Cop Craft – Dragnet Mirage Reloaded - Book 2 First Night (11)

From the way the vampire was speaking, it seemed as though she had already come to terms with the state of San Teresa and, by extension, Kariana Island. The fact was it had no prior history, no contact with Earth or its inhabitants whatsoever.

Until the ‘Great Gate’.

News that the Kariana Peninsula, located in the southern reaches of the Farbanian Kingdom, had disappeared overnight circulated the entire realm. In Semanian years, that was about 22 years ago. Though Tilarna was but a young babe at the time, she vividly remembered the members of her household frantically gossiping about the event. On that day, Tilarna stood on the second-floor balcony in her room, gazing southward towards the missing Kariana Peninsula. The evening sky swirling with dark clouds, gusts of wind blowing furiously against the accompaniment of lightning, all served to intrude upon the peace and quiet of her childhood home.

Not even a month passed by when another rumor made its rounds around the kingdom. In place of the Kariana Peninsula, varieties of fish unknown to the most experienced fishermen began to spring up in the ocean left behind after the disappearance, followed by the presence of a strange mist in the area.

And through that mist ⸺ dubbed the ‘Mirage Gate’ in English ⸺ came the Dorini¹. It served as a pathway between worlds, allowing inhabitants on either side to pass through to the other. Reportedly, this first group of Dorini traversed the skies aboard a massive, metal watering can which dangled upon a rotating disk of some kind. Now, Tilarna and her countrymen know this contraption as a Dorini vehicle named the ‘helicopter’.

Aside from the helicopter, the Dorini brought along other vehicles and weapons as well. Particularly of note were the tubes capable of harnessing the power of fire. The people were divided on their arrival; some tried to befriend them out of curiosity, others fought bravely against them, while even more journeyed beyond in search of their wealth.

Anyhow, their appearance marked a period of great upheaval and mayhem, which provided the impetus for the two worlds clashing.

Being as young as she was, Tilarna and those like her were barely aware of this conflict. The truth of the matter was Tilarna had learned English from a Dorini herself, who had been employed as a home tutor in the household. And it was through this chance meeting that Tilarna came to Earth, working alongside Matoba after many twists and turns.

However, the older generation was different. They detested the Dorini, whom they could not understand. The fact that the world beyond the ‘Gate’ was one different to their own, one located in an entirely different space, did not even cross their minds. Or rather, they did not attempt to understand it. Even among her relatives and retainer, many thought it best for her to be sent to a frontier region for her safety.

Despite that, this vampire was different still.

She spoke as though she was aware of the strange phenomenon behind the ‘Mirage Gate’. Normally, one would be bewildered at this fact, no matter how intelligent they were.

The Prophecy of Niba and the Great Gate.

If this vampire knew something of them, it would not be strange to want her to speak of these matters in detail.

『So thou hast chosen death. So be it.』

Without knowing the regrets Tilarna held in her heart, the vampire peered into her eyes, putting strength into her fingertips.

Her claws dug into her neck. A sharp pain gradually assaulted her body.

「…………gah!」

『O’ brave warrior. Become mine own flesh and blood.』

The woman clad in black turned her fangs towards Tilarna’s neck.

At that moment, a huge blast of air sounded out as a bullet made contact with the vampire’s throat. Fresh blood sprayed out like petals right in front of her eyes.

「Tilarna!」

Matoba stepped out from the cover of a bookshelf, brandishing his automatic pistol. The vampire swiftly left Tilarna’s side, somersaulting backward onto a different bookshelf. Her injury should have been mortal for a human, yet she showed no sign of weakness in her movements.

『Some pests have intruded, it seemeth.』

Irritated, the vampire said. Taking a stance with his weapon, Matoba slowly got closer. On the other side, Tony and Godunov acted to flank the vampire as well. The three of them kept their eyes locked on the vampire.

「You alive?」

Pointing his gun straight at the vampire, Matoba asked. He had taken off his coat, revealing the white shirt underneath. His hair was completely drenched. Though he had fallen three storeys down to the fountain below, Matoba did not suffer any outstanding injuries. While his resilience could not be compared to that of the vampire, it nonetheless reminded Tilarna of his ogre-like physique.

「Be careful. She remains in peak condition.」

「Seems like it. That’s why we brought in the cavalry.」

「Cavalry?」

「SWAT.」

Just as he said that, several officers dressed in combat uniforms burst into the store from the front entrance, fully equipped with submachine guns. They were the vanguard of the police department. Experts at handling sieges and heavy weapons, these were specialists who had received training in advanced combat tactics, or so Tilarna had heard.

