The screams hadn't stopped.
If anything…
They were getting closer.
---
Rheinland — Burning Streets
Fire spread across the road.
Cars were abandoned.
Doors left open.
Blood everywhere.
---
Elena stood in the middle of it all.
Breathing slowly.
Her body felt heavier now.
Her movements—slightly slower.
---
> "You're reaching your limit," Turichie said.
> "Not yet…" Elena replied.
Another infected rushed toward her—
She cut it down instantly.
---
But this time—
She didn't move right after.
---
A mistake.
---
Something hit her from the side.
Hard.
---
She flew—
Crashing into a parked car.
Metal bent under the impact.
---
Elena coughed.
Her vision blurred for a second.
---
> "That wasn't one of them…" she whispered.
---
The Real Enemy Appears
Footsteps.
Slow.
Controlled.
---
A figure stepped out of the smoke.
---
The old man.
---
The one she bit.
---
But now—
He was different.
---
His posture was straight.
His eyes clear.
His presence…
Heavy.
---
> "You've grown fast," he said calmly.
Elena stood up slowly.
Her eyes locked onto him.
---
> "You…"
> "Yes," he smiled faintly. "You remember."
---
Two Worlds Meet
The infected still moved around them.
Still attacking.
Still screaming.
---
But none of them came near.
---
It was like—
They could feel something.
---
> "Interesting, isn't it?" the old man said. "They avoid me."
Elena narrowed her eyes.
> "What are you?"
He chuckled softly.
---
> "Something you created."
Silence.
---
Elena's fists tightened.
> "I didn't choose this."
> "Neither did I."
---
First Vampire Clash
He moved.
---
Not like the infected.
Not wild.
---
Fast.
Precise.
---
In a blink—
He was in front of her.
---
Elena barely reacted—
She raised her arm—
---
CLASH.
---
His hand stopped her blade.
Barehanded.
---
Her eyes widened.
---
> "You're… strong…"
> "And you're holding back," he replied.
He pushed—
---
Elena slid back across the ground.
---
Realization
> "He's not like the others," Elena whispered.
> "No," Turichie said. "He's evolving."
---
The Hunter's Smile
The old man tilted his head slightly.
Watching her.
Studying her.
---
> "You're different from the others," he said. "You think. You hesitate."
---
> "That will get you killed."
---
Round Two
Elena moved first this time.
---
Faster.
Sharper.
---
She disappeared—
Reappeared behind him—
Struck—
---
He dodged.
---
Too easily.
---
He grabbed her wrist—
Twisted—
---
CRACK.
---
Elena gasped.
---
But her arm—
Healed.
Almost instantly.
---
The old man's eyes widened slightly.
---
> "Regeneration…" he murmured. "So you really are… special."
---
The Weakness
Elena pulled back.
Breathing heavier now.
---
Her strength…
Fading.
---
> "You're weakening," he said. "You haven't fed enough."
---
Silence.
---
He smiled.
---
> "I can smell it."
---
Temptation
He stepped closer.
Slowly.
---
> "You're trying to protect them…"
He glanced at the houses.
The people hiding.
---
> "But you're starving."
---
Elena's vision flickered.
---
The sound of heartbeats filled her ears.
---
Too loud.
Too close.
---
> "Stop…" she whispered.
---
Turichie Speaks
> "Control yourself," Turichie said firmly. "Don't let him break your mind."
---
Breaking Point
The old man leaned in slightly.
---
> "Go on," he whispered. "Just one… you'll feel better."
---
Elena's hand trembled.
---
Her blade flickered.
---
Her eyes—
Shifted.
---
For a moment…
She almost lost it.
---
Snap Back
Then—
She remembered.
---
Her brother.
Her mother.
---
The painting.
---
Her eyes sharpened.
---
> "I'm not like you."
---
She moved.
---
Faster than before.
---
Her wings burst open—
She launched upward—
Then dived—
---
Striking down with full force—
---
The old man blocked—
But this time—
---
He slid back.
---
Power Revealed
Elena stood tall.
Breathing heavily.
---
Her aura changed.
---
> "Good…" the old man said softly. "Now you're getting serious."
---
Around them—
The infected still moved.
Still killing.
Still spreading.
---
The town burned.
---
And in the middle of it—
Two vampires stood.
---
Not allies.
Not equals.
---
Enemies.
---
> "Tell me your name," he said.
---
Elena looked straight at him.
---
> "Elena."
---
He smiled.
---
> "Good."
---
> "Then let's see how long you survive, Elena."
---
End of Chapter 20
---