Los Angeles.
This place was known as the City of Angels, but it was one of the most chaotic cities in the United States.
Gangs were everywhere, and the sound of Chicago typewriters (machine guns) never stopped at night.
Vampires and werewolves lurked in dark corners, and even professional hunters rarely dared to set foot here.
In an old castle in the suburbs, its walls marked by the passage of time, four or five male servants worked silently, repeating their daily cleaning tasks with expressionless faces.
Only a man in a butler's uniform, with long curly hair and a wicked smile, stood by the window, watching the sun sink over the horizon.
Slod felt that he'd never lived such a comfortable life.
The vampire count had fallen asleep, leaving him in charge of the castle.
Sure, the count had sold off most of his properties and hoarded the money.
But within the city, the gangs and vampire clans were still under Slod's control.
At first, he had been cautious and loyal.
But after confirming that the count was truly asleep, he grew bolder.
In short—
He was finally enjoying the happiness of being the master!
As for that so-called prophecy the count kept muttering about? Slod didn't believe a word of it.
In his opinion, the old vampire had simply grown cowardly after living too long.
The longer you live, the more afraid you become of dying.
He sneered at the thought.
As the last rays of the 09 sunset faded, a convoy of SUVs and luxury cars drove through the manor gates, parking outside the castle.
Soon, the previously silent castle stirred to life.
A feast was about to begin.
In the grand hall, three young and attractive humans—two girls and a boy—were hanging upside down from the crystal chandelier.
On the walnut round table beneath them, crystal goblets and silver plates gleamed, next to a dagger that sparkled coldly.
Seven or eight pale-skinned men and women stood silently nearby, waiting.
When a man appeared at the top of the stairs, the vampires immediately straightened and bowed respectfully in unison.
"Good evening, Mr. Butler."
Slod descended the stairs, a satisfied smile in his eyes.
Before he could speak, a 'young man' stepped forward to report:
"Tonight's meal: ages sixteen, seventeen, and twenty. All virgins. Sweet blood."
"Especially this girl—she's a devout Christian. Baptized in holy water. Her blood has a richer flavor."
Slod nodded approvingly.
"Excellent. Let's eat."
One vampire stepped forward, picking up the dagger and approaching slowly.
The three paralyzed humans, their eyes wide with terror, watched helplessly. Their pupils trembled violently.
But they couldn't speak.
They couldn't even move.
Their fear only made the blood sweeter.
The vampires laughed hungrily.
Just then, there was a knock at the heavy wooden door.
Beep beep!
Then, a voice came from outside:
"Hello? Is this the Apronan family?"
"I didn't expect you guys to be so polite."
"Well, of course. I'm a good citizen of New York City."
"I know, I know. I smoke, hang out in bars, have tattoos, but deep down, I'm a good guy."
"Okay… I admit, this castle's under a spell. Without an invitation, it's tough to get inside."
"But seriously... What's the point of going against the laws of the universe?"
"Just smash the door."
"That's illegal."
"138…"
Inside the hall, the vampires looked at each other in confusion.
Where are the gang members stationed outside? Who the hell are these people?
And… they know the castle's enchanted?
Slod's expression darkened.
Vampire hunters?
So, they found out the Count is asleep, and now they dare to make trouble in Los Angeles?
But these two clearly overestimated themselves.
Had they forgotten who'd been doing the killing for the Count all these years?
Slod barked:
"Carl! Frank! Luna! Lorne! Go out, kill those two hunters, and bring me their heads!"
At his command, four vampires bared their fangs and charged out with bloodthirsty faces.
Bang!
The heavy wooden door slammed open, revealing the two men standing outside.
At that moment, one of them casually took a step back.
"You're the magician. You handle it."
Russell shrugged lazily, green light flickering in his eyes.
A second later, Slod—watching from the hall—saw something that chilled him to the bone.
The four vampires he'd sent outside suddenly… stopped.
