[Emilia's POV]
We have been sweeping this building for nearly half an hour.
Raul's intuition was indeed correct; here, human corpses and horrific experiments using their bodies were found. I hoped that we would find victims who were still alive and still being used by these bastards. Currently, we are in a room that is quite large. Judging from the interior, it seems this is the middle room of this mansion.
— Jedar!
Suddenly, the sound of thunder was heard very loudly, and the sound of raindrops followed afterward. It seems there will be heavy rain not long from now. The wind is blowing very hard entering this room, making us very cold.
"Klein, close those windows," I ordered him.
"Alright, Captain Emilia."
Klein then walked toward the window and closed them one by one. However, when he was about to close the last window, suddenly there was a hand that pulled his body out until he fell. Seeing this made me and my group stand alert for the coming threat.
Not long after, a beautiful woman entered this room through that window.
"Ah, it seems we have guests," said that woman.
I gripped my spear to prepare to conduct a fight.
"Who are you!?" I asked her.
The woman then smiled and walked slowly approaching us.
"My name is Yuna," she answered with lips full of lipstick. "What is your name, young girl?"
Instantly her expression changed from smiling to being somewhat annoyed; that was because I tried to attack her neck by extending my spear. However, she could avoid it by shifting her body slightly to the side.
"How rude," she answered casually. "Even though I have shown good etiquette."
Good etiquette, huh? By pulling my member out to fall from the window?
— Jedar!
The sound of lightning was heard again; the wind began to enter the room again because there were still windows that were open. Closing my eyes for a moment because of this disturbing strong wind, I was shocked when that woman suddenly disappeared when I opened my eyelids again.
"Ahhh... a virgin, is it? Truly a body aroma that is very tempting."
My body got goosebumps when I heard that voice from behind. Turning my head to the side, I saw that woman smiling naughtily exactly behind me. How could she suddenly appear there?
However, before I could get an answer to that question of mine, suddenly my body was thrown away forcefully until it hit the building wall hard. It hurts so much... It seems she hit my ribs hard. How does that woman have strength this great?
"Captain!? Attack that woman!"
I heard one of my members shout. I tried to get up; it was seen that three members of my group had already been downed by that woman. Her hands were full of the blood of the people I lead. Splitting my spear into two, I immediately dashed toward that woman using Accel magic.
Stab after stab I launched at that woman, but she could easily read my movements while still smiling.
"Oh, look at yourself," said that woman. "So young, beautiful, and brave... Truly, how will your blood feel later when I drink it?" That woman licked her lips.
Drinking blood? Actually, what is she saying? It was not important; I again conducted attacks toward her. However, she suddenly disappeared again from my sight.
— Bam!
My body was thrown; I did not see at all from where she attacked me. My body again hit the wall; this time the pain I experienced was much greater than before. I tried to get up but failed; it seems there are several of my bones that are broken.
"Aghhh!"
"No, no, dooon't!"
I saw that woman slaughtering my members one by one. I wanted to help them, however, my body could not be moved at all. Why am I this weak? Do I truly not have talent at all to become stronger?
After killing 14 of my members, suddenly that woman stopped as if she was daydreaming about something.
"Who killed my fledgling?" muttered that woman, looking annoyed.
Not long after, a pair of wings grew on her back; that woman then flew out the window leaving this place.
"Why did she suddenly leave us here?"
***
[Raul's POV]
It turned out to be true; the demons that came here were of the Vampire race. Judging from the characteristics, it seems she was just an ordinary Vampire.
"Wryyyyyy!" screamed that Vampire while flying dashing toward our formation.
"Tazz!" I called that big-bodied man to immediately hold back the Vampire.
"Ready!" he answered while moving forward.
Tazz's body glowed; it seems he activated Repel magic. The Vampire hit his body; he was pushed back a little but could stop the Vampire's attack. Piers and Vista immediately attacked that Vampire at the moment Tazz was holding her back. As a result, the Vampire's body was thrown far until it hit the building wall.
"Don't be careless! She hasn't lost yet!" I said, warning them. "Vampires can only be killed by beheading their heads or destroying their hearts!"
