The tension grew palpable. A grueling battle was about to begin.
"Wow wow, calm down…"
The leader in the aristocratic coat smirked, his eyes cold yet filled with amusement. "You think you can defeat us? A Vampire protecting humans?! Jack the Butcher… What's wrong with you?"
His voice echoed in the narrow corridor, like a knife twisting in Jack's mind. "This story will surely astound the Vampire Council… I'll take your head back myself!"
CRACK! He raised both hands, arcs of lightning swirling between his palms, crackling through the air. The Vampire support quickly cast a healing spell, a green aura enveloping the axe-wielding Vampire.
"Hah…! He dared to hit me?"
The axe-wielder rose, his eyes burning with hatred, all injuries vanishing as if they had never existed. The mage was still channeling power.
Jack frowned, then—WHOOSH! He lunged straight for the mage. He had to stop him before the spell completed…!
But—WHIZZ! An arrow flew straight for Jack's head! He twisted to dodge, casually swatting the arrow to dust in mid-air.
The archer! Jack spun, unleashing a powerful kick to his stomach! BOOM! The archer flew backward, slamming into the support, sending both sprawling against the wall.
Almost there…! Jack accelerated, his claws extending, aiming straight for the mage's neck! This was it!
But—CRASH! A terrifying impact slammed into Jack! The obese Tank Vampire charged, delivering a colossal shield bash! Jack was thrown back, his body embedding itself violently into the stone wall, creating a large crack!
"Damn it…!"
Jack struggled to get up, but—WHIP! A blur of a slash! BOOM! BOOM! BOOM! Three slashes! Four slashes! The axe-wielder flickered in and out of sight, each strike precise, digging deep into Jack's body!
"How did he heal so fast…? I just took him down!"
Jack coughed up blood, but at that very moment—he had matched his speed. SMACK! He grabbed the axe-wielder's head and roared: "DIE!"
Jack squeezed, intending to crush his skull! But—CRASH! A terrifying hammer blow descended! The ground exploded, shaking violently! Jack lost his balance, both tumbling onto the stone floor. The Tank had intervened, stopping Jack just in time.
Too late…! The axe-wielder vanished! They were too well-coordinated. They had fought together long enough to anticipate each other's moves.
The bunker glowed brightly—"THUNDERBALLLLLLL!!" The leader-mage roared, a colossal lightning surge blazing, scorching the entire space. A lightning ball shot out at high speed… Impossible to dodge… Jack's eyes widened…
IMPACT! The lightning ball exploded against Jack. Arcs of electricity coiled around him as if to devour him… A very powerful charged attack had just been unleashed…
The entire corridor was illuminated, like a lightning bolt tearing through the night. CRASH! Jack collapsed. His body was charred, covered in burns, his clothes singed, blood staining the stone floor in a long trail.
Did I… lose…? Everything… had just begun…
In the distance—John screamed: "JACKKKKKKKKKKKK!!!!!! No way!!!!!!!!!!!!!"
"Check his eyes." The leader's voice echoed, filled with interest. The big Vampire nodded.
"Yes, sir."
He roughly grabbed Jack's head, pulling his eyelids open. The amber-gold eyeballs glowed brightly in the darkness. "This one… if we bring him to the Council, we'll surely trade him for a lot. Today, we've found our treasure!"
"Capture those two humans."
John was dragged away, his eyes filled with worry as he looked at Jack. "No… it can't be like this… I have to do something…."
His hand still clenched the sword, but his body was exhausted from being in the shelter. If he truly used the sword now, he would surely die….
Mira looked up at Jack, then back at John with fearful eyes. She closed her eyes, gritting her teeth in resignation.
"This girl looks tasty… I'm hungry. Let's eat her first!"
The axe-wielder licked his lips, his eyes hungrily fixed on Mira.
Mira shuddered, disgusted, despairing. She squeezed her eyes shut, waiting for the horror about to unfold… Was this story really going to end here…?
INSIDE JACK'S MINDA vast lake covered the ground, reflecting a cloudless white sky. The space was utterly silent, as if time itself had stopped, completely separate from the chaotic reality. In the middle of the lake, a golden shadow stood, shimmering like light—like an ancient soul in slumber.
"Jack… Use me."
A voice echoed, soft yet powerful. Jack turned his head; the voice from the shadow seemed to be calling him… Jack turned to look at the ethereal golden shadow and asked:
"What are you…?"
The shadow reached out to Jack. "Trust me. Let me guide you…"
Jack stepped forward, but his body was suddenly pulled into the water, the lake now a swirling vortex, infinitely deep like the eye of a great storm. The peaceful scene instantly transformed into a hell of pressure, as if to crush his soul.
"Damn it…!"
He struggled, air leaving his lungs, feeling as if he were sinking into a bottomless abyss. His eyes slowly closed, his consciousness fading. But at the very last moment—the shadow approached, reaching out to Jack.
"Take my hand."
Jack had no other choice. He reached out—the moment their fingertips touched…
OUTSIDE REALITYThe Long Sword vibrated violently! John turned back in horror, because the sword was emitting strange golden energy streaks from his back… it vibrated ceaselessly…
The—
Before he could react, the sword flew from its sheath, like a bullet shooting straight towards Jack. The leader and his comrades hadn't yet understood what was happening.
Jack—unconsciously raised his charred hand… The moment the hilt touched his hand, a brilliant golden light erupted. His amber eyes blazed fiercely. Jack Awakened.
In that instant, time seemed to stop. Jack's body floated in mid-air, golden light swirling around him like a storm of brilliance, consuming the darkness. No one could look away.
The sword unleashed golden energy, beams of light weaving around Jack's body, like a divine aura. Every wound on him healed at a visible speed. It wasn't just regeneration; Jack felt power surging through every muscle fiber. Golden veins appeared all over his body, glowing brilliantly. His platinum hair flared out, billowing like white fire.
In that moment—Jack was almost no longer a Vampire. He resembled a god descended to earth.
The big Vampire hadn't even reacted. Only a flash of light—SWISH! SLICE! His body was cleaved in two. The horrifying scene happened in an instant.
The remaining ones… froze. They couldn't believe what was happening before their eyes.
"What… what is that...?!"
Jack lowered the sword, his gaze fixed on it. Too beautiful. The hilt was exquisitely carved, with intricate patterns in the shape of a blazing sun. The grip was wrapped in premium leather, firm and comfortable in his hand. The blade, of pure silver, was long and sharp, reflecting light like a divine razor. On the blade, an inscription was etched deep into the metal, radiating a faint glow:
"Silver makes you die. The Sun makes you burn."
Jack clenched the hilt, feeling a strange energy flow into his body. For the first time in years, he truly felt… alive. He looked down at his body—the glowing golden veins still coursing through his biceps and calves, spreading to every solid muscle fiber.
He chuckled softly, like a child curious about a new toy.
BOOM! Behind Jack, the two halves of the large Vampire's body suddenly burst into flames. Holy golden fire consumed him, and in an instant, he burned to ash, leaving only a charred skeleton.
"WHAT THE HELL?!" The leader roared.
"KILL HIM! KILL HIMMMMMMM!"
The remaining four roared like wild beasts, no longer hesitating.
Jack offered a confident smile. His sharp fangs gleamed behind his lips.
"Let's play."
In the distance, John knelt, his eyes wide with astonishment and admiration. His voice trembled, yet was filled with conviction:
"Finally… finally, I have found your master… Last Light—Blade of the Sun's Wrath."