Reincarnated as a Vampire Who Acquires Skills Through Blood-Chapter 59 - The Pursuit Team

(Elianna’s POV)

Arriving at the entrance of the dungeon, I was able to confirm that it was indeed closed.

Dungeons always have a strong, heavy wave of mana compressed around the entrance and throughout the inside, almost like a pulse that tells the world it’s alive. The denser that mana feels, the harder the dungeon will be; it is as if it uses that mana to fuel the whole place.

But now, as I stood looking into the gaping mouth of the entrance— I couldn’t feel any mana coming from it at all, unlike when I first arrived here.

The energy had dissipated and scattered all over the place.

This is exactly what happens after someone successfully defeats a dungeon master and forces the dungeon to close. It becomes just a regular, empty hole in the ground.

’Even if that guy really is a vampire... How on Arcanis was he able to clear this whole dungeon in just nine days?’

I asked that in my head, my brow furrowing as I felt confusion.

While it is true that vampires are naturally stronger than most people and possess absurd regeneration abilities— that alone doesn’t explain how Verc could finish a dungeon of this scale so quickly.

’Me, Kael, and the others only managed to get to the fourth floor on our first entry, and that was only because of our sheer numbers and combined firepower. Once we got to that floor, we weren’t able to progress any further because the entire level was a massive, shifting maze.’

Finding the right path in a place like this is incredibly hard. I can only imagine that the difficulty only increased on the lower floors.

So, although our group had more than enough raw strength to clear the dungeon eventually, we weren’t able to do so because of how the place was built to confuse intruders. Also, we don’t have enough resources or stamina to stay inside a dark dungeon for weeks at that time.

The frown on my face deepened as a new theory entered my head. Maybe Verc isn’t just any normal vampire—

’He can be an Ancient One with a lot of hidden knowledge and combat experience. It wouldn’t even be surprising if he is actually a powerful mage who was just disguising himself as a swordsman during our travels together.’

I thought, my mind racing through the possibilities.

Then, looking back at the dark entrance of the dungeon—

"Now that the dungeon master is defeated, Kael and the others will be able to reach Verc much faster... I just hope they remain safe when they find him."

I muttered that under my breath, feeling bit worried.

*****

A day and a half had passed since Verc closed the dungeon, and since that moment—

"..."

He had been in a deep trance, meditating in total silence within the ruins of the throne room.

Before he went under, he had placed every single bit of beef jerky he had left out in the open on the floor so that Onyx wouldn’t get hungry. And Onyx, being a very smart dog, had rationed that jerky carefully and hadn’t made a single sound to disturb Verc.

As a matter of fact, the little dog was protecting him, sitting tall and keeping his ears perked for any danger.

Anyway, Verc had been using [Mana Circulation] for more than thirty hours now. It was unbelievably absurd and physically taxing for anyone, especially for a first-timer, to keep the mana flowing for this long without a break.

After all, this technique usually consumes a huge amount of the meditator’s stamina; it makes them incredibly hungry and usually causes them to pass out after only a few hours.

But Verc, being a vampire who had just finished drinking a massive amount of monster bloods on his way down here, and with [Hunger Supression]— wasn’t affected by those weaknesses.

He had enough blood stored in his system to go for more than a month without eating or resting if he really had to.

Though, even with that advantage, half of his stored energy was already burned away just by continuously keeping up the [Mana Circulation] for over a day.

Moving on...

-...

Onyx was just watching Verc silently, his tail wagging slowly while he sat on the cold stone floor.

Although he was clearly missing the attention of his owner, he seemed to know that Verc was doing something very important at the moment and that he shouldn’t be interrupted. And so, patiently... he continued his lonely watch.

-Arf.

Onyx then went to pick up another piece of the jerky Verc had left for him and sat right beside his owner’s leg.

He was just minding his own business and eating quietly...

When suddenly—

-...?

He noticed something flickering and bright at the top of the stairs where he and Verc had originally come from. And soon enough— he saw the shadows of people starting to come down!

-!!!

Onyx got alerted and immediately stood up, his hackles rising. But he didn’t make a sound or bark yet. He just stood his ground and observed them.

A lot of people kept appearing from the darkness of the stairs, and at the very back of the group— he saw five familiar faces. It was Kael and his squad members.

