44 Episode XIV: Vampire Hunting ②




 The pain is still lingering. But if you have the strength, you can move.

 The undead are not supposed to be in pain.
 I have a lifetime of experience that allowed me to recover quickly and escape the smoke screen, but I rarely feel pain, nausea, or dizziness.
 If I were to be struck suddenly and forcefully in a weak spot while knowing little about pain, I would stop moving.

 It was a terrible fighting technique. If I hadn't been me, I would have been killed.
 And I hadn't even managed to land a single blow on Kainushi.

 Feeling a stinging sense of defeat, I walked from roof to roof, trying not to make a sound, and returned to the inn.
 It was unlikely that Kainushi would come after him any time soon. But there is no time to lose. I want to take a shower and wash off all the powder, but I have to give up. Our lives are more important.

 I've had a rough go of it, but I've got what I need.

 The Night Crystal. Perhaps it's not a fake.
 I don't know how Kainushi and the others captured me, but if I can hide my negativity, I'm almost as good as a human.

 You can have it. Peaceful days are within my grasp.
 Hiding in a city far away. With the Night Crystal, I'm free to go out and buy food. You can live comfortably for a while, with the occasional blood.

 I entered Senri's room and took on the luggage I had packed.
 His body was still in pain, but it was much better than at first. The powder must have come off when he flew around the roof. I don't think I'll have any problems surviving ....... It was fortunate that vampires do not need to breathe. If a lot of it had gotten into their bodies, they would have felt a burning pain in their guts.

 I put my hand on the window. I'm meeting you near the exit of the city.

 The first one to get back to the inn was to take the luggage. That means Senri hasn't escaped yet.
 The woman called Albatross ...... was certainly as strong as I am, but I don't think that's enough to beat Senri.

 Don't worry, it's her. It's also possible that she's taking it easy on him so as not to kill him.
 He brushed off his swollen hands and tried to cover up his anxiety.


 --Just then, in my vision, the night sky suddenly glowed white.


 The air shuddered, and the sound of destruction echoed in the distance. I had seen that scene before.
 It was the light Senri had used to dispel the Shadow Dragon in the battle against the Lord.

 The light disappeared in an instant and the darkness returned. But it was unusual for Senri to use a technique with such physical destructive power on a person that it could blow up a house.

 He jumped from the window and looked in the direction of the light. My hesitation was short-lived.


 I shouldn't have gone to help.


 Senri is strong. I'm sure she won't make a mistake, and even if Kainushi joins us, she won't be a huge burden. In fact, I might even be a hindrance. Her blessing is a strong poison for me.

 Surprised by the lights and sounds, I weaved my way through the people who had come outside and entered the alley.
 Then I ran towards the meeting place.


§.


 Try not to kill them, Senri said. For her, hunting vampires was not evil.
 The Knights of the End are very small in number. The vampire hunters were necessary to the world. And as a fan of the Knights of the End, I'm of the same opinion.

 The undead deserve to be extinguished. I'm just a pathetic monster fighting against it for my own selfish reasons.
 I don't want to be attacked, but I don't hold a grudge. I don't kill unless I'm about to be killed, unless I'm in too much danger.

 Resentment breeds resentment. In that case, it is better to take advantage of the warmth of your enemy.
 There are plenty of ...... enemies out there anyway. One or two less enemies won't change that. Maybe there is a small chance that one day my safety will be confirmed.

 I hid near the gate, between the buildings, and waited for the Senri to arrive. Focusing all of my senses, I look for any sign of the Kainushi approaching.

 The quiet night of the city was somehow melancholy.
 By the way, I didn't get a chance to look around this city either. I was too busy taking care of Senri, and I had promised not to go outside.
 I don't mind that I had a good time nursing her, but I wonder if there will ever be a time when I will be able to walk around with a big smile on my face. I just want to go shopping and take a walk. .......


 The wind blows. Suddenly, I sense a sweet smell and look up.
 It's still far away, but it's Senri's smell. You move your head to look in the direction of the scent. I squint in the darkness.

 Thank God, ......, I'm safe. No, I believed it. .......

 But immediately a strong feeling of discomfort crossed my mind. Frowning, I think. I scolded my still aching legs and ran off.



 Senri's blood is indeed sweet. The flesh, skin, and hair from which it flowed smelled like the finest fruit.
 But it couldn't have been strong enough to reach this far.

 My speed did not slow down at all even though I was carrying a load. A person who happened to be walking on the street was surprised to see me running so fast and opened the way.

 I caught sight of Senri shortly afterwards.

"Senri, ......!

"............ en, de ......

 Senri had wounds all over her body. It's a good idea to have a good idea of what you're looking for.
 The blessing on his body is much weaker than usual.

 His limbs smelled strongly of blood. Not spilled blood. It was the familiar scent of Senri's blood.
 Her beautiful silver hair was stained with blood, and blood dripped from her left side, which she held tightly with her left hand.

 The sweet, strong scent made me forget the pain and my consciousness wavered. Her purple eyes caught a faint glimpse of me, and her body collapsed as if she had cut the thread.

 I hurriedly stepped forward to support her. As soon as Senri's body touched mine, a strong shock of pain shot through my body. Her hair touched my cheek, and my cheek burned.
 I stifled the scream that came out of my mouth and slowly laid her body down on the ground.

 My body was covered with a thin layer of white steam. Not as much as when I was hit by a silver bullet, but my instincts warned me.

