Chapter 30: Super Monsters
July 19, Friday.
A field training exercise was planned for the assault team and support team, but just before departure, Meng Huai received an urgent order from above to head to the Western Inspection District Command for a special inquiry.
Entering an inconspicuous logistics compound as an ordinary officer, after a series of identity confirmations in a nondescript building, Meng Huai was brought to a small meeting room.
Inside the meeting room stood a young lieutenant with an overly youthful appearance, wearing a broad smile that was quite inviting.
After exchanging pleasantries and taking their seats, the young lieutenant introduced himself first: “Major Meng Huai, I am Han Jie Li, currently working at the Headquarters Intelligence Bureau. I have been sent by my superiors to investigate the situation regarding Operation X497.4.30. Here are the working documents for this inquiry.”
As he spoke, Han Jie Li placed a printed document on the table and slowly slid it towards Meng Huai.
A member of the Headquarters Intelligence Bureau, not from the Western Inspection District Intelligence Office!?
Seeing the seal on the document, Meng Huai felt a sinking sensation in his heart. He slowly lifted his gaze to look at the approachable young lieutenant, and after several seconds, he slightly opened his mouth: “Are you from the Han family?”
Han Jie Li nodded shyly: “Vice Commander Han is my uncle. Han Jie Sheng and Han Xiao are my cousins. I have heard about you from my cousins for a long time, the number one ace of the Western Inspection District!”
“No need for flattery, let’s get down to business.”
Meng Huai instinctively avoided the other’s overly familiar attitude, especially since he was dealing with someone who worked in intelligence. Emotions can be deceptive; he disliked that.
“Uh… alright, Major Meng Huai. I have reviewed all the information regarding Operation X497.4.30, but there is one question I must confirm with you.”
Han Jie Li pressed a button on the table, and a large electronic screen on the wall lit up, displaying dozens of images arranged in rows.
Meng Huai knew that each frame on the screen was footage from the helmet cams of various team members at the scene of the operation, including his own.
Some images showed intense movement, indicating that the person was still active, while others were frozen at a severe angle, indicating that the person had lost combat effectiveness and was down.
The small clips playing back recalled the brutal bloodbath in which dozens of comrades lost their lives, making Meng Huai unable to bear to watch.
“Meng Ge, that big meatball… let’s call it that for now, was the cause of Captain Xia Yan and Sergeant Gu Yao’s blood invasion due to the damage from the big meatball?”
Han Jie Li’s tone was very amicable, but the question landed like a heavy blow, leaving Meng Huai momentarily dizzy.
“No… I can’t be absolutely sure.”
After hesitating for a few seconds, Meng Huai shifted his gaze from the screen and instinctively rubbed his forehead.
“Not absolutely? Can you express it more clearly?”
Han Jie Li frowned slightly, taking notes while quietly prodding him.
“At the time, aside from those who fled, all the vampires participating in the attack were killed. It cannot be determined whether Xia Yan and Gu Yao had already undergone blood invasion before destroying the big meatball. Is that clear enough?”
Meng Huai’s cold reply left Han Jie Li feeling a bit awkward.
After pondering for a dozen seconds, Han Jie Li clicked on a box, enlarged it, dragged the timeline, and fixed it on a severely tilted frame: Xia Yan was staggering up, facing towards the pool of blood, holding a grenade and seemingly ready to launch an attack.
The scene shifted slightly, then opened another box, executing a similar operation, and the image froze: Xia Yan was being supported by Gu Yao.
When the scene widened again, the third box was clicked, revealing a blurry frame, but from a more tilted angle: Xia Yan and Gu Yao were hit by two tentacles coming from the direction of the blood pool.
“This is the sequence of images arranged by time at the scene. The left one indicates that Xia Yan was already injured but still prepared for an attack. The middle one shows Gu Yao providing aid to Xia Yan after destroying the big meatball; at this point, Gu Yao was most likely uninjured. The right one shows Xia Yan and Gu Yao being simultaneously struck by the tentacles of the big meatball…”
“Meng Ge, based on your personal experience, at the moment of the left image, had Xia Yan already undergone blood invasion?”
