Surviving in my Own Unpublished Failed Novel

"The Crimson Goddess, her death delivered must be."

The Elven Commander, Tafor, and the Elven Soldier, Lusha, who was perplexed by Amelie's condescending tone, shifted their gaze to where Russell was sitting leisurely as he spoke a clear phrase of unknown, mentioning the Crimson Goddess or the one to be believed as the progenitor of the Vampire Race.

The simple matter regarding Amelie's impolite tone left Lusha's head, while Tafor, who was beside her, was silent, glaring intently at the young man.

After a few seconds, in wonder, Lusha asked.

"What do you mean by that? That's quite random, isn't it?"

"It actually is, but I don't think that's the case, right, Commander Tafor?"

Lusha glanced to her side, seeing the expression of their commander to be unknown, his thoughts obscured. Pondering for a moment, Tafor then addressed in ignorance whatever the young mercenary leader meant by what he mumbled.

"I don't know what you're talking about."

Lusha, who felt that something was amiss, became cautious because of the peculiarity, not just by Russell, but also by Amelie, who was gazing at them as though she was ready for whatever would happen next. It was as if they were triggering something to happen in the absence of the others.

"I see. Hahaha, Sorry, sorry. I must be tired, longing for a nap."

Russell grinned, his atmosphere ominous. However, before the Elven Commander or the remaining Elven Soldier in this luxurious place full of Elven Treasures for the military managed to speak of anything, Russell continued:

"I'm just curious. I've read somewhere a bit of history between the Elves and the Vampires. It says on ancient records that there's a taboo that the Crimson Goddess had marked her descendants with, which restricted the Vampires from speaking or wishing her to die, though it's ironic since the Vampire Race was loyal to their Goddess, however, just like us, humans, there are moments when we hoped for someone to die. I mean, it's impossible throughout the lifetime of a human that he wouldn't think of that.

"My point is… it's easier to eliminate a Vampire by mind-controlling them and forcing them to trigger the restriction imposed on their hearts and souls by letting them speak 'The Crimson Goddess, her death delivered must be', right?"

With a smile depicting his subtle coldness, Russell waited for what was about to transpire.

"The Crimson Goddess, her death delivered must be… Why that exact phrase, though?"

Lusha asked in puzzlement. Even though the conversation at the moment was somewhat strange, she instinctively felt like pressing on the matter.

As Lusha let out her curiosity, Russell shifted his gaze in less than a second towards the Elven Commander, who was unusually silent at this moment.

"I have no idea. I've just read it somewhere, you see. But perhaps Commander Tafor knows?"

Russell answered Lusha, with a tone that's hinting something. Amelie, a moment later, interjected.

"Commander Tafor, what do you think of that phrase? Since it's recorded in Elven History, it'll be appreciated to have your insights as the oldest here."

"Hmm… I don't have much to say since I'm not knowledgeable about our history, and not everyone has the opportunity to learn such matters."

Commander Tafor, after pondering for some time, responded in a casual manner.

"What a pity."

Russell murmured, however, it was enough for the four of them remaining in the room to hear what he said, which caused the two Elves for their glistening eyes, depicting nature to constrict.

"Hey! I don't know why the two of you are acting weird right now, and I'm grateful to you for saving Iefyr and Kerym, but I cannot grasp the rudeness that's coming out of your mouth!"

Lusha stood up from where she was sitting and started to approach Russell with quick steps. At that moment, the air seemed to be torn apart as something went past her, which aimed towards someone behind her. It caused Lusha to look back to Commander Tafor's spot before shifting her gaze to Amelie with her eyes widened.

However, before she could do anything, a few meters away from her, Russell closed the distance and pushed her aside. Then, at that moment, the sound of two solid objects clashed.

Holding in his right hand the Dark Spear he caught as Amelie attacked her in surprise after Lusha stepped away from where they were sitting just now, Commander Tafor glanced at Russell, his eyes seething.

"How did you know, fragile human?"

