The compact floor had turned into a lifeless red swamp after the aftermath was more tolerable than expected.
Powerlessly, like a weak child, I sat down on the floor and let my head droop. I stayed like that until the feeling of helplessness soaked into my body, silent without saying anything.
My throat is parched. When it’s like this, an Americano would be perfect.
After cutting off my thoughts and opening my eyes, what I first saw was not the gray restraint suit but a pitch-black goth lolita outfit instead.
I stood up and felt light. The mark of the blade embedded in my abdomen had long since disappeared.
Haa, I sighed softly, and swung my arm to gather the scattered bl**d on the ground and wall into a small cube fragment.
1. The assimilation rate of nine corpses is 70% bl**d.
A tiny crown resurfaced in my mind along with the inscription engraved beside it.
The glowing letters crumpled like folded paper and dissipated into dust, while the floating red cuboids stained the white crown a rosy hue.
Only now can I grip the crown with infused magic power.
How cute and little it is.
Can I lift it?
Like soothing the days of wearing only an overcoat outside for weeks, the tiny crown gripped tightly in my hand gently settled atop my head safely.
Despite being naturally fixed, it felt light as if nothing was sitting on my head at all.
Something like an accessory.
I made a full turn, and with a faint smile, I looked at Erica and asked, “What do you think?”
“It’s pretty.”
“·····.”
She had no words. Maintaining her glare at me.
Now it feels like the only thought is to try and change such a look forcibly.
“You shouldn’t judge just by looking. Neither the torn constraint suit nor the completely liquefied mess was caused by me.”
While speaking, I gestured to the girl hiding and watching from one corner of this vast square.
She opened her eyes wide and flinched, then came towards me hesitantly while apologizing repeatedly.
Perhaps due to the fallout from battle, the device around her neck was broken. I grabbed and lifted her up into the air by her neck.
“The problem was that the girl hid a kn*fe. A powerful kn*fe capable of tearing through this restraint suit, right?”
“Gack, cackle, yuck!”
The magic power studied by the criminal organization here seemed to be of that kind. Not just breaking the structure of Build upon attack, but rather erasing the very existence from space, rendering something unable to exist.
Surely, it would be enough to leave a scratch on the restraint suit crafted directly by the Mage City.
“Immediately…release me now!”
I smiled faintly.
“To be torn intentionally by the claws of monsters residing in this building’s third floor, but to find a much simpler method…”
Erica raised her sword, flowing magic power into it. The surrounding air wavered and the earth shook.
I let go of the gasping girl for a moment, slowly stood her up and pressed the kn*fe to her neck.
And whispered,
“Start begging for mercy to save your life.”
“Sa… Save me… Please, just please, save me…”
Erica clenched her teeth, stopping herself right there.
It was fortunate. Had she not valued her own life, we might have ended differently.
“If I were to move abruptly at this moment, it could be dangerous for someone.”
“…Release me.”
“Me? Why? What reason do you have for me to listen to you? Without the restraint suit?”
Having gained 70% bl**d assimilation and completed the first objective, her group’s size allowed me to gather reserves too.
The second objective, starting with the number two, was slowly beginning to glow as well. It seemed like it would open tonight.
With basic necessities covered, I was left needing just one thing.
“She’s, she’s choking… hic, ah, urgh.”
As the blade slowly entered the girl’s neck, continuous stifled moans escaped.
“Stop… stop, please!”
“It felt so cramped in the restraint suit. In fact, it had been driving me crazy.”
While speaking, I brought my hand beside my lips.
“Though I already could have used this girl’s neck, it’s just a little bit better to be able to talk to you joyfully, isn’t it?”
Therefore, it’s better not to provoke me.
Although, if you showed me a cute face, perhaps the situation would change?
Due to my calm appearance? Surprisingly, Erica immediately dropped her kn*fe and kneeled.
“…I beg you, release that girl.”
Hmm.
Didn’t expect her to go this far. Of course, given her personality, this may be expected.
Maybe she’s an epitome of kindness.
“Since you’re so interesting, I’m even envious.”
“…She is innocent. Just unlucky to be drawn into this group.”
Oh, right, she has a younger sister named Iris.
“How should I proceed?”
“…”
A brief silence followed.
Even before, a hostage can be truly handy.
During the Massacre era, during the battle before the gate, and now.
Most of what I desire I can hold in my hands.
Thus, what I want at this moment is gnawing inside me.
“Erika.”
“Yes?”
“Shall we make a deal with this hostage?”
“…With what?”
Strange how obedient she is. Well, doesn’t matter.
“What do you think my species is?”
