High above, Dracula and the pureblood vampires clashed in fierce combat.
Alan looked up, watching the battle with complete confidence, unworried about getting involved.
"Should we retreat?" Marian asked, concern in her voice.
"What are you afraid of? You're a vampire hunter," Alan reminded her. He remembered that she was a descendant of the Van Helsing family, specialized in hunting Dracula. Why was she hesitating now?
"I'm not fully prepared," Marian admitted. After a thousand years, perhaps Dracula had long since lost any real feelings for the Van Helsing family. Marian wasn't about to risk her life. After all, she was a wealthy woman with a fortune to protect. Dying young without having enjoyed life was a poor bargain.
"You make it sound like I'm ready," Alan said confidently. "I'm not afraid, so you shouldn't be either."
"I'm leaving." With that, Marian fled into the city of Gotham.
Alan watched her retreating back, disdain clear in his voice. "Heh... vampire hunter? More like a fleeing hunter." The Van Helsing family had declined over generations, losing the fierce resolve they once had. In this materialistic age, few were willing to take up the mantle of monster hunting. If not for S.H.I.E.L.D.'s involvement, Marian wouldn't even bother with such a mess. She'd rather be vacationing in the Mediterranean.
Thud! Thud!
Two bodies fell from the sky. They were the vampire barons, their hearts pierced with holes—clearly crushed by Dracula's grip.
Thump!
The Vampire Count crashed heavily to the ground, his limbs twisted and broken, bones shattered. His body writhed, struggling to rise.
The next moment, a foot pressed down on his back.
Alan stood on the Vampire Count, proud and defiant. "Well now, you were so arrogant just a moment ago. Didn't expect this, did you? Dracula and I are on the same side now."
"Since when?" Dracula's true form appeared, looking at Alan with confusion.
"Since now," Alan said. He pressed down on the Vampire Count beneath him. "Boss, I'll keep an eye on him. Don't worry, he won't get away."
Dracula was baffled. This madman's thought process was impossible to follow. He decided to check on the vampire bride first. Approaching the cart, he lifted her chin. She was merely unconscious, and his expression softened slightly. Dracula was preparing for the Blood God ritual. He didn't want to expend his true blood to create a new bride, especially unsure of his own strength. After all, among the purebloods were princes, and even the progenitor might come to Gotham.
Beep, beep, beep...
A spherical device in the vampire bride's arms began to beep. Dracula frowned, confused. He heard Alan's smug voice.
"Idiot! You fell for it!"
Boom!
A blinding ultraviolet explosion erupted. Alan, now wearing protective goggles, grinned toward the blast. Carrying a UV grenade was a sensible precaution when out in the field. Alan had deliberately feigned surrender to lower Dracula's guard. He had used a similar ruse against the Court of Owls before, which Dracula wouldn't fall for, so he switched tactics.
The UV light washed over the Vampire Count beneath Alan's feet, reducing him to ashes amid his furious roars.
Alan's smug smile froze.
He saw a charred figure standing by the cart, radiating heat, not disintegrating like the other vampires. He suddenly remembered that UV light couldn't kill Dracula.
"I'm feeling a bit unwell today. Let's reschedule our date for tomorrow," Alan said without looking back. He took a few steps, then broke into a wild run, arms swinging.
Dracula's charred, grimy patches fell away, his powerful healing ability restoring him in under a minute.
"I'm going to kill you!" The next moment, he transformed into a swarm of bats and gave chase.
On a rooftop, Marian trembled, preparing to ambush. She hadn't really fled but was hiding, waiting for the right moment to strike Dracula fatally. But seeing Alan had enraged Dracula, she gave up her plan and curled up silently.
"You idiot, come and catch me, hehehe..." Alan ran wildly, taunting, showing no fear, clearly enjoying himself.
He was chased into an alley. Stopping, he removed his goggles and lowered his head, as if waiting.
Dracula appeared in his true form, cautiously surveying the area, wary of an ambush. Suddenly, Alan looked up at him, a confident, teasing smile on his face.
"Such cheap tricks." Dracula's eyes narrowed, and he cast his mind magic—Mind Confusion, Bat Summoning, Bat Transformation, Blood Control. But even Professor X, the top telepath, was powerless against Alan. How could Dracula succeed?
After a minute of stalemate, Alan remained calm. Dracula gave up his spells and strode forward.
"Step one," Alan said, raising a finger as Dracula took a step.
"Step two." As Dracula took a second step, Alan raised another finger, causing Dracula to hesitate on his third.
"Step three." This time, Alan placed his thumb over the first two fingers and made a snapping motion, a sly, lecherous smile growing on his face.
A trap!
In an instant, Dracula transformed into a swarm of bats and fled into the sky.
Alan stared blankly in the direction of his escape, then lowered his hand.
"Time to bail. Almost couldn't hold it." Indeed, Alan had been bluffing. He had no precognition and couldn't set traps in advance. It was just a psychological game. Clearly, Dracula didn't see through Alan's bluff.
Using secret tunnels in Gotham, Alan returned to Arkham Fortress.
"Unitason, open the door."
"Welcome back, Commander." As the metal door opened, Unita's holographic image greeted him.
"Unita, your chest has grown quite a bit. I suspect a tumor. When I was in the League of Assassins, I learned some traditional Chinese medicine from Chelsea. I can give you a free checkup." Alan grinned mischievously, showing his gums.
"Commander, please behave. Unita is just a string of data, with no corresponding functions," Unita said seriously.
"Why do I feel more excited? Hehehe..."
[Chapter Complete]
***
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