Chapter 52: Emerald Crystal Resolve

-----

Emerald Crystal was born in the Crystal Family, a Family of people that served aristocratic families within Sector D.

Raised from a young age to become a stoic man that fervently followed his beliefs and the rules of his family, he was taught that mutated beasts, monsters, and subhumans were all the same, invaders, malicious fiends that desired to overturn humanity.

After humanity finally took a hold of a place on earth after the chaotic era twenty years ago, humans had become wary of these beings, too much to the extent that they desired their extermination above all else.

However, even though there were some beings, such as Subhumans, that were no different from humans aside from a few different parts on their bodies.

However, to Emerald, all such beings had to be exterminated, and he was raised to become a soldier of justice, to save and help humanity, to protect his race.

Such fervent belief was instilled inside of his head, to the point of fervent obsession.

And through his special Skill, Danger Detection, he was not only able to predict danger coming his way but also detect the dangers lurking and hiding near him.

This way, he had managed to discover many families of Subhumans living in Sector D as humans, reporting them to authorities for their extermination.

However, such Skill was not the complete truth.

Whatever Emerald cataloged as something dangerous, even if it weren't for others, would be detected.

And because Noah and his party were Vampiric beings, no longer humans but something stranger and more monstrous, similar to subhumans, Emerald was able to detect them, days ago.

At first, he decided to remain silent about this, but as time went by, more and more of these beings began to emerge, until his class had up to five of them!

And then, he began to suspect that something strange was going on.

Adamantine was found inside a dungeon, and she had become one of such creatures, and when she joined the classes again, she instinctively felt attracted to Noah's group.

To the paranoiac mind of Emerald, this could only mean one thing.

Noah was behind this!

He knew it!

He had sensed some kind of change within, something grotesque that dwelled within his body!

And as days went by, he grew even stronger and more grotesque.

He needed to do something!

At first, he thought about reporting it to the teachers, but quickly learned that such a thing would be useless, as the school he was attending was part of the government, a bunch of corrupted people that instead of exterminating Subhumans decided to enslave them or use them as soldiers, Noah and his party would be used as soldiers instead of being exterminated, something that he could not accept!

And so, the only thing he could do was to take justice by his own hands!

He had already figured out that Edmond was also killed by Noah and his party, most likely, and that they might have used their special skills as subhumans to get a perfect score.

Everything was way too suspicious, and Emerald instantly connected the dots together, figuring out Noah's enormous scheme!

"If he is capable of turning others into Subhumans, he most likely desires to build an enormous group of them! And most likely, like Adamantine and Edmond, exterminate us or enslave us with his encroaching powers…! However, telling authorities would only be beneficial to him! I have to kill him on my own, and when I do, the father will be proud of my decision!" thought Emerald, his green eyes glowing with fervent fanatism to his beliefs!

Cathina at his side was also of a similar family to him, however, she did not have such beliefs, and believed that doing such a thing was foolish, even more as they would be risking their lives.

Nonetheless, because she had to know Emerald since they were children, she saw him as someone precious to her, and wanted to help him as she could…

Even if it meant killing her own classmates.

In this world, killing was not seen as much of a taboo as before the apocalypse, the chaotic era, and so, even such things as killing others to survive or if given good enough reasons, can be seen as reasonable.

And after all, both of them knew about the truth of this school, and the intention of the higher-ups of filtering students by provoking competitiveness and fights, so those weak enough died, and the strong ones survived and became their perfect soldiers.

Using this logic, it was possible to exterminate other students through such a thing, and if they did it without leaving any trail behind, it would be possible that investigations would not be done, the same way it happened to Adamantine and her group, and also Edmond and his harem.

Emerald led his party, all of them were well aware of what they were about to do, but most of them adored Emerald as a hero and wanted to obey and be of use to him.

And Cathina, who was hopelessly in love with him, followed him wherever he went.

Meanwhile, Noah and his group descended through the pit and reached the underground caves, where they met with a large group of ant-like mutated beasts the size of house cats.

"Grryshaa!"

The creatures quickly ran towards them forming large groups, however, Timassa pointed her hand at them, as she released an enormous black thunderbolt, blasting them away!

Boom!

"Let us help as well," said Arthur.

"Hmm," nodded Jon.

However, more and more came from all sides, as Arthur and Jon began to use their Skills to slow them down through draining their life force and making them corroded with a corrosive wave.

"Grryaarr…!"

"Let's take care of them," said Noah, using his claws to slice through the mutated beasts alongside Iris and Adamantine, making quick work of them, and leaving their corpses into pieces.

"Uegh… Do we have to really carry them inside the Dimensional Storage Ring? They're a bit disgusting," said Arthur.

"Even if killed their carapaces are rather strong, I believe they can be sold for some money t the very least," said Noah, as he saved the many corpses inside the Dimensional Storage Ring.

The party quickly explored more of the caves, defeating the small Mutated Beasts, and reaching a large cave section by Jon's guidance through his Clairvoyance.

Suddenly, the roars of a larger creature resonated!

A four-meter-tall Ant-like Mutated Beast emerged, seemingly the Queen, that was protecting the countless eggs lying around her.

"Doesn't look so strong, let's get rid of it," said Noah, as his party flew towards the creature, releasing their attacks over it.

The immense Ant roared, using its gigantic pincers, and attempting to crush Noah's group with them, and failing terribly due to their great speed and evasiveness.

Clash! Clash! Clash!

More long-ranged attacks fell over the creature, as its carapace finally opened wide, revealing the flesh within, which Noah, Iris, and Adamantine abused, using that large wound to break through the monster's insides, until it could not be kept fighting, dying out of exhaustion and blood loss.

"The blood of these creatures is… disgusting…" said Noah, the green-colored blood of the Ant-like Mutated Beasts was horrifyingly bitter, even Goblin Blood was better.

"Well, I think it is used to make other fluids often used to clean bathrooms and stuff," said Arthur.

"Is that so? Then I should not have even tried it…" sighed Noah, as the party chuckled a bit, although Noah seemed annoyed and made them shut up.

The party walked towards a hidden room within this cave, where they found an altar where several Attribute Value Cores and Ability Cores rested!

"So many… there are around 40 of them and 5 Ability Cores…" said Arthur.

"Save them for now, we might have the chance to clear another challenge, we didn't take as long as we imagined," said Noah, as the party decided to walk back to the surface, only to be greeted by the presence of another group of students.

"That's… Emerald Crystal?" asked Arthur.

"Ah, they somehow were able to hide their presence… I wasn't… able to see them through Clairvoyance…" said Jon.

Noah glared at the party with glowing red eyes, he knew very well that they did not seem to come on friendly terms.

"What do you want?" asked Noah.

"You don't have to hide your true appearance any longer, monster. I know all about you and your group, Noah," said Emerald, as large green jewels emerged out of thin air around him!

"I imagine there is no need to even talk then, prepare yourselves, he and his party intend to kill us, don't falter!" said Noah.

"W-What?! How did he know that we…!" asked Arthur.

"Most likely his ability! Danger Detection!" said Timassa.

"Damn it…! We will have to fight… yet another student?" asked Arthur.

"Don't falter, Arthur!" roared Noah, as Arthur was brought back to reality.

He needed to fight to survive!

This was the path he chose, there was no place to doubt now!

-----

If you are enjoying this novel please make sure to check my other novel: "My World Traveling System: The Harbinger of Death"!

It has similar genres than Vampire Overlord but it is more about personal growth, the main character changes a lot over time until becoming a ruthless anti-hero! Check it out!