Chapter 107: Revenge

“How could this be? This can’t be true, can it? Your Highness, this isn’t real,” the Starling Blood Clan Prince pleaded, desperately hoping it was all just a nightmare.

“I'm afraid, young man, it’s very real. Lilith is dead—truly dead,” the Blood Clan Prince said, shattering the last thread of Starling’s hope.

“Why didn’t you save her? Aren’t you the Blood Clan Prince? Aren’t you the strongest being in this world? Why didn’t you save Lilith? Isn’t she your daughter?” Starling shouted wildly at the prince.

“Lilith is my daughter, yes, but this was her own chosen path. When she made that choice, she knew full well the price she’d pay. Yet she did it anyway, and I stand by her decision. Even if it means losing the daughter I love most, I will not sully her resolve,” the Blood Clan Prince said firmly. “That is what a father should do.”

“Why? Why did it have to be this way?” Starling murmured, collapsing weakly onto the bed, blood tears streaming from his eyes.

“This is the fate of love between vampires and humans—only endless pain remains in the end. Lilith knew very well that loving a human would never have a happy ending, but she still chose you. She had long prepared to bear all the burdens. I am proud of my daughter,” the prince said coldly, looking at Starling, who seemed to have lost all will to live. “Boy, now that you have inherited my daughter’s bloodline, you can be considered a member of the Dracula family. You have two choices: come with me and join the vampire stronghold, or refuse—and I will kill you right now. Choose now. I have no patience to wait for your answer.”

“Join the vampire stronghold?” Starling said bitterly. “No, I will never join it. Lilith is dead now; what meaning is there left for me to live? Maybe death is the best fate for me. Please, kill me. That way, I can be with Lilith,” he whispered, closing his eyes and awaiting death with a smile of relief.

Hearing this, the Blood Clan Prince’s voice turned icy with infinite coldness. “If you want to die that badly, then I will grant you your wish. You coward who only knows how to run away—I truly regret Lilith’s death! Is this the man Lilith gave her life for? Pathetic! The life Lilith paid for with her own blood is wasted on you. So then, I will take that life back from you!” With rage, the prince grabbed Starling by the throat with one hand, lifting him from the bed, his face twisted into a grimace.

“No, I can’t die—not like this. This life was bought with Lilith’s blood. How can I die so easily? I haven’t avenged Xiaoyou and Lilith yet. I haven’t seen Bai Ye die by my hand. I can’t die now—I still have things I must accomplish myself!” Starling’s will to live suddenly ignited, the remaining blood of Lilith coursing fiercely through his veins. Magic surged from him, and in an instant, he vanished from the prince’s sight.

“Teleportation?” The prince was not surprised to see Starling disappear. “As expected from one who inherited my daughter’s bloodline, even the abilities are identical.” The prince did not pursue him but stood still, staring into the distance, speaking softly, “Lilith, my daughter, this is enough—for now, at least, that boy won’t die so easily. You should be satisfied.”

Gently, he took out a fragment of Lilith’s soul from his chest and stroked it tenderly. “Soul, blood, materials—all are prepared. Now, it’s time to resurrect you, my daughter. Soon, you will see this world once more.”

Meanwhile, Starling, having teleported away from the prince’s grasp, found himself in an unknown valley.

“I cannot die now. I must live—I will survive,” Starling whispered, dragging his weakened body through the valley. Finding a cave to hide in temporarily, he finally lost consciousness and fell into a coma.

Time passed unknowingly before Starling awoke again to find himself still in the cave. There was no sign of the prince pursuing him, uncertain if the prince had failed to find him or deemed it unworthy of his time.

Leaning against the cave wall, Starling’s eyes were filled with confusion. “Lilith, why did this happen? Why again? I’ve dragged you down—I should be the one who died!” His voice was thick with sorrow and regret. “Lilith, I will avenge you. No matter the cost this time, I will kill Bai Ye myself—even if it means descending into hell.” Clenching his fists, gritting his teeth, blood tears welled and streamed relentlessly from his eyes.

He sat there silently, letting the blood tears soak his face. Vampires do not shed tears lightly; each drop is the crystallization of their very life force.

After an unknown amount of time, the blood tears dried on Starling’s face, leaving two crimson streaks, giving him a somewhat terrifying appearance. His eyes were now dry, unable to shed another tear, and more importantly, the light within them was gone—utter darkness filled his gaze.

“Am I going blind?” Starling felt the world grow dimmer until no light remained, his entire vision engulfed in blackness. “Lilith, is this my punishment? But this is too light—it cannot compare to the weight of my sins. If it meant bringing you back, I would give anything—even my eyes. But you can never return. Never again. I hate it! I hate that I am so weak! I hate that I had no power to protect you! I hate it!” Starling cried out in grief and rage, his magic raging uncontrollably, shattering the surrounding rocks into countless pieces.

After an unknown stretch of time, his magic spent, Starling slowly calmed, ceasing his outburst. Heavy breaths escaped his lips.

“Lilith, I will avenge you. Maybe I am no match for Bai Ye now, but soon, very soon, I will surpass him. Lilith, don’t worry—I’ll kill that bastard and then come find you. I will never let you be alone again,” Starling said gently, then, as if utterly drained, slumped down against the cave wall and collapsed to the ground.

“Lilith, Lilith, Lilith...” Even in unconsciousness, he murmured her name ceaselessly.

Several days later, in the human world.

In the near-ruined Blood Hunt Guild, the sole surviving S-class Blood Hunter, Blood Butcher, sat quietly in a chamber. His aged face bore none of its former vitality; he looked more like a man at the brink of death than a warrior.

“Blood Butcher, sir,” a Blood Hunter approached respectfully.

“What’s happened?” Blood Butcher asked calmly, his voice frail with age.

“There’s a powerful vampire hunting heavily in the city. Several B-class Blood Hunters have already been killed by him. With our current weakened state, it’s difficult to resist. What should we do?” The messenger’s expression was grave. After the brutal ordeals, the Blood Hunters were like fragile boats in a storm, on the verge of capsizing at any moment. Faced with this sudden and formidable vampire, what was their best course? Should they endure for the greater good?

“Is that even a question?” Upon hearing the report, Blood Butcher stood suddenly, his voice unwavering. “Even if the Blood Hunters perish under my command, we will never abandon our creed. Our existence is to protect humanity from vampires. If we cannot do that, if we lack the courage to try, then what’s the difference between the Blood Hunt Guild and utter destruction? Humans can stand to live but must not kneel to die!” His aged voice carried an undeniable authority.

“Yes, Blood Butcher, sir,” the Blood Hunter responded without hesitation, resolute. Those who survived had lost too much, nothing left to lose but their lives and their unwavering belief as Blood Hunters. They did not fear death—they feared a meaningless, lingering existence. Now, by Blood Butcher’s order, they knew the Blood Hunt Guild had not been destroyed by this calamity. Their creed remained, and so did humanity’s dignity.

“Today is a good day to die in battle,” the Blood Hunter said firmly before turning and leaving the chamber, showing no hesitation in facing death.

“Old friend, this time I’m afraid I’ll be joining you soon,” Blood Butcher said, gazing at the silent photograph behind his seat with a faint smile. “I failed to keep the Blood Hunt Guild you entrusted to me, but the creed of the Blood Hunters, humanity’s dignity—I will not let them perish on my watch.” Resolute, he drew the blood-red curved blade hanging at his waist, which gleamed with a chilling light.

“Old friend, today, you will drink blood once more.” With that, Blood Butcher left the room with a determined expression.