Chapter 99

Volume 15 - Chapter 4

13th City of Vampires.

Before entering, Fon and Legas, who had already explored this place, spoke up.

"If we enter here, we will fall from a cliff about 12 meters high. There won't be any ambushes while descending the cliff, but it's very dark and steep, so there's a risk of falling. People with agility below 400 should be careful and move cautiously."

"Since it's completely dark, we won't be able to see anything for about 2 minutes after entering. Even after 2 minutes, the visibility won't be perfect. The darkness will restrict our movements, and we won't be able to perform at 100% of our abilities. However, Jishuka and Faker, who have the passive skills Eagle's Eye and Assassin's Eye, are exceptions."

Bantner expressed his doubts.

"If it's dark, we can just light a torch. Why do we have to go in the dark? Are we cavemen or something?"

"Vampires are wary of light. As soon as we light a torch, we'll be isolated."

"Oh, right. I remember hearing that before."

"Stupid."

Fon, who clicked his tongue, continued the explanation.

"Below the cliff, there's a city half the size of Baiyan. The vampires' familiars patrol the streets, and their average level is much lower than a Giant Worm. However, their combat abilities vary greatly, so don't get too complacent."

"Familiars? Where are the vampires?"

"The vampires are sleeping inside buildings scattered throughout the city. They wake up sequentially when we enter the buildings. Occasionally, some will ambush us, but it's a rare case."

"Hmm... The boss must be sleeping in one of the buildings."

"That's a reasonable guess. To find the boss, we'll have to thoroughly search the buildings."

"During this process, we need to be cautious of the True Blood Vampires. They occasionally appear and are incomparably stronger than regular vampires."

"How strong are they?"

"Even if Fon and I combine our strength, it's difficult to take them down."

"Are they like field bosses?"

"No, not that level. Without divine power, we can't deal significant damage, but if we all work together, we can take them down relatively easily."

Including the unparalleled ranged attacker Jishuka, Grid, Fon, Legas, Faker, and Geukgeum, the strongest burst damage dealers gathered.

According to Fon, they could easily deal with True Blood Vampires due to their overwhelming attack power that transcends the concept of synergy.

"Alright. After entering, be cautious of the darkness and the cliff, and try to avoid using light. We'll quickly deal with the True Blood Vampires with a focused attack. Is that clear?"

"Yeah."

Grid, confirming the response, checked the party status one last time.

Party Name: Fabrani Expedition Team

Party Leader: Grid (Pagma's Descendant, Level 296)

Party Members:

Fon (Spear Knight, Level 307)

Legas (Asura, Level 307)

Geukgeum (Hidden Blade, Level 306)

Faker (Master of Speed, Level 305)

Jishuka (Flame Arrow, Level 305)

Bantner (Iron Fortress, Level 302)

Jednous (Storm Mage, Level 301)

Huroi (Orator, Level 292)

Item Distribution: Party Leader Acquisition

Thanks to sufficient rest, everyone's HP, MP, and stamina are full.

The item distribution method is also excellent.

"Let's go."

The Grid party didn't delay any further and jumped into the Ant Hell.

[You have entered the 13th City of Vampires.]

[The entrance to the dungeon is sealed. Communication with the outside world is cut off.]

[You cannot leave the dungeon until the boss is defeated or you die.]

'It's pitch black.'

This was the first impression after entering.

The darkness was so complete that not even an inch ahead could be seen. If they hadn't heard from Fon and Legas beforehand, they might have been disoriented.

As the group tried to adapt to the darkness, a sound was heard.

Flap! Flap!

"What...!"

The sound of flapping wings was followed by hundreds of small red lights pouring in from the darkness.

It was a swarm of countless bats.

"Damn! What is this? You said there wouldn't be any ambushes before we reach the bottom of the cliff!"

Incorrect information on the battlefield can be a significant threat.

Everyone understood Bantner's anger as he raised his shield.

Boom! Boom! Boom!

<Grid's Shield: Prototype A>

A shield designed based on the <Shield of Holiness>, which has high defense and magic resistance, using black iron, a relatively easy-to-obtain high-grade mineral, making it sturdy.

Despite its weight, Bantner, with his abnormally high strength, had no trouble using it.

As hundreds of bats collided with the large black shield, blood splattered in all directions.

Crunch! Crunch!

The sound of small skulls being crushed was chilling.

"Ugh!"

A groan escaped Bantner's clenched teeth.

Blocking and enduring the bats' attacks from the front with his shield was already challenging, but the bats that flew in from the sides were biting and tearing at him, making the situation worse.

"Damn it! I have to use a skill right from the start! Steel Guardian!"

[For 3 minutes, physical defense increases by 30%, and resistance to piercing and slashing attacks increases by 50%.]

Clank! Clank!

Bantner's armor became even more solid.

The small but sharp teeth of the bats no longer reached his flesh.

Jishuka and Faker, who adapted to the darkness first, supported Bantner.

"Dancing Arrows."

Pew! Pew! Pew!

A skill linked to <Multi Shot>.

Dozens of arrows, shot simultaneously, pierced the bats and then changed their trajectory, dancing in the air.

Dozens of bats hit by the arrows fell to the bottom of the cliff.

Faker also performed admirably.

He launched 20 daggers equipped with <Explosion Rune>, turning the bats into ashes.

By the time the rest of the group adapted to the darkness, most of the bats had already been eliminated.

Bantner, who could finally breathe a sigh of relief, sat down.

