Chapter 249: The Head of the Decascus Family (1)

Chapter 249: The Head of the Decascus Family (1)

Among the colossal powers of the upper echelons, there are the 'Vampires'.

They are bolstered by the six great families, fortified by the pureblood lineage.

And one among them was 'Amulam de Decascus', the patriarch leading the Decascus family.

It goes without saying—

The strongest.

There can be no other existence more fitting for this descriptor.

Zzzt! Zzzt!

Magical power permeating through the skin.

The cause of this oppressive aura likely being the authority accumulated over countless eons.

For players accustomed to middle-tier monsters, facing a being of such caliber was daunting, almost impossible to even look in the eye.

'In a one-on-one fight, my chances of winning wouldn't even be 3%...'

Jinhyuk moistened his lower lip with his tongue.

The fact that such a monster could arrive here was due to the numerous coins and holy relics invested to overcome the system's constraints.

Or perhaps, even a price beyond that had been paid.

'It must mean he's determined to get his hands on the artifact no matter what.'

Through the 'Eyes of Gluttony', Jinhyuk appraised the target.

[Amulam de Decascus]

Race: Vampire

Age: ????

Level: ????

Strength ??? Agility ??? Stamina ??? Magical Power ??? Authority ???

Inherent Ability: Blood Explosion (血爆)

Skills: 'Poison' Lv???, 'Blood Coagulation' Lv??, 'Red Moon' Lv??, 'Blood Hound' Lv??, '???' Lv??, 'Liquid Alchemy' Lv??, 'Quadruple Shield' Lv49

Traits: Among the six patriarchs, Amulam possesses the most cruel and cold-hearted nature. He will achieve his desires by any means necessary, making him a cumbersome enemy if turned against you.

Detailed Information: The Eyes of Gluttony's level was insufficient to view detailed information about the target.

[Copy Condition]

Amulam takes great pride in possessing the purest blood. He believes any being that has drunk his blood will become a subservient kin under his command. Free yourself from the mental domination of his kinship by drinking his blood. If possible, you will be able to copy one of his unique abilities or skills.

Despite the extreme level gap preventing full data acquisition, he could still confirm certain vital details.

Most notable were the conditions for copying.

Predictably, yet another outrageous condition had emerged.

'Escape this monster's mental domination...'

It was no different from being told to willingly place a poisoned chalice to one's lips.

The mental domination of a being on par with the gods of the upper echelons was not something 'bearable'.

Furthermore, since Amulam unleashed his magical power, multiple presences began to be felt.

"Hehe."

"Are there only two warm-blooded humans present?"

"It's disappointing. Just a few sips and there would be nothing but bone and skin left, right?"

Malicious laughter pierced through the eardrums. The Decascus kin had arrived.

'Even one would be problematic... but they came full-force.'

Jinhyuk smothered the bitter laugh within him.

At least a dozen figures, selected among the purebloods just like the ones encountered on the 7th floor.

Yet even with this bleak situation unfolding before him, Jinhyuk didn't lose his composure.

With eyes settling calmly, he was engrossed in calculation.

"You're remarkably unfazed upon hearing my true name."

"That's because I already anticipated your arrival."

"Oh really? You knew we were coming?"

"One of your minions stupidly glanced this way during the city's welcoming procession. If you intended to spy, you should have sent someone smarter."

What good is it to hide in a crowd if you can't conceal that malevolent gaze?

"What did you say!"

Provoked by Jinhyuk's taunt, one of the kin flared up, his handsome features contorting with shame.

"You chatter quite freely for someone so young."

"The taste of fresh blood will be perfect. That one's right arm is mine."

"I'll claim the left leg."

The remaining kin revealed their fangs in excitement.

And then.

"Stop."

Amulam spoke.

The surroundings instantly became quiet as death.

A slight hint of displeasure caused the air to settle heavy as the deep sea.

Breathable air turns dense, and veins constrict.

Truly, it was a horrifying pressure, difficult to withstand.

"It appears our response was somewhat negligent. But now that you've realized it, what exactly do you plan to do?"

Amulam's gaze swept from Jinhyuk to Phasis and the elemental spirits.

They were certainly formidable by human standards, but not to the level of driving a patriarch, evaluated as the strongest among vampires, to madness.

"......"

When his eyes rested upon the ancient beast, there was a brief flinch, but only brief.

He knew that unless certain conditions were met, the ancient being could not manifest in its true form.

Besides, even if that happened, a victory against Amulam was anything but guaranteed.

Nevertheless.

Jinhyuk still wore a smile.

"It seems you haven't understood. Knowing fully well that we were lacking in strength, and that you would come here, if I still dared to appear... "

Think about it, using that brilliant mind of yours.

You might not know since you're always in a dominant position.

"This is exactly the situation I desired."

Jinhyuk's lips curled upwards.

At the same time.

[The holy relic 'Bracelet of the Apostate' is activated!]

A heavy sense of unease spread through the area.

"This couldn't be...!"

Amulam's expression crumbled.

He had every reason to be alarmed.

