The Cunning Loli Vampire

(Sirius PoV)

Clang. Clang.

The sound of clashing weapons echoed through the dark, forbidden forest. Yet it was not sword against sword, but sword against fangs and claws.

Sirius’s massive body moved swiftly between the towering trees. His fangs and claws gleamed as they tore through the forest shadows, forcing the knight before him to struggle desperately to keep up with his relentless assault.

“Damn it!” the knight shouted. “Amanda, Shaenne, hurry! I can’t hold him much longer!”

“P-please wait, Daniel. Shaenne and I are—”

Slash.

Before the white-robed girl could finish her words, Sirius’s claws ripped through Daniel’s dragon armor. Blood splattered wildly, painting the air like a coarse brush upon a blank canvas.

Thud.

“Kyaa!”

Daniel’s body was hurled backward, crashing into the two girls behind him and breaking the spell they had been chanting.

“Ugh...” The girl named Amanda groaned. When she opened her eyes, she froze at the sight before her.

“Daniel!”

Three long gashes tore through Daniel’s chest armor. His ribs and organs spilled out, making the green-haired girl cover her mouth to hold back her nausea.

The sunlight filtering through the canopy dimmed, blocked by a large black shadow. When Amanda turned, Sirius was already behind her, saliva dripping from his sword-like fangs.

“Humans. I have given you chances before. There will be no mercy this time.”

Sirius opened his mouth wide and devoured all three of them alive.

Their screams echoed briefly in the heart of the forest before vanishing into eternal silence.

Sirius exhaled heavily and looked up at the forest canopy, where faint patches of sunlight slipped through the leaves.

Again, I killed humans.

Since the day he devoured the church maiden named Maria, Sirius had been hunted repeatedly by groups of humans determined to kill him. With each passing day, they grew stronger. He had no choice but to fight and kill to survive.

Sometimes he managed to drive them away, but they always returned with more people, stronger weapons, and fiercer determination, only to end up inside his jaws.

He had lost count of how many had been dissolved by his stomach acid.

I feel like I’m drifting farther away from her. With these bloodstained hands, do I even deserve to see her again? Do I deserve to walk beside her?

A faint breeze passed through the forest, as if nature itself tried to calm the soul being eroded by doubt.

Crack.

His ears twitched at the sound of a branch breaking nearby.

Who’s there? The scent is strange. Is it another monster? His eyes widened as he sniffed the air again. Wait, the scent is too strong. Could it be that powerful?

He crouched low, alert, his eyes darting quickly through the shadows.

Where? I can smell it but cannot see it anywhere.

He was still searching when a sharp, feminine voice called from behind him. “Hey, are you the wolf they were talking about?”

Sirius leapt backward, instantly on guard. His golden eyes narrowed at the small girl who had somehow escaped his senses and now stood confidently before him, smiling.

“Who are you? No, what are you?”

At a glance, the short girl looked human. But the bat-like wings on her back and the dark aura radiating from her body erased all doubt.

Her eyes gleamed red like rubies. Two sharp fangs peeked from her lips. Her white twin-tailed hair matched her pale skin, forming a striking contrast against the black gothic dress that hugged her body.

“Whoa, whoa. Relax. I only came to talk.”

“Talk?”

“Yes. You don’t believe me?” She raised both hands as if to show she carried no weapons.

Sirius’s stance loosened slightly. His muscles relaxed when he sensed no killing intent from her, unlike the humans he had encountered before. He decided to listen.

“My name is Valeria Van De Vaart, captain of the fourth division of the Underworld Army. Ah, and I’m a vampire. I bet you’ve never met one before, have you?” She winked playfully.

“Demon? Vampire? Underworld?” Sirius repeated, tilting his head.

He somehow understood those words, yet could not recall where he had heard them, perhaps from his past life.

“Oh, you really don’t know what demons are, huh? You must be a child.” Valeria crossed her arms. “Fine. Let this kind and beautiful sister explain it to you.”

She took a deep breath.

“Demons and monsters are races born from the shadows,” she said. “Some are born naturally through reproduction, others are created by the world’s dark essence.”

Sirius listened carefully.

“The only difference is intelligence. Those who possess intellect are acknowledged as demons. And you, my dear wolf, are one of them.”

“So?” Sirius raised an eyebrow. “What does that have to do with me?”

Valeria smirked, touching her lips with a finger. “Don’t you realize that mortals hate demons? Especially humans and elves. Haven’t they been hunting you all this time?”

