Chapter 485 - The Director Will Surely Be Delighted

After a brief disturbance, the Treatment Ward followed its usual procedure and inspected the antiques in the residence.

Unfortunately, just like all the other operations that day, they did not find anything of value. Fog Man, who led the group, did not feel discouraged. He had a good meal to console him, so his mood remained relatively calm.

Fog Man's arm, writhing like a blood-filled current, pressed lightly against the wall by the entrance. His fingertips slid slightly downward, then were once again hidden beneath his loose, black robes.

He turned and stepped outside, glancing at the reassembled doctors of the Treatment Ward. He gestured abruptly as he said, "On to the next location. Keep going..."

Rustle, rustle...

A flurry of garments flapping sounded out in unison, like birds beating their wings. Dozens of powerful black silhouettes departed in unison, melting into the dark shadows. They headed off to commit more slaughter in their next destination, stoking the brutality in their hearts once more.

If they wanted to find the Kupan Demon Box for the Director of the Treatment Ward, they had to start with the collectors and institutions in Mirror Lake and Bright Mountain.

Many so-called antique collectors in these human cities which had been heavily infiltrated by the Blood Race were actually vampires. Branch line Blood Race differed from other dark creatures, tending more toward human habits and coveting earthly wealth and pleasures.

Of course, at heart, they were still dark creatures. It was merely their outward manner and customs that had grown more secular. Thus, while carrying out their tasks, the Treatment Ward doctors often encountered Blood Race individuals disguised as human collectors. When they were confronted with such dark creatures, there was nothing to discuss—slaughtering them all was the straightforward solution.

This newly formed Treatment Ward consisted of captains and doctors who were not recruited through any standard Hunters' Association process. They were originally vicious criminals from the Savage Beast Den, now leashed by the formidable Director of the Treatment Ward.

Various additional methods were employed as part of their services. At their core, these doctors were hot-tempered and savage. They needed an outlet to slaughter, and fresh blood to appease the near-boiling savagery within.

Sometimes, going on a killing spree and wiping out every dark creature in both cities seemed like an excellent option. At the very least, the two captains, Fog Man and Nine Serpents, were quite pleased with such actions.

A light breeze swept through the deserted courtyard, and three minutes passed.

A pale blonde girl staggered out of the residence. She steadied herself against the wall with one hand and used the other to straighten the hastily donned noble's attire she wore.

She looked rather dazed, like her mind had not yet registered the relief of survival. Instead, she was filled with disbelief. "Did I really survive?"

𝒇𝙧𝙚𝓮𝔀𝓮𝒃𝙣𝓸𝒗𝒆𝒍.𝙘𝒐𝒎

She took a deep breath of fresh air and savored the warmth brought by the dazzling golden sunlight. Only then did she awaken from her dazed state. The gentle tickle of the breeze against her skin; the floral scent drifting past her nose; and the lively, vivid colors in front of her all reminded her she had been saved.

"Although those muscular men in black were terrifying and felt even more dangerous than the Blood Race that captured me, they truly saved me. I must sincerely thank them..." The girl mumbled to herself while standing in the middle of the courtyard.

It was only after the Treatment Ward doctors left and were far away did she dare voice her gratitude. She took several feeble steps forward.

Suddenly, her gaze fixed on a spot along the distant white wall.

There, on the pristine surface, stood a striking crimson cross that reached about the height of a grown man. Unlike a traditional religious cross, its shape resembled an executioner's sword. Its blade extended straight and sharp, with thick crimson paint oozing down the surface. Judging by the metallic tang in the air, it was clearly the Blood Race's blood.

"Did those people in black leave this sign? Does it mean judgment?" Her eyes narrowed, and she sounded uncertain. Even so, she made sure to remember it clearly before hesitantly walking away.

In reality, the cross symbol was the emblem marking the Treatment Ward's operations. On one hand, it intimidated all supernatural factions with the blood of their enemies; on the other, it notified local authorities that this vital division of the Hunters' Association was taking action to specifically combat dark creatures threatening humanity!

They wanted local police or specialists to offer assistance and to cover up any aftermath.

Tap, tap, tap...

The girl's footsteps grew fainter as she walked away.

However, a man emerged from a darkened corner near the wall of the residence. He appeared to be in his thirties, with a weathered face and a circle of black stubble. He was not particularly handsome, yet he possessed a distinct aura. This was especially true of his eyes, which were a striking, profound blue.

