#239
Zephia Republic (2)
In an era of global turmoil, the internal rift within the powerful Zephia Republic was even more severe than it first appeared.
The Obaifo Clan was trying to manipulate the entire country through the high-ranking officials they had acquired. Various lower factions began moving, driven by a sense of patriotism to protect the nation from their grasp, or seizing the opportunity to grab new power.
In the midst of the confusion, minor factions, including dark organizations lurking in the shadows, were also rising quietly.
It was a dangerous situation, one that could become irreversible if time was delayed any further.
‘This is definitely the best course of action.’
Kayla McClair, the Vice President of the Republic, had no choice but to come to that decision.
To calm the situation and stabilize the country before the ongoing conflict fully erupted, there was no other way.
‘…Was this truly the only option?’
Yet, within that resolution, an underlying sense of doubt lingered that she couldn’t shake off.
The hybrid vampires from the Talia Kingdom, who had infiltrated the Republic with her cooperation, were now part of the problem.
No matter how it was justified, this was ultimately about failing to resolve their own nation’s issues and inviting foreign forces in—forces akin to monsters that were vampires!
Perhaps it would have been better to seek help from the church…
‘No, that would have made things worse. They probably don’t have the capacity to help either. It’s better to make the monsters fight amongst themselves like this…’
As she struggled to think of excuses, she soon stopped, letting out a deep sigh.
In the end, no matter how she thought about it, it was just a pathetic justification.
However, it was also true that she had weighed many options and made this decision for the sake of her country.
Only a little bit of personal interest crept in during that decision-making process.
‘Temi…’
Kayla bit her lip, recalling her only son, whom she lost over twenty years ago.
The hybrids had presented her with the truth regarding her son’s incident and revenge as the price for their cooperation.
The hierarchy among vampires was a strictly pyramid-like system.
There could be no lies uttered to a superior’s commands.
Reviving the faint memories in her mind through a slightly drastic use of blood magic wouldn’t be too difficult. The minor side effects that came with it weren’t much of a problem for a robust vampire.
In other words, if they got their hands on Obaifo, it would mean they could directly hear from the parties involved and mete out punishment regarding the events of that day.
After all, no matter how she looked at it, this was the best method to uncover the truths of an event that happened over twenty years ago.
‘…I hope he is still alive somewhere, but even if he isn’t…’
As a parent, shouldn’t she at least know how and when her child died?
At the very least, she should at least know the location of his grave.
“Haah—”
With a sense of frustration, Kayla let out a deep sigh, slowly making her way to the window of the house.
She looked up at the night sky beyond and prayed that her choice had not been the wrong one.
The bright full moon scattered its brilliant light, as if indifferent to her complex feelings.
The light poured down softly and gently caressed the ground, around the shabby hidden house she was in.
Not to mention, the nearby capital of the Republic where the war for dominance among hybrid factions, Obaifo, and the vampire society had begun…
And even the very spot where High Lord Heinz II had personally stepped in.
‘…Not a single cloud in the sky.’
A beautiful night that perfectly matched the moment a new history was being born.
*
Swish—! Crack!
A blood trail shot through the darkness like a snake, aiming for the target’s neck.
“Cough, where do you think you’re going!”
However, the opponent seemed to anticipate it, twisting their body oddly and thrusting one of their forearms to minimize damage before rushing towards the enemy.
The thick crimson aura of blood magic surged from the bodies of both the attacker and the defender.
“Pigs that have turned into livestock dare to be here!”
“Fools who can’t see reality. A new order of blood has long since arrived, yet you still cover your eyes and ears! That being is our true king who will lead us to prosperity!”
A fight amongst vampires, which was a taboo in human society.
Remarkably, this was not in some remote, desolate location, but rather happening in the capital city of Uletor, the eastern superpower, Zephia Republic.
And it was on such a grand scale that similar fights erupted all across the city.
“Emergency! Emergency! They are targeting the councilman!”
“Stop them! We cannot let intruders get any deeper!”
And naturally, an incident of such magnitude could not proceed as discreetly as initially intended.
Moreover, this was the Obaifo Clan’s home ground, where they had carefully laid their plans for a long time.
Preparations against external attacks were completed long ago, and they took advantage of that to stealthily withdraw, putting their human forces—now mere puppets—in the front lines.
