Chapter 65 The Tiger And The Bat
Edited by: Kanaa-senpai
”Guwaaaahhh!”
Melissa’s scream pierces the air. The fangs dig deep into her shoulder, making a disturbing crunching sound as her bones creak.
The female vampire clings tightly to Melissa, refusing to let go. To an outsider, it looks like a passionate embrace, but it’s really a chain that steals Melissa’s freedom, forcing her into a fate of waiting for death while being drained like a fly caught in a spider’s web.
Blood spills from the wound on Melissa’s shoulder. It flows out like water gushing from a hole in a large tank, quickly draining away.
Of course. The vampire bites for one reason only: to drain HP through [Bloodsucking]. The [True Ancestor]’s [Bloodsucking] can also inflict a status effect called [Turning into a Familiar], allowing her to control the target for a certain time.
Along with the blood, Melissa’s strength is also flowing away. Despite the intense pain, her mind is still sharp. In fact, it feels like the blood rushing from her head has made her clearer than ever.
Still, the female vampire won’t let go. Even if she can’t drain everything, taking half of Melissa’s strength would weaken her while allowing the vampire to recover almost completely. The situation is quickly turning in the vampire’s favor.
Knowing this, Melissa is desperate. It hurts, yes. But as she screams to push through the pain, she forces her arms, which are being squeezed, to hit the vampire’s back.
This isn’t just a futile struggle.
She has been waiting for this moment. Not for the bite itself, but for the exact moment when she can strike with maximum effect.
Melissa’s hands glowed softly. She could tell her face, hidden behind the mask, turned pale from the feeling of magic being gathered. But it was already too late.
A light, as if wrapped in the arms of a holy mother, gathered around Melissa’s arms. The warmth of the holy mother was like hellfire to the dark beings────.
”[Deus Ex Machina: Divine Punishment].”
A pillar of light fell from the sky like a waterfall, coloring the world in white. Both Melissa and the “Beastars” soldiers watching the battle from a distance were swallowed by the pillar of divine punishment.
But there was only one scream that rose.
”──────.”
The female vampire let out a silent cry. Just as her fangs were pulled from her shoulder, she screamed and quickly distanced herself.
”…Tch… how annoying.”
The female vampire, surrounded by white smoke, staggered and knelt on one knee. The only one who was hurt by Melissa’s hidden fangs glared at her while groaning in pain from her decaying body.
Just as Melissa was thinking about the vampire’s skills during the fight, the vampire was also closely watching Melissa’s battle. In doing so, she too had misjudged the situation, just like Melissa.
She was the captain of a high-level monster troops, likely between levels 150 and 175. And she had only been using hammer-type skills. These 2 points narrowed the vampire’s perspective… she fell into the trap set by her creator.
Even after taking damage, Melissa did not use recovery magic. She relied only on a small amount of natural recovery and did not want to depend on her skills. This was because she didn’t want her priest-type skills to be detected by using recovery magic.
Everything was for this moment, the moment she was absolutely sure she could hit, to unleash the Turn Undead magic.
”Roarrrr!!”
Melissa closed the distance with a roar. It was clear that this was the moment to chase her down. Melissa wasn’t foolish enough to miss the chance to dominate the battlefield.
She gripped her hammer tightly and swung down a heavy blow aimed at the female vampire’s head. The female vampire crawled on the ground to dodge and swung her longsword up from below.
”How about that? Did it hurt?”
”Shut up!”
Dodging just in time to avoid the sword at her nose, Melissa launched a lightning-infused attack. The female vampire twisted away to evade and quickly aimed for Melissa’s neck with a thrust.
Melissa’s skin on her neck was slightly torn. This was also an unexpected range, but Melissa didn’t hesitate and brought her hammer down again.
The fierce back-and-forth battle continued, but it was changing significantly due to the [Deus Ex Machina: Divine Punishment].
The female vampire was wary of Melissa’s Turn Undead. After taking heavy damage, she started to rely more on dodging rather than defending with her sword.
There are various types of priestly skills. The female vampire had no idea how many types of Turn Undead magic Melissa possessed.
So, she was definitely on the defensive. The fear of special Deus Ex Machina: Divine Punishment was draining her focus. This meant the situation was definitely tilting in Melissa’s favor. Both fighters understood this.
