Chapter 156
Translator: penny
Chapter: 157
Chapter Title: The Vampires Strike Back
The knights and demons were bustling about busily for some reason. Five ships floated along the riverbank.
“What are they doing?”
[Looks like they’re expanding the camp?]
[Judging by the scale, it seems like they’re preparing space for way more people than are staying here now.]
Yuseong was sharing various opinions with his viewers when—
“Curious about what that is?”
Yuseong immediately tried to draw his gun. But once again, his arm wouldn’t move.
“No need to be startled. Seeing as your body won’t move, this must be an event.”
[That scared the crap out of me.]
[Spilled coffee on my keyboard ㅠㅠ]
The viewers seemed pretty shocked by the sudden voice. Yuseong turned his body. Fortunately, it seemed that simple movements like that weren’t hindered by the event, as it obeyed his will.
It was someone he’d seen a few times before.
[Wait, that guy?]
[Isn’t that the leader of the subjugation squad from the underground dungeon?]
Even those who frequently watched Yuseong’s streams recognized the man’s identity.
Yuseong spoke up.
“I’m curious. Mind if I ask what you’re doing?”
“Keheh, as expected of a bold one. That’s how you were able to kill Vindelrom.”
“A.I.s are great, aren’t they? They only react to exactly what you say to them.”
[ㅋㅋㅋ For real.]
[Perfect 낄끼빠빠 A.I.]
As expected, the man didn’t react sharply to the current remark.
“It’s a forward base. A supply outpost to deal with those vampire scum.”
[ㅋㅋㅋ He’s talking.]
[Gotta progress the event ㅋㅋㅋㅋ]
[Still kinda curious though.]
“Even though Israatus Vindelrom died by your hand, the vampires—those filthy leeches—haven’t been completely exterminated, so we need to clean up again. We’ll give the useful ones the right to serve our great master as slaves, cull the useless ones, and take that island under our control while we’re at it.”
“In short, it’s a power struggle.”
“Curiosity satisfied? Then you can die without regrets now?”
He raised his weapon.
“Why not just stay put? Our master highly valued your merit in executing Vindelrom and spared your life. Did you think he wouldn’t know you heard the truth from that bastard Vindelrom? After receiving such mercy, shouldn’t you have holed up quietly and kept your mouth shut?”
[He’s playing around.]
[ㅋㅋㅋ The classic villain’s dogshit philosophy in explanations.]
“If that’s the case, you won’t have any lingering regrets even if you die here.”
The leader snapped his fingers. Instantly, the surrounding bushes rustled, and countless shadowy figures emerged. They were knights and demons from Rudart Territory.
“Of course, I don’t underestimate you. You did subjugate Israatus Vindelrom, after all. But that arrogant fool wouldn’t have fought with his subordinates’ help. We won’t make that mistake. If all of us here gang up on you, even Vindelrom couldn’t withstand it. What about you?”
[Yeah, there’s a ton of them for sure.]
[Is this gonna be okay?]
The number of enemies emerging from the forest was enormous. Moreover, from experience fighting demons, they were clearly a cut above the vampires.
On top of that, new foes: the knights of Rudart Territory. He hadn’t fought them yet, but he didn’t expect them to be particularly weak either.
Objectively speaking, Yuseong was definitely in a crisis.
“It’s fine. My body still won’t move.”
Meaning the event was still ongoing.
Sure enough—
BOOM!
“Wh-what is that!”
“The ships!”
Yuseong, the leader, the knights, and the demons all looked toward the source of the explosion. One of the ships moored at the riverbank was ablaze. Given that it was made of wood, it looked impossible for that ship to stay afloat any longer.
“What happened!”
The leader shouted. But neither the knights nor the demons knew the answer. They could only exchange troubled glances.
KABOOM!
Another ship went up in flames.
With everyone’s eyes already fixed there, they could see exactly what had set the ship ablaze.
“Magic?”
“Th-there’s a ship over there!”
A knight pointed to where a single ship was ascending the river from downstream. That was where the dozens of fire magic spells targeting their ships had originated.
And it wasn’t just that one ship. Others followed in a line behind it.
Bewilderment was clear on the leader’s face. Anyone could see it was a large-scale enemy raid. With two of their ships burning, no one could delude themselves that it wasn’t the enemy.
That begged the question: ‘Who exactly?’
Fortunately, the enemy wasn’t going for some mysterious hidden-identity concept.
Black shapes began lifting off from the ships one by one. They swarmed into the base in an instant.
“Vampires!”
“The vampires are attacking!”
-Kieeeek!
Vampires transformed into bat-like monsters landed on shore. They soon reverted to their true forms and began attacking the nearby knights and demons.
“Kill them!”
“Trash of Rudart!”
“Dogs of the fallen Vindelrom!”
Soon, the area was filled with the sounds of battle.
“Wh-what the hell? Why are the vampires suddenly going berserk like this!”
“Isn’t it obvious?”
A voice came from above the leader’s head. A massive bat-formed vampire, leading a group of apparent subordinates, hovered in the air.
