episode_0075

-Whoosh!

The blue flames blossoming at my fingertips blazed fiercer than ever before.

The flames burned so intensely that even my left hand seemed to ignite alongside them.

Burning more fiercely, more violently, to kill the enemy in front of me.

“Is this the basic ignition spell? Elevating a low-level magic to the level of intermediate magic. No, beyond intermediate… Quite skilled for a human. Enhancing it further with that strange flame’s power. A very potent weapon has been born.”

“….”

“However, excess turns into poison. A spell that burns your own hand along with it has already lost its value as a means of attack.”

“….”

“It may have considerable power, but that’s all there is to it. It could injure me, sure. But if all you have is that one flame, you cannot kill me.”

I know.

I am aware of that extent as well.

Demons differ from us starting from their basic physical makeup.

Demons possess innate magical energy and stronger physical abilities.

Among them, I have no chance of defeating a vampire, known to be the strongest.

But this isn’t about winning or losing.

Right now, Silia, severely injured, is behind me.

If this incident is related to the original Silia’s death… I cannot just let it pass.

So, by any means necessary, I must take Silia to safety.

But where should I go?

There’s still some time before sunrise.

Until then, whether I can endure is uncertain.

But endure I must.

If I can’t hold on, Silia won’t be able to escape from here.

Honestly, it’s too much for me alone.

“My stamina hasn’t fully recovered yet.”

With my newly acquired abilities, I’m somehow holding on.

But this too will soon reach its limit.

“As time passes, my regeneration slows down.”

Perhaps, the regeneration ability requires my stamina to activate.

And this vampire.

From the start, he’s not really serious about the fight.

He seems interested in the flame I possess, playing along to some extent.

But this won’t last long.

Unlike other species, vampires have incredibly strong physical abilities and can contain vast magical power.

Moreover, they can use unique abilities only vampires possess and boast exceptional appearances.

Furthermore, vampires, living for extensive periods like elves, inherently exude arrogance due to their age.

“So, he’s probably not killing me right now.”

So, keep pushing forward.

Even if I can’t kill him, I can buy time. Endure.

To allow Silia to escape from here.

If I had a huge stake or silver, the story might be different…

But all I have is a small knife in my hand.

“…At some point, was there another solution? I just had to confront it because the situation demanded it.”

So, this time is no different.

I clash because I want to protect.

Because I promised to protect, to reassure.

That’s all I’m trying to uphold.

Truly, that’s all.

“….”

No… In truth, that’s a lie.

The reason I’m facing this guy right now is…

Because I’m a bit angry.

Silia, who used to complain and get angry all the time, looking so distressed, in pain.

The guy in front of me inflicting terrible suffering on Silia.

Silia pleading for help in a strained voice…

So, I got a little angry.

That’s why I wanted to give this guy a taste of his own medicine.

-Whoosh!

The blue flames blaze strongly from my left hand.

With a left hand turned into a fist, I swiftly aimed towards the abdomen of the sloppy vampire.

However, my left hand was easily caught by the vampire’s hand.

“Do you really want to die? Failing even with all your might, missing the chance to strike due to anger.”

“…!!”

“Tsk, humans are like this. Always messing things up with raw emotions. Feel it sharply, human child. This is the difference between you and me.”

In that moment, the blood compressed at his fingertips pierced through my left shoulder swiftly.

Then, his fist struck my abdomen.

His punch was faster and stronger than mine, surpassing me effortlessly with pure physical ability, without using magic or blood manipulation.

“Ugh!”

The vampire before me had a well-built physique for an adult male, but his strength exceeded imagination.

It felt like being struck hard by an enormous hammer.

Blood sprayed from my mouth due to the tremendous impact, and my posture faltered.

Seizing the opportunity, the vampire grabbed my neck with one hand and began lifting me up.

“Crack!”

My foot left the ground, and my body ascended gradually.

“Why are you trying to protect that child even to the point of burning yourself? Did you perhaps develop feelings for that half-breed? Do you think vessels like you would be appreciated?”

