Chapter 151
Chapter 151
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 152
Chapter Title: The Vampire's Lair
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It was a fairly sizable island that appeared at the mouth of a large river. Yuseong set foot on the island.
The thick fog, which had obscured everything just moments ago, had lifted, but the clouds blanketing the island gave it an incredibly gloomy atmosphere.
‘That must be the vampires’ den.’
The moment the island came into view, Yuseong’s gaze had been drawn to the massive castle occupying most of it.
As if to confirm his words, the captain who had brought him to the island approached and spoke.
“That’s the castle where Isratuus Vindelrom resides. He stays there with his bloodkin and followers.”
[An island base? Aren’t vampires weak to running water?]
That seemed to be the lore for vampires in legends.
But at least for the vampires in Arc, that setting didn’t apply.
Suddenly, the other sailors disembarked and began pitching tents, lighting campfires, and driving stakes into the ground around the area. In an instant, a small campsite sprang up along the riverbank.
“Though the lord couldn’t provide lavish support, he instructed us to ensure you have every convenience for battle. Please rest here if you grow fatigued or injured during combat. We can handle basic resupply and item repairs as well.”
Yuseong approached the NPC selling items.
They weren’t selling anything extraordinary. But they had basic raw materials, ammunition, potions, and other essentials to sustain combat.
Best of all, these items were subject to the quest reward of half-price purchases.
“No need to go back and forth to Ludeart anymore.”
[That’s a relief.]
[The boat ride was rough, but this makes up for it.]
Looking further, there were even NPCs to assist with the portable forge and bank vault access. He could set this as his respawn point too.
In short, everything needed for hunting here was prepared.
‘I should make full use of it.’
Normally, rewards were given only upon quest completion, but this half-price perk had activated the moment he accepted the quest.
If it were something minor, he’d shrug it off, but half-price items were overly generous, even for an important linked quest.
Yuseong had naturally asked the strategy guide about it and received a satisfactory explanation.
But for now, he had no immediate need for the campsite. He’d come fully prepared from the start.
“Shall we go?”
He began walking toward the castle.
* * *
The first monsters he encountered were the Vampire Slaves. They looked like ordinary humans, but their sharp claws, protruding fangs, and mad red eyes betrayed their true nature.
“Vampire Slaves. They’re humans bitten by vampires who failed to turn.”
-Kyaargh!
They charged at Yuseong. His response was bullets.
Bang!
Thud!
A bullet lodged into a Vampire Slave’s head. But it didn’t go down with one shot.
Bang! Bang!
Only after two more shots did the Vampire Slave charging at Yuseong collapse.
[Tough, huh?]
[Yuseong’s openings are always like this lately.]
Some viewers expressed concern, but Yuseong remained unfazed.
This island was a much higher-level area than his current one, just like everywhere else so far. This level of strength was expected.
‘No problem proceeding.’
Yuseong glanced up at the castle. Vampire Slaves patrolled the grounds around it. Real vampires would appear once he entered.
He cut down the Vampire Slaves blocking his path as he headed for the castle.
The gates stood wide open, as if inviting intruders to try their luck. He passed the moat and a grand yet sturdy door.
A spacious lobby lay before him. Light poured from a massive chandelier, illuminating opulent decorations. It resembled the interior of Ludeart Castle he’d seen recently—no, it looked far more lavish.
[Whoa.]
[Insane!]
Viewers marveled at the lobby. But Yuseong ignored the finery, scanning the area with cold eyes.
And he spotted it.
‘Vampires.’
Vampire Slaves were nearly human, differing only in claws, fangs, and glowing red eyes. These were even more distinct.
Their arms were unnaturally long, ears pointed, and skin corpse-pale.
“Vampires.”
Yuseong aimed at the nearest one, snapping viewers out of their awe at the splendor.
“Regular attacks are similar to Vampire Slaves, but they have mist form and beast form abilities.”
As his explanation ended, the gun barrel flashed.
-Kieeeek!
The struck vampire staggered. Yuseong’s bullet had targeted not the head, but the chest—specifically, the heart.
“Unlike Vampire Slaves, vampires’ weak point is the heart, not the head.”
[Classic vampire lore—stake through the heart.]
[Bullets to the heart probably hurt more than stakes.]
