Chapter 260:
“Ding!”
The student player Miaomiao Shark, who was practicing flying in the dark night, had just taken off by flapping his Blood Wings when a quest trigger sound came from his Computation Bead. He looked down in the darkness and saw a very strange quest refresh:
【Racial event ‘Vampire: Dancing with Wolves’ has been triggered!
Event description: The vanguard of the Blood Vulture Clan’s ancient enemy, the Wolfsbane vampires, is approaching Crimson Citadel. The berserkers from the Greyclaw Clan firmly believe in the weakness of the Blood Vultures. They want to put an end to the ancient grudge tonight and completely erase the Blood Vultures from vampire history.
Of course, this is not just a war about clan grudges; it’s also about power, prestige, and a future that cannot be abandoned.
This is a struggle between ambitions!
And you!
As a young member of the Blood Vulture Clan, you must respond to this call of blood and participate in the interception of the enemy with supreme courage!
This is a responsibility you cannot avoid.
Event objective: Enter the city sewers and fight and hunt down all Wolfsbane elites who have entered Crimson Citadel until they are defeated or surrender.Event rewards: Vampire Blood Vulture Clan reputation ‘Clan Knight’ title granted, vampire special gameplay ‘Blood Spirit Capture’ unlocked, Thorn Clan reputation shop opened, Blood Pact Clan reputation shop opened.
Event failure punishment: Revnor Murphy Lessenbra dies in battle, Blood Vulture Clan exists in name only, control of Crimson Citadel and Transia changes hands to the Wolfsbane Clan.
Developer’s note!
This event is a test session for the ‘Racial Main Quest’ storyline. The above rewards can only be obtained by official members of the Blood Vulture Clan.
Non-Blood Vulture Clan members can participate in the battle as ‘allies’ and pick up drops, but cannot receive corresponding rewards for the racial main quest.
Developer’s note!
This event is the beginning of the ‘Racial Main Quest’ gameplay. Different racial main quests will be launched successively in the game process for players of different races to play.】
“Damn? Suddenly pulling this intense stunt?”
Miaomiao Shark, who was floating back and forth in the air, hurriedly folded his wings and glided towards the sewer. He kept accelerating in the air, and when he finally landed, he saw that all the vampire players had already arrived.
In addition to the first batch of twelve Blood Vulture elites, there were more than 30 people who joined the clan in the second batch. As one of the two mainstream power systems in the current game, vampires were still very attractive.
Although other players didn’t trigger the racial main quest “Dancing with Wolves”, they had already received the news and were rushing back to Crimson Citadel.
Although this matter nominally had nothing to do with these humans, the quest also said that they could participate in the battle as allies and pick up drops.
Isn’t this a coincidence?
A few days ago, a player posted a strategy on the forum that the special weapon Wolfsbane sword cane could be exchanged for an advanced sword technique from Lord Murphy. Now, interested players were looking for “wild elites” everywhere. As a result, more than 300 were spawned directly, averaging two per person with extras to spare!
Tsk tsk!
The development team is really considerate, isn’t it?
“Lord Murphy is here! The young lady and E-sister are both here! Even Captain Bonnie and little widow Mary are here! How come Count Andrei and the Archer Knight are also bringing people over? Damn, the Blood Vulture Clan is bringing the whole family in one go!
Except for Lady Tris sitting tight, all the other vampire NPCs are here. It’s a grand scene!
Quick, quick, call for people on the forum!
Tell those who just logged off to come back online and join the battle!”
The little players exclaimed.
In the sky before their eyes were blood-colored wings spread out. Currently, the number of NPCs in the Blood Vulture Clan was not large. Even counting the batch of members like the unfortunate Mary who were allowed to rejoin the clan, there were less than 60 people. Adding the vampire players, they were far outnumbered by the Wolfsbane Clan invaders.
However, the good news was that the Thorn Clan and Blood Pact Clan had also joined the battle, and the Blood Servants of all three sides were allowed to participate. Counting this way, the defenders had a slight advantage in numbers, but the fact that the opponents were all elites still made this battle very dangerous.
“Neigh, neigh”
The sound of war horses neighing came from the end of the street.
The gathered players turned their heads and saw Guildmaster Natalie from the Adventurer’s Guild appear on the street, carrying her famous greatsword on her back.
Femis saw her approaching and raised her hand to stop her. Hovering in the air, she shook her head and said in a deep voice:
“Thank you for your kindness, but this is vampire internal affairs! Witch Hunters cannot participate.”
“We didn’t intend to participate. Many Witch Hunters said that if you all died in the sewers, it would be the most perfect ending for tonight. Of course, I don’t think this statement is correct,” Natalie replied, riding on her warhorse Maple Leaf:
“We will guard the sewer exits. Regardless of the outcome of tonight’s battle, Witch Hunters cannot allow Wolfsbane vampires to harm innocent people on this land. Old Eugene and Grandma Marianne have already set out. You can go down without worries.
