Throughout the course of human history, the sole action of a man could determine a terrible or prosperous future. Although it depends on the nature of the man committing such an action, however, even after several factors were considered, the known "Butterfly Effect" – the concept that referred to the sensitive dependence under a minute, seemingly insignificant conditions – would still transpire, whether the impact would be immense or as fleeting as one's human life.
At this very moment, Russell's choice was to become proactive, doing something that would still happen according to his unpublished novel but came about due to different circumstances. He was hoping that whatever this action would bring in the near future was the same, if not, at least less deviated.
"It is bound to happen soon, but I never imagined that you'd come here, a bunch of humans and elves."
The Vampire Commander, after trying to strike Samantha on her back, spoke in a deep voice, which was different from the notion that every vampire possessed an alluring voice.
As the Vampire Commander was babbling, Russell activated his skill to scrutinize the individual's Status Window.
***
Name: [Seskel]
Race: [Vampire]
Title: [Blood Kin], [Blessed Crimson]
Health Points: –
Mana Points: –
Stamina Points: –
Age: 217 [Earth Years Old]
Sex: [Male]
Height: –
World: [Earth 342]
Rank: [A-]
Profession: Blood Commander
Main Stats: Intelligence, Swift
Star Contract: [None]
Stigma: [None]
– STATS –
Strength: 1270
Swift: 1407
Intelligence 1412
Constitution: –
Vitality: –
Fortitude –
Luck: 8
Magic Power: –
Unallocated Stats: 0
– Unique Skill [0] –
– Skill [3] –
[Blood Drain]...
[Blood Cut]...
[Blood Telekinesis]...
– Attributes [1] –
[Blessed Crimson]...
– Authority [0] –
***
'Some information of his stats are blank, and I'm certain it's not because of Nihility… Could it be…?'
Russell thought, recalling something from his unpublished novel, as he kept his guard up against the approaching Vampire Soldiers.
<Master, there are around twelve of them.>
The Chaos Goblin's voice echoed in Russell's head as the Vampire Commander continued to babble regarding the looming war.
"I'm thinking about asking any of you why the bunch of you trespassed in this territory, though it's not a permanent base of operations, it's still considered as an attack in the Vampire Race.
"But seeing these snow-white elves, together with fragile humans, it looks like all of you came here with a clear purpose in mind."
<If you can, try to eliminate the possible backups, but don't push yourself too hard.>
Russell ordered his summon, who was blending in the shadows while listening to the continuous words of the Vampire Commander.
It had just been at least two to three minutes since the Vampire Commander struck Samantha, which fortunately failed.
As the others waited for the next move of action, Russell finally gave them through telepathic communication after considering the odds and the way to deal with their target.
<Iefyr and Kerym, take care of the Vampire Soldiers, while the other two, Thessalia and Lusha, buff me and then prepare what I've told you before.
<And my other companions… coordinate with my moves. You know what I'm talking about. Let's go!>
"Oi, oi! I feel like I'm talking with the wind. I'm asking nicely here, what's your purpose in coming here? If I report it to the higher-ups-"
Whoosh-! Slash-! Slash-
Without waiting for the Vampire Commander named Seskel to finish saying what was on his mind, Samantha struck back, an attempt from earlier.
With solidifying blood, a crimson sword made of blood parried Samantha's sword as Seskel's ruby eyes constricted at the unexpected strength of the human girl.
"If you report it to the higher-ups, it means war, right? But… does the so-called higher-ups of the Vampire Race even need the likes of you for that war to happen?"
Samantha revealed a contemptuous smile, causing Seskel's veins to bulge on his forehead.
"Kill them-!"
Infuriated, while glancing at Samantha, the Vampire Commander then ordered several Vampire Soldiers without a shred of hesitation. The obvious mockery or playfulness disappeared as the vampire had a tendency to speak things like draining blood before sending one's misery to an end.
"We'll be your opponent, filthy creatures!"
