Chapter 114 - Lord of Vampires

The moment Adam, Drake, and Angela approached the waiting group, they quickly realized that their arrival had gone almost entirely unnoticed. Despite the importance of their meeting, the rest of their teams were so deeply engaged in their own discussions that no one had even registered that the trio was nearby.

Adam's gaze flickered across the gathering, quickly assessing the unusual social dynamics at play. Unsurprisingly, the most animated group consisted of Kazue, Katya, and Chloe—the usual culprits when it came to lively conversation. They were locked in a heated debate with several members of Angela’s team, their voices filled with energy, their expressions showing no signs of backing down.

Takeshi was among them, his silver hair catching the light as he gestured sharply in response to something that had just been said. Beside him, two others from WNATN were also involved in the discussion—one being the school-uniformed girl Adam had noticed earlier, the other a young man with spiked hair and a red headband, his expression set with the same intensity as the rest.

Whatever they were arguing about, it was completely absorbing them. Adam couldn’t make out the words just yet, but he could tell that none of them were simply messing around. Their focus was absolute, their engagement almost too deep, as if the topic at hand held actual weight. Even Emir, who wasn’t participating directly, stood at the edge of the group, his brows furrowed slightly, watching the back-and-forth with something between confusion and uncertainty, as if he was struggling to keep up with the rapid exchange but was too intrigued to look away.

On the opposite end of the gathering, another conversation was taking place—one of a vastly different nature. Sebastian, Gregor, and even Li had gathered around the older member of Angela’s team, the bearded man clad in Roman-style attire, complete with a flowing red cape. His presence was imposing, yet his posture remained relaxed, his voice carrying the tone of someone who spoke with experience rather than arrogance.

Unlike the younger members who were lost in an almost playful dispute, these four were engaged in a calm, analytical conversation. There was an ease to their discussion, the kind of measured exchange that only came from individuals who had seen too much of the world to waste words on anything frivolous. Their expressions were steady, thoughtful, and serious without being confrontational.

It was a stark contrast to the energy and intensity of the younger group, highlighting just how much of a divide experience created between participants in this system. Adam couldn’t hear their words either, but from the way Gregor occasionally nodded in understanding, from the sharp gleam in Li’s eyes as he listened, and from the small, knowing smile that occasionally curled at the corner of Sebastian’s lips, it was clear that whatever they were discussing was something of genuine significance.

Then, finally, Adam’s gaze drifted to the last individual present. A young man standing a little further away from the main group, his presence almost deliberately muted. He was dressed in a formal black suit, the kind that wouldn’t have been out of place in an office meeting. He wasn’t avoiding social interaction—his distance wasn’t the result of shyness or disinterest. No, there was something deeper to it, something that Adam recognized almost immediately… Fear.

Not of those around him, not of the interactions taking place, but of the situation itself. His hands were subtly clenched at his sides, his eyes darting briefly toward the others before quickly lowering again. His entire posture screamed caution, like someone who had been thrown into a world they weren’t prepared for, forced into circumstances far beyond their comfort zone. Adam narrowed his eyes slightly. Angela had mentioned that there was only one true novice in her team. That had to be him.

And yet, despite his obvious nervousness, no one else seemed to be paying him any particular attention. Either his own team had grown used to his apprehension, or perhaps they simply didn’t know how to help him adjust. Regardless, he stood there, an outsider among his own people, starkly contrasting the easy camaraderie shared between the rest.

Adam let out a quiet breath before exchanging a glance with Drake, who had also been silently taking everything in.

"Well, I’d say they’re getting along just fine."

Drake muttered, tilting his head slightly toward the animated discussion between Kazue and the others. Angela let out a short chuckle beside them, shaking her head in mild amusement.

"Yeah, for now. Give it another five minutes, and we’ll probably have to break up a shouting match."

Adam didn’t doubt that at all. Still, despite the chaotic mix of conversations happening around them, the simple fact that both teams were interacting like this at all was something rare. Two separate groups, two separate histories, brought together by circumstances that should have made them enemies—and yet, here they were, talking, learning from one another, forming connections that shouldn’t have existed in a world designed to pit them against each other.

Perhaps, against all odds, this was proof that there were still some things in the system that it couldn’t fully control.

