Chapter 208: The Vampire Bar

A heavy silence fell upon the Midnight Sons.

The mere mention of Lilith, the Mother of Demons, brought a shadow of dread over their faces, each member lost in their own thoughts. Time seemed to stretch on, the weight of her name lingering in the air like a storm on the horizon.

Finally, it was Blade who broke the stillness.

"No," He said, his voice as sharp as his resolve. "Lilith's children's are still lurking in the shadows. It's only a matter of time before she returns."

The others watched him intently as he continued. "But right now, the vampire threat is our most pressing concern. You've all heard of the Dragon Amulet, haven't you?"

His tone darkened as he recounted his discovery. "I stumbled upon it while hunting demons in Macau. The Amulet reeked of blood… I'm certain the vampires have caught its scent too."

Blade's voice, deep and resonant, carried an undertone of unease. Behind his ever-present sunglasses, his eyes flickered with something rare for him fear.

Vampires, he knew, were older than werewolves, ancient and cunning. Their power was woven through vast organizations and rigid hierarchies, with their numbers spread across the globe like a dark plague.

They emerged after nightfall, congregating in secretive bars and dens of vice. Blade had tried to wipe them out, but it was like trying to drain an ocean with a single bucket.

That was why he had sought out the Midnight Sons, why he had helped forge this unlikely alliance alongside the Voodoo Doctor. It was the only way to fight back against such overwhelming odds.

"Dragon Amulet…"

Orion's voice was calm, but his mind was churning. Something about all this felt… off to him.

Then, as if in response to his unease, a pleasant chime rang through his mind.

[Luck value +50]

[Luck value +50]

[Luck value +50]

The notification brought a sense of relief, a momentary balm to his troubled thoughts. Was Emilia fighting again?

The idea was comforting, even as he knew that the danger was far from over.

Orion's thoughts turned back to the Dragon Amulet, the artifact he had created, the catalyst of this whole vampire debacle. He knew better than anyone the gravity of the situation.

If all twelve Amulets were gathered by one person, the power they could unleash might be enough to resurrect the legendary blood god, Erebus.

And if that happened, could Lilith, the Mother of Demons, be far behind?

The thought of Lilith awakening sent a chill down his spine. The stakes were sky-high. But the potential gains… those were almost too tempting to ignore. He'd found a way to earn vast amounts of luck points without spending a single penny how could he just walk away?

Orion clenched his fists. No, he wasn't about to give up now.

"Blade, huh?" Orion's eyes narrowed, as if trying to read the man before him. "What intel do you have? And what exactly do you plan to do with the Dragon Amulet?"

His curiosity piqued, Orion summoned Blade's entry panel into view.

[Name]: Eric Brooks

[Identity]: Blade Warrior, Vampire Hunter

[Entries]: Daywalker (Purple), Super Agent (Blue), Demon Hunter (Blue).

[Daywalker] (Purple): His half-human, half-vampire physiology makes him immune to sunlight and grants him strength, speed, regenerative, and self-healing abilities far beyond those of an ordinary human, greatly extending his lifespan.

[Super Agent] (Blue): He possesses the combat capabilities of a level 10 agent, is proficient in all kinds of firearms and ammunition, and has world-class shooting skills.

[Demon Hunter] (Blue): He is equipped with a variety of silver weapons, including garlic, anticoagulants, and teak daggers. He is the nemesis of almost all vampires.

"A vampire who walks in daylight," Orion mused. "He's not someone to be taken lightly."

The Midnight Sons' roster, bolstered by powerful individuals like Blade, nearly eclipsed that of the Masters of the Mystic Arts. Yet, with this new strength came new complications.

But the advantages… those were undeniable.

The Gothic Tower, once a dark relic of the Blasphemy Cult, had been repurposed. Now it stood as the Midnight Sons' headquarters, renamed the Midnight Tower by the Voodoo Doctor.

However, the tower remained empty most of the time. The Midnight Sons, each burdened with their own battles, rarely gathered under one roof for long.

Ghost Rider was in relentless pursuit of Mephisto.

Hellstorm was busy with his duties as an exorcist.

Moon Knight was hunting the elusive Arthur Harrow.

"As for me," Blade said, his voice breaking through the silence, "I intend to keep tracking the holder of the Dragon Amulet."

He paused, letting his words sink in. "And while I'm at it, I'll continue investigating the whereabouts of the other eleven Amulets. We can't let the vampires gather them all."

"Alright," Orion agreed, his voice steady. But then, Blade's attention shifted.

"I've heard rumors," Blade continued, his tone low and dangerous. "There are many vampires hiding in this city."

His senses tingled as he picked up the unmistakable scent of vampires. It was one of his innate talents, one of the gifts curses that came with being the Daywalker.

"There are vampires in Sokovia?" Wanda's voice was filled with disbelief, her wide eyes betraying her shock.

Blade nodded grimly. "That's right. Vampires are divided into different sects and factions. Only the vampire king, Count Dracula, can command them all."

