Title: Play of Darkness
After Kumamoto and Rose confessed their love to each other, their bond deepened. Understanding bloomed between them like spring after a long winter.
Kumamoto, once a cold and stoic warrior who never even smiled, had begun to change.
Ever since Rose entered his life… he smiled.
One day, ME HAWK approached the couple.
ME HAWK: "Are you both ready? It's time."
Kumamoto: "Time for what? The enemy we're fighting… do they even have a boss or something?"
ME HAWK: "Not exactly. But this isn't some grand, flashy battle. The enemy uses swords and bows—just simple combat. No theatrics."
Kumamoto: "Then tell me, when is the fight?"
ME HAWK: "In four days."
Kumamoto: "And how do you even challenge someone to a fight in this world? Is there some kind of ritual?"
ME HAWK (grinning slightly): "Good question. We send them a letter."
He handed a folded piece of parchment to Kumamoto.
Kumamoto: "What does the letter say?"
ME HAWK: "It's simple. 'We challenge you to a fight. The battleground is already chosen. And if you fail to appear… you'll suffer even more.'"
There was a brief silence.
And then, something unusual happened.
Kumamoto: "That's a clever strategy."
Everyone turned to look at him in surprise. It was the first time he had ever appreciated someone else's tactic.
Even Rose was stunned.
Rose (smiling as she stepped closer): "Kumamoto… shall we go to the joy garden?"
Kumamoto's cheeks flushed slightly.
Kumamoto: "Why not?"
As they walked away, ME HAWK stood silently, watching them.
ME HAWK (thinking to himself): "So it's true… Love really is that mysterious power that can turn even the darkest soul into something human. Good… the plan is working. Kumamoto's joy spot—soon, it'll be mine."
Title: Planning of Darkness
"Oi, Kumamoto! Hurry up!"
ME HAWK called out, sounding impatient. "Just one minute left, and Rose still isn't here! She's in the other group."
Kumamoto raised an eyebrow. "Are you insane? If something happens to her, why is she even in another group?"
ME HAWK sighed. "Ugh… fine, let's just go."
Kumamoto noticed something was off. ME HAWK's usual carefree smile was gone. That wasn't like him.
"What's wrong with you today?" Kumamoto asked.
"Nothing," ME HAWK replied quietly. "It just feels like something… something precious is slipping away from me."
As he spoke, he gazed up at the sky. The clouds were crimson, and the moon—blood red.
"I've never seen him talk like that before," Kumamoto thought.
Moments later, they reached the battlefield. Kumamoto and Rose advanced together, side by side. Ahead stood a terrifying enemy army, countless in number. Without hesitation, Kumamoto stepped forward, placing his sword between Rose and danger.
He wasn't thinking of himself—only of protecting her.
Then, in a swift move, Kumamoto charged and cut down seven enemies in one breath.
He turned to look behind him.
But ME HAWK… wasn't there.
Neither was his army.
Suddenly, the enemy army surged forward. Kumamoto was forced into relentless battle, slash after slash.
Rose, seeing this, turned to ME HAWK.
"Why aren't we helping him!?" she cried.
ME HAWK slowly opened his eyes, stepped forward—and seized Rose in his arms.
"Wha—!?" Rose gasped.
Everything froze.
The enemy army stopped.
Kumamoto turned and saw it happen. "ME HAWK! What are you doing?!"
A moment later, ME HAWK and the enemy army launched a surprise attack—on him.
But Kumamoto refused to fall. He fought back with everything he had, shouting through clenched teeth:
"Fine! I'll take all your lives—then I'll kill ME HAWK with my own hands!"
Despite the overwhelming force, Kumamoto didn't stop. He fought like a man possessed. He couldn't afford to lose—because the one he loved was at stake.
Then, a moment of horror.
Kumamoto collapsed to his knees, exhausted and bloodied. He looked up.
ME HAWK stood with the red moon behind him. A shadow from his class emerged behind him.
Without a word, ME HAWK leaned in…
…and kissed Rose.
Kumamoto's eyes widened in disbelief.
Then, ME HAWK drove his sword into her stomach—right in front of him.
Rose's body fell to the ground like a lifeless doll.
Kumamoto crawled toward her, his fingers trembling.
"Rose…!"
She placed her bloodstained hand on his face.
"Kumamoto-san… you were my first love… the one who made me feel alive…"
"You… you were the one…"
"Bloody monster… take my revenge…"
And with that, her hand slipped away.
She was gone.
"ROSEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE!!!"
Kumamoto's scream shattered the air.
A voice echoed in his mind—the words of the Witch from the past:
"One day, Kumamoto… will become hopeless. And when he does, no one will be able to save him—not even himself."
ME HAWK began to laugh maniacally.
"Look at you now, Kumamoto! Hopeless, broken… crushed."
"You thought there were only 3 or 4 classes in the Order? Fool. The enemies you're facing now? They're from my personal classes. I have over 12 classes under my command. Humans like you are pathetic."
"I thought you were special. But you're just like the rest—weak. You abandoned your dreams for love. And now look at you!"
Kumamoto's breath shook. His eyes were hollow. His fists clenched.
"I did forget my revenge… but why… why did you betray me…?"
"You?" ME HAWK scoffed. "You were always hopeless. I feared you might one day surpass me… so I crushed you before you had the chance."
He walked toward Kumamoto, pulled the sword from Rose's body—and stabbed it into Kumamoto's leg.
"Bye bye, Kumamoto. Just die slowly here."
He walked away.
Kumamoto placed a trembling hand on Rose's lifeless body.
"I'm… sorry…"
With all his strength, he forced himself up, pulling the blade from his leg. Staggering forward, he walked and walked—until he collapsed.
And then—
Darkness.
When he opened his eyes…
He found himself lying in a grand hall, golden chandeliers above, black velvet curtains drawn. The air smelled like roses and blood.
In front of him stood—
The Vampire Queen.