Adam had to admit that this felt far better than he had expected. From the moment they had entered this world, the looming threat of conflict had overshadowed every decision, every movement, every choice they had made. The idea that this collaboration could have begun in bloodshed, that both teams could have been locked in an unavoidable fight to the death, had been a constant worry gnawing at the back of his mind.

And yet, looking at the scene before him, it was clear that—for now—such fears had been unnecessary. Watching both teams engaged in conversations, exchanging knowledge, even laughing together, was something he hadn’t dared to hope for. It was a rare thing, a fleeting moment of respite in a world that was never designed for peace. But despite the relief that settled in his chest, despite the way his tension eased ever so slightly, a lingering uncertainty still remained—one that couldn’t be ignored no matter how well things were going.

The third team had yet to arrive, and the simple truth was that they could be nothing like WNATN. There was no guarantee that they would be open to discussion, no way of knowing whether they would be reasonable, or if they would be another type of team entirely—the kind built to hunt. Angela had already mentioned that teams willing to cooperate weren’t as rare as Katya had once claimed, but it was also true that teams dedicated to eliminating other users were just as common. And the reality was that they had no way of knowing what kind of enemy—or potential ally—they would be dealing with until it was too late. A week. That was all the time they had. And whatever happened, they needed to be ready.

As they closed the final distance between themselves and the others, Adam noticed that no one had even acknowledged their arrival. It wasn’t that they were being ignored, but rather that everyone was so deeply absorbed in their conversations that they had completely failed to notice the presence of the three returning members.

The sight was strangely amusing, if only because of how unusual it was. With the way Kazue, Katya, and Chloe were locked in some intense debate with Takeshi and two other members of WNATN, their focus was entirely consumed by the discussion, to the point that they didn’t seem to register anything outside of it. Adam couldn’t quite make out the exact words, but the sheer energy and engagement in their tones made it obvious that whatever they were talking about, it had them utterly hooked.

Taking all of this in, Adam exchanged a glance with Drake before finally stepping forward. Clearing his throat, he spoke loudly enough to catch their attention—or at least, he tried. No one even looked up. He tried again, putting more force into it, but once more, his presence was completely ignored. He glanced at Drake, who only smirked in mild amusement. Angela, standing beside them, let out a small laugh before shaking her head.

"This is just sad."

She muttered, watching the scene unfold. Taking a step forward, she raised her voice in a clear, commanding tone.

"Alright, let’s wrap it up—unless you all forgot that we were supposed to meet back here?"

This time, it worked. One by one, the conversations died down, heads turning toward them, some with slight expressions of surprise, others simply realizing that the trio had returned. Angela smirked slightly before raising an eyebrow.

"So, I take it you all had a fun time without us?"

She said, looking over the group. The first to answer was the spiky-haired young man with the red headband—André, if Adam remembered correctly when Angela listed her whole team names when they were walking like an hour ago. His expression was openly excited, the type of person who spoke without thinking but carried no ill intent in his words.

"Hell yeah!"

He said enthusiastically, his tone practically radiating energy.

"The way we got here was insane! First of all—"

He gestured toward Sebastian.

"The old man has a freaking giant robot, and we got to ride it, which was already amazing—but then Kazue has a giant tiger summon, and we actually rode on that too! Do you know how badass that is?"

Before anyone else could react, a sharp slap landed on the back of his head, cutting him off mid-sentence. Dayana, the school-uniformed girl, let out an exasperated sigh.

"Show some respect!"

She muttered, clearly unimpressed. Sebastian, for his part, merely smiled, completely unbothered. Dayana turned back to Angela, shifting the conversation with far more composure.

"We’ve been exchanging information, probably the same things you three were discussing. It’s been a productive exchange."

She explained. Takeshi, however, was practically buzzing with excitement as he added.

"I had no idea that completing a Hidden Subplot gave you a random skill from that world that matches you! That’s insane! That’s like, an automatic power-up!"

Dayana sighed.

"Yes, except for the fact that Hidden Subplots are nearly impossible to find, and they’re always ridiculously dangerous."

André, still rubbing his head, nodded but didn’t seem discouraged.

"Yeah, but if they—"

He gestured at Adam’s team.

"—could complete them as newbies, then how hard can they really be?"

He instantly regretted those words. Dayana didn’t hesitate. Her fist came down on his skull, knocking him flat to the ground. She exhaled before looking toward Adam and the others.

