Chapter 25
Human Farm.
A facility that literally locked Humans up like Livestock, draining as much blood as needed.
It was a project that aimed to establish a base while also serving as a supply of Strong Blood.
Even though it wasn't completed yet, it was doing its job perfectly.
Because the scenery inside the facility was pure hell.
"Ugh, ugh...."
Warehouse.
A space to lock up the kidnapped Humans.
An Iron Cage that seemed to be less than a square meter, a prison where such cages were packed tightly together.
In a scene resembling a chicken coop, about a hundred people were imprisoned.
""....""
Had it been a while since they saw the light?
They all looked emaciated.
Everyone's eyes were unfocused, staring blankly into space.
Among those half-Corpses, only one person rolled his eyes.
'Fuck....'
Was he around middle age?
He sported a stylish beard and wore the uniform of the Knight Order.
His crumpled appearance inside the cramped Iron Cage was quite unsightly.
The man's name was Kantas.
'I was hoping this was a dream.'
Frontier Knight Order.
Among them, he was considered a Veteran Squad Member with years of experience.
The current location where he was imprisoned was the underground space of the city of Liventa.
He had come out to investigate the recent frequent disappearance incidents, only to be kidnapped by Vampires.
'Fucking, bloodsucking bastards....'
It had already been a week since he was locked in this Iron Cage.
From what he had observed during that time, this place was no different from hell.
'Fuck, fuck, fuck... fucking bastards.'
A facility built by Vampires.
The treatment Humans received here was worse than Livestock.
Having blood sucked constantly through something like a Hose was a daily routine.
At the drop of a hat, they would drag some away to torture them, savoring each piece of flesh they sliced off.
'The most terrible thing was... pulling out their intestines while they were alive.'
This was only what was visible within his limited field of vision.
Just what kind of things were happening in places out of sight?
That wasn't all.
Humans kidnapped as Livestock were disposed of once they were deemed useless.
Here, disposal wasn't death, but a process of being reborn.
The Vampires turned the disposed into mindless Monsters.
'Ghouls.'
The newborn Monsters were subjugated to the Vampires.
A place where one couldn't find peace even in death.
Kantas had no choice but to resign himself.
'I'm done for.'
Kantas was quite strong among the frontier knights, considering his experience.
However, the Vampires scattered here were on a different level.
Because he was kidnapped without even a chance to resist.
'There are at least 30 Vampires stationed outside.'
Including the ones inside the facility, there would be even more.
Moreover, even if he managed to shake them off, there was no way to escape since the space was underground.
Judging by the vastness of the space, it seemed they had dug down at least several dozen meters.
Only the same words spilled from his lips.
"Fuck...."
Frontier Knight Order, Kantas.
He had crossed the line of death countless times while living by the sword, but this time, it truly felt like death was approaching.
No... Since he would become a Ghoul, maybe he wouldn't even be able to die.
He missed his wife and Daughter waiting at home.
'Backup... is not coming.'
It was doubtful whether they could even discover this space in the first place.
It would be a relief if they didn't end up in the same state as him.
There was no hope.
Helpless eyes.
"...."
As he leaned against the Iron Cage like that.
Suddenly, he heard a bustling noise.
Thud-.
A sound coming from outside.
It sounded like something exploded, and also like someone screaming.
Were those bloodsucking bastards torturing the Livestock again?
Even though he was sick of it, Kantas peeked through the crack in the wall.
Even in a situation where he had given up on escaping, he habitually checked his surroundings.
"...?"
However, what entered his view wasn't a torture scene.
For some reason, the Vampires were gathered in one spot.
They were all looking in the same direction.
Following their gaze, there stood a black, fluttering Robe.
'A Mask...?'
A Human.
A Human wearing a Mask stood among the Vampires.
Holding a shining shard in one hand and a colorful Balloon in the other.
'What the fuck.'
Kantas couldn't help but be full of questions.
Regardless, the corners of the Mask's mouth were curved bizarrely.
***
"...."
I quietly stared ahead.
Eyes glaring in this direction.
Were there about twenty of them?
It seemed they all ran out during their work after hearing the commotion.
"Hmm."
The guys looking around.
Are they trying to figure out the size of the invading enemy?
However, no matter how much they looked, there were only two in Masks standing before them.
