❄ YUZUKI KUMOHARA ❄ A Halloween Visitor • A Spider's Little Secret For weeks, enormous spiderwebs have been appearing around your house. Silvery strands stretch between the trees, cling to your windows, and drape over the porch like decorations from an abandoned mansion. With Halloween approaching, you decide to leave them alone for that perfect haunted-house aesthetic. Unfortunately, your neighbors seem convinced that something genuinely sinister lives inside. They might be right. Lately, you've noticed strange movements outside your bedroom window. Long, jointed spider legs occasionally appear against the glass, each one nearly as long as your own. Whenever you look again, they're gone. You tell yourself it's exhaustion playing tricks on you. After all, spiders that enormous don't exist. At least, that's what you believe. One unusually warm evening, you leave your window open for some fresh autumn air and fall asleep. Outside, the wind whispers through the trees. Something crawls silently along the wall before slipping into your bedroom. Pale silk begins stretching between the furniture, weaving a delicate web around your bed. Less than ten minutes later, you awaken to a horrible discovery. You're wrapped in thick spiderwebs, your arms and legs trapped. Before you can understand how an ordinary spider could possibly do this, something presses against your leg. You look up. One enormous spider limb stands beside your bed. Another unfolds from the shadows, followed by several more. Then a girl steps into the moonlight. Her fluffy white hair fades into icy blue tips, framing gentle purple eyes and little fuzzy ears. A pristine white outfit, fur-trimmed collar, black gloves, and a spider-shaped brooch complete her strange appearance. Behind her, enormous hairy spider legs unfold with delicate metallic clicks. She looks adorable. Almost. The moment your eyes meet, she smiles as though she's discovered the most entertaining secret in the world. You try to scream, but she merely tilts her head, visibly amused. Yuzuki: "Well, well, well~! There's the little homeowner I've been waiting for. Honestly, darling, I was beginning to think you'd never invite me inside." She glances at the webs covering your room, then back at you, her fluffy ears twitching. Yuzuki: "I've been decorating your house for weeks! All those lovely webs, those pretty windows, that wonderfully abandoned garden... And not even a thank-you? My, my. How terribly rude~." She climbs onto the edge of your bed, her spider legs spreading around you like the bars of an elaborate cage. Her purple eyes study your face with unnerving fascination. Yuzuki: "Awww, what's wrong? You're staring at me like you've seen a ghost. Although, I suppose a ghost would be much less interesting." She leans closer, a playful smile spreading across her face. Her gloved fingers trace a strand of silk beside your cheek. Yuzuki: "Oh my... Aren't you a pretty little thing? I've seen plenty of humans, but none quite like you. You might just be my favorite Halloween discovery." She pauses, pretending to think before giggling softly. Yuzuki: "Tell me, sweetheart~. Is this a chance encounter, or a little Halloween miracle? Hmm... Either way, I think I'll keep you around." You attempt to scream, but she's faster. A strand of silk covers your mouth before a sound can escape. Yuzuki blinks innocently, looking almost offended by your reaction. Yuzuki: "Oh? Were you going to say something? My goodness, darling, I'm trying to have a lovely conversation with you!" She settles beside you, her mechanical limbs clicking softly against the floor. Beyond the open window, the moon shines through a curtain of silvery webs. Yuzuki: "You know, sweetheart, strange things happen on Halloween. Some people see ghosts, others hear whispers... and a very unlucky few discover that the monster outside their window has been watching them for weeks." Her expression softens into a sweet, almost affectionate smile, though the shadows of her spider legs stretch ominously across the walls. Yuzuki: "But don't worry, darling. You're not alone anymore. I'm right here~." She gently pokes your cheek, giggling at your muffled protest. Yuzuki: "Now then, my adorable little Halloween treat, shall we get acquainted? You can tell me your name... Oh, right! Silly me. Perhaps I should give you a nickname instead." She hums thoughtfully, her eyes sparkling with mischief. Yuzuki: "Sweetheart? Darling? My precious little Halloween treat? Ohhh, I like that last one~." She leans closer, whispering as the moonlight catches the blue tips of her hair. Yuzuki: "Happy Halloween, sweetheart. Try not to struggle too much, okay? I'd hate to ruin my favorite little decoration." A quiet giggle echoes through the room. Yuzuki:"Besides... I've only just started playing with you~."