"I apologize… he’s an idiot sometimes."

She said flatly. Kazue laughed softly, shaking her head.

"No problem, honestly? If I hadn’t actually lived through those subplots myself, I probably would’ve thought the same thing."

As the energy gradually settled and the last remnants of excitement faded into something more focused, the scattered conversations came to a natural halt, and the group fully gathered into a single unit. The shift in the atmosphere was immediate—whatever lightheartedness had existed before was replaced by something sharper, more purposeful. There was no need for further distractions. Everyone understood that their situation demanded absolute attention.

Adam took a step forward, his eyes sweeping over the assembled team members from both groups, ensuring that all attention was on him before speaking.

"We only have a week before the third team arrives, that’s not a lot of time, and we need to make every second count. The first priority is clear—we need to locate the nearest vampire settlement and head there immediately."

A few exchanged glances, some nodding, others taking in the directness of his approach. Angela, standing at his side, crossed her arms as he continued.

"We don’t have the luxury of wandering around aimlessly, which is why we’re going to make use of every resource we have. Your team—"

He turned his gaze toward Angela.

"—had an extra week in this world before we arrived. You mentioned that you spent most of that time gathering information. That means you’ve already mapped out key locations?"

Angela responded with a small nod, reaching into her belongings and pulling out a carefully rolled parchment.

"That’s right."

She confirmed as she began to unfurl it, revealing a meticulously hand-drawn map of the region, inked with careful precision. Even at first glance, it was clear that this wasn’t a rough sketch thrown together hastily—it was detailed, thorough, and created with someone’s own hands rather than generated by the system.

"I put this together using everything we learned from the empire’s records and from what we’ve seen with our own eyes."

She explained, her fingers tracing along the various markings across the parchment.

"This covers the entirety of the continent as mapped by the human empire. Cities, strongholds, patrol routes—it’s all here."

Adam stepped closer, his sharp gaze studying the lines and symbols etched onto the page, already piecing together routes and possible points of interest. The level of detail was impressive, providing a clear layout of the land they were working with, but something still stood out as a problem.

Angela must have seen the look in his eyes because she sighed, almost as if anticipating what he was about to say.

"Of course, this only accounts for areas that have been explored and documented by humans. The further we go beyond imperial borders, the less information we have. Vampires and giants have been driven nearly to extinction by human expansion, so their settlements are harder to find than they used to be. Right now, we only know of two confirmed major locations—Velmoria, ‘The Crimson Seat’, the last known vampire city, and Uldroth, ‘The Stoneforged Dominion’, the capital of the remaining giant tribes."

Her voice carried a hint of something deeper—something bordering on unease.

"There may be smaller settlements out there, but they’re well hidden, and given how much the empire has wiped out their numbers, we don’t have much to go on."

She lifted her gaze to Adam, watching him carefully.

"That’s why I don’t understand why you want to go to a vampire city in the first place."

Her voice wasn’t hostile, but there was a clear skepticism in her tone.

"If this is about completing the subplot for the paladins, then there are better ways to go about it than walking straight into enemy territory. I don’t know if you’ve noticed, but vampires and giants don’t exactly wait to introduce themselves before trying to kill humans on sight."

Adam’s response was nothing more than a small, almost imperceptible smile. It wasn’t arrogance, nor was it condescension—it was the kind of expression that carried a quiet certainty, a confidence that came not from recklessness, but from knowing something that others didn’t.

"That won’t be a problem."

He said simply. His tone was light, but undeniable. Angela narrowed her eyes, glancing at his team to gauge their reactions. What she saw only deepened her curiosity. None of them looked concerned—if anything, they were calm, almost expectant. There was no hesitation, no second-guessing, no looks of doubt. They already knew what Adam was talking about.

Drake, standing beside him with his arms loosely crossed, let out an amused hum.

"Ahh, so you’re finally going to test that out? Can’t lie—I’m curious to see how it’s going to work."

His voice carried genuine interest, as though this was something he had been looking forward to seeing unfold. That was when André, clearly unable to contain his curiosity, spoke up.

"Wait, wait—test what? What are you talking about?"

His expression was a mix of confusion and excitement, clearly eager to know what secret had just been hinted at, but before Adam or anyone else could answer, Angela cut him off with a sharp look.