They leisurely descended to the ground. The apparent vampire leader confronted the Rudart leader.
“You…”
“Long time no see, Rudart vermin.”
“What is the meaning of this?”
“Meaning of what?”
The vampire leader sneered.
“You think we don’t know you sent that human to assassinate Lord Vindelrom? With Lord Vindelrom gone, it was obvious you’d come crawling in. Rather than die or become slaves to you lot, we figured it’s better to strike first.”
“Bullshit! What evidence do you have for that nonsense? Don’t you see the current situation? We were the ones targeting that human bastard…!”
BAM!
The leader’s words didn’t continue. The vampire leader had fired off a spell. The leader barely dodged the attack.
“I won’t be fooled by your treacherous tongue! If you don’t want to die, pick up your weapon! It’s war now!”
“You damned bastard!”
As the vampire leader charged, the other vampires began assaulting Rudart’s forces. In an instant, the surroundings filled with the clamor of combat.
The Rudart leader and vampire leader, along with the other knights, demons, and vampires, all sought out opponents and swung their weapons.
Since the incoming vampires only dove in to fight Rudart’s forces wherever they spotted them, formations meant nothing. Melees broke out everywhere.
Whoosh! Whoosh!
Vampires continued flying in from the ships. Only a few landed in Yuseong’s battlefield. Most flew past the battlefield, heading to one side or the other.
The Rudart leader was aghast.
“You wouldn’t…!”
“Why so surprised? This is war! You used a human to kill our master, so it’s only natural we go straight for Rudart!”
“You bastards! Do you even realize what you’re doing right now!”
“Of course! Rudart can’t face us with human troops alone, so he’ll have to deploy his demon subordinates. Naturally, the humans will learn Rudart’s true nature. That could disrupt our plans.”
“You know that and…!”
“We have no retreat anyway!”
The vampire leader cut off the Rudart leader.
“You started this! Even if you win, Rudart will have to take responsibility! You mocked vampire pride too lightly! You think we’d just sit back and watch our master fall to some mere human and then die or submit to the ones who hired him!”
“Crazy bastard!”
“Doesn’t matter! If we can get revenge on you, we’ll endure any humiliation!”
The two began fighting, gradually moving away from Yuseong’s position. The other knights, demons, and vampires followed suit.
In an instant, the enemies around Yuseong vanished. Battle cries and combat noises still rang in his ears, though.
Yuseong felt control of his body return.
“So, basically, war has broken out between Rudart and the vampires. Seems like the setup is that Rudart’s forces can’t pay full attention because of the vampires’ surprise attack.”
[The battle sounds make it seem like the hunting ground layout changed too?]
[Heard vampires, knights, and demons suddenly started fighting in Rudart City.]
[The whole city turned into a hunting ground!]
[First time the entire city’s changed like this in Ark, right?]
[Insane! That’s why the linked quests were so complex!]
The viewers marveled at the changes engulfing the Rudart area. Then, a quest completion window appeared before Yuseong’s eyes. A new quest started.
Quest: Subjugate the Scheming Rudart Lord
The lord of Rudart Territory has been revealed as a demon worshiper plotting some conspiracy. Subjugate him to show that there’s no place for demons in this land.
Reward: Experience 7,345
[New quest.]
[Reward’s just experience again.]
[Bit underwhelming, but the linked quest continuing is enough.]
“For now, let’s hunt around here and level up a bit. From the atmosphere, the Rudart lord seems stronger than Vindelrom.”
Yuseong began wandering the forest. Demons were still visible, as before. But now that there was no reason to hide their identities, they’d discarded their deep hoods and revealed their true forms.
There were new enemies too: Rudart knights and vampires. To balance things, the vampires’ overall level had risen. And the knights were quite strong as well.
But the most distinctive feature of this hunting ground was the three-way battle.
“Hyaat!”
-Kyaack!
A knight and vampire attacked each other. Sword and claws clashed fiercely. Then they noticed Yuseong’s approach.
Clang!
They put distance between each other. They eyed Yuseong warily while glancing at one another.
[ㅋㅋㅋㅋ What is this mess?]
[First time seeing combat like this ㅋㅋㅋㅋ]
[Not just funny though. Three-way means way more possibilities.]
[Enemy density is high too. Probably because of the three-way specialness.]
“Who to attack first?”
[Vampire!]
[First time fighting a knight, so knight.]
Various opinions poured in, but most favored hitting the vampire first. Since they had experience fighting them, it’d be easier.
“Got it.”
Yuseong fired at the vampire.
-Kraaaack!
The vampire screamed. The knight hesitated, then joined Yuseong in attacking the vampire.
[ㅋㅋㅋㅋ Blind teamwork.]
[Temporary alliance just this once!]
The vampire was quickly pushed back. Right around when its health seemed nearly depleted—
The knight suddenly turned. His sword flashed, signaling a skill activation. It was a sneak attack on Yuseong.
But before he could swing, he took a blow to the head.
“I was a bit faster.”
[ㅋㅋㅋㅋ Backstab timing is a battle too!]
[This is hilarious!]