The funeral bell tolled, shattering the silence. A pall of gloom and heaviness draped the entire house. The master of the house, his face a mask of sorrow, received the guests, who in turn entered with somber expressions. The deceased, though not young, was hardly old either—a talented director of a major hospital, a kind man respected by every patient he had ever met. His death was as unexpected as yesterday's sudden downpour; his work remained unfinished, his research yet to yield results. Who would take up his mantle now?

  This was an old-style mansion, built quite some time ago, a grand structure that stood out amongst the rows of houses in the Saderclark district. Its owner was well-known, evidenced by the several hundred guests who had come and gone throughout the funeral today. From near and far, some even journeying from halfway across the world, anyone who knew him made sure to be present.

  Guests flowed in and out ceaselessly, leaving the family no moment of respite. Apart from relatives, no one lingered long. Perhaps the oppressive atmosphere was too much to bear.

  Swiftly, it was nearing noon, and the stream of visitors dwindled. Finally, just as the family was preparing for lunch, two more figures entered. They were a middle-aged couple, stepping inside with a bewildered air, their eyes scanning the surroundings as if reacquainting themselves with a familiar place long unseen, their faces still etched with surprise. Like the bereaved family, they too seemed unable to believe that the person lying in the coffin was truly gone.

  "Excuse me, you are...?" Mrs. Brown stepped forward. The couple looked familiar, yet she couldn't quite place them. The man was in his early forties, his dark blue hair without a trace of silver, making him appear much younger. His bright, emerald-green eyes held the commanding gaze of a leader, one that seemed to pierce through to one's very soul. Though fine lines crinkled the corners of his eyes, no one would have guessed him to be over forty. He wore a black suit, matching the attire of his wife beside him. With the faintest of smiles, he replied softly,

  "I am Dangeroo Collins. Do you remember me, Mrs. Brown? And this..." He gestured to the woman beside him. "Is Ashley."

  "Ah, yes, of course." A flicker of recognition, perhaps even warmth, crossed Mrs. Brown's face before the gloom quickly reclaimed it. It had been many years since they'd last seen their old acquaintances; to meet again at a funeral like this, one hardly knew whether to feel joy or sorrow.

  "Dan and Ley, thank you for coming. Forgive my terrible memory."

  "Please, don't mention it. We've known each other for so long; we are the ones at fault for not visiting all this time."

  Mrs. Brown nodded. "It has been nearly twelve years..."

  Indeed, since Dan had moved to the capital, Sarad, for work, nearly twelve years had passed.

  Dan's gaze swept over the people standing around. Some faces were familiar from long ago, but many were strangers. Twelve years, and so much had changed. Just twelve short years.

  He was about to step forward when Ley tugged at his sleeve.

  "Something's not right..."

  Dan scanned the room again. It seemed a "normal person" like him couldn't perceive anything unusual. He turned back to Ley. She continued,

  "It's normal for a funeral to have a mixture of essences. But here, there's something else… strange… no, more like something familiar."

  Dan tilted his head, listening intently…

  Still, nothing.

  Of course, he wasn't like his wife. He was just an ordinary man, while Ley was a mage—one who could sense the flow of energies in the air. Not only that, Ley was an Archmage; distinguishing the essences of "various species" was as simple as a blink of an eye for her. In the hierarchy of supernatural power in this land, mages stood at the apex, and an Archmage like her was the leader among leaders. She wielded a power none could touch, and her demeanor often gave an impression of being unapproachable. A woman in her early forties, with short brown hair, neatly tied, her eyes scanned unfamiliar things with deep wariness, radiating an invisible pressure that was both a threat and a warning against surrounding dangers. Then, she retracted her suspicious gaze, turning to her husband.

  "Why would Director Brown, who was in good health, pass away so suddenly?" Ley asked, then glanced towards Mrs. Brown, signaling Dan to inquire.

  The question made Dan realize the strangeness of it all. He spoke up, "May I see his body?"

  Mrs. Brown looked slightly surprised but nodded, turning and approaching the open casket. Dan followed.

  Forensic examination wasn't his specialty, but he had encountered deceased bodies many times. Diagnosis wasn't usually difficult for him, but this time, finding a suitable cause was proving exceptionally hard. Looking at the man lying there, his complexion ashen, eyes closed as if in reluctance, Dan wracked his brain for any knowledge he possessed. After a long moment, he still couldn't find a clue.

  "Why did he pass away so suddenly when he was in good health?" Dan repeated Ley's question to Mrs. Brown.