Han Jie Li calmly inquired, hoping that these visuals would help Meng Huai make a more intuitive judgment.
“The left one… if this is indeed the optimal time and angle for the shot, I can say with 100% certainty that Xia Yan, despite being injured, still maintained mobility and could not have been subjected to blood invasion. After blood invasion, physical capabilities significantly decline, and bodily control will decrease; there are no exceptions to this!”
Meng Huai answered decisively without a hint of hesitation.
As soon as he spoke, a glimmer of disappointment flickered in Han Jie Li’s eyes, as if some hope had been dashed.
“Alas, this view is also shared by the intelligence department. Based on the testing records at the training center, Xia Yan possesses strong resistance to blood invasion. This means that, after receiving the blood invasion immunity serum, even facing a baron, his chances of suffering a blood invasion are over 90%! Moreover, site records indicate that the two barons from the Tang family had already fled.”
Han Jie Li pulled out another document and handed it to Meng Huai, continuing, “Records show that Xia Yan’s blood type was originally a common AB type, but after suffering from leukemia at the age of twelve, he happened to match Gu Yao’s bone marrow, causing his blood type to change post-surgery to the same rare blood type. The testing result of Gu Yao’s blood invasion immunity serum compatibility is also the best, just like Xia Yan’s.”
“Is this consistent with my conclusion? Is there an issue?”
Meng Huai was in a state of confusion and couldn’t understand why people from the headquarters were so focused on these details.
“Xia Yan and Gu Yao’s final attack caused the big meatball to nearly carbonize and collapse completely, but we still managed to collect trace tissue samples afterwards. Research and analysis from headquarters show that the cells of this big meatball exhibit incredible activity, and its genetic sequences contain multiple effective fragments of vampire ancestral lineages! Note, they are effective!”
Han Jie Li stood up, wearing a bitter smile: “Meng Ge, do you know what this means? If Xia Yan and Gu Yao were indeed subjected to blood invasion by the big meatball, then they… they would become true monsters, likely possessing the abilities of multiple vampire ancestral lineages as super vampires!”
“It’s rather ironic; the higher-ups also hope they were invaded prior to this…”
As he spoke, Han Jie Li let out a heavy sigh.
They would become super vampires? They…
Meng Huai sat there dazed, and suddenly, memories from his childhood flooded back: his mother being brutally drained by a monstrous aberration in a pool of blood, the eerie and terrifying blood-stained spikes protruding from the floor.
There should be no vampires in this world, let alone monsters…
Meng Huai stood up and walked to the screen, gazing at the final image in one of the frames, where Xia Yan, covered in blood, was smiling at him, saying something.
“Meng Team, it’s okay, you haven’t suffered blood invasion…”
“Hang on… the support team is almost here…”
Slowly closing his eyes, the muscles on Meng Huai’s face twitched slightly.
……
……
“…Based on the historical context and current statistics of the global spread of vampires, the ancestral lineages of blood vampires in Huaguo are primarily represented by Siberian and Altai bloodlines, with a few British, Iberian, and Rhine vampires in coastal areas. In the southwestern border, there are a few Ganges bloodlines, but they mostly consist of wandering vampires.”
“The domestic Siberian bloodline entered the Central Plains around the Qin and Han dynasties along with northern ethnic migrations. The Altai bloodline entered during the Eastern Han period via the Silk Road. It wasn’t until the late 18th and early 19th century that other vampire ancestral lineages began to emerge in coastal areas…”
In a refined little room, Jiang Yan and Jiang Yao sat on the sofa like students, while Zhao Peng gestured on a map before them.
Today was technically a day off for the Jiang sisters, but according to the original arrangement by Wan Yue, they would undergo a month of foundational training to thoroughly familiarize themselves with their characteristics.
Therefore, Zhao Peng would be conducting a comprehensive knowledge lecture for the two novices in the coming days; today was the first lesson.
