Ah, I know it’s tempting to start with a long-winded ramble about the world’s backstory, but life’s like that—just get used to it, right?

So let’s get straight to the point. After the Third World War shattered human civilization, the reclusive Vampires saw their chance. They launched a war against humanity.

The conflict shattered human technology. Legends spoke of vessels that once pierced the starry void, factories that harnessed lightning—all reduced to myths. Society regressed to the age of steam. Yet the war against the Vampires raged on.

Until a meteorite changed everything.

It blessed certain chosen humans with the power to wield magic. With this newfound strength, humanity rallied for a counteroffensive.

Led by the elite Mage unit—the Hymn Guild—humans crushed the Vampires’ stronghold in Romania. From its ruins rose the Human Alliance.

What followed was a brutal purge. The Vampire race was nearly eradicated. Declared extinct, they faded into history. The Mage Association—who revered the meteorite as divine—and the Human Nobles’ Council now jointly ruled the Alliance, striving to reclaim lost technologies.

Naturally, Mages became the world’s most revered profession.

But here, in Lincoln City, former Nebraska Territory, North America…

On a quiet street corner stood a tiny burger cart named "Tivin’s."

And right before this humble cart, a crowd had gathered.

*Snap!*

Xueluo flicked a small kitchen knife from his hand. It split an onion mid-air.

Before the halves hit the ground, he’d already drawn another blade.

*Flash. Flash. Flash.*

Crisp *thwacks* echoed. The onion transformed into perfectly round, glistening rings.

Without pause, Xueluo reached aside, dropped the knife, and snatched a meat fork. He lifted a sizzling patty.

*Slap!*

The patty landed neatly on a bun. The onion rings settled atop it like a crown.

He layered on melted cheese, capped it with another bun—

Silence hung for a breath.

Then—

*CLAP! CLAP!*

A man at the front erupted in applause.

"Bravo!"

"Amazing!"

Like a spark igniting dry tinder, thunderous cheers erupted. Xueluo gave a slight bow. Coins clinked into a tip box beside him.

After all, Tivin’s wasn’t just famous for taste.

Xueluo’s knife skills were the real show.

"Here’s your cheeseburger," Xueluo said, leaning out with a smile. He handed it to a wide-eyed boy.

"Thanks!" The boy took a huge bite, cheese smearing his cheek. He grinned up at Xueluo. "Big brother! Where’d you learn those tricks?"

"Uh…"

Oblivious to Xueluo’s stiffening smile, the boy chirped, "I wanna learn too!"

*Simple*, Xueluo thought inwardly, forcing his smile to stay.

*First, become the last Blood Hunter alive. Then maybe.*

Blood Hunters—Vampire slayers. Mercenaries specialized in hunting the night-dwellers, paid per kill.

A dead profession. When Mages rose, those without magic—relying on stakes and garlic—were swiftly forgotten. After his parents died, Xueluo knew himself to be the last.

And the current state of Blood Hunters?

"RUN! CITY INSPECTORS!"

A shout ripped through the crowd.

*CRASH!*

Xueluo shoved his cart forward and bolted.

"Hey! Stop, you little punk! Again?! Where’s your license?!"

"To hell with that! Licenses cost money!" Xueluo yelled over his shoulder, weaving through alleys. His hands flew—grabbing pre-peeled onions, crushing them into tight balls.

*Flick. Flick.*

Two onion projectiles struck pursuers’ eyes.

"What the—?!"

"Argh! My eyes!"

Amidst the coughing chaos, Xueluo ducked into a narrow alley. He pressed against the wall, chest heaving.

*Safe. For now.*

*The glory of Blood Hunters…*

His father’s voice echoed unbidden:

*We are noble. Our traditions must endure.*

"*Hah*," Xueluo muttered, pulling a patty from the cart and biting hard. "*Traditions*…? Look at me now."

He swallowed the last bite.

*But our family’s fate is about to change.*

*Or at least… Irina’s.*

He fingered the coins in his pocket.

*If I can just get Irina into the magic academy…*

His sister. Unlike him, she’d tested positive for magic. She’d earned an invitation to Wozgore Academy—the world’s most prestigious institution, run by the heroic Hymn Guild.

*Tuition…*

*Five days until enrollment.*

Xueluo’s grip tightened on the cart’s handle.

*I need to push harder.*

He took a steadying breath, ready to move—

"You’re Xueluo, aren’t you?"

*!*

Instinct took over. An onion ball shot toward the voice.

*Fwip—*

*Crunch.*

An invisible barrier disintegrated it mid-flight.

*Magic?*

Xueluo’s head snapped up. Before him stood a woman in an elegant noble’s gown, flanked by black-clad guards. Moonlight given human form—silky chestnut hair, arched brows, eyes curved like gentle crescents. Her nose was straight and fine, her lips thin as maple leaves, perpetually lifted in a faint, spring-breeze smile.

She gave a graceful nod. "I am Orelle Graves, Lady of Lincoln. My informants tell me you’re descended from Blood Hunters."

Her smile deepened. "If true… we have a task for you."

"A task?"

"Yes," Orelle said softly. "We… wish for you to eliminate a Blood Kin."