Chapter 31: Blood Demon

After arriving at the garage, Ren—who was here for the first time—was surprised to see many cars parked inside. Among them was the car they had used the previous day. But what shocked him the most were the weapons and various tools displayed along the walls and on the tables, arranged like an armory straight out of a spy movie he had seen.

The others began picking up their gear: Texas grabbed her weapons and gloves, Croissant took her hammer and shield, while Exusiai already had her equipment prepared.

Ren, however, wasn't sure what to pick. Everything seemed like things he wouldn't know how to use. Then he noticed a microphone that looked just like the one Miss Sora had used. He took it along with a communication device that came with a headset and something that looked like a walkie-talkie. He saw the others taking the same—except for Exusiai, who seemed unusually relaxed.

Once everyone was in the car, Ren sat in the front passenger seat next to Texas, since Exusiai and Croissant had to handle communication with Yith while she drove. Wanting to help somehow, Ren turned to Texas and asked what he should do.

Texas told him to do the same thing as last time—try to connect everyone through his spell. Even though this mission wouldn't involve a highway chase, they still had to be cautious. It could be a trap set by rival gangs seeking revenge.

Despite her warning, it was clear that none of the others were particularly worried—almost as if they believed Sora was still safe. Ren, on the other hand, looked especially anxious. He knew what would happen if they couldn't rescue her in time—before the 24-hour limit.

'Please let this not be too difficult…'

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

In less than ten minutes, thanks to the speed of the car and Texas's powerful (but terrifying) driving skills, they arrived at the café in District 10—where Yith had sent the location.

"That's the car," Ren said to Texas upon seeing a black car parked out front. Although he wasn't someone with a photographic memory, he could clearly recognize that it was the same car that had picked up Sora.

'But what are those red lights?'

Ren stared at the café in confusion. He noticed a faint red glow, similar to the Originium energy he'd seen before, surrounding the building. He didn't understand what it meant.

"Yith said the guy's sitting in the far back… so I'll go in myself. The three of you stay out here and keep watch," Texas said as she prepared to exit the car. But just then, Ren raised his hand.

"Can I go in with you, Miss Texas?"

Texas turned to look at him briefly before nodding.

"Alright… Croissant, you stay here with Exusiai."

"Got it!"

"Don't worry! If anything comes running out, I'll shoot it!" Exusiai gave them a thumbs-up.

Texas and Ren then exited the vehicle and headed for the café. On the way, Texas turned to him.

"Why'd you volunteer to come with me? Is it because of that footage?"

'Straight to the point, as expected of Miss Texas…' But Ren shook his head. He hadn't come because of that.

"No, I just sensed that the color inside the café matched the Originium ore we've seen. I didn't feel right letting you go alone."

"Color? You can see the color of Originium, Ren?" she asked, surprised. He nodded.

"I only realized it was Originium yesterday, when I saw a faint brown light in the package I was carrying… But this time the color wasn't brown—it was red, and it's everywhere around the café. I'm not sure what it means."

"A red glow around the café…" Texas muttered as she opened the door and looked to the back, where a man dressed in black was seated with his back to them.

Ren's expression changed immediately. He could see a dense red aura flooding from the man's body, spreading across the room.

Seeing Ren's face, Texas quickly asked,

"Ren, is that strange light coming from that man?"

"Yes… it's coming from him."

"Got it," Texas replied. She unsheathed her sword and threw it toward the emergency button behind the counter.

Ding!

Suddenly, the fire alarm blared throughout the café. Startled, the few customers and staff rushed out through the back door, assuming they were being robbed.

Fortunately, the café wasn't crowded, so it didn't take long for everyone to clear out—except for the man in black, who continued sipping his tea.

"Sharp nose, Looper…" came a chilling voice that seemed to drain the heat from the room. The man turned toward them.

Ren and Texas finally saw his face clearly.

A handsome, youthful man with pitch-black hair, long pointed ears, and crimson eyes that glowed like rubies.

Texas froze for a moment before quickly drawing her weapon.

"Blood Demon…"

'Blood Demon?' Ren had never seen Texas so tense. He immediately grew wary. The name alone made his stomach churn. Could a race with such a terrifying name really exist in this world? The man even resembled a vampire—except for the fact that he could walk in sunlight.

"What a rude name… That's why I hate petty work like this," the man said bitterly. Then he waved his fingers, and red, blood-like bullets shot out from all directions outside the shop and rained down on Texas like a storm.

"Miss Texas!" Ren summoned an elemental shield to protect her. Though some of the bullets hit her, the shield absorbed most of the impact. Texas then dashed forward, dodging some of the shots herself.

As soon as she got close, she thrust her sword at him.

But the man's body dissolved into a swarm of bats and reappeared a short distance behind Ren.

"Ren!" Texas called out.

Ren turned to face the man, who stared at him with a curious expression.

"Strange… That spell is unlike anything I've seen. Are you one of those Gargoyle types? No… You don't stink of stone. Who are you?"

Ren frowned at the man's arrogant tone and unsettling gaze. He raised his hand to summon his stone pillars.

"Heh…" The man smirked when he saw Ren lift his hand.

"Pointless. You can't—"

THUD! "Agh!!"

Before he could finish, a stone pillar shot up and slammed him into the ceiling. This time, he didn't manage to dodge like he had with Texas. Whether from overconfidence or surprise, Ren didn't care—he wasn't letting this chance slip.

He summoned more pillars and kept attacking.

"W-Wait—!"

BANG! BANG! BANG!

The man looked panicked, trying to raise a hand to stop him—but he was too late. A pillar crashed into his face.

"I… Impossible… Why can't I… use… my power— cough!"

The Blood Demon, repeatedly smashed into the ceiling, finally went limp and unmoving.

'Tough bastard. Took over ten hits just to knock him out…'

Ren knew he was out cold because the red light had vanished. Still, he wasn't sure if he should strike again just to be safe, so he turned to Texas.

"Should I finish him off?"

He had expected this man to be stronger, especially after seeing Texas so tense. But compared to Lappland, this guy didn't seem that dangerous.

Just as Texas was about to respond, the café's front door burst open. A blue-haired officer rushed in, her hair still messy like she hadn't finished brushing it.

"Freeze! This is the L.G.D.! You're under—"

She stopped mid-sentence when she saw two familiar faces. Her expression turned from shock to intense anger, like someone had just stolen her breakfast.

"Penguin Logistics—YOU AGAIN?!"

Ren felt the same way.

'This woman again?'

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Now : (ZAW)System Acting Zhongli in arknights World? (Now Chapter 50)

Now : (INSL) I Never thought simulating life could screw me up this badly!! (Now Chapter 36)

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Coming soon : Texas Character Relationship Content (4 Chapter)

Coming soon : Exusia Character Relationship Content (4 Chapter)

Coming soon : Lapland Character Relationship Content (4 Chapter)