Blood Awakening: The Strongest Hybrid and His Vampire Bride

Chapter 235 The Auction - 01

”I wonder if Nikolai will praise me.” Risa whispered to herself, gazing at the grey clouds circling the central S-City district.

Her eyes narrowed, peeking around.

—Squeak!

The slight squeak of her body suit caused her to grimace, and she could only bite her lower lip in frustration.

ʼItʼs clinging to my body... it feels strange.ʼ

The plan would soon begin as Risa dashed over the grey skyline, leaping across buildings and rolling along their tiles to reach close to the prospected location.

”Well... this headset is something Nikita gave me...”

Risaʼs fingertips brushed against the small black device in her ear.

It was like the mercenary headset but much smaller. The device rested comfortably inside Risaʼs fluffy ears, supported by a leather cushion.

A model suited for Monsters and Lycans rather than humans.

—Tap!

With a slight tap, a flicker of static sounded in her ear before Nikitaʼs voice followed.

『Whatʼs the matter, Risa? Are you alright?!』

『Iʼm fine. Iʼm just checking to see if this thing works... how is the plan coming along?”

ʼHer voice sounds quite excited. I hope she keeps calm.ʼ

Normally, it would be Risa making fun or joking around, but when working, she hated messing around or doing anything that could jeopardise the mission.

『Kumikoʼs clone is heading to the venue. I think we can get an entry permit thanks to my dadʼs connections.』

『I see... so she will be staying outside?』

『Mm, Kumiko will send her strongest clone to attend while her physical body will wait outside.』

—Bzzt!

Suddenly, another signal interrupted their chat.

『Hello, Miss Risa, Miss Nikita? Itʼs Kumiko. I have reached the Eastern connection and will head to the same location as Miss Risa now』

Kumikoʼs voice sounded extremely elegant and dignified, causing Risa to curl the corners of her lips slightly and gaze to the east of her, only to see a golden fluff hopping between the roofs, her body twirling and stepping with masterful and gracefully agile steps.

ʼSheʼs much more skilled than I thought...ʼ

Although Risa learned from professionals and could easily mimic the same speed and movement, Kumikoʼs movements almost seemed like a rhythmic dance. These movements added to her unique appearance in her mature form.

『Kumi, you donʼt need to be so serious and speak like that...』

『Eh?!』

Nikitaʼs slightly awkward voice seemed to make the kitsune gasp as she cleared her throat.

『I will do my best... M-Miss Nikita.』

『keep the radio line clear...』

Risaʼs comment echoed before she tapped the black device twice, lowering the volume and active sensor.

Kumikoʼs figure dashed across the slate roofing and hopped towards the hidden Risa; with her graceful moves, she landed without a single sound.

Only the pitter-patter of the rain.

”Miss Risa, I have arrived.”

Risa looked at the tall, seductive woman and shook her head, feeling worried about the future.

With Nikolaiʼs personality, only danger bells rang in her mind.

ʼI hope that he doesnʼt become addicted to her...ʼ

”Kumiko, call me Risa... donʼt be so stiff—we are friends now, but letʼs focus. What about your clone?”

The two gazed down onto the streets.

In their sights, a moderately tall building, a grand entrance with various pillars depicting former members of the Tepes clan on each one

What made Risa and Nikita on guard most was the building used, which was a place loaned by the Tepes clan to another smaller clan named the Bloodmire.

—Crackle!

—Thunder!

Ssshhhhh~

A sudden bright flash flickered in the distance before the rumbling sound of thunder followed soon after—a storm was brewing.

”Damn...”

”Ah...”

『The storm came sooner... Risa, Kumi, be careful out there. I will gather my men now!』

Nikitaʼs voice vanished after a small click, the two women gazing at each other before the fluffy female in a long red coat and black dress appeared in their sights, mixed in with the others entering the auction building together.

”Is that your clone?”

Risaʼs eyes widened, different from the current Kumiko, instead a sensual and sharp-eyed woman with a slightly feisty style of walking and movement.

”Mm... it seems that the other people are annoyed at the storm.”

”I see, you can feel everything?”

”Almost... itʼs a little dulled when controlling several clones, but with just one, it feels quite real.”

The Nekomata narrowed her eyes while taking a deep breath. She crawled closer, her body close to the slates, and they moved to a taller building.

The Bloodmire family were trusted merchants because of their blood art.

Able to create special blood contracts between two people that would cause a person to explode into a blood mist if they broke the contract, no matter what their power.

”Iʼm going to focus now, please keep an eye out Risa.”

