In the heart of Terrakula's gothic castle, Steve stood in one of the side hallways near a window overlooking the palace garden, dressed in his usual black attire, holding a book in one hand. His expression was calm as always, but his eyes were sharp, observing everything with focused intensity. He glanced at the wall clock quietly. Two minutes passed, then three, and finally…
"Tick… tick… tick."
The clock struck one past midnight—that was when a folded note flew in through the window. It seemed Steve had been waiting for it this whole time. He caught it swiftly and looked around before opening it.
"The purge operation has begun. Make sure you're ready. Final deadline: tomorrow during the party at 7 PM."
Steve (quietly, in shock):
"Tomorrow… at 7 PM?!"
He placed the note in his pocket, closed his eyes for a moment, and exhaled deeply. Things were moving faster than he had anticipated. He knew the day his charade would end was approaching, but he didn't think the countdown would begin this soon.
Two years ago, Steve wasn't just a homeless teen surviving on the streets of Darkova—he was a secret agent sent by an unknown organization. From the moment Terrakula approached him and gave him a chance to become one of her "men," he knew that was the beginning. He wasn't just "one of her men," he was her hidden eye—watching her every move, every weakness, every exploitable detail.
Steve walked back to his room to sleep, unaware that someone was watching him. In the far-off shadows, a pair of glowing red eyes stared silently… it was Terrakula.
⸻
The next morning, faint sunlight crept through the window, casting a soft glow inside Akio and Ken's room. Akio was asleep on the floor, clinging to his pillow tightly as if he had fallen off the bed but didn't bother getting back up. His blue hair was messy, his mouth slightly open, and he snored softly.
On the other side of the room, next to the window, Ken sat on a chair, holding his notebook. He wrote with his left hand, jotting down important points for their upcoming mission at Terrakula's castle. An unlit cigarette rested between his lips.
Plan for dealing with Terrakula's party:
1. Official Entry: We're officially invited, which means no need to fight our way in. We maintain a calm demeanor until chaos breaks out.
2. Target Surveillance: Once inside, identify key figures. Terrakula won't be alone—strong guards like Akira will be there.
3. Smart Infiltration: Though we're strong, direct combat in a vampire's castle is risky. Use shadows and potential hidden passages.
4. Avoid Provocation: Terrakula may try to manipulate us—emotionally or otherwise. No emotional reactions. No rash moves.
5. Combat Readiness: Even if the party seems peaceful, we're in enemy territory. Be armed, use your Vakin wisely, expect ambushes.
6. Final Objective: If needed… we kill Terrakula.
Ken (muttering):
"And also… the backup plan…"
At that moment, someone knocked on the door.
Ann (cheerfully from outside):
"Oi! Are you guys still asleep? We need to go shopping for party outfits!"
Ken opened the door slowly and found Ann standing there, dressed in light ninja gear. Her short purple hair was neatly styled, and her eyes sparkled with excitement.
Ann (peeking inside, laughing):
"Wow, Akio looks like a corpse when he sleeps!"
Ken (lighting his cigarette with boredom):
"Who knows… maybe he'll actually look like that by the end of the day."
Ann (approaching Akio and watching him):
"Huh… is he mumbling in his sleep?"
She sat next to him on the floor, watching closely. Akio was clearly dreaming, his expression lost in another world.
Akio (murmuring with a dreamy smile):
"Ah… soufflé… best day ever… more… I want more…"
Ann raised an eyebrow and looked over at Ken, who was watching expressionlessly, cigarette smoke drifting lazily.
Ann (sarcastic grin):
"My god… even in his sleep, this guy only thinks about food."
Then, without warning, she punched him hard in the face!
Ann (shouting comically):
"Wake up, you idiot!"
Akio (screaming):
"Aaaaah!! Why?! I didn't even finish my soufflé yet!!"
He jumped up in shock, rubbing his cheek. He looked around to find Ann smiling with closed eyes while Ken stared without care.
Ann (laughing):
"Come on, we've got shopping to do! We need to look sharp for the party tonight, right?"
The three entered a high-end clothing store. The racks were filled with elegant gothic fashion—black, crimson, royal purple.
Akio (eyes wide):
"Wow, this place is amazing!"
Ken (calmly touching the fabric of a black jacket):
"Terrakula loves luxury. The party will be filled with nobles dressed like this—it'll be easy to blend in."
Akio (raising a fancy black coat with gold embroidery):
"So we dress like nobles, huh? Wait—what about me? Is there a gothic samurai outfit?"
Ann (laughing, holding a black dress with red floral accents):
"Oh Akio, going to a party in a kimono? Try something new!"
Akio (stroking his chin thoughtfully):
"Hmm… You're right. I'll look for something that suits me."
Ken had already chosen his outfit—a long black coat with silver buttons, a dark purple shirt, and sharp black trousers. He grabbed a pair of black leather gloves too.