Then, as if bewitched, they turned, stood stiffly on either side of the doorway, and saluted like doormen.
In unison, they said:
"Two gentlemen."
"Apronan Manor welcomes you. Please, come in."
Slod's pupils shrank.
His scalp went numb.
Magician!
And it was a magician who could control four vampires instantly!
Slod panicked and shouted:
"Attack together! Kill them!"
The remaining vampires, confused by why their companions had betrayed them, didn't dare to hesitate after hearing the order. They all bared their fangs and rushed forward.
As for Slod himself, he immediately turned and tried to escape without a second thought.
But before he could even move, he saw that the man had already stepped inside the castle.
At that moment, all the vampires around him suddenly burst into flames.
Without even a scream, they were reduced to ash in less than a second.
Slod froze on the spot. Cold sweat drenched his back, and he didn't dare move a muscle.
Fear.
It was the same kind of terror the three humans hanging from the chandelier felt earlier.
But for Slod, it was even worse.
This power... was something he couldn't even comprehend.
With a loud thud, Slod dropped to his knees, shaking uncontrollably:
"M-my lords... this is Aproso Castle."
"If you're looking for my master, I can take you to him."
The three humans hanging upside down were completely dumbfounded.
They hadn't seen what happened at the door.
But what shocked them most was that the terrifying vampire butler, who moments ago had been preparing to feast on them, was now kneeling on the floor, trembling and begging for mercy.
The contrast was beyond anything they could process.
Who the hell are these people!?
At that moment, laughter came from the doorway.
"Tsk tsk... Aproso. A six-hundred-year-old vampire lord, and this is the useless idiot he chose as his housekeeper."
"Seems like his judgment isn't so great."
Slod kowtowed frantically:
"Yes, yes! I'm useless! Completely worthless!"
Russell strolled into the hall, glancing at Tony and remarking casually:
"Relax. This guy won't dare try anything."
Tony nodded, casually casting a memory-erasure spell on the three humans before untying them. He then walked over and kicked Slod:
"Enough groveling. Lead the way!"
Aproso wasn't hiding in the castle's basement. He didn't consider this place secure enough.
Instead, he was holed up in the basement of a church in a cemetery outside Los Angeles.
The priest there was also a vampire—stronger than Slod—and responsible for guarding the count.
Not that it mattered.
He was reduced to ash in less than a second.
Slod's scalp tingled. He felt that the count was absolutely doomed this time.
The magician who'd walked in at the start wasn't just strong—he was a monster.
After opening three hidden mechanisms, they finally entered the underground chamber.
Along the walls, magic candles burned with an eternal flame.
Their dim light illuminated the circular tomb.
In the center of the floor sat a single black coffin.
Tony looked around, disappointed:
"No treasure?"
Kamar-Taj had a lot of mouths to feed, and he'd been hoping to confiscate some loot.
He shot Slod a glance:
"Your master isn't awake yet? Didn't he set up any security measures?"
Slod replied quickly:
"The vampire you burned outside..."
He'd wanted to say that guy was their strongest defense, but after watching him turn to ash in one second, that excuse felt meaningless.
So he could only force a bitter smile:
"He... had an alarm spell. He just didn't have a chance to activate it."
As he spoke, he stole a glance at Russell, his eyes full of dread.
Tony felt a bit awkward too.
His colleague was... well, terrifying.
The flames Russell used clearly carried the power of Asgardian magic.
Maybe this guy really was some sort of fire god.
Russell, impatient, said coldly:
"Enough talking. Let's get this over with."
He hadn't properly rested since arriving in this world, and he was getting irritated.
With a kick, he shoved Slod aside, strode forward, and flung open the count's coffin.
"Wake up, you old bat!" he snapped.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
You can visit my Patreon page:
Patreon.com/PhoeniXcel
There are 70+ advanced chapters available for you to read.
Your support would be greatly appreciated.
Check out my new Marvel fanfic!
[Marvel: Rise of Heroes]