novelraw Chapter 246: Madness [13]
Chapter 246: Madness [13]
At first, Axion had thought that his resistance would at least help some of his men save their own lives, but—
It was clear that the enemy now had the upper hand, and that too a dominant one.
Seeing no use in continuing the fight, Axion’s grip on No. 5’s neck began to ease.
No. 5, seeing the reduction in force on his neck, was confused at first, but using his mana sense, he soon got his answer.
Pushing aside Axion’s body, No. 5 loosened his shoulders.
Though he expected Axion to land properly, the latter didn’t even try, as his body fell with a thud.
"Are you giving up?"
No. 5 spoke as he walked towards his sword before picking it up in his hand.
Though he could see that Axion had given up on his life, No. 5 couldn’t take any sort of risk.
There was still a chance of this being a deception on Axion’s part, but as time passed, it became as clear as day.
"J-Just kill me."
Axion muttered the words in a voice that was closer to a whisper.
No. 5 didn’t wait for the ceremony, as, walking forward, he stood before Axion.
Axion slightly raised his gaze to meet No. 5’s eyes—
Spurt!
"Argh!"
No. 5 pierced his sword through Axion’s kneecap, making the latter groan in pain.
Despite the pain, Axion didn’t shout further, nor did he show any reaction on his face.
He was a warrior, and he would die—
"AARGGHH!"
The other kneecap was pierced too, just this time, No. 5 had twisted the blade within, making Axion’s face twist in agony.
"Don’t try to act tough... it will only worsen your death."
At No. 5’s advice, Axion couldn’t help but give out a small smile.
"Are you scared that I would attack you? Haha... still scared after a victory—"
"Let me join."
A cheerful voice made both No. 5 and Axion turn their heads, only to spot a vampire with his mask pulled down, walking towards them.
His mouth was dyed red from all the blood that he had sucked out of the victims.
The victims of his desires.
"You—"
The words were stuck in Axion’s throat as his gaze landed behind No. 120, where all the troops sent by House Dracoth were sprawled motionless on the floor, their bodies pale from blood loss.
"The feast was good."
No. 120 spoke while licking his lips.
"Hm?"
Though he had to stop midway, as No. 120 felt chills running down his spine.
Turning to look at the source, No. 5 observed him in silence... his eyes never leaving the mask that No. 120 had pulled down.
"Please rest assured, we have subdued everyone."
No. 121’s words made No. 5 sweep his gaze across the area before giving out a small sigh.
"You could have simply taken them as prisoners."
"..."
"Don’t leave your traces ever again."
"Yes, sir."
No. 121 bowed slightly, while at the same time pushing No. 120’s head into a bow that felt too awkward from No. 5’s perspective.
The vampire duo...
No. 5 had heard about them.
They were far stronger than their actual rank and had quite a lot of potential to become Diamond cores.
The only thing that stopped them from moving into the top 100 Numbers was this very same behaviour.
No. 120 always kept breaking the rules, and it was only due to No. 121’s presence that the former had been tolerated.
No matter the strength... without discipline, it meant nothing on a battlefield.
"So... can I join?"
The short silence was soon broken by No. 120’s question, as he rubbed his tummy while looking at Axion.
A Diamond 1’s blood would surely help him evolve his tier... tiers if luck was good.
Though drinking the blood of individuals stronger than or equal to their ranks helped the vampires... the extent of the effectiveness varied.
Sometimes the blood might grant a significant boost in power, while at other times there might be no visible gains.
The blood of individuals of lower cultivation levels helped too, but that meant that more blood had to be drunk to get the same benefit as drinking the blood of someone having the same rank.
The real delicacies were individuals like Axion, who were stronger than No. 120 by an entire rank.
That increased the chances of increasing his tier by a lot.
Without replying No. 5 stored away his sword.
That action gave No. 120 the desired message.
"He is all yours."
Still, No. 121 took the liberty to interpret the message for his bloodthirsty friend.
The soldiers of D.X. quietly observed the exchange without saying much.
Being former criminals meant that all of them had been involved in some form of brutality.
Though No. 120’s methods left them thinking about their own crimes.
Maybe... they were too kind to be called criminals.
No. 120 didn’t wait, as he walked towards Axion, each step resounding across the silent hall.
"Hahaha... you are such a fool."
Axion’s laugh made everyone focus their attention on him, as the former smiled with great effort.
The pain had now made his mind numb.
No. 5 had made Axion completely immobile, leaving him sitting in the same place.
Well... kneeling would be the right word for Axion’s current helpless state.
"Do you really think House Dracoth will forgive you? All of you will beg for mercy. The Dracoths never leave their enemies—"
"Such a waste."
No. 120 commented with grief in his eyes, as he observed the blood pooling under Axion’s body.
Turning to look at No. 5, just as No. 120 was about to speak again, No. 121 grabbed his arm before pulling him to the side.
"Just get it over with, you idiot!"
No. 121 couldn’t believe the foolishness of his friend.
Though tired, No. 5 was still a Diamond 2, and by now he seemed to have recovered from the fatigue of the battle.
Provoking someone like that, a superior no less—
"Was I wrong?"
No. 120 spoke again, this time his eyes tracing the path of the blood as it moved away from Axion’s body.
"Maybe—"
"You have a minute."
Interrupting No. 120, No. 5 made his way to one of the sitting areas in the guild before relaxing his body.
"Tsk."
No. 120 clicked his tongue, but was soon met by the narrowed eyes of his friend, who motioned him to get over with his... work.
"The time is less... Don’t blame me... comrade."
Grabbing Axion by his head, No. 120 opened his jaw before sinking his teeth into the former’s neck.