Beyond his appearance, the man's attire spoke to his identity.

A sharp longsword hung at his left hip, while a semi-automatic crossbow was slung on his back. He had a quiver of yellow arrows on his right side, with a pouch of tools beside them. He was a blue-eyed hunter, or one might say a Mercury Hunter, part of a group that continually fought the Blood Race in the Alphama Mountains. They possessed the knowledge of crafting Mercury Thorn, which could diminish the powers of the Blood Race.

Mirror Lake City and Bright Mountain City served as their main base. Hence, the Mercury Hunters had noticed and monitored the doctors of the Treatment Ward from the moment they arrived in Bright Mountain City the previous day.

Initially, they had assumed there would be just one or two brief skirmishes. They had never expected the clashes to continue throughout the night and into the day. The Treatment Ward's captains led numerous doctors in a frenzied slaughter against the Blood Race, as well as other dark creatures disguised as collectors.

They seemed to be searching for something; some crucial legendary antique, perhaps?

The blue-eyed hunters merely observed and had not made direct contact with the Treatment Ward. After all, even though these doctors were killing dark creatures, their own manner did not suggest they were upstanding individuals.

Their ruthless slaughter of the Blood Race seemed more like one monster in the darkness preying upon another. It was akin to a wolf being killed by a tiger. While the wolf was a dangerous predator, it was simply prey to the tiger. No prey, upon witnessing its enemy's brutality, would feel an urge to snuggle up to them and deliver itself into its jaws.

Hence, the blue-eyed hunters watched in secret, both fearful and patient.

The bearded man with deep-blue eyes entered the building, then quickly emerged once more. He had witnessed the fate of those lower-ranking Blood Race individuals, all reduced to skeletal remains without exception.

When he thought back to the other grisly battle scenes he had seen earlier, he remembered severed limbs, beheadings, dismemberments, evisceration, and the scraping of bones...

The brutality and savagery of that mysterious force was evident.

"That symbol again. What on earth does it mean?" The bearded man approached the white wall, staring at the wet crimson cross with its overpowering metallic scent of blood.

The elders and higher-ups are already investigating it. We should hear something soon

, he thought.

His mind raced.

If they turn out to be a force we can cooperate with, this would be our best chance to break the Blood Race's hold on the underworld in both Bright Mountain and Mirror Lake!

Blood Race from all over the northern areas of the Hongli Empire had been pouring in ever since Count Bain built his manor on the outskirts of Bright Mountain City fifty years ago. They’ve been trying to turn Shire County into their festive hunting grounds ever since. If not for our clan standing firm, Bright Mountain and Mirror Lake would have fallen completely by now.

Even so, the current state of affairs is hardly better. Those Blood Race are growing more and more brazen. They have even taken on the guise of human nobility or collectors, appearing openly without shame.

Count Bain's manor has been serving as one of the Blood Race's transit centers and assembly points. Our clan have wanted to destroy it for twenty years, but we never had the strength. Not to mention, Count Bain's manor only continues to grow in power. If these black-clad individuals who appeared now truly hate the Blood Race to such an extent, perhaps we could take a calculated risk and cooperate with them. We could topple Count Bain's manor in a single decisive blow...

As he thought this over, the bearded man with a considerable rank among the Mercury Hunters felt his blood surge. After several deep breaths, he left the gate.

He headed in the same direction that the girl had taken earlier. She was one of the few ordinary survivors of that mysterious force's operation. Perhaps he could ask her precisely what had occurred.

Time slipped by until late afternoon. Fiery clouds sank at the edge of the sky, and the setting sun glowed like blood.

A black-cloaked figure stood atop a building, quietly surveying what lay below. Doctors from the Treatment Ward charged into the building in a frenzy, either with bare hands or gripping weapons, all with bloodshot eyes. Before long, howls of anguish, moans, and shrieks of the Blood Race came from within. They lasted until all went utterly silent.

After about ten more minutes, the Treatment Ward doctors pulled out of the building in unison.

One of the captains looked up at Nine Serpents, who stood on the rooftop, shaking his head to indicate that there was no trace of the Kupan Demon Box.

Rustle, rustle.

Her cloak's hem fluttered like a drifting thundercloud. The black-robed Nine Serpents descended to the ground, looking visibly grim.

