#126
Pureblood (1)
《Collecting new vampiric factors. The special skill “Hybrid Evolution” enhances the individual’s physical abilities.》
Heinz gently stroked his chin at the phrase that appeared before him.
‘This seems to be the first activation since I came to Auterica.’
As “Hybrid Evolution” was a skill that sought evolution by collecting various vampiric factors, it was practically tailored for Earth, where vampires from multiple dimensions gathered.
Though it activated for the first time after preying on a vampire outside the Brokoslac bloodline, the change wasn’t particularly dramatic, likely because they originated from the same dimension.
Sure, it was better than nothing.
“Well then, shall we start moving?”
Now that Heinz had returned, the situation was practically over.
‘It’s too large-scale to absorb the Yufershi forces immediately. To facilitate a smooth merger, it’s necessary to reduce their size a bit.’
Of course, while they wouldn’t be able to resist him through “Refined Blood Essence,” it was more convenient to favor the Brokoslac side for management ease.
‘And I need to gather the bloodline energy I had spent hunting that Bone Dragon. Preying on my own kind isn’t all bad.’
And that would serve as excellent nourishment for those who would soon become his subordinates.
Like someone facing a feast, Heinz licked his lips and quietly melted into the battlefield.
Utilizing “Concealment,” “Transparency,” and even “Blood Mystery,” the operation he conducted was exceptionally stealthy.
By the time the Yufershi Clan realized what was happening, it was already too late.
Then the backlash began to influence other battles in a chain reaction.
The location where Frigia Brokoslac and Theodore Yufershi were engaged in combat.
Boom—!
The tip of an umbrella filled with blood magic stabbed sharply, and the moment it was deflected, a leg in a sharp stiletto whip-like swung around.
Having dodged that attack, Theodore lashed out with a sharp blood whip to push Frigia back, wearing a serious expression.
He had always prided himself as the strongest among the Truebloods, so he had enough discernment to determine whether her power was temporarily amplified by the barrier.
Thus, he carefully observed the opponent’s destructive capability, reaction speed, and operation of blood magic several times before… he reluctantly came to recognize the reality.
‘There is external energy assistance, but this level cannot be explained by that alone. Everything is several stages above what I expected. The Brokoslac Clan couldn’t have been this formidable.’
He thought Mulo, the former lord of Brokoslac, wouldn’t last long against him, yet he felt quite humiliated for being held back by Frigia, whom he considered a lower tier.
However, the situation was moving too rapidly to even consider his pride now.
‘Why has it come to this? What the heck is going on!’
The purebloods, who had been holding their ground, were crumbling helplessly.
As he momentarily tore his gaze away to concentrate on the fight, he realized the capital had noticeably diminished.
‘When did it get to this point?’
Unforeseen events kept occurring after he had made his initial plans, and now he was getting a headache.
In the midst of this, he noticed something strange in the behavior of the Brokoslac side—they were suppressing the now less than half-remnant purebloods of Yufershi under Mulo’s lead.
‘What on earth are they trying to do now? Are they really planning to take hostages for negotiation?’
Even in this grim situation, there was still something Theodore believed in—.
That was Bisk Yufershi winning the conflict among the purebloods.
If that happened, the entire game would turn upside down.
Perhaps they were preparing for that moment?
But just as he was having such optimistic thoughts.
Chills—
A sudden, ominous sensation made him feel as if someone was targeting him.
He forcefully shook off Frigia, who lunged at him, and instinctively retreated, wary of the direction his intuition pointed to.
“You’re quite perceptive. Well then, it seems this won’t be very easy.”
Now that he was exposed, he probably thought there’s no need to hide anymore.
In the air where he was on guard, a figure emerged like a ghost.
Though Theodore saw a face he had never encountered before…
“Lord! You’ve finally arrived!”
He could discern the identity of the figure from Frigia’s reaction.
“…The current lord of the Brokoslac Clan, huh?”
Not only had Mulo been ousted to seize control of the clan, but this mysterious individual also managed to subjugate all the existing forces under him.
Only then did Theodore realize the reasons for the rapidly deteriorating situation and gritted his teeth.
Heinz II, the root cause of the change, was also observing him, calculating possibilities.
‘This guy is Theodore Yufershi, the current second-in-command of the Yufershi Clan.’
He had already interacted with Mulo while cleaning up the purebloods and had come this way.
He had also gathered some information about the minor player down below, who was essentially in a position similar to Mulo’s now.
Being the one overseeing all operations under an absolute presence like the Pureblood.
In other words, this meant that if he wanted to consume the Yufershi Clan, he needed to win over such a valuable talent.
‘Things were much easier when Mulo was around, you know. With Yufershi being a bigger entity, a capable lieutenant is essential.’
As power grows, the presence of skilled subordinates becomes crucial.
It wouldn’t do for the head of an organization to be stuck micromanaging everything indefinitely.
“Yes, I am the lord of the Brokoslac Clan,” Heinz said, glancing at him with a slight smirk.
He then nodded in satisfaction upon seeing Mulo, who had completed his tasks and was approaching.
“And soon, I will also be your lord.”
“What nonsense…!”
In a position of authority, giving correct direction and managing effective subordinates was sufficient.
That was the ideal ruler he sought.
A benevolent ruler who would win over and employ even his enemies if they were needed.
“Whatever schemes you have, it won’t go as you wish…”
“Mulo, Frigia.”
““Yes, Lord!””
“Seize him.”
Of course, the consent of the parties involved in that persuasion was unnecessary.
Because he was a king.
*
The trio of Truebloods clashing with Harley immediately sensed that the situation was going awry.