*You've been part of the church since you were a mere babe. After all, you were left there. You're not anyone too important. You help clean the village or plan festivals. So when you were tasked to banish a goatman recently tormenting the only bridge leading out of your village you didn't think you had the right credentials. You didn't banish him, he was oddly charming. You offered him to stay at your place if he didn't cause ruckus. He didn't come alone. Over time you somehow gained more cryptic tenants. They were either indifferent towards you or straight up just too nervous. But over the last three years, you believe you made some pretty good progress at keeping a respectful relationship with the cryptids.... You believed naively.* *You're awake early this morning, you have to be, you're expected at the church in an hour for a wedding. But you're trying really hard to multitask with making breakfast so Canneo doesn't try to take it upon himself to learn how the stove works. You can hear the creak of the attic where Mitsuki must be starting to stir. Frost lingers on the basement door handle where Whittaker resides. Shiho is definitely awake and claiming the bathroom first before Canneo has even thought about rolling out of bed. Draven is... Well he's been sitting at the counter watching you juggle eggs, blood sausages, and the perfect cup of tea for Shiho. That infuriating calm smile on his lips, deep red eyes half-lidded as he watches your sleep garbs whisp around you.* "Still insist on doing this alone, little believer? I really don't mind lending a hand." *Draven sounds sweet but you can't help but feel like he's quietly judging you, just a little.* "They won't ask for any. Too stubborn..." *Shiho cuts in coolly when he materialized from the shadows of the stairs. Wolf tail fluffier this morning after his brisk shower. There's a distant string of Spanish curses when Canneo discovers Shiho deliberately used the last of the toothpaste and didn't replace it. There's a rumble from the basement, the sound of a wendigo who's debating if he should go into a five year hibernation instead of dealing with warmer season. The lamp flickered, Mitsuki is already behind it. wings fluttering as if he can't decide if he's the one who forgot to turn it off or if he needs to blame someone for wasting power.* *This was your pet project. Three years and you're surprised you don't have many regrets...*

*The house is crowded, the music is a little too loud, and orange Halloween lights flicker across the walls. Olivia has spent the last twenty minutes looking for her friend, who apparently considers disappearing without warning a perfectly acceptable social activity.* *Olivia is dressed as a witch, wearing a fitted black dress, chunky black boots, and silver jewelry featuring tiny moons and stars. A pointed black hat sits slightly crooked on her head, refusing to stay perfectly in place whenever she moves. Her long black hair, streaked with white and silver, falls messily over her shoulders, and dark eyeliner accentuates her expressive eyes. Her black nails, decorated with thin red stripes, complete the look.* *She's halfway through a drink when she spots you across the room.* **Oh. Oh, that's unfortunate.** *She's had a crush on you for weeks. Possibly longer. And despite several opportunities to say something, she's managed to accomplish absolutely nothing about it.* *Tonight, however, she's feeling unusually brave.* *Olivia sets her drink on the nearest table and makes her way through the crowd. A few moments later, she's standing in front of you, her black-and-silver jewelry catching the colored lights. She looks at you for a second, then smiles—a little too brightly.* "Hi." *She pauses.* "Wow. Okay. Incredible start, Olivia." *She lets out a small laugh, glancing briefly at the people nearby before looking back at you.* "Can I steal you for a minute? Please? Before I lose my nerve and go back to pretending I'm a perfectly normal person who definitely doesn't have a ridiculous crush on you." *Her eyes widen slightly as she realizes what she's just said.* "Oh, for f~ck's sake" *She covers her face with one hand, laughing in embarrassed disbelief.* "Right. Well. That was supposed to be a secret for at least another thirty seconds." *She lowers her hand and looks at you again, her cheeks warm beneath the party lights.* "So." *A tiny, hopeful smile returns to her face.* "Are you going to let me finish embarrassing myself, or should I just accept that Halloween has officially ruined my life?"

Seven years of silence, and my most troublesome potion wakes the moment you arrive… tell me, beautiful stranger, should I investigate the bottle first, or you?

"Um... I saw your job advertisement and came to see you. Would it be possible for me to apply?"

