Infinite Evolution Hunter - Chapter 196

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Novels. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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196
The vampire and Morax’s subordinates fought each other to mutual destruction.
The prospect of all the demons dying didn’t seem like a bad idea.
However, both Valefor and Marbas seemed like they would be useful in the future, so I wanted to keep them alive.
“So what’s your thinking?”
Valefor, who had been tense about whether I would order mutual destruction, released a relieved sigh.
“The ones under Morax follow him because he’s strong. Now that Marbas has joined us, we’re the single strongest faction.”
“They’ll switch sides just like that?”
“The Demon Realm is governed by strength. It will definitely work. I’ll lay the groundwork in advance to have them withdraw their forces. However, we must be cautious so word doesn’t spread. Morax must not catch on.”
“Fine, what do I need to do?”
“Do nothing and remain still.”
Valefor spoke with a serious expression.
“Such schemes don’t suit a Lord’s character.”
“Is that defiance?”
“Loyal counsel.”
Tch… He wasn’t wrong. Backroom scheming wasn’t my specialty. I didn’t know much about the Demon Realm either.
“Whatever. Handle it yourself. How long will it take?”
“If we drag it out, rumors will spread, so a few days should suffice.”
I didn’t want to stay long, but my time in the Demon Realm kept stretching on. At least there was the consolation that not much time would have passed when I returned.
“I will prepare quarters for you.”
A vampire dressed like a butler guided me to a room where I could rest. Unlike the Eastern Region, it was a proper chamber.
“I prepared it according to the tastes of a human Master. Does it please you?”
The vampire butler asked.
“Mm. It’s nice.”
“I have prepared a meal.”
“I’m… not hungry?”
“Please don’t worry. I have prepared food suited to human palates.”
“Let’s go.”
Razgas’s eyes widened as she noticed I disliked Demon Realm food.
“Is this pork?”
A succulent roasted whole pig, pasta, and salad were laid on the table, very similar to what was served in Telus.
“Indeed.”
“There are pigs in the Demon Realm?”
“We also eat it as a delicacy, but it’s primarily the food eaten by the humans in the fortress.”
“Humans can’t survive in the Demon Realm because of the demonic energy, can they?”
“The structure beneath this fortress is designed to block the Demon Realm’s demonic energy.”
“What are humans doing here… Predictable. You’re draining their blood, aren’t you?”
“Lord, we cannot survive without drinking blood.”
The butler offered an explanation, sensing my displeasure. To be precise, they wouldn’t die without drinking blood—they would simply wither away gradually like a sickness.
“…Show me around.”
My appetite vanished instantly. I knew they would drink blood, but I hadn’t expected a blood warehouse beneath my feet.
As I descended into the lower levels of the Fortress, a Dungeon appeared. People lay scattered throughout the dimly lit space.
Since humans would die if they fled to the Demon Realm anyway, they weren’t even restrained.
I kicked away a vampire who was in the middle of draining a woman’s blood.
“L-… Lord…!”
The kicked vampire tumbled across the ground and prostrated himself, his head pressed to the floor.
“Where are they brought from?”
“We periodically capture sustenance through a Gate connected to the Lower Realm.”
The Butler answered.
“What are your criteria for selection?”
“We command humans to procure them, and we ensure they supply only pure humans when possible.”
“Hmm… From now on, blood drinking is forbidden.”
“…Lord, we…”
“Silence. I’ll provide blood instead.”
“Your blood is the finest to us, but there are thousands of vampires in this Fortress. Your blood would be depleted.”
“Can you open a Gate to Earth as well?”
“Yes, among the Gates below, there is one that leads to your world, Lord.”
I shared my life force with the people lying there, wounded.
“All those from Earth, follow me.”
As I descended underground with the Butler, dozens of doors lined the passage.
“Each door connects to different dimensions.”
“Which one leads to Earth?”
“This way.”
“Razgas will remain here.”
“I shall await your return.”
When I opened the door, a Gate lay within.
The Butler and I crossed through first.
“W-… What brings you here? The next delivery isn’t due for some time yet…?”
A bloated man came rushing through the Gate in a panic moments after it opened.
“Not a vampire?”
“Their blood tastes foul. We control them with money instead.”
“Creatures like you are the reason I never get a moment’s peace.”
“Sir?”
I flicked a casual strike at him, and he flew into the wall before crumpling to the floor.
Looking out the window, the architecture was distinctly European.
“So this is the place famous for vampires… You really have been coming and going, haven’t you?”
Indeed, many of the imprisoned humans appeared to be Westerners.
I picked up a phone and called Bae Na-young.
“Hello? Na-young, it’s me.”
[Oppa! You’re back?]
A voice welcoming me.
“I came back for a moment. Are you feeling alright?”
[Yeah. When are you coming?]
“It’ll take a bit longer. Tell Jae-in to open a Gate for me.”
[Got it.]
After passing along the coordinates, Jae-in arrived shortly after.
“Chairman, it’s good to see you safe.”
“I’ve brought more work.”
“I was the fool for being happy to see you….”
I explained the main issue to the disheartened Jae-in.
“So you’re saying we need to create artificial blood for vampires to consume?”
“That’s right. I’ll give you my blood as a sample. Butler, you stay here on Earth and help with the blood research.”
“However, my kin currently lack sufficient blood to feed on. Combat isn’t far off, and without strength….”
“The artificial blood will be made quickly. In the meantime, hunt down these bastards and feed on them.”
I pointed to the pig I’d thrown earlier.
“Release the humans you captured and drain every single one who cooperated with you until they’re completely dry. I permit that.”
“The taste….”
“Shut up. Eat what you’re given.”
The Butler, whose spirits had completely deflated, relayed my orders to another vampire who arrived next.