"Don’t ask things like that, I don’t care if we’re allies—basic logic and etiquette apply. You don’t go around asking other users to reveal their skills or abilities. That’s the kind of thing that can get you killed if you ask the wrong person."

She said, her tone suddenly far more serious. André instantly shut his mouth, looking slightly abashed.

Adam, for his part, gave Angela a small nod of appreciation. He had no intention of explaining just yet, and the fact that she understood such an unspoken rule without him needing to say anything was something he could respect. Even so, he wasn’t going to keep it a mystery forever.

"You’ll see soon enough, it won’t take long to figure it out."

He said casually, glancing toward the path ahead. There was a brief moment when Angela still seemed unsure, but ultimately, she chose not to push the issue further. Instead, she turned her attention back to the map, her fingers moving to a smaller marked location.

"Then we should start here."

She said, tapping the parchment lightly.

"There’s a small settlement called Morvael on the way. It’s one of the last recorded frontier towns before the Imperials took control and was left alone by the Paladins for some reason. If vampires are still active in this region, that’s one of the places where we might find a trail to follow."

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Adam took one last glance at the map before straightening.

"Then that’s where we’re going."

Without wasting another second, the group set off, their formation adjusted to accommodate their numbers. Unlike before, when they had the luxury of transporting several members using Sebastian’s mechanized titan or Kazue’s giant tiger summon Kurayami, the sheer size of their combined teams now made such methods impractical.

Not only would it be inefficient to split the group that way, but more importantly, drawing that much attention this close to hostile territory would be an unnecessary risk. As a result, they traveled on foot, keeping a steady pace that allowed them to maintain both stamina and awareness of their surroundings.

The hours passed in relative ease, interrupted only by the occasional short break. They stopped twice along the way, using the time to share rations from their provisions and to continue building rapport between the two teams. Though some were naturally more social than others, it was clear that the earlier tensions had faded significantly. Conversations flowed freely, casually, and unforced, and even the more reserved members of the group had begun to find their own rhythm within the newfound dynamic.

Of course, not everything was entirely smooth. Katya, in particular, was not having a good time.

Adam noticed it almost immediately—the way her fingers constantly fidgeted, the way her expression darkened just slightly every few minutes, the way she had gone through no fewer than four small objects she had absentmindedly crushed in her grip. Each time Kazue spoke with Takeshi, the cycle repeated. Every mention of how cool ninjas were, every excited exchange between Kazue and the silver-haired rogue, Katya’s irritation seemed to intensify.

At first, Adam debated whether or not to intervene, but ultimately, he realized it wasn’t necessary. Drake had already positioned himself nearby, keeping an eye on her. After what had happened back in the lobby, Katya had grown more careful about controlling herself in his presence. Whether it was out of genuine restraint or simply because she knew that Drake wouldn’t let her act out irrationally, the result was the same—she never let things escalate beyond subtle frustration.

Adam wasn’t sure if Drake had positioned himself there deliberately, or if he had simply done it instinctively, but either way, it was working. And Kazue, completely oblivious to Katya’s inner turmoil, merely thought that her friend had grown a bit more relaxed in recent days. And in her mind, that was a good thing.

The hours continued to pass, the sun beginning its slow descent toward the horizon, its golden light casting long shadows across the landscape. The warmth of the afternoon began to fade, and as the sky deepened into hues of orange and purple, they finally arrived at their destination.

What awaited them was not a city in the traditional sense, it had once been one, perhaps. But now, all that remained was ruin.

From a distance, the remnants of blackened structures stood against the dimming sky, skeletal and broken, as if they had been set ablaze and then abandoned to decay. What should have been the heart of a settlement was now nothing more than charred wood, collapsed rooftops, and ruined streets. But even with the evidence of destruction, there was no mistaking it—something still remained.

Adam didn’t have to say anything, the moment they laid eyes on the ruined city, several members of the group immediately tensed.

A wave of dark energy emanated from within, thick and cloying, pulsing with an unmistakable presence. Adam could feel it—deep, refreshing, unmistakably tied to the forces of the abyss. And he wasn’t the only one.

Drake’s stance subtly shifted, his golden aura flickering for the briefest moment as he instinctively prepared himself. Katya’s blue eyes gleamed with a sharp glint, her grip tightening slightly around the deck she always carried. Gregor straightened his back, his expression grim and unwavering. And Angela, standing at the front of her team, narrowed her eyes, her fingers already shifting toward the weapon strapped at her side.

