Chapter 26: You failed.
"I would like to thank all of you for being persistent in our fight against our enemy! Thank you for not losing hope in me! Thank you for the loved ones we have lost today as they have allowed many others to survive! Now thank you to the vampire Jack, who has given us the chance to finally take them down! Now enjoy the rest of the celebration!" Ian holds his cup up and everyone shouts "cheers" to each other.
Jack had even more attention from the other vampires, all of them praising him for his work and some having a toast with him. This moment reminded Jack of his time, everytime he did something heroic, it ended up with him being praised and loved. If it was the old him, he would feel proud of himself and be encouraged to continue being better but now all these compliments feel empty to him. He does not feel encouraged nor accomplished; all this is doing is reminisce about his time thus feeling angry on the inside.
Luckily, Jack is quite a good actor;able to converse with the vampires like nothing was wrong. Throughout the night Jack didn't take a sip of alcohol and just had water; claiming that he has some work to do the next day thus can't be drinking.
"Come with me Jack" Ian gestures for Jack to follow towards his study room.
There ...the pair stand looking at each other in complete silence.
"So...you knew my name" Seeing his chance, Jack asks Ian what's been bothering him throughout the party.
"With my connections, I could find your hometown or even your darkest secret, finding your name was simple" Ian casually answers, sipping his wine with a slight smirk.
' Nice try but hehe your connections will fail against me' Ian small comment had more meaning than meets the eye. But Jack understood that Ian is saying that he possesses a lot of social power and if he reveals anything about today, he will know and Jack will face major consequences. However it also hints that Ian took notice of Jack and wanting for Jack to work for him.
Sadly, to get information about Jack's pasts is near impossible thus his subtle threat is worthless to Jack!
"So what's my reward? I will be leaving now, I have other matters to attend to."
"Ah yes, here is your reward"
With a flick of his wrist, a bag appeared to his hand and tossed to Jack.
"That bag has 10 platinium coins which is equivalent to 1,000 gold coins"
Jack's eyes flashed with excitement! Finally he has money to his name and it's huge!
With this all his living expenses would be covered for many years! If he wanted to he could relax for a few years without lifting a finger. However, of course Jack would not do such a thing, he will use it to buy some essential equipment and learn the market.
"Don't worry that's not all… tell me 3 items you want and if I can provide it, you can have it."
'Interesting' Jack understood that Ian is trying to win him on his side through these nice gestures, though it will not work, if Ian needs assistance and offers the right reward he will help.
After asking for the items he wants, Jack swiftly headed out but was stopped by Ian's son who wanted to say goodbye with a big smile. After the goodbye's he walked back to the Tatis kingdom which had soldiers walking out in a hurry due to the fight of vampires earlier in the day.
He heads to the inn, he was staying at, and opened the door to Zurie's room.
"So you failed" Indifferently, Zurie spoke while staring at the dying old man.
" The Rose value cannot be compared to my life"
She sighs…
"Goodbye"
Immediately appearing in front of Jack with killing intent, her nails aims at his stomach.
Her eyes widen. Jack stomach has been pierced and is bleeding yet why is Zurie shocked?
Her attack was meant to go through his entire body yet it only went in a few inches! 'He was prepared' before she escaped, Jack grabbed her small arm smiling.
"Little girl, you really pushed it. Luckily I came prepared." He releases his frost aura, freezing her arm that's stuck.
With her free arm she attempts to cut off Jack's arm!
Jack completely froze his arm, when Zurie's hand got in contact, the ice shattered from her impact but his arm was fine!
"So predictable" Jack thought, Zurie's arm has completely frozen and is continuing to her body.
"Did he strengthen his body?" Zurie was baffled that she couldn't cut down Jack but she smiles and slashes off her own arm!
"It's useless if it can't move" She softly voices and disappears from his view.
"She goes that far to break free.." Jack didn't expect her to cut her own arm with no hesitation,as if it was something expendable.
Luckily, Jack is able to keep up with Zurie's speed!
How comes Jack is prepared for Zurie? Well one of the items he asked from Ian was something that can strengthen the body's hardness, which he was given a copper gel which when spread, the skin of the person is hardened for at least two weeks. So when Zurie attacked his stomach, he already incased it in ice plus the copper defence allowed him to last her attack and prevent his arm from being chopped off.
Secondly, as he is now, he guessed he wouldn't be able to keep up with Zurie thus from his storage ring brought out a sense potion which for an hour his five senses will double! This potion is very valuable but Jack didn't mind using it if it meant surviving against Zurie.
They both exchange blows to each other, even with Zurie missing an arm she can still pressure Jack with his rich battle experience.
"For a small girl, your tough" Impressed by Zurie's skills, he couldn't help but compliment.
"I underestimated you Jack, when did you figure it out?" Zurie was also impressed by Jack's preparations and his fighting ability.
"When you showed me that old man and I was reassured by that bracelet you gave me! A normal human would not possess a treasure from the vampires" Jack punches but blocked by Zurie's palm, then he kicks to the waist but Zurie jumps over it and strikes his eyes! Jack bends backward barely avoiding her jab.
"This can't keep going on" Needing to finish of Zurie quickly, Jack becomes more aggressive with his attacks but they all are dodged or blocked by Zurie!
If this goes on Jack will begin to decline especially after an hour since his potion effect would be gone and he would immediately lose.
Shit, how will I get out of this mess!?
CREATORS' THOUGHTS 
Ultra
Ultra Man, I have been writing this chapter since the last decade! Anyways happy new year and thank you for adding my story to your collection. a day ago I checked WN and I see my collection increased a lot suddenly! I learnt that my novel was placed in a recommended section for encouraging originals and I had the biggest smile on my face! Thank you so much :)
Weekly Power Status
-- Power
Ranking 
-- Power
stone