Chapter 43: Chapter 43: Vampires Pride (1)
A terror inducing screech that seemed as though it were a physical attack.
A presence so ominous and horrific that one couldn't help but retreat in haste.
This creature, no, this monster, standing on eight giant legs, each of them dangerous enough to tear through a two-story building with ease, was a walking disaster.
Lined up just above its jagged, deadly row of fangs, were eight spine-chilling red eyes that emanated a near visible bloodlust.
Those weak of heart would become petrified, put under an illusion of their own fear.
The surroundings, already dim, would darken completely, isolating them from reality. All noise would cease to exist, only allowing them to hear the sound of their own rapidly beating heart.
Dread would eat away at them from the inside out, leaving them in utter despair.
All alone with a ghastly monster that seemed as though it had grown in size from its initial appearance, an unfamiliar but horrid feeling would set in.
A feeling…of death approaching.
However—
"Hmm… Seems pretty strong, I guess."
Suzu Taniguchi, a girl with hair as white as snow, spoke.
"You're exaggerating. It's just a bug…"
Standing in between both girls, Aziel voiced as he softly scratched underneath his chin.
He looked down to his left upon feeling a tug at the hem of his shirt, meeting Yue's quiet stare.
She parted her pink lips, declaring her intentions without expecting any refusal.
"I'll go…"
Hearing this, Aziel raised his brows, a silent confirmation of her decision, and received a nod of confidence in return.
Casually shrugging his shoulders, he gave his seal of approval.
"Sure, go for it."
Unconsciously, he placed a hand atop her head, stroking her soft golden blonde hair.
"Mn… Leave it to me."
Yue's eyes sparkled as a warm smile graced her face, a testament to how important this simple gesture was to her.
She strode forth, reinvigorated, heading off to battle with a dignified gait.
Watching all this play out from the sidelines, Suzu couldn't help but ask the first question on her mind.
"...Did you just pat her head…?"
"Pretty sure I did…"
"Huh… I wonder if head pats feel as nice as they say…"
"....."
"I've never really had one, so I—"
Before she could finish speaking, she was interrupted by the feeling of a large hand covering the top of her head, gently caressing her fluffy white hair a moment later.
Her eyes widened at his touch.
"I thought I told you already… If you want something, say it clearly next time."
His calm voice reached her ears, snapping her out of her stupor.
"Heh~ it's more fun to have you guess though…"
She attempted to mask the rosy tint spreading across her flushed cheeks by turning away and smiling cheekily.
Aziel sighed in exasperation, looking at her as though she were difficult to deal with.
Still, confusion dyed her expression soon after, giving rise to another question that troubled her.
"But do you think she can really handle it all on her own?"
Suzu asked while glancing at him out of the corners of her eyes, to which Aziel shook his head lightly.
"Don't underestimate her too much."
"...Yea, I know she's strong, but…"
"But what…?"
"..."
Shaking his head, he sighed once again.
"You haven't forgotten already, have you…?"
"....? Forgot what?"
Aziel turned his gaze back to the scene ahead and Suzu did the same, watching as a spiraling swirl of dark red liquid gathered into one of Yue's hands.
He scoffed faintly.
"...Just who the hell you've been training with all this time."
"Ah…"
Realization suddenly dawned on her.
She opened her mouth in mild surprise, but a moment later, her lips curled into a dry smile.
The reason behind Yue's decision to fight alone, she also realized that as well.
In reality, it was nothing special.
Nothing too complex.
Just—
'I see, so she wants to show off…'
That vampire girl…had something to prove.
*
*
*
A soft clanking sound echoed as Yue stepped upon the metal-stone pathway, the heels of her knee-high black boots colliding with hard material.
Wearing a black sweater dress that contrasted sharply with her vibrant golden blonde hair made her seem like a beacon within this dimly lit room.
However, when compared to the ginormous monster standing just up ahead, her petite frame was almost unnoticeable.
"Hmph…"
Still, she gazed at the Arachne Queen with not an ounce of fear in her crimson eyes, watching as it hissed loudly.
The way she saw it, this disgusting giant spider was no different from all the other monsters they'd come across thus far.
It was simply an obstacle, an enemy that needed to be eliminated.
And most of all—
"...I hate insects."
Blood poured out from the palm of her right hand, becoming denser as the stream lengthened to a size that outstripped her own height.
Then, it took on a specific shape, the appearance of a known weapon. The blood coagulated, solidifying its form into a dark red two-handed halberd.
Sparks danced across the path behind her as she walked, the large weapon dragging along without resistance.
This was how she planned on defeating the floor guardian.
She could, of course, obliterate the monster using pure magic alone, but Yue wasn't willing to give up this chance.
She wanted to display the fruits of her training, her proficiency with her new fighting style.
In short, Yue had indeed wanted to show off in front of Aziel.
This was a proving ground.
The difference between her and Suzu, she would show him.
'With this, my victory is—'
*KIIIIEEEEEEEEEEEEE!!!!!*
Just before she could finish that line of thought, the Arachne Queen released a powerful shriek, causing the air to tremble.
Yue's hair fluttered wildly from the fierce wind pressure, but it proved incapable of halting her advance.
She continued moving forward.
But at this moment, tremors spread throughout the room as the ground began to tremble.
The Arachne Queen lifted its legs one after the other, each resembling huge stakes, and savagely pounded the floor below with the full might of its body.
However, at this moment, the monster suddenly lifted its massive abdomen into the air, lowering its sternum to the ground, before—
*SPLOCK—SPLOCK—SPLOCK!*
Tens, no, hundreds, countless human sized Arachne came pouring out from its lower abdomen like a swarm of black dots.
This was the true apocalypse.
A trial set on impossible difficulty.
Not only was one forced to challenge a colossal spider queen in order to reach the next floor, but they also had to fend off waves of its spawn.
This…was complete and utter absurdity.
Yue's expression darkened, becoming slightly solemn.
Her grip on her halberd tightened, preparing for a grand slaughter.
She had originally expected to only face the Arachne Queen, but if this was what it took to achieve her goal, then blood would flow.
Regardless of what stood in her way, it would be torn to pieces.
Endless, the lives she would reap.
She needed no army, only herself, for that was how it had always been.
And there was but one word for insects of any kind that dared invade her territory.
"...Die."
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Sorry guys, this chapter was really short, but I don't have a lot of time left.
This is it for me.
I'm not gonna make it.
I...have too much stuff to do...
Did that scare you?(lol)
No seriously, this week is gonna be pretty rough, but I'll still post(hopefully).
Just bear with it, alright?
We're all in this together
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