"YOU SON OF A BITCH! DON'T IGNORE ME!"
*BOOM!*
Roaring angrily, Zero stomped down, shattering the ground beneath his feet. In the next second, he shot forward like a bullet, carrying with him the scent of blood and a roaring gust of wind.
In an instant, Zero closed the distance with Riezel.
"DIE!"
Zero swung his fist, aiming straight at Riezel's head.
It went without saying that Zero's move practically announced to everyone present, with a visible display of power, that he had truly stepped into the Realm of Heroes. Not only was his straight punch aimed at Riezel incredibly fast, but it also packed an almost terrifying force.
Amid his punch, the beautifully landscaped courtyard echoed with the sound of sonic booms, completely disrupting the atmosphere. Even before hitting its target, the punch's shockwave, mixed with the explosive sound, was enough to sting the skin and send clothes whipping wildly, as if caught in a violent storm.
Needless to say, this was undoubtedly the power of a martial artist who had reached the Realm of Heroes. Even someone like Gazef or Brain would have to admit defeat without sufficiently powerful equipment to back them up.
*BOOM!*
A muffled, explosion-like sound rang out as a figure flew backward at an astonishing speed, crashing into a decorative rock structure in the courtyard and shattering it into pieces.
*Cough!*
Zero spat out a mouthful of blood and collapsed into the rubble of the shattered rocks.
At this moment, his face didn't show pride or shock but was filled with confusion, as if he had no idea what had just happened.
Yes, the figure that was sent flying wasn't Riezel but Zero.
Zero, who had taken the initiative to attack, was the one who got blown away.
Riezel, who was calmly walking toward the mansion without even sparing Zero a glance, had casually thrown a single punch, and that one punch alone had sent Zero flying, akin to swatting a fly.
""BOSS!""
Shouting in unison, the other members of Six Arms froze, and the smug expressions on their faces vanished, replaced by shock and rage.
"Wha?!"
"Huh?!"
"Huh?!"
Meanwhile, Lakyus, Tia, and Tina exclaimed in surprise, their eyes widening in disbelief.
It was understandable since this was the first time they had seen Riezel fight barehanded. Watching him casually punch and send someone who had stepped into the Realm of Heroes flying left them utterly stunned.
Among the people present, not only were Brain, Gagaran, and Evileye the only ones not surprised, but they also took advantage of Six Arms' momentary shock and immediately sprang into action.
"So you're Thousand Kills Malmvist, huh? TAKE THIS!"
Gagaran charged straight at Malmvist, who had just launched a surprise attack on her earlier, swinging her war pick with fierce momentum and aiming it directly at him.
"YOU—!"
Malmvist finally reacted, retreating in a mix of panic and anger, narrowly avoiding the incoming strike from Gagaran.
"Consider this payback for earlier."
Brain, on the other hand, lunged at Peshurian, flashing a carefree grin as he activated Field and closed the distance in an instant, drawing Peshurian into Field's sensory range.
"Tch!"
Peshurian, though a swordsman, specialized in long-range attacks and didn't dare engage in close combat with someone like Brain, so, relying on the superior physical abilities of a vampire, he quickly stepped back and darted away.
"Hmph, I guess you two are mine then."
Evileye, meanwhile, faced Davernoch and Edstrom alone.
Surrounded by the glowing magical energy caused by Fly, Evileye rushed toward Davernoch and Edstrom, casting Shard Buck Shots that created countless crystal bullets and shot them at the two in a relentless barrage.
"...Foolish."
"You really think you can take on the two of us alone?"
Davernoch and Edstrom didn't spare a thought for anything else.
One raised his fingers and conjured several fireballs, while the other controlled six scimitars, sending them flying along different trajectories to intercept the barrage of crystal bullets.
Amid all this chaos, the rest finally snapped back to their senses.
"Tina!"
"I know!"
Saying these words, Tia and Tina, as if sharing a telepathic connection, dove into the shadows at the same time—each gripped a sharp dagger, its crimson hue resembling a bloodstained edge, as they lunged at Succulent.
"Dammit!"
Seeing himself surrounded by two Adamantite Adventurers, Succulent couldn't hide his irritation and hastily used illusion magic, transforming into a blurry mirage and disappearing.
Aside from Zero, the rest of Six Arms clashed with Blue Roses and Brain, each unleashing fierce battles of their own.