However, Melissa wasn’t in a comfortable position either. The bite on her shoulder weakened her grip on the hammer. And because her stamina was drained from the blood loss, she struggled to catch her breath, making it hard to hold her ground.
”────!”
And still, the range was completely unreadable. Fresh blood burst from Melissa’s body again.
”Damn, this fight is tough.”
”That’s my line!”
Melissa spat out curses as her long sword and the vampire’s hammer clashed.
Sweat trickled down Melissa’s temple. It wasn’t just that she couldn’t read the distance. The vampire’s fangs had damaged the muscles in her right shoulder, making it hard for her to control her weapon properly.
”Ahhhh, I don’t care anymore!”
Melissa stomped her right foot down hard and roared as she raised the hammer. It wasn’t a careless shout. It was the cry of a beast that had made up its mind.
In the next moment, Melissa let go of the hammer. A unique blue-green light ran through the air as her equipment was stored away, leaving her momentarily defenseless while she was still in the motion of swinging the hammer down.
The vampire, seeing the light sparkle in her eyes, instinctively aimed for that opening. She changed the trajectory of her arm to slash at Melissa… no, she had to change it.
”You moved, huh? Right into my opening!!”
There was no reason to throw away a weapon in the middle of a fight. Especially not during a combat motion; it had to be part of some strategy.
It wasn’t that the vampire had let her guard down. It was more that she had been so tense that her body moved on its own.
But by the time the vampire realized it, a pair of gauntlets appeared on Melissa’s hands, bursting with their unique effect. The blood-stained sharp claws of the white tiger’s massive arms gleamed as they aimed for the vampire’s throat in a swift horizontal slash.
The vampire, having instinctively abandoned her defense to attack, couldn’t block Melissa’s claw strike.
”Die, you damn leechhh!”
”Ugh… [Dark Rush]!”
But the vampire vanished into the surging pitch-black darkness. The unnatural shadow that denied sunlight dashed straight back, and Melissa’s sharp claws grazed the vampire’s throat, slicing through the thin skin.
[Dark Dash] is a vampire’s high-speed movement skill. Like other movement skills, it is very useful for quickly closing in on enemies or, as in this case, avoiding fatal injuries.
But don’t get it wrong: [Dark Dash] is definitely not a teleportation skill; it is simply a skill for moving quickly.
Melissa rubbed her sharp claws together, making a clicking sound as she checked their sharpness.
The darkness scattered outside of Melissa’s range, and from within it, the female vampire reappeared. Her neck was not gouged. However, her unguarded upper arm was deeply slashed, and white smoke was rising from the open flesh.
”…That annoying holy attribute!”
Immediately, the female vampire closed in on Melissa. She swung her longsword down from above, trying to gauge the changed distance after dropping her mace.
”I can’t believe you threw away your mace.”
”It’s not a gamble. I purposely made an obvious opening to lure you in. If you bastard could use magic, I would already have several big holes in my stomach.”
Melissa deflected the longsword with a backhand and flashed her claws.
”So that means you don’t have magic. Or maybe you can use it, but only your sword during the day. At least, that’s what I’m going to think as I kill you.”
”Are you stupid, or are you actually clever?”
The female vampire’s eyes narrowed as she parried Melissa’s crescent-shaped claw attacks with her longsword.
”Correct. I can’t use any real magic.”
”I knew it. But your excellent magical power is basically specialized in magic, right?”
[True Ancestor] has particularly high magical power among Monsters. Because of this, they are created to fight using magic to make the most of their magic; otherwise, there would be no need for them to be a [True Ancestor]. If you want to create a Monster specialized in swords, there are many other suitable Monsters.
”That means they were created to go against such common sense. And…”
At Melissa’s remark, the female vampire smirked.
”Just because the magical power is high doesn’t mean their physical strength isn’t on another level.”
She blocked a strong downward strike by crossing her gauntlets.
”Hehehe.”
”What’s so funny?”
”That weakling’s strength? Don’t make me laugh.”
It’s not that she doubts the female vampire’s strength. Melissa, who is fighting, understands that extraordinary power very well.
”If we’re talking pure physical strength, beastmen are stronger.”
”That may be true… but…”
The female vampire cut off her words and jumped back.
”Your attack has fulfilled the activation conditions.”
Immediately after, the female vampire’s body was engulfed in intense flames.
