Vampire's Kiss

Okay, small note in order to reduce the confusion: I gonna mark some terms like - (1) and etc. So, in the end of chapter I'll leave a note for each numbered term. Anyway, like always, have a nice time~

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Update: revisited and updated at 2025/01/06

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It’s been a month since Shingo took Orochi under his care. Unfortunately for him, the fluffy silver-haired male doesn’t show signs of leaving or trying to change, and Shingo is growing tired of him.

Despite that, the brunette continues waiting for his roommate until he is ready, and with that in mind, he carries on his duties.

Life in the church seems to be peaceful, while those who live in the city are terrified by the chain of murders.

According to the never-shutting media headlines, more than fifty victims were killed by a mysterious person who still roams free and torments innocent people.

All their victims have died in the same way: physically, their bodies had no bruises, cuts, or anything.

All the victims wore the same serene expression as if they had experienced a blissful dream before meeting their end.

More so, there were no traces of an intruder entering inside, as if it were a ghost.

If there were only a few cases like this, they would be classified as a suicide and possibly forgotten.

However, even the autopsies of each victim have revealed that there was no proof of being poisoned or overdosing on the psychotropic medication.

Surprisingly, even according to the medical history of any murdered person, they had no problems with mental health.

However, the ruthless, hardhearted murderer was pretty picky about their victims’ age, which ranged from the youngest being at eighteen to the oldest in their thirties.

These young people may have a bright and prospective future. If it hadn’t been for that fiend, the police would have solved this, but now it was powerless and unable to know where to start.

Day by day, it concerned more people until the rumors of the mysterious ghost killer reached the ear of the Hunter Guild.

The Hunter Guild is an organization that was founded six centuries ago during the great demon outbreak.

Since the first appearance of the monsters and demons in the human world millenniums ago, humankind fought back the unwanted wanderers, who were much more powerful and brought only fear and despair.

However, there was hope for humans to survive!

Those who were granted great power, intelligence, or agility began to fight back against these evil fiends. Even if they did it for themselves and their interests, it helped mankind to avoid their tragic fate.

As peaceful times returned, the vampire and demon hunters were seen as terrifying beings and judged by society as if they had committed witchcraft.

People despised them for their supernatural power and drove them away from their town or home.

However, the hunters didn’t become extinct and started gathering into organizations hidden from society.

Eventually, the guild, which has a long history of fighting various creatures of the night creatures and, within time, becoming one redhead’s new home, was created.

The Hunter Guild stands out from other guilds by not only comprising many veteran hunters but also welcoming new members with open arms.

As long as you can cover your life expenses, you will be fine, because the guild allows you to earn extra cash for more than just living.

That’s right; there are various monsters or demons to pick from. However, the bigger the bounty, the higher the rank of the creature.

That’s why each hunter must be careful when selecting their target before embarking on a new journey.

Speaking about the departures, one still new hunter cannot decide what target she should pick.

This blue-haired huntress with a fluffy ponytail wears dark brown boots up her knees, white pants, a matching color open jacket, and a purple shirt along with long dark brown leather gloves. More so, on each side of her belt, there are resting combat knives in sheaths.

But for now, she is checking the notice boards in the main hall, which have a lot of bounties of low-rank monsters and a few high-rank ones to offer.

It seems she is not very lucky this time because the monsters are too weak, or she is not prepared for S rank or higher.

However, when she is about to turn around and head to her room, the entrance door opens, followed by the rising ruckus.

That’s right, one redhead hunter has returned from a long trip, and his caught monster catches other guild members’ attention.

Apparently, he is dragging a barely conscious vampire whose hands and legs are tied up while having cut wounds.

Yet, while walking towards the guild master room, he ignores the other hunters’ talk, which is from the innocent exchange of words to nasty rumors and accusations.

Once Yagami reaches the notice board, he feels someone patting his shoulder from behind.

It’s enough to make him turn back and see who is looking for trouble.

It seems it’s one of the senior hunters who helped him during his early days of training.

“What is it, Nanakase?” Iori asks with irritation in his voice.

Yet the taller silver-haired hunter cheerfully replies. “Eh? You’re so cold as usual, Yagami-chan~ Did you already return?”

After Iori brushes his hand off from his shoulder, he indifferently adds. “As you can see.”

At first glance, the fellow hunter looks laid back and far from serious, but Yashiro Nanakase is a veteran demon hunter.

Even a fearsome hunter like Iori, who has been a partner with him during his first hunts, can tell that Yashiro is a different person when he faces a deadly foe.

Although he prefers solitary hunting when his usual partner is not around, you can always count on him if you are still green.

So, only in cases like this, he will be with newbie hunters during their missions without taking his half of the bounty as a boost.

Also, you will never see him without carrying his trustworthy heavy sword – Demon Slayer behind his back. The three magic gems that seal the true power of this sword, which can corrupt its owner’s mind, enhance this enormous blade from the netherworld.

