Chapter 74

Despite feeling no premonition,

a sinister magic had already spread thickly in all directions.

“Hiss...!”

A gasp and a rustling movement came from the side.

Tesaya, eyes wide open, was pressed against the corner of the ceiling, her back against the wall.

She met Ian’s gaze and stammered, her lips trembling.

“It’s him...! He’s here...!”

“I know.”

Ian replied calmly as he stood up. An orange glow spread from the floor. Charlotte asked in a low voice.

“Does that mean the Inquisitor has come?”

“Can’t you feel it?”

Tesaya retorted.

Charlotte’s brows furrowed.

It seemed her senses were not functioning properly in this magical aspect.

‘We did well to rent only one room.’

Ian thought as he began to put on his armor.

The inconvenience he had endured to prevent these two from causing trouble had turned out to be a blessing in disguise.

Charlotte, who had silently risen, also began to put on her armor.

“You two should focus on protecting each other. Don’t forget that.”

Ian said. Charlotte frowned but did not stop moving.

After watching them blankly for a moment, Tesaya finally whispered.

“What are you doing? Let’s just stay here. That monster is a vampire, after all. He can’t come in here.”

“You must be scared out of your mind.”

Charlotte, who had finished putting on her breastplate, snorted.

“Do you really think we would come here without any plan?”

“There’s a way...?”

“There are several ways.”

Ian said as he fastened the chain links of his greaves.

“If I pinpoint your location, I could destroy the building. I could also enchant the villagers, or just kill a few of them and lay them out to make it look like your doing. That alone would make it impossible for you to stay here.”

“Then why don’t we just hide until dawn and run away?”

That’s a demon’s way of thinking.

Ian tightened his boots around his feet and calves and asked coldly.

“Why should we? If we kill him here, it’s over.”

“...And then, what about the aftermath?”

“That’s not your concern.”

Ian, who had sheathed his sword at his waist, turned to Tesaya and added.

“Don’t forget why you came to me. If you really want revenge, you need to get rid of the habit of running away.”

Tesaya’s eyes, which had been wide with shock, finally calmed down.

“...I understand, Ian.”

If this happens again, I’ll cut off your limbs and carry them around.

Ian muttered to himself as he moved toward the doorknob.

***

“...”

Ian’s brows furrowed as he opened the inn door.

At his feet, a pitch-black mist lay like a shadow.

He could feel the focus of attention.

Bats, with obsidian-like eyes, hung from the darkness under the roofs of the surrounding buildings.

A vampire, indeed. Bats.

Ian thought as he stepped outside.

A chill brushed against his ankles.

It was not difficult to find the source of this unknown black magic.

Beyond the street that extended from the inn, in the middle of the city center, a pitch-black figure suddenly rose.

Even under the crescent moon, his appearance was strikingly clear, yet there was no warmth, breath, or presence that a living being should have.

Ian slowly approached and took in the figure.

Chiseled features, pale white skin, a black outfit that looked like an imperial uniform, and neatly wavy black hair.

The Inquisitor’s red eyes met Ian’s.

His gaze was calm and dignified, devoid of any malice.

“To walk so casually in the middle of this city. You have great courage.”

A low voice echoed.

Ian smirked.

“You’re a demon who’s crazy enough to reveal your true form in the middle of a city like this.”

A smile appeared on the Inquisitor’s face.

Ian’s sarcasm seemed to amuse him.

“You have both courage and audacity. A rare talent in these times. I like people like you. You remind me of my days as a mortal.”

What a madman, with his old-fashioned manner.

Ian thought as he glanced at the bats hanging from the roofs.

They were all looking toward the inn door.

Charlotte and Tesaya were coming out of the inn.

Though they did not look at each other, they were moving together.

The Inquisitor’s voice continued.

“I thank you. Thanks to your courage, unnecessary sacrifices will be avoided tonight.”

“Right. Tonight’s deaths...”

Ian said, drawing his sword and charging forward.

“...will be enough with just you.”

The Inquisitor’s smile deepened as he watched Ian approach.

“A human I like. I will make you my sustenance for the return journey.”

He took out a small box from his robes.

A magical artifact...? Ian frowned as he leaped, and the Inquisitor immediately opened the box.

“Sleep well, human.”

Screeech!

A blood-curdling scream and a massive wave of magic erupted from the box.

“...?!”

Ian, swept away without a chance to resist, fell.

The curse was too powerful for his mental and physical resistance.

His vision blurred, his strength drained, and demons swarmed in.

Even as he fell to the ground, he could see what was happening behind him.

Charlotte collapsing like a straw, and Tesaya screaming with her hands over her ears.

Thud, Ian fell through the mist.

Silence descended over the entire city.

The Inquisitor, who had put all living beings to sleep, passed by Ian with a leisurely step.

Crack-

The bats, hiding in the shadows, flew in all directions, darkening the already dim surroundings.

“You won’t be able to run tonight, half-breed. Your trick last time was cute, but don’t expect it to work twice.”

“Don’t make me laugh...!”

Tesaya, who had fallen to her knees, shouted, baring her fangs.

She bit into Charlotte’s fallen arm and drank the blood.

Her crimson eyes glowed.

A few seconds later, she stood up.

Swish-

Her shadow, buried in the mist, transformed into the shape of an eagle and flew up.

The Inquisitor exclaimed.

“You can now create a shadow familiar so easily. Indeed, you are different from the other test subjects.”

“I don’t need your praise. Ian...! Don’t tell me you’ve fainted like that beast? Ian!”

Tesaya shouted, spitting out the words.