However, Zhao Peng seemed a bit odd today. He rarely made direct eye contact with the two girls and appeared somewhat uneasy, almost shy.
For Jiang Yan and Jiang Yao, much of what Zhao Peng discussed today was familiar to them, as they had mostly heard it at the Dark Arrow Training Center; it pertained to the fundamentals of vampire history.
“We are all from the Siberian bloodline, meaning that when we are promoted to baron, we will gain the unique ability known as ‘Blood Explosion.’ Using our own blood or bodily fluids as a catalyst, it triggers explosive damage to the opponent’s flesh and organ tissues…
“In terms of lethality, the Siberian bloodline’s Blood Explosion is unrivaled among all vampires! The so-called ‘I am invincible below baron, one-for-one above baron,’ more details will be covered later.”
“But the shortcomings of the Siberian bloodline are also very apparent. Compared to other ancestral lineages, we do not possess special lineage talents, and our boiling blood threshold and stability are relatively low.”
“In simple terms, we have poorer explosive power and find it difficult to maintain prolonged boiling blood combat states. If not careful, it may easily lead to boiling blood loss of control. Especially with blood servants and lower-ranked attendants, once boiling blood spirals out of control, many bodily deformities may become irreversible!”
“The degree of deformation varies between individuals, but strength will increase significantly; however, this enhancement in strength is achieved at the cost of exhausting the energy proteins in one’s bone marrow. Once the boiling blood state ends, there will be temporary power reduction, and those severely exhausted may even experience acute blood thirst.”
As Zhao Peng spoke, he pulled out a small syringe: “This is a boiling blood potion mastered by overseas vampires, which can improve the boiling blood threshold and stability, but, like most vampire medications, boiling blood potions are monopolized by those orthodox families, making them hard to procure domestically… Haha, let’s stop here for now. Xiao Yan, Xiao Yao, you can have some free time; we will continue tonight.”
Feeling as if he had just begun, Zhao Peng hurriedly ended the lecture, then quickly left the room without looking back, a stark contrast to his usual courteous and calm demeanor.
“Brother, what happened to Zhao Ge today? Could he be about to reach his physiological period as well?”
Jiang Yao touched her slightly warm forehead, blushing as she mumbled.
“Ridiculous… are you a pervert?”
Jiang Yan covered her face, feeling utterly unable to sit with Jiang Yao.
Just then, the door opened again, and a lively girl with a youthful appearance walked in, a colleague Jiang Yan had met recently named Zhou Ping.
Although she looked to be around seventeen or eighteen, considering that she was already a mid-tier attendant, Jiang Yan hesitated to underestimate Zhou Ping’s actual age.
“Hey, Xiao Yan, Xiao Yao, you managed to embarrass Zhao Ge! According to rules, you could completely take a leave and not come to the club these days.”
“Xiao Ping, we…”
Jiang Yan struggled for a few seconds, suppressing her discomfort and lowering her voice.
“Hmm? Your relatives should be arriving soon. For us female vampires, in the days leading up to a relative’s visit, our pheromones can become a bit peculiar, making it hard for male vampires to handle, just look at Zhao Ge. But once your relatives arrive, it will be much better.”
“Oh, remember to take the little golden pills made by Wan Jie to prevent blood thirst anomalies when your relatives arrive, and it can also accelerate our growth during that time.”
Zhou Ping had a lively and open personality, discussing these matters without batting an eyelid, even playfully teasing them.
……
In the depths of the staff area of the Golden River Club, Zhao Peng was on the phone with Wan Yue.
“…At noon, I conducted blood and energy protein tests for them; their ancestral lineage is Siberian.”
Zhao Peng calmly reported on today’s situation.
“Are you sure it is the Siberian type?”
On the other end of the phone, Wan Yue’s tone suddenly became somewhat serious, as if doubtful of the result.
