Chapter 10 — Shireyukoka

Arin and his companions crossed the boundary into the Monster Realm with a single resolve to end the conflict without letting any innocent be harmed. The land welcomed them but it did so too warmly.

​Before they could react, several figures emerged from the shadows. They had pale skin and crimson eyes. They were vampires.

​"Hanase," Arin said calmly, "speed buff. Now."

​Magic surged through his body as Neblaheim charged from the side with his shield raised and his axe ready. His assault drew their attention just long enough.

​Arin vanished.

​He reappeared behind one of the vampires and cleanly severed its head in a single motion. Before the body could even hit the ground, flames erupted.

​"Inferno."

​The corpse burned to ash. Neblaheim slid forward with his shield angled upward and hurled his axe. It tore straight through another vampire before embedding itself into the ground behind it.

​A sharp pain suddenly flared.

​A blood red ray shot toward Arin's back but Neblaheim stepped in while blocking it with his shield. Arin leapt upward and twisted midair to strike from the attacker's blind spot but a kick slammed into his side. He was thrown violently into a rock formation as the impact drove the breath from his lungs.

​Neblaheim turned to assist but he was too late. A blood ray pierced his arm. The shield fell from his grasp as his hand shook violently. He could no longer hold it.

​Hanase cried out as a vampire lunged toward her. Neblaheim stepped in despite the pain and parried the attack with his axe. Arin rose unsteadily while killing another vampire and shouting, "Hanase—heal Neblaheim!"

​She rushed to him as Arin forced himself between them and the remaining enemies. His movements slowed and his breathing grew heavy because every strike demanded more strength than he had left.

​Then a voice echoed in his mind.

​Concentrate. Feel their bloodlust. Those who wish to kill release it. Sense it and you will sense their attacks.

​Arin closed his eyes and breathed. Suddenly he felt it. He felt intent, direction, and killing will. It was sharp and unmistakable. It was as if the battlefield unfolded before him even in the darkness.

​He opened his eyes. The world moved slower now. Arin stepped forward while predicting strikes before they happened. Blades passed inches from where he had been moments earlier. One by one the vampires fell. They were clean, precise, and relentless.

​When the last one collapsed into ash, silence followed. Neblaheim and Hanase stared in disbelief. Arin tried to move but his body refused. He collapsed where he stood because he was utterly spent.

​Neblaheim lifted him onto his shoulder without a word and carried him into a nearby cave. He laid him down so he could rest. The Monster Realm had welcomed them with blood.