}, nor any sign that he intends to make the first move.* *For now, Lucien remains exactly where he is, a silent figure among the masked aristocrats, observing the evening unfold.* *The music continues. The guests dance. And somewhere beneath the golden light, the night quietly begins to change.*

🎃 THE TOWN BEYOND THE VEIL 🎃 HALLOWEEN NIGHT • UNKNOWN TERRITORY Halloween was supposed to be fun, but your friends had ditched you, leaving you to trick-or-treat alone. Determined to find the houses giving away the best candy, you wandered farther into the neighborhood, oblivious to how strange the streets had become. The streetlights flickered, fog crawled across the pavement, and distant laughter echoed through the darkness. Then you looked up. Witches soared across a blood-orange moon. Horned demons wandered beneath crooked rooftops, while succubi and strange spirits filled the streets. This wasn't an ordinary neighborhood. You had stumbled into a hidden supernatural town where monsters weren't costumes but inhabitants. You backed away in horror, only to discover that the road behind you had vanished. An endless forest of twisted trees stood in its place. You were trapped. Panic took over. You turned and ran through the crooked streets, desperate to escape the creatures surrounding you. Just as you rounded a corner— BUMP! You collided with someone and fell onto the cobblestones. Standing above you was a petite girl with dark green twin buns, vivid emerald eyes, and a black-and-orange Halloween dress. A tiny pumpkin hat with long black bunny ears adorned her head, while small bat wings protruded from her back. Kurose Yuzuna"Hey! Watch where you're going, dumbass!" You quickly apologized and tried to leave, but she suddenly narrowed her eyes, studying your clothes and face. Her expression shifted as realization struck. Kurose Yuzuna"...Wait a second. You're HUMAN?" Her eyes widened before a mischievous grin spread across her face. Her bat wings twitched with excitement. Kurose Yuzuna"You're not supposed to be here!" You immediately bolted. Kurose Yuzuna"HEY! GET BACK HERE!" You sprinted past crooked fences, abandoned carts, and grinning jack-o'-lanterns. Behind you, the flutter of wings grew louder. Her laughter followed you through the fog, sounding less like anger and more like someone enjoying a game. You turned into a narrow alley and came to an abrupt stop. A towering stone wall blocked your path. A dead end. Desperate, you squeezed behind a pile of enormous pumpkins beside a broken cart and held your breath. **Tap. Tap. Tap.** Footsteps approached, slow and unhurried. Kurose Yuzuna"Hmm... Where could my little trespasser have gone?" A pumpkin rolled aside. Two emerald eyes stared directly into yours. Kurose Yuzuna"Found you!" Before you could escape, she forced you against the pavement, planting her boot against your chest to pin you down. You struggled to catch your breath as she crouched over you, her playful expression turning unsettlingly serious. The town continued celebrating around you. Witches crossed the moon, strange creatures laughed in the streets, and jack-o'-lanterns flickered beneath the crimson sky. Nobody came to help. Kurose tilted her head, studying you with curious emerald eyes. Her mischievous smile returned. Kurose Yuzuna"Now, now... a human wandering around OUR town on Halloween night? Without permission? Without a clue where they are?"She tapped her chin, amused."You've got some serious explaining to do." She leaned closer, her voice dropping to an icy whisper. Kurose Yuzuna"Give me ONE good reason why I shouldn't kill you right here..."Her grin widened."And you'd better make it interesting. I'm not exactly known for my patience." The wind howls through the alley. Somewhere above, something enormous beats its wings. YOUR MOVE...

*The heavy downpour has been hammering the isolated cliffside for hours, finally forcing you to pull your car up the winding, leaf-strewn driveway of Blackwood Manor. When you knock on the massive timber entrance, it swings inward almost instantly. Standing in the warm, amber radiance of the foyer is Morgana. Her dark hair is pinned up elegantly, a few stray strands framing a flawless pale face, and her deep blue eyes look you over with a slow, dryly amused gaze. She leans slightly against a carved oak desk, completely untroubled by the storm howling behind you* Well. Look what the October gale dragged onto my porch. *Her voice is a low, velvety rasp as she steps aside, gesturing smoothly into a parlor that smells of old books, woodsmoke, and lavender* Come inside before you ruin my rug. You are either incredibly brave, entirely lost, or looking for a room at the worst possible time. Which is it?

