Under the fractured night sky, sunlight beamed down. The citizens cautiously stepped outside their homes, kneeling and shedding tears as they gazed at the sky where the dawn broke.
The darkness was receding. From the highland Krasilov palace, the wide sectors of the lower city were finally becoming visible.
The corpses that had been haunting the city were dissolving into ashes in the sunlight.
The nightmare was ending. The several days of nightmares that had enveloped Frechenkaya.
“….”
They were still there in the darkness where the sunlight had not yet shone.
Ivan looked at them with dry eyes and slowly moved forward. His steps felt heavy. But less so than his heart.
There were many things he wanted to say, but he hadn’t thought about which words to utter first.
An apology for having survived alone?
Or perhaps the pride of having completed his revenge?Or maybe, just maybe.
Tap.
The skeleton at the front clattered its jaw loudly. Ivan stopped in front of it, gulping dryly.
There is a certain atmosphere that can be felt even without facial muscles. From the gaunt skull of the skeleton soldier, there somehow seemed to be a small smile conveyed.
He already knew that head and height. Ivan barely opened his mouth.
“Sasha.”
Clack!
The skeleton that tapped the ground twice as if chuckling looked up at Ivan. Ashes were swirling around. The sunlight was spreading wider and reached the skeletons’ position.
“Sorry, I’m really sorry.”
Ivan forced his tense throat to speak, lamenting that he didn’t know how else to express himself.
He didn’t know what this awkward apology meant. Sorry for surviving? Or for disturbing their eternal rest? Or for not being able to die in their place that day?
A dry hand was placed on Ivan’s shoulder. He looked up to see the skeleton gazing down at him.
Tap.
What’s with that look?
The voice from that day echoed faintly. Ivan looked around with trembling eyes. Skeletons scattering ashes surrounded him.
Tap, tap, tap. They stepped in unison, the sound of dry bones and broken boots knocking against the stone floor creating a rhythm.
There were no verses. This was humming. A dirge expressed by those without vocal cords.
A humming sung for the fallen Cleanup Unit, for the agents who perished without names, thus sung without lyrics. Not sorrowful, not grand, nor tragic, but filled with blessing.
The Cleanup Unit could never die in bed. They were always sure that their end would come on the road, on the battlefield, or in a lonely forest or dark alley.
So.
They could never find peace while alive.
Only at the end of their eyes closing in death could they finally enjoy eternal tranquility.
They could only willingly bestow their blessings, with jealousy and determination added.
I will carry on your duty. Now, comrade with no duty, rest peacefully.
Do not grieve for those who left first, comrades.
We are, after all, in the same ranks as them.
Towards the peace that would surely come at the end of this road, toward the peace that would come equally to everyone, they tread through the mire to fulfill their purpose.
Ivan looked at Sasha’s face. Already more than half turned to ash, Sasha did not even have a jaw left to smile.
It was in that moment.
“Ah.”
Perhaps it was because the sunlight was blinding.
What other reason could there be?
Ash swirling in the sunlight, there, Sasha from that time was smiling and looking at him.
“Colonel.”
“Sasha.”
“Don’t be jealous. I’m already sorry for leaving for a better place first.”
“….”
“Well, you know, right? Whether in heaven or hell, we’ve planted a lot of friends. Wherever you go, it will be bustling.”
This was the kind of joke this guy often made while he was alive.
If he ended up in heaven, he would slap the cheeks of the departed comrades.
If he ended up in hell, he would conquer it with the comrades who arrived with him.
So, to a trained agent, there is no difference between heaven and hell. The work would be the same no matter where he went.
The hand on his right shoulder dissipated. Sasha clicked his tongue and nodded towards him.
“Go quickly. There’s someone else waiting for you, Colonel.”
“….”
Following Sasha’s gaze, Ivan turned his head. The skeletons hurriedly cleared a path. In the narrow opening that was created, a figure had its back turned.
With a small stature and petite shoulders. A body that could be cradled in one arm.
It was someone he was so familiar with that he could vividly recall even in dreams.
Thud.
Ivan carefully took a step. He dragged his legs, as if they were weights.
Was Abiditas’s curse still not over? His heart groaned. The functions of his body were undoubtedly deteriorating.
