Hero Stories: A Vampire's Thirst

So thirsty...

Blood... I need blood.

Strange...

What is?

I smell...blood.

Hmm, come to think of it...I think I can too. Maybe someone was attacked?

*footsteps*

Who's there!?

...

Huh, just a kid? You startled me.

But he...seems a little weird, doesn't he? And what's this smell...

It smells like blood.

Is it coming from...him?

Thirsty...

...! He's coming this way, watch out!

*shrieking*...!

*panting*...

No...I need more blood...!

There you are.

I understand you're going through a hard time. But if you keep going on, you'll end up spending several years in jail. They won't let you get away with it just because you're a kid.

Shut up...!

...Don't say I didn't warn you, kid.

THWACK

Ugh...!?

Calm down and take a nap.

Did he really take out all of these people on his own? Eligos would love to hear about this.

Hmm...it doesn't really seem like he's with anyone...and there weren't any witnesses... No one will know if I take him with me.

Whatever, first come, first served.

Where am I...?

Oh, hey. How was your nap?

...!

No need to be so frightened. I'm not going to harm you.

I just thought it'd be great if you join us.

The Vampire boy finally awakes.

V...Vampire...? Are you calling me a Vampire?

I am. You're a Vampire, a bloodthirsty killer. Those eyes and fangs, redder than blood, are evidence enough.

Did you really not know what you are?

...I don't care.

I was abandoned when I was little. No one ever told me.

Hmm, guess that also means you have nowhere to go back to. Why don't you stay with us then?

We...take care of people. You should be an expert.

Since you need to kill people to quench your thirst anyway, it'll be better for you to work with us.

If you cooperate, I promise to provide you with as much blood as you need.

...

They're all suspicious.

Oh, you're one to talk.

Mr. Eligos, who's that kid?

He's one of us now. Come to think of it, I never asked your name...

I don't have one. No one named me, no one ever needed something to call me by.

Oh...let me name you then. You're really fast, so how about Speedy?

Speedy is a name for a puppy, not a person.

Right, and you have such a Human name yourself...

Then how about Haste?

That's a good one, Mr. Eligos. You've got great taste.

I look forward to working together, Haste.

...Don't pretend to be friendly. I'm not planning to stay here for too long.

I never planned to be friends with you anyway. You'd better be good at your job. Otherwise, I'll fire you and leave you without a head.

Hmph.

Working at Dagger Sicar wasn't too bad.

Getting blood has become so much easier as my skills improve.

And the Dagger Sicar members never ask me too many questions or try to become friends with me.

What we were in the past doesn't really matter to us.

An organization where those who don't belong anywhere work together. That's what Cidd told me about Dagger Sicar.

So, all I need to do is to kill a noble lady? Quite simple.

According to the client, she ran away with a knight. And we've been given permission to kill both if necessary.

Alright. Let's get started then.

They're not here. They must have gotten pretty far.

We've been ordered to chase them as far as we have to, even if they've fled across the border.

The client mentioned something about inheritance and how things will become complicated if she ever comes back.

*sighing* I really don't understand Humans. Why are they so keen to kill one another?

Aren't we lucky? That's what keeps Dagger Sicar going.

Well, I don't really care if Dagger Sicar fails or not.

Anyway, let's look for them before they run away even farther.

Okay. I'll go west. You should go search the forest to the east.

...! That smell...

I was right, it's blood. They must have been attacked.

It hasn't dried, so it must have been quite recent. If I follow these bloodstains, I'll be able to find them.

Well, that didn't take long. A piece of cake.

*panting*...

My lady, are you alright?

Yes, I'm okay. I'm so sorry, Arowell. I didn't mean to get you into trouble like this...

Please don't say that. It was my decision. I decided to protect you.

If we keep going this way, we'll reach the border of Taranor. And if we cross the border safely, we'll be able to make it to Reingar...

Here you are.

No...! Run, my lady!

Okay...!

Don't waste your breath, you won't escape.

Ahh...!

My lady...!

Sorry, I sprained my ankle.

Your ankle...

Looks like she can't go any further.

Now get out of my way. I was ordered to kill the noble lady, not you. So if you don't stop me, I'll spare your life.

...Go, Arowell! You should run!

...

Don't worry about me. I'm only a knight.

But what you have shown me was...invaluable. It was the warmth of your heart.

I'm so sorry that all I can give you in return...is my sword and life. I wish I could give you something better.

Arowell... Arowell! No!