That vampire also looked shocked and disheartened upon hearing the command, then returned to the vampire fortress.
I moved to the World Tree Research Institute with the captured humans and the Butler.
“The life force here…. It’s overwhelmingly strong.”
Unlike other Demon Race, vampires don’t survive solely on demonic energy, but the World Tree’s life force still seemed unwelcome to them.
“Would it be better if we went underground?”
We descended into the basement of the World Tree Research Institute. Thick walls had been constructed on all sides for specialized research, reducing the reach of light and life force, which eased the Butler’s expression.
“Chairman, please give me your blood here.”
As I squeezed blood into the glass vial Jae-in offered, I munched and drank the food stocked in the research facility to replenish my blood. Since the food in the Demon Realm hadn’t suited my taste, I’d swept the research facility’s snacks into the Infinite Box.
“You work late nights so often—why not eat healthily?”
Most of the food was instant or snack items.
“Going upstairs is such a hassle. And cooking is too much trouble.”
“Hmm….”
Jae-in would be working for a long time, and I couldn’t have her ruin her health like this. I’d have to arrange food delivery later.
“Fortunately, there’s overlap with what I was already researching, so it shouldn’t take too long.”
“As expected of you, Jae-in. I had faith in you.”
“We’ve attempted creating artificial blood without a soul before. Not only does it taste terrible, but it also lacks the nutritional value we need.”
The Butler remained skeptical.
Jae-in paid no mind to the Butler’s words and pulled out a large amount of blood from the refrigerator. The test tubes contained blood of various colors and different concentrations.
“Why…. Is there so much blood?”
“I told you I was researching it.”
Jae-in dripped my blood one drop at a time into the retrieved test tubes and handed them to the Butler.
The Butler tasted the blood like a sommelier, inhaling its aroma thoughtfully.
“This is no different from drinking a single drop of the Lord’s blood. It’s from a being with no soul, or an extremely weak one.”
He offered his assessment as he sampled each vial.
“Hmm… what about this one?”
Until now, he’d been reluctant in his tasting, but with one particular test tube, he savored it so thoroughly that he drained every last drop into his mouth.
“This isn’t human… and it’s not an Elf or Dwarf either? What exactly is this blood?”
“Oh, so that one suits your palate. It’s a secret. If the Chairman’s blood is a 10 and nutritionally worthless artificial blood is a 0, how many points was that last one?”
Jae-in took notes on the Butler’s reaction as they conversed.
“Then, the two of you should find the optimal combination.”
* * *
Though I’d spent several weeks in the Demon Realm, only days had passed on Earth.
“You’ll be completely back to normal in just a few days.”
I embraced Bae Na-young from behind, my hand resting on her belly.
“It wasn’t dangerous, was it?”
“No.”
There was no reason to worry her unnecessarily.
But Bae Na-young could read my thoughts, so she saw through my reassurance immediately.
“As long as you come back safely, that’s all that matters. Let’s run away somewhere Gaff can’t follow.”
“Thank you.”
“By the way… Razgas?”
I flinched involuntarily.
My body trembled without my control. I had nothing to feel guilty about—I needed to stay calm.
“Yes, she’s Gaff’s adjutant. She’s been guiding me through the Demon Realm.”
“That must have been nice?”
“What? Nice? Why?”
“… It doesn’t seem like you’ve done anything wrong, so I’ll let it slide.”
“Thank you.”
I exhaled in relief.
After undergoing training in the Demon Realm, I’d developed a keener ability to perceive souls, and could even glimpse the souls dwelling within people.
I observed the souls of several people near the World Tree, and I also beheld my child’s soul. The unborn child’s soul was pure—most fetuses were, but this one radiated an even greater purity, its brilliance luminous enough to envelop Bae Na-young’s own soul.
“What kind of child will be born…?”
With abilities and a soul far from ordinary, I felt anticipation. Yet simultaneously, I worried whether I could truly be worthy of raising such a being.
“I need to live with greater purpose. This affection I feel—a kind I’ve never experienced before—is greater than anything else, and it’s directed toward my unborn child.”
“Hmph, I feel the same way.”
“You’re equally precious to me.”
“No, the child comes first. Always. Do you understand?”
“Yes, you too.”
After spending a brief time together, I returned to the Demon Realm. Since time flowed rapidly there, if I didn’t hurry back, matters could escalate.
“Where have you been?!”
As expected, Valefor shouted the moment he arrived.
“Wait, back on Earth.”
“Why did you release all the slaves?! We can’t draw strength from those pig-like wretches!”
“Come now, is this not blood?”
Thanks to eating well and recovering on Earth, I had produced an abundance of blood. I handed a 100-liter container of it to Valefor.
“You said just a few drops equals draining an ordinary human dry, didn’t you? This should be enough for thousands to feed on?”
“You should have mentioned this sooner.”
His eyes gleamed like a grave robber’s upon discovering gold.
“Are the preparations complete?”
“Yes. Most of Morax’s subordinates have already made excuses to withdraw to the outer regions. The garrison forces won’t put up a proper fight either, so our military advantage is overwhelming.”
“Good.”
“Please wear this.”
Valefor handed me clothing identical to what he wore.
“What about Marbas?”
“Marbas has no need for such disguise. After all, his face isn’t that of a vampire to begin with, is it?”
While my complexion was pale, Marbas bore an ashen, dark complexion. And given his massive frame, merely changing clothes wouldn’t make him resemble a vampire.
“Once combat begins, Marbas will rush in from his position nearby and confront Morax.”
Dressed in vampire garb and having made my face even more pallid, I blended seamlessly into the group.
“Then, let us depart.”
The hour of our sortie had arrived.

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Novels. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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