Chapter 90: The Rift Among the Bloodhunters

The Blood Hunter Guild. Blood Butcher, wrapped in bandages, sat before the gathered blood hunters.

“What should we do from here?” Blood Butcher, his face pale, addressed the golden-robed girl, Radiance, still not fully recovered from his grievous wounds.

“Now that the Vampire King is dead, the vampires have lost most of their power and are no longer a threat. At present, the only danger to humanity lies in the existence of the Blood Clan,” Radiance explained to Blood Butcher, laying out the current situation.

“To think that the Vampire King would ultimately die at the hands of the Blood Clan Princess—it’s almost unbelievable,” Blood Butcher said with feeling. “The Blood Clan Princess shouldn’t have had the strength needed to confront the Vampire King, otherwise our last assault wouldn’t have ended with so many of us able to retreat. Look at what’s left of the Blood Hunter Guild—though I hate to admit it, we never had the nerve to launch an attack directly against the Vampire King.”

“Perhaps something unexpected happened, or perhaps the Blood Clan Princess used some secret technique,” Radiance speculated. “Whatever the case, the only certainty is that the Blood Clan Princess must be severely wounded. The Vampire King was not easy to overcome, especially one-on-one. Though she won, I believe it was a pyrrhic victory.” Radiance spoke with conviction.

“So, what do you intend to do? Radiance, the Blood Hunter Guild can’t withstand another blow,” Blood Butcher said heavily. The last attack had cost the guild nearly a third of its strength, and all of it was among their elite. Many were still recovering from injuries. Now, less than half their fighting force remained.

“Are we to shrink away because we are weak? Are we to abandon our mission?” Radiance demanded sharply.

“Of course not. But now, every decision must be made with the utmost caution,” Blood Butcher replied seriously.

“Then are we to let the loss of so many comrades go unavenged? Is Lord Silence’s death to be forgotten?” Radiance’s voice was thick with anger.

“Radiance, I know your master’s death hit you hard, but now, we must act with caution. We cannot withstand any further losses,” Blood Butcher pleaded earnestly.

“Caution? How long must we be cautious? Are we to stand by and watch the Blood Clan Princess recover, and spend our days in regret? Is that what caution means?” Radiance’s tone calmed, but her questions grew sharper. “Now, the Blood Clan Princess is gravely wounded—this is our best chance, our only chance. I cannot wait any longer,” she declared, resolute.

“But this is just your speculation. Perhaps the Blood Clan Princess’s wounds aren’t as severe as you imagine,” Blood Butcher couldn’t agree with Radiance. “Don’t let hatred cloud your judgment. If the Blood Hunter Guild suffers another fatal blow, your master’s sacrifice will have been for nothing.”

“Clouded by hatred? I’d rather be that than become a coward, frightened by the Blood Clan,” Radiance scoffed. “Since you disagree, Blood Butcher, please remain and guard the Guild headquarters. Any blood hunter who fears not the Blood Clan, follow me. Let us seize this opportunity to slay the Blood Clan Princess and avenge our fallen comrades.” Radiance no longer debated with Blood Butcher, but addressed the surrounding hunters.

“Yes, we obey Lady Radiance’s command.” More than half the blood hunters responded to her call. The enmity between blood hunters and the Blood Clan ran deep; since the onset of war, countless blood hunters had perished beneath the Blood Clan’s claws. The Guild and Blood Clan were now irreconcilable—coexistence was impossible. Most hunters would not let slip any chance for vengeance, even at the cost of their lives.

Watching Radiance’s departing figure and the vanishing ranks of blood hunters, Blood Butcher leaned weakly against his seat. His already pallid face was now utterly bloodless. “Was my choice then truly wrong? Is the Blood Hunter Guild finally nearing its end? Silence, the promise I made to you—I still haven’t fulfilled it,” he murmured.

Meanwhile, Radiance, leading the blood hunters in pursuit of me, questioned her subordinates.

“Are you certain the Blood Clan Princess is alone?” Radiance asked cautiously.

“Yes, Lady Radiance,” a blood hunter replied respectfully. “Since the battle between the Princess and the Vampire King, she has not rejoined the remaining Blood Clan members. Those few are still at the hotel, while the Princess is about to leave the city.”

“Leaving the city? It seems she truly is badly wounded, forced to depart and seek somewhere to heal, evading our pursuit,” Radiance was sure of her judgment. “But not even a single guardian accompanies her—she must have grown overconfident after defeating the Vampire King. Has it made her arrogant?”

“Blood hunters, this is our one and only opportunity. This time, we must avenge our fallen comrades, demand justice for those who sacrificed their lives. I am prepared for sacrifice—what about you?” Radiance’s voice rang out.

“Today is a fine day to die in battle!” The blood hunters responded with unwavering resolve.

“Warriors, the hour of vengeance has come. Let those blood-sucking monsters witness the courage of humanity, let them feel our determination. There can be no peace between us and the Blood Clan—this is a battle to the death.” Radiance’s voice echoed around the hunters. “Even in sacrifice, we will show those arrogant monsters the glory of humanity. Long live humanity, long live the Blood Hunters!”

“Long live humanity, long live the Blood Hunters!” they shouted in return.

“Move out,” Radiance said calmly, leading the way toward the direction indicated by their intelligence. Her followers marched behind, faces set with determination, having already cast aside fear of death.

Meanwhile, in the Blood Hunter Guild, Blood Butcher listened to the battle cries outside, and could only mutter in resignation, “Is this truly the end of the Blood Hunters? Fate, have you abandoned humanity entirely?”

After a long pause, the defeated Blood Butcher issued orders to the remaining hunters, “Summon all Blood Hunters of grade D and above, gather at the Guild immediately. The Blood Hunter Guild is about to face its most brutal trial yet—vengeance from the Blood Clan.”

“Yes, Lord Blood Butcher.” Most of those left behind were senior members, veterans of past life-and-death battles against vampires. They knew how fragile the Guild truly was, understood the crisis now looming. So, even at the risk of being branded cowards, they would fight to defend the Guild, hoping to preserve its last spark.

All those who stayed began to work busily. They knew that few among them were likely to survive, but none shrank from the task. Like those who marched out to battle, they too held beliefs worth dying for. Such were the Blood Hunters—a people who risked their lives to protect all of humanity.

Blood Butcher watched in silence, uncertain how many would live through the coming catastrophe. He could not help but utter a heavy sigh, as if he could already smell the blood thickening in the air.