Chapter 158: First Act 28: Evadne's Thirst

"So, you're saying a masked man, monster-like creature is hunting you guys?"

"Y-yes!"

At first, Evadne found it ridiculous how Katia described the being that was chasing after them. A masked monster? Aside from the occasional orcs and goblins wearing helms, and their respective shamans wearing masks, the way Katia described what was chasing them was undoubtedly human.

A cloaked figure, a muscular build with tinge bronze skin, and purple eyes that glowed along with his sinister purple aura.

No matter how much Evadne thought about it, all the things she described were just traits of a very powerful aura master. The only difference being its monstrous voice and sinister aura.

"That sounds like a powerful aura master. Are you sure it's not just a skilled mage or someone proficient in dark magic?" Evadne questioned, trying to rationalize the description.

The labyrinthine nature of the dungeon was known for harboring formidable opponents, both monstrous and human.

"But the voice, the aura... It felt more like a monster than a human. And the way it attacked Liam, it was brutal and ruthless," Katia explained, her eyes reflecting the fear she had experienced.

Evadne frowned, pondering the situation. A skilled aura master disguising themselves as a monster? It sounded both peculiar and unsettling.

Not to mention, the wounds she noticed on Liam all indicated that it was a human who had attacked them after all.

No monster could leave such dense magical scent all over the wounds on Liam's body, unless it were a dragon—which, as far as she knew, didn't exist here in the dungeon.

Even if a dragon polymorphed and entered the dungeon, there would be no chance that it would escape the watchful gaze and senses of the professors, especially Principal Victoria, who was a certified Archon.

Whatever magic was fired at the two in front of her, the density of its traces indicated that it was a mage with at least a similar level of power to the principal.

But still...

It was a bit hard to believe. She herself didn't notice such a presence entering. Aside from the sudden high mana fluctuation that led her here, there was no other evidence.

However, seeing Katia's and Liam's situation, she still had to consider it as being the truth for now.

After all, whatever it was that suddenly entered the dungeon, they had already encountered firsthand and even sustained some injuries in the process.

Tsk... Evadne clicked her tongue in annoyance as she realized she ended up involving herself in trouble. Although Evadne could just leave the two of them here and go back to her business, now that she had already met them, it made it hard for her to leave, especially knowing that she could probably change their fate.

"Where is that blue-haired junior when you need him?" Evadne mumbled, thinking about Tristan. She truly wanted to pass this burden to that nosy kid, as she was sure that guy would gladly help these two out. Sighing, Evadne clicked her tongue again.

"S-senior...?" Katia called out to her in nervousness, and judging from the way she was looking at Evadne, she was truly afraid of being left behind.

"For now, follow me; let's get out of here first."

"W-what about Jasmine and Crystal?"

"Forget about them. Based on how you described the monster you met, the two of them are probably dead. It would be best if we get some help from the professors first and assess the situation if possible." Suddenly, Evadne got closer to Liam, carrying him like a piece of rice sack. Evadne gestured for Katia to follow her.

TING...!!!

SWOOSH....!

A loud piercing sound suddenly engulfed their ears before a gust of wind blew just a few inches from Evadne's head. A streak of purplish-white light traced through the dimming dungeon as the continued trace of the strike made a huge explosion in the distance.

Turning her head in shock, Evadne looked behind her, only to see a devilish smile on a masked figure. The coated figure pointed its fingers at her, while a pale purple smoke dissipated from its fingertips.

'If I didn't react fast enough, my head and this guy on my shoulder would've probably died just now.'

Slowly, the figure walked closer to her.

"Haha...." Evadne let out a faint laugh. "Hey junior, take the kid and call for the professors," said Evadne as she tossed Liam to Katia. The masked figure continued to approach, its sinister aura growing stronger with each step.

Evadne prepared herself for another attack, her hand subtly reaching for the weapons on her back.

"W-what about you, Senior?"

"Don't worry about me, just go!" Evadne declared with determination. In her left hand, she wielded a great sword, while a battle axe rested in her right. Though an unconventional weapon combination, for Evadne, a master and expert in nearly every known weapon, it was an easy choice.

"P-please be careful, Senior...!" Katia pleaded as she quickly ran away, carrying Liam behind her. Tears welled up in her eyes as she cast one last worried look over her shoulder at Evadne.

