Chapter 39: Chapter 39
The summer night was stiflingly warm, and even the faint breeze failed to bring any relief from the oppressive heat.
"Sir Alex, come back soon," Vanessa said sweetly, standing obediently at the door. She watched as Alex changed his shoes at the entrance, preparing to head out into the night.
"You stay at home and don't go outside, understand?"
Alex's gaze was serious as he looked at Vanessa. Only after she nodded obediently did he feel reassured enough to close the door. He ensured she locked it from inside. Naturally, he had already double-checked to make sure all the doors and windows were securely fastened.
The news and warning he had received earlier in the day from the Punisher had dampened his initial impulse to immediately confront the vampires. His caution stemmed from his concern for Vanessa's safety.
However, that didn't mean Alex planned to stay cooped up at home all night as the Punisher had suggested. On the contrary, he decided to roam the streets of Chinatown. Vampires treated humans, particularly young and beautiful women, as food, while Alex viewed vampires—and sinners—as his sustenance. If they dared appear in his territory, Alex wouldn't hesitate to make them experience the same predation, ensuring they'd taste a hell far worse than their own practices.
"Phew, what a hot night!"
Exhaling, Alex slipped his hands into his pockets and strolled leisurely out of the courtyard, stepping into the street beyond.
He wasn't carrying his adamantium sword tonight, opting instead for a smaller dagger of the same material. A katana was too conspicuous; even in gun-and-weapon-lenient America, walking around with a katana would invite police scrutiny, which would only hinder his hunt for vampires.
The streetlights in front of the house were bright, but the surroundings were eerily silent, with not a soul in sight. A faint breeze stirred the air, carrying an eerie, ghostly wail that sounded like the lament of a banshee.
"Woo...woo..."
Alex chuckled softly and walked on without a care, gradually disappearing into the distance.
As the clock struck midnight, the main streets were still bustling with activity. Shirtless men sat in groups along the roadside, drinking beer and eating barbecue, the lively scene filled with laughter and chatter.
Alex frowned at the sight and turned toward a dimly lit alley in the "slum" area nearby.
Though vampires were supernatural beings stronger than humans, they still didn't dare to openly reveal themselves in a human-dominated world. Dimly lit, poorly policed areas were their preferred hunting grounds, making them the most likely spots for Alex to encounter his prey.
As Alex wandered aimlessly through the increasingly desolate streets, an unsettling silence began to permeate the air—a quiet so oppressive that it evoked an inexplicable sense of unease.
The deeper into the night he went, the darker the streets became, and the shadows grew thicker. Finally, at the end of a main road, Alex turned into a narrow alley.
The light in the alley was even dimmer than outside. The surrounding brick buildings were sturdy but utterly devoid of aesthetic appeal.
Frowning, Alex grew impatient with his aimless search. Without hesitation, he activated his "Clairvoyance" ability, expanding his perception outward to scan the area.
"?!"
As soon as Clairvoyance activated, Alex spotted something a hundred meters ahead—a group of people in a dimly lit alley appeared to have cornered someone.
"A woman?"
His brows furrowed as he quickened his pace toward the scene.
Throughout history, whenever thugs surrounded a woman, their motives were usually either money or lust. But Alex immediately realized this group was different.
They were after blood—specifically, the untainted blood of a virgin.
As Alex drew closer, even without Clairvoyance, he could clearly see the situation. A group of men in designer clothing surrounded a trembling young Asian girl crouched on the ground. Their sinister grins revealed sharp fangs, marking them unmistakably as vampires.
These were the predators Alex had been seeking.
The vampires, noticing Alex's approach, seemed to lose patience with the girl. The leader sneered and reached out toward her.
Alex's lips curled into a bloodthirsty grin as he strode forward.
"Praise be to God! Look what I've found—vampires!"
His sudden voice startled the group of vampires, freezing their movements and momentarily diffusing the tension. Even the terrified girl looked up at Alex, her eyes filled with a mixture of fear and desperate hope.
Alex crossed his arms and stood casually. "You bloodsuckers dare to cause trouble here? Are you tired of living and ready to meet your ancestor, Cain?"
One of the vampires quickly snapped out of his shock. "Foolish human! How dare you insult us? Cain isn't our ancestor—the great Lilith is!"
"Huh?" Alex raised an eyebrow in genuine surprise.
Most of what Alex knew about vampires came from anime or online novels, which frequently cited Cain as their progenitor. Now, hearing these vampires dispute that was unexpectedly jarring.
Unbeknownst to Alex, Cain's association with vampires originated from fanfiction and speculative fiction. In the real world, there was no biblical reference to Cain becoming a vampire. Conversely, Lilith—the demoness queen from ancient Babylonian mythology and Adam's supposed first wife—was indeed regarded as the progenitor of vampires in many supernatural legends.
"You don't even know our history, yet you dare to call yourself a vampire hunter?" one vampire mocked, laughing with his companions.
Alex clicked his tongue, not out of anger but sheer irritation at having been misled by countless online stories.
"Listen up, boy," the leader sneered, stepping forward with an arrogant grin. "I'll give you a chance. Join us, and we'll show mercy by turning you into one of the blood race. Immortality awaits you. What do you say?"
"Immortality without sunlight? No thanks," Alex shot back with biting sarcasm.
"You bastard!"
The vampires snarled, their faces twisting with rage. Sunlight was their Achilles' heel—a constant reminder of their limitations.
"Die!"
With a roar, the vampires lunged at Alex, their sharp claws gleaming as they aimed to tear him apart. Even the frightened girl was momentarily forgotten as they turned their bloodlust entirely on him.
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