Seeker 378

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Chapter 378. The Third Floor

We climbed the stairs and reached the third floor.

Proceeding along the corridor in front of us, we followed the path ahead.

On the way, we encountered several doors.

Checking each one in turn, we found nothing of interest behind any of them.

"This is the last one, then."

Standing before the final door, Yuzuki murmured softly.

Even her usual fearfulness had faded in this tense moment; only a slight tremor in her grip on her staff betrayed her nerves.

We stood before a massive double door, one that clearly resembled the entrance to an audience chamber.

Beyond this door awaited, without a doubt, the vampire itself.

There was an unshakable conviction of this in my mind.

Before opening the door, I cast support magic on everyone.

Getting careless over "just a 70,000-point monster" and being caught off guard would be unforgivable.

What we feared most was undoubtedly one of the vampire's special abilities—[Charm].

We didn’t know if it had enough force to break through our magical defenses.

But if even one of us fell under its influence, we'd lose a team member to the enemy.

A four-on-one fight turning into a three-on-two, even without the active use of skills, would not be a laughing matter.

To be honest, I thought about this during my journey here.

Perhaps taking on this quest had been a mistake in judgment.

Even if one of us fell to [Charm], I believed we could power through.

But even so, that was only a belief.

Risking so much for "just 70,000 points" wasn’t the wisest choice.

Yet, I also remembered the face of that Wolf Fang tribe boy we met at the adventurers’ guild.

When he begged, “Please let me come with you,” I told him, “Leave it to us,” and refused his request.

Even if this was a mistake, turning back now would mean truly abandoning the path of humanity.

Defeating the vampire might not even save that boy’s sister.

But running away without doing what we could was unthinkable.

"Kazane, Yuzuki... if my judgment was wrong and something happens, I’m sorry."

While casting support magic, I muttered this under my breath.

The two of them looked at me with puzzled expressions.

"Senpai, what are you saying at this point?"

"Yeah, we've said all along that we're with you, Daichi."

"Honestly, senpai, you're such a softie. You could at least say, 'Your bodies and hearts belong to me. Now shut up and follow me!' and sweep us into a dramatic hug. We'd totally fall for it, you know?"

"Uh... Hotaru, that doesn’t really sound like Daichi-kun. I mean, I get the appeal, but still."

"True, I might’ve gotten carried away with wishful thinking."

They let loose, saying whatever came to mind.

But their antics made me laugh out loud despite myself.

"Thanks, both of you."

"No worries, no worries. But this isn’t really the time to set up a death flag, is it?"

"Exactly. Worrying too much about 'what-ifs' will make you weak."

"You’re right. ──Alright, let’s go."

Having finished casting the support magic, we exchanged nods.

Kazane and I pushed open the massive double doors together.

As expected, the scene beyond the doors was just as we imagined.

Our strategy had already been decided.

"Let’s go, Kazane, Griff! Yuzuki, back us up with magic!"

"Got it!"

"Graaw!"

"Roger that!"

Without hesitation, I charged forward alongside Kazane and Griff into the room beyond.

It was a smaller-scale version of a royal audience chamber.

Although parts of it were crumbling and in ruins, the resemblance was clear.

At the far end of the chamber sat a single figure—a monster—on a throne.

Clad in a black coat lined with red, it looked like a mysterious and handsome man.

Its crimson eyes, brimming with malevolence, and its sharp, fang-like canines left no doubt.

It was unmistakably a vampire.

The oppressive aura it exuded rivaled, or even surpassed, the Roc we fought previously.

Though the Roc hadn't given us much trouble, this opponent was an unknown variable.

The vampire rose from its throne with unhurried grace, its crimson eyes glowing even more ominously.

As this happened, Kazane, Griff, and I charged toward the vampire with all our might.

Kazane, faster than the rest of us, took the lead.

Chasing her back, I followed.

Suddenly, her movements faltered.

Her back seemed to jolt, and her sprint came to an abrupt halt.

"Kazane!"

I braked hard, stopping just slightly ahead of her.

If she had fallen under the [Charm], I would block her, even if it meant putting my body on the line.

Her eyes seemed to lose their light, her twin daggers clutched in her black-gloved hands.

She staggered slightly and turned toward me.

Was she hit? I readied myself for the worst.

But in the next instant, her eyes regained their sharpness. She shook her head fiercely.

"Close one! How dare you─!"

Kazane dashed toward the vampire once more, and I followed, relieved.

By then, Griff had already engaged the vampire.

His flame-covered beak and claws lashed out, attacking furiously.

The vampire fought back with razor-sharp claws, landing powerful blows.

Griff shrieked under the assault.

Even with buffs from [Familiar Strengthening], Griff couldn’t hold his own in a one-on-one fight against the vampire.

As the vampire lunged for Griff’s neck, intending to bite, I recognized the move—a [Blood Drain] attack.

"Not happening──[Tri Fire]!"

Three fireballs flew in, all hitting the vampire squarely.

The monster, poised to strike Griff, reeled under the powerful magical blasts.

For precaution, I had Yuzuki store her Fenrir Bow in her [Item Box], rendering her nearly powerless if charmed.

But Yuzuki’s real strength lay in magic, and with her skills unaffected, she continued her assault.

For now, the Charm targeted Kazane, and our contingency plan remained unused.

And then──

"You tried to make me kill Daichi-kun? I won’t forgive you!"

Kazane dashed in, striking with her twin daggers.

Unlike before, I hadn’t enchanted them with [Fire Weapon].

If charmed, her attacks would be less destructive.

Her strikes should have done minimal damage──but then.

──Crackle!

As her right dagger sliced toward the vampire’s neck, the contact point flared brightly, sparking as if igniting.