As I spoke, I pulled up one lip to expose the protruding fang.
“Origin complex notwithstanding, it’s simply easier to think of it as having sprouted from a vampire’s roots.”
Dhampir, not so widespread.
Just a way to handle bl**d similar to vampires.
“Occasionally, a desire wells up to use these fangs directly for bloodletting.”
Her eyes filled with unease looked towards me. Urgently wanting to distort that visage. Her sadistic and impulsive impulses might be part of this species’ instinct.
Maybe it’s because of you.
I smiled, then spoke.
“I want to drink your bl**d, Erika.”
Countless emotions swept past her— anxiety, tension, surprise, and bewilderment.
In the result of four years of research on the Dhampir species, I had briefly recorded within a side note the act of this species displaying their fangs.
There was no meaning in the action of piercing the skin with their sharp fangs.
It was quite natural. It wasn’t an act of pleasure, and neither did it form a bond of master and servant between the ones who sucked bl**d and the ones who were suckled upon.
Yet, those owning magic power among Dhampirs were said to gain a different effect.
“Understood.”
Whether she trusted me or her advanced regeneration stats, she nodded quietly after my long and exhaustive explanation.
“Perhaps if you get so carried away that you cling to me, pleading for me to s*ck from you, don’t bother.”
“Don’t count on it.”
Her glaring eyes watched me as she stripped part of her uniform to reveal her shoulder.
That part connecting the collarbone and shoulder.
“Do you always comply so perfectly? Perhaps you’re into it?”
“… .”
If this seemed odd, it was too submissive.
Different from how she had looked until now.
Was this about the first girl seen? Perhaps someone must d*e, and she thinks it’s worth sacrificing herself?
At any rate, it didn’t matter.
Although this act couldn’t grant me innate pleasure, enjoying the flesh of the girl I had lusted after made my mouth water beyond measure, embodying human desire.
“Pardon me.”
Leaving her momentarily trapped by magic, I leaned slightly towards the kneeling Erica.
Feeling the rumpled stiffness of her uniform and her breath on my face.
Smiling slightly, I opened my mouth.
And tried to stab a fang in.
Had I not felt the sudden rush of power, it wouldn’t have happened—
–Boom!
Explosions continued, rubble fell from the ceiling, and piercing agony struck my chest with a blinding flash.
Even though I was close to Erica, feeling euphoria, when I spewed bl**d and waved my arms in confusion, she suddenly held the girl and bolted out.
“Ugh, ooh!”
Amazing.
To think it came to that.
Perhaps a brief judgment. Thinking now was the time due to the aftermath of wearing a restraint suit reducing my stats somewhat? That to end the fight quickly and save just that girl?
But that wouldn’t do.
It went against my plan.
If I lost them now…
Adapting to the impact of battles over the last four years and the familiar pain as flesh was ground to nothing became a kind of benefit.
Still, if you might hurt, I had planned to try and take it slow.
Now, it’s no longer needed.
With a hand stretched towards Erica and the girl reaching the door,
–Bam.
A dull sound, less powerful than the previous explosions, echoed as I charged towards them caught amidst the blast.
“Grrgh····!”
Did she forget her magic, mine?
Could she untie this web anytime now?
“Guh····!”
Looking at me with defiance despite being sprawled out,
“It’s your doing,”
I grasped Erica’s arm and slammed her into the wall,
Forcibly tearing her clothes, and pressing my teeth against her flesh.
Sensing slight resistance and the tickle of hair, a sensation of the substance entering my mouth heated me.
“Sigh, huuu..!”
Even her m*an was charming.
Tasting her skin whilst pressed closer intensified this game beyond limits, bordering excessive debauchery.
The jolting motion of her body and the subtle aroma of flesh stimulated my senses.
What didn’t bring pleasure?
Exhilarating yet.
Sweet and savory flavors filling my mouth, subconsciously gulped and when I released her lip with my fangs,
Her puffy cheeks and pathetic breathing fueled another desire.
“This piece of trash····!”
While I heard Erika’s scolding, recognizing the marks left by my fangs, they glistened gold.
Completing the first step,
Pouring my magic into her body.
The next step begins tomorrow.
Until she adjusts to my magic, I’ll have to keep acting.
“Why… were you happy?”
“…Close your mouth.”
Seeing you bite my collar, I chuckled.
Fine.
You must hate me, grow strong.
The day I become a complete vampire and engulf the world in crimson, I want you to destroy me.
Trampled and mangled, unrecognizable.
Justice wins, the radiant virtuous will laugh.
The wicked will fall, mixed beings will be excluded from life.
Without finding light, the beautiful world I envision for me,
Is this.
