Chapter 16: The Otaku Goes Hunting (And Everyone Takes Notice)
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The week after Lyra's arrival settled into a rhythm.
Morning training with Tandy. Afternoon patrols alone—he hadn't spent his shards yet, still saving for something big. Evening debriefs with Lyra, who had somehow become his unofficial intelligence director.
Fifty Hero Shards. That's what a major quest chain had earned him. Not enough for a companion yet. Ninety was the magic number. But he was getting closer.
He checked his balance every day.
Forty-five. Forty-eight. Fifty.
'Almost there,' he thought. 'One more good mission.'
---
Lyra burst into the safehouse one evening, waving her phone.
"Got something for you!"
Meliodas looked up from his dinner. "What?"
"Vampire activity. But not the good kind—rogues. Newly turned, feral, no control. They've been hitting homeless camps. Three people dead in the last two nights."
Meliodas's expression hardened. "Where?"
"Hell's Kitchen. Abandoned warehouse near the docks. At least a dozen of them."
He stood, grabbing his swords. "Then we deal with it."
"Alone?"
"I've handled vampires before."
"These are different. Feral means unpredictable. And they've already killed."
He met her eyes. "That's exactly why I'm going."
---
That night, he hunted alone.
The warehouse was dark, silent, reeking of death. Meliodas moved through shadows, {Observation Haki} extended, feeling for the telltale chill of undead presence.
He found them in the main room—twelve vampires, newly turned, feral, hungry. No discipline, no control. Just predators following instinct.
On the floor nearby, blankets. Empty bottles. The remains of a small camp.
Homeless. They'd been feeding on the homeless.
Meliodas's jaw tightened.
He stepped into the light.
They turned as one, hissing, fangs bared.
Then they saw his face.
One vampire—a woman, maybe turned a week ago—stopped mid-lunge. Her eyes went wide.
"He's... he's so..."
"Focus!" another screamed.
But the damage was done. That moment of hesitation was all Meliodas needed.
He moved.
---
{Rush activated.}
Five seconds of slowed time. He drew Reflection and Moonsing—both forged with silver in their alloy.
The first vampire never saw the blade coming. Reflection caught it across the chest, and the creature erupted into a cloud of ash, scattering on the warehouse floor.
{Rush ended.}
Three more fell in the next heartbeat, their bodies dissolving into nothing as silver bit into undead flesh.
The remaining eight stared in shock. They'd expected prey. They'd found a reaper.
"You've been killing people," Meliodas said quietly. "Homeless people. People who had nothing."
The lead vampire snarled. "We're predators! It's what we do!"
"No. It's what you choose to do." Meliodas raised his blades. "And now you face the consequences."
---
The fight was brutal.
Vampires were fast, strong, relentless. But Meliodas was faster. {Observation Haki} let him sense their attacks before they happened. {Rampage} made him stronger with every exchange.
Five kills. Seven. Nine. Each strike with silver sent another vampire to ash, their remains scattering like dark snow.
One vampire tried to run. Meliodas cut him down before he reached the door. More ash.
Eleven. Twelve.
Silence.
Meliodas stood in the center of the warehouse, breathing hard. No blood. No bodies. Just piles of ash scattered across the floor, already beginning to dissipate.
His swords hummed with residual energy.
He looked at the ash. At the empty blankets. At the remnants of lives cut short.
'They killed people,' he reminded himself. 'They would have killed more. If I let them live, they'd just find new victims.'
He sheathed his swords and walked out into the night.
---
[SYSTEM NOTIFICATION]
[QUEST COMPLETE: ELIMINATE ROGUE VAMPIRE NEST]
· Enemies defeated: 12
· Civilians protected: Unknown
· Reward: 20 Hero Shards
[NEW TOTAL: 70 HERO SHARDS]
Meliodas stared at the notification.
Seventy. Twenty more and he could afford a companion.
He looked back at the warehouse one last time.
'Twenty more shards. Twenty more monsters.'
He walked home.
---
SHIELD Headquarters, The Triskelion
Nick Fury stared at the report on his desk.
Another warehouse. No bodies this time—just ash. Lots of ash.
"Coulson."
Coulson appeared instantly. "Sir."
"This vigilante. The one from Harlem. He's getting bolder. And cleaner."
