Chapter 70

Chapter 70

***

There were not only humans in the world. Moreover, humans were certainly not the owners of the world.

A single dragon could burn down a city, and if a large-scale Orc invasion occurred, one could only wait until it calmed down by itself like a typhoon.

However, whether fortunate or unfortunate, these things that human power could surely do nothing about were stories of the distant past.

People didn't perceive well things that were not in front of their eyes. Furthermore, if it happened in the old days, long before they were born, they sometimes didn't believe in the existence itself.

In that way, humans were just occupying a corner of the world insensitively, believing they were safe and living on. Not believing didn't mean it didn't exist, and believing didn't mean it necessarily existed.

"......So, do we really need to open the lid of a pot full of venomous snakes? That's what I'm saying."

Volca said, poking the fire in a discarded pot with a skewer.

In a gloomy vacant lot in Ehrenberg City, late at night, three people were sitting around a bonfire. Rickart, Ice, and Volca.

"It's just a request, Volca."

"It's not just a request, Ricky."

It seemed Volca was opposing the Special Grade Request. Since he was the Clan Master, Rickart had to respect his opinion. And as a friend too.

Knowing well the reason he stopped him, he couldn't just be stubborn blindly.

"Couldn't it be not much than thought? It's all just hearsay. Maybe the Guild just assigned Special Grade because they don't know well."

"You don't have to taste shit to know it's shit. Among people I know, there is a Vampire Hunter. Before the Guild War, when I was solving this and that minor request with Delphi, I had a chance to see him by chance. That person said, maybe if it's just a vampire, but if it's a High Vampire, it's virtually no different from a demigod. Power and speed superior to humans, plus blood magic and infinite knowledge obtained living long. The scariest thing would be sucking blood. If Ricky, you get infected and become a vampire, what should I do?"

"Kill me. No, I will die on my own."

"Ha...... No, look here."

"Who is that person? The person called a Vampire Hunter."

Ice, who seemed to be lost in thought alone, asked. He was here at this spot because he strongly insisted he wanted to participate in the request too.

But since the one who received the request was Rickart strictly speaking, he couldn't do it arbitrarily.

Volca stared at Ice blankly. Dunkel's words from someday came to mind. The words saying he was a guy whose eyes turned at becoming Special Grade.

When accepting Ice too it was reluctant, but at that time Rickart said let's accept so they were living as the same Clan.

But Volca was a person who trusted completely once having accepted a person, so he didn't dig up past things daringly.

They lived well until now, and it was true Ice's help was big in managing the Branch.

Still, he said what he had to say.

"I know you have an important goal, Ice. But, I as Clan Master, and as a friend, have responsibility and concern for your safety. First let me ask one thing. Ricky, why do you want to do this request?"

"It's not that I want to do it. It's because I decided to do it. And it's the 'first request' after graduation. I don't want to run away."

It was he himself who chose the card despite Sally's warning. But saying he would withdraw because it seemed wrong after choosing was shameful to Rickart. That was behavior not honorable, and he didn't want to live like that.

Others might say why take the risk when there is no need, but that might be exactly the difference between an extraordinary person and an ordinary person.

No matter what others say, doing unconditionally what he decided, and conversely no matter what others say, absolutely not doing what he won't do. It was something different from simple stubbornness. Since it was a personality part, it was unavoidable too.

Volca looked at Rickart and Ice alternately once each and said.

"Good. Then let's do this. I will try inviting the Vampire Hunter. Let's listen to that person's words. After that, examining the possibility, if judged worth doing I will also support. But if it's an absurd job I oppose. How about it?"

Now they weren't students. In doing work, there had to be professionalism. And Volca knew that part, and Rickart and Ice also did.

So they nodded simultaneously.

It was the day two weeks passed since Volca mobilized this and that connection of his and borrowed the Guild's power to search for the Vampire Hunter.

It rained outside. So there were many people resting inside rather than outside activities.

However, people having to match the date on the contract went out wearing cloaks and hoods, and other people took a rest at the fireside.

Three or four adventurers occupied a table and were playing cards to soothe boredom. It didn't look very fun, and they played cards and turned them over somewhat mechanically.

Delphi was teaching work to kids near the bar, and Volca was snoring sleeping in front of the fireplace listening to the rain sound.

It was a peaceful and drowsy time. For people working outside it would be truly painful, but for people resting the rain sound was also the best antipyretic.

By the way suddenly the door opened with a rattle. The sound of rain falling outside was heard more clearly.

