Hunt In Reverse

Silence descended upon the room.

Max Vierkant lowered his arms, instinctively taking half a step back.

Every time he'd tried to persuade Kane to stay, his arms had paid the price. First his right, then both...

But his gaze remained fixed on the black-clad young man seated at the table.

Master valued a killer's instinct above mere talent. Every one of his disciples, Max included, had proven themselves ruthless and efficient in hunting vampires. Their achievements far surpassed those of their peers.

Cascadia was not as peaceful as it appeared. It was a precarious balance, a house of cards waiting to collapse at the slightest tremor.

Cascadia didn't need aloof geniuses, focused solely on their own training, ascending to immortality and leaving the mortal world behind.

No, what Cascadia needed... was a force of nature! A terror to vampires! A butcher who could make the Vampire King tremble and the lesser fiends cower in fear!

Aside from Rose Hightower, Max Vierkant was the only one in H.A.R.M. who had witnessed Kane's terrifying growth firsthand. He'd mastered Shadow Touch in a mere five days. Harmonious Quartet? Another five days.

But more importantly, he'd never seen a flicker of fear in Kane's eyes. Whether going to face the sea monster of Seamist County or ascending the deadly slopes of Crown Mountain, his departing figure—always slender—always exuded an unshakeable confidence.

The Sea God slain, the Leviasaur vanquished!

The black saber at his waist remained pristine, but the stench of blood and ichor clinging to it grew even stronger.

Such a man shouldn't be wasted on menial tasks, left to hone his mind and endure decades of hardship, simply to become another city-guarding general.

He should be out there, fighting, killing, until he rivals Senior Sister Patani herself! He should be vying for the position of Admiral, his blade subduing the twelve cities!

Senior Sister Hightower hadn't returned yet. No one but Max knew the true extent of Kane's power.

Not just his meteoric rise through the realms, but also his astonishing composure, his unwavering self-reliance.

What did an admiral need most? Unwavering confidence, bordering on arrogance.

Millions relied on him, but he could rely on no one.

… …

"I..." Max's throat tightened. He had to explain.

Then, I raised my eyes to meet his gaze, a lazy smile playing on my lips as I took a sip of water. "Who said I was going to Vancouver?"

The two figures outside the gate froze.

Alex Bai rolled his eyes, wiping the sweat from his brow.

Max stared blankly, his mind reeling. After a long moment, he finally sputtered, "But... the uniforms... why didn't you refuse?"

"Why would I refuse?" I took another sip of water, a mischievous glint in my eyes. "Can't I have both?" After all, I hadn't received any orders to relocate to Vancouver.

Why couldn't a personal attendant stay in Seattle? I certainly didn't need captains or majors babysitting me. Besides, I'd seen enough of H.A.R.M.'s so-called "talent" to last a lifetime—and I wasn't impressed.

"Both?" Max's jaw dropped. He'd never considered such a possibility—using H.A.R.M. general's authority as a shield to pursue one's own agenda.

"Indeed," I confirmed with a nod.

Max fell silent, struggling to find the right words. It was an absurd notion, but there was no rule against it.

Most personal attendant spent their lives striving for stability and security. Who would willingly throw that away at the last moment?

My composure only deepened Max's confusion. "You don't like being comfortable?" he asked, bewildered.

"Nonsense," I scoffed. Who wouldn't want a comfortable life?

"Then why?" Max asked, leaning forward with keen interest.

"Because I'm afflicted," I replied with a wry smile, picking up my fork and knife and attacking the sirloin steak in the food box.

I wasn't being flippant. I truly was afflicted. I recalled the incident at the Velvet Pleasure, when I'd fought the black-skinned jackalvamp. My hand, moving of its own volition, reaching out to stop the creature...

And then there was the Golden Chief, and how I'd stepped over the collapsed child to confront it…

I was trying to break this potentially fatal habit, but old instincts died hard.

My only option was to relentlessly pursue greater strength, ensuring that my blade would be there to protect me when those old instincts inevitably took over.

At the courtyard gate, the middle-aged man scowled. The little girl, however, was practically vibrating with glee, tears of mirth welling in her eyes as she pummeled his arm with her tiny feet. "He wants it all!" she shrieked. "This is no infant! His ambition is terrifying!"

"I really..." The girl's laughter abruptly ceased. She leaped from her perch, her eyes blazing with sudden intensity. "I really like him."

"Granny, where are you going?" The man's brow furrowed. Kane's response had clearly caught him off guard.

"I want to see just how far he'll go," she declared, a mischievous glint in her eyes.

The little girl, radiant in her green dress, skipped towards the door. She spared Alex Bai a withering glance. "Scram."

"Yes, madam!" Alex Bai readily obeyed, abandoning his junior brother without a second thought.

He scurried out of the courtyard, relief washing over him. That was a close one, he thought. At least the idiot hadn't blabbed.

Once he was gone, the little girl's sweet smile returned. She stood on tiptoe and tapped lightly on the door. "Big brother," she called out in a singsong voice, "can Chloe come in?"

… …

Within the room, my eyes narrowed, my grip tightening around my fork and knife.

This was the first time since those two Serpampire back in Pinewood County that someone had entered my personal space undetected.

Max froze, a jolt of fear passing through him. His face drained of color as he turned, forcing his numb arm to pull open the door.

He looked down at the small figure standing before him. "Madam ..." he began instinctively.

The little girl's eyes hardened. "You too," she said, her voice deceptively soft, "get out."

Max cast a helpless glance back at me, then silently retreated.

With the hulking warrior gone, I finally got a clear look at the tiny figure standing before me.

She was a vision in emerald green, her bare feet peeking out from beneath her dress. Her thick lashes framed bright eyes, and her cheeks were rosy and full. An adorable little thing.

Chloe beamed, her pearly white teeth flashing in a sweet smile. Her eyes, bright and curious, met mine.

I smiled back, my expression gentle and reassuring. But beneath the table, my hand discreetly moved towards the black blade at my waist. This seemingly harmless child... she exuded a pressure unlike anything I'd ever encountered.

"Hee hee, no need to be nervous." Chloe giggled, noticing my subtle movement.

She hopped onto a chair, propping her elbows on the table and bringing her face close to mine. "I overheard you talking," she chirped, "so I thought I'd come in and ask..."

She held out her wrist, a golden bell dangling from it, tinkling softly.

Between her delicate fingers, she held another bell, this one silver. "Want it?" she asked, her voice innocent.

My eyes narrowed, suspicion swirling within their depths.

I'd seen bells like this before, in Pinewood County, in the possession of the foxvamp. But those had been copper. I'd assumed they were treasures bestowed by the foxvamp's elders.

What was one doing here, in H.A.R.M.?

Three identical bells...

The image burned into my mind, their delicate chime echoing through my thoughts.