Young Miss, are you sure you won't regret spending that much money?"
A woman sitting across from Sonia Silverstone asked softly.
"It's fine, Head Maid. It's that guy's fault. He started it." Sonia leaned her head against the car window, her tone filled with pride. Her jaw tightened as she muttered, "How dare he treat me like a fool…" Her teeth ground audibly.
Suddenly, the driver screamed.
"Young miss! Hold on!"
The car swerved violently, tossing Sonia and the maid side to side.
"Wh–What's going on?!" the maid demanded.
"Monsters! There's monsters outside!" the driver shouted, panic lacing his voice.
Through the windows, Sonia saw them—ten red wolves, each the size of a bear, circling the car with glowing crimson eyes. One lunged, its massive jaws clamping onto the door and ripping it clean off. Another sprang through the opening straight at Sonia—
BANG!
A bullet pierced its skull, dropping the beast mid-leap.
"Head Maid—w-what is happening?!" Sonia gasped, trembling.
In seconds, her maid had already drawn a pistol from a thigh holster. The muzzle flashed, taking down another wolf. "Don't worry, young miss. I'll keep you safe!" she barked, shoving Sonia out the opposite door.
The driver scrambled out, grabbing Sonia's arm to steady her. "Head Maid, can you hold them?"
But the maid's sharp eyes widened. The wolf she had shot earlier staggered back up, the hole in its head knitting shut with unnatural speed.
"They're regenerating…" she muttered, then shouted: "Run!"
The driver yanked Sonia by the hand, sprinting down the dark road. The maid backed away, firing as she moved, until the car behind them exploded in a fiery blast. The explosion consumed several wolves—but not all.
"Are we safe now?" Sonia asked breathlessly.
"Not yet, young miss. We need to reach somewhere with people!" the maid replied grimly.
Sonia glanced at the pistol. "I didn't know you carried a gun…"
The maid's eyes softened with guilt. "Forgive me, young miss. I hate that this is the only way I can protect you. This is why I opposed sneaking out to the auction."
Sonia lowered her head. "But… I never get to enjoy myself. Father would've locked me in with forty guards if he knew."
The maid gave her a pitiful look—then suddenly shoved her aside. A wolf lunged where Sonia had been standing, but the maid unloaded her last magazine into its skull, forcing it down.
Click.
Empty.
She froze, realizing she was out of bullets. "Damn it…"
"Driver! Take the young miss and run!" she ordered. Sonia was pulled along once more, but the maid lagged slightly, her steps heavy with a silent resolve—ready to sacrifice herself if needed.
"Look! Over there!" Sonia shouted, pointing at two lights rushing toward them.
Headlights.
The car screeched to a halt nearby. Ramos stepped out in shock. "Miss Sonia? What happened to you?!"
Before she could answer, the maid screamed: "Behind you!"
A wolf lunged at Ramos.
But before it struck, a blur of yellow hair flashed by—Isaac. His sword arced cleanly, decapitating the beast mid-air. Blood sprayed, painting the ground.
"Th-thank you…" Ramos muttered, stunned.
Isaac ignored him, scanning the shadows. His eyes locked on the rest of the pack approaching.
"More are coming," he said coldly.
Ramos understood instantly. "Everyone—inside the car!"
Sonia and her maid started toward safety, but Isaac lifted his sword, blocking the way. His voice was like ice:
"Hand it over first."
Sonia froze. "W-What do you mean?"
"The Blood Essence. That's the price if you want my help."
She clutched her bag nervously, pulling out a shimmering glass vial. "You want this? Fine. But only if you promise you'll protect us."
Isaac nodded, snatched the vial from her hands, and tucked it away. Sonia immediately hurried into the car.
Trish leaned out from the window. "You're not coming?"
Isaac handed her the vial. His eyes never left the oncoming wolves.
"Take it. Keep it safe. I'll hold them off—then catch up."
Sword raised, Isaac stepped forward, his lone figure facing down the snarling pack as the car sped away into the night.
"Will… will he be alright?" Sonia asked, unable to hide the tremor in her voice.
Trish tightened her grip around the vial, her eyes steady.
"He's stronger than he looks."