'Be careful?' Evadne almost burst out laughing at the idea of someone worrying about her. It had been so long since anyone had expressed concern for her well-being. But, oddly enough, she found that it wasn't such a bad feeling after all.

The masked figure continued its relentless advance, the palpable aura of malevolence surrounding it creating an almost suffocating atmosphere. Evadne, however, welcomed the challenge with open arms, relishing the surge of adrenaline that pumped through her veins.

The dense purple aura emitted by the masked figure's body seemed to defy the laws of the dungeon. It was an otherworldly power, one that Evadne hadn't encountered before. The claws of aura forming on its fingertips hinted at an ominous intent, sending shivers down the spines of those who dared witness the confrontation.

In the face of this overwhelming power, Evadne's own aura, normally a force to be reckoned with, paled in comparison. Yet, an indomitable fire burned within her. The thrill of facing an opponent that surpassed her own abilities only heightened her excitement.

As the masked figure closed in, Evadne's heart raced, her senses heightened to their limits. Goosebumps adorned her skin, a testament to the raw energy pulsating through the dungeon air. She could feel the malevolence, the hunger for a challenge emanating from the mysterious opponent.

Sniff...!

Sniff......!

Hearing the sniffing and crying from both Crystal and Jasmine, a sudden sinister idea came to my mind.

"Schwi."

"Yes, Master?"

"Turn these two."

"I'm afraid I can only make two kin right now, Master. Any more than that, and I would lose my control over them."

"No, you misunderstand. I don't want you to turn them into vampires. Turn them into ghouls instead. You can do that, right?"

"Yes......"

My smile couldn't leave my covered face as I stared at the two crying ladies. They all screamed in fear as Schwi's dark claws cut their throats. They shivered and quivered as the venom in Schwi's hands slowly turned them into the living dead.

Ah, I wonder what face he'll make seeing these lovely creatures tear through his flesh.

'Ah, I can't wait~!'

....

Walking slowly while humming, I was in a really good mood as I followed the two ghouls in front of me.

Even though Ghouls were just upgraded zombies, as they mostly retained the strength of when they were alive, their intelligence was that of a 3-year-old child; they could understand but not enough.

Fortunately, their creator's words were absolute to them. So, when I asked Schwi to order them to hunt Liam, they immediately tried to find him the moment they sniffed Liam's severed arm.

Hm~! hhm~! hm~!

Humming while making way there, my tracks stopped as the two ghouls suddenly halted.

"What's wrong?"

I tried asking, but as expected, they didn't reply.

Well, what did I expect? Looking in front of where they stopped, I scrutinized my eyes, trying to see in the distance.

Just as expected, Liam was there, unconscious on the ground, and Katia was also there, crying in front of a red-haired woman.

As I was quite far away, I couldn't tell who it was just by looking at her back. Is that why those two stopped? I pondered as I observed the two ghouls.

Although they were emotionless, they refused to move forward, like wild animals aware of the territory of a monstrous beast.

Were they afraid of the red-haired woman? Seriously, how pathetic......

Sighting my targets, I leaped and got closer.

I was around 200 meters away from them now. Seeing as they still hadn't noticed me, now would be the perfect time to strike.

Gathering and condensing my mana into the size of a bullet, I fired off the mana bullet at their retreating figures.

'Well, isn't she quite good, despite being a few meters away she actually dodged my mana bullet? Even Kaksan couldn't dodge it'

Walking closer to them, I condensed my mana claws, preparing for close combat.

However, as I slowly approached, I began to realize who it was that was helping them.

'Haha... maybe I shouldn't have done that?'

I quickly realized it was senior Evadne that I was facing.

Suddenly everything became bright as if the morning sun raised itself in the dungeon everything was suddenly hot as senior Evadne's aura surged out of her body.

Her devilish grin made me gulp the drying saliva inside my mouth.

Before I knew it....

A FUCKING SUN WAS RIGHT ACROSS MY FACE NOW!!!

"HAHAHAHA!" she laughed maniacally, like a drug addict having the time of their lives.

'THIS FUCKING! STOP LAUGHING, YOU BATTLE-CRAZED MANIAC!'