He turned his gaze to Wanda, a question unspoken in his dark eyes. "Will you join me?"

"Certainly!" Wanda's resolve was clear, her expression fierce. "I want to protect Sokovia and bring peace to this land."

But not everyone shared her determination.

"We're not interested," Ghost Rider and Hellstorm said in unison, shaking their heads. They had their own missions to pursue. Without another word, they activated their powers, vanishing into a dimensional gate and disappearing into the night.

Even Moon Knight wasted no time, soaring into the sky and vanishing in the blink of an eye.

"I have other matters to attend to," the Voodoo Doctor said with a wry smile. "But still… welcome to the Midnight Sons."

With that, a cloud of magical smoke enveloped him, and he too vanished, leaving the Midnight Tower shrouded in silence once more.

The only ones left were the Night Werewolf, the Humanoid, and Blade.

"It seems this organization isn't as united as I thought," Orion said, a touch of humor in his voice, though his smile was bittersweet.

When it came to teamwork, the Midnight Sons couldn't hold a candle to the X-Men, let alone any other group. This motley crew of magical misfits was trouble incarnate.

"Unity?" The Night Werewolf snorted. "That's not exactly the Midnight Sons' strong suit."

With that, he and the Humanoid walked side by side into a nearby swamp, where whirlpools of murky water churned with unnatural energy.

"Chichichichi," the Humanoid said in farewell, as they both leaped into the swirling vortex, disappearing to some unknown destination.

Orion watched them go, shaking his head. "Blade," he murmured to himself, "you're not exactly popular, are you?"

But he couldn't blame them. Blade had always been a lone wolf, a warrior who fought his battles alone.

Still, the safety of Sokovia weighed heavily on Orion's mind. Neither he nor Wanda could afford to stand aside.

"Where are these vampires?" Wanda's voice cut through his thoughts, her resolve unwavering. "We must not let Sokovia become a paradise for the undead!"

Crimson energy crackled around her as she spoke, her eyes gleaming with determination. Wanda had grown stronger, her mastery over her mutant powers and chaos magic approaching the level of a legendary wizard.

As long as they could find the vampires, Wanda knew she would show them no mercy.

There was no need to chant any spells, make seals, or use any hand gestures. She could display all kinds of abilities, and the power was ridiculously strong!

The Scarlet Witch's mission was either to destroy the world or to rule the universe.

Of course, Orion had changed Wanda's fate in his own way. Wanda might not become the Scarlet Witch, but she could become the Sorcerer Supreme!

"Let's go," Orion said firmly.

"It's in a bar right out front," Blade responded.

"This is a favorite place for vampires," he added, his voice carrying a note of caution. "The blood of a young woman is also the best drink."

Blade led the way, his skin color and windbreaker blending into the night, making him appear almost ghostly as he moved silently.

However, the Blade Warrior was forcing himself to endure. As a half-human, half-vampire, he had inherited all the abilities of a vampire, and his sensitivity to blood had reached an unusual level. He had to admit that the aura emanating from the acting Sorcerer Supreme in front of him made him feel excited. It was actually similar to the smell of the Dragon Amulet!

'Could it be that the acting Sorcerer Supreme had another Amulet in his possession? Or did his blood contain mysterious power? 'Blade pondered secretly.

As if seeing through his doubts, Orion told him the truth directly. "Wanda and I have both awakened the X-Factor."

"As a half-human, half-vampire, you should be able to tell the difference between mutant and human scents, right?" Orion asked, his voice calm but probing. "Does mutant blood taste better to vampires?"

The X-Factor originated from the Celestial. This benign compound, with unlimited mutagenic potential, lay hidden in genes and blood. The blood of ordinary humans was definitely not as sweet as that of mutants.

This was a done deal. The key question now was whether vampires could awaken the X-Factor, or if they could enhance their power through it.

"No wonder," Blade muttered, a look of realization dawning on his face. "The smell on you feels familiar to me. Mutants' blood is indeed stronger than that of ordinary humans. The vampire elders are keen on hunting mutants. The Prime Minister of Sokovia has not only attracted mutants but also vampires."

"But…" Blade's expression hardened. "I can still handle it."

Blade's face showed a look of determination . Immediately, he led Orion and Wanda to the door of a bar in the small town of Sokovia.

He pushed open the door.

Inside the bar, dynamic and exciting dance music blared. The whistling sound waves made Wanda feel very uncomfortable.

As soon as the three of them stepped into the bar, they could clearly sense that countless gloomy eyes were fixed on them! The scent of the X-Factor in the air made the vampires reveal their fangs, a hint of greed appearing on their faces.

"Fortunately, we discovered the existence of vampires in time…" Orion thought, secretly rejoicing. If vampires were allowed to continue to grow and become stronger, Sokovia would become a vampire lair.

Immediately, Orion checked the entry panel of a random vampire.

