Chapter 138

Chapter 138

"Protect the Empire" is a brutal game.

Not only because one couldnt undo their mistakes, but also because it assigned ranks to humans.

Rankings.

They classified a humans worth as SSR-SR-R-N.

The resources of this game are limited. Equipment, items, experience points, they are unequivocally finite.

To clear the game, one must distribute them efficiently.

Ultimately, higher-ranking characters possessing superior talents get the concentration of resources.

They receive the best equipment, gain priority in item acquisition, and scoop up the experience points.Cheêck out latest novels at novelhall.com

A disparity is created.

Between higher-ranking and lower-ranking characters, an unbridgeable gap forms.

The difference in talent is real. Its an indisputable fact.

However, what makes this difference crucial is, ultimately, the players choice.

While high-ranking characters become the protagonists on stage, hailed as the worlds saviors,

The majority of the low-rankers, particularly the lowest-ranking N-rank characters,

Are used and discarded as meat shields, cannon fodder, bullet sponges... without even a decent opportunity.

They exit to the backstage from the shadows, lonely, after death, injury, or in even worse states.

...

That is but one facet of the countless brutalities this game possesses.

***

Therefore, N-rank must prove themselves.

They get only one chance.

High-ranking characters may fail repeatedly and still receive opportunities, but such favors do not extend to N-ranks.

The moment they are thrown onto the battlefield.

They must seize that first and last chance.

Their usefulness.

Their value.

Their worth of life.

They must show it.

They have to show the whole world that they are not just meat shields, cannon fodder, or bullet sponges.

To move out of the shadows and into the light.

Because everyone wants to be in the spotlight.

Everyone wants to be the protagonist.

Everyone...

Everyone harbors such dreams while living.

***

In the grand battle against vampires, the number of humans is meaningless.

Rather, they simply become the means for the monsters to replenish their health.

Its better to face them with a small, elite group rather than general soldiers.

That was Ashs instruction, and Lucas thought it made sense.

While Ash was single-handedly facing the Vampire King, Lucas took over the command of the front line.

Lucas planned to prepare for battle with a hero party while ordering the general soldiers to retreat to the rear lines as the vampires crawled up the walls.

However, the vampires arrived at the walls before the general soldiers could finish retreating.

"Theres plenty."

Seeing the throngs of humans on the wall, the vampires - no, the predators - collectively swallowed their saliva.

"When was the last time we had such a feast?"

"The humans of Lake Kingdom were all fallen corpses, so they didnt taste good."

"Lets suck up fresh blood to our hearts content."

"..."

Crunch.

Facing the monsters drooling and babbling in anticipation, Lucas tightened his grip on his sword.

He couldnt let them attack the general soldiers.

To a vampire, blood and life are logistical supplies.

The damage on our side becomes their gain. We have to minimize the casualties of the general soldiers.

However,

... I cant stop them all at once.

Lucas glanced at the two vampires dressed as butlers and maids.

Alpha and Beta.

Vampire General - right below the vampire lord, the highest-ranking entities, the vampire generals.

Our core forces have to deal with these two.

He had conducted training in advance assuming the enemies would be Alpha and Beta. He couldnt change the squad now.

In the end, those who have to stop the five regular vampires are,

"Knight! Leave it to us!"

"...Dion."

They are the surplus soldiers who couldnt become elites.

Watching Dion and his five subordinates step forward, Lucas let out a sigh. Dion raised his voice.

Crunch-!

And their necks, bitten off.

The five vampires buried their heads in human necks and disgustingly sucked blood.

The five regular soldiers who became victims died without even being able to scream.

"Ah..."

A vampire, dripping blood from his mouth, murmured faintly.

"Not enough, its not enough..."

Throwing the human corpse that had dried up like an old tree haphazardly onto the ground, the vampire turned its body to find its next prey.

"Ugh...!"

"Ill buy us time, you guys retreat quickly!"

The leader of the Twilight Brigade hoisted his war hammer and yelled, his cry echoing through the battlefield, the old mans last words.

Crash!

A vampire clad in armor brought his long sword down.

The leaders war hammer of the Twilight Brigade shattered under the blow.

Not just that, from shoulder to waist was sliced in a diagonal sweep.

"Cough...hack."

For the old soldier who joined at Stage 2 and had directed the regular troops through four defenses, his end was both hollow and cruel.

His severed body fell backward. The vampire that killed the old soldier bent down and greedily swallowed the fresh blood.

"Damn you!"

"These damn monsters dare to... our captain...!"

Seeing this, the other old soldiers of the Twilight Brigades eyes flared in rage.

Soldiers who were retreating simultaneously drew their weapons and turned back.

"This is not the time! Retreat! We need to retreat! Damn it, you all!"

Dion yelled till his throat was raw.

"Retreat!"

But his cries fell on deaf ears. Enraged by their captains death, the soldiers abandoned their retreat and rushed at the vampires.

Of course, the old soldiers knew.

They had been through countless battles and knew well there was no chance of winning if they charged the vampires.

But in the face of their lifelong captains death.

To turn their eyes from death and run toward life, they were simply too old for that.

And they had to pay the price.

Thump! Thud! Thump...

A massacre ensued.

For decades, these old soldiers who had stained the walls of this place with monster blood, now stained it with their own.

In no time, the top of the wall turned into a field of corpses. Above it, the vampires held their feast.

Blood.

Flesh.

Greedily swallowing and chewing, they indulged.

"This... this is..."

In front of the death of those they had been so close to just yesterday.

Even the cold-heartedness of Dions mercenaries was evaporating. Hesen, the warrior who was in charge of the vanguard, was the first to lose his reason to rage.

"You damn, blood-sucking bastards!"

"No, Hesen! If you go alone...!"

Hesen kicked the ground and charged at the nearest vampire.

"Hold the line! Keep calm! Damn it, Hesen!"

Dion reached out to grab the back of Hesens head, but it was too late.

"Aaaaaahhh!"

With his silver sword in hand, Hesen charged forward and brought his sword down on the vampire before him.

Hesens level was 25.

He had cut down countless monsters in that dungeon which was akin to hell.

Perhaps he was confident deep down. No matter if the enemy was a vampire, he believed he could at least land one hit.

Clang!

But his sword struck not the vampire, but the empty ground.

Huh?

As a puzzled Hesen lifted his head.

The vampires surrounded him, as though they had been waiting for him.

Yes, no other expression would have been more accurate.

They surrounded him, waiting for him to charge out, and then they grinned, revealing their sharp, blood-stained fangs.

"Damn, shit..."

Thump! Thud!

The swords and claws of the vampires pierced through the gaps in Hesens armor.

Coughing blood from his mouth, Hesen turned his head to Dion and his comrades with great difficulty, murmuring weakly.

"Im sorry, guys."

The next moment, five vampires simultaneously sunk their fangs into Hesens neck.