That’s right, the pursuit team had successfully navigated the maze and caught up to Verc!

"Where the hell is that bastard hiding?"

"Did he really get all the way to the end on his own? Or did we just miss his dead body somewhere in the maze?"

The members of the group started talking loudly among each other, their voices echoing off the high ceilings.

"Be careful. The monsters have stopped respawning and the traps are no longer functioning; those are clear signs that the dungeon master has been defeated. So even if the suspect isn’t here, that means someone very strong is still lurking in these ruins."

One of the knights under the City Lord stated that firmly. He was a veteran that is leading this huge party.

Anyway, as Onyx and Verc was staying in the shadows not far from the stairs—

"Huh...?"

Some of the men saw a pair of eyes reflecting the light when they turned toward the corner. And in an instant—

"There is a person over there!"

They all realized exactly where Verc and Onyx were located.

"We can’t see them clearly in this gloom. Someone cast a light magic!"

The leader ordered.

"[Luminos!]"

One of the support mages in the group cast a spell, summoning an orb made of pure, white light. It was about as big as a basketball and hovered in the air. And with it— SWOOSH~!

The light flooded the area, allowing everyone to see the entire throne room clearly.

"...!"

Kael’s eyes widened and he frowned the moment the room became bright and he saw Verc and Onyx. He and his squad members had already predicted that Verc was the one responsible for the mess in the inn, but it was still a shock to see him sitting there in person.

-Arf! Arf! Arf!

As soon as they were found out, Onyx started barking loudly at the group, snapping his jaws to try and keep them away from Verc.

"Huh? What is a dog doing all the way down here?"

"Whatever, just kill the mutt too. It looks like it is trying to protect the suspect anyway."

Two of the knights that had been provided by the local barons said that casually as they drew their weapons and looked at Onyx.

"Wait! Don’t hurt that dog!"

Kael immediately turned to them and shouted as soon as he heard their intentions. The two knights just turned to look at Kael— then they started laughing mockingly among themselves.

"Why not? It is just a dog. It’s not like someone important will care if it dies."

One of them said that to Kael’s face. Gibson and the others in Kael’s squad frowned deeply; they were clearly pissed off by the lack of respect.

But the two knights didn’t really care about Kael’s opinion, and with smirks on their faces— TAP.

They started approaching the spot where Verc was sitting, and it wasn’t just them; the rest of the pursuit team followed close behind.

"He isn’t even moving. Is he hurt?"

"Surely he is. He fought the floor boss all on his own, after all. He’s probably exhausted or bleeding out."

The two knights said, gaining confidence.

"Still, keep your guards up; this man beat up four trained knights on his own and closed an entire dungeon. He is dangerous."

The leader of the group stated, his voice tight. His words made the others realize that Verc wasn’t just some random criminal, making them feel a bit more anxious as they closed in.

But even as they got within a few meters— there was still absolutely no reaction from Verc.

-Arf! Arf! Arf!

Onyx kept barking, trying his absolute best to be intimidating.

Though— TAP! The steady advance of the group didn’t stop.

-Arf! Arf! Arf!

Onyx ran in circles around Verc as if he could form a shield with his small body. Seeing that pathetic display— the knights just laughed at him.

-Arf!

Well—

"You can stop now, Onyx... Your barking finally woke me up."

They stopped though when they heard a deep, cold voice cut through the noise.

"...?"

The entire group and Onyx turned toward the source of the voice. And there, they saw Verc. His eyes were wide open now as he stared directly at the approaching soldiers.

"Thanks for protecting me, buddy."

Verc then reached out and patted Onyx on the head as he stood up smoothly. He told the dog to stay behind him, and Onyx smartly followed the command, retreating a few steps.

"..."

Verc then looked back at the group again, his face turning dead serious. And without saying a single word— FWOOOOOSH—!!!

He activated his [Dominion Aura] and scattered it throughout the entire throne room!

A heavy, suffocating pressure suddenly enveloped the area and pressed down on every person in the group. They all flinched, feeling as if the air itself had turned into lead. Deep frowns appeared on their faces as they stopped on their tracks.

And as the entire surrounding area went silent—

FWIP—!

Verc unsheathed his new sword and took a low, steady combat stance.