New recruit

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Bang.

One down.

Mary brushed the dirt off her jacket and stood up, moving to drag the body along with her to the headquarters.

Working as a vampire hunter came with its own challenges, especially when she lived in a world where vampires were considered to be myths.

Just the other day, she was nearly arrested for shooting and killing an "innocent" man.

Well, that innocent man happened to be a vampire, with more than 13 victims to his name.

'Geez, is it me or are these creatures appearing more often these days,' she thought, grumbling to herself as she heaved the body into the bonfire that she had set up by herself.

The body disintegrated into ashes almost instantaneously, and Mary couldn't help but compare this process to the ephemeral nature of life itself, where moments and memories can vanish in the blink of an eye.

The vampire hunter then proceeded to carry out the five steps of cleaning up after a bonfire: Extinguishing the fire, Removing debris, Cooling the fire pit, Cleaning the fire pit and Restoring the area.

"What should I have for lunch now," the blonde wondered aloud as she sling her rifle over her shoulder and strode back to the headquarters, aptly named "Sanctuary". It was fortified with anti-vampire weapons and chemicals, and served as the training ground for aspiring vampire hunters.

Not all could be vampire hunters though. One had to be specially chosen, sent a letter from the organisation itself.

Mary, for instance, was chosen for her acute sense of hearing and agility.

The blonde stopped by a street stall and grabbed a waffle with ham and cheese, savouring it as she proceeded to head to the first zip line that would eventually lead to the Sanctuary, in the heart of the nearby forest.

The location of the first hidden zip line was a truly magical spot in the heart of the forest. It was nestled high in the branches of an ancient, colossal oak tree. The massive tree was thick and its gnarled limbs created a natural platform where the zip line adventure began.

As Mary approached, she noticed the tree's bark, weathered by centuries of time, taking on an almost mystical quality in the soft afternoon light. Its leaves rustled with the gentle whispers of the wind, making it feel as though the tree itself was alive and welcoming her to embark on this extraordinary journey.

Amidst the lush greenery, a vine-covered hollow in the tree's massive trunk concealed the starting point of the zip line. This carefully disguised entrance blended seamlessly with the surrounding foliage, making it nearly impossible for anyone uninitiated to detect.

With her harness securely fastened, Mary took a leap of faith, grasping the first concealed zip line. The world blurred around her as she gracefully glided from tree to tree, each one adorned with an inconspicuous zip line that blended perfectly with nature.

As she soared from one hidden line to the next, she felt the rush of the wind against her face and the thrill of the adventure. It was if the forest itself was guiding her to her destination, keeping her presence a secret from any lurking vampires.

Finally, Mary spotted the well-camouflaged entrance to the headquarters nestled among the trees. With a skilled landing, she arrived at her destination in style with her waffle tucked safely in her pocket.

*****

With confidence in her step and a sense of purpose, Mary walked through the sleek, high-tech entrance of the vampire hunters' headquarters. The entrance was concealed behind a nondescript facade, but upon entering, it revealed a cutting-edge facility.

Automatic sliding glass doors part silently to admit Mary into a spacious, well-lit atrium with polished marble floors. Large holographic displays hung from the walls, showcasing real-time data on vampire sightings and operations. A reception desk staffed by vigilant personnel stood to the side, monitoring security screens and verifying the identity of those who entered.

As Mary proceeded down a futuristic corridor, the ambient lighting adjusted to her presence, guiding the way. High-tech security scanners and biometric locks were seamlessly integrated into the surroundings, emphasizing the utmost confidentiality of the vampire hunters' activities.

Upon reaching the designated room, the door slid open with a soft whoosh. Inside, a group of seasoned vampire hunters and a holographic display portraying their latest missions came into view.

The founder of the Sanctuary, Fumihito Aoyama, waved at Mary, beckoning her over.

"Saotome, you're just in time," the yellow-eyed founder said. "I want to introduce to you, our newest recruit——Fujioka Hinata."

Fumihito stepped aside to reveal a woman wearing a white, theatrical comedy mask.

Her presence was enigmatic, shrouded in mystery. All eyes were on her as she prepared to reveal her true identity. With a graceful and deliberate gesture, she raised her hand to her face, fingers gently tracing the edges of the mask.

There was a moment of anticipation in the room as everyone watched in quiet curiosity. With a fluid motion, she began to lift the mask away from her face, revealing the person behind the facade.

The woman had pale skin, long grey hair with bangs styled in a hime-cut and brilliant blue eyes.

Her expression remained emotionless as she bowed to greet everyone else in the room.

She took a step towards Mary, extending her hand in greeting. "Fujioka Hinata, it's nice to meet you."

*****

A sub cover made by isekaiworshipper

A sub cover made by isekaiworshipper

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