As Shidaken rose from his throne, the entire chamber fell into an eerie silence.
All eyes were on him. He stood tall with his hands folded behind his back his eyes glowing a deep crimson, staring at the intruders below.
With deliberate steps, Shidaken began to descend the stairs. Each footfall echoed throughout the vast chamber, resonating like a warning.
He stopped at the bottom of the steps and looked at them coldly.
Aubert, tightening his grip around his sword, took a defensive stance. His eyes checking for any move the monster would makes.
"What is it, monster? Why did you come down? Don't try anything foolish," Aubert said.
He raised his voice in anger. "We do what you want. Now it's your turn to keep your side of the deal!"
Shidaken's expression didn't change. "You do answer my question, but you gave the false answer and for that reason," he said, his voice low and icy. "all of you are going to die here."
"I can't let them leave alive," Shidaken thought, his eyes narrowing. "They're living proof of my existence. If the Authority learns that a monster boss with intelligence has appear, they'll send a full force to eliminate me or capture me and turn me in guinea pig."
"What... what did you say?" Aubert asked.
Mare stepped forward. "I warned you not to trust him! What were you all thinking? That this filthy monster would keep his word?"
Words and pledges only hold value when there's interest behind them, shidaken said.
All eyes turn to him.
They're nothing but binding chains.
Holding to them without interest means to bring suffering to yourself, disregard or breaking them bring's guild to one's soul.
Only naive lets emotion rule them, the wise always act in their own best interest.
I will throw away words, promises and pleas if they no longer serve me.
"You show your true colors, you monster!" Souka snapped.
Suddenly, John charged forward.
"Go, you guys! Escape from here! I'll buy you some time!" he shouted.
John threw a powerful punch. Shidaken blocked it effortlessly with one hand, but as he grabbed John's wrist, a strange sensation washed over him.
"What... is this feeling?" Shidaken muttered. "I've never felt something like this."
With a surge of strength, John drove his fist forward, sending Shidaken flying into his throne. The massive chair shattered upon impact, a cloud of dust rising into the air.
"Run!" John shouted.
The party sprinted toward the iron gate.
From within the thick dust, Shidaken emerged slowly, brushing the debris from his shoulder.
John leapt into the air clenched fists and came down with a devastating punch. Shidaken crossed his arms in an X to block the blow. The ground beneath him cracked violently.
Shidaken leapt back avoiding the full force, john hit the ground with the remaining force. The ground shattered upon impact, thick cloud of dust cover the area.
shidaken carefully watch the dust, suddenly john emerges from the smoke, ready to throw another punch.
Shidaken caught his wrist mid-attack.
"Blood Bath" he chanted.
Suddenly, John's body began to swell grotesquely. With a sickening sound, he exploded. Blood splattered everywhere, painting the ground in crimson.
This is where shidaken true self emerges. He licked the blood from his lips, his eyes glowing crimson, he tasted something that he never tasted before.
This taste... It's addictive, he thought.
This is when his new status screen materialized in his vision:
[Name: Shidaken
Species: Human Vampire
Skill: Five Types of Dark Element | Blood Manipulation
Status: Vampire Lord
EP: 25,000]
"What... I've become a Human Vampire?" he whispered to himself.
"So that's why his blood tasted so exquisite," Shidaken realized.
Something began dripping from his mouth. He wiped it away and looked at his hand.
"Saliva? Am I... craving more blood?"
He raised a hand. "Blood Manipulation."
John's blood that was scattered, gathered into a dark red sphere in his palm, glowing ominously. It hovered, pulsing like a heart.
Shidaken devoured it. Instantly, energy surged through his body.
"I see... by absorbing blood, I grow stronger."
With a powerful jump, he soared forward, landing just before the party reached the iron gate.
Aubert froze. "Where is John?!" he shouted, rage boiling in his voice.
"He's dead," Shidaken answered coldly.
Aubert's hands trembled as he gripped his sword tighter.
"You bastard..."
"Stop! He's provoking you!" Souka shouted.
In a flash, Shidaken lunged forward. His fingers curled into claws as he aimed for Aubert's neck.
But Mare, seeing the attack comes and pushed Aubert out of the way.
As she smiled at him, her lips moved faintly, she confess her love, but her voice never reaches anyone.
The next instant, her head rolled to one side while her body collapsed to the other. Blood gushed onto the floor.
Shidaken stood nearby, his hand dripping in blood.
Aubert stared at Mare's body his eyes wide in shock, tears falling from his eyes.
He clenched his jaw, wiped his face and stood up, his grip on the sword tighter than ever.
"You... You monster... It's unforgivable!"
"Stop it, you idiot!" Souka screamed and slapped him.
Aubert staggered, eyes widening.
"Why?!"
Souka's voice cracked with sorrow. "You're the leader, Aubert. Think clearly! We need you!"
Shidaken took a step forward, eyes narrowing at Aubert. His voice as cold as ever. "You call yourselves heroes, but in the end, you're just another naive brat who want to play hero."
He sneered. "From the moment you stepped in here, you made all the wrong choices."
He gestured to Mare's lifeless body. "That woman Mare, she was far wiser than you."
"First, you trusted me. Blindly. She didn't."
"Second, you judged me based on your own narrow values. Just because I sit on a throne where a monster is supposed to reside, you assumed I value strength above all else."
"Third, you let your emotions rule you. If that elf woman hadn't calmed you down, you'd already be dead."
"You don't even deserve to be a squad leader... let alone dream of becoming the greatest adventurer."
Aubert lowered his head. His grip on his sword loosened slightly.
He's right... Maybe if Souka or Mare had led us, we might have all survived, he thought.
"Don't listen to him!" Souka said firmly.
Aubert looked up into her eyes, but his own were filled with doubt.