Ann (turning to him, admiring his selection):
"Hah… Ken-san, I think you'll look hot in that!"
Akio wandered around until he finally found a white shirt with golden embroidery, a long black coat with wide sleeves, and dark trousers. Ann chose a sleeveless deep purple dress with black lace at the neck and wrists, topped with a black ribbon adorned with a purple gemstone matching her eyes.
They headed to the changing rooms. Ken stepped out first, wearing his coat and gloves, running his fingers slowly through his red hair.
Akio (coming out, staring at Ken):
"Dude… All the girls at the party are gonna fall for you!"
Ann (emerging, cheeks flushing as she sees Ken):
"Oh… Ken-san, you look so handsome! I won't let any girl steal you from me!"
She walked up and grabbed his wrist.
Ken (coldly, pulling his hand away):
"Don't touch me."
Ann (murmuring shyly to herself):
"Ken-san only gets hotter when he ignores me… Damn it!"
Akio (checking himself in the mirror):
"Haah! Look at me! Don't I look like a legendary noble? Maybe even a future shogun!"
Ann (surprised):
"Actually… it suits you! I didn't know you had taste in clothes!"
Then all eyes turned to Ann in her deep purple dress. She adjusted the fabric at her shoulder and looked at them.
Ann (smiling gently):
"So… what do you think?"
Akio (thumbs up):
"Wow! You look amazing, Ann! I've never seen you wear something like that!"
She turned to Ken, who observed her quietly.
Ann (blushing):
"K-Ken-san… What do you think?"
Ken (coldly):
"It suits you."
Ann's eyes widened and her face turned red instantly.
Ann (shocked):
"W-what?!"
In that moment, it felt like her brain stopped. Ken didn't just look at her—he said her dress suited her?! She wasn't prepared for that compliment, even in his usual cold tone!
Akio (laughing, patting Ken's shoulder):
"Man, you killed her!"
With theatrical flair, Ann fainted on the floor in a hilariously exaggerated way.
Akio (loudly, pointing at her in shock):
"Waaah!! She collapsed!!!"
Ken (coldly annoyed, pushing Akio's hand off his shoulder):
"Don't touch me."
Akio (raising an eyebrow in confusion):
"Whaaat? It was just a light pat!"
Ken (softly):
"I don't like being touched."
Akio (crossing his arms with a mischievous grin):
"Haaah, I've never seen you this sensitive before. Are you always like this?"
Ken (looking at him coldly):
"Always."
Akio (shaking his head with exaggerated pity):
"Man… how do you live like that? Life needs some friendly contact!"
Ken (calm but firm):
"That's enough."
Akio (raising his hands in surrender, laughing):
"Alright, alright, got it!"
Meanwhile, Ann had recovered from her dramatic moment, though her face still felt a little warm. She took a deep breath and lifted her head as if nothing had happened.
Ken (heading to the cashier, indifferent):
"Let's get this over with."
The three left the store in their new outfits, completely unaware of the surprises and chaos that awaited them at the party.
⸻
Inside a wide room lit by crimson candlelight, Steve sat in a chair before a large desk, twirling a pen between his fingers while scanning scattered documents. A vampire guard entered the room and stood at attention, speaking in a low but clear voice.
Guard:
"Steve-san, Lady Terrakula has requested your presence immediately."
Steve didn't raise his eyes from the papers, but he paused for a moment before placing the pen aside and sitting upright.
Steve (calmly):
"Immediately?"
Guard (lowering his head):
"Yes. She said it's important."
Steve stood quietly, adjusted his jacket collar, and walked steadily to Terrakula's throne room. He knocked twice and opened the door.
Terrakula (with a faint smile, seated on her lavish throne):
"Finally, you've come, Steve."
Steve stood before her expressionless, but his eyes were sharp, waiting for her to speak.
Terrakula (soft voice, laced with hidden power):
"How are the preparations for the party going? Is everything on track?"
Steve (calmly, placing a hand in his pocket):
"Everything is proceeding as planned. But… I heard some special guests will be attending."
Terrakula (smirking, crossing her legs):
"Oh, you mean those three? Yes, they'll be among the highlights tonight."
She lifted a crystal glass filled with blood, swirled it slowly, and took a delicate sip.
Terrakula (continuing with a mysterious tone):
"I'm excited to see them… especially Yukaji Ken."
Steve (narrowing his eyes slightly):
"Are you planning something?"
Terrakula (lightly chuckling):
"Of course. I never invite anyone to my palace without a reason, do I?"
Steve (watching her intently):
"Fine… I have a question, Lady Terrakula. Have you seen Akira? He's been missing since yesterday."
Terrakula (smiling faintly, tilting her head):
"Oh, Akira? He's preparing for the party… in his own way."