“But this one’s tough.”
Even three shots to the vitals hadn’t dropped it.
“Well, Vampire Slaves took three shots too.”
If a superior foe died from three shots, he’d suspect it was faking.
-Kreeee!
Enraged by the repeated vital hits, it let out a screech.
Whoosh!
Its body vanished in an instant. No—it transformed. A hazy mist appeared where it had stood. The amorphous cloud writhed briefly before surging toward Yuseong.
Bang! Bang!
Two shots. But the bullets passed harmlessly through the mist.
“As you can see, mist form nullifies most attacks. At least regular gunfire doesn’t work.”
The mist enveloped Yuseong in seconds. A dire situation. Yet he stayed calm.
“But they can’t attack in mist form. Still, don’t let your guard down.”
The mist contracted suddenly, solidifying into a massive bat.
-Kyaaaaah!
“That’s how they strike.”
Dodging a claw swipe from its wings, Yuseong spoke.
Bang! Bang! Bang!
He kept firing at the heart. But it resisted stun.
“In that state, their toughness and HP increase. But no need to worry.”
The vampire suddenly flapped its huge wings, retreating far back, then reverted to humanoid form.
“They can’t stay in beast form long. Same for mist.”
Using the distance, Yuseong reloaded.
“They also have a blood-suck ability to restore their own HP, true to their name. Just watch for that, and they’re manageable.”
[Just that?]
[Plenty tricky.]
The vampire clashed with Yuseong repeatedly after that.
But victory went to Yuseong in the end.
“Definitely harder than Vampire Slaves.”
[Gonna be grinding here for a while.]
“Yeah. Who knows what tougher foes lurk higher up.”
He already knew from the strategy guide, but couldn’t reveal it.
Yuseong began properly exploring the castle.
* * *
Fitting its castle theme, the dungeon consisted of corridors and large rooms. Yuseong prioritized hunting those in the corridors.
The castle was vast, so rooms were huge too. At his current level, wide-open spaces risked encirclement, so he avoided them.
Even corridors were wide enough to get pinched front and back, requiring constant vigilance.
The vampires’ traits complicated things further.
Bang! Bang! Bang!
He shot the lead vampire while monitoring those behind. He kept moving to prevent simultaneous assaults.
Whoosh!
Then a rear vampire misted, slipping past the front one toward Yuseong.
“Tch!”
Yuseong clicked his tongue lightly, raising his gun to keep the front one in check. The mist moved behind him.
-Kyaak!
It solidified, slashing claws. Yuseong twisted his waist. The claws grazed over his head. A brief opening appeared, but he ignored it, slipping behind the vampire.
Now two vampires faced him again.
Avoiding encirclement was key for now.
Bang! Bang!
He fired once more. But not at the mist aggressor—his prior target.
‘Reduce their numbers first.’
Damage was low, stuns rare. With control weakened, better to kill one outright.
* * *
After some hunting, Yuseong adapted.
Whoosh!
A vampire misted again. Yuseong drew a new gun—not the blue one. No need for top-tier.
Bang!
He shot at the misting vampire. Predictably ineffective. But he aimed at its feet.
The bullet hit the floor.
Boom!
Air swirled violently around.
Storm Bullet.
It generated storm-like winds on impact, shredding the charging mist and halting it.
No damage, but it pinned the mist form.
Meanwhile, Yuseong hunted the others.
His hunting prowess grew.
* * *
After prolonged vampire slaying and running low on ammo, Yuseong returned to camp.
Half-price items always lifted his spirits. Buying two black breads for 1 gold brought a bright smile.
[Still can’t get over it every time.]
[So jealous he’s that happy over something like this.]
After devouring the black bread, he headed to the portable forge. He crafted depleted reinforced and storm bullets first, then potions.
[Camp sure makes it convenient.]
[Round trip to Ludeart would be a hassle.]
Once accustomed through grinding, he ventured into rooms beyond corridors.
‘Definitely tougher.’
His feared scenario unfolded: Multiple vampires encircled and attacked him. But he had a solid tactic now.
HP drain was heavier, but he cleared rooms one by one.
“Leveled up.”
[Already?]
[Insane speed.]
Viewers were awed. But even that was routine now.