The magical energy waves emanating from the device bore a striking resemblance to those of a mana stone.
‘It looks like it’s made from a mana stone.’
If this device was indeed an artifact crafted from a mana stone, might I be able to absorb it as well?
Although its glow had significantly diminished compared to before the gate opened, a considerable amount of mana was still condensed within the device.
Recklessly touching a device whose structure I didn’t fully understand was undeniably dangerous, yet I was a vampire.
As long as a catastrophic loss of a hand or arm didn’t occur, minor injuries could be easily healed.
My deliberation was not brief.
I cautiously picked up the device from the ground.
As I carefully touched the core, which still radiated considerable heat, a sizzling sound erupted, and my finger began to cook.
Despite the intense pain, I did not release the device.
The sensation in my hand was undeniably agony, but it was accompanied by a familiar thrill.
Enduring the agony, I maintained my grip on the core, and soon, the core was fully absorbed into my body.
At that moment, a message appeared before my eyes.
I had expected, at most, a slight increase in my bond’s experience points, but the situation unfolded in an entirely different manner.
[ ? – ??? [ level – ?/? ] ]
[ ( Progress to next level: ??% ) ]
[ [ The skill’s rank improves with each level up. ] ]
It was as if I was looking at the message window that appeared when a skill stone was destroyed.
But… something felt very wrong.
Why were crucial parts of the skill window obscured, as if a computer error had occurred?
The oddity wasn’t limited to the message window alone.
‘No information has entered my mind.’
Typically, upon acquiring a new skill, information about that skill and its usage is naturally injected into one’s mind.
However, the new skill I had just gained by absorbing the core… no relevant information had entered my mind.
It was akin to receiving a corrupted file.
‘Was it because I absorbed an incomplete core?’
The core I had absorbed was a used item that had expended most of its mana in opening the gate.
Perhaps that was why I had only acquired a half-formed skill.
Would I have obtained a complete skill if I had absorbed the core before it was used?
‘What a shame.’
A surge of curiosity mingled with my regret.
What would happen if I were to absorb a complete core?
What powers would a new skill possess?
As I continued to indulge in these flights of fancy, I quickly snapped back to reality and swiftly departed the area.
‘Not a bad haul.’
My steps felt light.
****
-Thud.
“……”
The Head of the 6th Garrison, having rushed to the location where the clients’ distress signals had been transmitted, surveyed the gruesome spectacle in silence.
A multitude of magical beasts, summoned from who knew where.
And the clients who, barely ten minutes ago, had appeared so triumphant.
All of them had met their end, cleanly dismembered.
As if butchered by a skilled artisan.
“…Who could have done this?”
The Garrison’s protective net was meticulously tight.
No Hunter had been granted entry.
Yet, the clients lay sprawled on the ground in a pitiful state, as if to prove the Garrison’s incompetence.
The Head could not even begin to fathom how anyone had breached the Garrison’s defenses and reached the clients.
His gaze swept over the corpses of the magical beasts and the clients.
The strangely precise and clean severing of limbs was uncanny.
As he silently stared at the sight, his body briefly trembled, and he quietly muttered.
“…The Villain Slayer?”
He had heard rumors.
Rumors of the Villain Slayer, a being who ruthlessly murdered only villains who committed wicked deeds.
It was said that those who fell victim to the Villain Slayer all had their limbs neatly severed, as if they had fallen prey to precise surgical instruments.
And the scene he had only heard about in whispers was strikingly similar to the one now unfolding before his eyes.
He instantly realized this was the work of the Villain Slayer.
“Could it be, the Villain Slayer has appeared.”
How had the Villain Slayer come to this place?
The request had clearly been conducted in secret, far from prying eyes.
“…First, I must report to command—”
The Head, his expression hardening, conveyed the news to his superiors. Or rather, he attempted to.
-Clatter! Clatter! Clatter! Clatter!
Urgent footsteps rapidly approached the Head’s position.
“…Damn it, am I too late?”
A blue-haired woman wearing a mask.
At her familiar appearance, a chill instantly ran down the Head’s spine.
The woman once known as the Reaper.
Now, she was called the Vampire Slayer.
This monster… why was she here…?
In the chilling atmosphere, the Head and the Vampire Slayer met each other’s gaze.
-…Click!
Numerous silver firearms menacingly surrounded the Head.
“……”
“……”
A palpable tension hung between the Head and the Vampire Slayer.
That tension was shattered by the Head’s low voice.
“…Please, spare me.”
He did not wish to die.
****
A vast altar, etched with blood, stood at the heart of the chamber.
In a dark room where not even a sliver of light was permitted, a conversation took place.
“So, what were the results of this experiment?”
At the man’s question, the servant sweat trickled down his brow as he recited the report.
