Chapter 787: The First Foothold

The response echoed throughout the narrow channel, followed by the sound of the ships’ engines slowing as they entered the shadow of the enormous cliffs.

Nikolai stood atop the ruined defensive platform, watching both transports gradually approach the inner dock. Despite their damaged armour and the blood covering their decks, they’d somehow managed to survive the worst of Nosferatu’s coastal artillery.

’Well, that’s one fucking problem solved.’

However, the enormous wall stretching across the end of the channel presented another issue.

Several reinforced bunkers overlooked a concrete pier, while an enormous steel gate separated the harbour from the rest of the island. A narrow road followed the cliffside towards the upper levels, protected by thick walls and several military checkpoints.

Nikolai scratched his head.

’Those bastards really don’t want visitors.’

"Boss!"

Alexei approached from behind, his enormous werewolf body gradually returning to its human form. Several bullet wounds covered his arms and shoulders, although none seemed particularly serious.

"You alright?"

"Yeah. What about you?"

Nikolai raised his arm. "Never been fucking better. Nah, it still hurts like a bitch."

"Hahaha! That’s what happens when you punch an artillery shell!"

"Fuck off!"

Alexei laughed before turning towards the approaching transports.

"We should probably get moving. Those soldiers we killed were only the outer guards."

"Mhm."

Nikolai agreed.

Even now, he could hear the movement of several vehicles somewhere beyond the walls. The enemy wasn’t going to abandon their harbour simply because two enormous werewolves destroyed a few weapons.

"Let’s secure the dock before they organise another attack."

"Got it!"

***

KRAAAAANG!

The first transport scraped against the reinforced mooring platform, causing the entire vessel to tremble. Several engineers shouted instructions while the crew hurried to secure the ship.

Nikolai watched from above.

The dock was considerably smaller than the main harbour he’d visited previously, but it was large enough to accommodate both transports if they remained close together.

’At least Ryan didn’t crash the fucking thing.’

[Brother!]

"...Speak of the devil."

[WE’RE IN! HAHAHA!]

Nikolai shook his head.

"Yeah, I can see that."

[What now?]

"Keep the engines ready. We’re going to secure the dock, but don’t let anyone leave their post without permission."

[Understood!]

"And Ryan..."

[Hm?]

"Good job."

The communication device remained silent for several seconds.

[...Brother.]

"Yeah?"

[Are you dying?]

"..."

[You never compliment me during a mission.]

"FUCK OFF!"

Ryan’s laughter erupted from the device.

Nikolai sighed before lowering his hand.

’That bastard...’

However, the moment he turned towards the reinforced gate, his expression changed.

Something was moving behind the nearest bunker.

’There you are.’

A faint metallic sound reached his ears.

Then another.

Nikolai narrowed his eyes.

The enormous metal shutters protecting the bunker began sliding apart, revealing several thick barrels rotating behind the reinforced opening.

"...Oh, fuck."

He recognised that weapon from a mile off, it was a mounted Gatling cannon. And judging by its enormous ammunition belt...

’That’s not firing ordinary fucking bullets.’

"EVERYONE GET DOWN!"

DADADADADADADA!

The weapon erupted.

A terrifying stream of bullets tore across the dock, shredding several steel containers and blasting enormous holes through the concrete.

One unfortunate vampire who’d been running towards the transport was struck across his shoulder.

"AGHHHH!"

The bullets tore through his protective armour and nearly severed his arm.

Nikolai’s eyes widened.

’Fucking hell!’

Even a vampire with an Elder bloodline would struggle to withstand something like that.

Several warriors immediately dragged the injured man behind the transport’s reinforced hull, while the remaining soldiers returned fire.

Unfortunately, the bunker was almost completely protected.

Their bullets barely scratched its armour.

"Alexei!"

"Boss!"

"Take care of the soldiers on the upper road! I’ll handle that fucking gun!"

"Understood!"

Alexei transformed once again, his enormous body expanding as he leapt towards the elevated walkway.

Nikolai watched him disappear before turning towards the bunker.

The Gatling cannon continued firing.

Its barrels rotated so quickly that the entire opening appeared filled with orange light, while hundreds of spent cartridges scattered across the floor.

’What a disgusting weapon.’

Nikolai lowered his body.

Black blood spread across his arms, hardening into thick armour around his forearms and shoulders.

He wasn’t going to make the same mistake twice.

Instead of rushing directly into the gunfire, Nikolai leapt towards the side of the bunker, landing against the rocky cliff above its entrance.

BANG!

Several soldiers spotted him.

"ENEMY ABOVE!"

"SHOOT HIM!"

Nikolai grinned.

"Too late!"

His claws sank into the reinforced concrete.

With a violent roar, he tore away a section of the protective wall before forcing his enormous body through the opening.

KRAAAAAANG!

The ceiling collapsed.

Several vampires screamed as broken concrete and steel beams crashed down upon them.

Nikolai landed in the centre of the bunker.

"...Hello, fuckers."

The soldiers stared at the enormous black werewolf standing among the wreckage.