"What... it's only two? Besides, the one in the back is a Vampire, right?"
"Didn't they say it was an enemy invasion? There's nothing there, so why the fuck did they sound the alarm?"
"Those three sprawled out over there. Don't tell me they were taken down by those two?"
"Man, what a joke."
The Vampires sneered among themselves.
While it was noisy in front of us, I asked Carmilla.
"I know it's a bit late to ask... but will you be okay, Princess?"
"What are you asking?"
"They are your kin, after all. I will try to deal with them without killing as much as possible, but if necessary, I plan to kill them without hesitation."
"...."
"Princess."
"...I know."
Huu-.
Carmilla took a deep breath.
Her silver hair cascaded down, looking slightly disheveled.
"I knew just from this thick scent of blood. How many sheep have been sacrificed, and what a terrible place this is. Good and evil are absolute standards. One shouldn't be considered good just because they are of the same species, nor should they be considered evil just because they are of a different species."
Carmilla Blandir.
The Princess did not waver.
"They deserve to be punished."
"If it's too hard, it's okay for you to rest for a bit. I will handle everything."
"No... Were they not once my people? I, too, must take responsibility."
The girl's eyes were resolute.
Unfurling Blood Manipulation from her fingertips, she held a thin spear.
Reliable backup.
"Then...."
I stepped forward.
Towards the swarming Vampires.
"Hello, everyone."
"Ha... That guy is crazier than I thought."
"Is there something wrong with his head? He's wearing a weird Mask on his face and all...."
"Well, we can just beat him up and find out. Same goes for the Vampire bitch behind him."
The guys stared at me as if looking at a madman.
Some of them even burst into laughter, finding it amusing.
One of them at the very front strode closer.
A Greatsword forged from blood.
It was a guy holding a sword the size of my body.
"Kid, did you two come alone? Are there no other Humans?"
"That's correct. Were there too many visitors?"
"Haa... This is one seriously funny bastard."
Thud-.
His heavy steps rolled across the ground.
Still, was he bothered by the three sprawled out next to him?
Even while observing us, the guy didn't easily close the distance.
"Do you not grasp the situation? Can't you see the Vampires spread out everywhere?"
"Of course I can see them. It's quite ominous how you are all covered in blood, though...."
"And yet, you came as a duo? Are you suicidal or something?"
"Not at all. I want to live a long life."
"Look at this, he's not even scared? He's definitely not normal."
The Vampire groaned quietly.
He seemed to be scrutinizing me carefully.
"Hmm... He's just ordinary? No, he's actually much weaker than ordinary. He doesn't have any muscles on his body, I can't feel any Magic Power, and it doesn't look like he can use Divinity or Sorcery either...."
"How surprising. How did you manage to catch all of that?"
"Hey, what kind of nerve do you have to come in here? More importantly, how did you get in?"
"That's a secret."
I gave a bright smile.
Following that smile, the corners of the Mask's mouth slightly twitched.
"Never mind that... You're all drenched in blood. Are you okay?"
"We're fine. This isn't our blood."
"Oho."
"When we play around with Humans, blood tends to splatter like this."
"That's a topic of interest."
I asked.
To the hand that was covered not only in blood but also in chunks of intestines.
"Where did that blood come from? What did you do to the kidnapped Humans?"
"Haha! Don't worry. We didn't kill them. We just played with them for a bit."
"...."
Was it because of those meaningful words?
The other Vampires watching from the side also chimed in.
"Kik, kik-kik... That's not wrong. We did leave them alive."
"We just pulled out their fingernails one by one, and sliced off their flesh to eat it piece by piece... Ah, is this too cliché? Then I'll only tell you about the creative ones. My favorite was making two Humans stand up and eat each other's guts! The winner would be spared."
"You didn't spare them, you crazy bitch. You turned them into Ghouls."
"Tch... Anyway, I did spare them! I never said I would let them live in one piece!"
"Besides, weren't the ones you made stand up a Mom and her Son? That was pretty fun."
The Vampires excitedly boasted.
Carmilla's face turned completely pale.
I silently listened.
Did they think I was scared?
The guys excitedly poured out their tales of heroism.
"As expected, I like kids the best...."
"Still, you're too wicked. Pulling out their intestines while they're alive, and watching them stop breathing.... Do you know how messy the surroundings get every time you do that?"
