Chapter 65 Chapter65-The Swarming Castle of Vampires
The Elemental Arrow struck first.
Almost the instant the feathered arrow hit Vampire Baron Barton, a massive eruption of the five elements - Pyro, Cryo, Anemo, and more - burst forth.
Fiery flames scorched its skin, relentless winds tore at its flesh, and the piercing cold delved deep into its bones.
Even the seemingly dense Geo pressed him down, rendering him immobile.
And then there was Dendro, transforming into tendrils that entwined him, forming a cage of restraint.
"Flash of Lightning!"
"Swift Gale Strike!"
Lightning flared, and following its luminance, Caitlin's silhouette appeared in front of Barton in the blink of an eye.
A silvery gleam flashed, and the blade had already grazed past Barton's head.
Under Howard and Abby's astonished gazes, a head eerily rose into the air.
By the time it hit the ground, Barton had yet to react.
Only when he saw a familiar body lying lifeless did the consciousness in his mind gradually fade away.
[Ding! Congratulations to the awakened Howard for successfully defeating Vampire Baron Barton. You've earned a reward of 30,000 experience points! ]
The substantial experience reward brought a smile to Howard's face.
Given the rate at which he was accumulating experience, if there were a few more BOSS inside the Castle of Vampires, he might just reach level 20 today!
Aisha, glancing at the sky, gave a thumbs up, remarking, "The coordination among the four of you is exceptional. A LV40 Silver-grade BOSS was taken down so easily; it's absolutely astonishing."
"It's mainly due to my beloved's excellent skill control. Even the simplest Frost Arrow Spell in his hands never misses its mark," Caitlin replied with a playful grin, looking entirely different from the formidable warrior who'd just beheaded the Silver-grade BOSS moments ago.
Abby pouted, pressing close to Howard as if she wanted nothing more than to leap into his arms right then.
Witnessing this, Caitlin couldn't help but let out a soft, amused giggle.
As their exploration continued, Caitlin, the only warrior in the team, led the way. Despite being a woman, she treaded cautiously deeper into the terrain.
Ahead of them, nothing seemed to exist but endless leaves and moonlight.
From time to time, Crimson Bats descended, their appearance a signal to Howard and his companions: another vampire BOSS was about to emerge!
However, all the arriving vampire BOSS were Barons, ranging between LV30 and LV40.
To Howard's team, a BOSS of this level was simply no match for them.
There wasn't even a need for Howard to attack.
All he and Abby had to do was control the Vampire Baron BOSS for a mere handful of seconds, and Caitlin, like a seasoned executioner, would swing her blade, severing the BOSS's head with each dance of her weapon.
Until, abruptly, the forest leaves vanished from sight, revealing an immense, ancient castle that dominated the view.
Its imposing presence weighed on them, oppressive as a looming mountain.
Stretching out before them, the castle stood towering, its walls stained a haunting shade of red that glimmered eerily in the moonlight.
What was even more astonishing was that it wasn't just one castle; a dozen or so were staggered in succession, each one conveying a distinct, eerie aura.
"This... The Castle of Vampires isn't just one castle, but a multitude of them?"
"My God, how many vampire BOSS might lurk within those walls?"
"If the mere Vampire Barons outside the castle already possess such a high level of LV40, could the vampires inside be even stronger?!"
Abby, Caitlin, Glyn, and Aisha were all dumbstruck, their whispers filled with mounting dread.
One couldn't blame their shaken spirits. The eerie sight before them was truly mesmerizing. That they hadn't fled in terror already was quite commendable.
Contrarily, Howard, who had grown up listening to ghost stories, was unfazed by the daunting view.
Far from being scared, he was alight with excitement, eager to delve into the ancient castle and embark on a thrilling adventure.
Before the castle stood a wrought iron gate. There was no lock on it, only a bat hanging upside down.
Howard stepped forward, removing the bat, and the gate subsequently opened.
Seeing Howard enter the castle, Abby and Caitlin, along with the others, snapped back to their senses.
Despite the fear gripping their hearts, they gritted their teeth and followed him in.
Inside the courtyard, they realized that the structure of the ancient castle wasn't much different from modern architecture.
Beyond the central atrium, courtyards surrounded them, dotted with rockeries, fountains, and other structures.
However, it was evident that no one had tended to this place in ages.
