Chapter 55

A/N: There is some problem with electricity right now. Its finally back so I'm uploading this chapter right now. I'm working on the next one. But if the electricity isn't available again, this might end up being the only chapter for today. Let's hope that is not the case. Can't upload without the internet after all

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As Blade stood there, his half-vampire nature gave him immense strength and endurance. He was a force to be reckoned with in combat, and over the years, he had cut through vampires like they were nothing more than chickens. But as he observed the destruction around him—the scorched, shattered stairs and the ashes of countless vampires—he realized something unsettling. Compared to the man standing before him, he was outmatched.

The massacre had happened in mere minutes. Sergei had torn through a fully armed vampire stronghold with terrifying efficiency, leaving nothing but ruin in his wake. Blade knew strength when he saw it, and this guy was on a whole different level.

"Cool nickname," Sergei commented, breaking Blade's train of thought. His voice was calm, but there was an unmistakable edge of coldness, his gaze locking on Reddick and the others with murderous intent.

Reddick, sensing the impending doom, panicked. His voice cracked as he desperately shouted, "You can't kill me! The leader of the Vampire clan won't let you go! When the great Vampire God descends, you'll die without a trace!"

Sergei's eyes narrowed, his expression darkening with curiosity. "Vampire God?"

Sergei's eyes gleamed as he raised his right hand, pressing the sharp edge of the cross sword against Reddick's throat. "Tell me more about this 'Vampire God,'" he demanded.

"Vampire God?" Blade, standing nearby, looked just as intrigued. He stepped forward, grabbing Reddick by the collar and lifting him off the ground. "Is the Vampire God you're talking about the same one I found in the Book of Death? Tell me!" His voice was a thunderous roar.

Reddick's face twisted in despair, realizing he had let something slip. He knew that even if he survived this encounter, his betrayal of the vampire clan would lead to dire consequences for him and his family. Looking at Blade with hopeless eyes, he muttered, "Sunwalker, you will see the day when the Vampire God rises, and you'll die along with the rest."

With a last surge of desperation, Reddick and his remaining allies launched a final attack. Blade, quick as ever, dodged effortlessly. Drawing his silver sword, he swept through them with lethal precision. It was as if he were cutting down crops, slicing his enemies in half, their bodies bursting into flames and crumbling to ash.

Blade stared coldly at the remains, lost in thought.

"Nice job. Good night, Blade," Sergei said with a hint of amusement. Watching Blade finish off Reddick and the others didn't bother him. After a brief look, Sergei turned and casually walked toward the stairs, leaving those words behind.

Blade watched Sergei disappear into the stairwell, his eyes flickering with an unreadable emotion beneath his sunglasses.

Blade replayed Reddick's final words in his mind, along with the haunted look in his eyes. He had a strong feeling that a conspiracy was unfolding—and somehow, he was at the center of it.

"The Book of the Dead... Vampire God."

Standing there for a minute, Blade could hear the faint sounds of sirens and helicopters approaching from a few streets away. Deciding it was time to go, he turned and left.

On the cobblestone road outside a New York manor, the iron gate opened automatically as Sergei rode his motorcycle up to the house. Parking it outside, he propped it up, casually hanging his helmet on the front.

Several maids came to the door, greeting him with respectful bows. Sergei nodded in acknowledgment and walked inside.

In the lavish hall, Leon sat on a sofa, focused on something in his notebook.

"Boss," Sergei said, taking a seat on the couch next to Leon. A glass of juice had already been prepared for him, and he downed it in one go.

After finishing, Sergei pulled the syringe filled with vampire blood from his pocket and handed it to Leon.

"All taken care of."

Leon, unsurprised by the result, placed the syringe aside and closed his notebook, setting it on the table. Leaning back on the sofa with his legs crossed, he turned to Sergei with a slight smirk. "How did it go?"

"Pretty standard," Sergei replied, knowing exactly what Leon was asking. "Blood servants are stronger than regular people, with some special abilities. Pure-blooded vampires are on a different level, though. Their senses, strength, and speed are way beyond that of ordinary humans. And if you're not using a weapon made of specific materials, even bullets won't kill them. But, that's all there is to it."

Sergei paused, thinking. Vampires have impressive individual and group combat abilities, but their bloodline makes them puppets, bound to the will of those above them. It wasn't surprising that these vampires had managed to stay hidden within the human world, operating in the shadows. They blended in well.

It was easy to figure out that beyond the vampires' ability to conceal themselves, they likely had help—wealthy businessmen, and possibly even high-ranking government officials. Even if these allies weren't vampires themselves, they were probably connected.

After all, the appeal of immortality is undeniable. No matter how powerful or rich someone is, after a hundred years, they end up in the same place as everyone else—a pile of dust. It wasn't hard to imagine that people in power would crave a lifespan longer than the average person.

"So, the vampires throw these rooftop blood parties out in the open," Sergei continued, "because they have protection. Powerful people covering for them."

He thought of the countless people who go missing or die every year—whether in accidents, murders, or from illnesses. To those in power, it's just data. Just numbers.

And if something can become just data, then it can be manipulated. Changing the numbers or covering things up would be easy. But Sergei wasn't particularly concerned about that. He could let the vampires go on as if nothing happened, turning a blind eye. However, if he ever saw a vampire harming innocent people, his conscience might step in.

Being compassionate isn't a flaw, but it comes with a heavy price. After all he's been through, Sergei preferred a simpler life. His real concerns were Leon, the Maximoff twins, and their extended family. That's what mattered.

To protect his family and avoid future trouble, Sergei had considered hunting down and killing the high-ranking vampires, sending a message to their entire clan. He shared this thought with Leon.

Leon, ever calm, waved it off. "Do whatever you want. Think of it as an extracurricular activity—just to pass the time."

Vampires may have a lot of influence and connections, but Leon didn't care about them at all. To him, they were just an insignificant race of undead. If it weren't for their supernatural resilience, even the human government could've wiped them out by now.

"They're just a nuisance," Leon added. "A little practice for you, Sergei."