Chapter 25
Chapter 25
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Translator: Vine
Chapter: 25
Chapter Title: Rakémon
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Dense fog blanketing the surroundings. The red eyes I'd glimpsed earlier. And me, left all alone.
Putting it all together, I'd come to one conclusion.
"I'm fucked."
What now? Seriously, what the hell do I do? No matter how I look at it, this has vampire written all over it. It didn't recognize me on sight, so it's probably not some big name, but that doesn't matter right now.
"Why the hell are there vampires in Justitia?"
Did they operate inside Justitia too? Doesn't seem likely. I never set anything like that up. If they'd been active here from the start, they would've achieved their goal by now, right?
I had no idea. My brain wasn't working right in this sudden crisis.
I decided to change my approach. What mattered now wasn't the big picture. It was my immediate situation.
This was a vampire's hunting method. Fill the area with fog—an extension of their own body—to isolate the prey. Then use their signature "Eyes of Enchantment" to suck them dry effortlessly.
Vampires had a racial preference for beauties, so I'd probably be last on the menu, but Raphael and Isia? They were goners right this second.
"I just saved them..."
I'd only come out here to buy a phone. Why the fuck did I have to get dragged into this shit?
As I moved to break out of this mess, a blue window popped up in front of me, almost like it was responding.
I've thought this before, but man, this "Mana Eye" is way too good. It activates on its own exactly when I need it.
Anyway, I scanned the surroundings. Sure enough, mana flows swirled sluggishly through the fog.
Stab that, and the fog disappears? But the fog's part of the vampire's body—is it treated like magic?
"Hmm."
No clue. Too many variables. Only one thing to do in a pinch like this.
I rolled up my sleeve, exposing my wrist. A somewhat edgy red tattoo came into view.
Then I opened my [Inventory] and pulled out the [Practice Scythe]. It settled perfectly into my hand with a satisfying click.
Feeling that familiar comfort, like we'd been together forever, I lightly sliced the blade across my fragile skin.
"Ugh!"
It hurt. Stung like hell. But blood welled up. I pressed it to the tattoo on my wrist.
Hummm─
It glowed, resonating with my blood, as if crying out.
"Come here. Lachesis."
When you don't know what to do, just call the family cat. She's got it all covered.
Help me out, Rakémon!
The blood I'd scattered floated into the air, clumping together softly. It swirled like it was forming a door─
Boom!!!!!
A burst of sound, and a silver-haired cat-girl appeared in midair. Right above me, naturally.
"Master?! What the nyaa is this?!"
"You dropped on purpose. You could've dodged easy."
"N-No, nyaa! I didn't mean to splat you on purpose, nyaa!"
I glared at Lachesis, buried in my chest and sweating bullets. She was heavy—get off already.
"Nyaa~"
Sensing my stare, she cautiously hopped off. I brushed myself off and stood.
Anyway, this was one perk of the blood contract. It let the master summon their familiar using blood as a medium.
"Lachesis. Check my fortune. Gotta clear this fog?"
"Hmm? Hmmm~"
She peered intently at the fog, then me, alternating, before tapping her lip and tilting her head.
"This is just a maze, nyaa."
"Huh?"
"Looks like space split up, but there are paths through, nyaa. Follow my lead, nyaa."
With that, poof! She turned cat and perched on my shoulder.
Slipping right into guide mode, as usual.
"Straight ahead. Wall opens up, just go through, nyaa."
"For real? You sure? No weird life-drain bullshit?"
"Dunno about that, nyaa."
That's the important part! No other options, though. All or nothing. I thrust my arm into the fog—it passed through empty air smoothly.
"Feels like nothing."
"Safe? Then go, nyaa. Destination?"
"The fog's master."
"Nyaa."
I followed Lachesis's directions through the path.
I naturally reached the vampire before long. Didn't take much time.
"She's just ahead, nyaa."
I swallowed hard. Vampires. No way I win in a straight fight. If it comes to that.
"First strike wins."
Ambush and end it. Not sure if my puny strength could manage, but I've got skills.
The "Scythe Mastery" branches I'd expanded via mind map just recently.
[Correction: Beheading (Ambush)]
[Boosts beheading success rate when attacking from an unaware position.]
[Correction: Beheading (One-Shot)]
[Boosts probability of successful beheading in a single strike.]
