[Notice from the Author]
All of the earlier chapters have now been fully revised with improved translation and better writing. The story reads more smoothly, with clearer language and stronger emotional impact.
If you've read the previous version, I highly recommend starting again from Chapter 1.
Thank you so much for your support—and enjoy the upgraded experience!
At the same time, above the Fortress.
On the recently crumbled stone walls, the battle standard bearing the blood-soaked bat emblem of the Empire proudly unfurled—yet another human stronghold had fallen. Each time a city gate collapsed, the human population plummeted alarmingly, pushed to the bottom of society like genuine "livestock." In the new order of the Vampire Empire, where Dracula was King of all things, as long as you had enough blood to offer, you would receive protection under the laws of the Vampire Empire.
Among these, there was one human right that the Vampire Empire always upheld:
"Provide enough blood and abide by the law. We will protect you from the bloodthirsty Secondaries raging outside."
—but the truth was merely gilded chains. Humans existed only to serve the Vampire nobility, to be their entertainment. The strong were thrown into mines or blood factories, blood farms... Every breath, every drop of sweat belonged to the Vampires. And if, by chance, you were a moment late in delivering blood, "protection" immediately changed meaning: the whip cracked, the gate to the pen opened, and swarms of bloodthirsty Secondaries would teach the tardy one to understand "the law." This was the post-apocalypse—a world where hope was weighed in every drop of blood, and humans existed only because the Empire still needed them… as food…
And so, humans were caught in a vicious cycle with no escape. If they didn't obey, they would be hunted, dragged into the streets, and torn apart by countless crazed bloodsuckers outside. But if they bowed down in submission, they had to live like scum—pathetic ants under the heel of the Vampire Empire. A choice between instant death… or an existence worse than death.
Vampires now lived as humans once did—but more noble, more arrogant, and more cruel. They were the new humanity. They had citizenship, their own laws, their own privileges. Hundreds of laws were enacted to protect Vampires, while hundreds of other regulations were used to crush humans.
Among the latest laws issued by the Vampire Empire's Council, there was a clause that seemed to offer a glimmer of hope for humanity. It was the "Food" Protection Law. A decree prohibiting Vampires from indiscriminately killing humans without permission.
On the surface, it seemed like a positive step forward. But in reality… nothing had changed. The laws weren't created out of humanitarianism. They didn't care about human emotions, lives, or rights. They did it for one reason only: to protect their blood supply. Humanity was slowly going extinct, and that meant—the Empire's food source was also dwindling.
Therefore, rules were set: Vampires were not allowed to drain humans to death without a license. Not allowed to kill in public. Not allowed to hunt in controlled areas, unless summoned by a superior. Violators could be punished… not for harming humans, but for "wasting resources."
We—humans—in their eyes, were still just food. Walking blood bags. And their laws, no matter how civilized they seemed, were merely gilded chains wrapped around human necks… to extend their shelf life before being devoured.
Most of humanity had bowed their heads. They accepted living in the so-called "new order" where Vampires ruled, where light was a luxury, and where memories of a time when humans once dominated were now merely fading legends. Cities that once blazed with lights now lay under the banners of the Vampire Empire. Homes, fortresses, monuments that were once humanity's pride were now the property of the new rulers. As for humans, they were herded into slums, makeshift residential areas built by the Empire itself—not to shelter them from rain and wind, but to control them more easily.
This world had withered away. But… not all had surrendered.
Out there, there were still humans who refused to bow their heads. Still remnants of armies, survivors, silent warriors clinging to belief in an old world—or a new world they would reclaim themselves. And amidst all that despair, there were rumors of a place: The Mountain.
A stronghold. A place where the sun still shone. A land where humans still held absolute power.
Was it the truth… or just a final lie to cling to hope?
No one knew.
But the journey of three individuals—Jack, Mira, and John—was just beginning. And if humanity's last light still flickered somewhere… perhaps, they would be the ones to find it.