 Positive energy. The positive energy that Senri was unconsciously carrying filled my abyss.
 I had it turned off while I was moving. But now she's unconscious and her whole body is covered in it. Perhaps this is her normal state. Perhaps this is her normal state, her body's half-reflexive response to the danger of life.

 Close your eyes and sharpen your senses. I look into my abyss.
 My death energy is quite strong. No matter how many senri I have, it will take a long time to bury it with the power I unconsciously release. In fact, the steam that had been rising has already disappeared. You won't die so easily.

 But it's not painless. He lifts the sword out of Senri's hand. The burning heat rushed to his palms, but he managed to keep it in its sheath at his waist.
 There was no time. He wanted to tend to the wound, but he'd done so much damage. Kainushi, Alba, and the others would no doubt be after him.

 There was no time to wait for her to wake up and have her blessing cut.

 Should I just leave her here? Kainushi didn't say to kill him. He'll take care of him. Arbatos wouldn't hurt an unconscious man.

 I take a deep breath.

 No-- no. She fought for me. I should be fighting for her.
 If nothing else, losing Senri would greatly reduce my chances of survival. I'll be all alone. I can live with that, but the next time I see her, she could be my enemy.

 I believe in Senri, but even with that in mind, the Epe I encountered once was a monster.

 I believe in Senri.

I'll ...... help you right away.

 First - get outside. I bought some medicine when I was resupplying.
 Senri is full of positive energy and will recover quickly if you keep your distance. She should regain consciousness soon.
 I slip my arm under her body and pick her up, biting my tongue to bear the rushing pain. Steam rises from her arms, from her body.

 It's as if you're holding a heavy flame. The pain was not as intense, but the endless agony reminded me of the sun torture of the past.
 But still better. I'd much rather be killed by Senri than purified by the sun. Positive energy is flowing into my jet-black soul, but at this rate, there's no danger of it being buried.

 I'm--I'm falling faster.

 The blood in my head had stopped, but the blood in my stomach showed no signs of stopping. Even now, when I picked her up, she left a reddish-black mark on the ground.
 It was a waste of ...... time. You have to stop it quickly. ...... Senri is anemic after all the blood she just gave me. She'll die if she doesn't.

 Kainushi, Arbatross is coming. I'm sorry to put so much stress on your body, but I don't think you can beat Arbatos, who has hurt Senri so much.

 He endures the pain and runs as fast as he can. Senri moans as he holds her, but he's careful not to drop her.
 The gatekeeper standing in front of the gate widens his eyes when he sees us. But there was no time to go through the formalities of leaving town. I jumped up with my knees folded wide. I easily jumped over the thick gate, which was over five meters high, and landed on my feet.



 My arms, my body is screaming. Senri's instincts are fighting against death, and the blessing he wears becomes even stronger, burning his body.

 But ...... is good. We will survive. We will survive, both of us.
 This is nothing compared to the death I experienced once.

 I made up my mind again and ran into the darkness with all the strength I could muster.



§ § § §


 The place where the tavern used to be was no more than a shadow of its former self. Tables had been thrown down and there were large cracks in the walls, so it would be some time before the bar could reopen.

 A particularly large mark of destruction was a huge hole through the ceiling.
 There are no notable marks on the edges of the hole.

 It is likely that the blessing was converted into pure destructive energy and released. It's a technique the Demise Knights are good at.
 The strength of the Knights of the End is based on the blessing. Its energy, which can change its nature at will, is far more versatile, quicker, and stronger than similar miracle-making magic.

 Inside the collapsed building, Arbatross was looking up at the hole in the ceiling with his teeth bared.

You got away, huh?

"...... You got away, too.

You got away, too." "d*mn, ......, that's some guy. That vampire is ...... used to pain, isn't he?

 The vampire is accustomed to pain,. Narrowing his eyes, Kainushi lets out a muffled laugh.

 He doesn't look like a new vampire. It's a good idea to have a good idea of what you're looking for.
 The unaccustomed pain stops the body from moving. It's not like you're going to be able to get away with it.

 But he could escape. If Albatross had been there, he wouldn't have escaped, but next time it won't be the same.
 The most frightening thing about vampires is their intelligence ...... and their ability to learn. In the first round, you have a huge advantage, but in the second round, your opponent knows your tricks and your pain.

 Of course, he is a lowly vampire. Of course, they are lower-ranking vampires. They are no match for Kainushi.

But to let the bride go is a ...... nasty thing to do. What will you say to that monster?

 Epee of Annihilation. I'm not sure what you're talking about. It's incomparable to lower-ranked vampires, and is an opponent that must be avoided at all costs.
 I'm not sure what to make of that.

I'm not sure what to do. But I made a hole in my stomach. Next time, I'll kill him.

I'm not going to let you finish him off. ...... If you've wounded him that badly, it's going to take some time for him to heal. I'll fold it up ...... before the client gets mad.

"When the moon is full, ...... you will never lose.

 Albatross' golden eyes shine brightly.
 His slender body swelled, and the black clothes that had enveloped him were torn away and replaced by rags.
 The change lasted only a few seconds. There it was, a big black dog. Kuro, huge, and smart as a man.

"I'm going to have to buy new clothes again. I told you to take them off and then change.

 At the sound of Cainusi's dumbfounded voice, Arbatos howled as if he were threatening.
 His eyes glittered with a deep resentment towards the vampire.