  "I don't know either," Mrs. Brown sighed. "I had to visit relatives the night before. When I returned the next morning, I found him… like that. We rushed him to the hospital, but… there was nothing they could do."

  "Didn't the hospital state a cause of death?"

  Mrs. Brown shook her head. "They couldn't find an exact cause either. They just said it might have been due to overwork and stress, and given his age, it could have led to a stroke…"

  The hospital here was so incompetent, unable even to determine a patient's cause of death. A pang of regret hit Dan. If he hadn't been so determined to move to Sarad twelve years ago, if his hospital had been established here, perhaps Director Brown wouldn't be lying here now.

  From this place to Sarad, to his hospital, was less than half a day's journey if one traveled quickly, yet in twelve years, he hadn't visited his old acquaintance even once...

  Who was to blame but his own negligence?

  The grieving faces of Mrs. Brown and her family made Dan sigh softly, placing a hand on the edge of the coffin.

  The senior he had respected so much, the man who had taken responsibility for raising him and his sibling in place of their parents, could he truly just lie here now?

  Dan shook his head slightly and turned to leave. Thoughts were thoughts, sorrow was sorrow, but the truth remained the truth; however cruel, it had to be accepted.

  Another group of guests arrived. A party of ten was advancing. Ley narrowed her eyes, her expression strange. At a glance, the group consisted of five men and five women, all clad in black, each wearing a hat that obscured more than half their face. They entered with heads bowed, their demeanor not one of grief for the deceased. No, it was more accurate to say they were emotionless. A chilling indifference clung to them, carrying with it an icy aura that made the already somber funeral atmosphere even more terrifying.

  Instantly recognizing something, Ley took two steps back, pulling Dan with her.

  "What is it?" Dan turned and whispered.

  "They… are not human."

  Dan flinched. An image spontaneously formed in his mind: a "thing," a species of creature, not human, yet resembling humans, mingling with humanity, concealing themselves to survive through the ages.

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  A species, forever thirsting for blood.

  He tilted his head, feigning skepticism at Ley's words, then turned to scrutinize the group again.

  If it truly was them, how could they appear here so brazenly?

  Mrs. Brown stepped forward to greet the new arrivals. It seemed she wasn't the only one surprised; the other mourners also stared curiously at them. A group radiating such profound gloom, silent from the moment they entered.

  "Excuse me, you are…?"

  "SOMEONE IS DEAD!"

  Before anyone could answer Mrs. Brown's question, a shout from outside the door startled everyone in the room. Those with weak hearts might have fainted on the spot. A murmur rippled through the crowd; people craned their necks, yet no one dared to take a single step. Dan and Ley instinctively looked at each other, then, without a word, both quickly moved towards the commotion outside. In the eyes of those present, they might have just become the bravest people in the room.

  But it was what needed to be done.

  To see what had happened out there.

  The black hat was lowered. A faint smirk touched the lips.

  "Foolish mortals!"

  Every story has a beginning. Every legend has ancient origins. This land, existing for several millennia, has been woven into thousands of tales by humankind. Stories of mythical creatures never before seen, tales of mysterious races blending into the human world. Among them, the most captivating was undoubtedly the story of a bloodthirsty species known as vampires.

  But this species was no mere legend.

  They truly existed. At least, in this land of Faraway.

  No one knew when vampires first appeared, only that humans had long considered them sworn enemies. They hid themselves behind the northern forest, kept from humanity by a strong barrier created by mages. They viewed humans as prey, employing all manner of schemes in their endless hunts. They could bypass the barrier, blend into the outside world, using an irresistible allure to approach humans, then turn them into their meals. Their strength surpassed human limits; only mages could counter them. They feared light, charms, and holy symbols; they could be killed by silver, and also feared a curse.

  A curse that foretold their utter annihilation in the twenty-first century.

  Recognizing the danger posed by this species, a Grand Council was formed in the heart of the magnificent capital, Sarad, tasked with protecting the populace from vampires, or any other hostile force.

  The National Security Council - the VF.

  The VF headquarters was a towering fifteen-story building standing prominently in the capital, its long history a testament to the VF's enduring presence. For fifty years, the VF Security Council had become an indispensable part, ensuring safety and determining peace for Faraway.

  ...

  "Greetings, IT department. I'm sure you all know there's a major event approaching across Faraway that requires heightened security. I'm here today to remind you, and also to encourage everyone to give their utmost for this year's New Year festival. Everyone's role is crucial, and I trust you will all perform excellently, and this year's festival will be as wonderful as previous years. Thank you all."

