The SSS Ranked Villain's Return

"So uhh..." Neraxis muttered. This doesn't happen to be where your kingdom starts, is it?

[...] Evangeline remained quiet, but rightfully so.

After all, he had seen a few signs and roads leading toward Velmoria, while also noticing more technology than before.

His speed was simply insane, so he managed to cover a huge distance.

However, he still felt uneasy about using Eve of Ruin.

It was his main skill, sure.

But the problem was that it was a catalyst that the Eternal Sin used to piss him off.

Nonetheless, he glided down to the black wasteland below before gently landing on the soft soil.

Of course, he felt like he'd get the plague just from standing here, but he had to find Evangeline.

Do you recognize anything? Or do I have to go further in? Neraxis asked.

[I don't know, Neraxis... I don't even know where to start,] Evangeline replied, her tone exhausted. [I don't really want to be back here.]

Neraxis sighed. [Bear through it, Evangeline. When I find you, it'll all be alright.]

Despite his flowery words, he was a bit lost.

The sun wasn't above him anymore, and from what he could assume, by the time it cycles around to where he was, a year or more would have long passed.

But even so, he walked through the soil, trying his best to spot something—until eventually, he actually did.

There was a faint presence beneath the soil, and while it wasn't Evangeline, he could assume it was someone who was still alive.

Therefore, Neraxis approached, and with a single wave of {Primordial Presence: Destruction}, he parted the ground, revealing an interesting sight.

Is that a coffin? Don't vampires sleep in coffins? Neraxis wondered as he gently lifted the coffin with his mana, and placed it on the ground beside him.

[It's a coffin, but it's not someone from my kingdom...] Evangeline muttered.

Oh? How can you tell?

[My favorite color was red, so everything was in red... even the coffins,] Evangeline replied shyly, making Neraxis let out a chuckle.

That's silly, but cute.

He leaned in and cracked open the coffin, revealing a rather handsome vampire.

However, his entire body was black, as though he had been burned.

But of course, that was likely the result of the plague.

Neraxis took a deep breath as he decided to try something.

Bringing the sword to his finger, he pricked it, causing blood to fall down onto the vampire below.

His blood was still golden, just even brighter than before.

However, as it fell on top of the vampire, it suddenly glowed even brighter, before sinking deep inside the vampire's body.

And, to his surprise, in the next moment, he saw the vampire's hand twitch, before it suddenly shot up out of the coffin, its fierce claw aimed straight for Neraxis's neck.

But Neraxis didn't panic, as he simply reached out and grabbed the vampire's wrist.

He immediately tightened his grip, literally ripping the vampire's arm off, before delivering a kick straight at the vampire's abdomen.

The vampire, instead of flying backward, seemingly absorbed the blow, then kneeled down, blood dripping from the missing wrist as well as the mouth.

"You're a bit loud for someone who was basically dead," Neraxis remarked with a chuckle. "What's your name?"

"Fargoth," the vampire muttered. "How have I returned? I thought those bastards sealed me?"

"Not sure, bud. However, do you perchance know where Evangeline Noctis is buried?" Neraxis asked, making Fargoth visibly flinch.

And of course, it didn't go unnoticed.

Neraxis walked closer to Fargoth, and then proceeded to raise his chin, before using one of his newer skills.

{Eyes of the Vampire}

It was the only skill of his which could utilize the charm stat, and it worked on both men and women.

He could manipulate them to do anything he wanted, while also reading their memories if he wanted to.

But he was not in the mood for that today.

"Tell me everything you know about Evangeline Noctis."

Fargoth tried resisting, but it was to no avail, as his eyes suddenly turned purple, resembling Neraxis's.

And of course...

"Evangeline Noctis was the former Sovereign of this land, an Empress revered by all. She was the progenitor of all vampires of this planet, and to this day, I feel we owe a great debt to her."

"But you killed her," Neraxis added. "Tell me something I don't know."

Fargoth nodded. "Her betrayal was a spur-of-the-moment decision. The vampire nobles had decided to end her life after she was about to break through to the Celestial rank."

What...? Evangeline? Didn't you say you weren't even close? Neraxis asked, shocked.

After a moment of silence, Evangeline spoke. [It's a little hazy now that I look back on it... But I do remember sitting down and gathering my mana... I saw a few of my fellow vampires, and then it went blank.]

Hmm... These people really are cruel. Neraxis let out an annoyed sigh as he returned his gaze to Fargoth.

"Where is she buried?"

"In the lowest point of Velmoria. That's all I've heard—apologies," Fargoth replied.

Neraxis grumbled, and decided to release the {Eyes of the Vampire} skill, causing Fargoth's eyes to return to their normal red.

"...What have you done to me?" Fargoth asked warily.

However, Neraxis didn't even bother to answer him, as he asked Evangeline one simple question.

Kill or no kill.

[I don't mind either way... But I believe I'll need to enact some revenge on these vampires if you really bring me back,] Evangeline said.

I see... Neraxis nodded as he turned to Fargoth with a massive grin.

"My princess has spoken."

"Wha—"

[1x (S+ Ranked Vampire) Slain! Reward: Stigmata 0.01% → 0.04%]

Fargoth couldn't even react as Neraxis merely flicked Fargoth's head off, sending it flying off in the distance.

At the same time, his body began deteriorating, due to the Decaying properties of his perk.

Now then... Neraxis trailed off, straightening his back. Do you know where the lowest point of Velmoria is?

[I have a rough idea,] Evangeline muttered. [But I don't think you're going to like where it is...]