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71.98% A Mutant Collector Quest / Chapter 143: Chapter 142: A Night in Belgrade City -1 (Edited!)

Chapter 143: Chapter 142: A Night in Belgrade City -1 (Edited!)

Standing on the balcony of the hotel room, I gaze out at the slumbering city of Belgrade, a swirl of emotions washing over me. Tonight has once again revealed that even the most tranquil cities conceal untold mysteries and shadows lurking just beneath the surface.

"At least this is Marvel and not the DC world," I chuckle dryly, shaking off the weight of my thoughts.

Before I can dwell on it further, a faint buzzing draws my attention. My small Bio-probe has returned. "D.A.I.S.Y., can you show me what it recorded?" I ask aloud.

"Sure, Luke," D.A.I.S.Y. responds, her voice coming from the Focus magnetically attached to my ear. In front of my eyes, a footage from the Red Night Club parking lot is played out. The image zooms in on a sleek black 1968 Dodge Charger.

I watch as the car door swings open on its own, and within moments, the vehicle roars to life and speeds out of the lot.

I don't find this strange as I know that Blade is behind the wheel. Sending the Bio-probe to the parking lot was a gamble, but it paid off. While Blade himself can't be detected by any technological means, his vehicle could certainly be tracked.

The Bio-probe, controlled by D.A.I.S.Y., follows the car as it races through the empty streets, the footage is fast-forwarded until the car enters a large, rundown factory building.

"This building is an abandoned factory on the northern outskirts of the city," D.A.I.S.Y. informs you.

"Good work," I reply, a small smile spreading across my face. I am pleased to have pinpointed his base of operations. Although Blade had mentioned his preference for working alone, hearing the name Deacon from Racquel's lips has led me to theorize that whatever is unfolding here might be connected to Blade.

Speaking of Racquel, I am reminded of the new power I have just acquired. "D.A.I.S.Y., from here on, record every detail of my body; I am about to use an untested power," I say, with a hint of apprehension in my voice.

"Understood," D.A.I.S.Y. replies. The Bio-probe shifts to face me, and the Focus on my ear glows blue, scanning my body.

I close my eyes and retreat to an empty mental space. In this vast expanse, I observe numerous gaseous clusters, each a different colour and size.

Ignoring the larger ones, I focus on a newer red cloud. I reach out with my mind and activate it willingly.

Suddenly, I open my eyes, and the dark night transforms before me. The world is no longer shrouded in shadows; it shines as brightly as day.

I quickly realize that this must be the 'Night Vision' power—an ability I have already experienced when I am in my Black Cat form.

"Lucas?! Are you still here?" D.A.I.S.Y. asks, a note of alarm in her voice.

"Yeah, can you pull up the feed from the Bio-probe?" I ask curiously.

The Focus device projects the scene of the hotel balcony into my eyes, but there is no one there, the balcony where I am standing is completely empty. "Lucas, you are not showing on the thermal scans, and even the Focus device's scan which should be still on your body can't detect you … This invisibility is very different from Miss Storm's light-ray bending. If I had to compare, it's more akin to the case of the 'vampires' from earlier," D.A.I.S.Y. explains, a hint of frustration creeping into her voice.

I wave my arms around, but the screen shows that the balcony is still completely empty. "Fascinating," I say, narrowing my eyes. "Not only my body, but anything I am wearing is being ignored by the scans." I pull out my phone from my pocket and casually toss it in the air.

The moment it leaves my hand, the phone appears on the Bio-probe's scan. But as soon as I catch it again, it vanishes. I rest my hand on the railing—yet the railing stays visible on the camera feed, while my hand and body remain invisible. "Interesting. Physical contact alone isn't what triggers it."

With a thoughtful frown, I say, "This is a blind spot in our surveillance system. We need a countermeasure for it. Log this under the Magic folder, Vampire subfolder, as 'Supernatural Invisibility.'" I take a deep breath. At least a vampire's voice isn't hidden from technology.

Yes, this strange new power I possess is Vampire Physiology, something I recently gained after the intimate encounter at the nightclub. The power coursing through my veins feels... alien. Something feels off.

I suddenly realise that my chest is still. There is no rise and fall, no heartbeat. I attempt to take a deep breath, but the air halts at my lips, never reaching my lungs. Strangely, I feel no discomfort, no urge to breathe.

With growing curiosity, I place a hand over my chest. Nothing. No pulse. No sound. A strange detachment washes over me. "Am I… dead?"

The thought doesn't frighten me. It intrigues me. "I need to find a live vampire to dissect," I murmur. "This physiology requires further study. And knowing the scientists I have at my disposal, one subject won't be enough."

