"How are you?"

Katsuragi asked as he sat down by her bed.

"Sigh, I lost almost half of my strength."

Listen to what she said. Katsuragi was a little surprised.

"What? How..?"

Lucia seemed hesitant to tell him, and decided to change the subject.

"I heard you can use one of Tetsuya Ren's abilities. What is it?"

"Actually, he only has one. And it's called 'Hardened Obsidian'. That ability can create a layer of obsidian hardness on a weapon."

Lucia smirk.

"Do you plan to keep that ability?"

Katsuragi just laughed. To him, such an ability probably showed that he was weak, considering that he often encountered other Awakeners with the same ability which ultimately hides behind the hard layer they create.

"I don't think I'll keep it. Besides, I got another ability from..."

"Pathkeeper of Shadow. Right? You are indeed cunning, Katsuragi."

Hearing Lucia's praise, Katsuragi just smiled wryly after he managed to imitate one of Reika Kurogane's abilities called 'Hundred Steps'.

"Reika has more than two abilities, maybe that's the benefit of being a Pathkeeper."

He said that, but chose Hundred Steps because it was one of the abilities Reika used after their conversation a few minutes ago.

---

"Okay, but I'm only staying in Inzumo for a while."

Reika confused, the left hand holds the katana sheath while resting the right arm on the handle.

"Why? Don't you want to stay and spend time with your father? You have to remember that you're the only one he has..."

"I know. But I have another important task too, I want to know why I have the power of the Authority. And also The Veil.." Katsuragi replied.

The Veil.

Reika's expression started to become more serious. The name was familiar to her. In fact, he had met several members of the End Bringer.

"The Veil huh? I heard that you just defeated one of them."

"I did. Anyways, what about this? You help me and in return I will help you back." 

The offer was made by Katsuragi. Reika thought about it for a while and finally agreed.

"Alright."

She offered her hand to shake hands. And at that moment, while shaking hands, Katsuragi absorbed some of Reika's power and gained an ability called Hundred Steps.

---

A few hours later, outside the city of Shanzhou, Reika was waiting for Katsuragi. And it just so happened that he had just arrived.

"How long have you been waiting for me?"

"10 minutes. I'm surprised you could come so quickly." Reika replied.

Katsuragi just grinned. He then took out the key to the Vampire Realm from his pocket.

"What is that?" Reika asked curiously.

"This? You'll find out soon."

As soon as Katsuragi took out the key, he inserted it as if it were a padlock. And then turned it.

WHOOSH! 

A red portal appeared in front of them. The portal also released several purple lightning bolts around it. They both entered the portal.

VRRMM!

When they entered the portal, they were already transported to the Vampire Realm. An atmosphere that was different from their world, the night sky and the full moon illuminating the entire area. Including the vampire kingdom.

The sight made Reika a little amazed, she never knew that there was another world, or rather another realm.

"This is a secret kept by the people of Valenbourg and their Elder. The Elder of Harmony."

Katsuragi tells Reika about the Vampire Realm.

"A friend of mine from Valenbourg told me about this. It is said that vampires were expelled because they were believed to be in league with the Abyss."

After that, Katsuragi and Reika tried to get closer to the kingdom. However, they were attacked.

SHINNG!

Reika immediately took out her katana and slashed at the attack which was also a thrown ball of energy.

"Surrender now, intruders."

A male vampire slowly landed while holding his sword, then pointed it at Katsuragi and Reika. Katsuragi stepped in, and tried to interact with the vampire.

"Hello there! As you can see, we both came in peace."

The vampire looked at them with slight annoyance, clearly seeing Reika pull out her katana.

"It doesn't look like you came peacefully."

Katsuragi hit Reika's arm with his elbow. And finally, she sheathed her katana back.

"So, are we good?"

The vampire relaxed his muscles a bit, but was still alert. He slowly lowered his sword.

"Who are you?"

Katsuragi confidently said their names. But not the real name but the title name.

"I am the Master Trickter, this is my sidekick, The Edgelord."