So you've decided to fight me? You'll regret this.

I never have regrets. Come on!

Ack...

Arowell...!

I really don't understand how Humans think.

They will kill one another even if it's not required for survival, then turn around and risk their life in order to protect someone else.

It's so stupid it makes me laugh.

...Arowell isn't stupid.

Someone who fought a losing battle and died...sounds like a fool to me.

I know your kind... You're bitter that you can't have something, so you speak poorly about it.

Like all those nobles who proposed to me only to turn their backs and call me arrogant after I rejected them.

Those without money called my wealth dirty and undeserved. My step mother envied me for having the noble blood she lacked.

You're the same, aren't you?

You mock because you know you'll never experience this feeling!

No, I'm not.

Yes, you are. No matter how much you desire something, you know you'll never have it so you just consider it stupid and...

Quiet! Shut up and die already!

Stop.

Ack...what are you doing. Let go of me!

I just received information that the client who requested Doris Rutton's assassination has been found dead themself.

Thus, there's no longer any reason to kill her.

Stay away! I don't care about the request. I'll kill her anyway!

If you murder someone unnecessarily, you'll put Dagger Sicar in jeopardy.

...Damn it!

*sobbing*... Arowell...

...She's still alive. If you tend to her quickly, she'll survive.

Be grateful, Doris Rutton.

Thirsty...

It's painful...

You're wrong! I don't need anything!

*panting*...

...All I need is blood.

Blood to release me from this burning thirst.

I drank the blood of every monster I came across, just like I used to before joining Dagger Sicar.

But the painful thirst still remained unquenched.

Argh...it's not getting any better. Why?

...Human blood...

That's right, if I go to a town and drink plenty of Human blood...

Did you hear me? You should only drink from those who we kill. You can't just kill anyone. Otherwise, Dagger Sicar will get in trouble.

Especially the townspeople! The local police will be after us.

I don't care as long as it doesn't bother me.

You ungrateful little brat...

You have rules to follow as long as you're with us. If you're unwilling to do that much, get out.

Cidd and Coli are just worried about you. Listen to them.

Alright, alright. I won't do it. So stop bugging me.

...

...Whatever. I don't care about that promise.

Stop! You're heading towards the town.

I know.

If you kill people recklessly, then Dagger Sicar will...

I don't want to know, and I don't care!

I just stayed for a while and helped with some work, stop bothering me!

I was about to quit anyway. Get out of my way!

...I can't let you go.

Ha, are you trying to stop me?

I'll make you regret standing in my way.

*panting*...

First the knight, and now you. Why would anyone ever dare to try stop me? I really don't understand Humans.

...I'm not a Human.

I'm a Homunculus... I was created with the Archdemon's Might.

...!

Do you want to know why I'm trying to stop you?

Because I used to be like you, without any feelings or motivations.

So I can't just let you go. I...want to protect you.

Are you a remnant of the Archdemon? Why did you attack me?

...I have no reason.

My duty is to kill anything I see. I was simply following my duty.

The war is over and the Archdemon's army is gone too.

There's no one left to give you orders. Live by your own will.

No. I was created to fulfill my duty. There is no meaning in living if I cannot accomplish that.

...That's not true.

I know another Homunculus. A girl who tried endlessly to escape her duty.

Eventually, her effort freed her from her fate.

And before meeting you, I even saw a Homunculus living in harmony with people.

There are reasons and ways to keep living a life even without duty.

What do you want from me? I'm not Human. I'm a machine built for killing.

It would be great to have someone who works like a machine. Of course, I promise you handsome rewards as well.

But I...

It doesn't matter who you are. We all have dark pasts.

He's right. We don't care about your past. All we need is someone who's talented.

A weird organization home to people who don't belong anywhere else.

I thought... Maybe... The relationship we have... I mean in Dagger Sicar...everyone trusts each other...it's like a family to me.

Where you can be precious to someone even if you're not Human...and even if you don't know each other well...

...

Who said I want to become a family with you and those stupid Humans?

How can someone become my family if they don't share my blood? What a stupid idea.

...Idiot.

Ah, Pyllis. Are you awake now?

Coli...where's Haste...?

Hmph, don't pretend like you're concerned about me.

What happened between you two? Pyllis fainted and you carried her here on your back...

It's none of your business.

Anyway, if you're awake, get up already. Eligos said we have a new request.

...Okay.

I still don't remember how long or why I've been wandering the forest.

All I know is that now I have some people to call family.

Well...I guess that's enough for now.