“Certain, calculated two sets, no discrepancies!” Zhao Peng nodded firmly, “However, when explaining vampire history, they showed no curiosity at all; they should have known this long ago.”
“Hmm, Huang Gu has confirmed that they used to be associated with Dark Arrow, although they haven’t admitted it outright… Anything else?”
It seemed Wan Yue was driving; a distant voice from the GPS could be faintly heard.
“I have given them the little golden pills. I noticed their hormonal imbalances are much stronger than average; I fear this might attract the attention of the black blood vampires.”
Zhao Peng took a deep breath, looking slightly awkward.
“Recently, the black blood vampires have been somewhat active; let’s keep an eye on them. If any are foolish enough to act out, well, now is a good time because many medicinal resources are scarce…”
The tone from Wan Yue was cold and foreboding.
After the call ended, Zhao Peng pondered for a moment before heading towards the common area.
……
In the evening lecture, the discussions delved deeper into the cognitive blind spots of Jiang Yan and Jiang Yao, and they finally entered a focused learning state.
Some topics that circulated only within official academic circles, which held no practical significance for the grassroots of Dark Arrow, allowed the two girls to experience understanding from their own perspectives for the first time.
The reliance of vampires on blood does not directly equate to obtaining energy or nutrition from blood, after all, the energy density of blood is far too low. Even consuming thousands of milliliters of blood daily without dietary intake would be insufficient to sustain an average person’s consumption, let alone that of a vampire.
For vampires, certain components in blood serve more as catalysts or fuel, supporting specific metabolism and energy conversion within their bodies.
The abundant and robust physical abilities and destructive force vampires exhibit during a boiling blood state essentially come from a unique energy protein stored in various organs and bone marrow. In the boiling blood state, the breakdown of this energy protein, combined with a rapid change in other internal hormone levels, provides an unimaginable supply of energy and explosive power.
This energy protein production is unique to vampires; not only does it maintain their stability, but the qualitative and quantitative differences also form the foundational basis for classifying the so-called levels of vampires.
To maintain a minimum level of energy protein conversion and self-consumption, external fresh blood must be regularly ingested. Without external blood intake, vampires will consume their own blood through autophagy, severely damaging their organ systems, nervous systems, and bone health—a condition known as blood thirst.
The production and accumulation of energy protein also require a significant amount of nutrients, and vampires have a highly efficient digestive system for food, which leads to their food intake being much higher than that of normal individuals.
Jiang Yan could attest to this; her current daily intake was nearly double that of an average adult male.
Jiang Yao was even more pronounced, stuffing her cheeks full like a hamster every time she ate, with no sense of restraint whatsoever.
A very small number of vampires with rare blood types can achieve higher efficiency and stability in the qualitative and quantitative conversion of their energy proteins, making them the highest potential for growth within the vampire world and the best candidates for new members of orthodox vampire families.
At least, according to Zhao Peng’s description, becoming a baron is a significant and difficult threshold to cross; ordinary blood type vampires finding it exceptionally challenging to step into that realm. Acquiring rare blood type blood to increase the chances of breaking through has become a pressing need for numerous ordinary vampires.
However, rare blood is not just scarce in the vampire underworld but also extremely rare in normal human society, making the prices for rare blood in the underground world exorbitantly high.
In the latter half of the 20th century, after most countries’ secret organizations began to strengthen management over rare blood type populations, the development of vampires entered a relatively stagnant state.
The black blood vampires, on the other hand, are akin to beasts taking an extreme path. By devouring the blood, organs, and marrow of their own kind, the black blood vampires aim to break their shackles and accelerate their growth through a barbaric yet effective method, even crossing the baron threshold.
Having frequently encountered the concept of black blood vampires in recent days, tonight’s lesson has provided Jiang Yan and Jiang Yao with the deepest understanding thus far, inevitably leading their thoughts back to a month ago, one night, regarding a certain aberrant black blood knight who had become desperate due to blood thirst.
As the clock struck midnight, Jiang Yan and Jiang Yao returned home, filled with a sense of accomplishment.
