"—Hk. W-who… who are you?"
The intruder fully revealed his face, removing the blue Oni mask entirely and keeping a firm smile.
His hair was brown and curly, eyes being a piercing red in stark contrast to his paper-white complexion.
"I'm Scott. And, not to gloat too hard, but uh, they also call me the 'Jacksonville Vampire,' pretty cool, ain't it?"
Introducing himself, the man—Scott gave a soft bow and took one step towards Riley, making him flinch in response.
"Oof, a bit jumpy, are we? Well, that's fine. Listen bro—you can trust me, aight? We're both servants of Ghira, there's no need to fight," Scott lightheartedly said, sticking his tongue out. Then, placing his bloody finger on the tip of his tongue, he sucked on it, clicking his tongue as it left his mouth.
"...W-what are you here for?" Riley asked, raising the blade up to try and intimidate the vampire.
"Wasn't it obvious? To celebrate, duh. So please, put down the knife," Scott said, waving his hands downwards. Riley gently followed his instructions, still cautious.
"Good, good. Now that the knife's gone, I gotta ask… why did you kill that old man?"
Malice. Scott's smile gone, he stared daggers at the teenager, his crimson eyes giving Riley the primal impression that he was not a human being.
Sensing the threat in his voice, Riley once more raised the knife, taking a step backwards, closer to his door. Upon doing so, he remembered that his family was sleeping in the other rooms of the apartment.
If he kills them, then…!
"Gh. I just—he was… I…"
"Pffft! Gotcha! Kgh, haha! Maaan, you really ought to lighten up!" Scott burst out with laughter, reverting back to his smile. Scott twirled around to face the window. "C'mon, let's go out to eat. I really ran all this way to get here—I'm starvin'! I want pancaaaakes!"
Silently crawling out from the window, the vampire leapt down. Silently hitting the ground, he stood up and looked at the top floor of the apartment complex, where Riley was situated.
Riley rushed to the window, peering out of it and struggling to see the man in the darkness of the night. Yet, barely able to distinguish his dark silhouette, Riley decided to follow him.
It's better that we're outside, at least…
Away from his family—Riley wanted this monster to be as far away from his family as possible.
If it's dark, he might not even see the noose, right?
Summoning [Hanging], the noose floated through the air. Grabbing onto it, he leapt out through his open window, finding the rope able to support his weight.
Gliding at first, then moving himself up into the air, Riley flew for a few seconds before slowly coming down, watching Scott walk down the street with his hands in his pockets.
"Man, you're flexin' on me! Meh, too bad I can't fly. Good to know you can, though."
Riley reached the ground, removing [Hanging] and replacing it with [Bleeding], still suspicious of the vampire's intentions.
Scott took out his phone, finding a 24/7 diner near him.
"Heya, let's go to this place. Sounds like it could be fun!"
Meekly nodding his head in response, Riley followed Scott.
…
The night was young, yet the wind still had its vitality. In the late Fall breeze, the two monsters walked down the street.
Stepping on orange leaves which gave satisfying crunches, Scott intentionally stepped on as many as he could.
"Teehee, teeheehee! Man, it's fun, y'know? Just… walkin', hearing the noises of the leaves… yeah, it's sick. But anyways, I do think it's worth discussing," he began, "why did you kill that old guy?"
"U-um… well, he was going to kill people in the future. I didn't want that to happen. A-and anyways, how did you even know?"
"Hm?" Scott vocalized, raising a brow. "Oh, well, it's just 'cuz Ghira told me. I was confused at first, since I guess I must've missed when there were two servants in the area, cause I only felt one, from all the way down in Illinois."
"...That's right. I forgot that servants sensed each other," Riley mumbled under his breath. When he actually tried, his sixth sense allowed him to easily know where Scott was.
"Yep, yep. But back to the main point… you killed him because he was going to kill other people? Haha, aren't you going to kill others?" Scott laughed.
"...That's…"
"Hey, hey!"
Scott slung his arm over Riley's shoulder, pulling him in tightly. "It's alright, it's alright. I remember—I was just like you, y'know? I didn't even kill my family until six months into my servitude! Maaan, I was so reluctant at first, it's embarrassing! Hehehe."
A shiver ran down Riley's spine as he sharply looked into Scott's red gaze.
Monster. Someone with his attitude on human life—Riley could not recognize them as anything but a monster.
Jacksonville Vampire… there's no doubt, he has to be a vampire. Someone like that cannot be considered a human being…
"Ah, you're afraid. So I'm assuming you also haven't killed your family yet, eh?"
Riley's heart skipped a beat.
"So, I was right. I can hear that stuff, y'know. Your heart skipped a beat—well, no. I guess it's more like an extra one happens."