Zero, lying amidst the rubble, stayed silent as he felt waves of pain coursing through his body.
At this moment, his mind was filled with confusion and disbelief.
No choice.
He knew that the undead race shouldn't even feel pain, yet his body was filled with waves of it.
'H-How could this happen?'
He couldn't bring himself to accept this reality.
A single punch from a kid who looked impossibly younger than him had sent him flying?
He was no ordinary fighter, but a monk who had trained his body to its peak, a master of close combat. Even Gazef and Brain, both renowned for their strength, would struggle to suppress him in a fight, and if they let their guard down, he could easily turn the tables and defeat them.
Naturally, that was before he had become a vampire.
Now, after becoming a vampire, his physical abilities had reached an entirely new level. Even compared to the supposedly unbreakable adamantite metal, his toughness was probably on par.
Yet somehow, he had been sent flying with a single punch, causing him to cough up blood and, strangely, feel pain.
How could such a thing even happen?
"What a shame. You've chosen the wrong opponent."
A voice reached Zero's ears, snapping him out of his daze.
Struggling to get up, Zero pushed aside the rubble pinning him down before standing up.
In front of him, Lakyus approached slowly, surrounded by Floating Swords.
"His strength is beyond what you or I can comprehend." Lakyus continued, her tone heavy. "Calling him the strongest human wouldn't be an exaggeration, so even for you, challenging him seriously with everything you've got would only lead to one outcome."
Lakyus fixed her intense gaze on Zero, gripping her weapon tightly.
"Failing to recognize his strength might be your biggest mistake, but at the same time, you're also lucky."
"You're still standing here alive because he isn't interested in you, so he didn't go all out."
Lakyus's words, whether mocking or pitying Zero, sparked anger in the strongest fighter in Eight Fingers.
"Don't look down on me, you fucking bitch! I'm already the strongest in this country! Not even Gazef Stronoff can beat me now! There's no way I'd lose to some human brat!"
Zero yelled angrily, then directed his furious gaze toward Riezel, who had already reached the mansion's entrance.
Riezel, still wearing a calm and nonchalant expression, pushed open the entrance door and walked inside the mansion.
"STOP—!!!"
Seeing Riezel enter the mansion, Zero immediately tried to rush after him, but—
*Swish!*
Suddenly, six flying blades sliced through the air toward Zero, forcing him to halt.
*Cling!* *Clang! *Cling!*
*Cling!* *Clang! *Cling!*
Zero swung his two adamantite-like fists, knocking each flying blade away.
Lakyus recalled the scattered blades, keeping her gaze fixed on Zero.
"Are you seriously trying to ignore me? Ignore me, Lakyus Alvein Dale Aindra?"
Speaking with a cold expression, Lakyus surprisingly exuded an aura that rivaled, if not surpassed, Zero's.
Seeing Lakyus's current state, Zero recalled something important.
Yes, the woman in front of him, who appeared like a noble family's spoiled young lady, was, in reality, a prodigy who had entered the Realm of Heroes at a young age. If it had been the old him, facing someone like her, his chances of winning would have been pretty slim.
In fact, even now, it was still uncertain whether he could win against Lakyus.
Considering Lakyus was a templar capable of using holy magic, which was highly effective against undead, now that he had become a vampire, an undead, facing a templar like her meant he would inevitably be at a disadvantage.
If his opponents were Gazef or Brain, he was confident he could win without a doubt. Even if Gazef came fully equipped with the kingdom's treasures and faced him head-on, he didn't think he would lose.
Unfortunately, against a templar who had abilities to counter the undead race, the outcome was uncertain, especially since Lakyus had already stepped into the Realm of Heroes.
Realizing he couldn't afford to be distracted by dealing with Riezel, Zero's expression darkened before glaring at Lakyus.
"You think just because I'm a vampire, I'm scared of you?"
As Zero said this, he activated a magic item he carried.
It was something he had specifically dug out of the treasure vaults of Eight Fingers after becoming a vampire to counter his vulnerability to holy-attribute attacks. Once activated, the magic item significantly reduced the damage he would take from holy-attribute attacks for a limited time.
With this item in hand, he had the confidence to speak boldly in front of a templar like Lakyus.
"Hmph, fine then. I'll deal with you first, kill everyone else, and then gather all the members of Six Arms to ambush that brat before he meets my master and kills him for good!"