I test my body further, moving with quick, sharp motions—punching and kicking the air. "Strength and agility seem unaffected," I observe, although I still will need a more comprehensive assessment when I return to Watson Tower.

My fingers traces along my sharp, elongated canines, and memories of Racquel's bite resurface. Along with that, a burning sensation ignites in my throat—a new kind of hunger. A thirst.

Suddenly, I can feel it—blood. It is as if I can smell it, see it, taste it in the air. Like a homing signal, I sense a person nearby, just a room away. Their blood pulses, calling to me like a beacon. I almost need to feed.

But with sheer force of will, I suppress the primal urge. "So this is the infamous vampire thirst," I mutter with a smirk. Despite the pull, I remain in control—for now.

Just as I am about to test my final new power, the sound of footsteps pulls my attention away. Quickly, I deactivate the ability, and the world around me plunges back into darkness.

"Luke? You alright, mate? I just sensed some kind of monster's presence over here!"

I turn to see Elsa, fresh from the shower, her damp hair clinging to her head as droplets of water glide down her skin.

"It's nothing, El," I say with an apologetic smile, feeling surprised that she could sense my vampire form from her room. "I was just testing out a power of mine. Didn't mean to alarm you."

"Oh?" Elsa raises an eyebrow, intrigued. "How many more of these 'powers' have you got tucked away, then?"

"Take a guess," I reply, smirking.

"Alright, keep your secrets," she says, shaking her head playfully before coming to stand beside me. She gazes out at the city and, after a moment, her expression softens. "You sure you are alright?" There's a hint of concern in her voice.

"Are you asking if I am okay after killing hundreds of vampires?" I say, the smile fading slightly.

"Vamps are already dead, mate. Technically, you are not killing them—just putting them out of their misery," she corrects with a mildly amused look.

"They didn't seem all that different from humans, though," I admit, exhaling deeply as the weight of it hits me.

"On my first vampire hunt, my father told me that monsters often take on the form of their prey to blend in, hunt, and hide better." She takes a deep breath, her eyes hardening. "So, I should just blow their heads off and don't think too much about the face it's attached to."

"And you were only nine then?" I look at her in disbelief.

"Yeah, but I was a nine-year-old Bloodstone, mate," she replies proudly, flashing me a grin. "Don't dwell on it too much, alright? Focus on the next hunt." She deepens her voice, imitating her father's tone.

"But how can you distinguish between monsters and humans if you don't focus on their appearance?" I ask, still grappling with the haunting images of the vampires' anguished faces as they burned. I can practically feel the NZT's effects fading, the adrenaline from the fight subsiding, leaving me with a cloud of lingering doubts.

Elsa's fingers brush the red gem on her choker, but she quickly pulls them away. "You have got to trust your instincts, Luke. Sometimes that is all we have got." She punches my shoulder lightly with a smirk. Her eyes land on the Bio-probe hovering nearby. "Oh, isn't that the little flying robot you sent out into the club?"

I notice she is trying to shift the conversation, and I decide to let it go—for now. Instead, I pull up the recorded footage from the Bio-probe and display it for her.

"So, you are planning to meet Blade, then? From what I have heard, he is not exactly keen on working with others," she says, sounding doubtful.

"Funny, coming from someone who said the same thing about herself yesterday," I say, raising an eyebrow. "Yet, here we are. You and I teamed up pretty well tonight, didn't we? Blade might say no at first, but I think he will come around. Besides, it doesn't hurt to try."

Elsa chuckles. "I don't team up because most people can't keep up with me. But I will admit, you are a bit different from the rest, Luke." She gives me a small smile, patting my shoulder. "Let's go inside—I have got some things to go over with you." She turns and heads back toward the apartment.

My eyes trail after her, and I can't help but admire how those tight jean shorts cling to her sexy ass in all the right places. I resist the urge to activate the X-ray mode on my Focus—barely.

Following her inside, I can't help but mentally curse my genius, albeit lustful, mind for designing the X-ray function in the first place. It is going to test my willpower constantly in the future, especially when I am always surrounded by such hot babes!

***

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CREATORS' THOUGHTS
Avi2112 Avi2112

Hehe having the option to have x-ray vision and not use it, takes alot of willpower :P

***

You are a Vampire now, Harry! :P

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There are 10 Advanced chapters in Patreon!

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Have some idea about my story? Comment it and let me know.

Chapter 144: Chapter 143: A Night in Belgrade City -2 (Edited!)