Finally letting go of Riley's shoulder, Scott put his hands back into his pockets. "Don't worry, though. Getting rid of your family is an important milestone. I wouldn't have the heart to steal that from you."
"S-so you won't kill my family?"
"Of course not! That's up to you, man. Oh, but if you want a tip…"
Stopping their walk, Scott looked at the city around them. The bright lights of the city night. The passing cars. The people who were still on the sidewalk besides them, who were all going to their own places.
"—All of this is worthless."
Looking at it all, Scott gave his undiluted opinion. His eyes narrowing slightly, he kept his smile, his gaze furthering.
The trees along the sidewalk, the people in their homes, the skyscrapers that stood as a testament to human engineering and might—everything. Absolutely everything in this world.
"It's all worthless. Familial bonds, titles, connections, social standing and love—all of it is absolutely meaningless, worthless and fleeting."
A soft chuckle escaping his throat, Scott gently turned back to face Riley.
"So don't worry about your family, or holding back on your urges. In the end, none of this matters. It's all about having fun, isn't it? Live day to day, solely for your own amusement and pleasure. That's what I do, and that's why I'm happy."
—Such a viewpoint, undoubtedly, was one which Riley could not agree with.
Not because he had his own beliefs, but rather that he was unsure of his own beliefs. Not taking the time to wonder and consider the worth of the world and the people in it, he did not arrive at an answer.
Yet, even if he did not have an answer, he simply could not agree with the vampire's worldview.
Still, he did not say anything. As he did not have an answer himself, he did not have the courage to stand against Scott's assessment.
"...W-woah," Scott said, shyly rubbing the back of his neck for a change. "That got a bit dramatic, didn't it, haha. Anyways, let's go back and get some pancakes! I'm so hungry I could eat a human!"
Continuing the walk, Scott and Riley arrived at the diner.
…
"So, what's your ability?" Scott asked, taking a sip of water. The two were sitting down at a table inside the relatively empty, small diner.
When Riley looked at him, in spite of his pale appearance and red eyes, he seemed to be an average guy. Perhaps a bit better looking than average, but he still seemed quite unremarkable.
"Um… I don't know the name for it—"
"Pssh, you don't need a name for it. Just call it as you see it."
"...Then… Well, what did you name yours? For inspiration, I guess," Riley said, slightly relaxed.
While he was by no means laid-back about the vampire's presence, he had been without physical threat for a consistent period of time, causing him to lower his guard, even if by a few inches.
"Ah… well, it's a super big name. I call it 'Vampire.' Cause, y'know, I'm pretty much a vamp. I drink blood to heal wounds, I'm pretty sneaky, and I can't be seen in a reflection."
Nodding his head, Riley held his hand to his chin.
"Then… Hm. I guess just… Ah, this is difficult."
Naming his ability "Suicide" felt off. But, then again, it's not as if he wanted to openly tell others about his abilities.
"I guess, just… 'Knife,'" Riley threw out, shrugging his shoulders.
"Just Knife?" Scott replied, his expression sharply turning into one of distaste before immediately reverting to a calm smile. "That's a sick ass name—I like it. But, I'm really curious…"
Raising a brow, Riley awaited his response.
"Y'know, we servants—"
"—Sorry for the wait."
A woman approaching the diner, Riley looked over at her. His eyes widening slightly, he looked up. It was Layce, Nina's older sister.
Her tied back, messy brown hair and eyebags giving her a disheveled look, she looked down at Riley. Of course, the two weren't total strangers—with Riley coming over to Nina's house occasionally as a young teen, the boy had been engraved into her memory as a mild-mannered, silent type.
What's she doing here? Wait, no, I think I remember Nina telling me she worked at a diner. Shit, she's here. She knows I'm here, and yet… crud, if this guy tries anything, I might not be strong enough to stop him!
His heart racing, this caused Scott to look at him with a curious glance.
"Riley? What're you doing here?" Layce asked, taking a more solid standing position, readying herself for a somewhat long conversation.
"Oh, uhh… y'know, just—"
"You know her?" Scott said bluntly, and Riley looked at him, sweat heating up his face and making it itchy.
"Y-yeah. She's my friend's older sister. Umm… Anyways, Layce, I'm just here for a late dinner."
"Oh, alright. Well, Nina said you pissed her off, leaving school early today without telling her. Buuut, that's none of my bees-wax. What can I get started for you today?"
Dejected by her words, this allowed Scott to speak first.
He ordered his meal of a Big Breakfast Combo and some water, while Riley tried to not order anything. But Scott told him he was paying, and forced him to get some water and a waffle.
Taking their menus, Layce gently waved at Riley. "Please—she's a lot more insufferable at home than you'd expect," she began, "so try not to tick her off too much. It would be much appreciated. Focus on your studies."
