Ch.67Chapter 67: Vampire (23).

After saying that, Valt launched one more attack and began to run back with his companions.

They had failed to seize the divine object but succeeded in rescuing King Bladir and Ishuran.

It was a judgment that facing the enemies after helping these two recover would be much better than rushing in to seize the divine object immediately.

Proc’s wounded eyes gleamed with rage.

“These damn bastards…!”

TUHWAK!

An intense wave of energy surged from Proc as he gathered his ki. He took something out from his spatial pocket and drank it to heal his wounds.

The way his wounds visibly squirmed and responded immediately made it clear that it was a recovery potion with tremendous effects.

By then, Valt and his companions had already left the area.

Looking at the place they had fled to, Proc muttered quietly.

“Chase them.”

The masked figures began pursuing Valt’s group upon hearing Proc’s command.

PABAT!

The masked figures pursued Valt’s group with terrifying momentum.

However, Valt’s group had to stop briefly while fleeing.

This was because numerous vampires were rushing toward the royal castle.

It seemed the vampires who had recovered their strength were gathering to save their king.

Their intentions were good, but this was the worst situation for Valt’s group.

“Damn it. Send them all back quickly!”

At Valt’s cry, Liris began to shout.

“Everyone, go back through the mirror! Hurry!!”

The vampire servants who spotted Liris quickly caught up.

“Princess!”

They were servants who had previously sided with King Bladir.

Liris, after confirming their identity, showed a relieved expression and was about to approach them when—

Valt blocked her path.

KAKAKANG!

“Tch!”

Valt used his body to block an attack from a vampire who had been King Bladir’s servant but was now targeting Liris.

“W-why!?”

It was obvious.

It wasn’t just Kulea who had been subverted.

These were personnel who had been prepared by Kulea’s orders in case of any unforeseen circumstances.

They had simply been biding their time because Valt and Liris’s abilities were so formidable.

Valt, who trusted no one, sensed the killing intent and saved Liris from danger once again.

“Hup.”

KWANG!

The attacker was sent flying by Valt’s counterattack, and Valt began speaking to his companions again.

If all the vampires were on their side, sending them back through the mirror would be safer, but now it was unclear who was an ally and who was an enemy.

There was no need to recklessly try to stop the enemies.

“We have nowhere to go. We must settle this here.”

Valt quickly made a wound on his arm to draw blood, and Liris fed this blood to her father and Ishuran.

Seeing this, King Bladir made a troubled expression.

“Isn’t this man a Barbarian? You want me to drink his blood…?”

Liris shouted at her father and uncle who wore questioning expressions.

“Just drink it!!”

At Liris’s fierce command, the two quickly began to drink Valt’s blood.

“Gulp, gulp.”

Then, an enormous energy began to surge from King Bladir and Ishuran’s bodies.

TUHWAK!!

TSUPEOBUNG!!

“Kyaak!”

The small Lati almost got blown away by that tremendous magical storm.

King Bladir and Ishuran’s eyes widened enormously as they examined their bodies, which had undergone a change.

“Th-this is?”

Without giving them time to gather their wits, Valt quickly ran backward and shouted.

“We must go back! If we want to save even a few vampires, that’s the only way!”

King Bladir and Ishuran, quickly understanding what Valt meant, hastily gathered their overflowing power and followed behind Valt.

The group, with their snow-white silver hair fluttering—a symbol of having awakened the blood of the True Ancestor—except for Lati, prepared for battle.

Since they had been running toward each other, they soon encountered the masked figures.

As soon as they spotted Valt, the masked figures began attacking with their respective specialties.

This was a natural choice since Valt wasn’t hiding the circles within his body.

The masked figures, having assessed that Valt’s level was merely at the 2nd circle, planned to quickly kill him without knowing what kind of being he was, and then attack King Bladir behind him.

But the masked figures’ mistake of ignoring Valt and focusing on those behind him proved fatal.

Valt gathered magical power to create a Rock Hammer and wrapped it in a blood-red energy. Blood Rock Hammer.

That massive hammer, containing even more magical power, rushed toward the masked figures.

At that moment, the eyes of about ten masked figures widened as they realized something was wrong.

But it was already too late.

“Haap!”

KUWANG!!

Due to his contract with Liris, Valt’s level was estimated to be at least the 7th circle or higher.

With just one spell, the 5th-rank masked figures were reduced to bloody mist, and even the 6th-rank masked figures suffered severe injuries.

“KREUUUGH!!”

Even King Bladir, watching from behind, was amazed at Valt’s abilities.

Then he glanced briefly at Liris.

“Daughter… you…?”

Liris, her face reddening, hurriedly tried to explain.

“I-it’s not like that!! Hurry up and stop those guys!”