"That guy is a terrible bastard. Just the kids he kidnapped and brought here alone must be around thirty, right?"
"It's fine, it's fine. After doing that, I turned them all into Ghouls right before they died."
"Yeah, they didn't die. They'll just live forever not being themselves anymore... Kik-kik."
Quietly.
I just kept listening.
"Still, aren't we killing too many these days? Stop turning the useful ones into Ghouls. We need to draw as much blood as possible, don't we."
"What does it matter. Your Majesty told us to collect Ghouls too."
"Have we already stockpiled a hundred Ghouls? We really have committed a lot."
Malice.
The malice mixed into every single word.
A heavy breath caught in my throat.
"An investigation came from the Knight Order or something last time, so it's about time we hold back a bit, right?"
"Come to think of it, where is that Knight Order guy? Did we put him together where the Blood Packs are?"
"We already made his subordinates into Ghouls, only the guy who was the Team Leader or something should be alive."
"He pisses me off, let's play with him a little longer."
These people who mocked life and death so easily.
Lips that spoke of blood and flesh as if they felt no remorse.
My impression after hearing all that was just one thing.
"Why."
However.
It was something I couldn't help but ask.
"Why is that?"
"Huh?"
"Isn't your objective blood anyway? An additional goal would just be the accumulation of Ghouls."
But.
"Why did you do such things? Acts that bring absolutely no benefit. Torturing and toying with someone. Causing sorrow, inflicting despair... What meaning is there in doing that? When you heard their desperate pleas, what exactly was going through your minds?"
""....""
Asking for the reason was the bare minimum of humanity.
A short silence descended upon the surroundings.
And then,
"Pfft-!"
Someone burst into laughter.
As the silence broke, the sound of laughter increased one by one.
Before long, the Vampires held their bellies and laughed as if in a chorus.
Amidst that roaring laughter, it seemed I was the only one not smiling.
"Aha! Ahaha...! This is one crazy bastard!"
This time too, it was the Vampire holding the Greatsword.
He caught his breath and looked this way with a beaming smile.
"Asking why we did it... That's a question I never even imagined. Well, since you want to know, I should tell you, right?"
A short answer.
"Just because."
"...."
"Just because we can."
"...."
"It's a role that suits you Humans perfectly. Struggling so damn much despite having no strength. The reactions are so fun that it makes tormenting you worthwhile. Compared to other Livestock, when we turn you into Ghouls, the utility is much wider, too."
"...."
"Why, you pissed?"
"...."
I did not react.
I merely stood still.
From behind, someone grabbed my sleeve.
Trembling red eyes; it was Carmilla, deathly pale.
"...Victor."
"Yes, Master."
"...."
"...."
The Princess searched for words, but could find nothing to put on her tongue.
Thus, I too offered no words.
The brief silence felt as though it could break a neck.
The sound the girl let out at the end of it was incredibly pitiful.
"...They are the ones who have taken the Strong Blood of Humans."
"It seems so."
"They are highly violent. They must be twice as strong as normal Vampires."
"Do you think I will be pushed back?"
"No... not at all."
"Are your thoughts on fighting still the same?"
"Yes, this is entirely the responsibility I must bear."
Tears.
Was what streamed down her cheeks anger, or was it grief?
It didn't matter.
"The plan has changed. It seems a moderate suppression will be difficult."
"Right...."
"I will only leave them breathing. Cutting off all their limbs, and blinding them...."
Before I knew it, the Balloon Sword was stored back in my Inventory.
I was not in the mood for jokes.
Instead, I was holding a Pocket Watch.
In my other hand, the Fragment of a Stake gleamed.
"What the? They're just chatting among themselves."
Thump-!
Meanwhile, the guy holding the Greatsword charged at me.
Did he think I was completely defenseless?
Or perhaps he never considered me an opponent to begin with.
"I'll play nicely with you, too! After I grab that bitch behind you and squeeze some information out of her...!"
Swoosh-!
A body shot forward like an Arrow.
The crimson Greatsword rushed in, about to fall on my head.
I remained quiet even in that moment.
I simply fiddled with the watch.
Click-.
Eventually, my thumb pressed the button on the watch,
"Hmm."
The next moment, I had already passed him by.
"...?!"
The surroundings were thrown into a panic.