She wasn’t the type to waste time.

"Positions!"

She ordered swiftly, her voice carrying a clear authority that left no room for hesitation.

"Dayana, use your [Lesser God Eyes] to check for movement. Let’s see what we’re dealing with before we get any closer."

Dayana hesitated for a brief second before speaking, her tone filled with genuine concern.

"We’re still too far, I won’t be able to see much at this distance, and getting any closer without knowing what’s inside is risky."

The girl said. That moment of hesitation, however, was cut short by Adam.

"There’s no need."

He said, stepping forward. Angela blinked, turning to look at him, clearly confused.

"What?"

Adam exhaled, his demeanor calm, composed.

"Just watch, stay back, keep your eyes on me, and start moving forward slowly. When I give the signal, we’ll advance together."

Angela still looked skeptical, but she held her tongue. She studied him for a moment, as if trying to read his intentions, then let out a slow breath before finally giving him a nod.

"Fine."

She said, stepping back to let him take the lead. No one questioned him. Not his team, at least. They already knew exactly what he was about to do.

Adam wasted no time. As soon as he stepped forward, he moved with ease, breaking away from the group and striding toward the ruined city's entrance. With each step, the oppressive presence of cursed energy grew denser, swirling around the decayed remnants of what had once been a civilization. Most would have found it unsettling—a creeping, unnatural sensation that coiled around the skin like an unseen force. But for Adam, it was the opposite.

Where the holy city had been suffocating, grating against every fiber of his being, this place felt welcoming. It was refreshing in a way that was difficult to put into words, like stepping into a cool breeze after being trapped in unbearable heat. The sensation coursed through him, invigorating, empowering—like the scent of a freshly opened book, something familiar, something comforting. Yet, this was not the time to indulge in the feeling. He had come here with a clear objective.

He raised his right arm, focusing his mind. The darkness around him responded instantly, coiling like a living force, twisting in thick, smoke-like tendrils that surged upward. The energy condensed rapidly, forming into a silhouetted shape before solidifying into a figure—a tall, strikingly elegant woman, stepping forth from the summoned void with an almost effortless grace.

She was breathtaking. Her figure was tall and poised, every movement fluid yet commanding. Her long, jet-black hair cascaded down her back, the strands shifting with an almost supernatural smoothness. Her skin, pale with a grayish hue, contrasted starkly against the pristine Shaolin-style robe she wore, embroidered with subtle yet intricate patterns. Her eyes, a piercing crimson, glowed faintly beneath long, dark lashes, while her nails—long, razor-sharp talons—gleamed under the dimming sunlight.

Every part of her was beautifully composed, yet undeniably lethal, a paradox of grace and underlying menace… Abbess Xinhui, the Jiang Shi who had sworn herself to Adam in the previous scenario, had been summoned.

The moment her feet touched the ground, she immediately lowered herself to one knee, bowing her head in absolute reverence.

"Your orders, my lord?"

Her voice was silken yet firm, carrying the refined discipline of someone who had once been a master of her art. Adam let out a small sigh.

"We've been over this."

He said, extending his hand to gently lift her back to her feet.

"You don’t need to kneel before me or call me that."

Abbess hesitated for only a second before accepting his hand, rising gracefully. Despite her obedience, she clearly still struggled with abandoning unconscious habits.

Once upright, her crimson eyes flickered, scanning the surroundings. It didn’t take her long to notice. The energy saturating the ruined city was thick—almost palpable. She frowned, turning slightly as if feeling something shift.

"This place is cursed."

She murmured, her tone unreadable.

"That’s what I was counting on."

Adam replied, a small smile playing on his lips. Without another word, the two of them walked forward, stepping through the ruined threshold of the city. The air grew heavier. The moment they entered, the sensation of watchful eyes became undeniable… things were lurking here.

The moment they stepped deeper into the ruins, the sensation of unseen eyes watching them became undeniable. It was subtle at first—a creeping, almost imperceptible awareness that slithered through the air, threading itself into the silence between the broken walls and collapsed rooftops. Adam could feel it, a presence lurking just beyond sight, waiting, observing. There was no sound, no movement, yet an unmistakable pressure settled over the area, thick and oppressive, the kind that made the body tense on instinct.

