Chapter Ninety-One: Ruthless Slaughter

On the road leaving this city, I was halted by a group of Blood Hunters.

“What is it you want, you lowly humans?” I looked at the Blood Hunters blocking my path, speaking with disdain.

“Damn vampire, today is the day you die.” The Blood Hunters surrounding me shouted, encircling me.

“Stop her at any cost. Reinforcements will arrive soon,” the leader commanded his subordinates.

“Oh?” Hearing his words, I asked with interest, “Did the last battle not teach you wretched humans enough of a lesson? You dare challenge me again? What gives you such confidence?”

“We Blood Hunters have long placed our lives aside. If we can wipe out you damned vampires, what does it matter if we die?” Every Blood Hunter present looked at me with unwavering resolve.

“Don’t compare me to those degenerate vermin. The noble bloodline could never be matched by those rats hiding in shadows,” I scoffed. “With your paltry strength, even if you throw away your lives, what can you do to me?”

“I never knew the princess of the bloodline was so magnanimous, wasting so much time on us insignificant humans.” At that moment, a clear and melodious female voice reached my ears.

“Lady Radiant Sun!” The Blood Hunter leader greeted her with surprise and reverence.

“Mm, you have done well. Brave warriors who do not fear sacrifice, I am proud of you.” Radiant Sun, wrapped in a golden robe, bestowed her praise upon the Blood Hunters.

“Hmph, so the lives of your subordinates mean nothing to you, S-ranked Blood Hunter?” I looked at the golden-robed girl before me, mocking her.

“Hmph, now I see the bloodline princess is truly compassionate. Since you are so merciful, perhaps your life can honor those who have died.” Radiant Sun’s voice carried a chilling edge.

“I only wish to begin a new life, free from bloodstained hands. But since you are so eager to die, I will oblige you.” My tone was calm as I began to gather immense magical power.

“Hmph, then come. Let me see the strength of someone who defeated the Vampire King.” Radiant Sun shouted as she charged at me.

“Defeated the Vampire King?” I murmured at her words. “It seems much has happened while I was unconscious, things I do not understand. Perhaps there are other secrets hidden within this body.” Unperturbed by the charging golden-robed girl, I stood motionless, lost in my thoughts.

“Hmph!” Sensing my disregard, Radiant Sun cried out, increasing her force. A sharp crescent blade sliced toward me with a gust of wind.

My sharp claws extended to block the blade; sparks flew from the collision.

Radiant Sun grunted and retreated swiftly, while I remained unmoved.

“It seems you are not as powerful as you imagine. With such meager strength, you hope to kill me? How naive.” I taunted her.

“That may not be so.” The golden-robed girl’s lips curled with a mocking smile. “So, the princess of the bloodline is not as formidable as legend claims.”

“Hmm?” Her taunt made me notice a faint wisp of smoke rising from where her weapon had struck me.

“Sunlight?” I felt a slight burning pain on my hand and asked, puzzled.

“My name was not chosen at random. I can wield the power of sunlight; though weak, it is the bane of you vampires.” Radiant Sun smiled with pride. “What’s wrong? Is that all the princess who once defeated the Vampire King can muster? Or has your body grown so frail you can only display such strength?”

“Weakness?” I was confused. Indeed, I had not fed on blood for a long time, yet my dependence on it seemed to diminish. Even after prolonged abstinence, my body suffered no ill effects. Where did she perceive my weakness?

“Hmph, last time I faced a vampire with pure elemental talent, my abilities were useless. But this time, you are not so fortunate. Princess of the bloodline, prepare to die. I will honor my fallen comrades with your blood.” Radiant Sun roared, swinging her crescent blade at me once more.

“Sorry, I fear you’ll be disappointed. Sunlight holds little terror for me now.” I smiled faintly, meeting her weapon with my claws. The wound from the sunlight’s power had already healed. Normally, vampires cannot resist even the faintest sunlight; such wounds are beyond even their regenerative abilities. Yet, this rule no longer applied to me. The gentle sunlight was powerless against me.

Seeing this, Radiant Sun’s eyes flashed with vengeful fury. Why was this vampire immune to her sunlight? Was fate itself siding with her?

“Blood Hunter warriors, now is the time to fight! Let us prove the honor of Blood Hunters with blood—kill this damned vampire!” The Blood Hunters who had just arrived, unable to rest, dove straight into the fray. Remembering friends and comrades slain by my hand, their hatred could no longer be contained.

“Hmph, trash remains trash. Even gathered together, you are still nothing.” I sneered, unfazed by their increasing numbers. My claws traced elegant arcs, claiming a life with every swing.

With sunlight no longer a threat, the golden-robed girl could not hinder me, and the other Blood Hunters—bereft of their S-ranked protector—were like lambs awaiting slaughter, powerless to resist.

Blood stained the earth, painting it red with my graceful movements. Countless Blood Hunters fell to my hand, their eyes dulled in final defeat. Yet those who remained seemed possessed, retreating not a step. Even when my claws reached their throats, they seized the last chance to strike at me with their weapons.

I wove through the Blood Hunters, each pause marking another fresh death. Facing such fearless adversaries, I lost all interest in slaughter. The rage and scorn had faded; only indifferent, emotionless claws swung again and again, snuffing out lives before me. Why? Why sacrifice themselves so needlessly? Was their life so cheap to them? I could not comprehend it.

At last, none remained to stand before me—only myself, eyes devoid of emotion, and Radiant Sun, swinging her crescent blade in wild desperation.

“Is this what you wanted?” I stood amid the carnage, questioning the utterly maddened golden-robed girl.

“How could this be? Why?” Radiant Sun could no longer face the scene before her. Her blade slipped from her hand, and she collapsed onto the blood-soaked ground, oblivious to how her golden robe was now stained scarlet.