As these words left Zero's mouth, an ominous aura radiated intensely from his body, showing that he had completely lost his temper.
Lakyus, however, remained incredibly calm.
"Don't worry. You won't get the chance." Lakyus responded calmly before drawing the sword she had been carrying at her side.
"Wait, that sword?!" Zero exclaimed in surprise, his fierce expression freezing as soon as he saw the sword.
As Lakyus unsheathed the sword, it looked dazzling and mesmerizing, as if it had been forged from a fragment of the night sky itself. Its jet-black surface was dotted with star-like points of light and radiance, making it resemble a miniature starry sky—beautiful and radiant.
Zero recognized the sword instantly.
It was Kilineiram, a cursed sword that emanated dark energy, one of the Swords of Darkness wielded by the mixed-blood hero known as the Black Knight, a member of the legendary Thirteen Heroes.
"You're finally worthy of making me use this sword."
Lakyus gripped the pitch-black cursed sword, finally using all the equipment she had on her.
Her full-body armor, which was engraved with unicorn motifs and radiated a mix of silver and gold light, was a pristine set of armor known as the 'Virgin Snow', which only virgins could equip—untainted and pure, like a lotus rising above muddy waters.
Meanwhile, the gray cloak draped over her back, made of soft fabric, was known as the 'Cloak of Rat Speed', enhancing her movement speed, agility, and dodge capabilities.
Perched on her head was a crown resembling a blue rose, a blue headpiece that protected the wearer's mind, rendering them immune to mind control.
Lastly, six floating blades suspended behind her, known as 'Floating Swords', moved into position.
Fully armed, Lakyus entered a state of readiness, her aura surging to an even greater height.
"Come."
Lakyus raised Kilineiram, pointing it at Zero, declaring the start of the battle.
"DIDN'T I ALREADY TELL YOU?!" Zero clenched his fists, his blood-red eyes blazing. "DON'T LOOK DOWN ON MEEE—!!!"
With a furious roar loud enough to shake the air itself, Zero charged at Lakyus with a savage expression befitting the title of Battle Demon.
*BOOM—!*
In the courtyard, the sound of an explosive clash echoed as waves of magical energy rippled and bursts of magical light filled the area, signaling the beginning of a fierce battle.
===
At the same time, Riezel, who had already entered the mansion, walked alone down the corridor illuminated by the glow from Continual Light.
At this moment, his eyes sparkled with a transparent gleam as if he knew exactly where he was going, while his expression remained calm and his steps unhurried, as though he were taking a casual stroll through a garden, heading in one specific direction.
It didn't take long before he arrived at the deepest part of the mansion, standing before a room with an ornate and extravagant door.
"Given Shalltear's personality, if she's really here, she'd definitely pick the most luxurious and over-the-top room, wouldn't she?"
Riezel muttered to himself, reaching out to push open the extravagant door before him.
As the door swung open, a room even more opulent than he had imagined unfolded before his eyes—it was so vast it felt more like a grand hall than a bedroom.
As expected, the bedroom was filled with extravagant furniture, but the most eye-catching piece was, without a doubt, the massive bed placed in the center.
Not only was the bed enormous, easily large enough to fit seven or eight people, but it was also draped in pristine, spotless bedding that gave off a regal aura—anyone unaware might mistake it for the kind of bed used by a king to indulge his harem.
In truth, that was probably close to its purpose since the proof already lay on the bed itself, where two women lounged together.
They had pale, waxy skin devoid of any color, eyes that gleamed a jewel-like red, and lips painted a striking crimson, with sharp fangs peeking out ever so slightly.
Even though their appearances were undeniably beautiful by human standards, these women were clearly not humans but vampires—or more specifically, they were Vampire Brides, a rare type of vampire known for their striking beauty.
At this moment, as the two Vampire Brides, both with impossibly seductive bodies, lay completely naked under the covers, their gazes fell upon Riezel, who had barged in unannounced. Instead of looking embarrassed, however, they had expressions that carried an inexplicable madness.
Between them lay someone else—a girl, nestled between the two Vampire Brides, with her arms draped over their pale shoulders.
"My, my..."
A sweet yet dangerous voice slipped from the girl's lips.
"Now that you've ruined my mood, how do you want to die?"
Just as Riezel had guessed, the vampire controlling Eight Fingers was none other than his old acquaintance, Shalltear Bloodfallen.