CHAPTER 171: SUB CATEGORY: VAMPIRES

Aamir stood before the massive black-iron gates of the vampire city, the red sun casting a bloody hue across the stone walls. His sharp crimson eyes locked on the two guards stationed at the entrance.

"Luman," he muttered under his breath, "they... they look like humans."

[Yes, host,] Luman’s calm, mechanical voice echoed in his mind. [But they are not.]

Aamir narrowed his eyes, his curiosity piqued. "System—Appraisal."

His crimson system screen shimmered to life, glowing faintly in front of him as a scan line swept across the two guards.

[Appraisal Initiated...]

[New Type of Beast Discovered!]

Category: Vampire

Rank: Vampire City Guard

Aamir blinked in disbelief. "What the hell? New type of beast? Not a new race? Not even an alien species?"

[Correct, host,] Luman replied. [Their DNA shares key markers with terrestrial chiropterans—bats. Your system identifies and classifies them based on their primal lineage. In essence... they are an evolved form of beast.]

Aamir rubbed the back of his neck, his expression half amused and half stunned. "So vampires... are just beasts with fancy manners?"

Before he could even process it fully, another notification flashed across his screen:

[New Skill Unlocked!]

Skill: Beastlord’s Dominion – Vampire Subjugation

Effect: You may command vampires weaker than yourself.

Additional:

Gain experience for defeating or killing vampires.

Aamir’s lips curled into a dangerous grin.

"Well," he muttered, "this is strange... but damn if it isn’t useful."

He clenched his fists, feeling the raw potential humming in his veins.

[Host,] Luman warned, [be cautious. Just because you can tame them does not mean you should reveal it recklessly. The balance of this planet is delicate. One wrong move, and you could unite every vampire here against you.]

Aamir smirked. "Relax, Luman. I don’t plan to tame an army... not yet, anyway. First, I want to see what this city’s really hiding."

His gaze flicked back to the guards. They hadn’t noticed anything unusual, but Aamir’s instincts told him they were far from harmless.

"Alright," he whispered, stepping forward with quiet confidence, his aura suppressed and his newly acquired scent-masking skill active. "Time to see if the vampires are as terrifying as the stories say..."

The gates loomed closer, the guards’ crimson eyes watching him with cold scrutiny.

And Aamir, Beastlord of Earth, prepared to walk straight into their den.

Aamir took a steady breath and approached the gates, the heavy silence of the blood-red sky pressing down on him.

As he neared the entrance, his steps faltered for a moment. What if they find out I’m human?

Luman’s voice cut through his hesitation like a blade.

[Host, don’t you remember? You are the strongest being here. None of them can touch you.]

Aamir chuckled under his breath. "Oh... yeah. I almost forgot about that." His confidence surged back.

He pushed forward.

The two guards standing at the gate stared at him, their crimson eyes gleaming faintly in the dark light. For a brief second, Aamir expected questions or resistance. But instead—

One of them simply gave a curt nod.

The other shifted slightly, but neither spoke. It was as if they instinctively recognized something in him... and decided not to interfere.

"Huh," Aamir muttered with a smirk. "Guess I still carry that ’apex predator’ vibe."

He stepped past the gates, entering the vampire city for the first time.

The air changed immediately.

The streets stretched wide and silent, paved with deep obsidian stone that glimmered faintly like polished glass. Towering structures lined both sides of the road—tall, sharp-edged spires made of black metal, their surfaces reflecting the dim crimson glow of the sky. Every building carried an aura of elegance mixed with an unsettling, predatory atmosphere.

"This place..." Aamir muttered, scanning the eerie streets. "It’s like a mix between a fortress and a graveyard."

Luman’s voice hummed in his mind. [Vampires value strength and order above all else. Their cities are built to reflect this—cold, unyielding, and without weakness.]

Aamir’s sharp gaze caught sight of several figures moving along the streets. Vampires. Their movements were silent, graceful, almost predatory, like beasts wearing human skin.

Some glanced at him but quickly looked away, their instincts warning them not to stare too long.

Aamir smirked. "Heh. Guess even they can feel it."

He continued walking, observing everything—the rows of black-metal statues depicting warriors with elongated fangs, the banners dyed in crimson hues, and the looming palace at the city’s heart, its spires stabbing into the sky like the fangs of some great beast.

"Not bad," Aamir whispered. "If nothing else, they’ve got style."

Luman added, [Focus, host. We still need to locate the strongest presences in this city. And remember—some of them are hiding their strength.]

"Oh, don’t worry," Aamir replied with a grin. "If they’re hiding... I’ll drag them out myself."

He tightened his cloak around his shoulders and walked deeper into the city, every step echoing against the cold, metallic streets.

