Chapter Seventy-Six: The Blood Hunters Descend

Dawn gradually broke, and under the radiance of the morning sun, a new day began. People across the city awoke from their dreams and set about their busy lives. At that moment, in the basement of a long-abandoned building within the city, I lay quietly on the cold floor, deep in slumber.

Not far from this building, more than a dozen humans lay in silent ambush. Clad in black uniforms, with cloaks embroidered with a blood-red cross draped over their shoulders, and holding silver weapons in their hands, they made no sound—like corpses, utterly lifeless. These were members of the Blood Hunters’ Guild.

“This is the place, isn’t it?” The leader, a middle-aged man, asked gravely.

“Yes. Someone saw her enter this building and never emerge. She’s likely hiding inside to avoid the sunlight,” a young man beside him replied respectfully in a low voice.

“Good. Give the order—everyone prepare for the assault,” the middle-aged man commanded.

“Yes, sir. But… this time the vampire seems to be of a higher rank. Are we really enough to deal with her? Should we ask headquarters for reinforcements?” the young subordinate asked hesitantly.

“To eradicate vampires, how can we fear death? Besides, it’s daylight now—her power is suppressed. This is the best opportunity to deal with her. For the safety and future of humanity, how can we retreat? Even if we are destined to give our lives, we should die with honor,” the leader rebuked his subordinate.

“Yes, for the safety and future of humanity, we have nothing to fear.” Chastened by his leader’s words, the young man cast aside all fear and spoke with resolve.

“Good. As your father, I am proud of you.” The middle-aged leader patted his son’s shoulder, then turned to address those gathered behind him: “Before us now lies a high-ranking vampire. Can we simply turn and run because of fear?”

“No!” the subordinates replied steadfastly.

“Exactly. For our families, for the safety and future of countless innocent people, even if we must sacrifice our lives, we will fight the vampires to the end. We do not fear death, nor sacrifice. We are the strongest warriors. Comrades, let us step onto the battlefield that belongs to us, for those we protect. Today is truly a fine day to die in battle!” With that, the leader laughed heartily and charged into the abandoned building.

“Today is truly a fine day to die in battle!” Spurred on by their leader, the subordinates followed without hesitation, their blood boiling. There was no confusion, no fear in their eyes—only unwavering resolve and an indomitable fighting spirit.

“What’s happening?” In a nearby hotel, Xuelan and her companions were startled awake, their voices filled with confusion.

“Her Highness Liliana’s whereabouts have been discovered,” reported Ashius, who stood guard during the day.

“What? She was found so quickly? It seems the Blood Hunters’ Guild was well prepared.” Xuelan’s expression turned grave at the report.

“What should we do? Sister Lilith is in danger! Ashius, go to her aid at once. We must not allow her to come to harm,” Liliel ordered anxiously.

“Your Highness, there are only a dozen or so people this time, and nearly all of them are weak humans. I doubt they pose any real threat to Her Highness Liliana. Besides, your safety also needs protection. If I leave, there will be no one here able to act in daylight, which would leave you vulnerable,” Ashius replied in a troubled voice.

“I can protect myself; you needn’t worry. The one in danger now is Sister Lilith. I am ordering you to go help her immediately,” Liliel retorted angrily.

“Enough, Your Highness Liliel. Ashius is right—these are just a few small fry. They pose no real threat to Liliana. We should simply wait and see. Ashius, go and observe; unless it’s truly necessary, do not intervene. Leave Your Highness Liliel’s safety to us,” Xuelan said to both Liliel and Ashius.

“Yes, then I leave it to you, Second Judge,” Ashius replied respectfully, then vanished like a shadow from the room.

Meanwhile, in the abandoned building, the Blood Hunters had already searched most of the area without finding any trace of the vampire. Now, they advanced toward the place she was most likely to hide—the basement.

“Here!” A Blood Hunter spotted my sleeping form and called his companions over. All the hunters quickly surrounded me.

“Who’s there?” Awakened by the commotion of their footsteps, my furious voice rang out, reaching the ears of every Blood Hunter present. “Who dares disturb my slumber? Wretched humans, you’re seeking death.” My icy tone made each Blood Hunter shudder, their earlier fighting spirit utterly gone.

“Don’t be afraid, everyone! She’s only bluffing—her power is suppressed by the sunlight. Don’t let her intimidate you,” the leader’s son forced himself to call out, attempting to rally his companions.

“Is that so? Ignorant humans. Disturbing my rest will be the greatest mistake of your lives.” My voice was cold and bloodthirsty as I vanished from sight in a flash.

A scream tore through the Blood Hunters; the young man who had just cheered his fellows on stared in disbelief at the claw that had pierced through his chest from behind. The light in his eyes faded, and he collapsed lifeless to the ground. With a flick, I shook the remaining blood from my hand in disgust. “Filthy humans. Your blood only sullies my hands.”

“Damn you, wretched vampire! I will never forgive you!” the Blood Hunter leader cried out in agony, having just witnessed his son’s death.

“Never forgive me? What a joke.” I sneered coldly at his threat. “If you come to kill me, you must be prepared to be killed. No matter how much time passes, humans remain as arrogant and selfish as ever.”

“Comrades, the time for sacrifice has come! For those we protect, let us give our lives! Today is a fine day to die in battle!” the leader shouted, charging at me first.

“Fools. If you so wish for death, I shall oblige you.” My gaze was glacial as I looked upon the Blood Hunters as if they were already dead. My figure flickered across the room; with every scream, another life vanished from the world. In the end, only the leader stood alone amid the pool of blood and corpses, his mind teetering on the edge of collapse.

“Damn you, vampire! Come out! Hiding—what sort of skill is that? Come, kill me!” the leader howled in madness, swinging his sword wildly.

“So, is this all that humans are capable of?” I appeared before him, mocking him without restraint.

“You demon, you damned vampire!” The leader glared at me with hatred.

“Let me correct you—do not compare me to those filthy vampires. We, the proud Bloodkin, are not to be likened to those degenerate creatures,” I said with disdain.

“Heh, you’re all just bloodsucking monsters in my eyes.” The leader bared a cruel smile. “Die with me, you demon!” With a shout, he pulled out a grenade hidden in his sleeve. In an instant, a deafening explosion rocked the space. The already ruined basement was blasted into utter chaos, bricks falling from the ceiling, the walls blackened and scarred.

When the smoke cleared, nothing remained. At the heart of the blast, there was no trace of the leader—not even a corpse. Several bodies nearby had been blown to pieces. Suddenly, at the center of the explosion, the air rippled like waves, and a pitch-black rift appeared. I stepped gracefully from its depths, completely unscathed.

I surveyed the scene and snorted in disdain. “A lowly human like you, dreaming of taking me with you in death? How naïve. To have defiled my resting place so utterly—unforgivable.” Casting one last look at the room’s devastation, I turned and left the basement, moving on to other chambers, hoping I would not be disturbed again before nightfall.