However, at the moment I gave those instructions, suddenly two Vampires came entering this place.
"Well, well, well, it seems we will be full drinking the blood of these young humans here!" shouted the newly arrived Vampire excitedly.
"I will drink the blood of that follower of the Damn Goddess!" said the other Vampire pointing toward Ariel who looked nervous.
Three ordinary Vampires, huh? I think we can still handle this.
"Tazz, Piers, Viera! You handle that first Vampire from before! Tom, Jerry, and Scarlett! Handle the second Vampire! Barney, you support me to kill the third Vampire!" I ordered them.
We began to fight with each respective Vampire. I activated Accel magic then dashed toward one of those Vampires. It was seen that the Vampire avoided Barney's Water Bullet magic.
— Clang!
I conducted a vertical slash toward that Vampire, but she could parry it using her sharp claws. Not letting that Vampire conduct an attack initiation, I again launched a diagonal slash. The Vampire dodged to the side then launched a kick aimed at my head.
— Bam!
I held it with my left hand, but my body was pushed to the side as a result of the impact of her attack. The Vampire dashed toward me, intending to attack again. However, suddenly her body stopped; it was seen that a water whip was wrapping around her leg from behind.
"Now, Captain!" shouted Barney.
I hurried to behead that Vampire's head; she tried to hold my sword which had already half-beheaded her head.
"I will not die by a lowly human like you!" said that Vampire, looking angry.
Activating Temper magic, I could defeat her in a strength contest and immediately behead her head which was now rolling on the building floor.
"Good job, Barney!" I praised him.
He only made a pose of adjusting his glasses while looking down like most megane characters in anime in response to my praise. I ignored him then looked at the fights of my other members; it was seen that Scarlett launched a fire punch penetrating that Vampire's chest, destroying the heart instantly. On the other side, Viera shot the neck of the Vampire her team was fighting, making that Vampire's head separate from its other body parts.
We succeeded in defeating these ordinary Vampires. This is strange... there should have been at least one True Vampire leading them. However, I did not find at all any signs of the existence of this type of Vampire.
— Crack!
In the instant I thought about that, suddenly the building wall where we were was destroyed, revealing a female Vampire who was flying flapping her wings. That... is a True Vampire... I hate to say it but... it seems I have to believe the myth that words are prayers.
Behind her, there were four Vampire Brides whose mouths were filled with blood. One of their differences is in their skin. Ordinary Vampires have pale skin whereas True Vampires and Vampire Brides can change their skin like ordinary humans.
"Ah, so you are the ones who killed all my fledglings here," said that True Vampire while entering the building. "Oh, look at what I found, a beautiful girl follower of that Damn Goddess," said that True Vampire glancing toward Ariel.
This is very natural; the Demons truly hate Goddess Diana and the Priests who follow her like Ariel. This is because the Priests and Priestesses are blessed with Divine magic which can become a weakness for the Demon Race.
She will definitely target her first; I must distance this True Vampire from the members as quickly as possible. Her strength is 20 to 30 times stronger than an ordinary Vampire. I prepared a Charging technique, getting ready to dash toward Ariel.
The Vampire suddenly appeared in front of Ariel then smiled at her.
"My name is Yuna. What is your name gi—"
She could not finish those words of hers then turned her body to the side facing toward me.
— Clang!
She held my sword with her bare hands.
"It is not the action of a gentleman to disturb a woman who is talking, you know?" said that Vampire smiling sweetly.
"Well... I did not know I was talking with a 'woman'!" I quipped at that Vampire.
This time, her face looked annoyed and full of anger. She launched a kick. I could hold it but was still thrown far as a result of her great strength.
"Attack these humans!" ordered that True Vampire.
All my members began to fight with the four ordinary Vampires while Ariel was seen activating the Barrier she possessed to prevent that True Vampire from approaching her.
— Crack!
The Vampire broke the Barrier Ariel made; I must make her get away from here, she is very dangerous! She then carried Ariel out, flying from this building. Using Acceleration magic and Charging technique, I dashed quickly toward her then jumped out of the building grabbing those white legs of hers.
