Vampire Overlord's Harem In The Apocalypse-Chapter 58: Adrian’s Base (Part 2)

The darkness of the sky was oppressive, a vast canvas of thick, swirling clouds that blotted out the moon.

There was no light, only the encroaching shadows of an impending storm. The air hung heavy with tension, and through the gloom, Simon’s black car pulled to a stop in front of the desolate apartment complex.

Standing in the faint glow of the vehicle’s headlights were Rita and Leo, their faces pale and etched with fear.

The car blended seamlessly into its surroundings, its black paint absorbing the scant light, save for the jagged, shattered window on the driver’s side.

The damage seemed insignificant compared to the ominous presence of the vehicle and its driver. Simon’s crimson eyes glinted in the darkness as he leaned slightly toward the open window, his voice cutting through the still night.

"Hurry up. We have a lot of ground to cover," he said, his tone brisk and unyielding.

Rita and Leo exchanged a nervous glance before approaching the car. They didn’t have a choice. If Simon had wanted them dead, he could have ended their lives back at the apartment.

The fact that he hadn’t was a chilling reminder that he needed them for something. That need, however temporary, was their only lifeline.

Without a word, they slid into the backseat. The vehicle immediately lurched forward, its engine humming softly as it glided through the empty streets.

Simon’s fingers tapped rhythmically against the steering wheel, his gaze fixed ahead. Beside him, in the front passenger seat, sat a woman whose green skin gleamed faintly in the dim light - Bethany.

She stared straight ahead, her expression unreadable, adding an eerie silence to the already tense atmosphere.

A translucent screen materialized in front of Simon, casting a faint glow over his sharp features. It displayed a map of New York City, and with deft movements, he pinpointed their destination.

The screen’s interactive functions seemed almost alien, a stark contrast to the grim reality of their journey.

The silence in the car was suffocating, broken only by the low hum of the engine and the occasional rustle of clothing as Leo shifted uncomfortably.

Unable to bear it any longer, Rita spoke, her voice trembling slightly.

"So... what are your plans?"

Simon didn’t respond immediately. He kept his eyes on the road, his jaw tightening as if weighing his words. Finally, he spoke, his voice cold and matter-of-fact.

"Rank up."

The simplicity of his answer was chilling. The car fell silent again, save for the rhythmic tapping of Simon’s finger against the cracked window.

The air felt heavier, the implications of his words settling over them like a shroud. Rita’s stomach churned.

She didn’t need further explanation to know what he meant. He was going to kill people — innocents. And he didn’t even seem to feel guilty about it.

"I’d advise you to keep your ammo for the raid," Simon said suddenly, his voice breaking the oppressive quiet. He didn’t turn to face them. "You’re going to rank up too."

Rita’s hands clenched into fists on her lap. Disgust and frustration churned within her. She wanted to scream, to argue, but the words caught in her throat.

She felt trapped, suffocated by the circumstances. Yet her simmering anger was short-lived. A new sound emerged, faint at first but growing louder: the unmistakable revving of engines.

Simon’s sharp eyes flicked to the rearview mirror. "Trouble," he muttered under his breath.

The tension in the car spiked as the sound of engines closed in. Rita’s breath hitched when a deafening crack split the air.

The windshield shattered beside Simon, shards of glass spraying into the car as a bullet ripped through it. Simon didn’t flinch. His reflexes were almost inhuman as he swerved the car sharply, narrowly avoiding another incoming shot.

"Get down!" he barked, his voice commanding.

Rita and Leo instinctively ducked, pressing themselves against the backseat as more bullets ricocheted off the car.

Bethany in the passenger seat remained eerily calm, her eyes glowing faintly as she placed a hand on the dashboard, steadying herself.

"They’re persistent," Bethany said, her voice smooth and unbothered.

Simon’s lips curled into a humorless smirk. "Let’s see how long they last."

The car accelerated, tires screeching as Simon maneuvered through the narrow streets with surgical precision.

Rita risked a glance out the back window and saw three motorcycles closing in, their riders clad in dark, makeshift armor. One of them raised a rifle, aiming for the car’s tires.

"They’re aiming for the wheels!" she shouted, panic creeping into her voice.

"Noted," Simon replied curtly.

Without warning, he spun the wheel hard to the right, sending the car into a sharp turn. The sudden movement threw the pursuing riders off balance, and one of them skidded out, crashing into a lamppost.

The remaining two kept pace, their engines roaring like angry beasts.

"Leo, grab the gun from under the seat," Simon ordered, his voice calm despite the chaos.

Leo hesitated, his hands trembling as he reached under the seat and pulled out a sleek, black firearm. He looked at Simon, his face pale. "What am I supposed to do with this?"

"Shoot," Simon said flatly. "Or die. Your choice."

Leo’s grip tightened on the gun. Swallowing hard, he rolled down the window just enough to aim. The cold night air rushed in, carrying with it the acrid smell of burning rubber and gunpowder.

His first shot went wide, but the second found its mark, hitting one of the riders in the shoulder. The man wobbled before veering off course, crashing into a parked car.

"Nice shot," Simon remarked, a hint of approval in his tone.

The final rider was undeterred, accelerating until he was nearly alongside the car. Rita’s heart pounded as she saw him pull a grenade from his belt, his intentions clear.

"Simon!" she screamed.

Simon didn’t hesitate. With one hand on the wheel, he reached out and yanked a knife from the console.

As the rider prepared to throw the grenade, Simon hurled the blade with deadly accuracy. It struck the rider’s hand, causing him to drop the explosive. The grenade detonated midair, a fiery burst that sent the motorcycle spiraling into the darkness. 𝒇𝙧𝙚𝓮𝙬𝙚𝓫𝒏𝓸𝓿𝓮𝒍.𝓬𝙤𝓶

The car sped on, the road ahead now clear. Simon exhaled slowly, his grip on the wheel relaxing slightly.

"Everyone still alive?" he asked, glancing at the green-skinned woman, who nodded, then back at Rita and Leo in the rearview mirror.

Rita was shaking, her breath coming in short, panicked gasps. Leo sat frozen, the gun still clutched in his hands. Neither of them spoke.

"Good," Simon said, his tone devoid of emotion. "Then let’s not waste any more time."

The car plunged deeper into the night, the shattered windshield letting in the cold wind as they raced toward their destination.