Leave the ground to us.”
“Your words sound strange, as if urging us to depart. Don’t worry, Guildmaster Natalie, even if I have to crawl, I will crawl back to continue leading this land.
My fate is now forever tied to Transia.”
Murphy shook his head but didn’t say much more.
He turned back to look at his increasingly gathered player warriors. He wanted to say a few more words to boost morale, but in this situation, the atmosphere had already naturally reached its peak, no longer needing him to give a pre-battle speech.
So Murphy announced in a brief, deep voice:
“Members of the Blood Vulture Clan! In the name of Grand Duchess Tris, follow me into the sewers! Until the last of us returns to eternal rest, the territory of the Blood Vulture Clan will not allow other clans to taint it!”
“Kill them all!”
Cheche and Ah Yuen waved their weapons and screamed, and other vampire players also responded, as if at this moment they had truly become loyal elites of the Blood Vulture Clan.
It was as if a new group had formed within the player community.
Using identity labels to divide people is a very bad behavior, but you have to admit that when a group has some commonalities that everyone recognizes, their unity will greatly increase.
“Hohoho, today I, Giant Shark, will slaughter for the Night Mother with my teeth!”
In the crowd, a peculiarly styled bald vampire carrying a huge weapon raised both hands and howled, making other vampire NPCs look at him with strange expressions.
Well, for vampires, a bald hairstyle is indeed a bit too avant-garde, and why does this guy look so crazy?
Is he perhaps Captain Bonnie’s descendant?
“Hey, say, you haven’t thrown away that unfortunate weapon yet?” Brother Stick stepped forward and teased:
“Isn’t it a bit too much for a vampire on an agility path to use such a heavy weapon?”
“Hehe, it’s for exercising the body, nothing to be ashamed of.” Giant Shark Uncle grinned and said proudly with his hands on his hips:
“I, Giant Shark, am a martial arts genius! Just yesterday, I was favored by Lord Kudel who taught me a set of Gale Fist techniques. I am the legendary first vampire monk!”
“You? The first?”
Sister Pomegranate, who was nearby, heard this and rolled her eyes, saying:
“Where do you put me then?”
“Oh my, how dare I compare myself to you? I, Giant Shark, will always be your loyal little brother.”
Giant Shark Uncle, who was just boasting proudly, immediately became submissive.
He might be a bit reckless, but he’s not stupid.
Although both of them had transformed into the rare Vampire Monk, his combat power was probably no match for a professional like Sister Pomegranate. He’d likely be taken down within 10 moves.
Both had received the secret manual of the Gale Fist from the Scattered Fighting Sect from Kudel, but the same set of fists in Sister Pomegranate’s hands was infinitely powerful and varied, while in his hands, Giant Shark Uncle’s moves were as threatening as a kitten’s paw.
“Tch, keep up! I’ll teach you something in a bit.”
Sister Pomegranate snapped her fingers, and the bald vampire Giant Shark Uncle immediately followed with a beaming smile.
“Can’t we really go down and join the battle?”
Some players were left guarding on the ground.
They were all members of the Avalon Church faction. The young lady had just explicitly stated that this was vampire internal affairs, and Witch Hunters couldn’t participate.
This reason made this group of players very frustrated, but Meow King didn’t mind. On the contrary, his eyes lit up as if he’d discovered a new continent, and he said to his brothers in his faction:
“If vampires have racial quests, then we humans must have them too, and I reckon Avalon Church might have similar main storyline conflicts later!
When that time comes, it’ll be our turn to carry the flag, and the vampire players will be drooling on the sidelines. You must always believe in the majesty of our God and the generosity of Avalon’s boss!
Besides, these vampires will definitely run out of the sewers.”
Meow King said with a sneer:
“Keep a close watch!
As soon as they run out, they’re our prey. At that time, no matter how many you kill, as long as you participate in the battle, you’ll get a share of the loot! I’ll personally distribute it this time.
We’re all church brothers, Avalon people don’t cheat Avalon people, and we won’t do that auction nonsense, but if you slack off…”
“Pah! Only dogs slack off.”
Feel You Poor, riding a manticore nearby, and his companion Bursting Belly chimed in.
They had just sent Life Is Pretty Good down to the sewers. That guy hadn’t joined the old church, theoretically still a free agent, and was already eager to try out his “Trickster” tactics. Along with him went a strange fellow named “Typal”, also an administrative player.
Well, that guy was really strange in every sense of the word.
——
“The ghouls have been disturbed!”
In the third level of the sewer cavern, as the Wolfsbane Clan and Gnoll barbarians entered in large numbers, those ghouls on the lower levels that hadn’t been fully dealt with once again became agitated as they smelled the scent of life.
These foul-smelling creatures rushed out in groups from the honeycomb-like rock walls, approaching the area where the Wolfsbane Clan and Gnoll vanguard were located.
“That’s not a problem we need to worry about.”