The three of us then fell to the ground; as much as possible I caught Ariel so that she would not experience injury. She is an important factor for our victory in this fight.
"Thank you, Raul," said Ariel who slowly released herself from my grip.
"You are always disturbing, I will take care of you first," said that True Vampire looking annoyed.
I looked at Ariel and said, "Ariel, can you use the Pentagram seal?"
Ariel was shocked hearing that question of mine. "How do you know the secret magic of my family?"
"That is not important now," I answered her. "I want you to make that seal to limit the movement of the Demon in front of us then attack her with Divine-Holy Smite magic."
"Alright, I will try it," said Ariel. "However, I need about 4-5 minutes to prepare that magic."
"Alright, I will hold her back as much as possible."
After giving instructions to Ariel, I then looked at that Vampire.
"Have you finished planning the strategy?" asked that female Vampire smiling naughtily. "That effort of yours will be in vain, it is impossible for humans at your level to be able to fight me."
Oh, such cliché words to be said by an Antagonist. You know, 99.9999% of Antagonists who say that in a story will definitely lose to the Protagonist. Activating Accel and Temper magic simultaneously, I dashed toward that Vampire then launched several punches and kicks.
However, the Vampire could avoid everything easily. She then caught my hand then threw my body into the air easily. The Vampire flapped her wings then flew chasing me in the air. Up here, the Vampire had an advantage that was far from me.
— Bam!
She kicked me falling hard; fortunately, I had time to hold it with both hands. I activated Repel magic so I could absorb my body that was about to hit the ground. However, before falling to the ground, that Vampire quickly followed then caught my shirt collar.
She then carried me approaching the building then dragged my body on the wall of that building. I could only protect my head with both hands so as not to pass out because of hitting something hard. Fortunately, I had already activated Repel magic earlier. However, the injury I received was still quite large.
After being satisfied, that Vampire then pulled my body so as to be face-to-face with her.
"How is it? Do you like the punishment I gave because you already disturbed me?" asked that female Vampire.
"Oh believe me, the greater the pain my body receives, the happier my heart is made by it," I answered forcing a smile at her.
The Vampire then touched my neck with her cold finger.
"After being seen from close up, you are quite handsome too," said that Vampire while biting her lip. "Fufufu~ the taste of your blood must be very delicious compared to other humans."
She then began licking my neck.
"How is it? Want to become my blood supply and spend the rest of your life with me?" asked that Vampire with an expression like a person who is drunk.
She then opened her mouth; her long canine teeth were seen, a most common characteristic possessed by a Vampire.
"I refuse," I answered casually. "I do not like 'licker' women."
"Hehehe~ Such a shame, however, I will still suck your blood until dry!"
When she was about to sink her teeth into my neck, I immediately hit her with an Uppercut strengthened by Temper magic on her chin, making her grip on my shirt collar release.
"Ughhh... It seems I must punish you more heavily, Kid!" shouted that Vampire trying to flap her wings again.
However, I did not care about her words then began to concentrate mana in my sword to activate Sterben magic and strengthen my sword's sharpness with Avilar magic. My sword began to glow; I immediately launched a thrust attack toward that Vampire's heart. However, she had time to move slightly, making me only penetrate her right chest.
"Release!"
— Bomb!
The Vampire's right chest exploded after I released the mana that had been gathered inside my sword. I landed on the ground whereas that Vampire fell hard followed by a puff of smoke as a result of my magic explosion earlier.
Ughhh... after being dragged on the building wall earlier, it seems my left shoulder shifted a little.
"Raul, I will heal you!" said Ariel who was behind me.
"No need, you focus on your magic so that we can more quickly defeat that Vampire!" I refused Ariel's healing magic.
My magic earlier would not be enough to kill that Vampire because my thrust missed her heart.
"You scoundrel..."
The Vampire got up again; it was seen that her right chest had a hole revealing her cracked bones. Not long after, her right chest began to regenerate and close the wound resulting from my attack earlier. Not stopping there, her body now changed to become larger, and her skin began to turn pale like a Vampire in general.
She no longer looked like a human.
