**Chapter 22: The Curse**
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“Come on, move faster, you fool! Just a little prick to your core! You absolute idiot! Heal your wounds already!”
“Ugh… shut… up…”
With all my might, I struggled to regain control of my body. Bit by bit, the numbness began to fade. I crawled beneath the weight of my body, bracing my hands against the ground to stand up.
What drove me now was anger. Anger directed at Senri.
She had promised to give me her blood, yet it turned out to be a cruel lie. No matter what reason she had, it was unforgivable. Just right, it had been nearly ten days since she last fed on me, and I had thought I would soon be in need again, so I hadn’t doubted her at all.
I had been so happy, and yet this was so cruel… I would definitely make her pay for this later. I would never let my guard down again.
Even as the numbness slowly receded, the phantom of the Lord showed no signs of disappearing.
“But you are still… truly abnormal. You have talent. Originally, this is not a technique that allows for recovery in such a short time. If only you didn’t have such a weak spirit, you could have become the strongest king…”
Then don’t tell me to heal!
For a phantom, the Lord sure was chatty. He seemed to have more to say than the actual object. Besides, I had no intention of becoming the strongest king. What I sought was to be the king of non-violence.
Even now, the negative power within me continued to swell. It seemed that my strength was increasing gradually, even without killing living beings or sucking their blood. I wasn’t sure if this was common for a vampire, but judging by the Lord’s tone, it seemed I had a talent for death. What a cruel irony that I, who only wished to survive, possessed such a talent.
Senri had bitten into my neck, creating a thin, deep hole that pierced to my core. That wound, while slowly healing, was still there.
But truly, what a terrible technique this was. If I had been put in this state by a more direct attack or a spell, I could have accepted it, but I had been caught off guard while she was carefully choosing where to bite. It was just awful…
“Are you generating… negative power? How is it that you’ve survived this long with such a frail body…?”
The Lord spoke with a look of suspicion. He could just flap his mouth without consequence, how easy it must be for him. I ignored his words and focused all my strength to push against the soft ground, finally managing to stand.
“I’m here because I died… Ah, I can move a little now.”
I swayed unsteadily. There was still some numbness in my fingertips, but I could manage.
But why on earth had Senri put me through such torment? We were supposed to move to the mansion my father had prepared for us today.
If she had betrayed me, it was strange that she had only paralyzed me and then left. At that moment, it would have been easier for her to stab me than to twist a baby’s hand.
I had to… pursue Senri. A bad feeling gnawed at me. I wasn’t at my best, but I would recover while walking. The Lord had vanished without me noticing.
Considering the situation, Senri must have wanted to stop me from moving to my father’s mansion. I wouldn’t know the reason unless I asked her directly, but it was possible she was checking for traps. Or perhaps my father had said something to her.
From what I had seen, Senri possessed a spirit of self-sacrifice. However, while I was resolute in using anything to survive, forcing such negativity on her was a different matter.
Where was the machete—”Light Eater”?
I scanned the room and spotted the machete propped against the wall. The moment I picked it up with my still-numb hand, a black object suddenly flew in through the window.
It caught me off guard. I barely sensed its presence before it struck.
Shattered glass. The object that had crashed in sent me flying across the room. “Light Eater” slipped from my grasp and rolled across the floor. My vision spun violently as I was slammed against the wall, rolling helplessly. I pushed myself up with my still-numb hand, ignoring the dull pain, and raised my head.
What had entered was a beast—about one and a half meters tall, a black dog. Of course, I had never seen it before. Its golden eyes glowed fiercely in the darkness.
I knew instinctively. This was no ordinary beast. It was like… a monster of a dog.
Why was I subjected to such horrors… I just wanted to live. Not only was I being hunted by the End Knights and vampire hunters, but now I was also being attacked by a dog.
No… that’s not right! This smell… I’ve encountered it before…
As I thought, I urged my still-motionless arm to reach for “Light Eater,” which lay on the floor. But before my fingers could touch the hilt, the black dog swatted it away with its front paw. In the next moment, its heavy paw crushed down on the back of my hand. I felt the flesh squish and the bone crack.
