The images were rather curious: scenes of a unique dark magic, shrouded in blood, vital energy, and magical energy.
These vampires were merging these energies into large magical circles and runes, seemingly preparing for a grand ritual.
At the center of the circle lay ashes and a forming body. It didn't yet appear alive or complete but seemed to be in the process of revival.
I observed with curiosity, but soon the memories ceased, as if some energy were blocking further insight.
Frowning, I turned to the individual called Blade.
"From what I read in this person's memories, it seems they're trying to revive someone. I couldn't confirm for sure, but I think I heard the name Dracula. Their actions also appear tied to some magic, combining vital energy and the blood of others."
Hearing my words, he furrowed his brow in deep thought, ignoring the fact that I could read minds.
"It does seem they're attempting to bring back their lord… I can't allow this to happen," he said, turning without another word and beginning to walk away.
Seeing this, I used teleportation to appear in front of him.
A sword came slashing toward me, followed by a stake aimed at my heart.
I raised my fingers, and a yellow spherical barrier enveloped my body. His eyes showed no distinct emotion, betraying his familiarity with magic.
"Apologies," I said. "But the actions I saw will clearly affect the entire city, encroaching on the defense zone of my group: the Guardian Sword."
"As such, I can't let this go."
I smiled and, with a twist of my left hand, unleashed a gust of air that pushed him several meters back. I noticed he allowed himself to be pushed but didn't dwell on it.
He regarded me for a moment.
"So, you want to help?"
"Yes. If I can assist, my alliance and I intend to prevent the sacrifice of so many people, as well as stop this theoretical vampire lord from being revived."
He seemed to consider this for a moment before agreeing.
"Let's talk somewhere else."
I nodded, and we moved to a secluded, empty area. On the way, a mission prompt appeared:
....
Mission: Stop Dracula's Revival.
Objective: Prevent Dracula from being revived or claiming many lives in the city.
Sub-objective: Eliminate multiple vampires and minimize harm to innocents.
Main Objective Reward: Ito Ito no Mi.
Sub-objective Reward: Depends on performance (e.g., light magic limited to specific spells).
Description: As night falls, supernatural beings emerge, seeking to claim lives. Desiring the pinnacle of their race, they aim to revive their progenitor and leader: Dracula. As a city protector, you must stop them.
....
The main objective's reward was more than enough to excite me to astronomical levels. The sub-objective reward was also intriguing and potentially useful.
Smiling beneath my mask, I couldn't help but feel a bit more tense. Considering the level of rewards, the mission wouldn't be easy.
We stopped at a small warehouse before beginning our discussion. With my charming wand, I cast a spell:
"Silentus Scarcere."
Blade observed, raising an eyebrow as if analyzing me further, despite having seen me use magic multiple times before.
I sat down and pulled out a tea set from my inventory, offering it to the group while conjuring chairs and tables from my ice creation magic.
"Well, Mr. Blade, please enlighten me," I said.
Hearing this, he began to speak.
"I'm not sure how much you know. Vampires are one of the supernatural races on Earth, said to have existed for over 18,000 years B.C. Formed by magic, they possess numerous enhanced abilities compared to normal humans, with their defining trait being the need to consume blood and vital energy."
"Dracula is one of the vampire lords, appearing long after the first vampire. With immense power, he can even revive from ashes, though rituals like the one you saw in the memory are necessary. At full strength, he's said to be overwhelmingly powerful, capable of restoring vampires to their apex. This is why we must stop him. Even if it's not a permanent solution, preventing his revival now is crucial."
I nodded and posed another question, my eyes glowing with power and analysis as I carefully observed him.
"And you? You're not obligated to answer, but I sense your aura and energy are distinct from the vampires I've seen. It feels like there's something more mixed in."
He paused for a moment before deciding to answer.
"I'm called Daywalker. I don't have pure vampire blood, so I lack some of their weaknesses. This is because my mother was 'infected' while pregnant with me."
He also recounted how this led to his mother's death and fueled his deep resentment toward vampires, driving his journey of vengeance and extermination.
I didn't comment or plan to stop him. While his actions weren't exactly just, I had no intention of intervening—after all, vampires take countless innocent lives.
I then shared a crucial piece of information for our plan.
