[🎉 Shoutout to CrypticAssault848 & Ash01 for joining patreon. Please check out my new book— "Beast Tamer: I Can See Evolution Paths". Thank you very much.🤗]
As the golden heat rays illuminated that pale, ghostly face, a stream of notifications filled Homelander's view:
[Encounter Event Activated]
Event Name: Ancient Secrets—The Black Shadow.
Description: You've intruded upon the tomb of Brox, an Elder of the Undying Empire, awakening his guards. These black-robed undead are ruthless and merciless; they will not allow any trespasser to escape.
Objective: Eliminate at least 10 black-robed guards.
Event Start!
"Undying Empire, Elder Brox, black-robed guards…" The keywords flashed before Homelander, and he couldn't help but feel surprised. He had assumed this pyramid was the tomb of the so-called Queen of the Night, but it seemed Dr. Nick's theory had taken a hard hit.
At that moment, a figure shrouded in black robes suddenly poofed into a swirl of black mist, dispersing into a cloud of flapping bats. Squealing, the bats swirled through the dark passage, regrouping into a single form—a man in flowing black robes.
This black-robed figure clung effortlessly to the sheer vertical wall. His disheveled, dark hair framed a face that was both handsome and deathly pale, his slender frame clad in robes that wisped like smoke, the edges fading into nothingness as if they were flames.
Homelander activated Insight on the figure.
[Name]: No. 329 (Black-Robed Guard)
[Life Level]: Level 4 (Supernatural Creature)
[Status]: Unknown
[Abilities]: Mist Form, Infrared Vision, Super Strength, Super Speed, Blood Regeneration.
There was a wealth of information. The guard's name was just a number, suggesting he was no more than one of many. While he was classified as "Level 4," like the Midnight Clown, he wasn't considered a superhuman but rather a supernatural creature—otherworldly.
And with his impressive abilities, this guard's power rivaled, perhaps even surpassed, that of a high-ranking council member of the Night Parliament.
"Interesting," Homelander murmured, a hint of excitement in his eyes.
In the blink of an eye, the black-robed figure sprang from wall to wall, weaving with lethal speed as he zeroed in on Homelander.
When he lunged, his sharp fangs gleamed, poised to sink into Homelander's neck—
Only to bite into thin air. Homelander's form vanished like a mirage.
Afterimage, a passive effect of Super Speed+2, perfect for deceiving enemies.
Homelander, already repositioned further down the corridor, allowed his eyes to ignite.
BANG!
Two golden beams shot forth, piercing the black-robed guard's back. His cloak burst into flames, his torso glowing with the searing impact. Homelander adjusted his gaze, and the heat rays sliced through, bisecting the guard in one fluid motion.
As his burning remains tumbled downward, they disintegrated, the charred pieces scattering like ash. Even as the flames consumed him, the guard's dying shriek echoed, fire spilling from his mouth and eyes until his body was reduced to nothing.
"Not so impressive," Homelander remarked, smirking as he moved deeper down the passage, where he sensed more black-robed figures gathering.
---
Elsewhere in the corridor, the archaeological team halted, hearing a faint scream in the distance.
A bearded man gripped his rifle, "Did anyone else hear that?"
"It sounded like someone screaming."
A man with a thick mustache huffed, "Probably just the wind. Or do you think the mummies have risen?"
The group chuckled nervously.
At the front, a young blonde woman, hair pulled back in a ponytail, scanned the darkness with her flashlight. Her blue eyes caught a faint outline.
"Professor Nick," she called, "there's a door up ahead."
Professor Nick, a man well into his sixties with silver hair, lit up. "The ritual chamber—this must be it!" He moved eagerly forward.
The team pressed on, entering through the massive stone door Homelander had left ajar.
Nick traced the carvings of Anubis with reverence. "The Gate of the Underworld. In Egyptian lore, Anubis guards the underworld, guiding souls to judgment and defending this sacred gate."
The blonde woman crouched to examine the fresh scrape marks left by the door's opening.
"Professor, these marks look recent," she noted.
Nick donned his glasses, bending down to observe. "Indeed, you're right. The grooves are too clean to have been exposed for long."
The bearded man, Ron, clutched his rifle tighter. "Good thing I brought this."
The mustachioed man scowled. "We're archaeologists, Ron. Guns have no place here; they could destroy valuable artifacts."
Ron shrugged. "I'm here to protect you. Not to dig up relics."
"Uncivilized brute," muttered the mustachioed man.
Ignoring the bickering, Professor Nick and the blonde woman reached the center of the chamber, marveling at seven stone platforms arranged in a circle.
"These are sacrificial altars," Nick whispered. "It says… 'Dedicated to the Great Brox?'"
"Brox? Who's that?" the blonde asked. "Wasn't this supposed to be the Queen of the Night's tomb?"
Nick frowned, scratching his head. "I'm… not sure anymore."
Just then, a dark shape shot out from the central shaft of the chamber.
"Professor, watch out!" The blonde woman yanked Nick backward.
Lights converged on the dark figure clinging to the wall—a bald head turned toward them, revealing a pale face and a mouth filled with razor-sharp teeth.
"What the—"
"Is that a mummy?"
"No, it looks more like a vampire!"
The archaeologists' gasps filled the air.
The black-robed creature dropped from the wall, pouncing on a bespectacled archaeologist.
Crack.
The creature snapped the man's neck with ease, pulling his head off with part of the spine still attached.
Screams erupted as the chamber descended into chaos.
"Get Professor Nick out of here! Now!" Ron yelled, unloading his rifle at the creature.
Several members of the team grabbed the professor and began retreating, but the black-robed figure, eyes aglow, licked the blood off its fingers, stalking toward them.
Bang! Bang! Bang!
Ron and a few others fired repeatedly, each bullet forcing the creature back but failing to bring it down. Bullets fell from its body, which seemed to regenerate with every step forward.
"What is this thing?" Ron's face drained of color.
Without hesitation, the black-robed guard lunged, colliding with Ron and tearing his body apart in a bloody explosion. As blood spattered across the room, the creature caught Ron's still-beating heart and bit into it, savoring the taste.
═❀═❀═❀═❀═❀═❀═
patreon.com/AmbitiousTranslator
🥰 Support the translation and help me grow.🤓
Read upto 20 Extra chapter in Patreon