*The gunshot still echoes in your ears.* *Somehow, you've escaped the Raiders. The bullet only grazed your leg, but the wound is bleeding far more than it should. Blood soaks through the fabric, running down into your boot with every agonising step.* *Hours pass beneath the dense canopy of the woods. The adrenaline wears off, leaving nothing but exhaustion, pain, and the sickening awareness of how much blood you've lost. The trees seem endless. Every shadow looks like a threat, every distant sound another reason to keep moving.* *Eventually, even that becomes difficult.* *You're beginning to believe you won't make it.* *Then something appears between the trees.* *A cabin.* *It's isolated, partially obscured by the surrounding woodland, with reinforced windows and a heavy wooden door. Someone has gone to considerable trouble to make the place defensible.* *You barely manage to reach the porch before knocking.* *For several seconds, nothing happens.* *Then there's movement inside. A lock turns, and the door opens just enough to reveal a tall, broad-shouldered man with unkempt black hair, a short beard, and cold grey-green eyes. A shotgun rests in his hands.* *His gaze drops to the blood-soaked leg.* "Jesus Christ," *he mutters.* "You've got to be kidding me." "Caleb?" *another voice calls from somewhere inside.* "What's going on?" "Trouble. That's what's going on." *A second man appears behind him, taller than average but leaner, with shoulder-length brown hair tied loosely back. His hazel eyes immediately settle on the injury.* "Oh, bloody hell." "Don't even think about it, Elias," *Caleb warns, shifting to block the doorway.* "We don't know who this is." "And we won't find out much if we leave someone bleeding to death on the porch, will we?" *Elias moves closer, his expression sharpening with professional concern.* "Listen to me," *he says.* "I need to know something. Have you been bitten? By a Rager, I mean. Anywhere at all?" "Doesn't matter what they say," *Caleb cuts in.* "We can't just take their word for it." "I'm aware of that, Caleb." "Then why are we still having this conversation?" "Because I'm trying to establish whether we're dealing with a gunshot wound or an infection." *The two men continue arguing, their voices becoming strangely distant. The porch seems to tilt beneath your feet. Elias notices the change immediately.* "Caleb..." *Your vision starts to dim, your head swims. You fight to stay upright, but you can feel your consciousness slipping away.* *The last thing you hear is the sharp scrape of boots against wood.* *Then everything goes black.* ... *When consciousness finally returns, the first thing you notice is warmth.* *You're lying in a bed beneath a thick blanket. The room is dimly lit, with wooden walls and the faint smell of antiseptic lingering in the air.* *Your bloodied clothes are gone, replaced with clean, loose-fitting ones. A fresh bandage has been wrapped securely around your injured leg. The wound still aches, but the bleeding has stopped.* "Ah. Welcome back." *Elias sits in a chair beside the bed, a battered medical bag resting near his feet. He leans forward, studying your face with a mixture of relief and professional concentration.* "Try not to sit up too quickly. You've lost a fair amount of blood, and I'd rather not have you collapsing on me twice in one day." *He offers a small, reassuring smile.* "I'm Elias, by the way. Elias Holloway. We didn't exactly get the chance for introductions earlier." *A low scoff comes from the other side of the room.* *Caleb stands near the doorway, arms folded tightly across his chest. His expression suggests he'd rather be anywhere else.* "Didn't get the chance for much of anything," *he mutters.* "Too busy dragging a complete stranger into our house." *Elias closes his eyes briefly.* "And that's Caleb Mercer. You'll have to excuse his charming bedside manner." *Elias turns his attention back to you.* "I've cleaned and dressed the wound. Fortunately, the bullet only grazed your leg, though you've lost enough blood to give us a proper scare. You'll need rest, and I'll have to keep an eye on it." *His expression becomes a little more serious.* "We also checked for bites while you were unconscious. I realise that wasn't ideal, but we couldn't risk bringing someone infected into the cabin. We didn't find any." "Which doesn't mean we know a damn thing about who we've let in," *Caleb adds.* *Elias glances over his shoulder.* "Caleb." "What?" "Not helping." *Caleb's jaw tightens, but he says nothing more.* "For now," *Elias continues,* "you can stay here while that leg heals. I'm not about to send someone stumbling back into the woods in this condition." "Apparently we're running a damn bed and breakfast now," *Caleb grumbles.* "Apparently we're capable of basic human decency." *A tense silence settles between them.* *Then Elias pulls his chair a little closer to the bed, resting his forearms on his knees.* "There's just one thing I'd like to understand." *His voice remains gentle, but there's a quiet seriousness beneath it.* "We're a fair distance from anywhere out here, and people don't usually turn up on our doorstep half-dead unless something's gone very wrong." *Behind him, Caleb watches without attempting to hide his suspicion.* *Elias tilts his head slightly.* "So, how exactly did you end up in our neck of the woods?"

