Hunter of the Evernight
Chapter 239: A new day

Chapter 239: A new day

"What are you going to do now?" Natasha asked as she walked up to stand behind Ambrose, the latter looking over the ruins of what was once BoneHaven.

Ambrose took a deep breath, surveying the landscape for a moment before replying. "Retire, I guess."

"Just like that?"

"... I’ve done enough. Even though I wasn’t able to catch the bastard who ruined our beautiful city, I’m happy we were able to purge the land of his work. It’s the best I can do anyway, considering what the enemy had in mind."

Natasha pursed her lips as she pondered for a moment, before finally replying. "We could still go after him. You could become a Mystic and..."

"Natasha," Ambrose called out softly, cutting her off before she could finish. "Thank you."

Natasha blinked repeatedly, perplexed by the suddenness of his words. "For what?"

"For everything. You have been an invaluable partner and I will surely cherish our time together." At this point, Ambrose had shifted his attention away from the ruins and instead turned to face Natasha, a warm smile lingering at the edges of his lips.

"That... you berated me a lot."

"Indeed. At first, it was because I felt threatened by your presence."

"Me?" Natasha was taken aback by the revelation.

Ambrose sighed. "Think what you may but for me... the supernatural is a scary place. You know why I chose BoneHaven?"

"...Why?"

"Because it was a peaceful city. Apart from a few criminals, nothing much happened here. All I had to worry about was ensuring the Catacomb key and even then, it didn’t need me having to go to the Catacombs."

"But..."

"But I acted well with the case involving the Evil Eye cult?"

"...Yeah."

Ambrose shook his head. "I didn’t. To be honest, it was mostly luck, and even then, my luck wasn’t enough. You don’t know how terrified I was throughout everything that happened. I don’t want to go through that again."

"So you’d prefer running away?"

"... Yeah, I’m a coward, right?"

This time, Natasha shook her head. "No, on the contrary, you are brave. Thank you, sir."

Giving a salute, Natasha continued. "I wish you a happy retirement, sir. Thank you for everything you have done, I won’t forget it easily. Know that BoneHaven precinct will always be open to you."

"... Thank you," Ambrose muttered as he let out a relieved sigh.

Looking at the sky overhead, he couldn’t help but admire its beauty.

"It’s a wonderful day today."

Revealing a slightly melancholic smile, Natasha replied. "Yeah... it is."

***

Nadia woke up feeling thirsty and dizzy.

Squinting her eyes, she looked about, just barely making out a ruined temple and familiar figures.

Then a sharp pain flashed in her head causing her to grip half of her face, barely suppressing the scream that nearly came out.

Her breathing uneven, she managed to sit up, the thirst she felt leaving her completely out of it.

’What’s happening to me?... Why am I so thirsty?’

Hardly had she begun to wonder when she felt that her body was changing and with the change, came considerable pain.

Finally, she couldn’t take it anymore.

"Ah!" She screamed at the top of her lungs as she fell over.

Sounds seemed to intensify and smells grew stronger, her skin became more sensitive to temperature...

Just as she began to black out, she heard someone call out to her.

"Nadia!"

It was faint and it seemed distant. Her barely opened eyes registered a pair of feet approaching her before she felt someone grab her.

Immediately, she realized that whatever was happening to her had begun to calm down.

Soon, she recovered well enough to glance at the one that held her only to find that it was Alex.

He met her gaze, a look of worry etched on his visage.

"Are you alright?" He asked softly.

Nadia opened her mouth but words didn’t come immediately, but when they did, they sounded hoarse. "... I’m thirsty."

"Thirsty?" Alex furrowed his brows.

It seemed her request was considered strange but she persisted as she requested. "I’m thirsty. I need water."

Just then, a different voice spoke up. "You don’t need water, you need blood. I advise you to resist that urge unless you want to completely shed your mortal coils and become a Creature of the Night."

Alex’s gaze shifted to the one that spoke, with Nadia doing the same only to find Roland slowly getting to his feet, his expression devoid of emotions.

"Do you know what’s happening to her?" Alex inquired.

Roland scoffed. "Of course. She drank my blood for sustenance, did you think it would be without cost?"

"This..."

"Currently, she is a Dhampir. If you assuage her thirst, be prepared to have a full Vampire on your hands."

Alex frowned. "Why didn’t you inform me of this at the beginning?"

"Because I was prepared to leverage her condition for you to save Claudia should anything happen to her!"

"What?"

"You knew Claudia would die yet you gave her that cursed seal!"

Alex looked on, clearly uninterested in Roland’s anger-filled words.

