The Noules EmpireBlack Mountain CityHeadquarters of the Earth CoalitionThe top floor of the building was reserved for the high-ranking members of the organization, which was formed five years ago and started out as a small guild of Transcendents.In the main office, the so-called ‘Chairman’ of the Earth Coalition, Elena, sat behind her desk. The once young woman from five years ago had grown into a mature and more serious person.She wore a black business-suit, which was out of place considering she wasn’t on Earth. Then again, Black Mountain City had seen a significant change over the last couple of years.The buildings, roads, and laws governing this place were modern, so to speak. The city’s infrastructure was not unlike one of the big metropolises on Earth.In fact, it has become the most thriving city in the entire continent. Despite its near-total-destructive years ago, Black Mountain City’s population had exploded dramatically.It had more than 500,000 residents, most of wh
Volume 6 Part 2: The Red Moon“I know you can hear me. Come out.”Once back in his room, Leiu spoke to the unseen and suspiciously quiet Inos.I’m here. That vampire you saved, I could swear she saw me when you were asleep. She’s done something to her eyes.“Her eyes?”I’m not too sure, Leiu. It’s not like I know everything. Furthermore, powerful enough beings can detect my presence and see me in this current state. I think she altered her eyes using a Black Magic ritual, that or it’s due to her special bloodline. Anyhow! What do you think about the new addition?“If it’s me becoming a vampire, then I don’t like it.”What? Why?! Your physique has been strengthened multiple times. “Do I have to drink blood?” Asked Leiu, looking not particularly pleased.That depends! Do you want to drink blood? It’ll taste good now.“...”I’m joking! Your sense of humor is worse than the Outer Gods. The real answer is no. There’s blood in your veins, your heart is beating and your nerves are working,
“Adrian Dravenham.” Emir kept staring at Leiu while speaking that name“Did you kill him?”“I did.”Leiu had no reason to hide it. To begin with, he didn’t think much of that young vampire. Xavier did tell him that Adrian hailed from an old Original Vampire Family, one not unlike Zeno’s in terms of history and power.Zeno, who saw Leiu unhesitantly admit it, let out a sigh. Her loyal confidant had briefed her about what happened, but she was still about how unhinged Leiu’s actions. Considering the circumstances, killing Adrian wasn’t totally unwarranted, nevertheless, it wasn’t a smart or wise move.“He was working with a Player. He kidnapped humans and fed on them.”Surprisingly, Emir didn’t flare up in anger or chastise Leiu’s actions. He merely nodded his head once while caressing his chin in contemplation.“All vampires, especially Original ones, are forbidden from feeding on human blood. We have evolved and we no longer need that to sustain ourselves. What Adrian did was unfor
Third Day in the Kantika ManorLeiu just left his room, heading to meet with Zeno and Xavier.On his way, however, he came across an unfamiliar face. A relatively tall dark-haired girl, whom he guessed was the other visitor: Anne Dravenham.Besides a cursory glance, he didn’t plan to talk to her, but the same couldn't be said to her.Anne purposely moved to the side and blocked his path.“Can I help you?”“You’re the other guest.” She stated while giving him a good look of scrutiny.“So?”“I’m Anne Dravenham.”“...”Anne expected him to reciprocate by introducing himself, but Leiu just gave her a certain look as if she was a weirdo.“I’m conducting an investigation concerning my brother’s murder. Can we talk?”“No. I’m very busy.”“It will only take a bit-”“No.”“...”Seeing his firm rejection, Anne’s brow twitched, almost breaking cold and unflinching expression.“Step aside.”“You’re the one who attacked this manor. Were you in Port Heim before you came here?”Leiu let out a grunt
One day laterNorth-Eastern coast of the Kantika Isle.A relatively big and sturdy boat was prepared for Leiu, Xavier, and Zeno.“I still think you should take them along.”“No. I can protect myself, father.”Emir gave up on his stubbornness and sighed. He had wanted the Red Hounds to accompany his daughter, but she adamantly refused.Leiu was already on the boat, patiently waiting for Zeno to say her farewell to her family.They had discussed everything important and decided on an appropriate course of action. Admittedly, it was Zeno who made most of the ‘deciding’, claiming that his reckless and usually stupid plans always involved charging into absolute chaos with the hope of succeeding.She was to be his guide and helper, stopping him from getting himself killed and ensuring he reached the Cocoon in one piece.A distance away, Maria was engaging in hushed whispers with Xavier.“Don’t mess this up, okay? Nudge them the right away but don’t be too obvious.”“A-ahem…” Xavier, who was
Like a bullet, Anne reached Leiu and thrust her Estoc, which was coated in dense Sword Essence.She was undoubtedly swift and dexterous, but Leiu counterattacked in a simple and seemingly random manner.He swung Kahra’s greatsword upwards, resulting in a shock wave that not only stopped Anne but also made her jump back to avoid the dark flames.Before she could find an opening, Leiu kicked the ground and broke into a lightning-fast unidirectional charge.He didn’t even reach her yet he performed multiple diagonal slashes, unleashing wide arcs of condensed energy.Anne hastily retreated and jumped from one spot to the other, but he eventually reached her.[Invisible Strike]He pulled the greatsword then successively stabbed twice, motions that were too blurry to see and too fast to properly block.Unable to see a way out, Anne gritted her teeth and thrust the estoc. Her thin and comparatively short shone with a redd-ish brilliance as the two distinct Sword Essences.There was a booming
“We should reach the capital in 4 to 5 five, Mister Leiu.”“Okay.”Xavier scrutinized the youth before hesitantly suggesting,“I’m sure the long trip has worn you out, Mister Leiu. There’s a small lake nearby. It’s a good place to wash yourself and relax.”“No thank yo…” Leiu paused, looked at his linen shirt and dirty pants, which made him change his mind.The last time he showered was in the Kantika Manor. In contrast, Zeno would ask him to leave the carriage while she meticulously cleaned her body and changed into new and fresh clothes.“Which way is it?”“Go left and then straight ahead. It’s very close.”“Mhm.”Leiu stood up and went into the woods, not noticing the slightly tense face of Xavier.“I did it…” he mumbled while letting out a deep breath.It was early morning, so Leiu assumed Zeno was still asleep. However, she had already gone to the lake to bathe, and Xavier used this chance to make them meet in an unexpected and embarrassing manner.A couple of minutes later, Xavi
“Leiu!”Once the explosive sounds of the battle quietened down, Zeno and Xavier ran back.“I’m fine.”“Are you sure? You don’t look to-”Zeno stopped once she saw him stand up and casually pick up the greatsword.“He escaped but not after I impaled him.”“...”Zeno kept giving him a strange look as he checked his body and did some stretching to ensure that there was no lingering pain.Inos’ curses were truly overpowered. Their healing and defensive capabilities allowed Leiu to recover in just a couple of minutes.“Who was that?”Anne Dravenham, who hadn’t been hit by the monk, spoke up. She was standing a bit close to the three, her eyes scanning the ruined state of the road and its vicinity.“A Player.” Responded Xavier, though he didn’t deign to give any explanation.“He called you the Nameless Knight.”“So you were eavesdropping?”-Leiu“...”Anne didn’t respond, she looked both surprised and curious. For her, and many others, the terms Nameless Knight and Dark Knight weren’t synony