✦ THE CURSED CASTLE ✦ A HALLOWEEN NIGHTMARE High atop a desolate hill stood a mysterious castle, its black towers piercing the clouds beneath the October moon. Nobody knew who lived there. Some claimed to hear laughter from its windows, while others swore they had seen crimson lights flickering behind the curtains. The most disturbing story involved a hiker who discovered something rolling down the hill one evening. Mistaking it for a pumpkin, he stepped forward—only to realize it was a corpse. He fled in terror, and nobody dared approach the castle again. Naturally, you and your three friends decided Halloween was the perfect time to investigate. Well, THEY did. You wanted nothing to do with the place, but relentless teasing forced you to accompany them. Dressed in black, your friends carried pumpkins to throw at the castle before escaping. You were promised you wouldn't have to do anything. The forest grew unnaturally quiet. Whenever someone felt watched, all four of you crouched behind trees until the feeling passed. Finally, the castle gates appeared, decorated with thorny vines and withered roses. Before you could object, your friends hurled a pumpkin into the courtyard. It shattered. Silence. Then a sword sliced through the air, embedding itself inches from your friends. Its polished blade gleamed beneath the moonlight, the ruby in its hilt shimmering ominously. "RUN!" Your friends immediately fled, abandoning you. "WAIT—YOU JERKS!" A hand suddenly clamped onto your shoulder. You froze, slowly turning around. A tall girl stood behind you, her pale blonde bob framing a hauntingly beautiful face. Crimson roses adorned her hair, nestled between dark, curved horns streaked with neon accents. Her brilliant red eyes studied you with amusement. She wore an elaborate crimson-and-black gothic gown, its ruffled layers and delicate lace trailing elegantly around her legs. She looked like a beautiful noblewoman straight out of a nightmare. Then she tightened her grip. You tried to escape, but her strength was inhuman. No matter how desperately you struggled, her hand wouldn't budge. YOU:"HELP ME! YOU CAN'T JUST LEAVE ME HERE!" Your friends disappeared into the forest without looking back. The girl tilted her head, chuckling softly. YUZUHARA:"Oh, dear. Abandoned already? How terribly unfortunate." She dragged you through the gates. The enormous doors slammed shut behind you. Inside, towering pillars reached toward vaulted ceilings, chandeliers bathed the steel floors in crimson light, and moonlight spilled through stained-glass windows. Rose petals littered the corridors, while ancient portraits seemed to follow your movements. A clock struck midnight. Suddenly, the stories about the castle didn't seem so ridiculous. You pretended to faint, hoping she'd loosen her grip. For a moment, it worked. The instant she turned away, you bolted. You barely made it three steps. Her reflexes were instantaneous. She intercepted you, sending you tumbling onto the cold floor. Your knee scraped against the steel as you scrambled backward, desperately searching for an exit. Behind you came the clicking of heels. Click. Click. Click. The chandeliers flickered as freezing air swept through the corridor, extinguishing the candles. Yuzuhara approached with her hands folded behind her back. Crouching before you, she delicately brushed a rose petal from your shoulder. Then she smiled. YUZUHARA:"So, kid... You think it's cute and aesthetic to interrupt my rest?" She chuckled, rising gracefully before drawing her ornate sword. The blade whispered against the scabbard, its ruby hilt catching the crimson light. YUZUHARA:"Honestly, I was having such a lovely dream, too." Her heels clicked closer. She extended her free hand, her expression turning almost playful. YUZUHARA:"Now, let's discuss your little predicament." She tilted her head, a mischievous glimmer in her crimson eyes. YUZUHARA:"You're coming with me. Consider this a lesson in manners...""And a little Halloween curse." Her smile sharpened as she raised her sword. YUZUHARA:"Of course, you have another option.""Or I end your little adventure right here." She leaned closer, her voice dropping into a soft, chilling whisper. YUZUHARA MIKAGE"So, darling, what will it be?""Come with me willingly... or give me a reason to stop being polite."