Chapter 15
Chapter 15
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Translator: Ryuma
Chapter: 15
Chapter Title: Azantu (3)
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There were several iron doors in the basement, with a desk and chair placed in front of them.
And on a hook on the wall, keys hung neatly in a row.
No guards in sight. The bastards must have all scampered off.
Peering through the peephole in one of the iron doors, he saw that most of the cells were empty.
All but one.
In the corner, a small boy huddled with his knees pulled up to his chest.
Despite the noise, he didn't stir an inch.
Clank, creak—!
As Heinz unlocked the door and stepped inside, the boy's tiny frame flinched noticeably.
"Ahem... Your sister sent me. You're Aaron, right?"
Keeping a polite distance, he spoke softly, and the boy trembled violently before slowly lifting his head.
Tear-streaked, his face looked even younger than his age, just like Diana's.
"My sister? For real...?"
"Yeah, Diana was so worried about you. Come on, let's get out of here and go home."
"Hic— sob, waaah...!"
Hearing Diana's name, Aaron seemed to relax all at once and burst into tears.
"There, there, good boy. Calm down now. No more crying—you've got to see your sister."
"Sniff, hic... Okay, mister."
Heinz soothed Aaron until he settled, then scooped him up and headed out the door.
"We're going outside now. There are some scary things behind that door, so close your eyes tight, alright?"
"Okay..."
For the sake of the kids' innocence, he covered Aaron's eyes and carried him out.
Just in case, he pulled the boy's head close to his chest, blocking any view of the outside.
"Smells like booze..."
Aaron muttered softly, but Heinz pretended not to hear.
Better than the stench of blood, at least.
As they emerged from the Barcolac hideout, Diana came sprinting from where she'd been watching from afar.
"Aaron!"
"Sis—!"
Soon, the siblings clung to each other and wailed in reunion.
Heinz couldn't bear to interrupt, but time was of the essence.
"Kids? Sorry, but can we save the crying for later?"
"Sniff... Sorry, mister. Thank you for saving Aaron. Are you okay? You're not hurt too bad, are you?"
Diana, somewhat composed, hugged Aaron tight while expressing her gratitude.
"I'm fine. I told you, it was nothing."
"But your clothes are covered in blood..."
"It's okay, really. This isn't my blood."
A white lie.
But he really was fine, so he moved on to the point.
"Anyway, I've still got work to do. Diana, take Aaron and head home."
"Huh? Aren't you coming with us?"
"I'll swing by after I'm done. And until I say otherwise, act as normal as possible. Got it? Oh, and take these. Use them if you need to."
He handed over his money and a few items. Diana looked up at him for a moment, then nodded reluctantly and whispered,
"...You have to come back, okay? Promise?"
"Yeah, even if it's late, I'll be there within three days. Be good and wait quietly. And remember, stick to back alleys where no one's around."
With a grin, he sent the siblings off after one last pat, then reentered the hideout.
The real work starts now.
The problem isn't solved yet.
The reason they kidnapped Aaron.
'A certain vampire specifically named Aaron.'
It was information he'd extracted during interrogation before killing the gang members.
Of course, they didn't know it was a vampire—just thought it was some big shot's order.
'And he said he'd come tonight.'
If the vampire lived, nothing would be resolved. He had to die.
No chance in a straight fight, but luckily, he had the materials for a plan.
"Whew... Time to prepare for our guest."
Not much time left.
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇ Deep into the night.
Heinz sat in a chair amid the wreckage of the hideout.
He didn't expect everything to go perfectly.
He wasn't some genius strategist, and this was a hastily thrown-together plan in just a few hours.
Still, I did what I could. The last piece is up to luck.
He'd weighed the odds and prepared accordingly, but failure was possible.
If it flops, it'll be tougher, but I'll switch to Plan B.
As he waited idly, the sound of the door opening drew his gaze.
The figure entering confirmed his luck had arrived.
See? Gotta live right! Now it's all on me.
The intruder casually surveyed the blood-soaked mess.
"Hmm, what a fine aroma. Did you prepare this to welcome me? I like it."
The vampire approached with a smirk, then froze, his expression hardening as he looked down at Heinz.
"These look like my dogs, no matter how you slice it. You know what you've done, right?"
Curiosity sparked; he didn't attack right away.
Heinz stood to face the vampire.
"I just got to this city, and these punks tried to shake me down. Got me pissed, you know?"
"Oh? So you tracked them down and slaughtered them? Then why stick around instead of running?"
"A dog's mess is the owner's fault, right? Just wanted a look at your face."
He bluffed whatever came to mind.
The vampire didn't seem to care about details.
"Fine. But I had them on a job. This is inconvenient."
"Oops, looks like I got in your way unintentionally."
"It was dinnertime, too. Not thrilled about the interruption."
He eyed Heinz like a dead man walking.
Arrogant and chatty.