A man wearing a hat wet all over and a black cloak entered inside making heavy footsteps. He was carrying one large leather wrapping cloth.

Step. Step. Step......

Since the hat brim covered his eyes, the face could not be seen completely, but an atmosphere full of disharmony could be felt sufficiently. He was never just such a passerby, and seemed not a Low Rank adventurer either.

Delphi signaled to adventurers playing cards with her eyes to wake Volca up, then spoke to the man.

"What brings you here?"

"Hunter Reckard. I came because the Branch Manager here was looking for me."

He took off his hat and showed his face. An impression looking rough with a beard grown freely. But unexpectedly the eyes were intelligent.

"Volca did? Ah, don't tell me perhaps, Vampire Hunter?"

"Shh!"

"?"

"Do not mention that monstrosity carelessly. Not knowing when and where they might be eavesdropping. I would appreciate it if you just call me Reckard."

What is this...... Delphi was inwardly absurd but nodded saying okay for now.

Soon Volca woke up and wiped his saliva standing up.

"Ah, you came. You are the Vampire Hunter, right?"

"......Call me Reckard. Can I borrow fire a bit?"

"As much as you like. Follow me. There is a fireplace upstairs too."

Volca took Reckard up to the 3rd floor. The 3rd floor was a cozy place looking like an attic.

There was no need to lower the upper body, and it was a height exactly suitable for average height. Just, as directly above was the roof, the rain sound was heard exceptionally louder.

Volca lit a fire in the small stove connected to the chimney and said.

"I will call the kids. Please wait for a moment."

Volca went down again and woke up Rickart who was taking a nap after equipment inspection, and brought Ice who was organizing documents with Bori-bori.

"Hello? I am Ricky."

"Ice."

Rickart and Ice in casual clothes greeted first.

Reckard hung his cloak on a hanger near the stove, and untying the string of a crossbow was examining it meticulously. Around him were a few stakes and a wooden hammer.

"Reckard."

Volca and Rickart, Ice sat facing Reckard with the stove in between.

"What brings the adventurers to find me?"

"We want to ask a few things regarding High Vampires."

Rickart said. Then Reckard made a gloomy expression immediately.

"High Vampire...... Can I ask why you ask that?"

"To kill. If possible. Before that, to know a bit more about the prey, we invited an expert."

"Mm...... Coming here I heard the reputation regarding Red Cloak and Violet well, but it isn't a conversation to have with a light mind."

"Not a light mind. It's a life earning with the sword, not just light."

Words were correct words but Rickart saying those words showed obvious signs of being young. Reckard examined such Rickart quietly.

Whether due to disharmony between appearance and great reputation, something mysterious atmosphere was felt. Reckard saw Rickart for the first time now, but felt extraordinarily sufficiently in that atmosphere.

"I am not saying this to ignore you. Just, have you seen tiger hunters? If looking at people catching big tigers that tear even knights to death, unexpectedly they are very ordinary. Actually fighting also aren't people doing so well. But, only three people catch a tiger. Each holding one stick climbing the mountain. Vampire hunting is also such a thing. Your swordsmanship, probably won't be much help."

"Understood."

Rickart admitted unexpectedly calmly. If overflowing with pride in his swordsmanship he could think he was insulted, but there was no such thing at all. Because now was a seat to listen.

Reckard was somewhat surprised at that appearance.

"Good. Then let's do this. I will inform you about the method to ferret out and catch a vampire. Next, I will show the appearance catching a vampire directly. Let's talk about the High Vampire after that. If you can't do even this, catching a High Vampire is absurd."

Rickart looked at Volca and Ice once each then nodded.

Looking at unexpectedly well-behaved adventurers, Reckard also nodded himself then spoke continuing.

"There are broadly two methods to catch a vampire. Raiding the place sleeping after the sun rises. No need to open the coffin. If putting a stake on the lid and driving it in, it's the end. Another one is burning completely. But this method isn't very good. Unexpectedly they don't die quickly. Just, unless entering water they continue to burn so if weakening with weapons made of silver they continue to burn and die."

"Simpler than thought. But, how do you know where the vampire's coffin is?"

"That is the point. A proper vampire commands slaves. Capturing them and torturing them, finding out the hideout. No need to have guilt. Because they are those who betrayed humans. Guys supplying humans to vampires."

"Is garlic or holy water kind not needed?"

Ice asked. Unexpectedly he seemed to believe such things.

"Garlic is wrong information. Such things don't work. Holy water can inflict slight burns but isn't fatal. Remember just this. Raid always after the sun rises. For killing, a stake is sufficient. The rest are auxiliary tools. Lastly, absolutely do not engage vampires from the front."