How did this blade end up in the silver-haired male’s hands? No one can tell. Even the rumors say that he might have made a pact with the devil or that he possessed it for all his life.

Usually, Yashiro prefers an outfit that he refers to as “not restraining his movement”. Basically, like today, the black pants, no shirt, just suspenders, and a gray, long open coat.

At the moment, Iori’s caught vampire slowly regains consciousness and lifts his head.

Thus, without looking back and pressing his lips, the red-haired male smacks him.

Yashiro doesn’t seem to be affected by this and scratches his chin. “By the way, it’s pretty unusual for you to keep your target alive. What have you planned to do with it?”

Iori only explains in a serious tone. “It was the guild master’s order to keep him alive.”

After sighing, he adds. “Another Soul of Tainted¹, he said…”

Just as he is about to leave, his senior’s voice stops him. “So, that’s how it is… Did you hear the rumors about the new threat in the city?”

Yet the redhead gives him an icy glare. “What is it about? Even if that is the work of a demon, I’m not interested. Besides, I won’t run errands for possibly catching non-existent demon or monster because it would be a bunch of wasted time.”

Yashiro only chuckles and squirms his shoulders. “As what I expected to hear from my student. Anyway, I need to prepare for a new trip. So, see you later-”

However, as he steps back, he hears a small gasp behind him.

Meanwhile, Yagami facepalms and shakes his head at his senior’s behavior.

It seems his enormous blade pushed the blue-haired huntress on the ground.

When Yashiro turns to this gal, bends his knees and stretches his hand. “Sorry, miss. Are you alright?”

However, the huntress keeps her poker face and gets up.

Then she brushes the dust away and fixes her outfit like nothing happened in the first place.

When the blue-haired huntress notices Iori, she narrows her gaze and frowns.

Such an attitude annoys him.

After Iori returns the same expression, he addresses her. “What are you staring at? Do you have any problems?”

Nevertheless, this young lady remains calm and replies in a formal tone. “Nothing. Just picking the right target for my first hunt, sir. However, it seems there is no one suitable to test my strength.”

She can sense that she is getting on this hunter’s bad side by doing nothing wrong with him. But she keeps her straight posture.

For now, Yagami gives her a brief lecture. “Do not expect any monster of your power level to run into you. If the enemy is in front of you, it won’t hesitate to ask if you are ready to face it or not. You always have to be prepared. Otherwise, you will be the hunted one. Remember that.”

Of course, the veteran hunter doesn’t like his disciple picking another fight against newbies and scaring them away.

Thus, he places his hands on his waist and scolds him. “Hey, you don’t have to be harsh to her for no reason. It’s her first day as a guild member, after all. Besides, if I remember correctly, I assisted you with your first bounty hunt.”

These words don’t please him, and the redhead fires back with a mockery in his voice. “I’m sure, if this newbie decided to become a hunter, then she knew what awaited her. However, if you are oh-so-kind, why don’t you take her with you?”

Yashiro remains calm and rubs his nape. “You know well that I can’t, Yagami-chan. Because that’s a high-rank demon and I won’t be able to concentrate on it and keeping her safe at the same time. As you know, allure unes² are pretty nasty kind. If you are not careful, they can crush you with their roots and you’ll become a fertilizer to them.”

Suddenly, Iori comes up with an excellent idea for the blue-haired huntress and curves a twisted smile. “Hey, you -”

Yet she immediately objects in a strict tone. “Enough of you-ing. You are annoying and arrogant fellow, sir. If it wasn’t for the guild master’s orders, you would have tasted my blade. And I have a name – Leona Heidern. So, note it.”

Maybe she is not as hopeless as she looks. Iori thinks and proudly lifts his head.

Lastly, he cracks a smile and declares. “Very well, then, Heidern You don’t want to return empty-handed, right? So, how about your first task will be checking what is happening in the city? You may find a suitable target for yourself. More importantly, it can serve like a test to you whether you won’t run away like a coward or will you prove yourself like a real hunter. Good luck.”

One thing is for sure, that redhead is getting on Leona’s nerves, but she takes this as a thrown challenge to wipe his smug smile.

Some time passes. Later on the same evening, the huntress is done packing her stuff and takes one more look at her shiny blades before turning off the lights.

As the dawn of the new day breaks, the young huntress fixes her long cloak and puts a hood over her head before leaving through the guild’s door.

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lil note for some terms :
(1) - A Soul of Tainted could be described as any higher rank creature of the night, in this case it is a vampire ready to be sacrificed for enhancing weapons. This ritual is only allowed if the guild master approves it. Otherwise, it is forbidden ancient ritual.
(2) - Alure unes is carnivorous plant which was fertilized by human/demon blood. They use their roots to hunt down and finish their prey.