Korando didn’t even look at those disgusting ghouls ahead. He said:
“Leave them to the Gnolls to handle. Isn’t that why we brought them?”
“Father, those guys will run.”
Stander stepped forward and said to Korando:
“These Gnolls won’t fight to the death for our benefit.”
“No, they won’t run. They’ll stay here and fight for our benefit until the very end.”
Mark Korando gave a cold laugh.
A few seconds later, a muffled roar sounded from the tunnel behind. The Wolfsbane thugs who stayed behind used explosives to destroy the rear passage.
This completely cut off any possibility for the Gnoll barbarians to leave.
In the current situation, these elite Gnolls borrowed from Kenport had only one way to survive: to follow the vampires to the bitter end.
As expected of the Greyclaw faction, considered extreme even among the Wolfsbane Clan, they were not only harsh on themselves but even harsher on others.
“Move!”
At Korando’s command, he led the Greyclaw faction’s elites along the uneven cavern walls, nimbly rushing into the crevice between the third and second levels.
In the ancient sewer area ahead of the Wolfsbane Clan, Murphy and his clan vampires had already completed their defensive positions.
In the darkness of this sewer, Korando, holding his sword-cane, looked at those faces in the shadows ahead. He could clearly see that the opposing vampires were divided into two “camps”.
The NPCs all had grim faces, united against a common enemy, while the little players were itching for action, clenching their fists in anticipation.
Moreover, Korando not only saw the Blood Vulture Clan, but also the Thorn Clan standing with them, and most troublesome were the Blood Pact Bow Knights holding their war bows.
“No wonder you had the guts to set this trap!”
The Greyclaw leader said with a cold smile:
“So you have Lord Payne backing you up. But you don’t seem to be highly regarded by the Lord, Mr. Murphy. How come only one Silver Rank bow knight came?
Can I understand this to mean that in the Lord’s eyes, you and the Blood Vulture Clan are of little importance?”
“What you think doesn’t matter!”
Murphy stood at the defense line leading to the first level of the sewer, both hands resting on Necessary Evil. Facing Korando’s provocation and the intermittent wild howls of the Wolfsbane warriors in front, he said coldly:
“What matters is that we have all stepped into this fated place! Uninvited guests, please don’t mind the squalor of the Crimson Citadel’s sewers.
After all, by the standards of a tomb prepared for an ambitious person, it’s really quite perfect.”
As he spoke, Murphy took the sword-cane left by Joban from Maxim beside him.
He threw this first memorable weapon he had personally hunted right in front of Korando. The Blood Vulture lord said softly:
“I’m truly an unqualified vampire. I wasn’t able to follow the ancient tradition of delivering the news of your son’s death to you as his killer, adding another stroke to this ancient blood feud.
But better late than never.
I declare to you, Lord Korando, that your illegitimate son and blood descendant, Joban Marci Gongreau, died by my hand.”
“You should call him by his true surname, he’s a Korando!”
Korando bent down to pick up his son’s weapon, gripping the hilt to draw it out. He said:
“I’m also a Korando! My future family will also bear this name.
Gongreau is already an outdated past tense. As long as we seize victory tonight! Both the arrogance of Lessenbra and the decay of Gongreau will be buried in history!”
“Arrogant and boring ambition.”
Lady Femis commented:
“No wonder old Edward sent you here to die.”
“This is why you are an unqualified vampire, Femis.”
Murphy shook his head.
He raised Necessary Evil in his hand, its dim blade pointing straight ahead.
The entire sewer fell silent at this moment. Whether little players or wild Greyclaw descendants, all their gazes were focused on Murphy.
The Blood Vulture Count paused.
He said in a low voice, as if making a declaration:
“Ambition is a beautiful thing for us, it needs to be watered with fresh blood to bear the fruit of hope.”
“But hope never exists in the past, it only blooms in the future! Let the most outstanding ambitious ones cultivate it themselves.”
As if in response, the sword in Korando’s hand also pointed at Murphy at this moment. In the next instant as their eyes met, the most primitive and powerful core function of vampires, the blood thirst instinct, was activated simultaneously.
Blood Wings spread open in an instant, and wild claws extended in response.
The two were the leaders and vanguards of their respective factions. At the moment their weapons clashed, the sparks that flew were like droplets falling into gasoline, causing the descendants of both sides to let out a war cry in unison.
Like the collision of flood and fire, it completely ignited the chaotic and cruel war in this sunless place.
This was destined to be a war with only victors!
Because the winners would devour everything of the losers, skinning them to the bone and squeezing out the last delicious bits to strengthen themselves. There was no option to admit defeat, no possibility of surrender!
Only the one still standing after the last glimmer of blood fades would have the right to sip the wine of victory.
Just like the tragedy that the vampire clans have repeated for a thousand years on this land, betrayal, devouring, and conspiracy, the Night Mother seemed to never tire of this wonderful drama.
So fight!
Fight!
For equally outstanding ambitions, add another stroke to the ancient hatred on this night.