With these two, a successful ambush severs the head clean. The problem?
"Don't underestimate vampire vitality, nyaa. Won't die even decapitated, nyaa."
I know. Decapitation doesn't kill them. Unless you cube the head like steak. I know plenty of ways to finish 'em—too many.
Aim to subdue.
I gripped the scythe tight and burst through the fog fiercely.
What I saw─
Isia, trembling uncontrollably. Already enchanted, she stood rigid, barely holding herself up. And gnawing at her neck: a man.
Already started feeding? Lucky it was right up close. Vampire too engrossed to notice.
Perfect setup. Ambush success. Got here before Isia bit the dust.
I swung the scythe with all my might. It hit the neck. But...
Hard. Blade wouldn't bite. Can't cut this? Skill's busted?! That thought flashed─
My vision filled with blue windows as the scythe moved on its own. Felt like it wasn't even my body. It pierced the steel-like skin.
Traced a smooth arc. The scythe passed through the neck, head flying with the blade.
Clean cut, geyser of blood, airborne head, collapsing body.
I gaped at it. There was a line for moments like this.
Oh. Right.
"Ahh. This is all skill carry."
Blood rained into my open mouth as I stood there.
"You okay?"
"Y-Yes? Yeah..."
Isia collapsed, legs giving out from the shock. Even as the Magic Association heiress, she was helpless against those eyes.
That's what Demonic Eyes are. Sure-hit magic that triggers on eye contact, unless you know it's coming.
Your only defense: innate magic resistance.
Near-death experience? Legs turning to jelly was natural.
More like, is this girl Princess Bloodbag or what? Save her, she gets kidnapped. Save her again, kidnapped again. You think I'm some red plumber? Figure it out yourself next time.
"Why was a vampire here...?"
"No idea. Getting out comes first."
I pinned the twitching body with my foot. It jerked!
Ignored it, opened [Inventory], and dropped an [I-Beam].
Location: obvious.
"N-No─"
Its head.
Thud─
Muffled crunch and heavy thump. Retrieved the beam, checked the flattened head, repeated several times.
No vampire survives a vaporized head. Decapitation? Sure. But head gone? Dead.
After pounding until the body went limp, I caught my breath.
Fog should clear now. Grab Raphael, bolt to the academy, hunker down safe─
"Huh?"
"W-Why? You're scaring me."
Why no vanish? I killed it clean. No chance to resist. Fog should've died with the body. Why?
Suddenly, that news from before the academy flashed back.
─These bodies have been found nationwide, regardless of region, with strong indications of organized activity...
"Ah."
How'd I miss that? No lone vampire makes fog to split four people. Instincts draw them to beauties.
Isia was hot, sure. But our group had the pinnacle of divine beauty. No way they skip her for Isia.
"Lachesis."
"Nyaa?"
"Raphael's position. Now."
"Straight, then left three steps."
Left slumped Isia, dashed as directed.
Too late? What could I even change? One ambush beheading max. More than that?
Thoughts racing, I broke through the fog. There─
Blonde on the ground. Behind her, a massacre unfolding.
At the center: silver-haired woman. Eyes redder than blood, snow-white skin, drenched head to toe in gore.
Nothing like the Cooking Club vibe.
Cold sweat poured. Why her here?
Situation screamed she'd saved Raphael. But I wasn't fooled. That silver-hair—no, that vampire.
"Oh? Hey! You got pulled in too, huh? Glad you're safe."
The queen bitch behind this mess. King of these vampires.
"Why so stiff? Oh. Raphael's fine—I got here in time."
No reply. Gulped dryly, brain racing for escape.
"Ah. Shocked I know your name? We're classmates. Don't you know me? Sophia."
Oh, I know. Mid-boss from Academy's Ice Knight. Queen these vamps seek.
Vampire Lord. Pureblood vampire.
"Ah. Why no answer? Got questions, don't make this annoying. Hey."
Sophia's eyes gleamed. "Demonic Eye" activation. I tried averting—too slow.
Locked eyes with blood-red irises.
Oh shit. No good. Lachesis's skill, Benia's blessing—useless. Puppet time?
What if it makes me summon Benia or teleport─
As if answering, another blue window.
Huh?
"How'd you run into these vampires?"
A question brimming with certainty I'd answer. And I did.
"What's it to you?"