Meanwhile, the two shadow eagles that had become her familiars circled around her, but compared to the bats covering the surroundings, they seemed like candles in the wind.

“After all that boasting...! To fall so pathetically!”

Tesaya, who had backed up to the building wall, burst out in anger.

The Inquisitor’s laughter continued.

“It’s useless. This is...”

His voice trailed off.

His leisurely steps came to a halt.

The Inquisitor turned around.

Whoosh-

A fierce gust of wind was pushing away the surrounding mist.

Ian was getting up in the midst of it.

Spit, he spat out the flesh in his mouth and said.

“...Sorry for boasting.”

“Ian...!”

Tesaya’s face lit up. The Inquisitor’s exclamation continued.

“This is an amplified mermaid’s scream... Impressive. You are the first human to hear it and not fall asleep.”

“Ah, thanks. Now we can fight without anyone interfering.”

Ian said calmly, adjusting his grip on his sword.

The pain from biting his tongue had kept his mind clear, but his body’s senses were still not fully restored.

“Determined to fight... Hmm. This is...?”

The Inquisitor, who had been speaking, suddenly closed his eyes and inhaled deeply.

His fangs protruded from the corners of his mouth, which were split to his ears.

“Yes... You are not an ordinary human. An irresistible scent.”

A quest window appeared in front of Ian’s eyes.

The Shadow Inquisitor.

They give quests. Good.

Ian’s eyes narrowed as Tesaya shouted.

“Shut up! Ian is mine! Don’t you dare touch him!”

“This is not your place to interfere, half-breed.”

The Inquisitor opened his eyes with a gesture.

As the bats around the inn building began to attack Tesaya, he looked at Ian with glowing eyes.

A sword was already in his hand.

A deformed sword with a crescent-moon-shaped blade.

“Fate is an interesting thing. I never expected this half-breed to have such special blood. I am certain that eating you will make me stronger.”

“Same here. Killing you will give me experience points.”

“What do you mean...?”

Instead of an answer, a throwing dagger whistled through the air. The Inquisitor, who had easily dodged by stepping to the side, raised his left hand.

The mist surged and enveloped Ian.

Splat!

A gust of wind scattered the mist immediately after.

Ian charged through the gap.

His eyes flashed coldly.

“Haha...!”

Ascalde, unable to contain his laughter, lunged forward.

The mist surged with each step he took.

Clang!

The swords clashed.

The movements of the two, who had charged at each other, stopped for a moment.

The heavy weight transmitted through the grip.

Swish-

Ian was the first to step back.

Ascalde’s crescent-moon sword had almost touched his shoulder when he slightly pulled his wrist.

Ascalde followed closely.

His hand moved continuously, attacking Ian.

Clang! Clang-!

The exchange of blows continued.

Ascalde’s eyes overflowed with excitement as he swung his sword.

It had been a long time since he found a prey he liked.

The scent of well-aged wine-like blood spread with each breath, and his eyes remained unwavering even as they exchanged blows.

While his sword skills were slightly below expectations, his strength and speed far exceeded his build, and the assistance of wind magic from what seemed to be a magical artifact, along with his bold judgment in exploiting openings, compensated for the shortcomings.

Swish-

Occasionally, Ascalde’s crescent-moon sword grazed the chains around the other’s limbs.

Each time, the faint scent of blood further fueled Ascalde’s excitement.

The madness, hidden beneath his calm and dignified demeanor, surged in his red eyes.

The mist, thickly spread, undulated as if reflecting his emotions.

“Excellent. Excellent. If you had honed your skills for a few more years, you would surely have become a master swordsman!”

Ascalde shouted, swinging his sword continuously.

“However, do not be disheartened. Your will and courage are already on par with the best!”

He felt even greater joy from Ian’s calm, unwavering eyes, despite being on the defensive.

He wanted to enjoy this fight a little longer. He was also certain that this was a rare delicacy that should not be devoured in one go.

Until the expressionless face was stained with fear and despair, and the light of will in the eyes was completely extinguished.

Until the blood no longer smelled fragrant, he intended to keep him alive and savor him.

Clang!

The swords clashed again.

Clang, the blade of the sword of judgment scraped against the blade of the crescent-moon sword, sending sparks flying.

Ascalde, who had been about to move his wrist, was pushed back by the renewed pressure.

The force in the sword felt stronger and more flexible.

Ascalde’s brows furrowed for a moment.

“...Now my body feels lighter.”

Ian murmured, their swords still locked.

Looking into Ascalde’s eyes, he added calmly.

“I thank you. Thanks to your intention not to kill me, I had enough time.”

“What...? Haha!”

“I hope this isn’t all you’ve got. Otherwise, the experience points you’ll give me will be pitiful.”

“What do you mean by experience points?”

Boom!

There was no answer this time.

Instead, an immense gravitational force was felt from the other’s sword, followed by an even more powerful无形的爆炸将他覆盖。

在不知所措中被弹飞的阿斯科尔德眼前，伊恩已经紧随其后。

嘶——！

阿斯科尔德用胳膊挡住了伊恩不自然挥下的剑。

对于一个长期走剑术之路的人来说，这种直截了当的攻击可以在无意识中被挡住或偏转。

嘶嘶——

当被剑压得后退的他停下时，一股夹杂着迷雾的旋风以伊恩为中心席卷而来。

但阿斯科尔德无法关注这股旋风。

因为伊恩盯着他的瞳孔中，红色的魔力正在翻腾。

法师？拥有如此强大的力量和卓越剑术的法师怎么可能存在……？

轰——！

在阿斯科尔德的疑问还未完全结束时，他脚下的火柱像爆炸般冲天而起。