  As Yubeak Garcia – the tenth President of the VF – finished speaking, the entire IT department burst into applause. Her personal visit today emphasized the gravity of the upcoming task. Yu glanced around at the fifteen familiar faces, nodded with satisfaction, and was about to turn and leave when someone from below raised a hand.

  It was Wright, a veteran employee of the VF.

  "Recently, there have been reports from some regions about signs of vampire activity. With you personally coming here today, President, should we interpret this as a warning that this resurgence of vampires is exceptionally grave?"

  As Wright finished, a few whispers spread. Yu didn't answer immediately, pausing for a moment as if to formulate the most appropriate response. Finally, she spoke:

  "Yes. Vampires breaching the barrier and causing trouble is nothing new. But this time, they seem to have shed their caution, appearing openly, as if they've made preparations. Therefore, our mission is even more critical. I expect everyone to remember this."

  "If that's the case, is the New Year festival still necessary?"

  After this remark, the remaining people grew noticeably louder. They discussed the vampires, and also this daring suggestion. The New Year festival was a tradition in Faraway but also an opportunity for vampires to wreak havoc. The VF bore a heavy responsibility, a mission to protect the people; naturally, they could not be complacent.

  "The New Year festival is a government-mandated plan, not something we can decide. Moreover, the Council of Mages already has a plan to deal with the vampires; the IT department just needs to coordinate effectively, and everything will be fine. I assure you this festival will proceed safely, and the vampires will have no opportunity whatsoever."

  Hearing the "Council of Mages" mentioned, Wright found nothing more to say and fell silent, though a part of him remained unconvinced. The "Council of Mages" was part of the Grand Council VF, but operated independently under the management of its president – Archmage Ashley Collins. This was an exceedingly important force, the strength of the VF, wielding influence even greater than the standing committee of the Grand Council. Once the Council of Mages made a decision, no one had the right to object, so anyone hearing its name felt a degree of deference.

  Therefore, if the Council of Mages had spoken, then the festival…

  "But what if the Council of Mages says the festival must be cancelled?"

  Yu was about to conclude the meeting when another person suddenly spoke up, uttering words that made everyone turn their heads in stunned silence. The speaker was a young woman, an intern newly recruited to the IT department last June. A recent university graduate, her confident gaze seemed mismatched with her youthful, almost childlike face. Her dark blue hair, nearly black, was subdued, and she wore a plain white shirt, looking so ordinary she almost blended into the white tones of the room. She held her gaze steadily on the President, awaiting an answer, ignoring the surprised looks from everyone else. Her words, though a simple query, felt like an ill omen at this moment, hinting at an impending large-scale vampire attack.

  "Hey, what nonsense are you spouting, Glo? Do you really want that to happen?"

  The person sitting next to her quickly tugged at her sleeve as if wanting her to retract her words, while Glo turned with an innocent expression, as if to say, "I was just wondering, that's all." And indeed, she was genuinely curious; having joined the VF only recently, she didn't know everything, especially about the renowned power of the Council of Mages.

  Glo had heard that the Council of Mages was located on the fifteenth floor of the VF building, and some people were so awed by it they didn't dare call it the "Council of Mages," referring to it only as the "Fifteenth Floor Council." However, she had also heard from others that this council was merely a figurehead. Everything was in the hands of the Archmage, and the other mages played no significant role. Because of these conflicting rumors, from her very first day here, the thing Glo most wanted to understand was this "Fifteenth Floor Council."

  "If it comes to that, then there's no other way; it would have to be cancelled."

  Yu smiled faintly, answering Glo's question, then added a final remark before turning to leave:

  "Alright, let's proceed as planned. If there are no other comments, this meeting is adjourned."

  Immediately after Yu exited, the person next to Glo – Grey, a colleague and also her friend – turned to her:

  "Hey, what you said just now wasn't just a casual remark, was it? You know something, don't you? Information from your mother, right? Are the vampires planning an all-out attack?"

  Glo shook her head, shrugging nonchalantly in response to Grey's barrage of questions:

  "Of course not. If there were, everyone would know by now, not just me."

  "But…"

  Bzzz… rrrr…

  Before Grey could say more, Glo's phone suddenly vibrated. The screen displayed a familiar name, at this very moment, sending a shiver of unease through Glo.

  It was her father calling. Her parents had both gone to Saderk for the funeral today; why would he suddenly call? Glo took her phone and stepped outside. Just as she pressed the answer button, a barrage of terrifying noises erupted from the other end. Amidst the chaos, Dan's voice, though he had just faced a horrifying surprise, was now calm:

  "Vampires have returned. It's not a rumor. Your mother and I have seen them with our own eyes."