After escaping Fort Posein, Selena gasped in the shadows of the town's alleyways, treating a knife wound on her chest. The cut above her breasts wasn't deep, but the blood wouldn't stop flowing, leaving her deeply confused.
"Initiating installation of {Propagation - Blessing of the Mother of the Black Goat} on individual: Selena."
"{Propagation - Blessing of the Mother of the Black Goat} installation failed on individual: Selena. First attempt."
Suddenly, a strange voice echoed in her mind. At that exact moment, the bleeding finally stopped. As she conjured purple gauze with magic to bandage the wound, she gazed at the distant fortress, still in chaos. That grayish-white sword-wielding Ghostkind was truly a monster. Luckily, when he swung his blade toward his own heart, he glimpsed her snow-white skin through torn fabric. Seduced by her body, he hesitated for half a second with a lustful stare. That gave the suddenly appearing Vampire a chance to use his demon eye. Otherwise, she'd have been dead long ago.
Come to think of it, this voluptuous body wasn't so bad. Selena, the Succubus who once bore that name, slowly admired her new form. Her breasts moved nimbly, her waist curved gracefully, her thighs strong and firm. Though past her prime, she could still enchant any man.
After examining herself, Selena tried to recall her memories. She vaguely remembered being a geisha of the Great Ghost Clan. Later, she became a courtesan in a forest mansion. Gradually, she fell into becoming a Succubus. Soldiers who bought her nightly called her a demon. Tired of pleasing border guards, she used her powers to charm Ghostkind soldiers. She turned everyone in Posein—then just a village—into her servants.
But her memories ended there. She couldn't recall her true name. What followed felt like patchwork fragments: a Ghoul Hunter slaughtering Corpse Eaters in the woods, and another constantly birthing them. Both memories were hazy, like a half-awake montage. Her past felt tampered with, frustrating her deeply.
"{Propagation - Blessing of the Mother of the Black Goat} installation failed on individual: Selena. Second attempt."
"{Propagation - Blessing of the Mother of the Black Goat} installation failed on individual: Selena. Third attempt."
"{Propagation - Blessing of the Mother of the Black Goat} installation failed on individual: Selena. Fourth attempt."
The cold mechanical voice echoed on. With each repetition, her murderous intent surged. Roars of frenzied Corpse Eaters echoed from the forest, assaulting the fortress. Since she still retained her old Ghoul Hunter skills, she'd slaughter a few to vent this killing urge. Picking up a broken spear, Selena headed toward the roars.
Meanwhile, across town, Elaina, Marn, and Lem argued fiercely in a tavern. Elaina, who'd spent a month with Alice in the Third Detention Chamber, truly believed Alice harmless. She was furious at the hunters' neglect. She'd already convinced Marn—one of the four hunters. Unlike Lem, Marn had fought alongside Ghostkind as a mercenary and held no grudge.
Today, she pressed Lem again to visit Alice.
"Didn't we agree to make up after our fight? Why bring up Alice?" Lem sipped wine, annoyed.
"But you said you held no bias against her!" Elaina shot back.
"I hate only the Ghoul-Transformed Ghostkind who killed my mother twenty years ago. Not Alice."
"Then why refuse to see her?"
"When little Alice showed us that form, our bond broke forever." Lem couldn't face her without seeing the Great Ghost Clan killer who'd murdered his mother before his eyes. He'd stayed calm in the forest, but now didn't know how to act.
"Nonsense! I'm taking Marn to see Alice tomorrow. I'll convince your sister and the others too. If you're a man, drop this baseless prejudice and come with me. Alice misses you all." Half-drunk, Elaina leaned close, pressing her chest against his hand. Wine-scented breath escaped her as she locked her clear, earnest eyes on his.
"Honestly, it's time we visited little Alice," Marn nodded. "Lem, join us tomorrow."
"Sorry, Marn. Give Alice my regards." Lem avoided their gazes, gulping his wine.
"I can't stand this! Are you still obsessed with avenging your mother?"
"Why drag up twenty-year-old grudges? I said I've moved on!"
"Then you must visit the Third Detention Chamber!"
"You, an outsider from the Royal Capital, shut up!"
Elaina and Lem stood up, red-faced and shouting, nearly grabbing each other's collars. Marn, used to their fights, silently drank his wine.
Suddenly, a horn blared outside—Corpse Eaters were attacking. They ignored it, still arguing.
"Both of you, shut up!" Marn roared, standing. "Corpse Eaters are invading. The army might handle it, but the Hunter Settlement's in danger. Lem, with me—now!"
They stopped, embarrassed. Outside, countless frenzied roars shook the town. Tavern patrons rushed out, peering north. Fort Posein blazed with lights, swarming with people—this assault was massive.
"That many Corpse Eaters charging?" Marn tossed coins to the barkeep. "I brought my weapon. Let's go."
Marn and Lem snapped alert. They grabbed their spears by the door and sprinted toward the Hunter Settlement without looking back.
"I'll check the fortress too. Let me come with you," Elaina called, following them north.
Under the full moon, Fort Posein echoed with Corpse Eater roars. The bustling fortress fell deathly silent. Even in town, the clash of steel rang out. Tonight, the air reeked of danger.
