Chapter 62: Black Jade City Mutation (VIII)

This isn’t about abandoning someone to die.

It’s about knowing my limits.

With a steely gaze, I stared down Norsen and his five city guard soldiers, barely managing to quell their impulsive urges.

…No matter what, the six of us have no chance against that vampire swordsman, let alone with his hundred blood zombies. Saving Captain Kriss is simply impossible.

I learned long ago that no matter how strong you are, you can’t save everyone. Rescuing those civilians and Norsen’s squad from the blood zombies was already my limit. Expect me to face a Radiant Gold vampire?

No way!

I’m not alone anymore! I’ve got my two egg babies in my backpack! One mistake, and it’s three lives lost!

“We can’t save her. Going now is suicide… Let’s keep moving to the south gate. Gathering more forces is the right call. Maybe if you return with reinforcements, Captain Kriss hasn’t been bitten yet…”

I said, leaving out the uglier parts.

…Maybe she’ll be brutally violated, but as long as she’s not bitten and turned into a thrall, there’s hope. With reinforcements, there might be a chance to save her.

But going now? That’s just throwing our lives away.

“…I understand. You’re right. We’d only die if we went.”

Norsen bit his lip, thinking, then nodded helplessly.

“Let’s move to the south gate.”

He hated admitting his powerlessness, but he couldn’t risk his and his four subordinates’ lives on a slim chance. Despite his urge to save his captain, my words calmed him down.

Seeing the blood zombies and vampire move farther away, we crept out from the corner and dashed toward the next intersection.

BOOM!

But just as I reached it, a deafening explosion nearly made me jump out of my skin.

“?!”

Stunned, I whipped my head toward the sound—

Wasn’t that the direction the zombies and vampire went!? And it’s close!

“…Did some fool actually try to save her!?”

Shocked, it hit me—judging by the noise, someone must have jumped in to fight that Gold-rank vampire!

“…”

Norsen and his men noticed too, glancing toward the commotion.

The sounds of battle continued, suggesting whoever attacked had serious skill and confidence to take on such a tough foe.

I sank into thought.

Should I… help with the rescue?

Given Kriss’s condition, she likely can’t fight anymore. If we save her, bringing her to the south gate could… give me some leverage to get out of the city!