Seeker 378

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Chapter 376. Servant And Coffin

"Uuuuuuh──Gaaaahhhhh!"

The adventurer of the Wolf Fang Clan, now a servant of the vampire, charged at us with a deep, roaring howl.

A mere ten meters—practically within arm’s reach.

No time to think, not even a few seconds.

What to do.

If we close the door for a moment, can we catch our breath?

No—

I leapt into the room, standing directly against the vampire's servant who attacked with fury.

"I'll hold this one back! Kazane, Yuzuki, Griff, destroy the coffin!"

The vampire's servant raised a battle axe and brought it down.

I blocked it with my shield and pushed back with all my strength.

The former female adventurer of the Wolf Fang Clan staggered under the force.

"“Understood!”"

"Qraaah!"

Kazane and Griff rushed past us toward the coffin.

In the rear, Yuzuki was also preparing a ranged attack.

The vampire's servant turned their attention toward Kazane and Griff as they moved past, showing a moment of hesitation before pivoting back to defend the coffin.

"Quite bold of you to turn away!"

I threw my divine spear aside, released the grip on my shield, and lunged at the vampire's servant.

First, I seized the axe and wrenched it away by force, casting it aside.

Then I grappled the startled vampire servant, pinning them down with brute strength.

"Graaah! Gaaahhhh!"

The fallen former adventurer of the Wolf Fang Clan thrashed wildly, trying to escape my hold.

But I had the upper hand in strength.

Even becoming a vampire's servant didn't grant more power.

Against my current strength, that of a level 25 adventurer equivalent, they stood no chance.

Although I noted the awkwardness of pinning a female opponent, this wasn't the time for such thoughts.

"Stay down quietly now─ouch!"

"Gaaaahh!"

Pinned down, the vampire's servant sank their sharp fangs into my neck.

The teeth barely pierced my Gaia Armor, causing a sharp pain.

"Nggh, Graaahhh!"

I felt something akin to vitality being drained where I was bitten.

However, the damage seemed manageable over several minutes.

The vampire's servant desperately tried to deal severe damage to escape, biting repeatedly but failing to break free of my hold.

"Senpai, it’s done!"

I heard Yuzuki's voice.

Looking ahead, I saw the shattered remnants of the coffin beneath Kazane and Griff fading into black mist.

"Good, use the adventurer's rope! Let's bind this one!"

"Understood!"

Kazane summoned the rope for restraining adventurers from the [Item Box].

With the rope in hand, she rushed toward me.

There was a brief struggle.

But with three seekers, each over level 55, restraining a single level 25 opponent posed little trouble. We successfully tied them with the rope.

The vampire's servant squirmed like a cocooned caterpillar before us, and we let out a sigh of relief.

"Senpai, is your neck okay? You won't turn into a vampire, right?"

Yuzuki asked worriedly.

Besides the physical damage, I did feel a bit drained.

I checked my status and saw my HP indicator flashing at "443/456."

"No worries. I won't turn into a vampire."

"If you say so…eek!"

I patted Yuzuki’s head over her hat, making her squeak.

Incidentally, my original max HP was 468.

Vampires and their servants have the special ability [Bloodsuck], which reduces max HP along with standard damage from a bite attack.

This reduction reportedly recovers after about an hour of rest.

Although it’s called [Bloodsuck], they don’t seem to actually drink blood.

It feels more like energy drain.

The name is somewhat misleading.

"What’s next, Daichi-kun? Shall we rest for an hour before continuing?"

Kazane asked.

After a moment's thought, I replied.

"No, this is manageable. Taking time here might raise other concerns."

Many uncertainties remained.

We didn’t know if destroying the coffin had alerted the vampire leader.

Unsure of the enemy's location or movements, I decided swift action was best.

I used healing magic to recover some damage, though my max HP was still reduced.

We confirmed again that the restrained vampire’s servant couldn’t escape.

Leaving them in the basement, we headed upstairs.

By luck or fate, two of our problems were resolved.

Now, we only had to deal with the vampire itself.

It was likely hiding on the second or third floor.

Our tension rose with each step.