"So, where'd you stash the kid?"
Damn, busted.
"I beat every last one, found a kid locked up, and let him go. Why him, though?"
No point denying it—he already knew.
Instead, he probed how Aaron was targeted.
The guy seemed the boastful type; knowing the source mattered.
"Eh, no big reason. I like kids' blood, and I caught a whiff of a tasty one at the apothecary, so I had them grab him."
That was it, huh.
Even if Diana avoided danger spots, limits existed.
Especially with Aaron sick at the apothecary.
"Sigh... Guess I'll send others tomorrow. For now, you'll have to do."
As he spoke, blood veins shot from his fingertips toward Heinz's limbs.
"Hmph?!"
Tension kept him alert; he barely dodged.
Weapon drawn, he charged the vampire.
Clang—!
His swing met blood-red claws.
The counter slashed his abdomen, shredding his already tattered armor.
"Whoops, almost diced you by accident. Tougher than you look, though."
"Gah! Careful—I'm valuable merchandise!"
He ducked the onslaught of claws.
A red-energized fist loomed close.
Crash—
He rolled aside, but chills ran down his spine.
"Tch, slippery one."
Good—he wanted live blood, not instant death.
But no win condition for Heinz.
Shing—!
Gritting teeth, he swung—blocked easily.
Blood veins lashed out, slicing everywhere.
Aimed to immobilize, but Heinz endured.
Swing after blocked swing.
"Regeneration's impressive. Fresh treat. Can't wait."
The gap in physical prowess was vast—enhanced body no match for superior strength, razor claws, and blood projectiles.
Without capture intent, he'd be dead already.
"Healing too fast—too feisty. Gotta butcher you first, even with some waste."
Attacks intensified.
Faster, sharper red claws.
"Urk!"
Blade danced in defense, but...
Couldn't block everything.
And finally.
Slash!
Even Toughness had limits—his sword arm severed.
Right arm again. Whatever, it's almost over.
With calm commentary, he launched a final body slam.
Crunch—
The vampire's arm pierced his chest.
"What's this? Delivered yourself gift-wrapped? Great service. I'll use you more."
If he survived, maybe.
The vampire muttered low, sinking fangs into his neck.
Ignoring the blood drain for the first time, Heinz grinned cheekily.
"Sir, you're impatient. First-customer special: enjoy the hot service."
Words done, he bit down on the ring artifact hidden in his mouth and activated it.
Whoosh!
Sparks flew; his body ignited.
Fire spread to the clinging vampire.
"Gah?! You mad bastard!"
The vampire recoiled in shock, but Heinz clung like a cicada with his remaining arm and legs.
He felt the arm in his chest pulverize organs and heart.
The vampire ripped off his left arm too, then reached for his legs.
Too late.
Flames leaped from his body, spreading everywhere, turning the area into an inferno.
Not just any fire.
"You bastard! Planned this from the start! You meant to die together!"
For mutual destruction, he'd set the stage pre-vampire.
Oils from kitchen and storeroom scattered amid the mess.
Blood scent masked it, but overt would alert; he baited the fight to smash containers.
Oil smell amid battle? Hard to notice with a blood-gushing maniac charging.
Trace oils linked oil drums like fuses.
Roar! Boom!
Central blaze hit drums—chain explosions.
The building blazed like a bonfire.
Wow, spectacular.
Limbs gone, biting the vampire's shoulder, he admired casually.
His torso held oil vials; chest pierce soaked him into live kindling.
Ignite with fire artifact—done.
Ring arm at risk, so mouth-hidden.
"Gaaaah—!"
The flaming vampire thrashed; Heinz detached, rolling away.
Blinded by eye damage.
Boom!
Explosions echoed.
Tenacious vitality clung on even now.
Good it worked as planned.
Lucky all around.
Fight proved vampire superior physically, but no fancy magic—just body and blood.
Low-tier vamp.
Won't survive this blaze.
Fire's a vamp weakness.
Maybe not here, but this firepower overrides.
Thud—
Eardrums, barely holding via recovery, quit as vampire collapsed.
Only heat and vibrations remained.
Kidnap orderer caught, executors massacred.
Play dumb from here—problem solved.
Biggest worry: vampire not entering.
Blood-sensitive, might detect trouble outside or call reinforcements—plan dead.
Pure luck there; cocky bastard helped.
Complacency is one's worst enemy.
Awake to Avatar risks now.
Test true death effect. Couldn't with Hans. ...Limits nearing, though.
Heart shredded, yet enduring—miracle of Toughness and Super Recovery burning final life.
Last debris impact heralded end.
Was fun, though. <임무 : 불행한 소녀를 도와 동생을 찾아 주시오.> ...Success...
✅ MISSION COMPLETE ✅ Help the Unfortunate Girl Find Her Brother Whoosh— rumble!
And so, Heinz met his end in the otherworld alongside the vampire.
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