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nAside from Abby, whose lower level made her skills less likely to induce control effects, Howard’s elevated spirit compensated for the level disparity, allowing him to trigger control effects with high frequency.

nNot to mention, Glyn’s Flash of Lightning also bore its control capabilities.

nOnce Vampire Viscount Nick fell under the first control spell, he was scarcely free from such states thereafter.

nContinuously barraged by various skills, he was then assailed by Caitlin’s relentless storm of attacks.

nHer blade’s aura shone like a rainbow, consistently striking Nick, while Howard’s varied elemental skills dealt substantial damage.

nIn no time, Vampire Viscount Nick’s health bar plummeted at an astonishing pace.

nWitnessing this, Glyn couldn’t help but exclaim, “I initially thought Howard was merely a summoner. Little did I expect such profound mastery in his magical craft! Even the most basic F-level skills, in his hands, deal more damage than any other magus I’ve encountered, and those magi all boast noteworthy equipment and levels!”

nLittle did Glyn know, Howard, despite being around LV20, was already equipped with Epic-grade and Legendary-grade equipment.

nBeyond levels, equipment, and talent, there’s scarcely anything that could influence skill damage.

nHoward was no exception. His supreme talent lay precisely in amplifying both his equipment and skills!

nIn merely a brief moment, Vampire Viscount Nick met his end at the hands of Howard and Caitlin, without even mustering the strength to unleash a single skill.

nDing! Congratulations to the awakened Howard for successfully defeating the Gold-grade BOSS, Vampire Viscount Nick. You’ve been awarded 32,000 experience points!

nA resentful roar echoed as Vampire Viscount Nick’s form dissolved into a luminous white, scattering a trove of bronze coins and materials across the ground.

nA Vampire Cloak and two Vampire Fangs were left behind, predictably undamaged.

nTo their slight disappointment, no skill book was discovered, and the equipment’s grade remained at Silver-grade, which Howard and his companions found uninspiring.

nWithout a second thought, they stowed the items in their backpacks, ready to face the next vampire BOSS.

nBy now, the roles within the team had become distinctly clear.

nAbby was tasked with luring the foes, while Howard and Glyn controlled the monsters and supplemented the damage output. .𝒎

nCaitlin, on the other hand, was the primary damage dealer.

nAfter all, when Howard refrained from using his SS-level skills, his damage paled in comparison to Caitlin’s.

nAisha played the pivotal role of bolstering the statuses of Howard and the rest.

nIf any BOSS managed to break free from the control skills and inflicted harm upon them, a radiant, holy glow would immediately descend, rapidly mending the wounds of Howard and Glyn.

nAs an increasing number of vampire BOSS were roused, the synergy amongst the five, including Howard, only grew more impeccable.

nFurther aiding their cause was Aisha’s unique skill, capable of restoring their vitality.

nThis meant that even after battling relentlessly for extended periods, they could remain at the pinnacle of their strength.

nDing! Congratulations to the awakened Howard for successfully vanquishing the Gold-grade BOSS, Vampire Count Faral. You’ve been rewarded with 45,000 experience points!

nDing! Congratulations to the awakened Howard for successfully vanquishing the Gold-grade BOSS, Vampire Count Lund. You’ve been rewarded with 45,000 experience points!

nDing! Congratulations to the awakened Howard for successfully vanquishing the Platinum-grade BOSS, Vampire Count Zanado. You’ve been rewarded with 60,000 experience points!

n…

nAs Howard and his team ascended to higher levels, the roused vampires had evolved into Platinum-grade BOSS, boasting significantly enhanced attributes.

nAt this juncture, Aisha’s importance became glaringly evident.

nRegardless of how the Platinum-grade vampire BOSS retaliated, even if they unleashed skills that ensnared Glyn or Howard, the piercingly pure luminescence would penetrate their cloaks, enveloping the two men before the vampires’ razor-sharp fangs could sink into their necks.

nThe next instant, the vampire BOSS would release their grip on Howard and Glyn, recoiling as if they had witnessed something truly terrifying, not daring to sink their teeth in any further.

nAs for other attacks?

nBeing harmed wasn’t a concern. With a simple gesture from Aisha, Howard and Glyn would be instantly rejuvenated, their vitality brimming.

nWhile the vampire BOSS found themselves incapable of inflicting damage on Howard, Glyn, and the rest, they themselves were continuously battered.

nThis discrepancy in offensive capacities meant that despite their enhanced attributes, they were still no match for Howard’s team.

nTheir health dwindled with time, and soon their forms faded away, transforming into experience points and spoils of war for Howard and his companions.

nWith numerous BOSS consecutively falling prey, the rate at which Howard and his team accrued experience was nothing short of terrifying.

nIt was only post-level 20, when the experience needed for leveling up multiplied exponentially, that Howard and Abby ceased their continuous advancement.

