Chapter 20: Chapter 20 : The Night of Apostles

The robed man made a choking sound before his body crumpled, black blood spilling from his mangled neck.

"Such disgusting blood doesn’t turn me on" Zeres face twisted as he flicked his bloodied hand.

"Look at that! That vampire killed someone!" The villagers shouted, frantically running away.

The man who claimed to be a Gifted Mercenary looked at Aeliz. Then his face twisted, flesh arranging themselves back, his back arched—a groan escaping his mouth.

"My, my, didn’t expect you’d show yourself like this. It will be easy to kill you then" the man’s deep voice echoed as multiple apostle appeared one by one, all wearing the same robe.

"It’s fine. After all, you’re weak" Aeliz laughed lightly, the blue magic circle on her palms trembled, the magic circle before her palms then expanded.

Aeliz raised her head, a smile tugging at her lips as she opened her mouth.

"Blue wrath that sleeps beyond the clouds, heed my call. Divide into countless fangs, rend the darkness, and descend upon my enemies... Multi-Cast: Lightning Spears."

The air shifted. The serene night was immediately filled with thunders, the sky crackled, then multiple spears made of lightning formed.

The apostles surrounding her stumbled back, their head snapped upwards as they frantically made their own barriers.

’She’s finally showing her true level’ Zeres nodded, a smile on his face as he strangled another apostle. It made a choking sound before Zeres let go of his grip.

"Should we have a contest Mr. Mage? " Aeliz smiled, then she lowered her hand—a signal for all of the hovering lightning spears to descend. The lightning spears roared once more before they charged.

"Hold your formation! " an apostle bark, they all had grouped up to prevent the casualty that will befall on them. They could clearly sense the sheer power behind that spell.

"That will be troublesome" the man replied, then a black magic circle started forming.

"Hands of the abyss that slumber beneath forgotten depths, heed my call. Rise from the blackened void, seize the wretched, and crush flesh beneath your silent judgment... Black Magic: Grasp of the Fallen Hands."

A massive black hand appeared from the sky with a terrifying speed, it’s direction aimed at Aeliz.

"I told you, you’ll have to fight with your all" Aeliz snapped her fingers, then one of the lightning spears changed it’s trajectory mid-air. It tore through, easily destroying the massive black hand.

The old apothecary stepped back, watching in awe, his head then went on the ground. His eyes widened in horror as he shouted.

"Kid, there’s something on the ground!"

Aeliz smile faded as she looked downwards, the ground had turned liquid, multiple black hands were raised. Then they all held together, forming a black sphere, it then engulfed her whole.

"That was a tedious process, thankfully she’s arrogant as the rumors say" the man breathed a sigh of relief, wiping the sweat that had formed in his forehead—he glanced at the side.

"Now it’s time for the others to take care of that no-named vampire"

____________

"Aren’t you way too arrogant? " A man in black robe snarled, his fist clenched so hard it bled.

"I have the right to. After all, you’re already in that state even though you’re the one restraining me" Zeres chuckled, glancing at the black chains coiled around his entire body.

Zeres cocked his head slightly, for him, heartbeats have a rhythm. He had learned of it a while ago, and the man’s heartbeat before him was at an extremely fast rhythm.

’He’s scared’ Zeres smiled, then he moved his chained arms. The chains made a noise before breaking into pieces.

"Still, all your blood reeks" he sneered as a single drop of blood hovered at his fingertips. "I’ll let you have a taste of a vampire’s magic as your gift" he then aimed it straight at the man’s chest.

The blood on his fingertips trembled, mana pulsing around him.

"W-wait, do you even know who you’re up against?!" The man staggered back, his face filled with panic.

"No? Zeres answered flatly. "And I hate Apostles."

He then released the blood, the air shifted, then it head straight at the man’s chest, it tore a massive hole through the man’s body crumpled.

Zeres stared at the corpse. "Is my morality also changing? " he sighed, he had been lately getting used to killing.

"Show yourself vampire! " Zeres’ head snapped at the voice, multiple villagers were there, they were holding torches—kitchen knives.

"Throw it! " an old bald man barked, his calloused hands raised as they threw something.

’What is this? ’ Zeres burst out laughing when he saw what the villagers had thrown at him. It was garlic and a cross.

"Thank you for you help." Zeres instincts kicked in when he heard the voice, he moved, barely avoiding an arrow aimed at his throat.

’Damn it’ he cursed inwardly, he was still not proficient at using his own senses. Hearing heartbeats at a crowded place made him almost lose his mind so he didn’t try to sense presences when there’s a crowded place.

"Tsk, still useless" the Archer hissed, her form turning into smoke.

"Assassin? " Zeres’ brows twitched, it was taxing to fight against them. But it wasn’t for him, he just have to hear the maddening sound of many people’s heartbeats—he just have to smell the scent of fresh and corrupted blood at the same time.

His face twisted at the thought. Still, he had no choice. But before he could move, the loud sound of something breaking echoed.

"Took you long enough" Zeres smiled, his gaze fixed on a spot. A spot where a woman stood, her long white hair fluttering behind her.

"I was foolish that time, don’t tell this to Saeliz or I’ll kill you! " she yelled, her sapphire like eyes shone under the moonlight.

"Sure" Zeres replied flatly. He knew that she treats Saelyz as her rival so he understood her quickly.

"Now, let’s continue what we’re doing" she smiled, air shifting around her as blue mana particles started merging on her outstretched palms.

The man halted on his steps, he turned around. His face was filled with horror as he staggered back.

"L-let me explain! " he yelled, his voice cracking at the end.

"There’s no need to heat a word from a garbage" a distorted voice echoed from the dark trees as a tall man appeared, his eyes devoid of light.

"Is this the Academy students you mentioned? " he asked, his voice returning to normal.

Zeres eyes widened. He knew that face, that presence. He was a named villain!