Chapter31-Pursuit, Algado's Kin

It was impressive how the vampires of the Realm of Death immediately recognized the source of power in the scepter I held. 

This certainly helped to defuse a potentially tense situation.

Lowering the scepter, I coughed and said, 

"Indeed, I am an emissary of Death. I've come to your tribe to see if there are any difficulties you need help with."

I decided to approach the dungeon's tasks under the guise of being an emissary of Death.

Hearing my offer to help their tribe, the two vampire guards were overjoyed and quickly spoke up, 

"Respected emissary of Death, our vampire tribe is indeed facing some troubles. We have found traitors of the magus clan of Algado on a nearby mountain."

"Our tribe's chief, along with some soldiers, has already gone there to capture those remnants. But it seems they have been granted some divine power by Algado, making our progress quite difficult."

"Would it be convenient for you to help our vampire tribe resolve this trouble?" the vampire gate guards earnestly asked.

After pondering for a moment, I quickly surmised that this must be one of the tasks within the dungeon and replied, 

"I can help you with these issues, but you must understand, my assistance is not free. You'll need to pay a corresponding price."

The vampires seemed taken aback for a moment, then appeared to realize something, responding with an enlightened expression, 

"Since Lord Death fell into slumber, have you emissaries also rarely received rewards? Rest assured, our chief will definitely provide a satisfactory token of gratitude."

Having negotiated the terms of compensation, I led my team members up the mountain.

At that moment, thick smoke billowed from certain areas on the mountain, indicating a battle underway.

Arriving at the battlefield with my team, we found numerous vampires engaged in a struggle with several magus.

"'Around Level 20 is manageable,'" Henry assessed after checking the levels of those magus. 

He quickly devised a plan and said to Emily, 

"Emily, you and I will head straight into the battlefield. Use your magus skills to confuse the enemy, throw them into disarray, and if possible, turn them against each other."

"Carly, yes, you don't need to get down. Just stay on my neck. When Emily's power starts to wane, cast a healing spell on her to keep her going."

"As for Anna, you stand at a distance and use your bow to harass the enemy. Make sure no other magus gets close to us."

Once everyone understood Henry's battle plan, he found the right moment and commanded, "Move out."

Everyone sprang into action.

On the battlefield, the vampire group leader, Perry, was fighting fiercely despite a large wound on his body, from which blood flowed continuously. 

Unfazed, he bore the pain, grabbed a stray magus, and bit viciously into their throat. 

The hot blood flowed into Perry, healing his wound rapidly, leaving smooth skin where the gash had been.

Perry rallied his people loudly, 

"These magus bastards won't defeat our vampire tribe! Everyone, attack and turn them into tonight's delicious blood meal!"

The vampires, invigorated by his words, prepared to charge at the magus camp, only to find the magus suddenly in disarray, attacking each other with full force. 

Magic arrays lit up under their feet, causing instant crippling injuries or even slicing some in half.

Meanwhile, Henry, wearing the Mask of Algado, fought valiantly amidst the magus ranks. 

The mask, a reward from the third ring mission in Snowland, had been cursed by Queen Adele. 

Algado no longer dared use its power to influence the mask, leaving it with its basic effect of awakening the wearer as a magus and randomly granting a magus skill.

Henry had fortuitously awakened as a Spirit Array Magus, a type of magus known for its destructive power, second only to those specialized in crowd control. 

His skill, [Specter Spirit Array], allowed him to skillfully use magic arrays to inflict both physical and magical damage on enemies. 

The magus ranks were caught off guard, never expecting a traitor within their midst, let alone one wearing Algado's mask. 

This surprise factor contributed significantly to the success of Henry and Emily's skirmish.

As their energy began to wane, Carly cast healing spells to rejuvenate them. 

Even when a few magus started to suspect something off about the pair, Anna, providing archery support from a distance, effectively ensured their safety.

The battlefield quickly turned in favor of the vampires, leaving the remaining magus either wounded or powerless to continue fighting. 

The vampire tribe emerged almost unscathed and victorious.

Henry then removed the Mask of Algado and, wielding the Scepter of Death, revealed himself as an emissary of Death, there to protect the vampire tribe. 

The vampires watched him in awe.

"Haha, indeed, only an emissary of Lord Death could resolve those wretched magus so effortlessly," the vampire chief Perry said, clapping Henry on the shoulder like a brother. 

He leaned in and whispered, "Emissary, how come there's a magus with you?"

Henry replied calmly, "Don't worry, she's completely safe. She's my woman."

"Oh, I see," Perry nodded, then his tone turned vengeful, 

"Ever since Lord Death fell asleep, these damned dogs of Algado keep trying to encroach on the remnants of Death Realm. Once Lord Death awakens, he'll surely destroy that scoundrel."

Henry nodded as if in agreement and then added, 

"The revival of Death still requires time. Hence, we emissaries of Death now rarely receive gifts from Death. We should get a share of the spoils from this battle."

"Of course, of course," Perry agreed, nodding. "We'll split the battle spoils fifty-fifty."

Perry's offer was quite generous, considering Henry's team had mainly played a disruptive role. 

The real game-changers in the battle were the vampires of the tribe.

"Ding! You have received battle spoils from Vampire Chief Perry. A 310x reward has been activated."

"Congratulations on gaining 750,000 experience points. Your level has increased from 25 to 28."

"Congratulations on acquiring [Traitor's Magus Cloak] and [Fruit of the Realm of Death]."

"[Traitor's Magus Cloak]: Originally belonging to Algado, both the cloak and its owner were cursed by Death after his betrayal. Wearing this cloak will increase your attack power by 200% for one hour. However, using this cloak will also afflict you with an itchy condition, similar to the cloak's curse."

"[Fruit of the Realm of Death]: A one-time use item. Planting it in the ground will summon a level 50 servant from the Realm of Death."

Pleased with his rewards, Henry felt a surge of joy. 

First, the level increase – he had jumped three levels and was now closer to entering the ranks of high-level awakeners.

Although the cloak had a drawback, its ability to boost attack power by 200% was alluring. 

Even if he chose not to use it, it could fetch a few hundred gold coins on the black market. 

The other item, providing a level 50 fighter, though usable only once, was a valuable life-saving card.

The other female members of his team had also reaped good rewards. 

The first task in the Realm of Death had met Henry's expectations, promising even greater rewards ahead.

Smiling, Henry asked Perry, "Does your vampire tribe have any other tasks you'd like to entrust to me?"