nYet, in comparison to others’ pace of gaining experience, theirs was still rocket-fast.

nCaitlin and Glyn, having surged to around level 40 within two years of awakening, were already considered some of the most prodigious talents in Adia city.

nBut their pace, when juxtaposed with Howard’s, suddenly seemed utterly mundane.

nTime flowed gently by.

nAfter what seemed an eternity, even with Aisha’s skills replenishing their HP and MP, Howard and his team began to feel the weariness setting in.

nThey found themselves, astonishingly, on the topmost level of the ancient castle.

nThe space at this pinnacle was not vast; in contrast to the lower levels, it felt more constricted.

nDevoid of furniture or any such items, the walls even lacked any mural.

nThe sole presence was a solitary coffin, lying eerily in front of a window.

n“Be cautious. That coffin’s lid is in place, and a vampire could very likely be inside,” Howard promptly warned. “This is the top floor; the vampire BOSS here is bound to be stronger than the previous ones. Aisha, do you have enough MP?”

n“I’m good,” she assured. “I’ve brought along plenty of MP recovery potions. There’s no need to worry about me.”

nWith Aisha’s response, Howard and Glyn exchanged glances, then slowly advanced.

nThanks to Howard’s consistent deployment of skills, a protective barrier always enveloped him, compensating for the team’s lack of a shield bearer.

nHowever, as Howard and Glyn approached the coffin, it began to tremble violently.

n“Danger!” Howard instinctively retreated. Glyn, however, was a step too slow.

nA resounding crash echoed as the forcefully upturned coffin lid slammed into Glyn, sending him flying several meters away.

nGlyn’s health bar plummeted by nearly half in an instant!

nThankfully, Aisha’s reflexes were quick.

nHer crystal orb floated up, channeling a radiant holy light into Glyn’s form.

nVerdant numbers promptly surfaced above Glyn’s head.

n“ 9824!”

nSeeing this, Howard’s concerns were alleviated. Lifting his Soul Nurturer, his gaze remained fixed intently on the coffin.

nFrom within, a figure slowly rose.

nClad in a purple cloak with a bat-shaped pendant resting on its chest, the figure’s complexion was rosy.

nNotably, it lacked the characteristic fangs and, at a mere glance, looked indistinguishable from a human.

nYet, witnessing this, a shiver ran down Howard’s spine.

nHe knew he had encountered a formidable adversary.

nThe more powerful a vampire, the greater their ability to transform, even to the point of being indistinguishable from humans.

nEven their vulnerabilities vanish, becoming immune to sunlight and holy water.

nHowever, Howard didn’t let his internal tension show.

nHe was aware that if he were to falter, it would inevitably unsettle Abby, Caitlin, and the others.

nSuch anxiety would assuredly put them at a disadvantage in the ensuing battle.

nSimultaneously, the attributes of this vampire were revealed to the group:

n? Vampire Marquess Modona (BOSS)

nLevel: 55

nRank: Diamond

nDescription: Among the vampire clans, the Marquess holds a noble position. Legend has it that there are only five Marquesses, each wielding control over all of the vampire kin.

nHP: 145000

/145000

nAttack Power: 5750–7108

nDefense Value: 4100

nSkills: Blood Bat Strike, Dark Descent, Undying Body, Death Sense, Vampiric Conversion, Blood Rage, Blink

n“What the hell? Straight to a Diamond-grade BOSS? And it’s a Marquess?”

n“Sheesh, Duke, Marquess, Count… Are we seriously fighting a second-tier vampire now?”

nDespite Howard’s effort to maintain composure, Caitlin and Aisha couldn’t help but show a hint of apprehension in their eyes.

nJust a glance at the attribute panel revealed the formidable power of the Vampire Marquess before them.

nVampire Marquess Modona scanned the room, his gaze lingering on Howard’s party, a smile playing on his lips. “I never imagined, after so many years in slumber, that I’d open my eyes to the sight of humans.”

nHoward, Caitlin, and the rest wore stern expressions, choosing not to engage with Modona’s musings.

nThe vampire sighed, “I had wished to converse, but it seems better to consume your blood and souls first, and then extract your memories. I wonder how much the world has changed.”

nAs he spoke, a malevolent glint flashed in Modona’s eyes.

nWith a flick of his right hand, a swarm of Crimson Bats materialized, converging like a tidal wave, bearing down on Howard and his team.

n“Holy Light Shield!”

nOnce again, Aisha cast her skill, a radiant silvery light burst forth.

nHowever, the shield barely formed when it met the onslaught of the Crimson Bats.

nLike snow under a blazing sun, it melted away, leaving no trace.

nThe Crimson Bats, with lightning speed, darted towards Howard, Caitlin, Abby, and the rest.

nThis content is taken from 𝘳𝑎.𝗇t

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