Chapter 93: Vampire Queen Eldiria (2)
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 93: Vampire Queen Eldiria (2)
Torrents of blood surged around Kang Jun-hyeok.
The liquid mass sought to crush and pulverize his body where he stood. That power was, quite literally, death itself—a transcendent force that a hundred versions of the current Kang Jun-hyeok could not hope to oppose.
It was a catastrophe.
When an elephant moves to crush an ant, the ant is powerless. It can only wait for death in utter despair.
[Judgment of the Law.]
The divine Authority manifested. The speed of the blood torrents slowed by 20%.
[Instant Acceleration.]
All of Kang Jun-hyeok’s speeds increased by 1.5 times.
Even so, nothing changed. The blood began to close in on Kang Jun-hyeok with cold, cruel indifference.
Thus, he expanded his senses.
His five senses sharpened. He heard, saw, and felt everything without missing a single detail. He perceived and read the flow of the blood. Countering or defending was meaningless; the best he could do was evade.
He twisted his body. The flow of the blood streams. The orbits. The trajectories. He grasped them all. He focused his mind more intensely than ever before, drawing upon every drop of his internal energy.
It was a state of total immersion—a moment of selflessness.
Crrraaaaack!
The blood slammed down, and Eldiria’s eyes widened.
Kang Jun-hyeok had successfully evaded her attack.
“Cough.”
Of course, it wasn't a perfect evasion. The remnants of the blood had grazed him, and that alone caused his health to plummet to double digits. Had it not been for the System’s protection, his limbs would have been torn to shreds.
But he had not died.
He had evaded the attack of a mighty Transcendent. He had evaded Eldiria.
Both the Master of All Weapons and Eldiria doubted their own eyes.
[How?]
“You…?”
The ant had parried the elephant’s foot. Even these two, who had reached the pinnacle of greatness, could not hide their shock. With Kang Jun-hyeok’s current abilities, this should have been impossible even if he tried ten thousand times.
However, there was one fact they didn't know.
In his past life, Kang Jun-hyeok had been an acquaintance of Eldiria.
They had sparred thousands, tens of thousands—no, hundreds of thousands of times. He knew exactly how Eldiria wielded her power and exactly how to dismantle it. That was why he could pull off such a miraculous evasion.
“…….”
With a hardened expression, Eldiria flicked her finger once more.
Swaaaash!
The blood rose again. It plowed through the planet’s surface and swept through the atmosphere.
K-k-k-k-k-grind!
It was like a storm—an all-encompassing sweep designed to leave no room for escape. Kang Jun-hyeok caught his breath.
[Royal Blood.]
Beads of blood rose and took shape. A force like a gentle breeze collided with Eldiria’s storm.
K-k-k-k-k-grind!
The breeze was instantly broken and scattered. Kang Jun-hyeok pushed his power to its absolute limit. He read how Eldiria manipulated her strength and aimed for the gaps.
As a result, he managed to deflect the flow of the storm ever so slightly—a feat akin to nudging a massive boulder just enough to pass by. Kang Jun-hyeok immediately threw himself into that narrow opening.
Rumble!
The storm swept over the area and passed.
And Kang Jun-hyeok was still standing on the planet’s surface.
[Grace of Benevolence activated.]
He recovered half of his consumed health, but that was it. His spent internal energy and physical stamina did not return. He could barely lift a finger. If Eldiria chose to kill him now, he would face death without any means of resistance.
However, Eldiria was staring at Kang Jun-hyeok with a grim face.
How?
A mere ant had managed to survive her attacks twice. It was impossible. And above all else…
…That last swing of blood.
That was unmistakably a Vampire’s ability. A mere human had wielded a Vampire’s Authority.
After staring at Kang Jun-hyeok for a moment, Eldiria took a step forward. The distance compressed as if space itself were being folded. Instantly appearing before Kang Jun-hyeok, she grabbed him by the collar and lifted him up. Her pale face came inches from his nose.
“You. Who are you?”
“I am someone who knows a great deal about you.”
“Nonsense.”
Eldiria’s face contorted. Kang Jun-hyeok opened his mouth.
“That’s a beautiful ring.”
On Eldiria’s hand was a ring set with a dark red gem.
“I have something similar.”
Kang Jun-hyeok summoned his last bit of strength and raised his hand. Eldiria’s eyes widened. On Kang Jun-hyeok’s finger was the exact same ring.
“……You?”
“I told you. I know a great deal.” He smiled. “Why don’t we have a conversation?”
* * *
[Proficiency in Mental Method has increased significantly.]
[Proficiency in Judgment of the Law has increased.]
[Proficiency in Instant Acceleration has increased from F to E.]
[Proficiency in Instant Acceleration has increased significantly.]
[Proficiency in Royal Blood has increased from F to E.]
[Proficiency in Royal Blood has increased significantly.]
[Proficiency in Observation has increased significantly.]
[Feat +3]
Kang Jun-hyeok let out a hollow laugh at the system windows appearing before him.
He had only barely blocked two attacks. It wasn't even a perfect evasion; he had been desperate just to stay alive. Yet, just from that, his skill proficiencies had skyrocketed.
