Read Novel Full Chapter 1314: Spreading the Infection
Chapter 1314: Spreading the Infection
“Sir Rene?”
Rene turned toward the voice and saw several familiar adventurers looking in his direction.
He smiled and gave them a small nod.
“Good evening.”
“Are you here for a commission?”
“Not today. I just came to look for someone.”
The adventurers exchanged curious looks, but none of them questioned him further. Rene had been a knight of Atrium City for years, and he was familiar with many of the adventurers who regularly worked in the city. There was nothing unusual about seeing him inside the Adventurers Guild.
Rene continued walking through the crowded hall while quietly observing everyone around him.
He wasn’t interested in the ordinary adventurers.
Most of them were too weak.
Even some of the Gold-Rank adventurers were unsuitable for what he had in mind. Although they were considered strong by ordinary standards, their physical strength and combat ability were still far from the Knight level.
Rene could not afford to waste one of the two opportunities Vampire Immortal Lisa had given him.
He needed someone who was strong enough to become a proper Vampire but not so strong that his current Blood Energy would fail to transform them.
His gaze slowly moved across the Guild.
Then he stopped.
A familiar man was sitting near the wall with a large greatsword resting against the side of his chair.
The man had short brown hair, a thick beard, and several scars across his arms. His equipment was worn from years of use, but it was well maintained, and his posture showed that he was always prepared for trouble.
Rene recognized him immediately.
Deric…
He was one of the more experienced Gold-Rank adventurers in Atrium City and had been active in the region for nearly ten years. Rene had worked with him on several occasions, including a few dangerous monster extermination missions.
Deric had never officially become a Knight, but he had awakened his Will…
More importantly, he had survived situations that would have killed most adventurers.
Rene’s eyes lit up as he saw the man…
‘So he’s still alive… Nice. He should be suitable.’
He walked over to the table.
Deric noticed him approaching and immediately looked up.
“Sir Rene? I haven’t seen you around lately.”
“I’ve been busy.”
Rene pulled out the chair across from him and sat down. Deric moved his cup to the side to make room.
“Is something happening with the city guards?”
“Nothing that you need to worry about.”
Deric gave him a suspicious look before chuckling.
“That sounds like something a knight would say when there is definitely something worth worrying about.”
Rene laughed.
“Perhaps.”
The conversation continued naturally.
They spoke about recent monster activity around Atrium City, the increasing number of adventurers coming into the city, and some of the more troublesome commissions that had appeared recently. Deric complained about the quality of several recent requests, while Rene listened and occasionally asked about his experiences.
It was exactly the kind of conversation they had shared many times before.
There was nothing suspicious about it.
Eventually, Deric brought up the black tower.
“I suppose you’ve seen it already.”
Rene nodded.
“I’ve seen it.”
“Do the knights know what it is?”
“We haven’t discovered everything about it yet.”
Deric frowned.
“That’s unusual. Something like that appears outside the city, and nobody knows where it came from?”
“It is unusual.”
Rene remained calm.
Deric took another drink before looking toward the Guild’s entrance.
“Some of the younger adventurers were talking about going there themselves. They think there might be some kind of treasure inside.”
“I wouldn’t recommend it. Because we don’t know what is inside.”
Deric nodded thoughtfully.
“Fair enough. I’ve lived long enough to know that unknown ruins are usually more dangerous than they look.”
Rene smiled.
“That’s probably why you’ve survived this long.”
Deric laughed.
Rene watched him for a moment.
This man was experienced.
He was cautious when necessary, but he wasn’t afraid of danger. His body was strong enough to handle the transformation, and his years of combat experience would make him far more useful than an ordinary adventurer.
Rene had already made his decision.
He would be his first Vampire.
“I actually came here because I wanted to ask you something,” Rene said.
Deric looked at him with interest.
“What is it?”
“I have a private commission that requires someone with your experience.”
Deric immediately became more serious.
“What kind of commission?”
“I can’t discuss the details here. However, I can tell you that the reward will be worth the trouble.”
Deric studied his expression for a moment.
“You are making this sound more dangerous than a normal monster hunt.”
“It probably is.”
“Then why me?”
“Because I know what you are capable of.”
That answer seemed to satisfy Deric.
He had worked with Rene before, so he knew the knight was not someone who casually exaggerated the strength of others.
After a moment, Deric reached for his greatsword.
“All right. Where are we going?”
“Somewhere private.”
Rene stood up.
“I don’t want anyone else involved in this.”
Deric nodded and followed him.
Neither of them noticed the few adventurers who glanced at them as they left the Guild.
To everyone watching, there was nothing strange about it.
A knight had asked an experienced adventurer to accompany him on a private commission.
It happened all the time.
***
Rene deliberately avoided the busiest streets as they made their way through the city.
He led Deric toward an older district where several abandoned buildings had been left unused for years.
Deric eventually glanced around.
“I didn’t know there were still places like this inside Atrium City.”
“There are more than you think.”
Rene stopped in front of an old warehouse.
The building looked abandoned, with dust covering the windows and weeds growing around the walls.
Deric frowned.
“Is this where we’re meeting the others?”
“There are no others.”
Rene opened the door.
“Go inside.”
Deric hesitated for only a moment before entering.
The moment he stepped inside, he heard the door close behind him.
He turned around and saw Rene was standing several steps away.
Something about his expression had changed.
Deric’s instincts immediately warned him that something was wrong.
“Rene?”
The knight didn’t answer immediately.
Instead, he slowly raised his head.
His eyes had turned crimson and two sharp fangs appeared beneath his lips.
Deric’s expression changed completely.
“What the…”
Rene moved.
Deric reached for his greatsword, but Rene was already in front of him.
The difference in speed was overwhelming.
Deric barely managed to raise his arm before Rene grabbed him and slammed him against the wall.
Boom!
The impact shook the old warehouse.
Deric struggled to break free, but his expression became increasingly shocked as he realized just how powerful Rene had become.
“You’re…”
Rene’s crimson eyes stared directly into his.
“Don’t resist too much. I don’t want to damage you.”
“You’re a Vampire!”
Deric finally understood. He then tried to reach for his sword again, but Rene’s hand tightened around his arm.
“You were one of the knights protecting this city…”
“I still am. That hasn’t changed.”
“Then why are you doing this?”
Rene looked at him for a moment.
“Because I was given an opportunity to become something stronger.”
His fangs sank into Deric’s neck.
Just like that, Deric’s body immediately stiffened.
Blood Energy surged into his body as Rene began the transformation.
The process was far more difficult than converting an ordinary human.
Rene could feel his Blood Energy being consumed rapidly as it spread through Deric’s body. He had to maintain control over the transformation while forcing Deric’s body to adapt to the power of a Vampire.
Rene gritted his teeth.
‘Don’t fail.’