While hybrids from across the continent formed elite assault teams, Obaifo compensated for the disparity in power by feeding off the Zephia Republic.
‘Of course, I expected at least that much.’
Naturally, the vampires of hybrid origin brought to this place were all those who had been thoroughly selected, considering everything.
No matter how thorough their preparations were, it had become a level at which response couldn’t rely solely on the stationed troops in each region.
‘They won’t evolve easily. And in the meantime, I…’
With the chaos echoing from every direction behind him.
Heinz II leisurely glanced around the city, awakening from a sudden chaos.
“Stop! No more forward… Cough!”
“Wh-what? It didn’t even register…”
Swoosh— Bang!
Some had charged in like moths drawn to a flame, having underestimated him as he intentionally concealed his might, but he didn’t spare a thought for those who had become minuscule pools of blood before they could even approach.
Thanks to the capable Olivia leading the ghost spy unit, he was able to identify his destination.
The hideout of the enemy leader, the pureblood Obaifo.
“Guh— what kind of monster is this…!”
“Stand back! We can’t even approach—!”
Boom! Crackle—!
He merely gave a casual glance towards the surrounding pack, yet with every step, blood fountains erupted, staining the path red behind him.
Of course, it was only for a moment.
The crimson pools covering the floors scuttled like they were alive, swiftly being absorbed into Heinz’s feet.
Like a sea of blood had never existed, the streets transformed without a drop left behind in the blink of an eye.
As he absently moved his feet, several lines of system messages popped up before him.
《Realized due to the influence of the special skill “Hybrid Evolution.” Acquired skill “Fusion.”》
《The special skill “Hybrid Evolution” absorbs the lower capability “Fusion” and is further enhanced.》
Heinz watched the notification of a skill activation he hadn’t seen in a long time with curious eyes.
‘“Fusion.” I thought the vampires of Auterica didn’t have any clear bloodline abilities to steal from, but apparently that’s not the case?’
The “Hybrid Evolution” continuously evolves itself by collecting various vampiric factors, and, supplementary, steals the possibility contained within at a slim chance.
Having gathered as many vampiric factors from each dimension on Earth, the activation rate for low-tier blood was too low, and he had almost forgotten about it.
Yet somehow, it seemed he had successfully acquired the skill, piercing through that low probability.
‘…But well, that skill disappeared as soon as it was created, so it doesn’t hold much significance.’
Especially since that skill was devoured by the main subject, “Hybrid Evolution.”
At this point, he had effectively become self-sufficient.
After all, it was certainly more useful to have a single evolved skill than possessing multiple awkward and duplicate skills.
Just like all of his other skills.
[Entity Information]
-Entity Name: Heinz II
-Race: Vampire (Pureblood)
-Common Traits: “Mind Hub,” “Persona,” “Clarity of Mind,” “Great Strength,” “Xenoglossy”
-Entity Traits: “Blood Clan (Pureblood),” “Hybrid Evolution,” “Blood Mystery,” “Refined Blood Essence,” “Existence Denial,” “Acceleration,” “Enhanced Regeneration,” “Insight”
-Remark: He rose to the apex, rooted as a pureblood vampire, transcending the limitations of his species. As the progenitor of the “Hybrid” bloodlines, he holds absolute dominance over his kin. Thanks to the influence of “Acceleration,” he can move even faster, and through “Insight,” he can perceive the threads of causality more vividly.
Heinz’s initial skills of “Acceleration” and “Hyperawareness” merged into “Acceleration,” while the stolen skills “Insight” and “Premonition” evolved into “Insight.”
The level of performance was beyond comparison.
Because of this, any pureblood inferior to him could merely become a puddle of blood just by his gaze.
It wouldn’t be surprising if it proved equally effective against those of equal status or even superior.
Now was the time to confirm that in practice.
‘Hmm, is this it?’
After leisurely appearing and warming up for a while.
Finally, he arrived at the location he had aimed for.
The residence of a senator who had maintained its position for quite some time within the Zephia Republic.
This was the very forward base of Obaifo… in simpler terms, it was equivalent to the position of Duke Bright in the Talia Kingdom.