"Yes, sir. Our analysts confirm the ash is consistent with vampire remains—silver-based weaponry causes complete disintegration. He's using specialized blades."
Fury grunted. "So he's prepared. He knows what he's hunting."
"It appears so, sir. These were rogue vampires—newly turned, feeding on homeless populations. He's saved dozens of lives by eliminating this nest."
"That's not the point. The point is, we have a civilian running around killing supernaturals with zero oversight."
"With respect, sir, is that a problem? He's doing our job for us."
"Our job is protecting people. His job is... whatever he wants it to be. That's the problem." Fury tossed the photo down. "I want someone on the ground. Someone who can get close, observe, report back. No engagement, no interference—just information."
"Sir, we've tried. Anyone we send, they notice. There's a vampire—Anastasia—who's been watching the safehouse constantly. Our people can't get within three blocks without being made."
"Then send someone who won't be made." Fury's lips curved. "Someone who has a legitimate reason to be there. A neighbor. A shopkeeper. Someone who blends in."
Coulson considered. "I might have someone in mind."
"Who?"
"Natasha Romanoff."
Fury was silent for a moment. Then: "You want to put a Black Widow on bakery duty?"
"She's the best we have. If anyone can get close without being noticed, it's her."
Fury rubbed his chin. "Fine. But she goes in as backup only. Observation only. If things go sideways, she extracts and we reevaluate."
"Understood, sir."
"And Coulson?"
"Sir?"
"Tell her to be careful. That boy just turned a dozen vampires into dust. I don't want to lose one of my best agents to a pretty face with anger issues."
Coulson smiled. "I'll pass that along, sir."
---
Three Days Later - Harlem
The new bakery opened on a sunny Tuesday morning.
It was called "Sweet Surrender," and it occupied a charming storefront three blocks from the safehouse. The owner was a striking redhead named Natalie Rushman who made excellent coffee and even better croissants.
Meliodas noticed it immediately.
"A bakery," he said flatly. "Right near the safehouse."
Lyra shrugged. "Coincidence."
"Nothing is coincidence."
He watched the redhead through the window. She moved with practiced ease, serving customers, smiling, chatting. Everything about her said "normal small business owner."
{Observation Haki} told a different story.
'She's trained. Military, maybe. Special forces. Her movements are too precise, too controlled. And she keeps glancing toward the safehouse.'
"Natalie Rushman," he murmured. "Or whatever your real name is."
Lyra appeared beside him. "You noticed."
"I notice everything." He turned away. "Let her watch. She's not a threat."
"Yet."
"Yet."
---
Anastasia noticed the new bakery too.
From her usual observation point—a rooftop across from the safehouse—she had a perfect view of the street. And the redhead.
'Interesting,' she thought. 'Very interesting.'
The woman was good. Really good. Her cover was flawless, her behavior natural. But Anastasia had been watching humans for centuries. She knew when something was off.
'A spy. SHIELD, probably.' She smiled. 'How delightful.'
She watched the redhead watching the safehouse. Watched her pretend not to notice Meliodas when he walked past. Watched her catalog every detail with professional detachment.
'You're very good,' Anastasia thought. 'But I'm better.'
She settled in to watch.
The mantis and the oriole. Who was which remained to be seen.
---
That Evening
Meliodas sat on the rooftop with Lyra.
"So there's a SHIELD spy running a bakery three blocks away."
Lyra nodded. "Natalie Rushman. Real name Natasha Romanoff. Black Widow. One of their best."
"How do you know?"
"I'm a demon with excellent information networks." She grinned. "Also, I Googled her."
Meliodas stared.
"What? It's the twenty-first century. Information is everywhere."
He shook his head. "So SHIELD has a spy watching me. Great."
"And Anastasia is watching the spy." Lyra pointed. "See her? Third rooftop east. She's been there all day."
Meliodas looked. Sure enough, a familiar silhouette lurked in the shadows.
"So I have a vampire stalking a spy who's stalking me."
"And a demon fan taking notes." Lyra held up her notebook. "I'm documenting everything. This is going to be a great chapter in your biography."
"I don't have a biography."
"You will. I'm writing it."
---
The Next Morning
Meliodas decided to confront the situation directly.
He walked into Sweet Surrender and ordered a coffee.
Natasha Romanoff—Natalie Rushman—smiled at him like any friendly barista. "What can I get you?"