Then, it began. The shift was slight—barely more than a whisper against the crumbling stone. A piece of debris dislodged, tumbling softly to the ground, far too controlled to be an accident. The shadows stretched in unnatural ways, flickering between the skeletal remains of structures that had long since collapsed.

Adam heard it first—a faint, calculated shuffle, too light to belong to anything human, too quick to be dismissed as the wind. Abbess’s expression hardened. Her crimson eyes gleamed in the dim light, her posture shifting ever so slightly, becoming something more predatory.

"They're everywhere."

She murmured, her voice barely above a whisper, yet carrying a weight of certainty. She didn’t need to see them fully to know. The way the air moved, the way the cursed energy pulsed in the distance—it told her everything. Her fingers flexed, razor-sharp talons glinting, her body coiled like a spring, poised to strike at a moment’s notice.

Adam, however, did not tense. He did not brace himself, nor did he shift his stance in preparation. Instead, he simply smirked, a glint of something sharp and knowing flashing in his gaze.

"Good, that’ll make things easier."

The moment he uttered those words, the attack came. It was instantaneous. A blur of motion erupted from the rubble—fast, precise, lethal. The figure streaked toward the boy like a black streak of death, claws gleaming in the dying sunlight, aimed directly for his throat with unerring precision.

But it never reached him. A metallic clang rang out through the ruins, sharp and violent, echoing off the broken stone. The attacker’s claws had been stopped, inches from Adam’s skin, locked in place against an equally deadly force. The impact sent a small shockwave through the air, sending dust swirling around the locked figures.

Abbess had moved flawlessly, her own claws had caught the assailant’s in a perfect counter, her arm barely flexed, as though the attack had been nothing. For a brief second, neither combatant moved, their claws interlocked in a battle of force, frozen mid-action.

Then, Adam finally got a clear look at their attacker.

The man was inhumanly pale, his complexion ashen and cold, almost blending into the ruined landscape like a phantom. His black hair was slicked back, his crimson eyes burning with a mix of hunger and disbelief. A dark, tattered cloak was draped over his form, shifting slightly with the sudden halt of his movement, and beneath it, Adam could see lean, wiry muscle, deceptively strong despite the skeletal frame. His nails were long, curved like daggers, identical to the ones now held at bay by Abbess's grip.

The vampire’s face twisted in pure shock.

"What?!"

He snarled, voice laced with disbelief. With a sudden burst of movement, he wrenched himself back, retreating several paces in a blur of motion. He landed lightly atop a fallen beam, his crimson eyes flickering from Abbess to Adam, his mind racing to process what had just happened.

Then—more movement… They emerged all at once. From the shadows, the rooftops, and the shattered remains of buildings, they materialized like ghosts in the night. Figures clad in dark garments, their forms unnaturally still, their crimson gazes locked onto Adam with pure malice.

Men and women alike, each one bearing the same unnatural features. Their pale skin, their elongated fangs, their unnerving silence—they did not hiss, they did not growl, they simply stood there for now, poised, waiting. But their intentions were clear.

However, the vampires did not hesitate any longer. There was no posturing, no final warnings, no chance for words to be exchanged. The moment the first one moved, the rest followed—a seamless, coordinated surge of pure, predatory instinct. They did not fight like humans, nor did they charge like beasts acting on impulse. Their movements were fluid, precise, unnatural. Shadows twisted around them as they darted forward, their speed defying the very laws of nature. They were not attacking. They were hunting.

Their claws gleamed as they moved, long and curved, each one sharpened to a razor's edge, ready to tear flesh from bone with effortless ease. Their fangs flashed in the dim light, their lips curled in cruel anticipation, their hunger palpable, tangible. They had seen an intruder enter their domain, and now they would rip him apart, feast on his essence, and leave nothing behind but broken remains swallowed by the ruins. To them, this was routine, another fool stepping where they should not, another arrogant soul who did not understand the nature of this world.

Abbess shifted instantly. Even before the vampires had fully committed to their attack, she had already prepared to meet them head-on. Her body tensed, her muscles coiling like a drawn bowstring, her crimson gaze calculating the exact moment to strike, exactly where to rend her enemies apart.

She was not concerned with the numbers, nor the odds stacked against them. She was a Jiang Shi, a creature of the night, a predator in her own right, and she would do as she had done countless times before—she would kill them all.