Promptly turning away, she walked off as Riley held his head in shame.
"Ahh, isn't this nice?" Scott said, leaning back in his seat. "Just two servants, eatin' breakfast at night in a nice, cozy diner. Really, it's super fun, and I'd say that's all that matters. Fun, fun, fun, just stuff me with more fun."
"——"
"Anyways, back to what I was saying—ahem. Servants are chosen because, well, we're not 'all there' in the head. Personally, I'd always loved drinking blood, so I got vampirism as my ability. That old man you killed—he always wanted to eat people, so his ability was indestructible mouths and an infinite tummy. So for someone just to have 'Knife,' it's a bit strange."
His eyes widening, Riley looked up. "Wait, what? We're chosen because of something like that?"
"Rightarooni!" Scott exclaimed, a small chuckle leaving his lips as Layce came over with their drinks, leaving shortly after. "So, I imagine you must have quite the knife collection, eh?"
"U-um, yeah, I guess you could say that…"
With the relatively light order and the few people in the diner, their food came out quickly.
Scott thoroughly enjoyed his meal. Riley found it satisfying enough not to want more.
…
Having finished their dinner, Scott paid and the two left.
Walking down the street, it was getting incredibly late at night, especially for Riley. His body had adapted to the school's schedule, accustomed to sleeping early and waking up early. In this lateness, he felt extremely tired, even if he managed to continue walking.
"Pfft," Scott laughed. "You yawn, like, every five seconds! Man, it's useful being a vamp. Don't gotta sleep or nuthin'!"
Riley kept walking, and Scott eventually looked at a woman walking down the street. Alone at night, it was quite dangerous to do such a thing.
A faint smile on his lips, he licked his teeth.
"W-wait," Riley said, taking a step forward and blocking his path. "We don't need to… t-that's not necessary."
"Eh? C'mon, I know you want to~~!"
Shaking Riley's shoulders, he then turned him over to see the woman cautiously walking. She glanced around, rightly fearful of what monsters existed in the world.
"No. I… I won't."
Swallowing the saliva which had built up in his mouth, Riley did not wish to kill her.
His expression shifting from a joyful smile to an irritated glare, Scott shook his head.
"...Is that so?"
Scott heaved a sigh, shaking his head and patting Riley's shoulders. "I'm not too mad, I'm not too mad. But… a bit disappointed."
Then, flashing a smile under the lamp post of the city night, Scott looked Riley head-on. His unflinching red gaze lingering upon him, Riley felt a shudder run through his entire body.
"—If you won't kill your family, then I'll get you used to it."
His cold presence unnerved Riley. The vampire went to a house within a suburban area of the city. He climbed in through the window silently. Giving chase, Riley rushed over to the door and clunkily entered, creating lots of noise from the creaky flooring.
"W-what're you doing?" Riley whispered, and Scott put his hands in his pockets, looking back at him.
"You told me your ability was 'Knife,' wasn't it?" Scott questioned, and Riley nodded his head to affirm his answer. "Yet, I saw a noose. Your ability isn't just summoning a knife, it's somehow related to suicide, isn't it?"
"—Gh."
His secret being exposed, Riley's face ran cold with sweat.
"...You killed another servant. You refuse to kill your family. You're not even willing to kill strangers. You hide your true ability from me, and don't ever reveal the truth."
His voice hoarse, irritation hidden under layers of calmness having been provoked, Scott tensed his hand, his fingernails growing and sharpening to that of small daggers. Glancing around the room, he found that it was a child's bedroom, with photos of a young boy with his parents.
But with the child not present in the room, he could only assume the boy was sleeping in his parent's bed for the night.
"T-that's not—"
"Oh, baloney! Don't you see how worthless this all is?!" Scott shouted, taking a step forward and grabbing Riley by the collar. Jerking him closer, the two met eye to eye. "You're strong, Riley. Much, much stronger than even the strongest humans! You can move weight that's impossible for humans to, you can shrug off damage that would kill any man, you can move as fast as a car—and yet, you just don't get it."
Letting go of Riley's collar, Scott turned around, licking his lips and sniffing the air, smelling the humans just beyond the door.
"This world, everything in it—it's all worthless. These people are meant to be crushed for our and Ghira's amusement. If you can't see that, then I'll make you."
Silently moving forward, Scott declared his murderous intent.
To which, Riley glared at him. His heart racing with anxious anticipation of a battle, he dug his thumb's nail into his finger, creating small pain.
Lacing his fingers around the handle of [Bleeding], he took a loud step forward.
"Not another step—or I will kill you."
Loudly moving forward, Riley declared his murderous intent.