As the expert said so, Rickart just nodded saying understood.

Since he and Ice, Volca never saw a vampire in their lives, they thought it wouldn't be bad to judge after seeing once with eyes first.

"Vampires mainly stay in big cities. Such medium-small cities or rural areas are quickly discovered so they don't stay well. But not long ago I obtained information that one is hiding in the nearby city Gates. As soon as preparations are finished let's go to exterminate that monstrosity. If you are only behind me, you will be safe."

"Understood. Since we are always ready, let's leave as soon as Mr. Reckard is ready."

"Understood."

Rickart finished talking with Reckard only exactly regarding work. Human conversation to know each other wasn't there at all. Not indifferent or heartless, but because each were experts in their own fields. Probably didn't call to make a friend.

Reckard left three days later. Rickart and Ice packed equipment and followed him. Crossing the Main River riding a ferry, moved west.

To the city called Gates was a distance of a whole day. Far if far and close if close, knowing a vampire lived in such a place felt a bit unpleasant and gave goosebumps.

Reckard contacted a person who he didn't know if colleague or same industry worker and heard information, then unpacked luggage at an inn first.

And at daybreak took the two and entered an alleyway. Walking about 2 minutes, not quite a slum, but a place where people living hand to mouth mainly lived appeared. A place where a subtle smell of gutter brushed the tip of the nose.

By the way the vampire's hideout was hiding openly in the midst of people unexpectedly.

Reckard entered an old building where vagrants might stay, then opened a cover leading to the basement. Then Rickart felt a familiar smell wafting strongly. Smell of death.

Reckard put up a torch and went down first. Rickart and Ice followed behind.

Not long after they came down to the basement, and one coffin standing on the wall came into view.

By the way, the coffin lid was open. Reckard felt goosebumps all over his body instantly. His colleague had betrayed him.

"It's a trap."

Thud.

The sound of the cover closing from above was heard. Reflexively he brought the torch to that side. However, the place where the answer came from was the ceiling side.

"Rat-like guy."

As Rickart lifted his head something jumped down lightly and landed on the floor. A jet-black cloak fluttered like wings.

The one landed on the ground had pale skin like a tuberculosis patient. And, receiving the light of the torch, crimson pupils glistened.

"If the tail is long it gets stepped on, same for you too, Reckard."

Just as Reckard chased vampires, vampires also seemed to be aiming for Reckard. Of all times when Rickart and Ice came together like this.

Moreover, although the sun rose outside, since it was a basement not a speck of sunlight entered.

Reckard shouted sprinkling holy water into the air quickly instead of answering.

"Don't look back and run!"

And took out a dagger made of silver, but the vampire blocked the holy water using the cloak and extended a hand to catch Reckard immediately.

However before that, in the dark basement a light like a pure white snowflake flashed. It was Ice's sword.

Puck!

The vampire's arm was cut. Reckard closed his eyes tightly momentarily so didn't know what happened, and the vampire thought in a fleeting moment 'what is this'.

He widened the distance urgently with monster-like reflexes. But the place was narrow. Rickart drew his sword like lightning and rushed at him.

The vampire kicked the wall to bite Rickart revealing teeth. It was an elasticity, and speed difficult for a human to react to.

"Kyaaak!"

However, Rickart also was at a non-human level in distance measurement and dynamic visual acuity. It was a place with no other light than the torch, but he stared at the vampire accurately with determined eyes as if piercing the darkness.

Above all, he was seeing almost like foresight what action the opponent would take already. His gaze, current posture, joint angles, excitement state, psychology etc., the result of combining all sorts of information felt sensibly in an instant.

Precise timing, precise power, precise angle. No need to do several times, extremely neat just one sword stroke.

Whoosh!

Pak!

Along with the sound of the sword cutting the wind, a light sound as if cutting a radish at once was heard.

The neck flew. But the body losing the head didn't lose speed and flew to the opposite wall crashing.

Thud! Clatter!

Rickart looked down blankly at the vampire's severed head relying on the flickering torch.

Facial muscles moved violently as they pleased then hardened gradually. And in an instant dried up completely changing like a mummy. Truly a hideous appearance but Rickart was just calm. Fascinating.

Confirming dead, he looked back at Reckard and said.

"Seems dying because head cut even not driving in stake?"

However, Reckard couldn't answer. He stared blankly at Rickart for a long time like a person whose brain stopped, then barely answered.

"......Yes?"