mission of blood

The mission briefing room was cold.

Not because of the temperature—but because of the silence.

Shiki sat slouched in his chair, legs stretched out carelessly, eyes half-lidded as if bored. Inside, however, his instincts were screaming. First mission with Jin. First real test. And knowing his luck, something would definitely go wrong.

Across the table, Jin stood straight, arms crossed, eyes fixed on the map projected before them. He hadn’t spared Shiki a single glance since they entered the room.

Typical.

“This is a suppression mission,” the commander explained. “Rogue blood-wielders spotted near a residential zone. Civilian risk is high.”

Shiki’s posture stiffened slightly.

“Your objective,” the commander continued, “is containment. Avoid unnecessary casualties.”

Jin spoke immediately. “Understood.”

Shiki clicked his tongue. “What if they don’t give us a choice?”

The commander’s gaze sharpened. “Then you adapt. That’s why you’re paired.”

Jin’s jaw tightened.

Shiki leaned back again, but his fingers curled subtly into fists.

The night air was heavy as they arrived at the outskirts of the city. Flickering streetlights cast long shadows across abandoned buildings. The place felt wrong—too quiet, too still.

Shiki sniffed the air. “You feel that?”

Jin nodded. “Multiple presences. Scattered.”

Without another word, Jin moved forward cautiously.

“Hey,” Shiki muttered. “You always walk ahead like that?”

“I’m assessing the situation.”

“You mean ignoring your partner?”

Jin didn’t respond—but he slowed his pace.

That was something.

The first attack came without warning.

A blur lunged from the shadows, claws slashing toward Jin’s blind side.

Shiki reacted instantly.

“DOWN!”

He shoved Jin aside, taking the hit himself. Pain exploded across his shoulder as blood splattered against the concrete.

“Shiki!” Jin snapped.

Shiki grinned through clenched teeth. “Told you—don’t ignore me.”

The enemies emerged one by one, eyes glowing with unstable power. They weren’t trained. They were desperate. Out of control.

“This is bad,” Shiki muttered. “They’re already past the point of reason.”

Jin drew his weapon. “Then we end this quickly.”

They moved together—awkwardly at first, but with growing coordination. Jin calculated every strike, neutralizing threats with precise efficiency. Shiki fought like a storm, raw and overwhelming, forcing enemies back.

But there were too many.

Shiki felt it creeping up again—that familiar heat in his chest. Rage. Power begging to be unleashed.

“Shiki,” Jin called sharply. “Pull back!”

“I’ve got this!” Shiki yelled, charging ahead.

A mistake.

The ground cracked beneath him as power surged violently out of control. The enemies recoiled—but so did the surroundings. A nearby building groaned ominously.

“Damn it—!” Jin lunged forward, grabbing Shiki before the collapse could spread.

“LISTEN TO ME!” Jin shouted, gripping Shiki’s shoulders. “You’re not alone in this fight!”

Shiki froze.

Not because of the words.

But because Jin’s voice was shaking.

Jin’s eyes were wide—not with anger, but fear.

Fear for him.

The power faltered.

The collapse stopped.

Shiki’s breath came out in a ragged gasp. “You… were worried?”

Jin released him abruptly, turning away. “Focus.”

They finished the mission together after that—no reckless charges, no wasted movements. When it was over, the enemies subdued, the city still standing, Shiki slumped against a wall, exhausted.

Blood dripped from his sleeve.

Jin noticed immediately.

“You’re injured,” Jin said.

Shiki shrugged. “Just a scratch.”

Jin stepped closer. Too close. He tore a strip from his own sleeve and wrapped it firmly around Shiki’s arm.

Shiki blinked. “You didn’t have to—”

“Be quiet,” Jin muttered. “You’ll reopen it.”

Their eyes met again, closer this time. Shiki’s smirk softened into something quieter. Something real.

“…Thanks,” he said.

Jin hesitated, then nodded once.

As they walked back through the dim streets, side by side, neither spoke.

But for the first time, the silence didn’t feel hostile.