"You made me angry, Human!" shouted that Vampire with an echoing voice. "I will show you the real horror when you face our race!"
Is this the feeling of facing directly the second phase in a Boss Fight in a video game?
***
[Scarlett's POV]
After several minutes of fighting, only three of us were still standing. That Vampire was left as two after fighting with our group. We must quickly defeat them to give help to my other comrades.
"Viera, these Vampires are far stronger than the ones before," I said observing those two horrific creatures.
"This type of Vampire is called a Vampire Bride; they receive blood directly from the Vampire who created them, because of that they are far stronger than the ones we defeated before."
"You two, focus! Those two Vampires will attack again!" shouted Tazz warning us.
The Vampire again flew toward the three of us; Tazz was already ready in front to hold the two of them. However, his body was thrown not strong enough to hold the impact of those two Vampires. I hurried to dash using Acceleration then bashed the face of one of those Vampires with a fire punch until it made her thrown out the window.
"Aghhh!"
I turned; it was seen another Vampire stabbed Viera's stomach with one of her sharp claws. I hurried to dash toward them to help Viera and activate the fire punch again. However, that Vampire noticed me and jumped toward the back.
"Viera! Are you okay!?" I asked her.
"I don't know, blood keeps flowing out," answered Viera weakly.
"Only one of them is still standing!"
"This fight will end!"
Turning my body, the Vampire I previously bashed entered this building again. It is very difficult to down a Vampire Bride; they are five to ten times stronger and faster than an ordinary Vampire.
"Scarlett, bring them to the corridor... you will more easily defeat them there," said Viera who looked already having difficulty breathing.
"I understand," I answered her. "Wait here for a while with the others."
I hurried to run toward the corridor the place where we found the Human Centipede before. However, I still did not know how to defeat them even though I had already arrived there.
"You think we will let you get away!?"
"After defeating you, we will party drinking your blood until dry!"
Those two Vampires followed me from behind quickly; their movements were indeed the most troublesome.
"Got you!"
Ughhh... my leg was slashed by her sharp claw, making me have to fall and roll on the floor. This is dangerous; I have difficulty moving one of my legs.
I saw one of those Vampires jump intending to pin me down who was still lying on the floor. However, I activated fire magic on my leg as a thrust so that I could avoid her attack. After that, I began to walk limping toward that corridor.
Just a little more... Hahh... hah... hahh...
My breath was already very heavy; my stamina was almost exhausted after conducting the fight with them.
"Where are you going!?"
I turned; that Vampire dashed to come here. Aiming my palm at that Vampire, I released a flare of fire to burn her until gone. However, it was still useless; my fire was not yet strong enough to kill her.
"Gugghhhh!"
The Vampire launched a kick. I tried to hold it with both hands, however, her strength was truly strong making me thrown far to the back. Trying to get up, I was already in the corridor that we previously passed; the Vampire's kick made me thrown entering this place.
"You will not be able to run again."
"There is only one straight path for you and we definitely can catch you quickly."
the distance of that Vampire with me was only 40 meters. What should I do? If I lose here, the others will die preyed upon by these two Vampires. What should I do?
I tried to remember the Captain's words this morning when questioning him about how I could become stronger. He only answered, 'Try to stay calm at the moment your condition is being cornered in a fight.'
At that time, I did not understand that answer of his. However, I tried to do what he said now. Honestly, the feeling of fear currently is enveloping me; my heart is throbbing hard and my breath is irregular. However, I tried to regulate it so as to be able to stay calm.
Those two Vampires slowly walked approaching; I backed up a little to keep distance with them.
"Everything you do is in vain, give up and just surrender that body of yours to us."
I did not heed their words and kept trying to be calm. My heartbeat began to be normal; my breath also had already returned to as usual and there was no longer a feeling of fear haunting me toward those Vampires.
At this moment... I seem to understand what the Captain said at that time, when he said I did not know my true strength during the survival exam. I understand now... I know the Codex I possess currently.
Extending my right hand toward them, I began to gather my last remaining mana and concentrated it on the palm.
"Hah, your fire will not have an effect on us!"
