Vampire Overlord's Harem In The Apocalypse-Chapter 65: Escape

Simon’s boots slapped against the cracked concrete floor of the abandoned base, his breath ragged and sharp as he sprinted through the maze of dimly lit hallways.

The hybrid’s guttural snarls echoed behind him, a haunting reminder that it was gaining ground with every passing second.

His vision blurred, the edges of his consciousness teetering on the brink of collapse as blood loss and exhaustion weighed him down.

He clutched his side, where a jagged wound oozed crimson down his already stained clothing. Each step was agony, but he couldn’t afford to stop. Not here. Not now.

Ahead, flickering emergency lights cast long, shifting shadows that played tricks on his weary mind.

The base looked like it had been abandoned, its corridors filled with the blood of corpses that he had dealt with using his own hands. Equipment lay scattered and broken, crates stacked haphazardly against walls scarred by battle.

Simon stumbled into an open room — a laboratory, judging by the overturned tables and shattered glass vials littering the floor.

His gaze darted around, searching for anything, anything that could give him an edge. The hybrid’s snarls grew louder, closer.

His pulse thundered in his ears as he spotted a series of exposed gas canisters near the far wall. A plan formed in his mind, reckless and dangerous, but it was his only shot.

"Come on," he muttered, forcing himself upright as he staggered toward the canisters. "Just a little more..."

Behind him, the hybrid burst into the room, its massive frame smashing through the doorway.

Shards of metal and debris flew in all directions as the creature crouched, its glowing eyes fixed on Simon with unrelenting hunger.

Simon turned to face it, his blood-slicked hand already forming the beginnings of another weapon. The warmth of his own essence surged through him, coalescing into a spear of crimson energy.

His knees wobbled under the strain, but he gritted his teeth, forcing himself to stand tall.

The hybrid charged, claws scraping against the floor as it closed the distance between them with terrifying speed.

Simon hurled the blood spear with all the strength he could muster. It streaked through the air like a bolt of lightning, aimed directly at the creature’s chest.

The hybrid twisted at the last second, the spear grazing its side before embedding itself in the far wall. Black blood dripped from the shallow wound, but the creature barely seemed to notice.

"Damn!" Simon cursed, stumbling backward as the hybrid lunged.

He threw up his arms, summoning a crimson shield just in time to block the monster’s claws. The impact sent him skidding across the floor, his back slamming into a metal table.

Pain lanced through him, but he didn’t have time to dwell on it. The hybrid was already coming at him again.

Simon’s mind raced as he ducked beneath another swipe, the claws narrowly missing his face.

He grabbed a nearby chair and hurled it at the creature, buying himself a few precious seconds as it shattered harmlessly against its thick hide.

His gaze flicked to the canisters. He was running out of time.

The hybrid lunged again, its claws raking across his chest. Simon screamed as pain exploded through him, the force of the blow sending him crashing to the ground.

He rolled onto his back, blood pooling beneath him as the creature loomed over him, its breath hot and rancid against his face.

"No!" Simon growled, his hand shooting out. Blood erupted from his palm, forming a jagged blade that he drove into the creature’s shoulder. It howled in pain, rearing back as Simon scrambled to his feet.

He staggered toward the canisters, his vision swimming. The hybrid roared in fury, its footsteps pounding against the floor as it pursued him.

Simon reached the canisters and grabbed one, his trembling hands fumbling with the valve.

He twisted it open, releasing a hiss of pressurized gas that filled the room. The hybrid hesitated, sniffing the air as it approached.

Simon grinned weakly, his blood-soaked face a mask of determination. "You’re not walking away from this one."

The creature snarled and lunged, but Simon was ready. With a sharp motion, he slashed his blood sword against the valve, sending sparks flying.

The room erupted in flames.

The explosion hurled Simon backward, slamming him against the wall.

His ears rang, and his vision flickered as he collapsed to the floor. Heat washed over him, searing his skin as the fire consumed the hybrid.

For a moment, he dared to hope it was over.

But then the flames parted, and the creature emerged, its flesh charred and peeling, but its movements unrelenting. Its eyes burned brighter than ever, a horrifying testament to its resilience.

Simon’s heart sank. "You’ve got to be kidding me."

The hybrid lunged once more, but this time Simon didn’t run. He forced himself to his feet, every muscle in his body screaming in protest.

His blood surged in response, forming a swirling mass of crimson energy around him.

"If I go down," he whispered, his voice raw, "I’m taking you with me."

The hybrid snarled, its claws outstretched as it closed in.

Simon raised his hands, the blood around him solidifying into a massive spear. The effort nearly made him collapse, but he held on, pouring every last ounce of his strength into the weapon.

The hybrid leaped, and Simon thrust the spear forward with a roar.

The impact was cataclysmic. The spear pierced the creature’s chest, the force of the blow driving it back and pinning it against the wall.

The crimson energy surged, tearing through the hybrid’s body in a violent explosion of blood and ichor.

The creature let out a final, deafening scream before collapsing, its body disintegrating into ash.

Simon fell to his knees, the blood spear dissolving into mist as exhaustion overtook him. His vision darkened, his body heavy as he slumped to the floor.

He didn’t know if he’d survive this. His blood reserves were dangerously low, his wounds severe. But for the first time since the battle began, there was silence.

The hybrid was gone.

Simon closed his eyes, a faint smile tugging at his lips. "Guess I... won after all," he murmured before the darkness claimed him.