CRIMSON NOCTURNE

CHAPTER 20: Rusfan Again

Camilla had been driven into a corner by Van Helsing's relentless sword attacks. If not for the armor covering her body, she would have died a dozen times over. After barely managing to force him back, she decided it was time to pull out all the stops.

Van Helsing stepped back, watching as Camilla's body underwent a strange, writhing transformation. Instead of pressing the attack, he decided to use the moment as a teaching opportunity for Yi Fei.

"Yi Fei, this is how you fight. Lead with overwhelming force to terrify your opponent. That's how you keep them on the defensive."

"Mm-hmm, mm-hmm." Yi Fei nodded, but Van Helsing had no idea if he was actually listening. The wolf's massive golden eyes were fixed on Camilla's transformed form. Despite the black armor covering her body, there was something about her figure and stance that reminded him painfully of Lee Kexter — the vampire who had taken Chen Jing.

When Camilla launched her first kick at Van Helsing, Yi Fei was already certain. This woman was Lee Kexter. Hatred blazed in his chest. Seeing one's enemy made the eyes burn red. With a guttural growl from deep in his throat, Yi Fei shot past Van Helsing at high speed and lunged at the woman, tackling her into a full brawl.

Van Helsing jumped at Yi Fei's sudden charge, staring dumbfounded as the young wolf and Camilla tore into each other.

Yi Fei's blood was boiling as he traded blows with her. But slowly, he began to realize this woman was very different from Lee Kexter. Her kicks looked similar, true, but when they connected, the impact was far lighter — hardly enough to cause him serious harm. If this wasn't Lee Kexter, then she wouldn't know where Chen Jing was either. His attacks slowed as the realization dawned.

Camilla had been waiting for exactly this moment. The instant Yi Fei's assault slackened, she unleashed her true technique — Soul Fire. In a flash, Yi Fei was engulfed in roaring flames. Even Van Helsing couldn't get near the inferno, which fed on Yi Fei's very soul as fuel.

The blazing fire created a wall between them. Beyond Van Helsing's field of vision, Camilla transformed herself into a black panther and bolted for the door. This was the escape she had been waiting for.

By the time Van Helsing noticed, Camilla's front paws were already across the threshold.

But in that instant, Yi Fei's voice cut through the roar of the flames. "Disappearance Cannon!!!" A visible shockwave erupted from his mouth and slammed into Camilla's back with brutal force. She let out a horrible shriek. The sonic blast had shattered her spine and pulverized several of her internal organs with its ultra-low frequency vibrations.

"Holy crap. Tell me he doesn't know the Spirit Fist too." Van Helsing watched the fully-flamed wolf casually hop into the garden pond to douse himself, shaking his head in disbelief.

Camilla collapsed to the ground, unable to move, reverting to human form. She stared in despair as Van Helsing hoisted her onto his shoulder. "How is this possible?! There are creatures that Soul Fire can't burn?!"

"Sorry, my lady." Van Helsing didn't seem the least bit burdened by the weight of his prisoner. "Werewolves are cursed beings. Their souls transcend faith itself. That faith-based fire of yours couldn't possibly harm him. If you had burned me instead, I wouldn't have gotten off so easily. Next time, do your research before a fight. A pretty face like yours shouldn't be so illiterate."

"Where are you taking me?!" Camilla felt his hand wander to her rear and began to feel genuinely afraid.

"Hehe. You're a prisoner. Don't ask so many questions. We haven't decided to turn you into cash yet, so relax." With a grin and hands that didn't stop their explorations, Van Helsing followed the now-dressed Yi Fei out of the cathedral.

* * *

They left the church and navigated across the rooftops, easily avoiding the notice of ordinary citizens. The pair made their way back to their lodgings, both in high spirits with their beautiful captive. Yi Fei was happy because Van Helsing had said this prisoner would know plenty of vampire secrets — meaning he was one step closer to finding Chen Jing. Van Helsing, meanwhile, was happy because the broken-backed beauty bouncing against his back with every leap was... quite pleasant.

As they traveled, each savoring his own kind of joy, Camilla suddenly began trembling in fear.

"What's wrong?" Van Helsing felt the irregular shiver against his back and thought his bouncing might be hurting her.

"Larson's men are coming. Closer and closer." Camilla buried her face in Van Helsing's back, her voice shaking. "He's very strong. I've fled to so many places and never managed to escape him."

"Don't worry, beautiful. I'm counting on you falling for me after I save you." Despite his joking tone, Van Helsing's expression was deadly serious. "Looks like we've got a real fight ahead." The oppressive presence approaching from behind made him raise his guard.