Sirius remained silent. His brow furrowed, but no words escaped his mouth.

Only two months had passed since he killed Dorgu, yet everything had become so complicated. He wanted nothing more than peace, a quiet life where he could someday meet the woman in his memories, but the world refused to let him breathe.

“Judging by your reaction, I must be right.” Valeria’s sharp fangs flashed. “Anyway, I came here to offer you a deal.”

“What do you want from me? And what do I gain from you?”

A satisfied smile curved her lips. “I want you to join the demon army and fight against the mortal races. Of course, you will be rewarded later. Territory, honor, power, or perhaps women?”

Sirius said nothing, only staring at her in silence.

“Isn’t that a tempting offer? Don’t you hate those who’ve ruined your peaceful life in this forest?”

Sirius exhaled slowly. “I appreciate the offer, Lady Valeria. But I’m afraid I must decline.”

“What?” Valeria’s voice rose sharply. “How could you refuse? Don’t you have hatred or vengeance toward those mortals who hunt you like a beast?”

“I simply follow my instincts. Complicated things like wars, conflicts, and all that do not interest me.”

Hatred? Anger? Perhaps. But perhaps not. His heart was still fragile. To take one side meant to abandon the other.

Though he had the body of a monster, a part of him still understood the fear in the hearts of humans. Was he a human trapped in a demon’s body, or a demon with a human soul? He no longer knew.

Valeria scratched the back of her head and sighed. “You’re such a troublesome kid. Fine. But you’ll regret it when mortals keep coming for you. Word is, they plan to exterminate every demon, both above and below ground.”

“Thank you for the warning. But I’ll manage.”

“Manage? Against them all by yourself? There are too many. You can’t fight them alone, little wolf.”

Sirius said nothing, but his piercing gaze met hers, burning with quiet determination.

“This is a foolish war. Don’t take it lightly,” she snapped.

But Sirius did not flinch. His resolve did not waver.

“Your eyes... I like that.” Valeria’s lips curved into a wicked smile before she burst into laughter. “You’re making me want you even more. But...”

Her tone suddenly dropped. Her eyes darkened, and a deadly aura surged from her body.

This is bad.

Sirius growled and leapt several meters back into a defensive stance. His instincts screamed, warning him of the predator standing before him.

“Well then, after all that talking, I want to see whether you can hold on to that fragile conviction of yours, little wolf.”

The ground beneath Valeria’s feet turned crimson as blood pooled around her. The thick liquid rose and formed countless droplets in the air.

“[Blood Spear].”

The droplets solidified into dozens of blood spears. With a flick of her hand, they shot toward Sirius faster than the eye could follow.

Damn.

Sirius gritted his teeth. Before the spears reached him, he took a deep breath and released it in a deafening roar.

“[Roar!]”

The powerful soundwave repelled the blood spears back toward Valeria. But before they could hit her, the weapons dissolved back into liquid, splattering harmlessly.

At least the blast left her ears ringing and bleeding.

“Ugh... enough! This is annoying!”

Sirius stopped his roar and narrowed his eyes.

Valeria brushed the dirt from her gothic dress. “Fine. I’ll admit it. You’re strong, little wolf. Strong enough to cause trouble for them.”

“Them? You mean humans?”

“No.” She crossed her arms. “I mean the other demon captains who might have heard rumors about you. They aren’t as nice as I am. I’m sure those bastards will try to force you to join by any means. So be careful.”

He frowned, still not understanding everything, but chose not to ask further.

“Well, looks like I’m leaving empty-handed. Still, I can’t complain. I found something interesting.” Valeria smirked mischievously. “Take care of yourself, sweet wolf. I hope we meet again someday. Oh, may I know your name?”

“Sirius.”

“Sirius, huh?” she repeated softly. “Then see you later, little Sirius. And don’t think I’ll give up. This beautiful sister will come again next time to chat.” Valeria waved and disappeared within a circle of magic.

Sirius smiled faintly.

Her brief visit had given him a strange sense of relief. It had been so long since he last spoke to anyone. In this forest, there was only prey or threat.

Could she be the woman from my memories?

His smile slowly faded.

No. It’s not her. Somehow, I know.

Valeria might have lightened his burden, but she could not fill the emptiness within him. His heart did not stir. That woman was not the one he sought.

The longing inside him only grew heavier, eating away at his chest. There was no longer any path left to run. If he stayed in the forest, he would only remain a target for those who hunted his head.

So, under the incomplete light of the moon, he made his decision to move forward.

Starting tomorrow, I will find you.