But then, she stopped. Not because she was uncertain. Not because she doubted her own ability to fight. But because just before she could launch forward, Adam's hand lifted—calm, slow, absolute. It was not a command. It was not a desperate plea for caution. It was something much simpler, something far more unnerving.

"Don't."

A single word, spoken with neither force nor urgency. Just calm certainty.

And then—he exhaled and the world shuddered.

The darkness that had loomed in the ruins before now seemed insignificant in comparison to what followed. It came all at once, an eruption of cursed energy so immense that reality itself seemed to strain under its weight. The air collapsed inward, bending as though suddenly forced to bear a presence it was never meant to hold. A wave of pure abyssal force expanded outward, rolling through the decayed ruins like a living storm, swallowing every shadow, drowning every other presence in its overwhelming grasp.

The very ground beneath Adam's feet cracked violently, veins of black energy snaking through the rubble, splitting the earth as though something beneath was trying to claw its way to the surface. The temperature in the air dropped drastically. Not a natural chill. This was something deeper, more insidious—a deathly, unnatural cold that clawed at the skin, not through wind, not through temperature, but through something else entirely. It was the kind of cold that settled into the soul, the kind that whispered of graves long forgotten, of decay left undisturbed, of things older than time itself.

And the vampires felt it, the change in them was immediate.

At first, they froze mid-charge, their bodies halting as though something had seized them in place. Their eyes, once gleaming with bloodthirsty excitement, now widened in a way that no predator’s ever should. Their hunger was gone, devoured in an instant by something deeper, something far worse—something that should not have existed.

It was not confusion, it was primal, unrelenting fear.

The feeling dug deep into their instincts, sending a wave of terror crashing through their bodies, forcing every cell, every nerve, every fiber of their being to scream in protest. Their fangs were bared, but not in aggression. Their claws flexed, but not to strike. Their movements were hesitant, rigid, as if some unseen force had wrapped around their limbs, squeezing, suffocating, crushing the very will to fight out of them.

The air split open beside Adam as his Spectronomicon did not simply activate, but forced itself into existence with a violent, shrieking resonance that made the very shadows writhe in response. It did not emerge gently, did not simply appear—it ripped through reality as though forcing its way into the world, elated with the cursed energy in the environment.

The sound that followed was not laughter. It was something worse, something hungry. Something that carried the weight of forgotten names, abandoned souls, and the wailing of spirits lost in the abyss. Its pages rippled wildly before twisting and melting, reforming into a grotesque shape—a floating skull, spectral and decayed, its hollow sockets burning with an unholy glow, its jaw trembling as if it were whispering something too quiet to be heard, yet too horrifying to ignore.

And still—the energy grew.

The darkness around Adam did not settle, did not rest, and did not simply exist. It was alive. It slithered and pulsed, wrapping around his form like the tendrils of something incomprehensible, shifting between physicality and incorporeality, flickering as though it was struggling to maintain its shape in a world that had no place for it. And the vampires— They felt it.

The shift was instant, an almost palpable rupture in the very fabric of the moment. Adam’s vision filled with the flickering, unmistakable presence of two system notifications, their words carrying a weight that sent a shudder of realization through him.

[Title ‘Ghostmarked Warden: Bound and Cursed’ has activated. Creatures of darkness feel a deep respect toward you.]

[Title ‘Lord of Vampires’ has activated. All vampire-kind recognizes you as a figure of great nobility.]

Before he could fully process what was happening, the lead vampire—the same one who had lunged at him without hesitation just moments ago—collapsed to the ground with a force so violent that Adam swore he heard bones crack. There was no hesitation, no lingering moment of confusion. The creature threw itself forward, forehead smashing against the shattered stone, a deep, trembling reverence overtaking its entire form. When it spoke, its voice was raw, drenched in an overwhelming mixture of terror, awe, and something else—something dangerously close to worship.

"I am unworthy! I was blind—I did not recognize that we stood in the presence of a Vampire Lord!"

The words tumbled out in a desperate rush, each syllable filled with a frantic urgency, as though merely speaking too slowly might incur punishment.

"Please, punish me alone! My ignorance is my crime—I will suffer for it gladly! Take my life, take my soul, cast me into eternal torment, but spare the others! They were only following orders! We are starving, we did not see reason!"