And above, the blood-red sun continued to burn, bathing the vampire city in its eternal twilight.

Aamir stopped in the middle of the bustling street, his crimson eyes fixed on the towering castle in the distance. Its jagged black spires pierced the blood-red sky like blades, and a faint aura of dominance radiated from it.

"Man..." Aamir muttered, rubbing the back of his neck. "How the hell am I gonna get up there? I could beat the guards, but... yeah, probably not the best way to make a first impression."

He stood there, deep in thought, when suddenly—

BUMP!

A rough shoulder slammed into him. Aamir barely even moved, but the man who hit him immediately shouted, "Hey! Watch where you’re going!"

Aamir blinked at him in disbelief. "What? I was literally standing still."

The man, a pale vampire with sharp features and an exaggerated sense of pride, pointed at Aamir with a sneer. "Liar! You did it on purpose!"

Aamir raised an eyebrow. "...What the hell are you talking about?"

"Don’t play dumb!" the man snarled. "Listen—just give me money as compensation, or I’ll call the guards!"

Aamir stared at him for a moment, then smirked faintly. "Call the guards, then."

The man froze, clearly not expecting that answer. "W-What? You... you’re not afraid?"

"Nope," Aamir replied casually. "Go on. Call them. I could use the entertainment."

The vampire’s face twisted in anger, and he raised his voice louder. "Guards! Guards! This outsider attacked me!"

The shouting drew attention. Within seconds, two armored vampire guards appeared, their crimson eyes scanning the situation.

One of the guards stepped forward, his hand resting on the hilt of his black-metal blade. "What’s going on here?"

The loud-mouthed vampire immediately pointed at Aamir, his expression shifting into a fake look of pain. "This man! He hit me and insulted me! I demand justice!"

Aamir pinched the bridge of his nose and sighed. "You’ve got to be kidding me."

The guard turned to Aamir, his expression stern. "Is this true?"

Aamir met the guard’s gaze, his voice calm but sharp. "No. I didn’t touch him. He bumped into me, then started this little drama. If you want the truth, ask anyone who’s been watching."

The crowd around them murmured, but no one dared speak up.

The vampire who caused the trouble smirked. "See? No one will help you. Now pay up, or face the consequences."

Aamir tilted his head, a faint grin forming. "You really picked the wrong person to mess with, pal."

The guard glanced between them, clearly unsure. "Sir... please, just come with us. We can settle this without violence."

Aamir crossed his arms. "And if I refuse?"

The second guard, gripping his spear, narrowed his eyes. "Then we’ll have to use force."

Aamir chuckled darkly, his voice carrying a quiet edge of dominance. "Force, huh? Sure. Go ahead. Try."

The first guard stepped forward, his hand pressing against Aamir’s shoulder. He pushed—

And nothing happened.

Aamir didn’t even move an inch.

The guard’s eyes widened. "What the...?"

Aamir leaned in slightly, his smirk growing colder. "If that’s the best you’ve got, you might want to reconsider."

The guard instinctively backed away, unease flickering in his crimson eyes. He whispered, "No... he’s too strong... are you... a noble?"

Aamir tilted his head. "No. I’m just not some idiot with a tiny little ego."

The crowd gasped. Several nobles standing nearby clenched their jaws at the insult, their pride stung by his words.

From above, heavy footsteps echoed. A commanding voice rang out:

"What’s going on here?"

The crowd parted as a figure clad in black armor strode forward—the Vampire Knight, Philip.

The guards immediately bowed. "Sir Philip!"

Philip’s cold eyes locked onto Aamir, and a faint smirk formed on his lips. "I heard what this outsider said. Sounds like someone needs to be taught how to respect nobility."

He moved like a cannonball, his fist flying toward Aamir—

And Aamir caught it. Effortlessly. Without even flinching.

The entire street went silent.

Philip’s eyes widened. "Impossible..."

Aamir grinned, tightening his grip. "You should’ve thought this through."

With one casual motion, Aamir tossed Philip like he weighed nothing—sending him crashing 500 meters down the street.

Gasps erupted from the crowd. Philip staggered back to his feet, blood on his lip, his aura flaring in anger.

More guards rushed forward, surrounding Aamir.

Aamir sighed, his expression shifting into something colder... darker.

"Alright," he said, his voice low and commanding. "Let’s make this simple. Move... or I’ll bury every last one of you right here."

And then it happened.

Aamir unleashed his aura.

The pressure hit like a mountain. Guards dropped to their knees. Nobles gasped for breath. Even Philip, still standing far away, froze where he was.

From deep within the city, even the royal palace could feel the suffocating force of Aamir’s presence.