"Huff... huff, damn. We almost died as soon as we entered."

"I'm sorry. I didn't expect the pattern to change from before."

Most dungeons have consistent locations and patterns for monster appearances.

This time, they were complacent, thinking it would be the same.

Seeing Fon's sincere apology, Bantner couldn't complain further.

The Grid party waited for Bantner to recover an appropriate amount of HP.

As the party's only tank, his condition was crucial.

"It's easy, it's easy."

"Indeed."

After Bantner recovered, the group began to descend the cliff.

Everyone struggled, but Grid and Jednous were at ease.

They could use the Fly spell.

Their comfortable descent made the others envious.

Thud.

The two who landed first checked the surroundings.

They were preparing for any potential ambush while the group descended the cliff.

Sure enough, five large wolves were running towards them, drooling.

"They're huge."

Their size was incomparable to regular wolves. They were almost bear-sized.

However, Grid and Jednous were not afraid at all.

[+9 Failed Item equipped.]

[Attack power increases by 20% in dark places.]

[+8 Grid's Boots equipped.]

[Defense increases by 20% in dark places.]

Grid trusted his gear,

'Lord Grid is by my side!'

Jednous trusted Grid.

The wolves, thinking they had found prey, soon realized their mistake.

Snap! Snap!

[Defeated Blood Wolf.]

[Received 490,800 experience.]

[Defeated Blood Wolf.]

[Received 487,210 experience.]

[Obtained Blood Wolf Skin.]

<Blood Wolf Skin>

A very tough skin. If processed properly, it can be a suitable material for making armor.

Weight: 15

The experience was quite substantial, even divided among nine people. Indeed, the City of Vampires was a great place for leveling up.

'There were three tailors among the Silver Knights, right?'

Grid could also make armor from leather.

However, after several experiments, he found that the performance was significantly lower compared to using minerals.

For Grid, it was more beneficial to do other tasks in the time it took to make items from leather.

"Instead of distributing various crafting materials among ourselves, why don't we give them to guild members as jobs? We can sell the items made from the materials we provide to outsiders, increasing the guild's revenue. We can also give separate rewards to the crafters."

While defeating the five Blood Wolves, Grid proposed this idea to the group, who had just descended the cliff.

It was rare for Grid to make such a well-rounded plan. In fact, it was almost the first time, so the group could only nod in admiration.

Fon and Legas, who were momentarily speechless at Grid's growth, later expressed their concerns.

"Something seems off. The atmosphere here is very different from the last time we came."

"The bats and Blood Wolves, too. The range of the familiars' environment has expanded significantly compared to before, and the experience points given are more than 10% higher, indicating a level increase."

While thinking about this, Fon recalled the content of Grid's quest.

"Didn't you say that a being capable of being the center of the vampires blessed them?"

"Yeah."

"That's the problem. The overall difficulty of the City of Vampires seems to have increased due to this blessing."

Geukgeum tensed up.

He was worried that this expedition might fail.

However, the Tembal members, except for him, were excited.

An increase in difficulty meant,

"A higher chance of obtaining items!"

"Exactly! Faster leveling, too!"

"..."

The Tembal members' lack of tension was difficult for Geukgeum to understand.

While he was bewildered, the Tembal members were busy. They slaughtered the familiars patrolling the streets, accumulating experience and items.

Soon, they stood in front of a tall building with a Gothic style.

"There are about 10 buildings like this, right?"

To find and kill the boss and secure Fabrani, they had to search the buildings as quickly and thoroughly as possible.

Just as Grid was about to open the massive door of the building without hesitation,

[The 13th City's master, Vampire Count Elphinston, has appeared.]

[Your magic is clouded by a powerful aura. Some spells and skills cannot be used.]

[The vampire's gaze subjugates inferior races. A significant amount of pressure is applied to the body.]

Multiple notification windows appeared in front of the Grid party,

Swoosh.

Black smoke rose from Grid's head.

A beautiful blonde man with eyes more beautiful than jewels appeared from the smoke.

"Human scum, to set foot in my city! The air is polluted and foul!"

Elphinston had his own story.

Two months ago.

When he woke up after a long sleep, his city was in ruins.

According to his subordinates, two insane humans had invaded.

Two humans invading the City of Vampires?

It was a ridiculous and infuriating situation.

Enraged, Elphinston hadn't slept properly for two months. Whenever he tried to sleep, he was too angry to fall into a deep sleep.

Today, he woke up after only 18 hours of sleep and went for a walk.

Just then, he spotted the humans. It was a perfect opportunity to vent his anger.

"Die for my rest!!"

Elphinston targeted the man who seemed to have the strongest power among the humans and used his strongest skill.

<Extreme Blood Suction>

A terrifying one-hit kill and recovery skill that steals a large amount of the target's HP to restore his own.

Although it can only be used once a day, it's perfect for intimidating weaklings.

Whoosh!!

A curtain of blood rose and enveloped the human man.

He must be dead!

Elphinston, confident of the outcome, sneered.

"Hehe, I'll come back later. I'll kill one more, and then another, and another! I'll make you taste the extreme fear repeatedly!!"

Swoosh!

Elphinston turned into smoke and disappeared. The curtain of blood dissipated.

Grid emerged unharmed from inside.

"What the hell is this?"

He lost his invincible passive skill, which had a 24-hour cooldown, pointlessly.

But at least he survived.

Both Grid and Elphinston were at a loss.