He glanced at Nadia, contemplating the implications of having 2 Vampires on his team.

It felt redundant.

Meanwhile, Roland considered attacking but decided against it.

Knowing what he knew, any action would end in futility.

Just then, a voice called out from behind.

If you don’t want her, we can take her.

Alex glanced back to find Vessina approaching with Xistora.

"You haven’t left?"

You sound disappointed.

"Shouldn’t I be?" Alex raised a brow as he asked.

Tch... we would like to make an offer.

"What kind?"

The kind that benefits us both.

"Oh?"

Since your little girlfriend is currently a half-vampire, I believe it would be a good chance to run a small test.

"I’m listening."

Let her serve as a representative on the little team you are putting together. With the banshee over there no longer a viable option, I and Xistora have decided to grant our powers to her.

Alex’s eyes widened for a moment before he asked. "Are you being serious?"

Indeed.

"..."

Oh come on, you don’t have to overthink it. You get to have a powerful subordinate and we get to enjoy the mortal world a bit more through her eyes.

Alex pursed his lips, sincerely pondering their request.

Just then, Nadia grabbed his wrist causing him to turn toward her.

"... I want to come along." She muttered hoarsely.

Seeing her act so desperately, Alex took a deep breath before glancing at the Devil duo.

"Fine then, do what you want but know that you won’t be able to control her as you wish."

We are aware.

Alex didn’t bother with a response as he turned to Nadia. "Get some rest. We’ll be out of here soon."

"...Mn." nodding imperceptibly, Nadia closed her eyes and fell unconscious soon after.

Letting out a trained sigh, Alex managed a glance at Roland, the latter quickly backing away in fright.

"I won’t blame you for doing what you did. Claudia was important to you. I apologize for what happened to her but I won’t ask for your forgiveness. She knew what was at stake and I will forever be grateful to her for her sacrifice."

"You..."

"Live your life, Roland. I hope you can move on from the loss."

Leaving those words to linger, Alex turned away and left Roland contemplating.

A few seconds passed before Roland muttered through gritted teeth. "Open sesame."

As a portal appeared, he took one last look at Alex’s broad back before stepping into it.

***

3 days later

The cries of the seagulls inundated the subtle crashes of waves against a lone ship.

The steel behemoth moved across the grand expanse of water, making its way toward a determined destination.

Those on board donned rather simple attire as they moved about their business, the occasional banter breaking the serenity of the ship.

A young man, standing at the top of the mast with a telescope in hand, scrutinized the area ahead, seeking out sights.

It was a rather mundane task but he carried it out with a smile on his face, clearly enjoying the view, despite its monotone state.

However, his expression quickly turned sour as he saw what looked like a ship in the distance.

Terrified by the sight, he announced to those on the deck.

"The Enclave is here!"

The crewmates grew frantic at the news with one rushing to the captain’s quarters to inform him.

Entering the office, he found the captain, a rather rotund figure with a peculiar appearance, seated at his desk.

"Captain..."

"I heard. Once we are close enough, make sure to carry out the necessary procedures to avoid getting into trouble."

"Aye, captain!"

With that, the crewmate withdrew with the captain rising to his feet.

Moving toward the wine cabinet, he let out a sigh as he reached for a bottle and applied a bit of pressure, pulling it down in a casual manner.

A click was heard followed by the sound of gears turning before the cabinet receded, revealing a room within.

The smell of roasted meat rushed into his nostrils, leaving him slightly bothered but regardless, he stepped in.

A beautiful woman with dark gold hair, dark brown skin, and brown eyes, dressed in black silk saree, sat in a corner with one leg placed over the other.

She held a book in one hand and a chicken leg in the other.

Her actions were rather graceful despite the faint traces of what seemed to be oil at the corners of her mouth.

The captain let out a loud belch, drawing her attention toward him.

"Oh, you are here?" She asked with a smile.

Shuddering inwardly, the captain replied. "Could you cut down on the food?... My body can hardly take much more of this."

"Oh silly, that won’t be possible. Now tell me, have we arrived at our destination?"

The captain felt the urge to say something untoward but knowing that despite the older lady’s playful tone, she was a rather terrifying being, he decided to keep his words to himself.

Instead, he replied. "No, at this rate, we can hope to arrive mid-Notos."

"Good. Inform me once we arrive."

"Mn."

With that, the captain scurried away, leaving the lady to take a bite out of the chicken leg as she perused the book she held, muttering in a cheerful tone. "Quite an interesting read."

[End of Volume 1: Spring of Darkness]