"Black coffee. And the truth about who you really are."
Her smile didn't waver. "I'm Natalie. I own this bakery. Is there a problem?"
"No problem. Just curiosity." He leaned on the counter. "You're very good at this. The cover, I mean. Almost perfect."
"Thank you?"
"But not perfect." He met her eyes. "Your movements are too precise. You scan the room too often. And you've glanced at the safehouse exactly forty-seven times since I sat down."
For just a moment, something flickered in her eyes. Then it was gone.
"That's a very specific number."
"I'm good with numbers."
They stared at each other.
Finally, Natasha laughed. It sounded genuine. "You're interesting. I'll give you that."
"I've been told."
"Look, I'm just here to observe. No engagement, no interference. My boss wants to know what you're about."
"Your boss being Nick Fury."
Her eyes narrowed slightly. "You know a lot."
"I know a lot of things." He sipped his coffee. "Tell Director Fury that if he wants to talk, he can talk. No need for spies and bakeries."
"And if he sends someone anyway?"
"Then I'll keep drinking free coffee." He smiled. "Your espresso is excellent, by the way."
---
That Night
The vampire lord returned.
Meliodas felt her before he saw her—that familiar pressure, that ancient power descending on Harlem like a velvet fog.
He was on the rooftop before she materialized.
Vladimira Tempesta stepped out of shadow, regal as ever, her crimson eyes glowing in the darkness.
"Little hunter," she purred. "We meet again."
"Lord Tempesta." He inclined his head. "To what do I owe the pleasure?"
"I've been watching you. Hunting those rogue vampires. Cleaning up my city." She circled him slowly. "Impressive work. Brutal. Efficient. No mercy."
"They were killing people."
"They were. And you stopped them." She smiled. "I approve."
Behind her, Anastasia materialized from shadow—and immediately tensed at the sight of Natasha's rooftop.
On a nearby rooftop, Natasha Romanoff watched through high-powered binoculars.
In the safehouse below, Lyra was furiously taking notes.
Meliodas, surrounded by watchers, faced the vampire lord alone.
"To what do I owe the visit?" he asked again.
Vladimira smiled—a predator's smile, but warm. "I came to offer you a job."
"A job?"
"Consider it... a mutually beneficial arrangement. You help me deal with problems in my territory. I provide resources, information, and protection." She stepped closer. "And perhaps, in time, something more."
Anastasia's eye twitched.
Natasha raised an eyebrow.
Lyra scribbled furiously.
Meliodas considered.
"What kind of problems?"
"Problems that require a... delicate touch. Rogue elements. Power struggles. The occasional demon infestation." She waved a hand. "Nothing you can't handle, clearly."
"And in return?"
"Whatever you need. Within reason." Her eyes gleamed. "I'm very generous to those who serve me well."
Meliodas thought about his Hero Shard balance. Seventy. Twenty more and he could afford a companion.
'Maybe this is the opportunity I need.'
"I'll think about it."
Vladimira laughed again. "Such caution. I like it." She stepped back into shadow. "Take your time, little hunter. I'll be watching."
She vanished.
Anastasia lingered a moment longer, her eyes meeting Meliodas's with an intensity that said everything and nothing.
Then she too was gone.
---
The rooftop was suddenly very quiet.
Lyra's voice floated up from below: "DID SHE JUST OFFER YOU A JOB?!"
Natasha, on her distant rooftop, lowered her binoculars and spoke into a hidden mic. "Coulson? We have a situation. The vampire lord just offered our boy a job."
There was a long pause.
"Did she say what kind of job?"
"Didn't specify. But she mentioned 'demon infestations' and 'rogue elements.' And she called him 'little hunter.'"
Another pause. "Fury's going to love this."
---
Later That Night
Meliodas sat alone on the rooftop, staring at his system screen.
Hero Shards: 70
Twenty more. Twenty more and he could afford a companion.
He thought about the vampires he'd killed. Their faces. Their fear as silver touched flesh. The way they dissolved into nothing.
'They murdered people. They would have murdered more. I did what I had to do.'
It didn't make it easier.
But it made it necessary.
He closed the system and looked at the stars.
Tomorrow, he'd hunt again. And maybe, after one more mission, he'd have enough.
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[END OF CHAPTER 16]