246. Kill with a Single Strike
The desolate city streets created an eerie, mud-soaked atmosphere.
Trampled rotten flesh and entrails littered the streets, filling the air with a nauseating stench. Scattered pedestrians trudged mechanically through the mire with splashing sounds, blind and numb to their surroundings. They were the abandoned ones.
Gainesville, once the major hub of North Florida, was no longer governed by New Terra, nor was it under the protection of H.A.R.M. The Panther General, who served under the Red-Eyed Divine Lord, had smashed the signboard of the H.A.R.M. General's Mansion and beheaded the old man in tattered black armor, hanging his glaring head on a long spear at the entrance.
Since then, Gainesville had fallen under a vampire master. The only ways to stay alive were to chant the Red-Eyed Divine Lord's honorific name day and night and visit the temple every three days to worship. Yet even while performing these devotions, they lived in perpetual fear of being selected for the feast.
The vampire master had a habit of hosting grand banquets. The attendees had gradually changed from the elite martial artists of prestigious families and academies to ordinary people like themselves. Protecting the common folk meant enjoying all culinary desires—this was the Divine Lord's reward for the vampire general's diligence. Being selected to attend the banquet and becoming a delicacy was considered an honor for those under his protection.
… …
A frail man in patched hemp clothes walked with his head down when suddenly two people blocked his path. Looking up at them, he saw them nod. The man's hand slowly loosened, dropping the incense and candles he'd been clutching. Without struggle or plea, his legs simply gave way, and the two men promptly supported him.
It was a matter of drawing lots—one could only blame bad luck or perhaps not being sincere enough when worshiping the Divine Lord. He was half-dragged to the city's most prominent building: the H.A.R.M. General's Mansion.
The man's knees buckled as he collapsed to the ground. His gaze shifted from the head on the spear—now nothing more than dried, leathery skin—to the other unfortunate souls who had been selected. Even as they dragged him toward the kitchen, he couldn't help but cast one final, desperate glance toward the sky.
The Divine Lord is a vampire, he sighed.
If true gods existed, why wouldn't they intervene? The sky remained clear and bright, yet utterly empty.
The mansion's roof had been violently torn away. The largest meeting hall now served as a dining hall. A figure nearly eighteen feet tall occupied the main seat, dressed in smooth, glossy silk garments. Though specially tailored for his massive frame, the robes strained against his powerful muscles, threatening to tear apart at any moment.
The panther vampire placed both paws on the table; he wouldn't touch his fork until all dishes were served. As a general under the Divine Lord, he couldn't behave like common vampires who lacked proper manners.
One after another, massive wooden platters, each requiring several people to carry, arrived at the wide table—dishes stewed, roasted, boiled, and fried in various styles. Though the panther called this a "small feast," it still demanded thirty-six separate dishes.
"Where is the main course?"
The panther waited for a moment, staring at the empty space before him, then glanced sideways. Mere mortals couldn't satisfy his appetite. Even for a small feast, he required a treasured dish made from a human warrior—one who had at least reached the Wave Realm.
The middle-aged man serving at the side had once been a renowned vampire fighter. Now, he calmly removed his outer garments, revealing clean plain clothes underneath—clearly prepared in advance—and turned toward the kitchen.
"Hurry up," the panther nodded, gently urging him.
"..."
The middle-aged warrior's steps faltered. His hanging hands wanted to clench into fists, but he realized with despair that he had forgotten how to execute the fighting techniques he once knew so well and took such pride in.
On the day the city fell, all the courageous had already perished. Only the hesitant remained.
He could turn around and strike with his fist, dying with more dignity, but such a noble death would sacrifice his family's fragile chance at survival.
Like a frog in slowly heating water, unable to escape, the middle-aged warrior resumed his steps toward the kitchen. As he walked out of the dining hall, he glimpsed what seemed like a mirage—a long blade suspended silently in the sky above.
The slender blade displayed intricate serrated scale patterns that gave off a dim glow, while black mist rose from its surface.
"..."
The middle-aged warrior suddenly felt his strength drain away, his body swaying precariously as if on the verge of collapse. He struggled to regain his balance, carefully concealing any reaction that might alert the panther.
A blade wouldn't simply appear in the sky on its own; someone must be wielding it...
The Admiral had arrived!
H.A.R.M. had finally returned, though they had been powerless to protect the remaining four cities. Unfortunately, this place no longer contained any devotional energy.
SWISH.
The panther looked up toward the sky, his fine robes suddenly tearing as his muscles bulged. He reached for his nearby weapon. In theory, a Seeker of Redeemer would have overwhelming power against a harmonizing vampire lord. However, with H.A.R.M. having lost four cities and lacking devotional energy to assist, the panther felt confident he could block at least one strike.
"Old fool, are you willing to give up Florida?"
With a thunderous roar, the panther suddenly leapt to his feet.
In that instant, the long blade plummeted from the sky with deadly precision.
The strike carried no vast, imposing aura.
Before the panther could raise his weapon, the blade pierced through the top of his skull and out through his chin, pinning his massive head firmly to the only empty spot on the table.
Powerful devotional energy surged through his skull, violently dispersing within.
The panther made gurgling sounds from his throat, blood spurting from his eyes, nose, and ears, like a fat fish nailed to a cutting board, with only his body twitching by reflex.
Amid the feast of human flesh, the true main course was finally served.
...
Outside the city gate.
Kade Marrow watched as Inspector Kane closed his eyes, then saw the long blade at his waist suddenly dart from its scabbard and soar into the sky.
It took him a second to realize that the Inspector had sent forth his Redeemed Spirit without hesitation.
Wait, how can he be so confident in his attack, leaving his body completely vulnerable at the enemy's gate?
Kade Marrow swallowed hard, leaped off his horse in a single motion, and positioned himself tensely beside the Inspector, ready to protect him.
Almost instantly, the blade returned to its scabbard with a sharp metallic clang.
A massive black figure plummeted from the sky. Before it hit the ground, I opened my eyes, casually waved my hand, and tucked the panther's body into the pouch at my waist.
"Let's go." I pulled the reins and rode into the city.
I simply wanted to test whether I could still harvest a vampire's lifespan with my Redeemed Spirit under Taurymne's control.
[Slain a Harmonizing Panther Vampire: total lifespan 8,703 years, remaining lifespan 2,910 years. Absorption complete.]
"..."
Kade Marrow glanced at the half-vampire horse, and the creature looked back at him before letting out a dismissive snort.
Redeemed Spirit leaving the body—this was the hallmark of a true Seeker of Redeemer.
This perfectly aligned with my identity as a disciple of the Martial Abbey.
The problem was that Kade Marrow had seen Seekers of Redeemer before, yet he couldn't understand how one could act so swiftly and decisively in a place without devotional energy.
From the moment Inspector Kane closed his eyes until the blade returned to its scabbard, barely thirty seconds had passed.
Given the distance the blade had to travel, the panther vampire had been killed with a single strike!
"Inspector, please wait for me!" Snapping out of his thoughts, Kade Marrow realized the Inspector had already disappeared ahead. He quickly mounted his horse and galloped after him.