No, it looked like a massive red effect like a great fire. It wasn’t just a bluff. The aura the female vampire emitted swelled up, making it feel as if she had become a giant.
And Melissa recognized that technique.
”[Samurai General]’s [Last Stand]!?”
”…No, it’s one level higher.”
At the female vampire’s words, Melissa’s eyes widened. She quickly understood what that meant.
There is only one skill that is higher than [Samurai General]. It is one of the strongest close-combat skills, and there is someone in Babellion who possesses that skill. That person… she always stands by her lord’s side, and if there is an enemy, she will immediately cut them down with her unmatched sword.
The name of that skill is [Unbeatable Warrior], and the technique is called [Unbreakable Spirit]. It activates when HP drops below 50 percent, creating a super powerful buff that generates high damage.
”You’re such a musclehead!”
”Don’t you dare say that!”
And once again, the two beasts clash.
A fierce battle unfolds between the black-red and platinum. Intense sword strikes create a storm of sparks.
There are no more words exchanged. A slight relaxation of focus or a tiny disturbance in awareness could lead to a fatal blow.
Melissa strikes fiercely, focused and relentless. The female vampire also shows no signs of backing down, her sword flashing with deadly intent. The explosive impact of their metal colliding leaves countless cuts on both of their bodies.
But they don’t care; there’s no room to worry. With their eyes wide open, spitting and veins bulging, the two beasts twist their handsome faces into unbearable expressions as they fight to the death. The bright red splatters from their wounds touch the sparks and burn away in the air.
”Graaaah!”
”Haaah!”
It’s a clash of wills. The feelings poured into their swords and claws roar up to the heavens.
Sharp claws and long swords strike against each other again and again, as if comparing who is stronger.
Both are evenly matched. A tiny mistake could lead to defeat; neither can afford to let their guard down for even a moment in this tense duel.
Back and forth, each strike and thrust creates a loud metallic sound, and the shockwaves slice through the forest’s trees and plants. But it’s not just the background that’s getting hurt.
With a beastly roar, Melissa swings her right claw down. The female vampire deflects the sharp claw with her sword, using the momentum to redirect it behind her, but Melissa twists her body in mid-air and kicks off the ground to leap again.
That was the fighting spirit of a fierce beast. The intense attacks, using the space around her, were completely different from when she held a hammer. They gradually wore down the concentration of the female vampire.
”────.”
The moment she got behind her, Melissa quickly kicked off the ground and closed in. The female vampire’s blood-red eyes moved sharply to lock onto Melissa. However, her perfectly shaped profile remained still, leaving her back completely exposed.
”Grrroaaahhh!!!”
Melissa roared with fierce determination as she raised her claws. Aiming for the slender neck, her fist glowed with holy light, drawing a platinum arc as she tried to break through the darkness.
But the female vampire never took her eyes off Melissa. Melissa realized that those eyes were staring at her without any fear.
”Hungh!!!”
The moment the female vampire understood she couldn’t dodge Melissa’s attack, she instantly stopped her downward sword swing. Then, like a pawn, she spun her body and struck Melissa’s face with the hilt of her sword.
”Ggghhh!!!”
The hilt, adorned with a crown, hit Melissa’s temple and sank deeply into her skull. With a shock like fireworks exploding at her nose, her body and vision turned 90 degrees to the side. However, while losing her balance, Melissa kicked into the exposed side of the female vampire.
”Ka… haaa!!!”
In less than a second, both of their bodies took the hits. They both lost their balance and were slammed to the ground, rolling away to create distance.
Melissa spat out the thick blood that had gathered in her mouth onto the ground and glared ahead.
Her shoes scraped against the rough ground.
The intense pain broke through the adrenaline as Melissa’s back tooth shattered. The female vampire’s strike deeply dented Melissa’s right cheek and even crushed her nasal bone. It seemed like her right eyeball was also damaged, as Melissa’s vision blurred and darkened.
”This makes it even harder to see,” Melissa thought, forcing her nails to cut through the muscles of her eyelid to clear her distorted right vision. But after taking a breath, she was hit by a strong dizziness from the concussion, causing her delicate body to sway.
Meanwhile, the female vampire was also gasping in pain. She held her sword low, breathing heavily to regain her composure. Even though she was off balance, the level 200 beastman’s kick had severely shattered her ribs and ruptured her right lung.
