Vampires were technically undead. Seeing them inside that dungeon, which was mostly full of undead creatures, wasn’t a surprise to us.
However, vampires were rank C or higher. I knew that because I saw information about them on TV and the Internet. Mike and the others knew it because they learned about different monsters during their academy training.
I retreated a few steps, creating some distance between the vampire and me. No creature would show up to sneak on me from behind, so going back wasn’t a bad idea.
Mike had his katana ready. The others moved into formation as well.
"This is a strong enemy," Mike said. "Prepare to use everything we have. We cannot lose this fight."
If I hadn’t helped in the previous fights, I wouldn’t be doing much in this one either. Maybe throw a few items they asked me to, and that’s it. That was already decent help, I think.
"Such weak humans in our tomb," the vampire said, his gaze falling on each one of us, assessing our strength. "I ain’t so sure you can escape with your life."
The vampire was messing with their heads, saying things they didn’t want to hear. I wasn’t that confident we would actually win the fight.
A rank C monster was pretty damn powerful. Everyone on the team was a rank D hunter, but that’s just their official rank.
Mike and Sarah, for example, could fight against stronger monsters. I’d read their profiles when they hired me for their group.
The mysterious lightning-redheaded woman was also quite skilled. So maybe we could win the fight after all.
I really wanted us to. How the fuck would I fight against vampires? My life was in their hands, and that was terrifying to think about.
Mike gestured with his left hand. The moment he did, Sarah moved, using her ability against the vampire.
Magical chains spawned from the ground, flying toward the vampire fast. The chains were meant to wrap around his body and lock him in place.
But the vampire wasn’t just standing still doing nothing. His body was strong and fast. He jumped toward the ceiling, avoiding the chains.
His feet touched the ceiling and he stayed there. Vampires could walk on walls and ceilings. Pretty dope, and scary at the same time.
Things weren’t going as Mike planned. I could tell just by looking at his expression. Sarah was a big part of their team. She was the one who restrained the enemy’s movements so that Mike and the others could hit them.
If Sarah’s chains didn’t work, then everything else fell apart.
The red-haired woman felt like she had to do something. She had to move and help the team before they lost hope.
I was standing next to her when she activated her ability, and lightning appeared around her.
When she did that, the vampire, who hadn’t looked scared once, suddenly changed expression. He instantly acknowledged that she was someone dangerous.
"Protect him," she said. "Let me deal with this vampire."
Ricky moved to my side right after she left, making sure someone was always next to me.
She moved so fast the vampire had a hard time seeing her. In an instant, she was right in front of him on the ceiling, attacking with her sword.
Slash after slash. The vampire dodged some of the attacks and deflected a few with his long nails.
"Not bad," he said as they flashed from right to left. "You are almost as fast as me."
With my low attributes, I could barely see anything. Even Mike had a hard time following them.
"They’re just too fast for me to help," Mike said. "Sarah, be careful with your chains. They might hit her."
At that moment, Mike realized that trying to help would make things worse. They just let her fight and hoped for the best.
She kept hitting with her sword, horizontally and vertically, trying to hit the vampire, who managed to dodge or block everything. Then she decided to do something else.
During one of her attacks, she used her left hand to channel some of the lightning. It touched the vampire’s feet, shocking him for just a second, but that was enough to delay his movements and let her cut him right across the chest.
The vampire jumped away, now with a nasty wound bleeding heavily.
"Good job," Mike praised her, a smile forming on his face. They were winning.
The red-haired woman was breathing heavily, gasping for air. Moving at that pace was taking a toll on her. The vampire, on the other hand, didn’t look tired, just wounded.
"Not bad," he said. "I wasn’t expecting someone who could follow my movements. You’re skilled."
I liked what I saw, but I couldn’t feel happy about it. Something was telling me the fight was far from over. Maybe because of all the hardships I’d faced in life, I don’t know, but I wasn’t as optimistic as they were.
The vampire smiled. A creepy smile.
"Let me start using my abilities too," he said. "To make this fight fair."
Vampires were powerful monsters for two reasons: their intelligence and their skills.
Some high-ranking vampires could use blood magic, which was pretty terrifying. I had never seen it before, and I hoped I wouldn’t see it here.
The vampire dropped into a pouncing position. Everyone thought he would jump, but he didn’t. Bats flew around his body, coming from who knows where. They circled him, completely covering him. We couldn’t see the vampire anymore.
Then he vanished, teleporting right beside Ricky. Close enough that I almost shit my pants.
He drove his palm forward, long nails first, and pierced through Ricky’s chest from behind. His hand came out the other side. A nasty wound. I didn’t think Ricky would survive that.
And I was right there next to the vampire. I could be next.