[Name]: Serenmire

[Identity]: Vampire Servant

[Entry]: Extreme thirst for blood (green), vampire instinct (green)

[Extremely thirsty for blood] (green): As a member of the vampire community, he cannot obtain energy through food. His only food is human blood.

[Blood Instinct] (Green): His physique, endurance, speed, and reaction have all reached the limits of human capabilities.

"Blood race instinct? Human limit?" Orion moved his eyes as he glanced at the all present vampires.

This group of vampire servants, both men and women, had pale skin and appeared no different from ordinary people. But in fact, they were not the same species at all, hiding in dark environments all year round.

Sunlight was the natural enemy of all vampires. Only a few vampires could resist the erosion of sunlight.

The origin of vampires was even more closely tied to the Darkhold!

This was a race of monsters created by the god of the underworld, Chthon!

The first vampire in history could be traced back to prehistoric mythology: Varna, the legendary vampire lord.

As for Dracula's situation, Orion had no idea. He really hadn't read about Count Dracula. But in this Earth 996, with both the Avengers and the X-Men, the existence of vampires was bound to become a major concern.

"Not even a decent fellow?" Blade muttered, his disappointment evident as he gripped his long knife tightly.

After realizing that most of the customers in the bar were vampire servants, Blade immediately wielded his silver weapons! Silver, garlic, teak, cross, holy water they were all the nemesis of vampires.

Certainly, in comparison, the effects of mysticism and chaos magic were even more significant!

Wanda took the initiative, gathering a bright red light in her hands. This energy turned into an energy storm, instantly covering the entire bar!

All the vampires were shocked! They thought their prey had fallen into their trap, but instead, they had hit a wall!

"Daywalker!!" one of the vampires cried out in fear.

"He's a vampire hunter!" another shouted in panic.

"Damn it!" one hissed, their voice trembling. "Why is he in Sokovia?!"

The vampires panicked, fleeing towards the exit. Some, relying on their extraordinary physiques, showed their claws and fangs. Their faces were extremely hideous!

There were also different classes of vampires. They were roughly divided into prince, duke, marquis, earl, viscount, and baron. Below the baron, almost all were servants, with limited physical strength and poor at using witchcraft. They were mere consumables in the eyes of the vampire nobles. You could make as many as you wanted!

This ordinary bar belonged to a vampire baron.

[Name]: Mozambique

[Identity]: Vampire Baron

[Entries]: Bloodline Function (blue), Immortality (blue)

[Bloodline Functions] (Blue): As a vampire baron, his abilities were far superior to those of ordinary vampires, and he could also transform normal humans into his servants.

[Immortal] (Blue): He seemed to be invincible. Have you thought of a solution?

Mozambique stood on the second floor, looking at everything he had worked so hard to build. Under the combined actions of Blade and Wanda, it was being completely destroyed.

He became immediately furious, his pupils turning blood red, his body even showing some characteristics of a bat.

"Daywalker…" Mozambique hissed, his voice filled with malice. "Your good days are coming to an end! The great Blood God is about to revive! Even if you destroy everything I have, I will make you pay double!"

Vampire Baron Mozambique had a fierce look in his eyes. His entire body lifted off the ground, but instead of attacking Blade, he rushed directly at Wanda!

He had smelled the breath of the X-Factor! Blood containing the X-Factor could also make vampires stronger, and maybe even promote their titles!

"Get lost!" Wanda cried out, her voice a command. The chaos magic turned into an energy tsunami, instantly blowing the vampire baron away!

However, the Vampire Baron's ability to withstand blows was strong. He merely flipped over and flew down again! His fangs shone with a metallic luster, sharp enough to pierce through steel plates!

Facing the siege of the vampire baron and numerous servants, Blade was busy with his own affairs, and Wanda, feeling a flash of nervousness, was about to be surrounded…

In that moment, a blood-red flying sword, shining brightly and as powerful as a streak of silk, broke through the air in the blink of an eye!

A deafening whistling sound echoed faintly!

Phew!

The sound of an explosion resounded in all directions!

The blood-red flying sword directly pierced through the vampire noble's forehead, passing through the skull, and directly destroyed the vampire's brain! This also turned the vampire baron into a pile of magical ash, completely dissipating!

[Kill Mozambique]

[Luck value +100]

A row of colorful bubbles came into view.

"Only 100 points of luck?" Orion curled his lips secretly, slightly disappointed. "It's just at the advanced level."

Immediately, under the control of his mind, the blood-red flying sword drew a graceful arc in the air like a whistle arrow. With a flash of light, in the blink of an eye, all the vampire servants were killed!

In less than a second, the scene was cleared instantly!

[Luck Value +50]

[Luck value +50]

*[Luck value +50]

The beautiful and pleasant voice of the system broadcast echoed continuously. The vampires, madly slaughtered by the blood-red flying swords, turned into a ball of sparks and scattered, leaving no trace.

This also made Orion secretly regretful.

What a loss.

End of chapter.