Following Elsa inside, I can't help but mentally curse my genius, albeit lustful, mind for designing the X-ray function in the first place. It is going to test my willpower constantly in the future, especially when I am always surrounded by such hot babes.

"Is monster hunting a very profitable business?" I ask, trying to distract myself as Elsa makes her way to the kitchen.

"Huh? No, not particularly," she replies, rummaging through the cabinets.

"Then how does your family—Bloodstone International—manage to afford things like this?" I gesture to the lavish three-bedroom penthouse we both are currently staying in.

"Oh, that." Elsa looks a bit awkward as she pulls out a large cooler from one of the compartments. "My father made some very smart investments back in the day—nothing to do with monster hunting."

"Just smart investments, huh?" I raise an eyebrow, finding it hard to believe. From what D.A.I.S.Y. uncovered, Bloodstone International owns multiple hotels and restaurant chains, logistics companies, and properties worldwide, including six mansions, one in New York City, and even a private island.

Elsa places the cooler beside the sofa and opens it, revealing several bottles of whisky, vodka, and wine. She grabs a bottle of whisky and hands it to me as she sits down on the sofa. "Drink up, mate. It will help you forget about tonight," she offers with a smile.

I have noticed Elsa always shifts the topic whenever her family comes up. "Is this your way of decompressing?" I ask curiously, taking the bottle from her.

"Ha, no. I am used to it. A nice hot shower is usually enough for me. But I have seen plenty of hunters who need to drink after a hunt to settle their nerves," she says, grabbing another bottle for herself.

"Are there many of them? Hunters, I mean?" I ask as I pour some whisky into a glass.

"Not nearly bloody enough, mate." She sighs. "Anyway, about tonight's hunt. I did come across a bloodsucker in an alley near the bar—was preying on some poor lass. Had a nice 'chat' with him and moved the girl somewhere safe. That's why I was a bit late getting to the club."

I nod. "It's fine. I figured you must have been held up." In fact, D.A.I.S.Y. had always known her location through the bracelet I had gifted her. In a way, I was relieved she didn't arrive sooner; the last thing I needed was for her to walk in while I was dicking that vampire lady in the washroom… definitely not the most ideal scenario.

"But you should have stuck to the plan!" Elsa scolds, though there's a hint of amusement in her voice. "Normally, I am the one who recklessly charges into a monster den. It is refreshing to see someone else do it for a change." She laughs, taking a swig straight from the bottle.

"Well, with the Bloodbath and everything going down, I didn't have much of a choice but to act," I say awkwardly, the memory of that crimson-soaked room still fresh. I down my glass in one go and pour another.

"Ah, well, it turned out alright in the end," Elsa says, waving it off. Then her expression grows curious. "Speaking of which, I could have sworn I saw golden lightning forming wings on your back near the end of the fight—"

"Hey, weren't you going to tell me what you found out?" I interrupt quickly, not keen on discussing my powers.

She rolls her eyes. "Ugh, fine, keep your little secrets, mate." She takes another sip before leaning forward, her tone suddenly serious. "The bloodsucker I interrogated squealed a bit. First off, this city—Belgrade—is under the Dasmaskinos Clan."

"Clans? Like vampire clans?" I ask, sipping my drink while sneakily admiring the deep cleavage revealed by her leaning posture.

"Yeah. Vampires are very territorial. They usually stick to one city and rarely travel. Most big cities are claimed by a single group of vampires—they call themselves houses, tribes, covens, or clans. It's like animals marking their hunting ground," Elsa explains, her eyes drifting toward the city skyline from the balcony.

I make a mental note to find out which clan controls New York. They would need to be wiped out.

"So, were the vampires we fought tonight part of the Dasmaskinos Clan?" I ask, remembering Racquel mentioning that name while she was feeding on me.

"No, not exactly," Elsa replies. "For the past month or so, the Dasmaskinos Clan has been preparing something big. They have lifted the ban on outside vampires hunting in their city—in fact, they are encouraging others to come here."

"So is that why there were so many of them at the club tonight? Vampire tourists from nearby cities?" The idea feels bizarre.

"I don't know. It is strange. I have never heard of any vampire group giving up their territory like that. They are usually very private and secretive. It might have helped if we had interrogated someone before frying them." She chuckles, clearly used to this issue.

]I recall the one vampire I had let live, only for her to escape. The regret gnaws at me, but I shake it off. "I did notice a few other suspicious things," I say, changing the subject.

