Anti-World Government Activist (5)
Suddenly sensing an ominous chill, Lilith turned around.
What the hell is this...?
It was like spotting her favorite brand of beer at the mart—with only one set left—and then noticing someone else heading straight for it. A weird, nagging unease.
The analogy was a bit off, but that was the vibe. A gut-wrenching foreboding.
"What the...?"
She couldn't pinpoint it, but it felt wrong. And yet, she couldn't turn back. Not until she'd found the kidnapped dispenser or that batshit crazy lamia bitch who'd snatched him.
"Fuck..."
But her instincts screamed to bail.
Instinct versus duty.
Torn between them, Lilith finally spun on her heel.
She expanded her ki sense even further. Less precise now, but the range covered nearly half the tropical island. Hundreds of lamia presences pinged within it.
Driven by a vague dread that delaying would lead to regret, she flapped her wings toward the newest lamia signature she'd detected.
I clenched my fist watching the streetlamp I'd hurled—faster and more accurately than I thought possible—fly straight at the white-haired woman.
Unexpected power boost, but hey, at least I landed one on that bitch.
But...
"You're just as crude and classless as Lilith, aren't you?"
Crunch.
The streetlamp crumpled in midair with a grotesque screech, folding like paper. It wadded up, then crashed to the ground with a thud.
"Fine, though. I'll admit it—my puppets can't quite handle you."
She descended gracefully, twirling her parasol with a swish. "And now that I see you up close... you're not bad-looking at all."
No.
What the fuck is this psycho babbling about?
"So, I'll drain every last drop of your blood... and make you my personal servant."
Her blood-red eyes fixed on me as she said it.
That's when I felt it.
Not just chills—it was pure, horrifying terror.
Fear.
Despair.
Overwhelming... powerlessness.
Run.
My brain screamed to flee, but my body wouldn't budge.
"Now, what will your blood taste like...? Turning Lilith's boy into my thrall—mmm, the more I think about it, the more delicious it sounds. I bet seeing you lick my feet would drive that bitch insane... ♡"
She sighed dreamily, approaching slowly. But those crimson eyes pinned me like prey.
Red like Lilith's, but different. A predator's gaze that saw nothing but food.
"F-Fuckin' hell... mom... fuck..."
No illusion or charm spell. Just raw, pants-shitting fear freezing me solid.
Clack, clack. My teeth chattered uncontrollably. Embarrassing as shit, but my body wouldn't stop.
Like a mouse before a massive carnivore, paralyzed.
She giggled, closing in.
Move.
My legs shook.
Move!
They buckled. I collapsed in a heap.
She landed, looming over me, and caressed my cheek with an outstretched hand.
"Now, what should your new name be, hmm? Something cute... dignified..."
Cold.
Like no blood flowed through it. Corpse-cold.
That's when I got it.
Why she reeked of blood.
Not 'cause it was shark week or whatever. Her whole body was soaked in it.
Up close, the stench hit hard—fishy, mingled from countless victims. Vile enough to gag on, no matter how much heavy perfume she drowned it in.
Why she rambled about sucking blood. And those bat-like wings behind her? No mere werebeast batkin.
It all clicked.
Her true nature.
Vampire.
The night nobles who drain blood and enslave their victims.
"Well? Got any ideas for your new name?"
Her whisper made my teeth clack as I spat, "Your mom's cunt."
"...Perfect. 'Puppy' suits you. Don't you think it's fitting?"
She seized my throat with a crack, hoisting me up effortlessly.
"Guhk...!"
"Can't have you barking and panting for Lilith with a scarred face, so I'll let this slide. Be grateful."
Her mouth neared my neck. It split wide with a creak, revealing fangs long and sharp enough to raise hackles.
"G-Guh...!"
I thrashed, my strength still there—the same that yanked a streetlamp barehanded—but her grip held like iron. Two arms couldn't budge one of hers.
Fuuuck.
How strong is this monster...?
Let her bite, and I'd be her blood-drained slave?
Vampire.
They suck blood, create slaves—half-vamps who serve eternally, never true vampires.
Arrogant night nobles lording over hordes of thralls. No way they'd swallow the World Government's equality bullshit.
The twenty-two heroes forced it on them anyway. Many vamps fled the government, hiding worldwide.
This bitch was one of 'em.
An anti-government type. Lilith's enemy.
Get bitten, drained, enslaved...
I'd become her enemy too.
Lose my mind, my self, turn against Lilith as this cunt's puppet.
"G-Guhk...!"
I writhed anyway. Futile, I knew—but I fought.
"Hold still, you're making it hard to bite. Just relax—once you're my servant, I'll dote on you plenty..."
Whoosh.
My sharpened hearing caught it crystal clear.
"Wha...?"
A diagonal slash carved across her body.
She teetered, then froze.
Zzzzt...!
Her crumbling form knit back in seconds. Unreal regeneration—beyond "superior healing."
"What the fu—"
Her eyes bloodshot, fangs bared, she snarled toward the attack's source. Another line slashed her neck.
"Kahk...!"
Again. Her leg this time.
"Hng...!"
Again. Her waist.
"Kuhk...!"
Endless strikes severed regenerating limbs.
"You little shit...! Where are you?! Show yourself—!"
Her wrist next.
The one gripping me.
"Ah—!"
The instant it severed, I was yanked downward like a hook caught fish. Into the earth.
"...Huh?"
Wait, not earth—I popped out somewhere else.
"Gah, fuck...!"
I hit the floor with a splat, scrambling back in horror.
This was...
The rooftop. Of the Interspecies Support Center—my damn workplace with the stupidly long name.
No, fuck.
Why the hell am I here again?
Stranded atop this skyscraper, I locked eyes with the white-haired witch glaring up from below.
She could see me. And I her.
Weird-ass sensation.
Impossible to meet gazes from this height normally. My vision must've been jacked up too.
Her red eyes twisted in rage, then her already pale face drained whiter. Pure terror, like she'd glimpsed the abyss.
"...You alright, Hanjo?"
A familiar voice whispered in my ear.
I looked up. A welcome sight.
Fuck yes. So goddamn welcome.
Flowing golden hair, nine swishing tails.
Hoaran, gazing at me with worry.
"Hoaran...!"
From below, a guttural roar echoed as crimson spears erupted around the building.
Like all her prior attacks were child's play.
Or a desperate frenzy.
Dozens packed the air, but Hoaran pressed her hand to my forehead.
"You endured well. As expected of this lady's disciple."
Hey, I never agreed to that disciple shit.
More importantly...
Aren't we in deep shit right now?
Then her plush tails enveloped me. Fuck it, who cares.
So. Damn. Fluffy.
"Rest now."
Poof, poof, poof.
Dolls identical to Hoaran popped up, clapping hands.
Myriad talismans swirled, enough to block the crimson barrage. They linked into a massive barrier.
Crimson spears poured down as it formed.
Not one pierced.
They burned in talisman flames, froze solid, and rained down like trash.
Her tail draped over my head. Total fluff overload, top and bottom.
"Wait just a moment. This lady will teach that mosquito bitch a lesson."
I looked up at her.
Siiiigh...
Red lines bloomed under her eyes, across her forehead. Eerie patterns.
"She'll pay dearly for touching this lady's disciple."