Liris, Yuria, and Lati finished off the injured masked figures.

King Bladir, having regained his senses, passed by Valt and returned to the castle.

Since they had the divine object, if they fought outside where the citizens were, all of them might become enemies.

Knowing this fact, King Bladir intended to settle the matter inside, even if the castle collapsed.

Fortunately, the enemies had not yet come outside.

King Bladir, who had been weakened and could only maintain the early 8th circle level, had now surpassed his original mastery of the 8th circle and was approaching the 9th circle after drinking Valt’s blood.

However, since it was a forced power-up, he couldn’t reach the 9th circle, which required special enlightenment.

But in terms of the power of his magic, he had certainly become much stronger than his previous 8th circle master level.

King Bladir, who quickly entered the castle, stretched his hand toward Proc and Kulea.

“Blood Thorn.”

Blood-colored thorns appeared without warning.

King Bladir was no longer the being who was intimidated by Proc.

CHUPABAK!!

“KWAAK!!”

PEOBEOBEOBEOBUK!

CHWAK CHWAK CHWAK!

Kulea was pierced all over by dozens of thorns that appeared in an instant and perished, while Proc blocked King Bladir’s attack and grabbed the Strigoi’s Tear that had been in Kulea’s hand.

The situation had reversed in an instant.

Now the enemy was alone, and here were an 8th circle master magician and multiple forces.

There were traitorous vampires, but they would be dealt with quickly.

No, he thought it was actually fortunate.

This way, all the spies planted among the vampires could be completely eradicated.

Proc’s level was also that of a mature 8th circle master, but Bladir thought he was quite capable of handling him.

Of course, it’s true that when an aura user and a magician face each other, the magician is at a disadvantage.

A magician’s incantation takes time, while a swordsman’s sword does not.

But King Bladir was a master of blood magic.

He had racial characteristics that completely offset the disadvantages of ordinary magicians and more.

Moreover, Ishuran was also an 8th circle powerhouse, albeit at the entry level.

King Bladir, now in an advantageous position, smiled grimly and said to Proc.

“Hand over the divine object. Then I’ll kill you without pain.”

There was no option to let him go.

The sin of deceiving vampires to this extent could only be washed away with blood.

But even in this extremely unfavorable situation, Proc did not lose his smile.

“Kuk kuk. Yes. It’s strange. What happened? That silver hair? Does it mean you’ve awakened?”

But even King Bladir didn’t properly know what had happened to him.

“That’s none of your business. Choose. Will you die in agony or meet a comfortable death?”

“Haha, that’s a troubling question. A peaceful death or a painful one… I’m really torn.”

By now, Valt’s group, having dealt with all the masked figures, also stood before Proc.

From Proc’s perspective, it was a desperate situation.

Even if he was an 8th circle powerhouse, it would be difficult with just King Bladir and Ishuran. If that strange Barbarian who had attacked him also joined in, defeat was certain.

Proc smiled as he confirmed Valt’s face.

“So it’s you, Kwan’s youngest son. Valt Gerungtu.”

A start.

In the moment Valt wondered how this villain knew his name, he quickly realized that these people were from the same organization as the masked figures he had encountered before.

“Who are you people? Why are you plotting such things?”

To Valt’s question, Proc answered leisurely.

“Well, let’s say we’re adding tension to a relaxed continent? As you know, humans can’t grow if they’re too comfortable.”

King Bladir was irritated by that relaxed attitude. But he couldn’t move carelessly because of the divine object.

He was worried that these guys with their extraordinary tools might be able to destroy the divine object.

“Son-in-law, let’s capture him first and interrogate him. We don’t know what these guys might do.”

Despite being called by a strange title, Valt simply nodded given the situation.

He was just saying they should be prepared for any contingency, though King Bladir would handle the opponent.

But seeing this, Proc smirked again.

“Did you think I would attempt a conversation without any preparation?”

Saying that, Proc held up an item he had already taken out and showed it to Valt’s group.

As soon as he saw it, King Bladir hurriedly stretched out his hand.

“Blood Spear!”

KANG!

Though it was a spear of a level that couldn’t be compared to Liris’s, Proc was also an 8th circle powerhouse and easily deflected the attack.

“Then, see you again. Prince Valt, you will now be the target of our council. He said that three times is not a coincidence.”

PAKANG!

The jewel in Proc’s hand shattered, and his figure began to blur.

“Stop him!!”

Following King Bladir’s attack, attacks from others continued, but Proc’s figure had already disappeared from that spot.

A truly futile situation.

They had saved the vampire nation but failed to protect the Strigoi’s Tear.

A coarse curse flowed from King Bladir’s mouth.

“Damn it!!”