The Bracelet of the Apostate was a relic previously in their possession.

And now, it had been activated right among the vampires.

***

The 11th-floor artifact known as 'Bracelet of the Apostate.'

One of the accursed relics used to summon a Demon King, it was kept by the vampires in hopes of securing cooperation with the mines.

And indeed, the Bracelet was guarded by the Decascus family when it suddenly began to activate.

Glug glug.

Black smoke quickly filled the interior of the underground.

"Which idiot... activated the relic!"

Amulam roared, turning his head around.

There he saw.

Shiver shiver.

"I... I didn't. It wasn't that I wanted to... I had to. No, it happened without my knowing."

Consumed by regret and fear, not knowing what to do, stood a vampire.

Ophelia.

The only vampire who had survived the confrontation with the Decascus hounds in the 7th floor.

Every bit of information, including the vampires' interest in the empire and that they sought the artifact, had come from her.

'I didn't need to brand her with the Soul Imprint, just nearly shattering her mind was enough.'

It allowed him to meticulously prepare a plan.

To devise the most effective way of securing the artifact.

To even slightly increase the odds against the patriarch deemed the strongest among vampires.

All of it.

Those minute preparations were now bearing fruit.

[By the acquirer's will, ownership of the holy relic is 'forcefully transferred' from Ophelia to Kang Jinhyuk.]

[The relic's effects bestow the attributes of 'apostasy' and 'corruption'.]

[Please select a target. (Activation preparation time is approximately 10 minutes.)]

The name 'Apostate' wasn't just for show.

The manner in which the relic claims ownership and its effects diverge from ordinary items.

Just like now.

Hiss hiss!

Jinhyuk gazed with satisfaction at the skull bracelet that appeared on his wrist.

He had already planned how to use the attribute effects.

What remained was to endure until activation time.

Then.

"Ophelia! You dare to betray me? You think you can choose humans over everything and survive?"

Amulam mercilessly swung his claws.

Intent on tearing the traitor to shreds in a single stroke.

However, his claws didn't slash through flesh and blood.

Crack!

An ice sculpture in the shape of Ophelia shattered into pieces.

A dummy crafted from glacial magics.

With the effects of an advanced five-star barrier, for a single deception, it served its purpose well.

"Switched... when did you?"

"When you turned your head for a moment. Normally, it would be impossible, but you showed a slight flaw in your magical power due to your agitation. Seems the bracelet and Ophelia were quite shocking, enough to create an opening even a patriarch could miss."

"With just that gap, you made your move?"

"It was enough of an opening for me."

No grand trick was needed.

It wasn't his first time facing creatures of absolute caliber.

"...I thought you were a mere pup, yet it seems you have some bite."

Amulam's gaze towards Jinhyuk shifted.

An acknowledgment of respect, if only just as an enemy.

"However, it's a pity. Had you used that moment to attack me or eliminate my kin, your chances would have marginally improved. Why did you save Ophelia? With the Bracelet of the Apostate, her life or death shouldn't concern you."

"I can't just leave someone who provided vital information to die at your hands, even if she's an insider."

"What...?"

Ophelia widened her eyes in shock, never having imagined that he would care so much for a former enemy.

"Is your heart burdened with needless sentiment? Very well. Take the traitor. After all, I intended to sweep them all away anyhow."

Amulam raised his right hand.

It was a signal.

Tap!

The Decascus hounds began moving at that light, fleeting sound.

Fast.

The vampires closed the distance instantly, drawing weapons imbued with a bloody-red glow.

If they did not respond, they would be annihilated. That certainty struck a chord.

"Vermin!"

Goguma commanded the summonses.

"Got it."

"Okay!"

"Grrrr!"

The elemental spirits and T-Bone sprang into action.

Their coordination so practiced that it bespoke their training during the endless dungeon dives.

[Undine & Sylphid cast 'Elemental Shield'!]

Water and wind converged, creating a pentagonal shield.

Thump!

Glop!

Claws and blades were stopped in their tracks by the barrier.

"Damn it, the wind—it's blinding my eyes! Argh!"

"What is this? Damn it all!"

"Cough! Choke!"

Although claws and blades continuously struck the shield, they merely slashed through water and wind in futile gestures.

Before elemental magic, physical attacks were null.

And in that moment of hesitation among the vampires.

Now the ground split, and hands crafted from stone emerged, engulfing the vampires.

[Gnome uses 'Land Fist'!]

With deafening roars, clouds of dust billowed.

Yet the assault didn't stop there.

Woosh!

Kuku-kuku-kuku!

Salamander's flames and Goguma's breath fused together.

The light of differing elements merged, drying the room to the point where lips would crack.

As if preluding the calamity that was to unfold.

"You intend to use the Breath in such a cramped space? Are you serious?"

"My summons aren't known for their consideration."

Jinhyuk cracked a smile.

It was a measure of endurance now; to see whose body would hold out longest.

And with that thought.

Boom-boom-boom-boom-boom!

A condensed ray of light sliced through the center of the tomb.

Intense heat and a blinding flash whitened everyone's vision.