His vision narrowed, his breathing grew harsher. His fingertips trembled.
How he had longed for this.
“Cherenovika.”
“Don’t come any closer.”
He wanted to hear just those words.
“If I were to see you again, I thought I would see you in a pristine state, yes. Clean if you’re a soul. What’s with this appearance?”
The grumbling voice lightly pushed him away. Still, she had her back turned to him.
“Sorry, I’m really sorry.”
“What for?”
“Everything, all of it.”
“Then don’t do things that warrant an apology.”
Her voice, laced with laughter, lightly criticized him. Ivan stopped in his tracks, unsure what to say.
Tap, tap, tap. Light footsteps approached. As he reflexively tried to lift his head, her voice rang out.
“Don’t look up. I might actually die.”
“Raela.”
“Yes, Lieutenant Raela Cherenovika. I’ve come to report the completion of my mission.”
The silhouette standing before Ivan was definitely not that of a skeleton.
The dry body slowly dispersing in the sunlight was clearly resembling how she was back then.
“Don’t look up.”
“Alright, I got it.”
“Really, it’s absurd. I prepared so nicely and waited a long time, and suddenly when I open my eyes, what is this?”
“….”
“Tsk.”
Her voice continued after clicking her tongue.
“Look up. Let me see your face.”
“….”
Carefully, slowly, he lifted his head. Even if he faced a hollow skull, his thoughts would not change, but she might feel embarrassed.
Kim Sunwoo forgot to breathe for a moment.
Raela was looking at him with a beaming smile. She was bathing in sunlight that poured over her brilliant blonde hair, looking at him with the smile from that day.
His trembling hand instinctively rose. He brushed her hair back behind her ear. Raela giggled as if it tickled.
“In the past, you were cute, but now you’re not. Yes, you’re handsome. Our Colonel.”
“Raela.”
“Live. As long as you can. We promised, didn’t we?”
“Yeah.”
“And we also promised to live well. Together. Remember?”
“I remember.”
“It seems like you look better than last time. My little Ivan. It’s okay to add a few more, just don’t forget me.”
“…..”
Kim Sunwoo could not answer. Her body was scattering and drifting to the sky.
He flailed desperately trying to catch her. Yet the ash easily slipped through his fingers and scattered.
“No. This can’t be happening. Raela, please. Stay a little longer, just a little.”
“It’s too short, our time to mourn the ones who have already left.”
“Raela Cherenovika…!”
“So until you join our ranks, enjoy life, happily. Don’t live alone in the shadows like last time and let yourself age and die. Raise a few kids that resemble the Colonel.”
Thwack, something hit his forehead. Raela touched his forehead lightly with her last remaining fingertip.
“Sunwoo.”
“When…?”
“You cried saying that you wanted to go back when you slept all the time. Do you know how many times I stood guard?”
“….”
“Ha ha, what a strange name. Sunwoo. Sunwoo… Yes. Sunwoo. I loved you. I’m sorry I couldn’t say this until the end.”
Really, truly, do not forget me.
Raela’s last words scattered in the wind.
Kim Sunwoo stood still for a moment, then opened his palm.
The small ring, buried with her, remained in his hand. He remembered. It was a crude ring made by hammering gold captured during the mission onto an axe handle.
A small golden band without any pattern or decoration.
He rolled the warm metal between his fingers for a long time before clenching his fist.
Seasons passed. It had already been several since you left.
Summer passed, autumn passed, winter came, and spring returned. I couldn’t forget you.
Even if a thousand seasons flowed again, could I really forget?
Since we met in spring and parted in spring,
Yes, if I were to name it, it would be spring. The season that always returns.
Thud.
The sound of footsteps echoed. The scattered skeletons knelt on their right knees in unison and looked up at him.
The Cleanup Unit has completed its mission and returned.
“Rest in peace, rest in peace…”
Thud.
The final report of duty was completed.
The sunlight enveloped Frechenkaya. The darkness receded, and once again, vitality returned to the streets.
It was a dream as long as the long night.
Kim Sunwoo tucked the ring he held into his chest and turned his body.
“How are the injuries?”
“None!”