As he spoke, the rest followed. One by one, the remaining vampires dropped to their knees, their trembling forms bowing low, foreheads pressed against the ground, bodies visibly quivering under the weight of their own fear. Not a single one dared to look up, dared to breathe too loudly, dared to do anything that might further offend the one standing before them. Adam could see it in their rigid postures, in the way their shoulders were taut with unspoken dread. They were prepared to die.

Vampire nobility was not only elitist—it was merciless. The old bloodlines, the Lords, the rulers of their kind—they did not forgive. They did not show leniency. To attack one of their standing, even unknowingly, was a crime punishable by nothing less than absolute annihilation. To beg for the lives of the offenders was unheard of. These vampires, despite their desperation, knew the truth of their kind.

Their leader’s plea was nothing but a last, hopeless attempt at mercy—an attempt that, if history had proven anything, was as likely as the sun rising in the abyss.

And yet—nothing came. No fury. No wrath. No punishment… Only the quiet hum of amusement curled across Adam’s lips. He exhaled softly, then spoke, his voice slow, deliberate, imbued with a weight that made the gathered vampires flinch at each word.

"Stand, I require information. For me and my entourage."

The word hung in the air—foreign to them, unfamiliar yet unmistakable in its meaning. There was no anger in his tone, no sharp command, no cruelty. Only expectation. The weight of an order that did not need to be shouted to be obeyed.

Still, no one moved immediately. As if their minds had not fully processed his words, as if they could not comprehend that such an impossible forgiveness had just been granted.

The leader, the one still bowing so deeply that his fingers were digging into the dirt beneath them—trembled violently. His breath hitched, his entire body shaking as if the realization was physically painful.

"Y-you… you permit us to live?"

His voice cracked, a choked, disbelieving whisper. Adam simply nodded.

"You will have something else to offer instead, I will be bringing my personal herd. My humans. If your hospitality is sufficient, I may even allow them to provide you with sustenance."

The silence that followed was deafening. Adam could hear the sharp intakes of breath, could feel the way the tension in the air shifted violently, not from fear this time—but from pure, unfathomable disbelief.

The leader, still on his knees, gasped. His fingers dug deeper into the ground, his shoulders shaking, his lips parting as if he wanted to speak but couldn’t. His body twitched, locked between absolute terror and absolute gratitude, as though he could not reconcile the reality of what was happening.

This was unheard of. Unimaginable… Not only had their lives been spared, but now they were being offered something they could not even dream of—blood, willingly given, provided to them not as desperate scavengers but as subjects worthy of a Lord’s generosity. And not just any Lord.

A true Vampire Lord.

The leader’s voice broke when he spoke next, barely able to contain his emotions.

"A gift—"

He swallowed hard, as though the words were too overwhelming to speak.

"A Lord… sharing his herd with plebeians like us?"

His breath hitched sharply, his fangs trembling in his mouth.

"W-we are not worthy! This is too great an honor for lowborn wretches such as ourselves!"

A murmur rippled through the gathered vampires—not whispers of resistance, but of shock, of awe, of something dangerously close to reverence. The very notion that a Lord would provide for his own people rather than use them as mere tools, that he would spare them rather than destroy them—it was something they had never even considered possible.

And then—the shift. Suddenly, as though snapping out of his trance, the vampire leader rose to his feet in a single, hurried movement. He stepped forward, kneeling on one leg instead of bowing fully, a formal gesture of submission that Adam’s instincts recognized immediately.

"My Lord! I am Vaelric Duskthorn, leader of Morvael and those who still remain here!"

His voice, this time, was clear, decisive, and reverent. His crimson eyes gleamed, not with hunger, not with resistance, but with devotion.

"We shall prepare the finest accommodations, the finest offerings! We shall welcome you and your concubine with all that we have, as is your right!"

A long, heavy silence, before Adam blinked.

"My what?"

And then—beside him—Abbess, the ever-stoic, ever-composed Jiang Shi, visibly stiffened. The faintest color dusted her normally pallid cheeks, a nearly imperceptible blush, her crimson eyes flickering with something uncharacteristically uncertain.

For a moment, Adam swore he saw her tense, her lips parting slightly before snapping shut. But she said nothing.

Adam exhaled through his nose, pressing his fingers to his temple… This was going to be a very, very long night.