"Your magic is still weak like a child!"
Those two Vampires began to run toward me. In a narrow place like this, they will not be able to avoid this magic.
"Arise..."
Fire began to appear around my body then gathered in front of the palm.
"Cleanse my enemy with Fire of Mercy..."
The flare of fire in front of my palm began to spin quickly like a fire tornado. Those two Vampires stopped their run realizing the mana from the magic that I was about to release this was increasing up to many times over.
"B-back off! Her magic will be different from the one before!" shouted one of those Vampires while turning her body.
However, it was too late; my magic was already ready to be released.
"Deathly Calm... Ashen Fire!"
A mighty flare of fire dashed swallowing both Vampires. Their screams began to be heard; the entire corridor was swallowed by the fire I released; a crack was heard from the surrounding walls because they were not strong enough to hold the pressure from my fire.
After my fire disappeared, it was seen only the ashes from those two Vampires that remained.
Knowing I had already defeated them, my body collapsed to the floor; my vision began to blur. It seems I experienced Mana Exhaustion after fighting with those four Vampires. Even so...
"We are the ones who won..."
***
[Ariel's POV]
This is still not enough; the magic will fail if the Mana I concentrate is not gathered correctly. However... currently Raul is being cornered by that Vampire. I do not know how much longer he will hold on.
"Impressive too that you can serve me this far with a weak body like that!" exclaimed the female Vampire who was flying in the air.
Previously, she again threw Raul's body forcefully until it hit the mansion's fence wall. Raul's body was now hit by stone rubble from the destroyed fence.
"Now, only the two of us are left, Oh you follower of Goddess Diana," said that Vampire whose attention currently was directed at me.
She then dashed flying here very quickly. How about this? What should I do? Her Pentagram formation still must be prepared by me one minute more.
"Die you, Lowly!" shouted that Vampire while aiming her sharp claws at me.
— Bam!
However, when she was exactly in front of me, suddenly Raul appeared beside that Vampire quickly then kicked her face very hard.
"Raul... your body..." I muttered seeing his condition which was already very bad.
His body was covered in wounds and blood was seen flowing at his temple. Seeing this, I wanted to immediately heal him quickly.
"Stay focused to finish your magic, Ariel," said Raul with heavy panting breath. "We must quickly kill her and help the other members."
That was true too; how was their condition fighting those four Vampires earlier?
"Grraaahhh! You can still fight!?" shouted that Vampire with annoyance. "That is enough, this time I will truly make you die!"
Raul and that Vampire again fought, but it was seen clearly that Raul lost both in terms of strength and speed. The physical abilities of these Vampires are truly very crazy.
— Swoongg...
Both my palms began to release a Rune, signifying the magic was in a short while ready.
"Raul! Ten seconds more!"
That black-haired man was seen nodding, however, the Vampire kicked him hard until he flew into the air. The Vampire then flapped her wings to follow Raul. Her finger claws were seen lengthening up to half a meter.
"I will make a hole in your head this time, Human!" shouted that Vampire.
Raul then fell approaching toward that Vampire; a thick black aura was seen enveloping his right hand.
"Full Vengeance!"
They then pitted against each other; the Vampire stabbed Raul's left shoulder whereas that black-haired man succeeded in landing a strong punch to that Vampire's face. Both fell from the air; the Vampire hit the ground very hard until a loud sound was heard.
On the other side, Raul succeeded in landing smoothly then knelt with one leg while holding his left shoulder which began to gush fresh blood.
"Ughhh... that was painful earlier," that Vampire began to get up standing with a mouth full of blood as a result of being hit by Raul's attack earlier. "From where did you get that power!?"
However, her expression changed to panic when she saw a bright white star formation appear on the ground she stepped on. The Vampire flapped her wings trying to escape but it was already too late.
"Divine Magic... Pentagram Chain!"
Five chains came out from that star formation then began to bind the Vampire's body. She tried to rebel, however, it was useless. This is the Secret magic from my family that was passed down generation to generation. We, the Lusignan family, are a noble family famous for their sealing magic in the Empire.
"Release me, you Scoundrel...! Graahhhh!"