"I don't know the exact location, but I do know something will happen in four days. We need to gather information and identify as many vampire locations as possible while taking precautionary measures."
Following this, we devised several plans and strategies, including how we would gather information and proceed with the mission. I also handed a temporary communicator to Blade.
We needed to procure supplies—garlic, light-capable items, and stakes—especially for Pet and the other members of the Guardian Sword. For me, due to my Ancient Dragon Flame, sword energy, and light magic, these items were slightly less necessary.
....
Three days passed quickly.
I found myself seated in an ancient grand palace.
Surrounding me were numerous statues of what appeared to be gods of swords and weapons, their gazes seemingly judging my every move.
The entire place radiated a sharp, dangerous aura.
Using my Haki, I sensed a presence in the sky.
There stood a man cloaked in black, wielding a sword as dark as a refined, gleaming jewel.
He raised his sword, sending sharp waves of energy flying toward me.
With a leap, I sprang into action, charging toward the oncoming energy.
My sword, held firmly in my right hand, pulsed with silvery energy streaked with black. I clashed against the energy, though my power was ultimately shattered, and the attack continued toward me.
Seeing this, I moved my sword with elegant, precise strikes, channeling my comprehension of swordsmanship to destroy the attack completely.
With a smile on my face, I shifted my sword to the left, parrying another black blade that pushed me back several meters.
Sigh.
"This training is exhausting…" I muttered, my sword continuing to engage with various movements and surges of sword energy.
Weeks passed as I trained relentlessly in the virtual world, honing my skills through countless battles.
In another moment, I found myself in a new location—between towering mountain peaks.
The wind swirled around me, encasing my body, while a lance of light shimmered in my right hand, with two more floating above me.
Before me stood a woman dressed in elegant Arabian attire, her white hair cascading down as she wielded a unique weapon resembling a fan.
"Metal Vessel: Paimon," she declared.
"Magul Al-Hazard."
A golden magical pentagram materialized before her weapon.
With swift and powerful movements, she unleashed massive tornados in my direction.
Drawing upon my ancient wind power, I created wind barriers and deftly manipulated the air to shield myself.
At the same time, I directed the light lances toward her, only for them to be shattered with two quick motions of her weapon.
Seeing this, I enveloped myself in wind energy and combined it with light magic, charging toward her with a lance of light in my right hand and a whip of wind in my left.
Our battle was fierce and relentless, each of us clashing with strength and precision.
Unlike her counterpart in the animated series, this version was far more logical and capable, wielding her power with remarkable efficiency.
Our fights continued day after day with unwavering ferocity.
After weeks of training in the virtual realm, I returned to the real world, stepping out of the training space with a deep breath, stretching my body slightly.
In the days that followed, alongside my allies and with the aid of my advanced AI, I meticulously investigated every corner of the city.
We discovered numerous traces of vampire activity, though we refrained from eliminating all of them, focusing instead on the main event.
Finally, we identified the critical location and timing:
A small island near New York, home to an old 18th-century mansion.
After completing my training, I prepared for the final meeting with my team at a small grocery store I had rented entirely. With Blade present as a temporary member, it was the most discreet option.
I donned my combat and vigilante gear.
A suit as dark as the night enveloped my body, allowing me to blend seamlessly into the shadows.
A Majin mask covered my face, and a sword rested concealed on my back beneath a flowing cape.
My belt held various pieces of advanced technology, including a Jedi saber, items from Nightwing and Canary, and a small silver key.
Around my neck was a peculiar necklace shaped like a computer mouse, clearly out of place.
On my left wrist, I wore a high-tech watch, and a brilliant, magical ring adorned the finger of my right hand.
Pressing two fingers to my forehead, I murmured, "Kai Kai."
I teleported to the meeting location.
The icy air of the refrigerator room greeted me, surrounded by slabs of meat.
Calmly, I sat atop a small container. The cold didn't bother me, thanks to my ice-enhanced physique and soul fire.
I pulled out a device I'd created with the help of Artrópode and Anturian, alongside my interstellar-era phone.
Placing it in the center of the room, I activated it, projecting holographic images of various locations.
At the center of the display was the grand mansion, but smaller points of interest dotted the city, particularly at the ports—key focus areas for some of my allies.