Ch.38Fenrir Subjugation Battle

“Hmm…”

I looked around the meeting place with a groan.

The number of clans that had promised to join the Fenrir subjugation was 10 in total.

But the number of clans that actually showed up on the promised date didn’t exceed 5.

I had anticipated this to some extent, but facing the reality was quite displeasing.

“Lady Charlotte. Everyone is waiting!”

I nodded at Aurel’s words and approached the vampires waiting for me.

The number of vampires gathered at this location was 125.

Add my 42 subordinates to that, and it totals 167.

Due to the usual policy of not encroaching on each other’s territories, having this many vampires gathered in one place was quite exceptional.

The clan leaders’ expressions weren’t good.

It must be because of the vampires who didn’t show up on the promised date.

I shared their sentiment.

“This isn’t what was promised?”

The clan leaders spoke up as I approached.

Some even clicked their tongues and tried to get up from their seats.

At this rate, even those who had gathered would leave.

I needed to stall for time.

Until Hwang-gu arrived here.

I took a deep breath and opened my mouth.

“I expected this.”

“You expected this?”

Prix frowned and questioned my response.

Prix, who had postponed his answer saying he would think about it, had thankfully shown up at the meeting place.

He must have made a big decision to come, and now this is the situation. He must be very disappointed.

His expression was so crumpled that it wouldn’t be strange if he returned to his hideout right now.

He was clearly showing his emotions on his face.

“Why, is there a problem?”

“Problem? Plenty. Didn’t you say there would be 300 people when we made the promise?”

“I didn’t lie. If everyone had shown up, there would have been over 300.”

“And where are the werewolves? I came because they were supposed to participate too…”

“Seems they didn’t keep their promise.”

Once Prix started complaining, the other clan leaders began to voice their complaints as well.

Of course, some clan leaders remained silent.

A small vampire girl, Firin.

With her long red hair flowing down, Firin was hugging a teddy bear no bigger than her palm tightly to her chest.

When our eyes met, Firin smiled brightly.

I returned her smile with one of my own.

“Anyway, we’re leaving.”

“Leaving? After we’ve all gathered? Shouldn’t we at least try?”

“Try?”

Prix let out a scornful laugh at my words and stood up from his seat.

He frowned and looked toward the location where Fenrir was.

“You probably don’t know because you haven’t fought it directly, but Fenrir isn’t something we can handle with just this many people.”

“I think we can manage.”

Prix chose a brief silence in response to my answer.

As Prix remained silent, someone unexpected spoke up.

“Charlotte is strong.”

The one who spoke to Prix was Firin, who had been silent all along.

She seemed embarrassed by the attention and hid her face behind her teddy bear.

“I won’t deny that Charlotte is strong… but…”

Prix readily acknowledged my strength.

Not only him, but the other clan leaders also nodded slightly.

Their acknowledgment was expected. I was the one who had decimated half of the human clans in Seoul.

Knowing that fact, they couldn’t help but acknowledge it.

“Anyway, we’re leaving.”

Just as Prix said that and turned around.

-Chirp chirp!

The sudden chirping of a sparrow.

Looking up, I saw a small sparrow circling above my head.

Aurel’s signal, meaning Hwang-gu had arrived in the vicinity.

I spread my hands and moved the shadows.

A black curtain began to spread widely following my will.

Right after, girls resembling me began to emerge from the shadows.

Swoosh-

The vampires were startled by the sudden summoning of subordinates.

Some even showed hostility toward me and my subordinates out of tension, but I didn’t show any reaction.

My purpose wasn’t to fight with the vampires.

Other vampires might think it’s impossible, but I could be certain.

That with the current number, we could subjugate Fenrir.

When I first saw the battle between 10 human users and Fenrir, I thought:

This seems doable.

If there were about 100 vampires above level 10, if they provided assistance, it would be quite possible to catch it.

My instinct made that judgment.

Of course, safety was paramount, so I gathered as many vampires as possible.

That’s how 167 vampires came together.

With this many, we’ll definitely win.

We can catch it.

It means we can defeat the boss of Episode 1 and move on to the next stage.

Tap- tap- tap-

From a very distant place.

A faint sound of footsteps coming from beyond the ruined city.

Tap- tap- tap-

As the footsteps grew louder, the distinctive smell of werewolves began to waft on the wind.

The vampires at this location must have also recognized those sounds and smells.

The vampires’ gazes all turned to one place at once.

Tap- thud! Tap- thud!

Heavy footsteps began to mix in after the small footsteps.

Not only that. Quite bustling footsteps followed after those heavy ones.

“Lady Charlotte!!!”

Tap- tap- tap-!

As the footsteps drew closer, a cute girl’s voice was heard.

What popped out of the ruins was a small werewolf girl, Hwang-gu.

With an urgent expression, Hwang-gu stuck her tongue out and ran excitedly toward me.

At that moment, I felt an immense pressure.