I go on to explain the odd details—how the DJ and the vampires on the second floor seemed to be waiting for Blade. The entire Bloodbath felt like a setup, possibly an ambush. There was also the suspiciously slow response from the police, even with all the gunfire. And the lack of their action around the multiple kidnapping cases only added to the weirdness.

"I have heard that the Daywalker is very hated in the vampire community, as he has been actively hunting them for many years. So an ambush makes sense," Elsa agrees. "As for the police, I would bet my life that some of the higher-ups are thralls to the Dasmaskinos Clan," she says with certainty.

"Thralls?" I ask.

"Human slaves—vampires' little bitches," she says with disgust.

"Wait, so vampires can just hypnotize anyone into becoming a thrall?" I ask, the danger level of these creatures rising in my mind.

"No, it's not that simple," Elsa explains. "The hypnosis only lasts a few moments. To make someone a thrall, a vampire has to make the human drink their blood every day for three days straight. After that, the human becomes addicted—like a junkie to that vampire's blood, a slave to their Vampire Master."

I down the rest of my drink, fascinated, and ask more about thralls. Elsa goes on to explain that a thrall's bond breaks if the vampire dies. Through vampire blood, thralls can live longer than usual, they are often marked by a brand claiming their loyalty to a specific vampire or clan. The Bloodstone family even has a cure for the thrall addiction.

"Thralls are one of the big reasons these bloody mosquitoes have managed to stay hidden for so long," Elsa says with frustration.

I had originally thought it was all down to police corruption, but this thrall situation makes things even more complicated.

"So, should we start by having a 'talk' with the police tomorrow? Maybe they know something about these mass disappearances," I suggest. Although the tourists vamps could also be responsible, but I doubt it, as my gut points more to the Dasmakinos Clan especially after hearing Racquel mention something about the ritual.

"Sure, I am very good at 'talking,'" Elsa says confidently, a mischievous glint in her eye.

"No, no, I will handle it," I say quickly, knowing full well her idea of a 'talk' involves her guitar case and a lot of violence. "But first, we should meet up with Blade, maybe he has some clues already." I am sure that Blade must be in the center of whatever is happening in the city.

"I am cool with that. The next plan for the hunt is set, then," Elsa says, standing up with the whisky bottle in hand. "Best get some rest for tomorrow."

"What's the rush, El? Why not join me for a drink and a chat?" I say, flashing her my most charming smile.

"A drink and a chat?" Elsa raises a skeptical eyebrow at me, her expression somewhere between amused and curious.

"Yep, a chat. I am quite interested in hearing about the legendary life of Elsa Bloodstone, the Monster Hunter! I bet you have got some wild stories to tell, and we have plenty of booze to get the mood going," I add, holding up the whisky bottle invitingly.

"Well, I will admit, I am a bit curious about the life of Mr. Genius Billionaire myself," she says, settling back down, her blue eyes sparkling with intrigue. "Though I ought to warn you, even if I downed all these bottles, I wouldn't so much as feel tipsy." She pops the cork on the whisky and finishes off the half-full bottle in one swift go, wiping her lips carelessly as she holds the empty bottle up.

"That's the gem's doing, right?" I ask casually, my eyes drifting to the black collar around her fair slender neck, where the dull red stone rests.

Elsa's easygoing demeanour fades in an instant. "How do you know about that, Luke?" she asks, her tone sharp as her grip tightens on the glass bottle.

"I didn't, but I do now," I respond with a smug chuckle, leaning back into the sofa and taking a sip of my own whisky, perfectly unfazed by her sudden change in tone.

"Luke… mate, this isn't something to joke about," she says, her narrowed eyes fixed on me.

"Oh, come on, who do you take me for? From the legends about your father to your unnatural strength and that little giveaway of a surname—'Bloodstone,'" I say, mimicking quotation marks with my fingers. "Wasn't hard to piece together that the glowing red gem is your power source, was it?"

It was an easy guess, but I am not really speaking the truth. I knew about the Bloodstone and her family from my meta knowledge of the comics.

"Bloody geniuses…" Elsa mutters under her breath, her frustration clear as she pulls another bottle of whisky from the cooler. Slowly, she uncaps it and fills my glass. "You are right. It's called the Bloodgem… but I would appreciate it if you didn't go about spreading that little secret," she says seriously.


CREATORS' THOUGHTS
Avi2112 Avi2112

Their surname is Bloodstone, she wears a bloodstone on her neck ... oh I wonder what the source of her power is lol

***

I have already Edited half the story, so you guys can reread the edited chapters in First Person POV if you want!

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There are Ten Advanced chapters on Patreon!

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Have some idea about my story? Comment it and let me know.

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