The moon hung low over the city, its silver light casting long shadows through the narrow alleys. The Night Reapers had arrived, blending into the darkness like phantoms. Grim, Ava, and Dante moved with the precision of a well-oiled machine, sweeping through the remains of a crumbling vampire den. Bodies lay strewn across the floor—vampires, reduced to ash and remnants of their former power.
Grim knelt down, inspecting the scene with a sharp, analytical eye. His gloved hand dipped into the ashes, feeling the faint warmth that lingered. “They were recently turned,” he muttered, more to himself than to the others. “Whoever sired them is nearby.”
Ava, perched near a broken window, scanned the perimeter with her night-vision goggles. “Nothing on this end. Whoever it is, they’re either very good at hiding, or...”
“They’re running,” Dante interrupted, his voice a low growl as he adjusted his Ironclaw gauntlet. “Let’s hunt ‘em down before they get a chance to warn their friends.”
Grim's eyes narrowed, a flicker of annoyance crossing his otherwise emotionless face. “Patience, Dante. This isn’t just about smashing through walls. We need to know who’s backing them.”
Dante smirked, cracking his knuckles. “Yeah, yeah. You plan, I break things. Let’s just make sure we’re done before sunrise.”
As the trio continued their sweep, a faint sound echoed through the ruins—a whisper carried on the wind. Grim’s head snapped up, eyes gleaming with an unnatural sharpness. “We’re not alone,” he murmured.
Ava melted into the shadows, moving silently through the debris. Dante readied his weapon, his muscles tensing in anticipation. But before they could pinpoint the source, a figure emerged from the darkness, leaning casually against a shattered pillar.
The figure’s voice carried a cold amusement. “It’s been a while since I’ve seen hunters in this part of town.”
Taehyung’s lips curled into a smirk, his eyes glinting with an eerie light. He looked different from the boy who had once hidden in the shadows—now, he radiated an aura of power, the kind that only came from surviving countless battles. He sized up The Night Reapers, his gaze lingering on Grim with a hint of curiosity. “You must be the infamous Reapers. I’ve heard stories about you.”
Grim straightened, his expression unreadable. “And you must be the one keeping these newborns around like pets. It’s a shame they’re so poorly trained.”
Taehyung’s smile widened, revealing a hint of the predator lurking beneath his calm exterior. “They served their purpose. But I’m more interested in you. A human with the knowledge to kill creatures like me? That’s a rare find.”
Before Grim could respond, Dante stepped forward, his gauntlet crackling with silver-tipped energy. “Enough talking. Let’s see if you can handle more than just words.”
With a roar, Dante charged forward, the ground shaking beneath his heavy footsteps. But Taehyung was faster, moving with a speed that left only a blur in his wake. He dodged Dante’s strike, countering with a blow that sent the hunter sprawling.
Ava was on him in an instant, her blade flashing in the moonlight as she aimed for his throat. But Taehyung caught her wrist mid-strike, twisting it with a strength that belied his slim frame. Her eyes widened in pain, but she bit back a cry, refusing to give him the satisfaction.
Grim watched the skirmish unfold, his mind racing. This vampire was unlike the others—controlled, calculating. And more importantly, he recognized the look in Taehyung’s eyes: a hunger for power that mirrored his own hatred. He drew a vial of shimmering liquid from his coat, readying a trap.
