn't kill a devil like you? Man… I carry this job on my back."
Pain tore through his ribs. He winced — then remembered:
HQ.
He ran to the nearest ancient phone booth built into the wall.
Picked up the cracked receiver.
Static hissed from the speaker.
"Code… code… 3:00 a.m. is the hour of devour…"
Click.
"HQ here."
"Yo. Blade."
"Mission complete?"
"Kinda… I killed him."
"WHAT?! That was your first solo mission! Blade, even with a team you're reckless!"
"Sorry, Eva. He was an Awakened One."
"Exactly why we needed him alive. Now we have to clean up after you — again. No payment. You blew the job."
"C'mon, Eva, I did my best…"
Click.
The line went dead.
Blade sighed.
"What a cruel woman."