No, still not yet... My right hand began to glow; this is the mainstay magic of Priests when fighting against Demons. I will use it with full strength.
"Hear My Prayer..."
I began to say the prayer mantra to activate this magic. Not long after, my right hand began to bring out a platinum-colored light.
"No, not that magic! I will torture you to death if you dare attack me with that magic!" shouted the Vampire struggling trying to destroy the chains that bound her body.
However, I will not stop. An evil creature like you should not exist in this world.
"Bless me with your mighty power, Oh Merciful Goddess..."
The area inside the star formation that was on the ground began to glow, making the Vampire increasingly panicked and look desperate.
"Divine Magic... Holy Smite!"
— Boooomm!
A Divine magic energy came out from that star formation then devoured the body of the Vampire. That creature began to scream in pain and shout words of mercy. The ground around began to shake as a result of the power of this magic. The blinding light produced made me have to protect my eyes with my palms.
Holy Smite—A magic that will only have an impact against a demon. Because of the effect of Divine magic, the pain received by the demons if hit by this magic will increase up to many times over.
Not long after, that magic energy disappeared along with the Pentagram symbol I made. The chains of my secret magic also slowly released then disappeared from the Vampire's body which looked fully charred hit by my magic earlier.
"Is it already over, huh?" I muttered.
However, the finger of that Vampire was seen moving; slowly she began to get up with her body still releasing smoke.
"You almost killed me, Bastard! Hahahaha!" said that Vampire laughing out loud.
It is impossible; how did she still survive that strongest attack of mine!? I almost exhausted all my mana just to release those two magics earlier.
"Now, my turn!"
The Vampire dashed toward me quickly, however, suddenly Raul appeared in front of me to block that Vampire.
"Ariel, run as far as possible!" shouted Raul seriously.
No, if I run, what about you? What about the others?
"I am bored of being disturbed by you, Human! Aarrghhhh!"
The Vampire kicked Raul until he was thrown to the mansion wall; that creature then chased him and stabbed Raul in the leg part. No, with a condition like that, Raul cannot possibly defeat her. Raul currently is lying on the ground; he will not be able to run after the Vampire injured his leg.
However, at the moment that creature was about to finish Raul off, suddenly her body shook; blood began to gush profusely from her body.
"Now, finish that bastard!"
I heard a shout from a distance; it turned out Senior Emilia who threw her spear until it was stuck on the Vampire's neck. Raul did not waste time then slashed his sword at the Vampire's neck until its head was severed.
The body then collapsed to the ground and began to change into grains of dust that were blown carried by the night wind.
She died...
She truly was already dead this time...
We.... Won...
My body collapsed to the ground; I looked toward the night sky then said a prayer of gratitude toward Goddess Diana for giving this victory to us.
***
[Noble Vampire Vilmore's POV]
Currently, I am being outside together with Nuna—one of the True Vampire subordinates of mine to search for the Hero around here.
"If I am not mistaken, the Hero's Mana was felt in the southwest direction of this region," I muttered.
My estimation, his existence is not more than 70 KM from the place we are. It seems he is in a place of strong people. I can feel it; we must lure the Hero so that he comes out from that nest full of strong people then kill him.
However, when I was thinking of a plan to kill the Hero, I felt something that was unbelievable.
"What is it, Lord Vilmore? Why does your expression look strange like that?" asked Nuna who was beside me.
I could not feel the Mana she possessed.
"Yuna has died..." I answered her with a low voice.
Hearing my words, Nuna looked shocked. She did not believe her sister whom she had known for hundreds of years died just like that in this mission.
Has our hiding place been found and raided by those followers of the Damn Goddess? However, I did not feel at all any strong Mana that could kill Yuna in the area around here.
Who killed her?
"What should we do now, Lord?" asked Nuna looking restless.
"We will hide and not conduct any suspicious actions beforehand before finding the identity of the Hero," I answered her.
Currently, we must wait for an opportunity. If it is true they have found our base and killed Yuna, then for sure those humans will be more alert about our activities.
"We must make them loosen their defenses first before executing our plan."