The Accidental Vampire

Atlas only noticed the attack when he was mid-air, unable to control himself to avoid the attack.

Unexpectedly, at the same time, he noticed another shadow appear behind him. Something hit the fourth wolf, sending it flying in the distance.

Taking advantage of the moment, Atlas focused on the third wolf, who managed to land on the ground.

His feet landed on the head of the third wolf, using the entire momentum. The impact of his landing was so powerful that the third wolf crashed on the ground. Before it could even stand up, Atlas wrapped his arm around the wolf, making it impossible for him to be bitten.

"I know there is a person inside that beastly form, and I really didn't want to kill you. But I have no choice. You attacked me first, and even if I let you live, it'll only create more trouble for me. So forgive me."

Crack~

Atlas applied slight pressure, cracking the neck of the third wolf, leaving only the fourth one who was being kept at bay by another wolf.

Atlas also realized that the shadow which has helped him was none other than a wolf. The new wolf appeared to be slightly bigger and more powerful. It was even faster than the other wolves. Instead of facing Atlas, the wolf faced the one who had attacked Atlas.

A beautiful mark shone on the forehead of the wolf, depicting the Royal Werewolf Bloodline.

Seeing that mark, even the fourth wolf was stunned. A Royal had arrived here to stop them?

The fourth wolf went on its knees, bowing its head in respect, believing a Royal from the city had arrived. The wolf didn't know that the one who had arrived wasn't a Royal from the city but a friend of Atlas, Lancaster himself.

The fourth wolf returned to her normal form, becoming a young woman once again. Unfortunately, there was not a single shred of clothing on her body. She didn't appear embarrassing despite being completely naked.

"My Lord, did we make a mistake? Why did you attack us instead of that Vampire?" The dark-haired woman asked in confusion. "He killed three of ours."

Lancaster didn't return to his human form. He simply glanced at Atlas, making the woman feel like he knew Atlas.

"The Vampire who was meditating this close to the Empire... Is he a friend of the Royal Family or an informant who was here to give us the news about the Vampires?"

The silence of the Werewolf before her only made the woman feel as if the Royal Wolf was angry. There was no way a Royal Werewolf would choose to attack them instead of the Vampires unless he knew the Vampire and he was there for them. That made her wonder if she had made a mistake?

The only way a Royal Werewolf would care for a Vampire was if the Vampire was working for them or was an informant. She wondered if she had attacked someone who was working for them. That would explain why the Royal attacked her.

Lancaster didn't reply. He knew he couldn't. If he returned to his real form, the woman was going to realize that he wasn't a part of the Royal Family. Fortunately, she had already found a way to justify his actions.

"But he didn't tell us. If he told us he was a spy for us, there wouldn't be this misunderstanding. I... I wouldn't attack a friend of the Werewolves. Not only did he not tell us who he was, but he also killed three of my friends. It's not our fault."

"Not there, four." A voice fell in the woman's ears as Atlas's hands appeared behind her. He hated killing innocents as he believed every time he killed one, he lost a part of his old self. Unfortunately, he had no other choice.

He had already killed three of them before the intervention of Lancaster. Even if he made up a story about being a spy, there was no way she was going to be silent after entering the Kingdom. She might even go to the King to ask for justice.

He was fine if it was just him, but there were more people with him. His one act of kindness could put Lilith and Lancaster in danger in the city, which he didn't want.

Killing the Werewolves was one of the hardest decisions he had to take, which hurt him more. Still, if the choice was between his friends and the others, he had to choose his friends. He didn't want to be all alone in this world again.

The act of killing someone innocent was something he never thought he would do, but something inside him had changed. Something inside him had broken ever since he drank Blood, and he didn't know what it was.

All he knew was that he had become something he hated the most. Not only did he become a Vampire, but he became someone who killed innocents for his goals. The only difference was that he didn't kill anyone for his entertainment. He only killed when he had no choice.

Lancaster watched the woman being killed before him, which surprised him.

He returned to his human form. Even as he returned to his human form, there was a look of grief on his face. "You didn't have to kill her. You couldn't lie to her or make up a story. She had already done the story-making part for us."

"If only we could do that." Atlas gazed at the body lying near his feet. "If there were a way to let her live, I would've been the first person to advocate for it. Unfortunately, there was none. It was too late. Three of her friends had already been killed. She wasn't going to let this go, and even if she did, there are people in the city who would certainly ask her where her three friends went."

"Before long, the information about us would've reached the King. She had already seen me. If she had described me in the city, everyone would know what I was. Moreover, the Werewolf King would know that I've already killed his citizens, which would increase his hostility toward me even more. All of us would've been targeted."

Atlas solemnly explained. "If I need to carry the burden of these innocent lives, I'm willing to bear it if it keeps you all safe. You had no hand in it. I killed them. I'm the devil here, not you. You can hate me for it if you want."

Atlas turned his back on the body and started walking away in silence.