Tall trees reached skyward, their canopies so dense they obscured the moonlight, casting deep shadows across the grounds.
Beneath the trees, a vast pile of skeletal remains lay strewn, their hollow gazes causing Abby, Caitlin, and Aisha's hearts to skip a beat.
"It seems this castle has stood for a very long time," Howard remarked with a wry smile, "considering the accumulated bones, not to mention those eroded by time. I suspect many have met their end at the hands of these vampires. If we manage to destroy the Castle of Vampires, perhaps the alliance will reward us!"
"You're right!" Glyn nodded in agreement, "Furthermore, the longer a ruin exists, the more treasures it hides, and the more valuable they become. This expedition might just make us rich!"
Mentioning riches, a gleam sparked in Glyn's eyes.
Howard was equally eager, stepping towards the castle's door, he chuckled, "Let's see just how many vampires reside within this Castle of Vampires, and gauge their strength."
"Darling, allow me. After all, you're a magus; if there are monsters inside, you might get hurt." Caitlin, quick as a flash, leapt past Howard before he could finish his sentence.
Taken aback, Howard swiftly grabbed Caitlin's wrist, his voice deep and firm, "Your defense isn't necessarily better than mine. Let me handle this; I have magic equipment."
As he spoke, a necklace around Howard's neck shimmered with a silvery glow.
The surrounding moonlight seemed to coalesce around him, forming a protective shield.
It was the special effect of the Kiss of the Moon Goddess equipment.
At night, it granted Howard immunity against a certain number of attacks.
This was the very reason Howard dared to take the lead; even if monsters lurked behind the door, he wouldn't take much damage.
"Alright!" Caitlin, unaware of Howard's true capabilities, saw his magic equipment and recognized that he had an ace up his sleeve.
No longer arguing, she smiled and said, "With you protecting me, I feel entirely safe."
"I'm not your 'darling'." Howard had initially refrained from correcting her, but seeing her persist, he couldn't resist a light retort, causing Abby to break into a grin.
Unfazed, Caitlin chuckled and tightened her grip on her silver sword, her gaze fixated on the door ahead.
The door to the castle was made of wood, aged and elegant, exuding an antique charm. Just as the group paused to admire it, Howard gave it a swift kick.
The wooden door fell with a thunderous crash, stirring up a cloud of dust. Once the haze settled, Howard and the group could clearly see the scene within.
A simple grand hall lay before them, adorned with a dining table, bookshelves, and wooden racks holding wine bottles, books, and other items.
It looked as if it bore traces of human habitation.
Of course, what they glimpsed through the door was just the tip of the iceberg.
Confirming there was no immediate danger, Howard took the lead, stepping into the castle.
Upon entering, he felt an eerie force enveloping the surroundings, instantly putting him on edge.
Scanning the vast hall, spanning hundreds of square feet, it was eerily empty without a single soul in sight.
Yet, the floor was pristine and even the wooden racks were spotless, clearly hinting at recent inhabitation.
"Hm? Howard, come look at this. The cup on this dining table seems to be steaming!"
Following closely behind, Glyn's sharp eyes caught the anomaly and he hastily called out to Howard.
Following the direction of Glyn's pointed finger, there was indeed a cup on a nearby table, emitting steam.
Approaching the table, Howard took a closer look and was taken aback.
The cup contained a red liquid, and the pungent scent of blood hit him, causing his brows to furrow involuntarily.
"There must be a monster in this room. Everyone, be cautious," Howard warned. "Let's form a circle, back-to-back. We can't let any monster catch us off-guard!"
In this digital world, monsters are far more formidable than those in games. They possess cognitive abilities akin to humans!
That's precisely why leveling up is such a challenge for the average person.
If an opponent is not only stronger but possibly just as cunning, how do you defeat such a monster?
For most, taking down a monster of equal level requires significant effort. Standing up against a BOSS, they are left utterly defenseless.
Is it any wonder leveling up can be such a slow process?
The reason why Caitlin, Glyn, and Aisha are so powerful is that they're not just geniuses but prodigies among prodigies.
Otherwise, how could they have distinguished themselves within the Holy Abyss Academy?
Responding to Howard's directive, Abby and Caitlin were the first to move, positioning themselves to Howard's left and right.
Seeing this, Glyn and Aisha quickly joined in, forming a rotating circle as the five of them meticulously surveyed the castle's interior.
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