Chapter 172: Grudge Match - I

Nikolai walked towards the teleporting pad, his eyes closed while breathing slowly. He didn't feel the pressure, thanks to Selene's mention of reward and their cuddle on the sofa. Yet, he wondered what made her so aggressive.

'Well it was quite an erotic offer... Is it because of Nikita, or Risa?'

'Since she probably knew about Risa, it made more sense.'

"I should make it up to them both, later."

He could feel the atmosphere of the arena from here, their shouts and cheers. Almost all the vampire nobles came to watch the match.

With a deep breath, he looked back at the space where Selene had sat earlier, but now she had left to join her family in the Tepes booth.

Nikolai brushed his fingers across his lips and couldn't help but feel the sticky sensation of Selene's lip gloss.

'I can still feel the warmth of her lips...'

Brrrrr—!

Suddenly, he felt his phone tremble several times, though he wanted to ignore them before the battle. Nikolai shrugged and pulled it out, looking at the two senders...

A smile came to his lips.

——

[From Alphonse Veran Báthory]

Hello, Nikolai

It is my pleasure to see your gradual growth. Tonight, you face quite a tough opponent, but I believe you will show me a wonderful sight.

I hope you win without too many wounds.

Just know that you are the pride of our family, no matter what path or choice you follow.

Alphonse

—

[From Dad]

It seems my son will become a true man tonight!

Fighting for the women he loves, although you are a little naughty with two of them! Dad supports you no matter what you do!

Make sure you visit Nagisa and meet the young girl I sent there to help with your current situation. Kumiko is just like you, although not a hybrid. It is the strange blood you inherited.

Her clan carries a bloodline that used to serve as a balance to the males who inherited our progenitor's cursed blood.

I promise to come home as soon as I can.

Thanks to the link between Nexus planets. I am here tonight and watching you closely!

Show me your growth, my lovely son.

——

[From Risa]

I know you might feel awkward receiving my message tonight... but I hope you do not get hurt and beat the bastard who insulted you.

Even if I cannot mean the same as Nikita and Selene to you, I will continue to support you from the shadows.

xxx

—

The last message came and instantly brought a smile to Nikolai's face. He didn't realise how much Risa began to grow on him compared to her past cheeky and arrogant messages. This one being so kind made his heart flutter.

'You shouldn't put yourself down that way...'

'Without her help in the tower, could I still feel this confident facing Alistair?'

"Well... I can only do my best."

Nikolai walked into the portal and counted down in his head slowly. The distant chanting and voices echoed from the arena as the final undercard match ended with a bloody death.

'Let's get ready.'

***

Meanwhile, inside the arena, the staff scraped the dead vampire off the ground with metal tools, an atmosphere causing the entire arena to tremble in excitement.

"Oh~ my dear lovelies, tonight is such a wonderful evening of blood, violence and money~ fufu, are you ready? The main event is about to begin, and I am your beloved host!"

"OOOH QUEEN TSUKINO!"

"Marry me Tsukino!"

"Take my money!"

The black arachne's eyes narrowed in delight—her most beloved thing in the world was money, and her second favourite thing was blood.

"Tonight, we watch a battle of complete misproportion!"

"A wonderful vampire noble from the Faust family, his handsome looks and talented blood magic know by all! The Challenger, Alistair Faust!"

"I love you, Alistair!"

"Show us some magic!"

A handsome young man appeared in the teleporting ring; his hair was as dark as coal, yet eyes like burning red fire stared ahead. Alistair's appearance caused many women in the crowd to scream out in delight.

He held the weapon he used against the other opponents, a blood whip that could stretch and bend at his will. It could easily slice through bone and flesh.

The Faust house, known for its blood magic, was one of the most powerful families in the capital. Yet their true powers lay in alchemy and creating customised weapons using the blood of monsters and various races.

Alistair was their second son, who didn't have the right to inherit until Maximilian messed up. However, he was a genius who could control blood magic from a young age. His skill and ability to control blood made him famous in the Nexus world, even though he had yet to achieve anything significant.

He was a contender for the Faust family and was formerly one of the suitors seeking Selene Aria Tepes.

"Now! The one who fights an uphill battle, a rookie and a new member of the monster world. Son of the famed werewolf Ivan Volkov! The Werewolf, Nikolai Volkov!"

