The scene returned to the present.
Black ViSage and the remaining adventurers finally arrived at the ruined hospital.
The ancient building stood silently beneath the darkening sky. Broken walls leaned against one another, enormous cracks spread across the stone structure, and vines had swallowed most of the entrance. Every corner carried the scent of age and death.
Black ViSage slowly examined the surroundings.
"Hmm..."
"This place is much older than I expected."
One of the adventurers, Vicario, suddenly covered his nose.
"Mr. Black ViSage..."
"I smell something."
Black ViSage glanced at him.
"What is it?"
Vicario swallowed nervously.
"...Blood."
"A huge amount of blood."
Black ViSage closed his eyes for a moment before quietly sensing the surroundings.
"...I see."
"So they're underground."
He slowly raised his right hand.
A mysterious blue flame suddenly ignited in his palm.
The surrounding temperature instantly increased.
The adventurers stared at the strange blue fire in complete silence.
Black ViSage spoke calmly.
"Everyone."
"Step back."
"It's dangerous."
Grisos looked confused.
"But why?"
"Why should we move back?"
Black ViSage kept his eyes fixed on the collapsed entrance.
"I'm going to destroy these stones."
"I don't have time to explain."
"Move."
The adventurers immediately retreated several meters.
Without another word, Black ViSage clenched his fist.
The blue flames gathered around his arm before exploding with tremendous force.
BOOOOM!!
His burning fist crashed into the enormous pile of rocks.
The entire mountain shook violently.
Countless stones shattered into pieces as a powerful shockwave blasted the entrance open.
Dust filled the air.
---
Deep beneath the ruined hospital...
Neisa Jeremy gently stroked the head of one of her Blood Soldiers.
The crimson humanoid stood silently before her.
She smiled sweetly.
"Ah..."
"I love seeing all of you become my loyal soldiers."
Around her stood dozens of Blood Soldiers.
Their bodies were completely crimson, as though every drop of flesh had been replaced by blood itself.
Their empty eyes showed no emotion.
Only obedience.
Neisa giggled softly.
"It seems..."
"More guests have arrived."
"Humans really are loyal to their friends."
She looked toward her Blood Soldiers.
"Don't worry."
"Their friends will soon join you."
Suddenly...
Her smile faded.
"...Hmm?"
She slowly closed her eyes.
"I sense..."
"Four human presences..."
She paused.
"But..."
"I hear five pairs of footsteps."
Her expression became curious.
"Interesting."
"Does that mean..."
"One of them isn't human?"
A moment later she smiled again.
"Well..."
"I don't really care."
The footsteps were getting closer.
---
Black ViSage entered the underground passage with eight adventurers behind him.
The narrow corridor echoed with every step.
Grisos looked around nervously.
"Mr. Black ViSage..."
"Why didn't we bring the other seven adventurers?"
"I think we'd have a better chance if everyone came with us."
Black ViSage answered without slowing down.
"If this hospital suddenly collapses..."
"...too many people will die."
"And if everyone enters..."
"No one will remain outside to call for help."
He suddenly stopped walking.
"We're close."
Everyone immediately became alert.
Black ViSage quietly looked into the darkness.
"I can feel it."
"A strange aura..."
"Our enemy is waiting."
Before anyone could react—
Grisos suddenly shouted.
"My brother!"
"I can feel Rijer's aura!"
"He's here!"
He immediately rushed forward.
Black ViSage's eyes widened.
"No!"
"Don't run—"
Too late.
Slash!!
Something flashed through the darkness.
Grisos's head disappeared.
His body remained standing for a brief moment before collapsing onto the floor.
Blood sprayed across the corridor.
Silence filled the underground ruins.
Then...
A beautiful woman slowly stepped out of the darkness while holding Grisos's severed head by the hair.
She smiled brightly.
"Oh my..."
"What a perfect headshot."
The remaining adventurers froze in terror.
Neisa admired the head as if it were a beautiful decoration.
"You wanted to meet your little brother..."
"...and live together forever."
She laughed softly.
"Don't worry."
"I'll grant your wish."
She gently poured her own blood into Grisos's open mouth.
For several seconds...
Nothing happened.
Then—
Grisos's eyes suddenly opened.
His headless body slowly stood up.
It picked up its own severed head before pressing it back against its neck.
Dark red veins spread throughout his body.
Within seconds...
His skin completely turned crimson.
His eyes lost all life.
Another Blood Soldier had been born.
The adventurers stepped backward in horror.
One of them shouted,
"Mr. Black ViSage!"
"We have to run!"
Black ViSage calmly nodded.
"I don't mind."
"Run."
"I'll hold them back."
"Go."
Suddenly—
Neisa smiled.
"No."
"Don't run."
The adventurers instantly froze.
Their bodies refused to move.
Their faces became filled with panic.
Neisa smiled proudly.
"Welcome..."
"...to my Domain."
She slowly walked toward them.
"Come closer."
"And take off your clothes."
Every adventurer unconsciously obeyed.
They slowly walked toward her.
Except one.
Black ViSage remained completely still.
Neisa blinked.
"...Hmm?"
She looked at him curiously.
"You..."
"You didn't obey."
Black ViSage folded his arms.
"So you're wondering why."
"Think about it."
Neisa laughed.
"Interesting."
"It seems I can't turn you into my obedient soldier."
She looked behind herself.
"But that's alright."
"I already have plenty."
She suddenly pointed at a young adventurer.
"You."
"What's your name?"
The frightened boy answered automatically.
"...Dean."
Neisa smiled warmly.
"Good."
"Come here, Dean."
Dean slowly approached.
"Rest your head against my chest."
Without resistance, Dean obeyed.
Neisa gently scratched her own chest until fresh blood flowed from the wound.
Then she whispered,
"Now..."
"Clean my blood with your mouth."
Dean lowered his head.
"Yes..."
He slowly licked the blood from her skin.
"Sla..."
"Sla..."
"Sla..."
After several moments, he looked up.
"Miss Neisa..."
"I've cleaned it."
His body suddenly trembled violently.
Red veins spread across his entire body.
Within seconds...
Dean transformed into another Blood Soldier.
Black ViSage's expression darkened.
"Stop."
Neisa ignored him.
She deliberately scratched her arms, legs, and shoulders until blood slowly dripped onto the floor.
Then she looked toward the controlled adventurers.
"You all..."
"Come."
"Clean every drop."
Without hesitation, they rushed toward her.
Some knelt before her feet.
Others cleaned the blood from her arms, shoulders, and back.
Neisa closed her eyes with a satisfied smile.
"Wonderful..."
"My lovely patients."
Black ViSage silently tightened his grip on his weapon.
His blue flames slowly ignited once again.
He had finished preparing himself.
The battle was about to begin.