Steve (voice sharpening slightly):
"That's odd. Akira's not the type to vanish like that. Anyway, I'll be going."
Terrakula (sipping her blood):
"By the way… I know you've got the boy Lionel. Get rid of him or return him to his family. I'm no longer interested. He's nothing compared to the chaos we'll unleash tonight."
Steve:
"Understood, Lady Terrakula."
Steve returned to his room in composed steps, took out his key, and opened the door to find Lionel just waking up.
Lionel (groggily, rubbing his eyes):
"Where… where am I?"
Steve closed the door behind him and walked to the table where a water pitcher and glass sat. He poured quietly, then approached Lionel.
Steve (softly):
"You're in my room. Rest. You're still tired."
Lionel (sitting up slowly, blinking in confusion):
"Your room…? Who are you?"
He noticed the bandages wrapped around his neck, then suddenly remembered—the battle, Akira, the blood, the screaming…
Lionel (lifting his head quickly, eyes filled with concern):
"Akira!! Where's Akira?! Is he okay?!"
Steve stared at him for a moment, then sat in the nearby chair and placed the glass of water on the table.
Steve (quietly, gazing at him):
"You're worried about him?"
Lionel (trembling):
"Of course! He got hurt because of me! He didn't have to protect me… but he did…"
Lionel clenched his fists tightly, guilt overwhelming him. He couldn't forget Akira's pained expression, couldn't erase it from his mind.
Lionel (softly, pleading as he looked at Steve):
"Please… tell me he's alright."
Steve:
"I don't know… I've been looking for him. But from what I know—Akira doesn't die easily."
Lionel (tears streaming down his face):
"All this… is my fault."
Inside Akira's cold and dark cell, he sat in despair just as he had the night before. His breathing was heavy, his face pale, and his eyes half-shut. His body still ached from last night's torture. Then he heard the sound of high heels approaching.
Terrakula (soft smile, standing at the bars):
"Oh, Akira… you look pitiful. Just as I expected."
Akira lifted his head with difficulty. His crimson eyes barely held any life, but they still carried something… a shred of defiance, a fragment of pride Terrakula hadn't yet crushed.
Akira (weak, hoarse):
"What… do you want now?"
Terrakula laughed lightly, gripping the metal bars and tilting her head, her gaze playful and mocking.
Terrakula:
"I just wanted to check on you, dear Akira. After all… you have a very important role tonight."
Akira (weakly trying to joke):
"Hah… planning to make me a waiter? Sorry, I'm not good at carrying drinks."
Terrakula (smiling, whispering darkly):
"No, no, no… I chose a much better role for you. You'll be the star of the party. You and your three new friends."
Akira's eyes widened slightly at that. He didn't need to ask—he knew exactly who she meant.
Akira (trying to stand, but in pain):
"Don't touch them…!"
Terrakula (placing a finger on her lips mischievously):
"Oh? How sweet. Akira, who used to care about no one but himself, is suddenly worried about others?"
Akira clenched his fists, but the shackles prevented movement. The anger swelled inside him, but he couldn't act.
Akira (gritting his teeth, trying to move):
"I said… don't touch them…"
Terrakula (pretending to think, running her fingers along the bars):
"But what if I don't care about your approval? You know very well—I do whatever I want."
Before Akira could respond, she slowly lifted her hand. Suddenly, a deep red aura flared from her fingers, strange energy pulsing from them.
Akira (feeling a shiver down his spine):
"What… are you doing?"
Terrakula (softly, with deadly malice):
"Oh, just trying something new on you… a slightly different technique."
Before Akira could react, a terrifying heat surged through his chest, followed by a pressure he'd never felt before—like his lungs were about to burst.
Akira (screaming in pain, coughing violently):
"Argh…!!"
Blood spilled from his mouth, splattering the floor. His breathing turned into short, painful gasps.
Terrakula (tilting her head with delight as she watched him suffer):
"Oh… look at that. You're really bleeding from the inside. How fascinating!"
Akira tried to breathe, but each attempt only made the pain worse.
Akira (between sharp breaths, coughing more blood):
"Damn… you…"
Terrakula (light chuckle):
"That's sweet of you to say. But I'm busy tonight planning our magnificent party. And you'll be a part of it—whether you're ready or not."
She lowered her hand, the red aura fading, but its effect lingered. Akira's body continued to convulse like a burning hell was raging inside him.
Terrakula (grinning wickedly as she turned to leave):
"Don't worry, I won't kill you… not yet. But don't be late to the party. Everyone's waiting to see you… you and your lovely new friends."
With those words, Terrakula left the hallway. Akira gasped, staring at the ground, his body twitching from pain. But the fire in his eyes burned brighter than ever. He couldn't move, he couldn't fight back… but his mind was racing, his heart pounding, and everything inside him was screaming one thing:
"I have to get out of here… before it's too late."
To be continued…