Ivan nodded as he checked the party’s status.
“Well done. Let’s rest for today.”
“What about the cleaning up?”
“Rest for today.”
The party nodded and dispersed.
“Good job, my disciple.”
Enrique smiled widely, stretching in her returned hideout. Lucia hesitated and approached her.
The mood had changed. It was true that she was always playful, but today felt a bit more subdued.
With a somewhat indifferent face, Enrique beckoned her closer.
“Come here.”
“Yes, Master.”
Lucia cautiously approached Enrique. Soon, a hand was placed on her hair. After petting her for a while, Enrique pulled her into a deep embrace and whispered.
“You’ve really grown up.”
“I still have a lot to learn.”
“There’s nothing to teach you. I guarantee it. From now on, you’ll only learn from experience.”
That was slightly unsettling. As Lucia trembled in unclear anxiety, Enrique sighed and opened her mouth.
“Uh, Master…?”
A small breath could be heard in her ear. She seemed hesitant to say something. In response to Lucia’s words, Enrique chuckled softly and answered.
“Getting older just makes one greedy. It’s off-topic and beyond my station.”
“Master, what do you mean…?”
“Many people have died, my disciple. In my fear, many people… The people I should protect died under my neglect.”
“That’s… that’s Master’s fault…”
“It’s indeed my fault.”
A high-ranking vampire appeared and hid. Yes, that was the right judgment. If by any chance she were to be captured, Frechenkaya would have perished that day.
If she were to have fallen under a vampire’s thrall, she would have devoured this country regardless of her will.
So she hid. While ignoring the death and screams of countless people, she quietly held her breath.
Like a terrified prey.
But wasn’t she always a hunter? Hadn’t she always been a predator? The only reason vampires dared not invade the United Kingdom was because of their ruler of the night, the lord of dusk.
The Shadow Blade.
Wasn’t that her name?
“My time is ending. Now I’m only causing you trouble with my regrets. I should have done this sooner.”
“Master. Just a moment, Master. Please untie this.”
Sensing something unusual, Lucia shook her body, but she was tightly entwined in Enrique’s arms and unable to move.
Enrique’s mouth approached her neck.
“Now you are the Elder.”
“Master!”
Crack.
A sharp pain ensued as a wound opened in her neck. Fangs pierced her and disrupted her veins. However, blood did not flow out.
The coercive blood was refusing to flow outside with her strong bloodline ability.
As Enrique’s mouth settled on top of it.
Crack, again a tearing sound was heard. This time, not from her neck but from within Enrique’s mouth.
And blood, now bound to her bloodline, seeped down to her nape.
Not a bite, but a transfusion.
“Master!!”
Without ceasing, the blood invaded her throat. For them, blood was equivalent to the currency of life. The power that granted them permanence equivalent to the years and lives they had accumulated thus far.
She was transferring it all. Endless strength surged into her body, exhausted from battle. Is this the power of an Elder?
The darkness receded, and every object around became sharply defined. Every type of living being with bodily fluids within a 200-meter radius was within her perception.
Insects and rats, bats, and snakes. All that was profane bowed reverently to her, and the humans wandering above the underground waters instinctively shrank back.
Like prey placed before the apex predator.
The beating hearts of their beings became vividly visible, audible, and tangible. The structures of every vein, the movement of blood flowing within, were unmistakably clear in her vision.
This is the power of an Elder. The sensory organ of the greatest vampire.
“It’ll take some time to adapt.”
“Master….”
At last, her strength faded. The arms that could no longer restrain her drooped. The haggard face of Enrique looked upon her with a soft smile.
“I will retire now, my disciple.”
“Master, you… you didn’t have to do this.”
How much time does she have left?
If she were to drink blood, it would surely last forever. But how long can her natural lifespan last? It wouldn’t exceed a hundred years at most.
Now she had become a body no different from a human.
“An even tougher era has come, and it deserves to be passed on to one better.”
“Master….”
“Having inherited my power, you are now like me. Lucia. Carry on the obligations of the Hero Party on behalf of this foolish master.”
“Yes, Master. I will, I will do so with pleasure.”
Enrique looked warmly upon Lucia, who deeply bowed.
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