‘Indeed, it would be common sense to secure a corner of the power structure before swallowing the nation whole.’
Heinz closed his eyes and concentrated harder on his extraordinary senses.
As expected of an enemy stronghold, there were impressive barriers surrounding it, but with his abilities, he could at least indirectly sense the formidable adversary inside.
‘Certainly, I can feel them inside.’
He sensed the entangled threads of causality, writhing as they clashed with his own probing aura.
‘And yet, are they truly just going to sit tight?’
Having boldly entered directly to see how his enemy would respond, their silence was unexpected.
There’s no way they wouldn’t feel his presence, but it seemed they had something prepared.
“Hm. Whatever comes out, I have confidence in breaking it from the front.”
As he stood before the mansion, Heinz leisurely stroked his chin.
The enemy’s stronghold, undoubtedly a trap, seemed entirely unwilling to show itself, and with all kinds of barriers, it appeared difficult to do anything from the outside.
Of course, even if he went inside, he didn’t care much as he could retreat via summoning release if faced with a genuine perilous trap…
‘But something feels off.’
As he continued to contemplate that, an uneasiness began to twist in his gut.
If a guest came, it was only natural for the host to greet them, right?
But it felt quite disappointing for the “host” to be holed up inside, saying, ‘You can either open the door and come in or not,’ while leaving their guest waiting.
That was an unpardonable rudeness, one that a young man from the eastern land of propriety couldn’t overlook.
‘It can’t be helped. I’ll have to roll up my sleeves.’
Suddenly, a saying he had heard somewhere crossed his mind.
“If it doesn’t work, just make it work.”
I wonder which sage said that, but it truly is wise advice.
*
Inside the mansion.
The Obaifo, appearing as an old man, lazily sat in his seat, shaking a teacup.
“I didn’t expect you so soon, but… it’s not bad… Since preparations are all set, your coming is just less of a hassle…”
He, who was destined to become the king of all vampires.
He had no intention of treating the one who desired an audience with him harshly.
Though he might seem somewhat haughty now, a bit of discipline would be necessary.
Getting this far was part of the process.
He had put considerable effort into it, so by the time the newcomer arrived, they would likely have a decent conversation.
As he was contemplating this, he sensed something entering within the barrier.
The presence felt odd, as if it was suppressing its presence, yet the aura and magic emanating from it were undoubtedly that of Heinz.
“How amusing… Let me see how you claim to be the Blood King…”
The moment he lifted his cup, with an expectant smile on his face.
Rumble—
A faint tremor was felt, and Obaifo, holding up the teacup, suddenly paused.
Then, his expression slightly condensed, tilting his head.
‘Hmm, is someone throwing a tantrum because they couldn’t pass the trial? But having come this far, it’s pointless to rampage inside. If you can’t even handle a test, then…’
Boom— Crash—! KABOOM!
Contrary to his sneer, a sound of crashing followed, and the space around him began to shake violently.
“…What is this? Someone is shaking this place, the ‘Overlapping Phase Reversal Inner World,’ without even coming in…?”
Yet external attacks weren’t the case.
This inverted world, layered with overlapping phases, held strong resistance from inside and outside, and even if one intervened and tried to destroy the space, revitalizing it with an intact opposite phase made it impossible to neutralize entirely.
While there were methods to bypass it, they were barely theoretical…
BOOM——!
Before he could finish his thoughts.
The deafening explosive sounds that felt like the world was quaking shook the space.
And right after that cacophony ended.
“Ah, finally, we meet.”
A voice he had heard about many times, yet hearing it directly for the first time, resonated.
Obaifo slowly turned his head towards the source of the sound.
“I apologize for the rough knocking. I thought the host might have gone deaf since you didn’t come out at all.”
And that’s why he ended up breaking down the door.
Heinz made an utterly unapologetic face, casually throwing out his apology.
However, his expression suggested that overall, it wouldn’t be a bad thing thanks to the ventilation he had caused.
Obaifo, on the other hand, struggled to suppress a remark that nearly slipped his lips.
As a king, he had to remain calm no matter the circumstances.
Even if the circumstances were—.
‘…This is not just a door…!’
From the front door to the reception room he was in, an enormous hole was gouged, wide enough to roughly split three-quarters of the mansion apart.