“It is presumed to have been successful.”
“…Presumed?”
Success was success, failure was failure. What did ‘presumed’ mean?
The servant, intuiting his master’s displeasure, stammered and hastily continued his explanation.
“W-Well… judging by the piles of magical beast corpses at the experiment site, the gate appears to have successfully opened, allowing the magical beasts to cross over. The mark of dominion was clearly confirmed on the corpses as well.”
“Then why ‘presumed’?”
“No reports were ever received from the agents. By the time the Hunters breached the Garrison’s defenses and arrived at the scene, both the magical beasts and the agents had already perished.”
The Hunters hadn’t even intervened, yet both the agents and the magical beasts were annihilated?
“Observing the wounds left on the magical beasts and agents, the Hunters are speculating that this might be the work of the Villain Slayer.”
“…”
The Villain Slayer. The man was familiar with this entity as well.
A creature that mercilessly hunted down and killed only villains.
Had they been unlucky enough to cross paths with that madman?
A vein pulsed on the man’s forehead.
But… it was fine.
The experiment had clearly succeeded, so there would be no problem as long as the dimensional connector was properly recovered.
“…Alright, I understand. So, the dimensional connector was recovered properly, wasn’t it?”
“That is to say…”
The servant hesitated, then bowed his head deeply before handing the dimensional connector to the man.
“Although an agent infiltrated among the Hunters managed to retrieve it… it was already empty inside at the time of its recovery.”
The most crucial core was gone.
“Perhaps this, too, is the work of the Villain Slayer…”
“……”
The man’s eyes flickered silently.
-CRUNCH!
The core-less dimensional connector loudly crumbled in his hand.
The vein on his forehead throbbed once more.
“……Investigate that bastard, the Villain Slayer, thoroughly.”
“……”
“And then, kill them without a trace. Understand?!”
“Y-Yes, sir!”
At the man’s furious roar, the servant hastily bowed and retreated.
****
“…How have you been lately?”
“Oh? I’m fine. Thank you for worrying about me.”
The Guardian Guild, proudly holding the rank of Korea’s second-strongest guild.
Lee Seol-hwa, Guild Master of the Guardian Guild and known by her moniker, Sword Princess, was currently visiting the home of Choi Seon-hee, one of her few close friends.
“Is your relationship with the Association still the same?”
“Well, yes. It’s exactly as it used to be. I actually prefer it this way, not having to cater to them like before.”
“…I see.”
During Choi Seon-hee’s time with the Association, the two high-ranking Hunters often encountered each other on operations, naturally growing closer.
Judging by her reaction, it seemed Choi Seon-hee’s relationship with the Association remained at an impasse.
And for good reason.
The Association had committed an unforgivable wrong against Choi Seon-hee.
Lee Seol-hwa, aware of this, chose not to pursue the topic further.
“So, have you come to scout me again?”
“Partially to check in on you. You know as well as I do that talented Hunters like you are rare.”
“I’m sorry. I have no intention of returning.”
Well, Lee Seol-hwa had naturally expected that answer.
Nevertheless, the reason Lee Seol-hwa had carved out time from her busy schedule to visit Choi Seon-hee was because she was worried about her.
After that incident, Choi Seon-hee seemed utterly broken, as if something within her had snapped.
Her smile had vanished, she refused to speak with anyone, and simply stared blankly into space, letting time slip by.
If the concept of despair were personified, Choi Seon-hee at that time would have been the perfect embodiment.
Fearing she might make a regrettable choice, Lee Seol-hwa would occasionally visit, even if just to see her face.
However…
Now, twenty minutes into their conversation, Lee Seol-hwa sensed that Choi Seon-hee had changed.
While a hint of melancholy still lingered, she was noticeably brighter than before, and a smile graced her face.
“…Did something happen?”
“Huh? Why?”
“Just… you seem brighter than before.”
Choi Seon-hee replied to Lee Seol-hwa’s question with a gentle smile.
“…I met a good friend.”
A good friend, she said.
“Intriguing. Introduce me later.”
“Perhaps when I have time. You’re undoubtedly busy today, having forced yourself to make time to come here. Shouldn’t you be heading back soon?”
Lee Seol-hwa silently checked the time, then nodded.
“Time has flown by. I’ll take my leave now.”
“Thank you. For always looking out for me.”
“I only came to check on the condition of a future guild member. Goodbye, then.”
Lee Seol-hwa rose, gave a small nod of farewell, opened the front door, and stepped out.
Then, from upstairs, the sound of someone descending the stairs echoed.
‘That’s odd. Choi Seon-hee should be the only one living in this building.’
Lee Seol-hwa tilted her head in confusion, then turned towards the staircase.
“………!”
Her breath hitched in her throat.
