<h4>Chapter 271 There Is A Path To Hell But You Did Not Take It</h4>


    Being the precursors (or ancestors?) of vampires, Nightstalkers shared the ability of most vampires but didn’t have as many vulnerabilities as they do.


    For example, although sunlight which instantly kills vampires and burn them into ashes certainly could inflict some damage to Nightstalkers, the regeneration ability of most Nightstalkers would bepensate-or indeed ovepensate—for the damage sunlight could cause, which meant it wasn’t lethal to them.


    Additionally, the rumor that anyone bitten by a vampire would be one was mistaken.


    Vampires were basically Nightstalkers of diluted bloodlines. However, when the gods wiped out the Nightstalkers, the curse they forced upon the Nightstalkers extended to the vampires, forcing them to shoulder a great many vulnerabilities and curses.


    Though human schrs had theorized that vampires were undead creatures, that was only because specimens were rare and any attributes of vampires could only be researched through the study legends and tales passed down from generations before. Such information passed down by word of mouth naturally lost veracity in information, just as folktales would be exaggerated or distorted.


    In truth, vampires were alive and could procreate normally.


    Victims of their bites were merely infected by the curse that gues them, killing them instantly when they were bitten while their souls were bound in their corpse, turning them into blood ves of the vampire.


    The reverse was understandable as well—if vampires could increase their numbers by biting, they probably would be everywhere now, and wouldn’t be facing extinction like the giant panda...


    ***


    Meanwhile, Edward was naturally struggling as hard as he could against d’s grip, but the insurmountable gap between their stats meant he simply couldn’t free himself.


    He wasn’t aware that d was disgusted by the very same thing.


    The Nightstalker believed that his kind stood above all other living beings, a noble race that deserves to transcend beyond all beings, which was true given their position in the food chain. Feeding upon every other creature, they were entities that could stand alone against the world.


    That was why d, the Father of all Nightstalkers hold such contempt in drinking human blood when he had been alive. After all, they were nothing less than a species that had suddenly appeared out of some unknown gutter.


    If the Roaring ze Tiger Warrior hadn’t punched off a third of his HP and the yers’ see-saw battle didn’t cost him what few mana he had left after his awakening, he would rather fly away to find more savory races, reluctant to even touch any human.


    Be that as it may, the joint offensive of the yers did make him feel a genuine threat, and as his indignation boiled into rage, he finally admitted that the humans of today were tenacious enough to hurt him. That was the reason he would attack Edward personally.


    Still, admitting that the humans were formidable enemies was one thing, but disgust remained disgust...


    “Don’t fight it. Your blood and your flesh shall be a part of me, and you shall be my most loyal puppet. When the empire of Nightstalkers rise again, you would realize how wise a choice it was to be my ve!”


    d whispered into Edward’s ear.


    But whether it was the Nightstalker’s words or because he was being strangled, Edward rolled his eyes, thinking: you’re not letting me choose, though!


    In an instant, d’s fangs pierced Edward’s neck and he drank mouthfuls of Edward’s blood, satiating the thirst that had never faded for a second after his awakening!


    *


    *


    *


    Although the others couldn’t see what was happening to Edward since he was shrouded in the eye of the hurricane, there were in fact a pair of eyes that saw it all from the very start.


    Xi Wei had thrown aside the watermelon he was eating. He made a gesture as if he was clenching his fist when he saw d sucking Edward’s blood—but he was excited, not angry.


    As the God of Games whom all yers worshipped, he had already be upset by d’s unrestrained ughter of the yers: how much divine energy do you think you are you costing me with your massacre?!


    However, he did not make any bold moves even if the god sprout were still present and could block the vision of other gods to a certain extent.


    It wasn’t a situation where ‘this god is overpowered but overly cautious’, but things were just delicate at the divine realm at the moment-undercurrents were surging even though things appeared calm on the surface, and the simplest of excuse could ignite a divine war in an instant.


    That was the reason why the Great Lion hadn’te visit Xi Wei and have c for some time.


    And yet, d’s direct ingestion of a yer’s blood had given Xi Wei an excuse.


    Whenever yers fight, they would follow the Rule of Skill which Xi Wei had implemented a very simplew that was made with the express purpose of easing the actions conducted through the System Xi Wei had created.


    Over time, he had refined the Rule of Skill whenever he had the free time, and even though it hasn’t actually by much, it was a lot better than its simple original form.


    The body of the yers being ‘digitalized’ in battle was naturally an ability granted through the Rule of Skill. Under such state, the yers’ would immediately have their lifeforce reduced when hurt, but wounds would vanish rapidly even though it could be inflicted.


    One might even say that with their digitalized bodies, the yers had surpassed the domain of the living


    Therefore, d’s drinking of a yers blood ruins the digitalization—to put on serious terms, it was an attempt of breaking a Rule.


    If it had been the Rule set upon this world (as in rules set by the Trinity), d would immediately die.


    On the other hand, even if it doesn’t kill d instantly, the Rule of Skill was set in ce by Xi Wei as the God of Games and that meant d wasmitting sphemy.


    That was why he had every reason to openly deliver divine retribution!


    “There’s a road to hell but you don’t take it, and you would crash the divine realm when there’s no doors leading here... eat shit!”


    All at once, d’s vision seemed to blur, and it felt like he was standing above the clouds.


    Before he knew what actually happened, he saw a ball of light appear before him, and as he looked on in confusion it grewrger andrger...


    *


    *


    *


    “Ack—!”


    Even as he drank Edward’s blood, d was immediately maimed in spirit. He released Edward and stumbled a few steps back, before vomiting a mouthful of blood.


    Edward himself dropped to the ground, coughing before looking up in confusion at d.


    Nothing changed to his body aside from some lost HP.


    “You...” d pointed a faltering finger at Edward then, his eyes full of disbelief while blood flowed freely out of his mouth. “You poisoned your own blood?!”


    Edward: ???