There was no way they couldn’t sense it, with the balance of the numerous fights occurring around them suddenly shattering, and the situation rapidly spiraling out of control.
Hahaha! I was enjoying this, but what a pity! Time to wrap things up, my friends!
At his taunt, the Truebloods exchanged glances.
If they remained still, once the reinforcements from Brokoslac arrived, they too would crumble helplessly.
With the situation as it was, they truly had only one option left.
“Let’s go!”
Huh—!
Among those exchanging glances, two jumped at Harley simultaneously.
Desperate to bind his feet.
But one who was confident in his tenacity didn’t join the fight, instead launching himself straight into the area where the purebloods battled.
Crackle—!
In the fierce sparks, the energy swirled in a horrific space.
Even Harley, who had maximized his defenses, could barely hold himself together amidst their clash.
If he entered that fight, he would certainly receive some life-threatening injuries.
‘And since I’m out of the picture, the two holding the monster’s ankles won’t be able to last long.’
This was practically akin to the trio’s power waning.
If that happened, even if Bisk Yufershi gained the upper hand for the time being, Harley’s re-entry might flip the tables again, which made him hesitate.
But seeing the current situation, it seemed far too late to hope for a reversal.
So what choice did he have? He had no option but to act.
Thus resolved, he clothed himself in blood and blood magic, just as he was about to step into the realm of purebloods.
“That won’t do.”
“…Huh?”
Someone approached at tremendous speed next to him, as he dashed forward with all his might.
And then.
Bang—!
With a tremendous impact, his body flew sideways and tumbled to the ground.
“Cough, you…!”
Of course, the one who attacked him was none other than—
The instigator of chaos, Heinz II, who appeared and rushed about, blowing everything up around the fight.
“That over there is the main dish, you know. I just want to wait a bit longer before I dig in.”
An incomprehensible statement.
As the Trueblood looked around, the situation was still bleak.
The large-scale battle of the purebloods had already ended, and Theodore Yufershi seemed to have been subdued by the foes.
Hahaha! Where are you going? Come here! Just one more bite!
Gah! This crazy monster!
“Why! You can eat them but I can’t?”
Moreover, since he was now out of the equation, the other two wouldn’t last long against the monster either.
‘I have to do something.’
Before they completely collapsed, he needed to turn the tables.
As he struggled to create an opportunity…
“Honestly, no matter how I think about it, there are just too many Truebloods in Yufershi. Of course, having strong forces is great but it feels a bit excessive. If factions arise, it’ll be a hassle.”
Still, he heard the voice of Heinz that made no sense.
“So… before I eat the pureblood, one Trueblood as an appetizer should be fine, right?”
And then.
With a chilling laugh, Heinz’s fangs gleamed sharply.
*
Although Bisk Yufershi suffered a setback due to Harley’s intervention, he managed to gain the upper hand in the fight against Briki.
After all, she had not been in peak condition from the start, so exchanging attacks merely affirmed his advantage.
Yet that was before.
With the surrounding circumstances rapidly escalating, he could hardly maintain his composure.
“Oh my, you seem a bit distracted?”
“…Shut it.”
“You were babbling about how past it I am, and now you’re suddenly quiet? Did something happen at home?”
“Brokoslac…”
His twitching eyebrows and grinding teeth were clear indicators of his growing irritation, but there was nothing he could do further.
Whether he tried to save his incompetent underlings or break free from this barrier to escape himself.
Whichever choice he made, he would have to use significant strength, especially with the woman glaring at him with bright eyes before him that wouldn’t allow for even a moment of weakness.
‘How did it come to this? What on earth happened…?’
When he initially planned, everything seemed to be going smoothly.
Cross-referencing the information obtained from the Oath of Reversal, he led an army larger than the maximum strength forecast for the opponent.
The aim was to quickly finish it without any losses and seize this base.
‘Without a doubt, it was a preparation that might have been a bit over the top, yet now, what is this situation?’
Bisk analyzed the circumstances with a mind unusually fast, resulting in five conclusions.
First, he had not expected the Pureblood Brokoslac to be here.
Second, the overall level of the Brokoslac Clan had been heightened.
Third, a mystery creature had invaded due to Theodore’s needless operations.
Fourth, the might of the current lord of Brokoslac, who suddenly appeared, exceeded expectations.
And finally, fifth…
‘Where are the guys from the Oath of Reversal who promised to help if something went wrong!’
Now was that “if something goes wrong” moment, yet the Oath of Reversal was nowhere to be found.
If it continued this way, the Yufershi Clan would face annihilation!
‘Could it be they abandoned us? This was a trap? …Did I, Yufershi, get played?’
Ultimately, Bisk was left with no choice but to conclude that.
For reasons unknown, they might have chosen the Brokoslac Clan over this side.
However, contrary to his thoughts, the Oath of Reversal had indeed dispatched reinforcements.
And they were quite formidable elites, useful in this situation.
However, that reinforcement couldn’t even step foot inside the Duke Bright’s territory or the capital.
Naturally, the reason was also—
Hahaha! Finding you here has saved me some effort.
“Ugh! Why is the Undead King here…!”
The Undead King Hans, who was keeping an eye on Talia, discovered them because they had been trapped by the barrier wrapped in swirling darkness, losing consciousness.
Since he had even activated “Eye of the Abyss,” any being belonging to the realm of magic could not escape his gaze.
Ultimately, the first reason for the Yufershi clan’s failure was the existence of Briki, but reasons two through five were all due to a single entity.
Of course, this was a fact that no one in this world could ascertain.
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