As though they were waiting for this moment, the two well-built Elven Soldiers, around B+ ranks, with clear coldness in their eyes depicting nature, jump through the trees as they reach for the Vampire Soldiers' heads.
"Haha-! Elven bastards! So you're saying it's enough for mere humans to subjugate-"
For the second time, Seskel's speech was interrupted as Samantha cleaved down her sword, aiming for the vampire's neck.
"Rude bastard! I'll tear your limbs off-!"
But before he could parry Samantha's strike to at least lessen its impact, two swords came in his direction. Due to inexplicable reasons, the Vampire Commander couldn't detect the attack early, leaving him open and causing him to feel a sense of foreboding danger.
But before the two swords completely made contact with his pale skin, as the fighting was transpiring atop the thick branches of the towering trees, the Vampire Commander activated a skill.
[Activating Skill: Blood Telekinesis]
At that moment, crimson blood emanated from his body. It's made of Mana with the help of the Attribute: Blessing of Crimson, which every vampire kin possessed no matter the hierarchy they were in.
The crimson blood, due to telekinesis, was shaped into a solid barrier, covering his body and blocking the three sword strikes that came from three different humans – from Samantha, who was aiming upfront, and from Freya and Amery, who was targeting the vampire's thighs to render him immobile, even if it's just temporary.
According to Russell's exclusive command, for his Chaos Companions, it's advantageous for them to start and continue the fight atop the trees since vampires on the rank of Vampire Commander, even though they could be more than a hundred years old, weren't used in aerial battle.
Even though the blood barrier negated the impact, Seskel's momentum still faltered, causing him to command other occupied Vampire Soldiers through telepathy, via Blood Link.
<Some of you, assist me here-!>
Aside from Zebel, one of the core members of the Black Sky Disorder, this vampire was one of the best examples of what Russell had written in general in his unpublished novel – that, as far as the story's progression was concerned, the less prideful and more intelligent enemies would appear. In other words, it wasn't the usual stories he had read in his previous life before his mysterious reincarnation, that the enemies were either prideful or could be bested at ease by using psychological tactics.
Four Vampire Soldiers left the fight against the two Elven Soldiers and quickly arrived to help their commander, but they were almost instantly stripped down from four to two because the Umbra Mercenary leader, Russell Moon, and the founder of the secretive Church of Spade, finally made a move.
"Argh-!"
The screams of two Vampire Soldiers reverberated throughout the forest. These screams were probably heard by the Elven Commander and the other Elven Soldiers on the border, at least five hundred meters away.
To mask the Spade Cross of Penitence, Amelie's strongest move so far, with Russell's help, she purchased a skill suitable for her affinity of unholiness.
[Activating Skill: Dark Spears]
Standing in front of Thessalia and Lusha, who was continuously looking out on the rear to support Russell and the others fighting upfront, Amelie fired numerous Dark Spears aimed at the Vampire Soldiers.
These opaque spears pierced the thighs of the vampires and fell off the trees.
***
'It's not that I don't want to fight this Vampire Commander, but... It's what she wants. Sigh...'
As the battle rages on, numerous trees fell, Russell thought of Samantha's request, who wanted to fight with her life on the line.
'She's probably right, though. But I'm not sure where she's getting that confidence.'
Fighting with one's life on the line was the best form for acquiring battle experience, although its requirement was survival.
Although Samantha had requested it, she's fine with Freya and Amery joining because they agreed on the same very thing.
Of course, Russell wouldn't just be on standby as he lunged toward the other Vampire Soldiers separated from their commander.
Slash-! Slash!
"Fragile human! Do you think your race will be safe after what you're doing?!"
[Swordsmanship of the Night, First Movement: Shattering Star.]
With his swift hands, the streak of slashes was marked on the body of the Vampire Soldier. With every line of slash, a dark blue mist followed, along with shimmering cosmic lights as if it were a comet's tail or remnants of a destroyed star, scattering throughout the universe.
Even though the scenery was astounding and wondrous, the enemies didn't care and continued to go offensive or defensive, depending on the circumstances.
