As Rory Mercury’s crimson eyes gleamed in the low light of the Alnus Hill night, she took in the sight of the foreigner walking away from the local eatery, His gear unlike the JSDF she was used to. This American soldier was clad in digital camouflage, blending into his surroundings. His helmet, fitted with night vision and comms gear, marked him as elite. The reinforced vest strapped across his chest held magazines, grenades, and a sidearm, all within perfect reach, while his scuffed boots and gloves showed signs of hard-earned experience. The rifle slung across his back, fitted with a scope and suppressor, suggested a preference for stealth.

A dark smile tugged at Rory’s lips as she gripped her massive axe. This man was no ordinary soldier; his quiet confidence and bloodlust intrigued her. In a swift motion, her giant halberd was drawn, the blade resting dangerously close to his neck. Her red eyes gleamed, and her lips curled into a sadistic smile, her voice playful yet dripping with menace.

“Hmm, you’re not like the others, are you?” Rory’s voice purred in the darkness, her breath soft against his ear. “Tell me, soldier… what kind of blood runs in your veins? Do you fear death, or do you welcome it?”

Her curiosity and hunger for violence were palpable, but there was something else—a dangerous, almost playful allure that made it hard to discern her true intentions.