Not only that, but his Feat stat had increased by 3. Surviving Eldiria’s attack was, in itself, a great achievement.
“So,” Eldiria, who had been silent, finally spoke. “……You are saying that I personally handed you that ring and even bestowed my True Blood upon you?”
“Exactly.”
Kang Jun-hyeok nodded. He told Eldiria everything that had happened on the 10th Floor.
“The Players who came here looking for you were consumed by your past self. They fell for appearances and false connections, begging for your love. But not me.” He spoke in a low voice. “I was different. I formed a bond with you in the truest sense and helped you. We journeyed together and achieved our goals. I was on your side, Eldiria.”
“…….”
Eldiria looked like she wanted to deny the story. However, Kang Jun-hyeok possessed the Ruby Ring. Above all, she could feel her own energy within the Vampire Authority he possessed. It was definitive proof that her 10th Floor self had personally given him her True Blood.
In the end, Eldiria had no choice but to accept it.
“To think I gave my True Blood to a mere human. I have no idea what my past self was thinking. So, what is it you want from me? Surely you didn't come here hoping for affection just because of a ring?”
“Of course not. I’m not that shameless. That was your past self, after all.” Kang Jun-hyeok calmly stated his purpose. “What I want from you is Authority in its truest sense. Vampire Queen.”
* * *
What Kang Jun-hyeok had obtained from the 10th Floor Quest was the Ruby Ring and the active skill, Royal Blood.
However, Royal Blood was only a half-measure, not a complete Authority. This was because, during their journey, Kang Jun-hyeok had told her he liked being human and didn't want to become a Vampire.
Vampires had many weaknesses, but it was a different story for a True Ancestor. He would make that Authority perfect. That was his goal in seeking out Eldiria.
She scowled. “Why should I invest my time in someone like you?”
“Don't be like that,” Kang Jun-hyeok joked. “I received your True Blood. We’re practically family. Besides, even if it was in the past, we’re close enough that you gave me a ring. You could even say we’re related.”
“You certainly have a silver tongue for nonsense.” Eldiria waved her hand dismissively. “Normally, I would have crushed you to death, but… fine. I see no need for that. Begone.”
Just as she was about to expel Kang Jun-hyeok, he spoke.
“You lost everything because of the Werewolves’ raid and your uncle’s betrayal.”
Eldiria’s finger stopped.
She had lost her family, her people, and her kingdom. After wandering alone, she became the Vampire Queen and annihilated her enemies. That was the 10th Floor Quest, and it was her past.
Kang Jun-hyeok continued with a quiet smile. “Afterward, as a Queen, you built your own kingdom. You made a family again and gathered your people. You found peace. What happened to them now?”
“…….”
“They all died.”
The Great War of the Universe. It was, quite literally, a battle for the ownership of the universe. Eldiria had lost that battle and lost everything.
“A young thing like you talks quite a lot. Go on, keep babbling. You’d better give me a reason not to wring your neck.”
Murderous intent flickered in Eldiria’s eyes. If he slipped up even once, she would snap his neck then and there. But Kang Jun-hyeok continued without hesitation.
“That’s not all. The Victors butchered your past and shoved it into the Tower. Ignorant Players who know nothing about you see that past, cry out that they love you, and come seeking you. Even though you fled to this remote planet out of disgust, their footsteps never cease.”
Kang Jun-hyeok wore a look of pity.
“You have lost everything. Your past, your present, and even your future.”
Eldiria would never know a peaceful life. Players would constantly seek her out, begging for her emotions.
“You are in a worse state than even the Master of All Weapons.”
“Are you done? Then die.”
She swung her hand. Just as a blade of blood was about to slit Kang Jun-hyeok’s throat, he spoke.
“Don't you want revenge?”
The blade of blood stopped.
“Don't you want to take revenge on the Victors who ruined everything for you and make them pay for their sins?”
“…….”
“It would be impossible for you. You are a Loser, after all. But I am different.”
He was a Player—a legitimate challenger recognized by the Master of the Universe.
“I will act as your proxy, Vampire Queen. I will punish and strike down those who reduced you to this state.”
“You talk big,” Eldiria sneered. “What you’re saying is that you can win against the Victors.”
The Victors, whom even the gods who once ruled the universe, the Master of All Weapons, and Eldiria herself could not defeat. Kang Jun-hyeok was speaking of victory against them.
It was an arrogant and mad claim, but Kang Jun-hyeok remained composed.
“I can do it, Eldiria.”
It wasn't mere vanity. These were the words of one who had actually triumphed over the Victors and attempted to rewrite the history of the universe.
Eldiria, sensing this, hesitated for a moment. Confusion clouded her eyes as she looked at him. Kang Jun-hyeok met her gaze without backing down. After a long standoff, Eldiria lowered her hand.
“……That confidence. You will have to prove it.”
“Don't you worry.” Kang Jun-hyeok grinned. He knew Eldiria better than anyone. He hadn't even considered the possibility of her refusal from the start.
“Then, I’ll be in your care for a while, Eldiria. Vampire Queen.”
Eldiria nodded with a strange expression.