Without tilting their weapons an inch, they aimed their gun straight, ready to fire at any threat they face. These men were unmoving, flexible in every action they took. Much like Matoba and the rest, they were clad in thick body armor.

『Quite the weak reinforcements thou has brought. Dost thou believe thyself capable of sealing me with this?』

The vampire said. Not even ten SWAT members were enough to throw her off. The wound Matoba had inflicted on her with his shotgun was also starting to heal. What frightening recovery.

『How many humans shalt I feast on tonight? Thou doth not seemeth particularly tasty……』

「Get down, you fools! You are being reckless!」

The instant Tilarna shouted, the vampire blurred her movements. Her black clothes flickered in and out of existence, highlighting her indistinct figure. Despite her eyes adjusting to the darkness, Tilarna was unable to determine the exact position of her opponent. She could do nothing but stand there, powerless in combat.

「Give them all you got. Fire!」

At Matoba’s shout, the members of the SWAT team opened fire.

Swiftly crawling across the floor, the vampire made her move. Perhaps she was making her preparations to attack. Or perhaps she was scrutinizing her would-be victims. Whether she would move right or left, no one could rightly tell. Given these circumstances, aiming was meaningless; they could not possibly guarantee the accuracy of their shots.

The perfect prey. They would be massacred in no time flat.

However, contrary to her expectations, their bullets hit right on the mark, fresh blood gushing out from the vampire.

『What?』

The first signs of bewilderment. A bevy of shots penetrated the vampire, sending her flying towards the bookshelf. With her illusion still in place, she attempted to attack the SWAT team by Matoba’s side. In response, the SWAT team was ordered to provide supporting fire for their more vulnerable members, further showering the vampire in bullets.

Matoba and his men were somehow able to see the vampire clearly. Most likely, this was due to the strange goggles they were wearing.

「Okay, it’s working. Keep on firing!」

Staggering to get up, the collapsed vampire became nothing more than a pincushion for their shotguns. Their shots lit the floor, sending pieces of broken tiles flying into the air.

『Gaaaaahh!!!』

She looked as if she was a prisoner on the receiving end of a stoning. No longer keeping up her trickery, the vampire shielded her head with both hands, running towards the cover of the nearby bookshelf. Pointing their weapons towards her back, the SWAT team continued their relentless assault.

She now feared for her life. On the run, the vampire gathered all her might, pushing a bookshelf down towards her pursuers. The falling bookcase scattered parchment all over the place, rendering those left to take its full brunt immobile.

「Goddamn it! That fucking bitch!」

「The hell’s up with that power……」

「Don’t let up!」

The SWAT team groaned in exasperation, swearing all the while. Not letting her chance slip, the vampire dashed straight for the display window.

「Shit, there’s a⸺」

Someone shouted. But it was too late.

The deafening shatter of glass accompanied the vampire’s escape to the outside. Several men went after the monster, firing their weapons at her. The backup unit posted outside the shop did the same. However, they could do nothing as the vampire got further and further away from them, her rough breathing and footsteps echoing in the distance.

「God fucking dammit! We let her go again!」

Matoba roared in anger, before promptly communicating his orders to the SWAT team leader over the radio. It must have been to alert all surrounding officers of the vampire’s escape.

「Any wounds?」

Matoba came over to Tilarna’s side, cutting loose the strands of hair binding her with a small knife.

「I am alright.」

「We’re going after her. Come.」

Dispelling Tilarna’s misgivings, Matoba handed her the Krége² he had picked up. Borrowing a rifle from one of the SWAT members, he rushed straight in the direction the vampire went.

「Is that all……」

Massaging her stiff limbs, Tilarna stood up, pouting as she glared at Matoba’s back. She was not asking to be treated particularly kindly, yet his blunt demeanor irked her nonetheless. At the very least, you could have said something to the tune of ‘Thank goodness, you’re okay,’ could you not?

Not realizing her feelings whatsoever, Matoba yelled.

「What the hell are you doing? Hurry up!」

「I know. You do not need to yell.」

Heaving a hefty sigh, Tilarna jumped out of the large hole in the display window. As she did so, she whispered in a voice no one could hear.

「Rakebye.³」

Translator’s Notes:

1. The Farbanian word for ‘Earthling.’
2. The Farbanian word for ‘longsword.’
3. The Farbanian word for ‘idiot.’