“Roar, roar, roar…”
A dozen or so Vampire Beasts lurked in the forest, growling lowly as they watched the group of Knights with predatory eyes.
Yet strangely, they did not launch an immediate attack as usual; instead, they simply guarded the path, firmly blocking their advance.
Everyone drew their weapons, faces grave as they prepared for the inevitable assault.
“This feels off. These beasts haven’t attacked outright,” Skarn frowned.
“Should we take the initiative?”
Aurelia said, already drawing her slender sword from her waist.
Suddenly remembering something, Bai scanned the group, searching for the slender figure.
After looking through everyone, she found no sign of her and asked with concern, “Where’s Vera? Wasn’t she scouting ahead?”
Everyone was momentarily stunned, then realized Vera hadn’t returned yet.
The fact that they had already encountered Vampire Beasts suggested… that elven girl might be in trouble.
“That’s why I get headaches dealing with you hot-headed youngsters,” Uncle Skarn sighed.
“You’ve arrived earlier than I expected,” a disdainful, flippant female voice echoed from the dense woods ahead.
The group stiffened, weapons drawn as they nervously turned toward the sound.
“Who’s there? Show yourself!”
Aurelia demanded.
A graceful and enchanting figure stepped out from behind a tree.
She wore a black dress reminiscent of a formal gown, black heels clicking lightly on the forest floor.
Her tall, alluring figure was at odds with the heavily armored Knights—it was as if she had just come from a ball.
Their gazes lifted, meeting a pair of piercing crimson eyes…
“A Vampire!” one Knight shouted angrily.
“Oh my, ‘Vampire’ sounds so harsh. I have a name, you know—Tinoral Sera. That young man earlier should remember it well,” Sera said in a coquettish tone.
Facing dozens of Knights, her eyes held no fear, only a relaxed and carefree air.
“What nonsense! How dare you monsters who prey on life call yourselves noble!” a Knight retorted furiously.
Sera sneered dismissively.
“Humans… such a lowly race. To us Nobles of the Blood Clan, you are nothing but walking inferior blood bags. As inferior crops, allowing you to join this game that entertains me is already a great mercy.”
The Vampire laughed, her gaze locking onto Skarn.
She paused for a moment before smiling seductively again.
“There’s at least one interesting one here.”
“That’s you, isn’t it? The one controlling those Vampire Beasts from the shadows… I should have figured it out after the first attack,” Skarn said coldly.
He stepped to the front of the group, drawing his greatsword to face the Vampire head-on.
Sera pressed her palm to her cheek, feigning fright.
“Oh dear~ Drawing your weapons right away, what am I to do, just a frail woman? Humans are so rude~”
She abruptly dropped the act and sneered.
“I had planned to end this game on the first day, but you’ve proven to be a bit tougher than the ants on the ground. And—how bold of you—to think you could join forces with those mud-stinking Elves… I won’t let you spoil my game.”
Skarn’s eyes grew colder.
He glanced back at the dozen Vampire Beasts, readying to strike quickly and decisively.
Yet Sera seemed to see through his intentions; she merely curled a finger and said, “Speaking of Elves, I just met a very interesting friend. I think you should know her.”
“Thud!”
A heavy, muffled thump echoed through the forest as a bloodied figure was flung from the underbrush.
She rolled limply and crashed against a tree before coming to a stop.
It was Vera, missing for so long.
Bai’s pupils contracted sharply.
Trembling, she shouted out, “Vera!”
Vera gave no response, resting silently against the tree as if a corpse.
Bai, desperate, wanted to rush forward, but Aurelia held her back with a firm hand.
“Bai! Don’t go! It’s too dangerous now!”
“Vera’s hurt! I have to save her!”
Bai cried desperately.
That voice immediately drew the Vampire’s attention away from Skarn and locked onto Bai.
She narrowed her eyes, licking her lips seductively, whispering, “Found you, little delicacy.”
A chill ran through Bai’s body, but she had no choice. She dashed to Vera’s side, only to be met with blood—blood everywhere.
Vera’s fingers dug deeply into the muddy earth, knuckles white from strain.
A horrid wound marred her thigh, and once-beautiful golden hair was matted with dirt and dark red blood.
Her right shoulder bore a deep injury that revealed bone beneath the torn flesh. Her silver rapier lay broken.
Were it not for her shallow breathing, anyone would think she was dead beyond revival.
Bai’s hands glowed with healing magic, and she shouted frantically, “Cure! Cure! Cure!”
The pale green light bathed Vera, but the gruesome wound continued to gush blood, unaffected.
Sera watched with twisted amusement, smiling as if reveling in the despair.
Her voice dripped with sadistic pleasure: “Yes, yes, that’s the sound… that supreme delight is the very reason I did all this. Hehehe, sister can hardly wait to taste your fresh blood.”
At that moment—
“Cross Slash!”
A fierce shout rang out as a silver blade slashed through the air. The Vampire raised an eyebrow and dodged with a graceful sidestep. Her smile faded into a cold sneer.
“Such an uncultured human, can’t you see I’m admiring my masterpiece?”
“Hmph! You damned monster! I won’t waste words on you—you’re not worthy! Warriors, prepare to engage!”
Aurelia roared through gritted teeth.
The Knights’ anger and battle spirit ignited, and they charged without hesitation.
Sera smirked flirtatiously, flicking her fingers lazily.
“You’re not qualified to deal with me. Let them entertain you first.”
With that, the Vampire Beasts behind her surged forward like cannonballs, knocking down dozens of Knights and plunging the battlefield into chaos.
Sera ignored the chaos and slowly approached the kneeling Bai.
Her lips curled into a seductive smile as she licked them, ready for a feast.
Bai, focused entirely on healing Vera, remained unaware of the danger creeping up behind her.
Leaning close to Bai’s ear, the demon-like whisper came: “Sad, isn’t it? Little delicacy, I didn’t want to appear so soon, but your blood—that maddening scent—I’ve never smelled anything like it in my life.”
“So, this child’s condition is your doing. If not for you, she wouldn’t be like this. Not only that, after I feast, I’ll kill everyone behind you just like her. All because of you, little delicacy.”
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