Both of them, injured and exhausted, stood still, staring at each other. There was no need to rush. Their stamina had already dropped below 50 percent. On top of that, the pain from their injuries was definitely affecting their focus.
The time for a conclusion was near.
Without needing to say anything, they both understood. The next clash would be to the death.
A few minutes of silence passed. The wind that rustled the trees stopped, and an eerie stillness fell over the forest.
It was the female vampire who broke the silence first. She raised her sword and looked directly at Melissa as she spoke.
”I realize I never asked your name, worthy opponent.”
Asking for a name meant that their fight had turned from mere killing to a duel, showing that the female vampire acknowledged Melissa… she was not someone to be forgotten as just another nameless kill.
Not stating her own name first was due to her prideful nature… but asking for Melissa’s name was also a sign of respect.
And just as the female vampire recognized Melissa, Melissa also saw the female vampire as a worthy opponent.
Melissa also lowered her center of gravity and readied her gauntlet as she replied.
”I’m Melissa. Who are you?”
Even if she were to be defeated and killed, they both thought that they could proudly say who they fought and lost to. That’s why they introduced themselves, and now, they would fight again, this time until death. And their names would be forever burned into each other’s memories… or so it was supposed to be.
However, the response to her introduction was completely different from what Melissa had imagined.
”Wait.”
The female vampire flinched slightly. Then, while slowly lowering her sword, she continued,
”Are you… Melissa?”
It seemed the female vampire had something on her mind, but Melissa had no idea what was going on. This was the first time someone had repeated her name back to her when she had just declared it, especially in the midst of a battle that was truly about to begin.
”I just said my name. So what?”
As Melissa raised her voice, the female vampire kept asking questions.
”Are you the Melissa from the Mofumaru Empire… or rather, now from Saint Tower Babellion?”
With that question, Melissa also realized something was off. It was hard to think clearly, as if her skull had caved in and her consciousness was fading.
But when faced with that core question, Melissa couldn’t help but notice.
The female vampire, who had been fighting her, seemed to know about Melissa… more specifically, she knew about Melissa from before she pledged loyalty to Charles, back in her original world.
Melissa directed a suspicious gaze at the female vampire. But of course, she couldn’t see what was behind the skull mask.
”Huh? I don’t know you at all. Who are you!?”
”Yeah, I guess so. I know the name, but I’ve never seen their face.”
The female vampire shakes her head.
But Melissa readies her gauntlet again. It doesn’t matter if she knows them or not. Once she raises her fist, she won’t pull back until she beats the enemy to death, baring her fangs and preparing to charge.
”Is that so… For now, just die. I’ll rip the mask off the corpse I kill──ugh!”
But someone stops Melissa just in time.
”Anego, wait! The situation has completely changed!”
It was Totomes, the vice-commander, who held Melissa from behind, restraining her. He was seriously injured, but thanks to the healing magic from the teammates who gathered behind Melissa, he was treated and watched the battle from a distance.
”Let go! I’ll kill you──ugh!”
Totomes desperately tries to hold down Melissa, who is flailing her arms and legs. Her slender body lifts off the ground, but Melissa doesn’t stop resisting.
”You… really have no sense, do you?”
”What are you saying? Let me go!”
”Anego!! Please, just calm down for a moment!”
At the female vampire’s exasperated voice, Melissa’s strength increases, and Totomes’ grip, which had just connected, feels like it might break again.
But it was obvious that the situation had changed. The fight was definitely shifting towards a conversation. Yet, Totomes desperately tries to hold down his boss, who is ready to kill. Stopping the rampaging Melissa is also the vice-captain’s job.
”Let me introduce myself again.”
The female vampire sheathes her sword and places her hand on the skull’s jaw. What everyone thought was a mask turned out to be a headpiece, and with the eerie skull, the black hood is removed.
In that moment, long pure white hair bloomed like a white lily. Even though she was a creature of darkness, her hair flowed with a divine beauty.
She was a beautiful woman. Her sharp, refined features could make even other women feel attracted to her.
However, Melissa felt like she had seen her somewhere before. While still on guard from a distance, Melissa frowned, feeling as if a small bone was stuck in her throat, but the answer would come soon.
”My name is Bozero Delica.”
The blood-red eyes that were visible deep within the skull’s eye sockets locked onto Melissa.
”I am the sister of Esmeralda, your companion.”
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Edited by Kanaa-senpai.
Thanks for reading.