Chapter 202 - The Outbreak ( 2 )

Karen had just boarded the private bus filled with important people who are all connected to the Awakened Association working in the city.

There are five buses like this and filled with non-combatant Awakened. She could easily tell this with their office attire.

"Are you one of the new recruits?"

One of the middle-aged ladies beside her asked. She noticed that Karen is a face she didn't recognize after all.

"Ah, no… I haven't Awakened yet. I was with my sister. She's a B-Rank Awakened but she was needed at the frontlines so I was sent here."

"Oh! A B-Rank Awakened? We only have a few B-Rank Awakened, I'm sure I know her, tell us her name."

Another middle-aged office lady asked after hearing their conversation on the private bus.

It feels like there aren't any dangers outside at all and they are here for a field trip or something. These small actions relieved Karen thinking that they are still quite safe and perhaps, the problem isn't as complicated as it seems.

"Her name is Melody. Melody Claude and it has been that long since she joined the Association."

"Oh… I saw her name when I was working for Artifacts Procurement in that Undead World. I heard she's a tough Spear Master."

"Right. So she actually joined the fight against the Vampire. That feels a lot better. I'm sure she'll be safe.

The middle-aged ladies then explained what they know about the outbreak.

Apparently, it had all started within the base of the Saint Torido Clan and it didn't just happen in the blink of an eye. They have already reported unusual things happening on their Entrance Crystal and the Association was just about to send experts to investigate.

Unfortunately, they were still too late and the outbreak they all feared happened.

At this point, Karen can only hope that her sister would not be harmed in any way and return safely.

***

"I already had a hunch but I didn't expect that the two C-Rank Awakened training at this military site are the two of you."

Melody said after meeting the two contracted C-Rank Awakened of the Association.

"Sister Melody! It's been a while!"

"Have you heard anything from Cyril? Did he come as well?"

They are Evalia and Eron, the siblings that she had met at the Undead World where they are saved and protected by Cyril. After Karen left, Lawren brought him to a place where the group of Awakened is waiting for them.

Lawren is actually a Manager like Valerie and he mostly works with Mid-Class Arcane World Explorers like them.

There are a total of seven Arcane Explorers including Melody.

"I met him just a week ago after I trained him on how to use my Spear Technique… Unfortunately, he seemed to be in an Arcane Exploration today."

They briefly chatted until Lawren returned with a communication device.

"Take this with you so we can communicate. I was just informed that there are more than 300 Vampires who had just come out. Luckily, they aren't of a noble rank and were only Newborn Vampires and Thralls. The strongest seen so far are only a dozen of Vampire Knights."

Lawren reported as he continued giving information at which site they are about to support. Apparently, the other guilds with a branch in the city are also organizing a group of Vampire Hunters right now.

On the other hand, the police and the military force are currently focused on evacuating the people so the Awakened like them can use their full might against the monsters of the Arcane World.

Wang~ Wang~ Wang~

Another siren was heard signaling that the first line of defense has already been breached. They have to immediately act.

"Alright, I'll retreat now, report your situation to me from time to time. More Awakened from the main branch are coming so make sure you don't die!"

Lawren finally said before allowing the others to move with haste.

Aside from the communication device, Lawren can only provide them with information since their branch in this city is small and even most of them are inside an Arcane World and they don't know when will they return.

They are short in manpower right now and could only wait for reinforcement.

Boom! Boom!

Several grenades were used to destroy a cluster of Thralls that started pouncing at the poor soldiers.

Melody saw everything as she looked at her team. They don't seem to be afraid at these Thralls and held their weapons with excitement.

It seems that they are itching for a battle already.

"Our task is to support the military… We are just a small group so don't do anything unnecessary. Let's go!"

"Alright!"

"Let's show them our strength?"

The four D-Rank Awakened were equipped with similar swords and shields and they seem to know each other. It appears that they have been working together and had gone through several explorations as a team before.

Melody felt better seeing this as they wouldn't have a problem coordinating with each other. Aside from that, Eron and Evalia's teamwork were also something that she wouldn't doubt at this point.

Skrrreeee!

The Thralls who were caught by the explosion of the grenades didn't die immediately and launched towards the soldiers even with injured bodies.

The soldiers wanted to act immediately and shoot them but the sudden sonic wave attack of the Thralls halted their movement.

Clang! Clang! Clang!

It was at this time that the four D-Rank Awakened arrived and parried the claw strikes of the Thralls.

These Thralls have long claws and sharp teeth as their main weapons. Aside from that, they are also extremely agile with their slim body.

Shiinggg!

Suddenly the long black hair of the Thralls moved as well and attack the four. Luckily, they have shields equipped as they managed to defend against that strike…

"Eve, let's show them our new technique!"

"Alright… Don't miss this time!"

The two siblings noticed an opportunity as they saw a dozen Thralls focusing on the D-Rank Awakened.

They held their swords tightly and burst with power… Their swords suddenly glowed with power and attracted everyone's attention.

Before they could even react, the siblings already vanished from their spot and reappeared behind the D-Rank Awakened.

As if they have made a plan a while ago, the four jumps sideways to give a path to the two.

"Haa!"

A bright red glow suddenly covered the area in the middle of the road creating a chaotic Aura.

Whom~

The attack wasn't explosive at all but it definitely has a lethal force as if it could cut anything.

As soon as the bright light disappeared, everyone saw that the Thralls were cut into many pieces.

"Haa~ haa~ haa~ That was… That was tiring… Let's not do that again." Evalia felt exhaustion after completing that single move.

"T-that's true. However, if we didn't extend the attack a little, two of them would've escaped. Our attack will not look good if that happened." Eron explained as he used his sword as a support to stand up.

On the other hand, Melody and the other soldiers were surprised to see the move they've used.

"Thank you, all of you. I thought we were goners after we failed to kill them with grenades."

The leader of the squad of soldiers expressed his gratitude for their interference. It was followed by the other soldiers as they finally heaved a sigh of relief.

However, they seem to be interested in the siblings even more.

"The sword technique you just used, is that the Swiftblade's Cry?" One of the soldiers asked.

Normally, sword techniques and such weren't something you should be talking about in front of many people. After all, it should be a secret as it may be used against you. However, the sword technique called Swiftblade's Cry is different.

It is a sword technique that was only taught to high-ranking officers of the military.

However, the soldiers didn't recognize the two and they are also not wearing a uniform so they are unsure how to address the siblings.

"Ahh! You're right… However, we don't have a rank. I mean, we're not officers. Our family was just a bit influential and forced us to learn this technique in the past few weeks."

Eron replied after understanding what was troubling them.

After clearing things up, they immediately went to other places where the Thralls are causing trouble.

"Are we going to the train station?" One of the D-Rank asked Melody… The are many people there and they seem to require more help.

Even the siblings are showing their interest to help there. However, Melody can't allow that.

"We can't. Just let the soldiers handle it. We will only move to areas where there are barely any civilians or help the soldiers who are stuck fighting the Vampires... These soldiers must lead the evacuation instead of fight."

Melody looked at her small team who seemed to be having doubts about her orders. However, she reminded them about the existence of non-Awakened.

This made their eyes lit up as they recalled such a problem.

SSsshhhh~

Suddenly their communication device activated.

[ Miss Melody. Do you hear me? This is Lawren. We now have sightings of Vampire Knights.. There are three of them near the Greenland Shopping Center. Please support the soldiers there! ]