As if trapped in time, the scene remained frozen until a vampire slapped himself and shouted to wake the others from their stupor.

"HURRY, WAKE UP AND FIRE!"

BANG!

BANG!

BANG!

Several rifles erupted.

Nikolai raised his left arm, allowing the bullets to strike his hardened black blood while he rushed towards the nearest soldier.

CRACK!

His fist crushed the vampire’s chest.

Before the body could fall, Nikolai grabbed another by the throat and slammed him against the wall.

BOOOOM!

Blood splattered across the concrete.

A third soldier tried escaping through the rear entrance, but Nikolai’s enormous blade pierced his back and pinned him against the reinforced door.

"AGHH!"

Nikolai twisted his arm.

The vampire’s body collapsed in two pieces.

"...Haa."

He glanced towards the Gatling cannon. The enormous weapon had finally stopped firing, and everything was settled. Now he could focus on securing the area fully, for the other troops to land and prepare themselves.

Nikolai approached the machinery before driving his blade through its ammunition feed.

KRAAANG!

Several sparks erupted as the mechanism shattered.

Then he grabbed the enormous barrel assembly and tore it away from its mounting.

"Fucking piece of shit!"

BOOOOM!

The weapon crashed against the floor.

Nikolai smiled.

’One less problem.’

However, the moment he turned towards the entrance...

A powerful aura struck his senses.

"...Hm?"

Standing beyond the doorway was a tall vampire wearing black military armour. His pale face was covered in several thin scars, while an enormous sword rested against his shoulder.

Unlike the ordinary soldiers, his crimson eyes remained calm.

"Oh?"

The vampire examined the destroyed bunker, then turned back to Nikolai.

"You are Nikolai Volkov?"

Nikolai raised an eyebrow.

"And you’re another bastard I’m going to kill."

The man chuckled.

"Quite the reputation you’ve developed, Patriarch."

"..."

Nikolai’s expression darkened, this vampire wasn’t weak, and yet he had no clue who it was. He could feel the concentrated blood aura surrounding his body, far stronger than that of the soldiers he’d slaughtered moments earlier.

’Well, he seems to be around an Elder...?’

Perhaps.

But there was also the fact that he wasn’t releasing his aura, which meant Nikolai couldn’t just rely on his senses. For all he knew, this man could be an ancestor, taking a risk here wasn’t an option.

Although there was something strange about the man’s blood.

It was thick.

Almost unnaturally so.

"Allow me to introduce myself...!"

"No thanks."

Nikolai launched himself forward.

BANG!

His enormous blade swept towards the vampire’s neck.

However, the man reacted immediately, raising his sword to intercept the attack.

CLAAAAANG!

A violent shockwave erupted between their weapons as the vampire’s boots scraped across the concrete, but he managed to remain standing. The clash was brief, but Nikolai’s lips curved upward naturally.

"Oh?"

The man’s expression changed.

"...Such strength!"

"Hahaha!"

Nikolai twisted his body and struck again.

This time, the vampire failed to defend himself completely.

CRACK!

His left arm broke beneath Nikolai’s fist, sending the man crashing through the doorway.

"GUH!"

He rolled across the concrete before forcing himself upright, but Nikolai was already approaching.

"What’s wrong?!"

The enormous werewolf laughed.

"Didn’t you want to introduce yourself?!"

The vampire clenched his teeth.

"YOU ARROGANT—!"

BANG!

Nikolai’s foot struck his stomach. The impact launched him backwards, sending his body crashing against the reinforced wall. Yet before he could recover, Nikolai grabbed the man’s face.

"...Listen."

His black eyes narrowed.

"I’ve spent the last ten fucking hours travelling across the ocean, had artillery shells fired at my family, and now you’re standing here wasting my time."

The vampire struggled, so Nikolai tightened his grip.

"So unless you’re Alucard or that disgusting doctor..."

CRACK!

His claws pierced the man’s skull.

"...I don’t give a fuck who you are."

BOOOOM!

Nikolai slammed the vampire against the ground.

The concrete shattered beneath his enormous body, leaving a bloody crater where the soldier had been standing.

"...Haa."

He raised his head.

’That was easier than expected.’

However, when he glanced towards his hand, he noticed something strange. The vampire’s blood had been unusually dark. And even after his skull was crushed, the liquid continued moving around Nikolai’s claws.

’What the fuck?’

He narrowed his eyes at the blood, which seemed almost alive. Several thin strands crawled across his black armour, trying to enter the cracks surrounding his fingers.

"...Disgusting."

Black flames erupted from his hand.

FWOOSH!

The strange blood immediately burned away, releasing an unpleasant scent that reminded him of rotten meat.

’Franz...’

He couldn’t help thinking of the mad scientist. The bastard was probably responsible for whatever had been done to this vampire, yet Nikolai shook his head and chose to keep going, it wasn’t the time to brood over things.

’No point worrying about it now.’

He turned towards the dock, things were going better than he hoped.

Though the foreboding feeling after meeting the strange vampire lingered, like a bad taste.