“….Ugh…!!”

As the pain of choking intensified, breathing became difficult.

-Thud!

-Stop…!! Abraham…!! Please stop…!!

“Who is it…? Sylvia..?”

Someone’s voice seemed to awaken my fading consciousness.

Simultaneously, the vampire’s fist struck my body.

“In the end, tools are just tools. That vessel is not something a mere human like you can overlook.”

-Thud!

“Stop…!! Please, I was wrong…!! That kid is just an ordinary human unrelated to me!!”

Once again, an immense shock spread throughout my body.

Blood flowed from my mouth, and the agony made me feel like I was losing consciousness.

But I couldn’t collapse.

If I fell here, what would happen next was obvious.

I couldn’t afford to fall.

“To be reduced to a tool… truly amusing.”

“Revoke those words!! Sylvia is not… a tool!! She’s a person!!”

“Look at yourself now. This is not the time to say such things. You can’t even protect your own body yet you speak. Ridiculous.”

With those words, he flung me away from Sylvia.

“You’re truly exhausting. But I’ll acknowledge your determination. Human child. It’s remarkable that you can still rise, a truly strong willpower.”

“…Phew.”

“What drives you? Why do you refuse to give up?”

“….”

“You’re just a dying ember now. Give up.”

“…Hey, vampire. Let me ask you one thing… What’s your relationship with that kid?”

“Huh, truly an incomprehensible species. Asking such questions now… However, I’ll answer because of your persistence.”

“….”

“I am Abraham Vlad. The father of that child. I’ve never truly considered him my child. Just a half-breed by chance. But now it’s different. Now…”

“…I see, it all makes sense now… The pieces of the puzzle are finally coming together…”

“Human child, what are you talking about?”

“…Finally, my mind is clear. …Phew, taking someone’s life is truly a difficult task. No matter how much of a trash the opponent may be, mental preparation is necessary.”

“What do you mean?” he asked.

“You’re beyond redemption, a piece of garbage, Abraham. That’s why I’m going to burn that trash.”

“Sigh… Given a chance, but you choose to squander it yourself. This is why I dislike the human race.”

-Scream!

-Don’t!! You fool..!! Don’t come any closer!! Stay away…!! Please, stop, it’s okay as it is..!!

Gathering the raging flames of magic in his right hand, he advanced.

The surging blue flames, crazed to engulf everything before them, slowly consumed my right arm, growing in size.

Tremendous agony followed.

Flesh burning, melting.

Yet, even in that moment, regeneration continued.

It seemed to inflict less damage on his magic, but these flames were different.

Whether they consumed the user or not, the blue flames raged madly to incinerate whatever lay before them.

But it didn’t matter.

If I could kill that vampire, whether I was consumed or not, it didn’t matter.

For Silvia’s smile, for the sake of ordinary days, I willingly offered my body to the flames.

“You fool..!! Please, please…. stop…!! My body is burning..!! You idiot…!! I’m fine, so run away quickly!! Please..!! I beg you…”

Somewhere, a voice called out to me.

Due to the intense flames, the voice couldn’t reach me.

And the blue flames blossoming from my hand surged towards the world, expressing anger.

Burning everything around, they moved forward.

Staring at the intensifying flames, Abraham spoke.

“If you continue like this, you will soon die. Eason. If you keep fueling the flames further.. you will be devoured by those flames. Are you prepared?”

“….”

“Fine, your resolve. I understand. I tried not to use more power. Impressive for a human. I acknowledge that. Among humans, you are the second one who has made my blood boil to this extent.”

“….”

“After a long time, you have made my blood boil, so I will make sure to see you off comfortably when the time comes. So, before I kill you, let me ask. Human, what’s your name?”

“Bern Flame… Or, just Bern.”

“Alright, Bern. Try to kill me with those flames.”

“Today, between you and me. One of us will die.”

The fight that would be someone’s last, began anew.