Her voice was icy as she said, "Keep going! Even if we have to massacre the entirety of Bright Mountain City and Mirror Lake City, we must find the Kupan Demon Box within two days! We have to finish this mission before the Director of the Treatment Ward arrives in Shire County! If we fail, you can join me on the second level of the Savage Beast Den to face punishment..."

Every muscular man present visibly trembled, their bodies shaking. Their fierce, broad faces showed rare expressions of fear—some swallowed hard, others shook their heads.

Clearly, no one wished to experience punishment in the Savage Beast Den of the Treatment Ward. Rumor had it that besides the original demonic seeds, there was an interrogation squad called the Ghetto Four who had become notorious for their cruelty...

The men were fired up, their murderous intent blazing like flames. "Wipe out Bright Mountain City! Let the Director of the Treatment Ward see what we can do!"

After these few rousing words, everyone from the Treatment Ward prepared to set off again.

Suddenly, Nine Serpents glanced toward the entrance, where the bearded man strode in with a smile. "May we speak?"

Five minutes later, in a corner of the courtyard, they were in conversation.

"I think you have misunderstood us. We are not mortal enemies of the Blood Race, nor are we carrying out a specific plan against them. We are merely fulfilling a task the Director of the Treatment Ward gave us, and anyone or any group that obstructs us will be crushed. The Blood Race simply happened to stand in our way." Nine Serpents, cloaked entirely in darkness, spoke in an exceptionally cold voice.

"I understand, but you are searching for a certain precious legendary antique, correct? The greatest collector of antiques in Bright Mountain and Mirror Lake is Count Bain. He is a powerful member of the Blood Race who arrived in Bright Mountain City fifty years ago. His main hobby is collecting unusual antiques. Many among the Blood Race, hoping to curry favor with Count Bain, also gather antiques and send them to him. That is why so many of the Blood Race have assumed the public role of a "collector." Hence, if you truly seek some valuable, extraordinary antique, it likely ended up in Count Bain's possession at Bain Manor within these past fifty years..." The bearded man spoke carefully and logically.

After more than a day of observation, they had nearly confirmed that the Treatment Ward was searching for something. Otherwise, they would not have been constantly targeting collectors and institutions.

Nine Serpents fell silent for a moment before a husky voice emerged from beneath her cloak. "Then where is Count Bain's manor?"

"It's located on the outskirts of Bright Mountain City, a very well-known manor. Count Bain holds significant status both in the underworld and in the human world..." The bearded man answered earnestly.

"Good. Thank you for the information." Nine Serpents spoke slowly, and the bearded man smiled. However, the words that followed made the bearded man's smile freeze. "But cooperation is unnecessary."

The bearded man opened his mouth. "But—but right now would be the perfect time to attack Count Bain's manor. Our clan has prepared for this day, and we share a common goal—we can work together! Our Mercury Thorn can weaken the Blood Race's powers, and..."

He was interrupted by Nine Serpents raising her hand. "What I mean is that the Treatment Ward has no need for dead weight. Count Bain's manor will be destroyed today! They will not even have time to quiver, but die like straw...

"

Heh heh heh...

" A somewhat sinister chuckle emerged from beneath the cloak.

"But—" The bearded man tried to speak again, but he suddenly felt a fearsome aura rising before him; every hair on his body stood on end.

A pair of blood-red serpent eyes lit up within the cloak's shrouded darkness. "Are you hoping to fight us for the prey? Boy with the blue eyes..."

Pinned by the serpent's stare, the bearded man could not speak, his mind paralyzed by dread.

He felt his limbs go limp and perspiration breaking out all over.

After those crimson eyes locked on him for three brief seconds, Nine Serpents turned her head and addressed the sky. "Fog Man, let's go. Gather all our men and head straight to Count Bain's manor on the outskirts of Bright Mountain City. Our target is most likely there. Slaughter, conquer, and plunder. Then we will offer the Kupan Demon Box to the Director. I believe the Director of the Treatment Ward will be very pleased then..."

"Yes, indeed! If the Director of the Treatment Ward sees us complete our mission so swiftly and flawlessly, there will surely be a reward for us!"

"Hahahahahahahaha!"

Wild laughter came from the sky, tinged with delirium and excitement. A terrifying cloud of bloody mist descended from the horizon, shifting into human form.