Back with the TrioIn the old medical room within the abandoned Solar Order headquarters…
Mira stirred faintly. She opened her eyes. Everything blurred into her vision. The decaying ceiling, the flickering oil lamp, the faint scent of blood still lingering in the air. She struggled to sit up, then suddenly remembered—
Those blazing red eyes. The cruel words. The sensation of fangs sinking deep into her neck.
Jack.
Mira quickly brought a hand to her neck—a white bandage still covered the spot, carefully wrapped. On her other arm was a small IV drip connected to her vein. Reserve blood. Probably the kind preserved by the time-freezing magic.
The door creaked softly. John, already awake, immediately approached, placing a hand on her shoulder.
"Mira, calm down. You're still weak. Rest. If you need anything—"
She frowned, pushing his hand away, her voice still tired but resolute. "Where's Jack? Tell me, what happened?"
John sighed, his gaze heavy. "He's in the main hall. And… I'll explain everything. But first—I take full responsibility for what happened."
Mira sat upright, her chest heaving with anger. "Responsibility? Is that you?"
"That guy—Jack—he's still a bloodsucking demon. He killed my entire family. And I had a chance… I had a chance to end him. I was going to stab him. But… but I couldn't do it. Damn it… why?"
She gritted her teeth, turning her face away to hide her reddened eyes.
John didn't blame her, only spoke softly. "Because you saw something no one else did—the human part of Jack."
"You knew he… wasn't the killer he used to be."
Mira clutched the bedsheet, her voice trembling with rage. "So what? He still drank my blood. He was going to kill me. Do you understand? I believed him, believed he could change… and then… this happened again."
John clenched his hands, nodding. "I understand. But there's something else… you need to know. It might be shocking—but listen carefully."
"We don't just have one Jack."
Mira's eyes widened. "…What? What in the world are you talking about?"
John nodded slowly, his face tense. "Within his body, two souls exist. One is Jack—the current person, the human. And the other… is Jack the Butcher—the Vampire fiend from before. Both… coexist in one body."
"And I strongly suspect that the hunger triggered Jack the Butcher… Part of the responsibility is mine for not foreseeing this… I truly apologize, Mira!"
Mira stared at him, speechless. After a moment, she lowered her gaze to the IV drip on her arm. The bite on her neck throbbed.
"Perhaps he's full now," she murmured. "Looking at the amount of blood being transfused… I'm sure he drank quite a bit from me."
John clasped his hands, his gaze sharp, unusually stern. He cleared his throat. "Ahem… Mira. Before we talk more about Jack, I need you to truly listen. This is very serious—and directly concerns your life."
Mira frowned. "What…? What do you mean? What's wrong?"
John looked directly into her eyes. His voice was heavy. "Mira, you are dying."
Mira's whole body suddenly froze. She looked as if she couldn't believe her ears. "What…? Dying? Me? You… what in the world are you saying!?"
John nodded, his expression unchanged. "Not normal death. But… death of the soul. You are on the verge of transforming into a Vampire."
"…No…" Mira recoiled. Her voice trembled. "No way! No no no!! Is it because of him? Because of that monster? No… I can't turn into that…"
She clutched her head, panicked, as if wanting to crush the terrifying memories flooding back. "That won't be me anymore… that's hell… even worse than real death…"
John approached, gently but firmly. "Calm down, Mira. You haven't fully transformed yet. I injected you with Silverium—the transformation inhibitor. Your soul is still intact. At least… for now."
Mira gritted her teeth, tears streaming uncontrollably. "John… my aunt… she was bitten too… and then she turned into that… a completely different Vampire… empty eyes, bloodthirsty, brutal… she tried to kill me…"
She clung to John, trembling convulsively like a child. "Please… save me… I don't want to become like that…"
John held her tightly. In his eyes was empathy and a sense of responsibility. "Don't worry, Mira. At The Mountain, there's a cure. As long as we have enough Silverium to keep you stable until we get there… you will live."
Mira looked up, her eyes red-rimmed, her voice trembling on the verge of breaking. "I'm scared… John. Will we make it there? The place you speak of… it's very far, isn't it? Will we… truly reach it?"
