To Shalltear, the members of Blue Roses were rare toys. No matter what, she intended to enjoy herself today.
With graceful, measured steps, she walked forward, her movements light.
One step. Two steps. Three steps…
The crisp sound of her heels echoed through the air, pressing down on Blue Roses like an invisible weight.
"Evileye, what do we do now?"
Watching Shalltear draw closer, Gagaran swallowed hard, cold sweat forming in her palms.
Even someone as bold as she was trembling.
"We can't win. There's no way we can win."
"We'll die… we're all going to die…"
Evileye shook her head in despair.
No one understood it more clearly than she did. As a fellow vampire, she could feel it in her very blood.
The monster before them had already surpassed the realm of Demon Gods.
Even her former comrade, the captain of the Thirteen Heroes, would not have been a match for this being.
Perhaps only that mysterious warrior clad in platinum armor could stand against her.
"Then what? We can't just sit here and wait to die."
Tina and Tia tightened their grip on their daggers, teeth clenched.
"Attack. Maybe that's our only chance."
Lakyus drew her magic sword. If they didn't fight now, they would have no chance at all. At the very least, they had to try.
She poured magic into the blade without restraint. Wrapped in swirling starlight, the sword unleashed the fastest, most powerful strike she had ever delivered.
Shalltear's lips curved slightly as she raised a pale hand.
Clang!
After the shockwave dissipated, the sight before them was pure despair.
One finger.
Just a single finger had stopped Lakyus's full-force strike.
No matter how much strength Lakyus poured into it, the black magic sword could not advance even a fraction further. It could not move her finger in the slightest.
"Ah~"
"Nice weapon. My nail almost chipped."
Shalltear yawned lightly, her tone casual.
With a flick of another finger against the blade—
A sharp, ringing sound followed by a terrifying force burst outward. The impact sent Lakyus's magic sword flying from her grasp, clattering onto the ground some distance away.
Gagaran and the others, who had been ready to charge, froze mid-step.
The difference was overwhelming.
It was like a cat toying with mice. There was no hope at all.
"Run. I'll hold her off."
Enduring the crushing pressure in her blood, Evileye stepped in front of Shalltear, teeth clenched, determined to buy Lakyus and the others time.
Against this monster, Lakyus and the others had no chance. Staying would only mean meaningless deaths.
Of everyone present, only Evileye might be able to stall her for even a moment.
[Maximize Magic: Crystal Lances]
To buy as much time as possible, Evileye struck first, unleashing a strengthened fifth-tier spell.
Countless radiant crystal spears formed in the air and shot toward Shalltear at high speed.
"Captain, we…"
"Run!"
Seeing Evileye choose to stay behind and feeling her teammates' hesitant gazes on her, Lakyus drew a deep breath and forced the word out.
After that clash, she understood clearly.
They were nothing but a burden. If they stayed, they would only die in vain.
Better to flee. Perhaps that would divide the monster's attention and ease the pressure on Evileye.
On the other side, Shalltear merely glanced at the retreating Blue Roses.
Facing Evileye's attack, her Passive Skill activated automatically. A transparent barrier appeared, effortlessly blocking the incoming spell.
[Greater Magic Immunity]
A passive skill almost mandatory for level 100 NPCs and Players, capable of directly nullifying magic below the sixth tier.
"Magic Immunity…"
Evileye felt her heart sink.
She was no stranger to magic immunity. She herself could ignore spells below the second tier.
But immunity to fifth-tier magic…
That was beyond terrifying.
"Oh my, was that your strongest attack?"
Seeing that Evileye made no move to continue, Shalltear smiled faintly. She lifted her arm and aimed it toward Lakyus and the others in the distance.
"Well then, let's have a proper talk. But first, I should retrieve those ants who tried to run."
The moment her words fell, a blood-red magic circle appeared. She clenched her hand lightly.
Before Evileye could even react, agonized screams rang out.
She turned her head.
Lakyus and the others, who had already fled far away, now lay motionless on the ground.
Bright red blood seeped from their bodies, staining the earth. The sight was miserable.
"How fragile."
"Don't worry, I didn't kill them. They simply fainted from blood loss. After all, that person would…"
With a casual wave, Lakyus and the others were teleported to Shalltear's side. She even offered a gentle explanation.
"Now, tell me."
"With such noble blood flowing in your veins, why do you live among food?"
"Why hide behind a mask instead of showing your true face?"
"Why shed tears for food? Why conceal your noble identity?"
Shalltear stepped forward and stopped beside the unmoving Evileye. Resting a hand on her shoulder like an intimate friend, she leaned close and whispered softly into her ear.
Her crimson pupils glowed with a bewitching light, pressing down on Evileye like an invisible weight.
The heart that had long ceased beating began to tremble faintly with every word Shalltear spoke.
"I… I…"
Evileye opened her mouth, but no sound came out.
At such close range, her survival instinct screamed at her to resist. Yet the suppression from their bloodlines left her unable to move.
She realized in despair that she could do nothing.
"Why aren't you answering?"
Shalltear blew gently against her pale neck and licked her lips, sending a violent shiver through Evileye's body.
"What… exactly… do you… want…"
With trembling effort, Evileye forced the words out in fragments.
"What do I want? I simply wish to be friends with you~"
Shalltear smiled sweetly.
"See? I even prepared food for you."
She pointed toward Lakyus and the others lying on the ground.
Evileye's body began to shake uncontrollably.
"Go on. Eat. They were meant to be your food in the first place."
The coaxing words slipped into Evileye's ears. A flicker of struggle flashed in her eyes as a faint crimson glow began to spread within them.
"Haa… haa…"
Her breathing grew ragged.
The thirst for blood she had suppressed for so long surged violently, eroding her reason.
Two sharp fangs slowly extended. The instinct of a vampire was being drawn out, awakened by Shalltear's deliberate provocation.
"Yes… that's right. That's your true self."
Shalltear continued her temptation.
For a vampire, the essence of the soul was thirst for blood.
Watching Evileye tremble as tears streamed from her eyes, Shalltear smiled and leaned closer. She inhaled softly, savoring the scent, her expression one of enjoyment.
How interesting.
With pale fingers, she slowly reached out, as if to draw even nearer.
"Shalltear!"
A voice suddenly rang out, stopping her hand midair.
Evileye felt the crushing pressure lift in an instant. The vampire instinct that had been forced upon her receded, and the fear suffocating her vanished.
Her consciousness gave out. She collapsed.
From a dark corner, a figure who had witnessed everything stepped forward and swiftly caught the unconscious Evileye in their arms.