The icy breeze of the night swept through the outskirts of the slums.
In the starry sky, the full moon shone like a silent sentinel, while the muffled sound of desperate footsteps echoed through the labyrinth of dark alleys.
Felicia ran aimlessly along the muddy road of the slums.
Each hurried step left deep marks on the ground, splashing mud onto the lower part of her boots.
With her head lowered, the girl bravely struggled to hold back her crying, biting her lips as tears threatened to overflow.
She could feel the gazes of the residents watching her through the cracks of their locked windows, along with an uncomfortable sensation of being followed that sent violent chills down her spine.
"I'm a failure..." Felicia thought, her chest heaving intensely from physical exhaustion.
"I don't want to lose Old Man Bon... He's the only family I have left in this world.
But I'm just a weakling who can't even use my own water magic properly.
I'm a pathetic and useless girl... A burden who had to run away and leave everyone behind."
Immersed in her own anguish, she failed to notice the silhouette in front of her and ended up colliding head-on with a tall man.
The impact made her take two steps backward.
So-Sorry...! Forgive me... - Felicia stammered, hurriedly wiping her face.
It was nothing, little girl - the man replied, his voice surprisingly calm and reassuring.
He extended his gloved hand and gently touched the top of the girl's head in an affectionate gesture.
Then, he turned his face toward the hills, staring at the structure of the mansion rising in the distance.
Hey, little girl... Is that the place you came running from?
That... - Felicia murmured, pointing toward the destroyed building.
Back at the mansion, the air remained suffocating and heavy.
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Under the direct influence of the full moon, Yumi's vampiric nature operated at its absolute peak, making her regeneration instantaneous and terrifying.
So? What are you two going to do now, little couple?! - Yumi mocked, pointing her katana toward them.
Hey! We're not a couple.
I don't even know who this guy is, but he helped me, so I'm going to help him too - the blonde girl retorted irritably.
Concentrating the remainder of her energy, the young blonde projected dozens of ice blades into the air and fired them at the villain.
Yumi leaped lightly, deflecting each frozen projectile with the side of her sword, causing them to change trajectory and violently embed themselves into the wooden walls at the back.
Using the momentum of the air itself, the assassin advanced in a perfect diagonal line, aiming the tip of her katana directly at the girl's chest.
The blonde managed to conjure one last ice barrier in time. The impact of the purple blade caused the structure to crack, and the effervescent poison began melting the shield within seconds.
Letting out long and heavy breaths, the young girl demonstrated that she had reached the limit of her body, although she made a superhuman effort to remain standing.
In one final act of defiance, she formed an ice spear and threw it.
Yumi did not even bother to dodge.
The spear pierced through the vampire's chest, opening a large hole in her rib cage, but the biological tissues and purple garments closed on their own within a fraction of a second.
What are you going to do now, little girl? You've reached your limit - Yumi stated, slowly walking toward them.
And that guy back there is nothing more than a failure without strength or fighting power.
The blonde's legs gave out.
Without the strength to support her own weight, she collapsed to her knees against the hard-packed ground, breathing weakly.
Sorry... I've reached my limit... I've exhausted all my mana... - the young girl whispered helplessly.
What...? - Arata's eyes widened, panic taking over his mind. - Then... what are we going to do now...?
You're going to die - Yumi declared, advancing with her blade raised.
Arata began trembling violently.
He tried to force his legs to run, but his body would not respond, completely paralyzed by despair.
He realized, with a bitter taste in his mouth, that the Perfect Route was collapsing... and that he would be forced to die and redo this first day once again.
"Come on! Move, Arata Ryusei! Move!" he ordered himself mentally, desperately punching his own thighs in an attempt to break free from his state of shock.
The instant Yumi brought her blade down to deliver the finishing blow to the two of them, a broad-shouldered man with red hair appeared like a blur, positioning himself exactly between the youths and the assassin.
Surprised by the abrupt interception, Yumi changed the angle of her katana and attacked the newcomer.
In an absurdly fast movement, the man raised his left hand covered in leather and caught the poisoned blade directly by its edge, stopping the attack in midair.
With his free right hand, he delivered a direct and devastating punch to Yumi's face.
The impact was colossal.
The force of the punch sent the vampire's body flying straight into the back wall, throwing her directly over the ice blades that had remained embedded in the wood.
Yumi's body was brutally pierced by each of the frozen stakes, pinning her to the structure.
The red-haired warrior turned his face to the side, looking at the young man on the ground with a light and confident smile.
Sorry for the delay, Arata.
Arata recognized that figure almost instantly.
The vibrant red hair, the sharp amber eyes, and the long off-white tailored overcoat.
Underneath it was a black high-neck shirt with golden-thread details and fitted black cargo pants.
On his feet were high-top leather boots with silver buckles, and at his waist, secured by the deerskin gloves and tactical belt, rested the golden sheath of the legendary sword.
That was Kauã Alves, the Holy Knight of Karakiri.
Now that I'm here, I'll help you two - the nobleman assured.
How... How did you end up here, Kauã?! - Arata asked, wide-eyed, feeling an overwhelming wave of relief wash over his chest.
I was already patrolling the outskirts of the slums to act as backup in case things got out of control - Kauã explained, without taking his eyes off the target.
I happened to run into a pink-haired little girl along the way and realized that this was the exact moment to intervene.
With a sharp crack, Yumi broke the ice stakes holding her and leaped into the center of the room, her wounds closing instantly beneath the moonlight.
The Holy Knight...! - Yumi exclaimed, her black eyes shining with pure ecstasy.
It is an immense honor to face you... I'm genuinely curious to see what the insides of the man who wields Kamikiri, the legendary sword that cuts everything, look like - she concluded, running her tongue over her bloodstained lips.
Kauã Alves brought his right hand to the golden hilt of his weapon, maintaining an impeccable and imposing stance.
The honor is all mine, Ripper Assassin - the red-haired man declared, his voice echoing with authority through the walls of the mansion.
Because today, I came out to hunt monsters.
End of Chapter 17...
To be continued in Chapter 18...