Vampire Overlord's Harem In The Apocalypse-Chapter 45: Adrian’s Threat

The transmission crackled for a moment before Adrian’s face appeared on the screen.

His expression was calm, almost unnervingly so, considering the tension in the air. The others on the call were muted, not a single one able to speak or make their presence known. It was as if their voices had been silenced by some invisible force.

Adrian’s face filled the screen — his chiseled features, framed by small scars, made him look like a man who had survived the worst of the apocalypse but was still undeniably handsome.

Despite the harshness in his expression, there was something magnetic about him, something that drew the eyes in.

His gaze was intense, but what stood out most were his eyes — one blue and the other green. They seemed to gleam in the low light, as if reflecting something deeper within him. It was a detail that Simon couldn’t ignore.

The two eyes — so starkly different — gave Adrian a look of someone who had seen and experienced things most people couldn’t fathom.

That mixture of calm confidence and dangerous unpredictability seemed to define him.

The voice that followed matched the intensity of his gaze. "As you may have seen on the Market function," Adrian began, his voice steady, bold, "I’ve been gathering a bit of a crew."

There was a slight pause as though he was allowing the weight of his words to sink in. "And this crew? Well, it’s not just humans. We’ve got Exceptions too."

Simon and Bethany exchanged a glance. Exceptions — people who could harness the power of the zombies like Bethany.

The word alone carried weight.

Adrian’s eyes gleamed as he let the significance of that word hang in the air. "People who can control the zombies," he said, his voice a mixture of awe and threat. "It’s not about numbers anymore. It’s about power. And control."

The silence on the call was oppressive. They all understood the unspoken rule here: Adrian had the power. Adrian was in control.

"We’ve made our own way," Adrian continued, leaning in a little closer to the camera, his face now partially illuminated by the soft glow of the screen.

"But that’s not why I called you all here." He paused, letting the words linger in the air before continuing. "I’m here to warn you. I’m here to make things clear."

Simon swallowed hard.

His stomach twisted in knots. The dread that had been settling deep in his chest was now spreading, crawling up into his throat. Whatever Adrian was about to say, it wasn’t going to be good.

"There’s no more middle ground," Adrian said, his voice suddenly colder. "You can choose to join me right now, and I’ll take care of you. Ammo. Food. Shelter. You’ll have everything you need to survive."

His eyes were locked on the camera now, as if looking directly at each of them. "You’ll be safe. But you’ve got to make that decision now."

Simon’s heart pounded in his chest, and Bethany’s hand, which had been resting on her lap, suddenly clenched into a fist.

The invitation was tempting — survival, food, protection — but Simon could sense the underlying threat in Adrian’s words.

It was a deal, sure, but with a cost. Nothing came for free in this world anymore.

"If you choose not to join me..." Adrian let the words hang there, his expression hardening. "Then you will be disposed of."

He spoke so calmly, so matter-of-factly, that it made Simon’s blood run cold. "This isn’t a game. The apocalypse isn’t a place for the weak. If you’re not with me, you’re a threat. And I don’t tolerate threats."

Bethany’s fingers trembled where they rested on the edge of the table. Simon could feel her unease, her fear radiating through her.

He was afraid too. This wasn’t just a man making empty threats. Adrian’s words had weight, and there was no mistaking the cold finality in his voice.

"Father, mother, child... it doesn’t matter," Adrian continued, his gaze unwavering. "If you’re not with me, you’re out. I’ll have no hesitation. I’ll eliminate you without a second thought. And that goes for the other factions too. If you’re not under my control, you’re dead."

His smile was small but sharp, like a predator sizing up its next meal.

A chill ran through Simon. The threat was clear. Adrian wasn’t trying to persuade people.

He was making a statement of power. It wasn’t about winning hearts or convincing others. It was about survival, domination, and forcing everyone to choose a side.

Adrian took a slow sip of beer from a cup, the clink of glass against metal echoing in the quiet of the transmission.

"We’re establishing bases all over the world. To those of you in America, there’s already a base in New York. Once you contact me through my DMs, I’ll send you the coordinates. But until then..."

He leaned back slightly in his chair, his smile still present, though it had become colder, more detached. "Farewell."

With that, the transmission cut off, leaving only a blank screen and an overwhelming silence.

For a long moment, no one spoke. It was as if the world had paused, waiting for something. But there was nothing. No comforting words, no reassuring gestures. Just the echoes of Adrian’s chilling message.

Bethany was the first to break the silence, her voice shaky, barely above a whisper. "What... what do we do now?" Her wide eyes met Simon’s, searching for some answer that neither of them had.

Simon didn’t know how to respond. His mind was racing, trying to process the weight of what Adrian had just said. The world they had once known was gone.

And now, Adrian had offered them a choice: join him and live, or refuse and die.

But he wouldn’t... he wouldn’t be a part of Adrian’s faction, neither would he join any other – he was a Vampire for fuck’s sake, and he would soon be at the top – he didn’t need their help.

He would become the strongest and the Number One of the World ranking... all he needed to do was to kill all the people in that base.