Ignoring the impossible pain as my flesh tore, I pulled my arm free, rolling and scrambling to my feet.
By that time, the wound on my hand, where the bone had been crushed, had healed, and the pain had subsided.
Unfortunately, tonight was the night of the full moon, when the powers of night creatures were at their peak. The strength I could muster was beyond anything I had experienced before.
The black dog lunged at me. It stood tall on its hind legs and slammed its thick, fur-covered front paw down. I braced myself and took the hit.
“What…?!”
I gasped at the unexpected outcome.
My feet sank into the floor, and my body screamed in protest. I was left speechless, struggling against the force that threatened to crush me.
What incredible strength! My body was already tingling, but this was no ordinary beast’s power. It far surpassed every magical beast I had ever faced. There was no way a mere beast could come this close to matching my strength under a full moon.
“Don’t underestimate me!”
With all my might, I swung my arm sideways, dodging the paw that sought to crush me. The clawed front paw smashed into the floor, but the black dog’s assault didn’t stop. Its left paw, with sharp claws, came slashing down from above. I hastily stepped back, but the claws grazed my body.
Blood sprayed, and I was sent flying by the force, crashing against the wall. The wound healed almost instantly, but this creature…
The black dog kicked off the ground, its massive jaws and glistening tongue closing in on me. Its mouth was filled with sharp fangs. A vampire’s body is sturdier than a human’s, but if I were to take a bite unguarded, I would surely be torn apart.
I rolled to the side, narrowly avoiding its bite. Its jaws slammed into the wall, creating a massive hole. However, the paw that I couldn’t fully evade left deep gashes in my body.
Crap…
I bit back the pain and moved my legs, kicking hard at its body. But a strike that could easily break the bones of an ordinary living creature did nothing to this beast. It was strong. I activated “Sharp Claw,” transforming my hands into claws. I rolled to evade the onslaught of its front paws, then thrust my sharp claws into its fur.
I felt a solid impact. But it was a hard resistance. My finger bones cracked.
The claws that had pierced through countless beasts were now broken halfway. What kind of… fur was this? As I tried to retreat to avoid its counterattack, my back hit the wall, and the glimmering claws descended from above.
I had made a mistake by letting go of the machete, but more importantly, fighting in such a confined space was a grave error. Being toyed with in such a tight area would put me at a severe disadvantage. No matter how strong a vampire I was, I would die if my body were torn apart and my head crushed. My regeneration ability was not infinite.
I extended my arm to absorb the force of its paw. The impact crushed my flesh and broke my bones, but it bought me a moment.
I crawled across the floor like a beast, and with a desperate resolve, I threw myself out the window. It was the second floor, but I had no other choice.
People on the street screamed as I suddenly fell from the window, but I couldn’t afford to care.
The black beast paid no mind to the fleeing crowd and pursued me without hesitation.
My arm healed, but my torn clothes remained in tatters. I had just bought them, too…
In an open area, I would likely have the advantage. I didn’t know the full extent of the dog’s abilities, but surely my regeneration would surpass that of a mere beast. I picked up a fist-sized stone from the ground and threw it with all my might. The projectile, like a cannonball, was easily swatted away by the black dog without slowing its charge.
It was like a wild boar, drooling as it came to kill me.
I regenerated my broken claws, enhancing them. This time, they would be stronger and sharper.
I heard the sound of my flesh shifting ominously.
The dog’s golden eyes glimmered as they approached.
Fine then. If you want to kill me—then I’ll kill you.
I steeled my resolve. Firmly planting my feet on the ground, I braced myself to receive the sweeping front paw with my left arm.
A heavy shock coursed through my body. However, this time, I did not get blown away. My left arm creaked ominously, but I remained calm.
I was holding my ground—no, I was surpassing it.
“Finally, the numbness has worn off!”
To think that a Vampire, known for its brute strength, would be weakened on a full moon night was no joke at all.
The beast’s jaws lunged toward me. Yet, regardless of the differences within, its form was still that of a beast. I had faced wolves many times during my time at the Lord’s mansion. I narrowed my right hand, sharpened like a claw, and thrust it upward toward the approaching jaws.