...

"Reika Kurogane and he is Shin Katsuragi. Ignore the name he mentioned earlier..."

"Understood. My name is Alucard.."

He said his name while holding back laughter. Katsuragi could feel that Reika was starting to get annoyed with him.

"Why do you have to give me that cringe nickname?"

"Because.. it's true." Katsuragi replied and chuckles.

Reika almost lost her temper and started getting more upset.

"Humans, what is your purpose to come here? To our realm?"

Alucard asked as he walked leading them to the kingdom, He also gave two pairs of cloaks to Katsuragi and Reika so they could hide their identities as humans.

"I want to negotiate with your queen. Not a request, but an agreement."

Alucard looked at Katsuragi. His gaze was a little surprised and suspicious.

"You wish to meet our queen..?"

"Yes, Aeris Von Valenfort. Your queen right?"

Hearing that name, Alucard just let out a sigh and was a little sad.

"Queen Aeris is no longer our queen. Now her daughter has taken the throne, Alice Von Valenfort."

What Alucard said might be true. Because the book Katsuragi borrowed about the Vampire Realm and vampires was an old book from several decades ago. So their information would change.

"Why don't you suck our blood?" Reika asked.

"Because we evolved. After the Arbiter brought us here, we started looking for new food sources. And luckily, there are plenty here. Starting from plants, animals and even water." Alucard replied.

Katsuragi paused for a moment. Because the Arbiter was mentioned. 

Katsuragi thinks for a long time and is a little conflicted. Why is there a different history? Doctor Nikolai says that vampires were expelled, but Alucard says that the Arbiter brought them here to adapt.

They finally arrived at the main gate of their kingdom.

"Welcome to Valenfort Kingdom. Mr. Katsuragi and Ms. Kurogane."

Alucard led them inside and showed them a small city within the kingdom.

They saw people around them dressed in traditional clothes. They were also trading, and selling goods. Reika and Katsuragi still covered their faces using the cloak to avoid being seen.

However, some vampire soldiers came. They wore armor that protected their chests, arms, and legs. 

"Mr. Alucard, finally you are back too. Lady Alice often asks when you will return."

Then, they looked towards Katsuragi and Reika, they walked a little to make sure they weren't wrong.

"Mr. Alucard, who are they?" The soldier asked.

"They are my guests, coming from several kilometers away to be here."

Reika held onto her hood and walked towards Alucard. Meanwhile, Katsuragi, intentionally made contact with the soldier by pretending to bump into him on the shoulder.

"Oh, sorry.." Katsuragi replied and walk away.

"Why do you do that?" Reika asked.

And Katsuragi showed a small ball of energy on his finger. Apparently he could imitate the strength of the soldier earlier.

"You stole his ability?"

"Not really. I imitated them a little to study their power. After all, the ability would disappear within 30 minutes if I didn't adapt to it in my mind."

They walked straight on until they were stopped by the guards from the castle.

"Stop there! Mr. Alucard, how dare you bring them here!"

Several guards pointed their weapons at Katsuragi and Reika. While their captain talked to Alucard.

"Mr. Alucard, why did you bring these humans to our place? After what they did to us!"

Alucard tried to calm the situation but the captain asked the other guards to take Katsuragi and Reika into the cage.

However, some residents started shouting.

"Help! A-Abyss!"

Hearing this, Katsuragi, Reika and Alucard were shocked. Abyss, how did they get here? That was what they were thinking. The captain of the castle guards ordered the other guards to protect the residents and kill the Abyss.

"If you want to show us that you're good, you have to do good." Reika told Katsuragi while she draws her katana out.

"Okay, and then I'll get what I need. For myself maybe? Let's go."

[Shin Katsuragi's biodata]

Name: Shin Katsuragi 

Age: 20

Gender: Male

Factions: None

Abilities: Imitation, Adaptation, Hundred Steps, Shadow Manipulation.

Weapons: Soulsreaper Scythe, dual guns, gauntlets.