He signaled to Yi Fei and changed course, heading toward the outskirts. The pursuer didn't rush to catch up — it just followed at a steady, unhurried pace.

"A real expert. He's not even worried we'll get away." Van Helsing handed Camilla to Yi Fei and gave him instructions. "When the fight starts, head southeast at full speed. Camilla will show you the way. Go to Rome and wait for me there. If you're worried I won't find you, there's a big church there — I forget what it's called. Meet there."

Yi Fei nodded, reluctance heavy in his chest. But he knew that in his current state, he would only be a burden to Van Helsing. Taking the woman away would let Van Helsing face the enemy with a clear mind.

* * *

As they spoke, Van Helsing and Yi Fei led their pursuer to a farm far from London. At first, the farm dogs barked furiously at the intruders. But as their pursuer drew near, the dogs fell silent as if their throats had been suddenly gripped by an invisible hand.

"Sir, what business do you have following us in the dead of night?" Van Helsing drew his long blade as the man approached.

The newcomer didn't seem bothered by the drawn weapon. He bowed politely and spoke in an exceptionally pleasant voice. "I apologize for disturbing your evening stroll. My name is Rusfan. I wouldn't presume to interfere — I only ask that the young lady in your companion's arms return something that belongs to my employer. It may be worthless to you, but it is a treasured plaything to my master."

Van Helsing glanced at Camilla, who was still trembling in Yi Fei's arms. She shook her head firmly, making it abundantly clear that this 'plaything' was vitally important to her.

Well, that settled that. Not that he'd be allowed to frisk her anyway, tempting as the thought was. Van Helsing abandoned any hope of a peaceful resolution and stepped in front of Rusfan. "Sorry, she doesn't seem willing, and none of us gentlemen are exactly comfortable searching her. Maybe come back with a female assistant next time?"

"There's no need for such trouble." Rusfan smiled faintly. "If you won't hand it over, I can simply turn you all to dust and search at my leisure." As he spoke, he began to gather his power.

The moment Rusfan started channeling his energy, Van Helsing knew they were in serious trouble. The handsome man's eyes shifted from blue to emerald green, and he didn't grow fangs — all signs that this self-proclaimed Rusfan was a fourth-generation vampire of immense power. If he didn't give this everything he had, he might not leave this place alive.

Van Helsing stopped holding back. He unleashed his full power as a Fate Hunter, focusing every ounce of concentration on Rusfan's every movement. He shot Yi Fei a meaningful look — find your moment and run.

"Won't your little friend join in too, holding that thing?" Rusfan had clearly misinterpreted the look, thinking Yi Fei was waiting for a chance to ambush him. "You won't get a good opportunity."

Van Helsing didn't bother correcting him. If anything, the misunderstanding would make it easier for Yi Fei to escape. "Enough talk. If you want my woman, you'll have to beat me first." He raised his blade, pointing it at Rusfan.

"Fate Hunter?" Rusfan finally realized his opponent was no ordinary man. "This might be a good workout."

"HEYAH!" Van Helsing's blade became a streak of blue light, arcing diagonally toward Rusfan. The mild-mannered vampire dared not underestimate the strike — he leaped back to evade the edge.

But Van Helsing had predicted exactly that move! The moment his opponent retreated as expected, Van Helsing twisted his wrist. The blade's momentum flowed seamlessly, sweeping toward where Rusfan would land.

"I underestimated him." Rusfan hadn't expected such a small opening to put him in such a disadvantageous position. But he was no ordinary fighter. He halted mid-air, somehow shifting several meters further back, dodging the blade once more.

Still dodging? Van Helsing smiled to himself. He touched the tip of his sword to the ground and launched his entire body at Rusfan like a projectile. Suspended in the air with no leverage, old energy spent and new energy not yet gathered, Rusfan could only watch helplessly as the blade came for his face like a relentless curse.

If a silver blade hit him square on, even a fourth-generation vampire like Rusfan would be finished. Even the third generation — closest to the gods — could not escape the curse of this metal!

At the last possible moment, Rusfan reached into the empty air and grasped. A longsword of ancient design materialized in his hand, barely deflecting Van Helsing's near-fatal strike.

"A Holy Crusader Longsword?!?!" The sudden appearance of the weapon stunned Van Helsing. The shape, the style, the sacred aura flickering within it — he couldn't believe a vampire was wielding this weapon against him. "How is that possible!?"

[END OF CHAPTER 20]