Stab-!
With the final stab in the heart, the mad vampire then turned grey and dissipated as ashes.
***
<Hey, can I use that now?>
<To a mere Vampire Commander? Stop being cheap, and finish it the usual way.>
Whilst battling Seskel, Samantha conversed with the mysterious entity in her head.
<Tsk. Alright then.>
<It'll be easy for you since you're fighting above ground.>
<Why do you mean by that?>
<...>
"Tsk."
"Scoffing in front of me?! Your impertinence knows no bounds!"
Samantha was jolted awake as Seskel spoke, seething in anger.
They were jumping from one tree to another as the battle went on. Although Freya and Amery could keep up, it was becoming difficult for them to join the fray.
Clang-!
"Blood contains iron, after all."
Samantha smiled as her sword clashed with a crimson weapon.
"I see. Arrogant brat."
Samantha's brown eyes constricted at the sudden change of tone and atmosphere of the Vampire Commander. She raised her guard up, anticipating any form of attack.
<Be careful! He's looking away, perhaps searching for something!>
She noticed the subtle glances of the Vampire Commander on the others as she quickly notified each of them through telepathy.
<It's alright. Let him think we aren't expecting anything, so he'll think we're off-guard or made an opening.>
Russell responded to Samantha's concern.
After the Vampire Commander's words, Seskel didn't speak anymore as his aura started to emanate from his body.
A few seconds later, he then utilized his Dimensional Inventory and took out something from it.
It was a weapon.
A familiar weapon of the Old World.
It was a rifle, but...
It's made of body parts of an Elf, specifically two arms and hands joined together, as well as closed eyes on either side of the weapon.
[Utilizing the Blood Link from the Vampire Soldiers!]
[The permission for Vision Sharing has been granted!]
At that moment, staring at Samantha, an ominous smile was painted on Seskel's pale face.
The abomination weapon then fired a blood bullet as the two closed eyes opened.
Bang-!
***
A complicated crimson magic circle appeared in front of the chest of one of the Vampire Soldiers, who was engaged in combat with Iefyr.
<Dodge-!>
If not for Russell's voice, Iefyr would have been hit in the chest as the blood bullet came out from the magic circle.
In other words, it teleported through the commander's connection to his subordinate.
"Argh-!"
"Iefry-"
Bang-! Bang-!
Subsequent gun firing transpired as each blood bullet appeared from the magic circles in front of each remaining Vampire Soldier.
Kerym, feeling a sense of danger, also dodged to the side.
The blood bullet grazed his shoulder, same with Iefyr.
Samantha flinched at Seskel's action because the rifle, truly an abomination, was initially aimed in her direction. She did not expect such an ability to encounter here.
But regaining her composure, fearless, she lunged forward and continued hacking the Vampire Commander.
***
Seeing the circumstances, Russell assisted the two Elven Soldiers to safety.
"Retreat-!"
In the same way, the Vampire Commander ordered the remaining seven Vampire Soldiers currently in his command.
Hearing the echoing voice of the sly vampire, Russell's firm voice echoed in his companions' heads.
<Thessalia, Lusha! Now!>
<Met, Now!>
Almost at the same time, as Met didn't see other Vampire Soldiers in the vicinity, he received another order from his Master.
Without responding, as if the summon became one with shadows, the Chaos Goblin appeared behind the Vampire Commander.
"A-again-"
Seskel, similar to when Freya and Amery first attacked him, got goosebumps because wasn't able to detect the attack a second before it hits.
"Argh-!"
From behind, Met stabbed the weapon he was given. However, he didn't aim for the heart, but for the abdomen instead.
The cry of their commander reverberated as the seven Vampire Soldiers instinctively lunged towards the dark grey-skinned individual, wearing a plain, dirty white mask, which concealed his true appearance.
But it was a mistake on their part.
Below the enormous tree from where they were standing, a wide yellow-green magic circle appeared.
"...No-!"
It's a familiar magic circle for the vampires.
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