It felt as if the gravity pulling my body had suddenly increased, making my body feel heavier.

“No way…”

A vampire’s voice from behind me.

As that voice, filled with intense trembling, dispersed.

Boom-!

[Graaaaargh!]

As the abandoned building exploded, a huge furry creature jumped out from beyond it.

A massive body easily exceeding 2 meters.

An enormous amount of muscle befitting that body.

Stiff fur entangled with dark red blood, bristling like thorns.

The boss of Episode 1.

Fenrir had appeared.

“Oh, damn…!”

The vampires hastily took battle positions as Fenrir appeared.

I embraced Hwang-gu who had approached me and wrapped her in black shadows.

I blocked Hwang-gu’s scent and erased her from Fenrir’s sight.

As the aggro target disappeared, Fenrir began to scan the surroundings.

Enemies were everywhere. Without a moment’s hesitation, Fenrir began charging toward the other vampires.

[Graaaaargh!]

“Aaaah!”

The vampires collectively panicked with loud screams.

Terrible fear rose on the clan leaders’ faces.

Seeing this, I drew my katana.

Swoosh-

If left alone, everyone would flee.

So I needed to show the possibility that we could catch it, that it seemed possible.

I, Charlotte, could show that possibility.

I summoned all my power.

As hot flames rose in my left eye, black wings spread behind my back.

The shadows at my feet flickered like flames, and black bats soared into the sky.

With all preparations complete.

I charged toward Fenrir without hesitation.

Tap-

Small, light footsteps.

As the huge wings on my back began to flap as if flying on the wind, my body had reached in front of Fenrir.

Right after, I swung my katana with all my might.

Swoosh-!

A black blade extending straight along the katana’s edge.

The blade made of shadows cut deeply into Fenrir’s back.

Slash-!

The wound isn’t deep. But the fact that I penetrated the thick hide and inflicted damage remains unchanged.

[Graaaaargh!]

Fenrir roared in pain from the sudden attack.

The massive sound made my ears feel like they were being torn apart.

After letting out one roar, Fenrir began to counterattack toward me.

Its massive, elongated arm swung like a whip.

An attack coming very quickly.

I used the wings on my back to receive that attack.

Thud-!

“Ugh…”

A massive impact transmitted through the shadows.

My body staggered, and a groan escaped between my teeth.

It’s tough, but I can endure it.

I turned my gaze to check the expressions of the vampires.

They were all watching Fenrir and me.

Surprise spread across their faces.

Every vampire here saw that I had withstood Fenrir’s strike.

“Haah!”

I swung my katana again with a loud battle cry.

There was no need to take a defensive stance.

The shadows, like my limbs, would protect my body on their own.

Slash-!

The katana’s blade swung widely, cutting across Fenrir’s chest.

Along the thin line drawn, a small stream of blood spurted out.

Right after, Fenrir’s counterattack followed.

Thud-!

Once again, a massive impact transmitted through the shadows.

I stepped back to absorb the shock.

But I didn’t retreat any further.

With a small girl’s body, I withstood the attack of a massive monster.

“Everyone!!!”

I took a step forward.

Showing that I was advancing as much as I had been pushed back.

“Attack!!!”

A shout I let out with a heart-wrenching feeling.

The clear, girlish tone burst through my mouth and spread widely.

Thud-!

Right after, Fenrir’s attack came again.

My body resonated greatly, and the smell of blood rose up.

My insides were upset. Blood came into my mouth, but with superhuman patience, I swallowed it.

Whoosh-!

At that moment, a massive flame fell from the sky.

What brought the vampires to their senses was the support of a vampire named Firin.

Firin’s build was a long-range mage build that could use psychic powers by increasing mental strength.

That means she’s specialized in support.

[Graaaaargh!]

Fenrir howled in pain from Firin’s attack.

Its gaze turned toward Firin.

It meant the aggro had shifted, but would I just stand by?

Swoosh-

The shadows at my feet began to move.

At that moment, a massive beast made of shadows emerged and engulfed Fenrir.

Chomp-!

The sight of Fenrir caught in the jaws of the massive beast.

But the beast’s teeth couldn’t deeply penetrate Fenrir’s hide.

[Grrrr…!]

But my purpose was successful.

Fenrir’s gaze turned back to me.

Tap-tap-tap-!

At that moment, light footsteps were heard.

It was Hwang-gu who had approached.

Approaching at a very fast speed, Hwang-gu swung her claws at Fenrir, who was caught by the shadow.

Slash-! Slash-! Slash!

Like a puppy digging into hard ground.

[Graaaaargh!]

Hwang-gu’s clawing attacks stained Fenrir’s thigh with red blood.

Right after, Fenrir began to twist its body.

Hwang-gu hastily retreated.

Despite Hwang-gu’s attack, Fenrir didn’t turn its gaze away from me.

Its bloodshot eyes were directed at me.

Was it because they saw hope in this sight?

Finally, the vampires began to move.