John choked up. He knew the answer clearly. That journey was neither short nor easy. Every step could be a trap, blood, and loss.
"I…" He was about to speak his true thoughts, but…
"We WILL definitely make it there, I promise you!"
A determined voice resonated from the doorway.
Both John and Mira turned—Jack was standing there.
His eyes were serious, full of unwavering resolve. "No matter how far it is, or whatever happens, I will take you there, Mira."
He took deliberate steps forward, his head held high, his voice low. "I will atone for my mistakes. I let you suffer all of this. And this time… I won't let anyone hurt you again, not even myself."
No one said anything more. But in that moment, Mira looked into Jack's eyes.
She didn't see the bloodthirsty red eyes of "Jack the Butcher."
But the faint amber eyes… like the setting sun.
Jack slowly walked into the room, his eyes filled with determination mixed with deep remorse. He looked directly at Mira, speaking softly. "I know what I've done to you… it's truly unforgivable. But Mira, this time, please let me help you. I will definitely take you to The Mountain, no matter the cost, even my life."
Mira shivered faintly. The memory of "Jack the Butcher" at that moment—blood-red eyes, a savage grin, fangs sinking deep into her neck—still vividly haunted her mind. She trembled slightly, her voice weakly echoing. "Actually… I… I know that wasn't you…"
Memories of a completely different Jack—the one who had shielded her and John from the terrifying lightning strike—suddenly flooded back. Mira bit her lip, tears starting to fall again. "Jack… you and him are truly too different. But… can you promise me one thing?"
Her voice trembled, almost pleading. "Please don't let me see him again… alright? Truly… I'm so scared…"
John silently approached, gently embracing her as if comforting a child. Mira burst into tears in his arms, her sobs filled with pain and despair.
Jack watched the scene before him, his heart aching. He gritted his teeth, then took a deep breath, picked up the silver knife from the floor, and approached Mira. "Mira, if you want it all to end right here… then do it."
Jack gently placed the knife in her hand, his eyes serious, his voice calm. "End me right now. Once and for all. Let this nightmare finally be over."
Mira startled, her eyes wide. For a moment, her hand unconsciously tightened around the silver knife. She had longed for this moment—the chance for revenge, the opportunity to end the nightmare that had haunted her for so many years.
But her hand trembled, her eyes blurred with tears. Mira couldn't bring herself to strike, though even she didn't understand why.
John silently observed. He understood that everything depended on their decision, so he simply waited.
Seeing Mira's hesitation, Jack gently took the knife back from her hand. He continued softly. "If you still haven't decided, then Mira, let's go to The Mountain first. After all the truth about me is revealed, after we know whether I truly am humanity's last hope… I will give my life back to you."
He glanced briefly towards the Last Light sword, then his determined gaze returned to Mira. "But for now… neither you nor I can die, can we? Didn't you want to see the sun once in your life, Mira? So do I."
He smiled gently, sincerely towards her. That smile, those eyes… made Mira's heart stir once more.
John was also surprised; he hadn't expected Jack to speak such powerful words.
Mira looked at Jack for a long moment; she seemed to sense the sincerity in his every word. Finally, she responded hesitantly, "Then… you won't turn into that again, will you?"
Jack looked momentarily flustered, awkwardly scratching his head. "Uh… about that…"
Suddenly, Mira forcefully pushed his hand away, yelling angrily. "If you turn into that again, I'll kill you faster than you can imagine, you bloodsucking demon! From now on, you're responsible for getting me to The Mountain, got it?"
Both John and Jack startled at Mira's sudden change. But then, both quickly broke into a relieved smile.
The tense atmosphere finally dissolved.
Mira glared at them, demanding loudly, "Hey, what are you two laughing at? Hurry up and get me something to eat! I just lost a liter of blood!"
She emphasized each word: "Especially you, you bloodsucking demon!"
Jack stood at attention, cheerfully bowing formally. "Understood!"