Chapter 24: The Snow Clan

"No, I am not foolish enough to engage in an attack while fully aware that I will face fatal consequences," the individual said solemnly, gazing upon the lifeless bodies of their own kin. "I prefer to embrace life rather than perish meaninglessly, unlike my misguided siblings."

With a sword aimed at the glasses-wearing vampire, Sam inquired with a menacing tone, "Provide me a single valid cause to spare your life." His fury resonated in his voice, and his determined demeanor conveyed an unwavering resolve to annihilate the vampire. Though the vampire appeared composed, turmoil could be sensed beneath the surface.

"Please... please spare me. I-I'm willing to do anything, j-just please don't take my life away," pleaded the vampire, completely at Sam's mercy. Their mind raced, desperately trying to devise an escape plan that would spare both their head and heart. Fear coursed through them as they looked upon the lifeless bodies of their brothers.

'I need to make this hero leave immediately. Time is running out!' contemplated the vampire within their mind.

Putting his sword away, Sam recalled something and finally asked the vampire the question that had been on his mind since he first saw the vampire in the daytime. "How do you guys walk in sunlight? Aren't vampires supposed to perish when exposed to sunlight?"

"It's one of the specialties of our Clan," responded the vampire.

"Tell me more," Sam asked politely, though his expression betrayed his impatience.

The vampire remained silent, steadfastly refusing to disclose his clan's abilities to anyone outside their ranks.

"You can either answer me or get killed by me." Gripping his sword tightly, Sam advanced toward the vampire, determined to exude a more intimidating presence. "Your choice."

The vampire shivered, feeling a cold sensation travel down their spine, and had no choice but to obey Sam's command. "The dominant ability of our clan lies in Pyrokinesis, harnessing the power of fire." The vampire conjured a fireball atop his hand, elucidating his clan's powers.

The Snow Clan, an ancient vampire society, possesses a distinguishing feature where every member, including the vampire triplets, bears lustrous white hair. Throughout countless millennia, they have developed an inherent resilience that allows them to withstand the perils of sunlight, although their resistance falls short of the extensive immunity boasted by vampires from the main family lineage.

"I see," Sam nodded, taking in the information.

Sam was aware of the existing discrimination between noble vampires, who can trace their lineage back to the five ancient vampire progenitors, and plebeian vampires, who were turned into vampires from other species. The noble vampires view the plebeian vampires as slaves and cannon fodder, and this discrimination surprised Sam within the vampire society.

The vampire felt compelled to disclose the intricate details surrounding discrimination within the vampire society. In their world, an individual's value is intricately tied to the purity of their blood, determining their social standing, wealth, and power. The progenitors, the eminent leaders of vampire-kind, possess the bloodline of the legendary Night King, which bestows upon them extraordinary potential and a prestigious title. Being a progenitor means having the ability to shape an entire civilization, garnering immense significance and reverence for their lineage.

If Sam were to ascend as a progenitor vampire, his prestige within the vampire realm would soar to the heights of a vampire king.

Sam learned that these triplets were originally from the branch family of the Snow Clan, which explained their relatively weaker fire abilities compared to the main family. However, Sam found it amusing that the vampire thought they were weak, as their firepower was still extremely lethal. If Sam had pyrokinesis, he could accomplish many things. Moreover, considering that these vampires came from the branch family and possessed such powerful fire, one could only imagine the even greater potency of the fire wielded by the main family.

Sam's excitement was palpable as their mind brimmed with countless possibilities for utilizing fire, unlike the vampires of the Snow Clan. Sam firmly believed that if these vampires possessed the knowledge of harnessing fire to its full potential, they could effortlessly overpower him. It was regrettable that their lack of imagination hindered them from unleashing the true power of their firepower.

"Wait a minute," Sam abruptly halted, as if a crucial memory had resurfaced. His gaze shifted from the lifeless vampires to the lone surviving one, who stood nearby radiating a predatory aura. A twisted grin played across Sam's face, betraying a hint of madness.

The vampire caught a glimpse of this aspect of Sam and shivered, instinctively taking a step back to create some distance between themselves and the formidable hero.

Without concern for the vampire's opinion, Sam boldly approached the lifeless vampires and unleashed his extraordinary power.

[Devour]

A crimson vortex of blood and red-hued smoke emerged from his palm, accompanied by sinewy strands of blood that coiled around the lifeless bodies of the vampires, dragging them into the swirling void. The vortex vanished, leaving Sam holding the remnants in his hands.

The vampire, unable to articulate their reaction, was rendered speechless by an ability he had never encountered before. "What kind of ability is that?" he managed to ask, his fear evident.

At this moment, the vampire couldn't entertain any thoughts of escape. His sole desire was to preserve his own life.

...

[Author's Note: Thank you for reading this chapter. I appreciate your support and would love to hear your thoughts in the comments section.]