”Of course, Kumiko.”

Kumiko pressed her lips together, her nose pulling in a large amount of air, and closed her eyes with both hands pressed together, almost like a meditation.

Meanwhile, her focus and mind travelled to the sassy Kumiko at the entrance with her forged permit.

”Lady, may I see your invitation?” the male doorman asked, his eyes flicking to her hips and chest several times. The tight black tress only crushed them into a slightly deformed shape.

It couldnʼt hide how huge they were.

ʼUgh... this dress is so tight and it rubs against my skin...ʼ

”Hmph... here.”

With a snappy voice, she flicked the invitation from her cleavage with two fingers, then tossed it to the male, who gasped, his face slightly red as he seemed to sniff the envelope.

”Creep...”

ʼAh... why did I say something so intense?!ʼ

Kumiko only meant to show her displeasure slightly, but the translation to her clone was to call the man a creep.

Luckily for her, his nostrils flared as he jumped, shuddering.

However, the male did nothing more than this after taking out a metal device with a rectangle box that emitted a strange light. He then quickly scanned the invitation, followed by a pleasant-sounding beep and green light.

The next moment, he pulled a trigger on the device, and it shot a black marking, a strange tattoo in the shape of two snakes and a single spear, then appeared on the back of her left hand.

”Youʼre good to go, and maybe—”

Before the man could speak anymore, Kumiko swayed her hips and entered the auction house, her heels clicking each time she moved.

ʼPhew... he didnʼt make a fuss.ʼ

『Nothing special on the inside...』

Kumikoʼs voice echoed, though because she spoke with a sassy accent, it sounded a little strange; she walked through the building while observing the hallways and doors.

ʼTwo doors to the left of the entrance seem unused... four large windows leading to the western part of the building.ʼ

She continued to note the buildingʼs layout and where she could escape if something went wrong.

ʼAlthough I can let the clone die easily... the pain and damage when I use only one is the same as the power... I feel 90% of it.ʼ

Kumiko hid this from the other two, partially because it was a drawback of her skill and partly because she didnʼt want to disappoint her newest friends.

『Keep an eye out—we couldnʼt get information on the auction itself!』

Nikitaʼs voice responded, bringing a small smile to Kumikoʼs face, but on her sassy clone, only the corner of her lip rose, creating a seductive and dark smirk.

『No problems. I have reached the main area...』

Kumiko whispered, keeping an ear and eye out for any unusual sounds.

The main hall was wide, normally an opera hall or something similar. Maybe concerts were performed there. She gazed at the upper boxes while being guided to her seat.

Because they got one at the last minute, the ticket was in the general area instead of a VIP box.

She listened to the various conversations as people chatted amongst themselves, flicking her eyes between the VIP boxes to see who attended and which families might be dangerous.

”Welcome our esteemed guests. I am Lucas Bloodmire, the heir and your host tonight!”

A tall and lanky young man with short, slicked-back hair and red eyes stood centre stage. He wore a black tuxedo with a white flower in his right pocket and a red tie. Two women dressed as maids stood at his sides. They held his arms, their bodies pressing up to his sides and their heads leaning on his shoulders.

”You will never be disappointed by a Bloodmire Auction!”

ʼSuch a strange man...ʼ

『How are things down there, Kumi?』

『There are many people, Nikita... and the auction is about to start...』

The lights faded before smaller focused lights lit up the stage, and a sudden silence filled the room with indistinct murmurs.

The host stepped forward with his hands raised and shouted.

”Welcome, everyone. I will be your host today, and Iʼm glad to present our first item: a slave from the Aelser family.”

ʼSLAVE?!ʼ

A female with dog ears and a tail was ushered onto the stage. Her hands were bound, but her eyes seemed lifeless.

The only clothes on her body were her undergarments.

Her body was muscular and toned, but she was very short and looked like she hadnʼt been fed properly for days. A chain was wrapped around her neck, which was attached to the collar she wore, and it dragged her onto the stage.

Kumikoʼs heart raced, beating faster as memories of her past treatment flowed through her mind. The clone grasped the leather arms tight, her sharp claws sinking through the fabric.

ʼThese uncultured swine!ʼ

『Itʼs... itʼs... a slave auction!』

『What?! In S-City?!』

『How can that be!』

Their voices meshed together, and all Kumiko could see was the snarky, sarcastic smirk of the male heir of the Bloodmire family. Her upper lips lifted as she couldnʼt stop her clone from hissing and growling in anger, with only a single thought in her heart.

ʼCan I hold back?!ʼ