"Eat slower..."

Xueluo held his fork, watching Irina across the table swiftly slice the pan-seared venison and shove it into her mouth. A blissful expression spread across her face as she mumbled through a full mouth:

"Mmmf mmf mmf—"

"So swallow first before talking..."

Xueluo cut a piece of venison from his own plate and chewed slowly. After a few quiet breaths, he glanced slightly out the window.

The sun was already beginning its descent.

*Need to hurry.*

Xueluo reached for a napkin, dabbing his lips.

"Irina, I have some errands. I’ll head out first."

He rose slowly, shouldering the backpack he’d prepared earlier.

But then—

"I can’t find Father and Mother’s Blood Hunter gear anymore."

Irina’s voice dropped to a whisper.

"Do you know where they are, brother?"

...

After a brief silence, Xueluo feigned calmness.

"No idea. Probably thrown away."

He tightened his grip on the backpack straps and turned toward the door.

"I’ll be back soon. Just some overtime work. Maybe—"

His foot hadn’t even crossed the threshold when—

*Thud.*

A sudden weight crashed against his back.

"Be careful."

Without turning, Xueluo knew Irina had wrapped her arms around him. She nuzzled her cheek against his spine, her voice trembling faintly.

"I know I can’t stop you... but brother... don’t push yourself too hard..."

*When did Irina’s voice start sounding like this?*

She’d always been so fierce. Yet now, a trace of tears laced her words.

*She sees through everything. Always has.*

A soft, unexpected chuckle escaped Xueluo. But Irina pressed on, barely audible:

"If... if I were to lose you, then magic academy and everything else— I’d—"

*Snap!*

A hand landed gently atop her head before she could finish.

"I’ll be fine."

Xueluo’s warm voice brushed her ear.

"Wait for me at home. I’ll bring back the money... I’ll come back safe."

He bent down, pressing a light kiss to her forehead.

"Be back soon."

Then he turned and walked out, decisive.

Irina pressed a hand to her chest, watching his retreating figure.

"Safe travels, brother..."

——————————————————————————————

*If you find a vampire’s coffin in daylight, you’ve already won.*

Xueluo recalled his father’s words as he walked.

And it made sense. Staking a vampire in its coffin under the sun was effortless.

As one of the last-generation Blood Hunters, Xueluo had joined several hunts. Even after all this time, the memories remained vivid.

He soon reached an abandoned graveyard.

*According to the noble’s intel...*

Xueluo stepped inside, scanning the scattered coffins until his eyes locked onto his target—a massive black coffin edged with gold.

He checked the distant sun. Still hours until dusk.

*Too easy.*

Xueluo approached, placing his hands on the lid. With little effort, he heaved it open.

But—

Gun raised, Xueluo tensed. The coffin was empty.

*Wrong one?*

He hesitated, lowering his weapon slightly.

Then—

*Whoosh.*

A chill swept through his body. Xueluo whirled around.

Perched on a nearby tree branch was a petite girl watching him. Silver curls cascaded like silk over her shoulders. Porcelain skin glowed under the fading light. Crimson eyes sparkled with mischief above a delicate nose and upturned pink lips.

"So you came~ Worth fighting off my drowsiness to wait here, dear me." She leaped down lightly. "Are you of the Graves family?"

Her voice chimed like crystal.

"But... no magic? Just a human?"

Xueluo barely registered her words.

*Impossible.*

His gaze flicked to the sun still hanging in the sky.

*That girl—definitely a Vampire. But why isn’t she burning?*

"If you’re counting on the sun," she murmured, a baffling smile curling her lips, "don’t bother. This little light won’t kill me."

*Won’t kill her?*

Xueluo had fought Vampires in the final hunts. He’d never seen one walk in daylight.

Except...

"What generation are you?" he asked quietly, a cold prickle crawling up his spine.

The girl’s smile widened.

"Oh? That would be—"

She vanished from her spot.

Before Xueluo could react, icy breath ghosted over his neck. Her honeyed whisper slithered into his ear:

"I am Guya Aslyear. Third-generation Blood Kin. Noble Princess of the Reclusive Assembly."