(The Dungeon Master’s POV)
"HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA—!!"
-...?
I tilted my head in absolute confusion as I looked at the crazy vampire laughing like a total idiot just a few meters away from me. It just made no sense at all. He was trapped in my ultimate domain, surrounded by a darkness so thick it could swallow light itself.
-’Why is he so happy? Did he lose his mind already from the sheer pressure of my magic?’
I asked myself that, but I knew I wouldn’t be able to get an answer without asking him directly. I just shook my head and set aside my curiosity for the moment. It didn’t matter if he was crazy or not; he was still going to be my specimen.
-’I will just have to ask him later after I have defeated him.’
I thought with a wide, skeletal grin on my face.
FWOOSH—
I summoned a [Fire Lance] on top of my right hand. Since I use dark mana, the flames adapted to a deep, abyssal color that blended perfectly into my domain. In this place, I am almighty! I am the god of this void!
I aimed at the idiot vampire that was still standing perfectly still and laughing at the air. Then, without any more hesitation— WHOOSH—!
I threw my magic at him as fast as I possibly could!
A cruel smile appeared on my face as I imagined how confused he would be. He was about to receive an attack he couldn’t even see coming. But then— PSSSHK! BOOM!
The vampire suddenly turned around and swung his sword horizontally in a violent arc, destroying my magic before it could even reach him.
-?!
My eyes widened in shock... well, my imaginary eyes did, since I don’t have real ones.
-’What was that? How did he do that?’
I asked in my head. I was shaken, but I figured it was just a fluke. A lucky guess. So, once again— WHOOSH!
I summoned another [Fire Lance] and launched it at him with even more force.
But just like the first one— SLASH! BOOM!
The vampire just cut it off again as if it were nothing. He didn’t even move from his spot.
-...
I froze in my place, a cold realization starting to sink into my bones. And as if confirming the terrifying conclusion in my head—
"..."
The vampire turned toward my direction and looked at me straight in the face. Then, with a dark smirk on his face—
"You’re dead."
He muttered that.
*****
The dungeon master flinched at the sight of Verc looking directly at him.
He finally realized the truth: Verc could see and function just fine in this total darkness. His trump card had been neutralized.
FWOOSH—
Panicking, the dungeon master summoned a whole bunch of [Fire Lances] at once. Then pointing them all at Verc— SWOOSH!!!
He launched every single one of them at him, creating a barrage of dark fire!
BAM!
Verc paid no mind to the incoming spells. He kicked off the ground and charged toward the dungeon master with total confidence. And as soon as he met the first wave of [Fire Lances]— SLASH!
He slashed off every single one of them with a series of rapid strikes— BOOM!
Each of them exploded right in front of him, sending heat and smoke everywhere. But even with the explosions— FWOOSH!
Verc got closer and closer to the dungeon master, cutting down every single one of the magic projectiles in his path without slowing down.
-TSK!
The dungeon master clicked his tongue in pure annoyance and dashed backwards to create some distance. Then after that— W H O O O O S H—!!!
He funneled his mana into a massive dark fireball, larger than anything he had thrown before, and launched it at Verc!
But Verc— FWIP!
Using [Adhesive Grip], he grabbed onto one of the tall stone pillars and climbed it in a split second to avoid the blast!
BOOOOOOM!!!
The fireball hit the wall behind him, shaking the entire room. Verc was using [Echolocation] to pinpoint the dungeon master’s exact location in the void. He combined that with [Thermal Sense] and [Danger Sense] to see the incoming [Fire Lances] as glowing heat signatures.
He also had [Vibration Awareness] and [Nocturnal Sight], so he could see completely fine in this total darkness. To him, the dungeon master was standing out like a sore thumb.
-GET AWAY FROM ME!
The brazen attitude of the dungeon master was now replaced by total annoyance and fear. He never expected Verc to be able to fight normally, let alone dominate him in his own domain.
FWISH—
He used the power of his domain to merge with the darkness, vanishing from his spot. Then in a split second— FWOOSH!
He reappeared directly behind Verc!
A [Fire Ball] was already formed in his hand, ready to be shoved into Verc’s back!
SLASH—!
But Verc suddenly slashed horizontally while spinning around. In one smooth motion, he cut through the dungeon master’s neck and his magic at the same time!
-?!
The dungeon master was completely surprised. He couldn’t understand how Verc could predict and see attacks coming from his blind spots so easily.
That’s right, even with his neck cut off; he didn’t die.
BAM!
He just regenerated the wound and backed away into the shadows without much worry. He vanished into the darkness again... but it was useless against Verc’s senses.
-’At least he can’t kill me. As long as I am in here, this is still my win.’
The dungeon master thought to himself as he stared at Verc from far away. He figured that as long as Verc didn’t know his specific weakness, he could just keep fighting forever. No matter how strong the vampire was, he was immortal.
But then, just as he thought of that—
"KAHAHAHAHAHHA—!!"
Verc started laughing again at that exact moment.
-...?
Chills ran down the dungeon master’s spine as he heard that sound. He remained perfectly silent, trying to keep himself hidden in the thick darkness.
Though, at that moment—
"..."
Verc suddenly turned his head toward him, looking at him as if he could see every detail of his rotting robes. Then with his lips parting—
"Protect your left eye socket. I will be targeting that from now on."
He declared that with a chilling smile on his face.
-!!!
The dungeon master flinched violently after hearing that. It was his greatest secret— his entire lifeforce was stored within his left eye socket. And unless that specific spot was destroyed, he wouldn’t die.
He had never told anyone this. He had kept it a secret for centuries and planned to take it with him until the end of the world.
So, hearing Verc say it so casually—
-’How the hell did he figure that out?!’
He couldn’t help but be completely shook.
And not missing that opportunity— BAM!
Verc rushed at the dungeon master.
The dungeon master panicked, seeing an opponent he couldn’t predict approaching him with such speed. In a desperate, spur-of-the-moment reaction— FWOOSH!!!
He summoned a bunch of [Fire Lances] and shot them all at Verc!
But Verc, with deep concentration and [Knight’s Discipline]— SLASH- BOOM!
He started adapting to the speed and timing of the projectiles. He dodged most of them as he closed the distance to the dungeon master, and when he couldn’t avoid them— SHING- BOOM!!!
He simply cut them out of his path and tanked the resulting explosions with his [Black Scales].
-GET AWAY!!!
The cocky attitude of the dungeon master had completely disappeared. He finally realized that there was something truly abnormal about Verc. This wasn’t just a vampire; it was a monster.
He also realized that he would never defeat Verc in close combat. So, he used up every last bit of his mana to create a wall of fire to keep him away.
But— BOOM!
Verc just dodged through the gaps.
SLASH!
He cut the magic projectiles off on his way.
He didn’t stop for a single second and pushed his way through the flames. And in the next moment— TAP.
Verc stood directly in front of the dungeon master. His presence was overwhelming, like a predator cornering its prey.
"Any last words?"
Verc asked. His face was cold and serious.
-...!
The dungeon master opened his mouth, his jaw trembling as if he were about to say something. A plea for mercy or a final curse.
S L A S H—!
But before he could even say anything, Verc swung his sword horizontally and cut through his head, targeting the left eye socket with perfect accuracy.
And with a dark smile on his face—
"Just kidding. Just die."
Verc muttered that.