His Greatsword was subjected to Parrying, and flew far away.
Furthermore, clear lines where the Stake had passed through remained on his body.
Distinct scars on both arms and both legs.
"Ugh, urgghh...?"
Clatter-!
Following that, his limbs were separated from his torso.
The severed pieces floated in the air before tumbling down to the floor.
I grabbed his hair and lifted his face.
And then, I rubbed the Fragment of the Stake into his eyes as if searing them.
Sizzle-!
"Kk, kk, keuaaack!!!"
Screams bursting from between his lips.
I swung my tightly clenched fist a few times.
Whack-!
"Mouth."
"Agh, aaaaagh!!"
"Don't, open, your mouth, keep it shut, shut up."
Smack, crack, whack-!
Teeth shattering and breaking into pieces.
I stuffed a Handkerchief into the gap where blood was freely dripping.
His eyeballs were almost fully cooked, and his screams had also died down.
"Huu...."
I exhaled my slightly heavy breath.
In my hand was a torso dangling like a tattered rag.
"Ugh, uegh...."
The guy had passed out, left with crippled arms, crippled legs, crippled eyes, and a crippled mouth.
I carelessly discarded the body that had outlived its usefulness.
Plop-.
""....""
The surroundings that were noisy just a moment ago.
Now, not a single sound could be heard.
The Vampires were completely stunned.
"First, that's one."
""....""
I dusted off my hands.
The Mask smiled, but the voice behind it carried no trace of laughter.
"So."
It was just cold enough to freeze one to the bone.
"Who's next?"
Before they could even answer, I was already pressing the button on the watch.
Click-.
***
Afterwards.
A deep smell of burnt meat had spread throughout the surroundings.
It was a scene of utter chaos.
I wiped the soot off my fingertips.
Perhaps because I pushed myself too hard, sweat was pouring down my forehead.
"Haa, haa...."
Exactly fourteen Vampires were collapsed around me.
No... things with their arms, legs, eyes, and mouths completely blown away.
For a moment, I wondered if it was even right to call them Vampires anymore.
After pondering for a brief moment, I figured calling them caterpillars would suffice.
'Did the remaining seven run away....'
The time it took to turn the remaining fourteen Vampires into caterpillars after a few slipped away.
Was a mere 21 minutes and 54 seconds.
I roughly swept my hair back.
The corners of the Mask's mouth were torn up to its ears.
Even though I, hidden inside, wasn't smiling in the slightest.
"Haa... fuck."
I'm really weak.
An unprecedented overall Stat of E-rank.
A body that would make for a good match even against a passing farmer.
That's why I didn't want to fight so intensely....
"Fucking bastards."
You just had to make me lose my mind.
After taking a deep breath, I pushed myself up once more.
"Victor...."
Beside me was the Princess, who looked equally exhausted.
Perhaps because she had to support me when I suddenly dashed out, her Stamina consumption seemed heavier than usual.
'Or... maybe it's because of mental stress.'
Red eyes scrutinized me.
As if checking to see if I was injured anywhere.
"Is your body okay...?"
"I'm perfectly fine. Rather, it seems you overdid it, Princess."
"I am also still fine. I cannot simply step back from my responsibility."
Thud-.
Carmilla stood side by side with me.
Even if I tried to stop her here, she wouldn't listen.
She was the type of person who would rather be beaten and broken than flee helplessly.
I smiled.
"Ha...."
The seething anger inside me subsided a little.
Matching her pace, I walked toward the crimson backdrop.
"Shall we go right away."
"Yes."
Though we hadn't discussed it, we already shared the same goal.
Human Farm.
A place that claimed to keep Livestock, but where even worse atrocities were taking place.
We had to smash this facility to pieces without leaving a single trace.
Clink-!
[Sub Quest]
-Title : Vulgar slaughter, cowardly survival.
-Content : Stop the construction of the 'Human Farm' by the Vampires of the New Kingdom. Rescue the kidnapped people from the Vampires.
-Penalty for Failure : Annihilation of the city 'Liventa'
-Reward : Infinite goodwill from the city 'Liventa'.
[Time Limit: 1 hour 18 minutes 39 seconds]
"We'll need to hurry."
Also, in order to rescue the survivors who might still be left.
We shifted our steps towards the massive facility in the distance.
"To save them all."
The night was only just beginning.
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