This world holds many legends—like the music bar in Bei Yuan City, home to two mysterious sprites...

Sprites?

How intriguing.

Cheers and applause filled the air; the bar never slept. Meticulously cleaned, it stood apart from the grimy haunts of foremen and drunkards—a place of pure enjoyment.

Beer flowed here, yet no foam spilled carelessly. The bourbon burned strong, but no one caused drunken scenes. The food was exquisite, untouched by scattered crumbs or litter.

An elderly band cradled century-old wooden instruments. Their aged yet vibrant hands strummed traditional country folk tunes—gentle melodies, lively rhythms—mesmerizing everyone present.

Such bars had grown rare in this fast-paced society. Truly unique.

Yet the true stars weren’t the old musicians. On the empty central stage, two dancing girls commanded attention.

Below them sat many suited men, ties loosened, eyes gleaming with primal desire.

"Everyone~~ welcome~!"

A silver-haired girl spun in place, barefoot heels lifting off the floor, arms raised high.

Her outfit blended tribal stripes with youthful flair—more like a two-piece swimsuit to most eyes. White and brown fabric dominated, sheer gauze revealing patches of smooth, sun-kissed skin.

"........Welcome."

She dipped low. Behind her, another identical girl twirled and leapt—but where the first spoke brightly, this one stayed quiet.

Their only difference: hairbands adorned with gems. One held a ruby. The other, pale green jade.

Their slender, delicate bodies danced before the crowd. Every limb’s movement, every leap, transformed them into butterflies—graceful, free.

Ribbons fluttered with their motions. Legs parted for a high jump; the sisters mirrored each other in perfect, opposing arcs. Flawless landings. No stumble.

The bar’s sprites. Twin dancers called spirits...

"Thank you, Boss~~"

The ruby-haired girl bowed to a glamorous older woman—the bar’s owner—who handed them thick wads of cash from the register.

"No trouble, Nanali. You two were brilliant. Will my lovely songbirds return tomorrow night?"

"Eep~ You’ll make me blush saying that~"

"Honest truth. Your sister’s the quiet white munia to your tune."

The woman glanced at the girl crouched by the door, gently stroking a stray cat—Nanali’s sister, Nanase. A well-behaved kitten beside her vibrant sibling.

"Hehe~ If we’re *both* this cute... extra pay?"

"Hmph. Already added. Today was packed~"

"Thanks, Boss! See you tomorrow~~"

"Bye now. Don’t be late."

The bar’s twin mascots: Nanali and Nanase. Highland dancers of a nimble, wheat-skinned tribe. Though they never removed their face-coverings in public, the mystery only heightened their allure.

Changing in the locker room, they pulled on plain clothes—still wearing face-masks despite the warm night. Sporty shorts, skirts, oversized men’s jackets. Under dim streetlights, they looked like ordinary kids.

Who were they beyond the stage? What lives did they lead? No one knew.

"What should we eat tonight, little sister?"

Nanali flipped the thick stack of bills. *This* was life’s true joy~

"Rice." Nanase’s reply was soft.

"........And after?"

Nanali prompted gently.

"Just rice."

"......Fine. Easy to please, aren’t you?"

As they turned toward downtown, two vagrants’ whispers caught their ears from a shadowed alley.

"Heard the legend’s back? That ‘Hero’ in the weird costume."

"Thought he’d vanished for good. Dead, maybe. Hard to believe."

"Could be an imposter. Plenty can handle thugs these days."

"True. This world’s full of surprises. Bet his powers just... faded when he disappeared."

The second man chuckled, poking the campfire with a stick.

"Maybe. But remember—evil never runs out. Heroes? Disposable. Used up. Replaced."

"Tell me about it. Only the female ones are worth looking at these days. The rest? Trash."

Their clinking bottles echoed in laughter. Then—light footsteps approached.

"Excuse me~~~"

"Little miss? What’s up?"

The vagrant’s eyes darted hungrily to Nanali’s chest as she leaned down, her sport jacket deliberately slung over one arm. His gaze lingered on the subtle swell beneath her top. His groin stirred eagerly.

"Is it true? About the legendary Hero?"

"Course it is. Want the real story?... Give me some fun first."

His grimy hand reached for her.

"Ew~ Pervert~"

Nanali giggled, dodging playfully. But the man didn’t retreat.

"Huh?"

A flash of silver—then realization struck too late.

*Why’s my hand on the ground? Blood’s pooling... but I don’t feel a thing. Wait—my hand?!*

"AAAAAAAH—————"

The vagrant’s scream ripped through the night. Nanase stood rigid before her sister, hands clasped behind her back.

"Don’t touch my sister. Scum."

Slung over her shoulder was a black axe. Her slender arm swung it effortlessly.

The broad blade grinned like a demon’s maw—jagged teeth lining its edge. Two hollows near the base glowed with eerie blue flames.

"Monster!?"

The second vagrant abandoned his friend instantly. Laughter forgotten, he bolted.

"Stay. Talk."

Nanase materialized before him. She spun like a dancer, axe arcing through his chest.

Blood bloomed—a crimson flower in the dark.

"D-don’t kill me!!"

The fallen man scrambled backward, only to collide with a slender leg. He looked up, trembling.

The girl he’d just fantasized about stood tall. Her eyes glared down like he was garbage. Over her shoulder rested a massive hammer—its head studded with iron spikes, larger than a human skull.

"Ahhh...."

*Monsters. Both of them!*

"Mister Vagrant," Nanali cooed, tilting her head. "Tell us... where is this ‘Hero’? The one with the legendary knight’s power?"

Nanase smiled sweetly. A smear of blood stained her cheek—leftover from severing the man’s arm.

Legend Two—the Bloody Dark Twin Heroes.