Nikolai appeared from the teleporter and walked forward towards the arena, but the crowd seemed mixed during his approach.

His aura was cold, yet a smirk on his face seemed to mock the vampire in front of him.

"Hey... isn't he really sexy?"

A female voice echoed from the crowd before suddenly, more and more voices began to agree. Their cheers started to increase, but Alistair could only laugh.

"I thought I was fighting a beast, but you are just a little dog!"

The crowd laughed at his joke, yet a few vampires didn't seem to enjoy his humour. Those were mainly the Báthory house, who looked down on the arena with displeased expressions, and the Tepes royal family, who knew more about the young man now.

Vladimir watched Nikolai with an intense glare; he was sizing up his daughter's lover, and Dimitri, the leader of the Fenrir clan, also did the same for his daughter Nikita.

"A rumoured ladies man, charming countless women in the monster world... a beast in the sheets, conquering the princess of Tepes and the white wolf Nikita! Can he overcome the difference and find victory here?" Searᴄh the Nôvelƒire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.

Tsukino spoke once again, her words causing the arena to erupt in cheers.

"Ah~ the scent of money is so intoxicating~"

She whispered, licking her lips while holding her hand out and catching the imaginary money that flew out from the arena.

"Place your bets, and prepare for action!"

Nikolai closed his eyes, and with no weapons, he stood with silver hair down to his shoulders—a few weeks since he trimmed it. Yet the hair looked identical to his father's.

'Are you watching me, father?'

'This is a show of my admiration for you, the man who protected me even after losing my mother and most of your power.'

'I want to be as strong as you...'

'For Selene...'

'Nikita...'

'And for Risa.'

'So they will never leave me, and I have to make them feel safe...'

'And someone like me... their kind and gentle affection. Is something that I do not deserve.'

'But I won't fall or give up trying!'

He stepped forward, the betting overwhelmingly in favour of Alistair, who also moved closer, his whip snapping against the ground. He tore apart the floor, a smirk on his face.

Nikolai's eyes slowly opened, revealing a pair of pure black eyes. The arena erupted in cheers, but a chill ran down Alistair's spine.

"What is that...?"

In those eyes, Nikolai could see the fear of the vampire, his arrogant smirk fading. Instead of becoming overconfident...

Nikolai doubled up and would never underestimate this noble.

He was a vampire, a natural predator, one of the most feared races in the world.

Their powers were unique and versatile. Still, Nikolai's father taught him that vampires were not the only monsters to be wary of.

Not to mention, the natural predator of vampires was the werewolf... and he was a hybrid with both bloodlines.

'You will find those who are strong, and those who are weak, no matter what race.'

'Today, my secret should become revealed to those noble clans.'

'How will my future change?'

A feeling of excitement filled his body, black blood, the obsidian tide surging through his veins.

Nikolai watched the countdown timer. Black blood coursed through Nikolai's limbs, ready for an explosive transformation.

The moment the fight began, he wouldn't take his time and would open with a violent and aggressive assault.

"Are you READY?!" The arachne queen's voice echoed, the timer ticking down to the last few moments before the end.

"Three!"

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Nikolai's legs became thicker, and his clothes stretched to accommodate his growing muscles.

"Two!"

His silver hair began to turn black, growing longer, while a blue light spread through his pupils, and his limbs increased in muscle mass. The black blood started to convert his body Into an apex predator with hulking black claws and legs. It was the first time he had transformed both legs and arms!

"One!"

BOOM—!

Alistair formed dozens of bloody spears, yet the moment Nikolai stepped off the ground.

The force created a small crater and sonic boom before his body vanished from sight due to high speed. Then he appeared a few steps from Alistair, with his fist already swinging with a powerful swipe, with sharp silver claws.

However, the vampire could only react in time because of preparation.

The sound of a loud crash and a shockwave of wind caused the entire arena to go silent. The blood spears shattered, destroyed by the silver claws coated in black aura. Then, despite creating a shield of blood in front of himself.

"H-How..."

Alistair's eyes widened in shock, his cheek slowly revealing four slices growing larger as his skin began to pour with blood, the flesh not regenerating.

Meanwhile, Nikolai's body slid back through the dirt, creating a large smokescreen hiding his figure.

The first clash was his overwhelming victory.