Only those with supernatural abilities or magic could trigger the gemstone's light.
But for someone like Lucas—whose presence made it blaze like a miniature sun—
that was almost unheard of.
The old butler had never seen anything like it in his entire lifetime.
Today was truly an eye-opener.
Elsa ignored the butler completely.
She shoved open the large door with a loud bang and stepped inside.
Lucas followed her in.
The interior matched the manor's exterior—pure vintage gothic.
At the end of the corridor stood a woman in a black dress and black veil.
Lucas couldn't help but think of the veiled ghost from The Conjuring—
they looked disturbingly similar.
This was Elsa's stepmother, Verussa.
The woman opened her mouth the instant she saw Elsa, unleashing a screech.
"You disgrace of this family! You didn't even come to see your father one last time!
What right do you have to return?!"
Her voice was shrill and grating, like metal scraping metal.
"My life doesn't need your commentary. Mind your own business and go join that old man underground,"
Elsa replied coldly without looking at her.
Lucas said nothing.
He simply offered Verussa a polite nod—after all, she was Elsa's stepmother—
and followed Elsa onward into the main hall.
---
A massive fireplace dominated the room, flames crackling fiercely inside.
Above the mantle hung eight monster trophies—clearly collected over years of hunts.
Lucas even recognized one: a vampire nearly identical to the one he had killed days ago.
On all surrounding walls were murals painted in primitive, simplistic strokes.
Each one depicted a man with a gemstone embedded in his chest, wielding an axe while battling monsters.
"That guy on the wall—that's your father?" Lucas asked.
Elsa nodded.
"That's from his demon-hunting days. He loved bragging about how strong he was.
But honestly, it was all thanks to the Bloodstone.
Without it, he was nothing special—not even as strong as me."
Her tone was full of disdain.
---
Around the fireplace sat five individuals—four men and one woman.
Elsa recognized one of them: the infamous female hunter Azarel, who seemed to radiate hostility toward her.
With Elsa included, six successors in total.
Lucas was merely an extra she dragged along; he wasn't counted.
Everyone there clearly knew Elsa's reputation.
Even as competitors, most greeted her politely—
except Azarel, who glared like Elsa owed her a lifetime of debt.
A polite man with a warm smile stepped up.
"Hey there. I'm Jack Russell. So you're Ulysses' daughter?
An honor to meet you."
Such courtesy was rare among monster hunters.
Elsa shook his hand.
"Nice to meet you too."
Jack was refreshingly normal.
The others… not so much.
A hostile, borderline psychotic female hunter.
A Viking-looking warrior with a giant beard.
A Japanese hunter painted head to toe in war colors.
And a silent, stone-faced Black hunter who looked carved out of cement.
Ulysses had truly gathered a bizarre ensemble.
---
At the center of the group rested a blood-red gemstone—pigeon-egg sized.
Ever since Elsa walked in, the gem's crimson glow intensified, matching the faint red radiance from the gem on her necklace.
"So that's the other half of the Bloodstone?
Looks a lot bigger than the one on your neck~~"
Lucas circled it curiously, nearly reaching out—
The butler immediately blocked him.
"Sir, this is the late master's inheritance. Please refrain from touching."
His pale, expressionless face made him look like a living corpse.
Lucas shrugged.
Since they said not to touch, he wouldn't.
Elsa zipped up her jacket to cover her pendant.
She could feel everyone's eyes on her—especially Azarel's.
---
At that moment, the Viking-bearded man strode over.
"Haha! So you're Elsa the Monster Hunter?
Long have I heard your name!
I'm Jovin—been hunting for over thirty years.
See those trophies on the wall? I've fought every one of them!"
Lucas and Jack exchanged a look, scanning the creatures:
• a white-furred alpine yeti
• a black-furred forest sasquatch
• the Minotaur of Greek myth
• a petrifying cockatrice
• a double-headed siren from the Mediterranean
• a land-and-sea dwelling naga
• a winged nightmare called Chernobog
• and finally, the half-human, half-bat vampire
"Uh… I've only met that vampire," Lucas admitted.
Most of these were legendary creatures—he had barely left the U.S., much less hunted mythological beings.
Jack pointed at the vampire too.
"I fought that thing once. It got away because I can't fly."
Jovin burst into laughter.
"Exactly! Alive, that thing was a lot harder to handle—and much better looking!"
After some small talk, everyone returned to their seats.
Verussa finally stepped forward.
"Welcome to Bloodstone Manor. Before my husband passed, he left a will.
Whomever passes his trial will inherit the Bloodstone legacy."
The butler lifted the gemstone reverently.
"Before announcing the rules, I will introduce the candidates."
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