It struck perfectly. My claw pierced through from below, sending the massive body soaring into the air. A viscous liquid touched my fingertips as it oozed from the wound. The black dog was hurled back, crashing onto the ground several times before it regained its footing on all fours.
I stared in disbelief. This was impossible. I had pierced its jaws; it wouldn’t be strange if I had reached its brain.
Its bloodshot golden eyes glared at me. The blood that had been gushing from its mouth suddenly stopped. Its legs scraped against the ground as it emitted a low growl.
Was it regenerating? I had inflicted what should have been a fatal wound on a mere living creature…
At that moment, I recalled the discomfort I had felt just a moment ago.
I had thought I recognized the scent from somewhere. And this astonishing regenerative ability.
“Werewolf… this scent, you… are you one of Master Beast’s minions?!”
During the negotiations, it was the woman who had been glaring at me with hatred while standing next to Master Beast. Her name was Alba, if I remembered correctly. The black dog showed no reaction to my words.
I didn’t know her detailed characteristics. However, Werewolves often appeared in fairy tales, so I had a general understanding of them.
They were minions of Vampires. Werewolves were fearsome creatures. They were usually human but possessed the ability to transform into beasts at will. They boasted incredible strength, speed, and remarkable regenerative abilities, much like Vampires, and their powers fluctuated with the phases of the moon, with silver weapons being their weakness.
However, what set this creature apart from the usual familiars of the night was that it was not a mere living object. Werewolves were cursed beings, but they were not mere living objects. Because of this, they could move during the day to protect sleeping Vampires.
There were other traits as well, such as losing most of their reason when transforming into a beast and being forced to change form on full moon nights. However, if Alba was indeed a Werewolf, I had some questions.
The first question was… that Master Beast was not a Vampire. Werewolves were supposed to be created by certain Vampires.
The second question was… that the creature before me was clearly not a wolf. It was a dog.
It seemed Master Beast was not nearby. If it were, there was no doubt it would have attacked us together. Perhaps Senri had sensed Master Beast’s approach and had vanished.
Well, that was a matter for later. Alba was… a worthy opponent for me. Certainly, her strength, agility, tough fur for defense, and regenerative abilities were threats, but I felt confident I could handle her now. I could win.
Though I couldn’t let my guard down, I sensed sufficient chances of victory in this confrontation.
In the hierarchy of Werewolves, they typically served as mid-bosses or lesser foes. They were like the opening act for Vampires.
I licked the blood off my claws. Alba’s blood was vastly different from Senri’s, like comparing flesh to fruit, but it was not an unpleasant taste.
Perhaps because it was fresh blood, my head felt hot, and power surged within me. Alba’s growls intensified. My spirit soared with the thrill of battle and blood. I extended my claws like a sword and smiled at Alba.
“If you wish to die, feel free to come at me, Alba. I won’t hold back like I did with Senri.”
Alba narrowed her eyes.
Her gaze reflected murderous intent. A hoarse voice escaped her lips.
“Rurur… underestimate me, Vampire.”
“What?!”
And in the next moment—Alba’s body began to swell.
Her height, which had been around one to one and a half meters, suddenly expanded, her jaws, forelegs, ears, tail—everything pulsated and grew larger.
It was a transformation that could only be described as a curse, worthy of awe. The hooked claws at the ends of her limbs elongated, cracking the ground beneath her. Her fangs grew longer and sharper, her golden pupils constricted like those of a beast, and the fur across her body bristled like needles.
What is this… I found myself staring in shock, instinctively stepping back.
The transformed Alba was now twice the size she had been just moments ago. Her width, height—everything was doubled. Until now, she had remained within the realm of beasts, but now she was as large as a cart. And the intimidation she exuded was beyond mere doubling.
Her forelegs resembled pillars. If they weren’t merely for show, I didn’t feel I could withstand them.
A black beast, unlike anything I had ever seen, crushed the ground as it turned its gaze toward me. From those gleaming eyes, the reason I had sensed just moments ago had nearly vanished.
The beast let out a thunderous roar. The air trembled, debris flew, and the windows of nearby houses shattered.
My limbs trembled. The exhilaration I had felt just moments ago evaporated. Then, with a crushing stomp, Alba lunged at me.