From Human to Skeleton: Revived with Infinite System Crystals

Chapter 408 Vick's Heart Opener

"Sounds good. Also, should any of you mortals announce my name, it is to have Lady next to it. I am the daughter of the Vampire King Dracula, and you will make sure to note the nobility behind it. Is that understood?" she stated, her eyes narrowing slightly as she spoke.

Vick nodded before replying, "I am not sure who this Dracula is; it is not a name I have ever heard of, but out of respect for your strength, I will honor your wish, Lady Sanguina," he stated, giving a slight bow. His eyes showed a mix of confusion and respect.

"Also, your beauty is hard to put into words. Your fire is as lovely as a bed of roses, but your killer touch is as painful as all the thorns in one," Vick added, his voice carrying a touch of admiration.

Sanguina chuckled in response. "Well, thank you, but cute jabs have never won my heart, dear mortal. Now let's get a move on. You can bring anyone you want or keep everyone here. She's in that cave, right?"

Vick glanced toward the cave entrance, shrouded in shadows and emitting an eerie glow from deep within. "Yes, she's in there. We'll need to be cautious; the cave is filled with traps and more creatures."

Sanguina stood up, her presence commanding. "Very well. Gather your best men. We move out in five minutes."

Sanguina walked out, watching as more creatures spawned and began shambling toward them. Their grotesque forms moved sluggishly, their soulless eyes fixated on her. After a short five minutes, Vick approached, his long purple cloak billowing slightly in the wind. "I am ready to go," he stated, adjusting his cloak.

She smirked, noticing he was alone. "I see you didn't bring anyone with you."

"Lady Sanguina, I feel none of them are ready to march forth into combat after all they have been through. I also don't think you would like my men to slow you down. I have elected to leave the other Royal Guard in charge in the meantime, and they will handle any loose creatures that spawn after we leave," Vick explained.

"Also, we could use Bracken for a ride once she finishes refueling," he added.

The nearby soldiers exchanged glances, clearly as mystified as Bracken. One of them, a young man with a bandaged arm, shook his head. "I've never seen anyone like her before. She's... something else."

Another soldier, adjusting his gear, nodded in agreement. "There's definitely more to her than meets the eye. Just hope she's stays our side."

As Sanguina began to walk off down the long field, she stated to Vick, "To make sure you don't get killed or something, just stay behind me for now, okay?"

"S-sure, but I attest I can hold my own against these fodder creatures... or at least I can for a bit when I'm not fully drained from days and days of fighting. My weapon is actually very useful."

"I see, and what did you say your 'ability' was again?" Sanguina inquired, her interest piqued.

"Anything my blade strikes slows down by 0.25 seconds," Vick explained. "Not a lot at first, but in a long, drawn-out fight it can add up, and usually, enemies don't realize until it's too late. I do take great pride in my swordsmanship and classify myself as one of the best of my generation. Even if I'm nearing 30, I can still keep up with the young ones."

"Oh? Is that so? Well, prove yourself useful and I might just kidnap you from the Demon King. We always need more useful fighters back in my realm anyways," Sanguina teased.

Vick nervously laughed as they walked. "No demon rules over me or my kingdom, Lady Sanguina. I'm still not sure what you speak of, but I will deliver you to Nanako, or at least do my best effort."

They talked for a good twenty minutes as time moved, and Sanguina struck down every creature in her path. Blue tiny crystals left their bodies as they decayed back into the earth. The crystals shimmered briefly before sinking into the soil, a fleeting reminder of the unnatural foes they faced.

As they came within twenty feet of the cave's entrance, the air grew colder, and an unsettling silence fell over the field. The entrance loomed before them, dark and foreboding, guarded by towering rock formations. An unnatural darkness seemed to seep out, wrapping around them like a shroud.