A different sound of the voice came out of his mouth, causing Lusha who heard it to fall in disbelief, confusion on her face was evident as she alternatively looked to the commander, Russell, and Amelie, who at this moment were in a fighting stance.

"The World Tree, Origin of Many

"Our Elven Goddess, protector against crimson

"The nature's will, absolute will it always be

"The Crimson Goddess, her death delivered must be.

"You haven't said the last line to access this place, though I doubt such a chant is even needed to open the door, right?

"It means that the real Commander Tafor is either dead or locked somewhere, and you possessed his body to pretend to spy on this border."

Slash- Slash-! Clang-

A crimson sword forged from blood and the combined mysterious scythe and sword struck each other as Lusha, watching the circumstances at this moment, was momentarily dazed, processing the words that she just heard.

"Hahaha-! It still doesn't explain it. How did you know the phrases that are being taught to every Elven Commander, you human?!"

A laugh reverberated within the critical place for the Elven Army, which housed war weapons potent against the Vampire Race.

"Laugh all you want, it'll disappear soon enough."

Russell wickedly grinned as the battle in the underground of the Elven Army Headquarters intensified.

***

"Lusha! Go back to your senses!"

Amelie approached the perplexed Elf, shaking her shoulders.

"Ah…? W-what's happening…"

With an expression of incredulity, Lusha was jolted awake while standing on her spot, seemingly frozen.

"We have no time to explain! But listen to what I'm about to tell you so we can get rid of him or perhaps… Sigh… Just help us! We'll explain after this!"

"A-alright."

Feeling gloomy, Lusha responded, her mind blank.

"Good! Support Russell in any way! Like buffing him or whatever's there."

Amelie said as she's positioning herself in an advantageous spot so she could land an attack whenever an opening was found while the two, the supposedly Elven Commander, Tafor, who was possessed by a Vampire, and Russell Moon, the Umbra Mercenary leader continued in their confrontation.

***

"It's impressive. The acting Vampire Commander deserved an Oscar, but he's too weak compared to a real A- rank, which was why he's easily subjugated. I mean – he's close to adapting to the System so he could fake his true rank, which was on the level of a normal Vampire Soldier."

"Oscar? I don't know what that is, but a human that knows the adaptation after the prerequisite System? Who are you?"

"..."

Russell didn't answer, but instead, he performed the swordsmanship that's certainly unfamiliar to a vampire after the distance was created between them.

[Swordsmanship of the Night, First Movement: Shattering Star]

[You have received the Blessing of Nature!]

[Your attacks against the Vampire Race will be amplified!]

'Thanks!'

Russell inwardly muttered as Lusha buffed him, a skill that every Elves must possess in their lives.

The real Vampire Commander's crimson eyes, in the body of Tafor, dilated as he raised his guard up, but seemingly forgetting the woman who struck him first, something pierced his back from a distance.

"Argh-"

'W-why can't I sense her? As if she has no presence at all!'

"You should learn not to look away when there's an enemy in front of you."

Slash- Slash!

"Argh-!"

'W-what? F-for a moment, I thought he wasn't there.'

Even though he's been struck off-guard, he's assessing the situation clearly. He's not a Vampire Commander for nothing, after all.

"You pesky humans!"

Letting out his rage, the Vampire Commander started to go offensive. From the beginning, when Amelie tried to hit him by surprise, and when he was clashing with Russell, he was restraining his strength since he guessed that they were individuals he could get rid of easily.

[Activating Skill: Red Mist]

Crimson murky mist emanated from his body, causing the three to take a few more steps back.

"I don't know about the others, but I need you alive to check what's inside your brain."

Pertaining to Russell who had spoken about the "Adaptation", the Vampire Commander's demeanor turned more serious and cold.

"Also, your comrades will probably be trapped there. Shame on them."

Lusha, who heard him, spoke in a manner of urgency.

"What have you done to them?!"

But before the Vampire Commander responded, Russell then interjected.

"Don't worry about them. They'll be fine."

"Hoho. Where's that confidence coming from?"

Russell didn't answer the Vampire Commander but rather cleaved down his sword as he lunged forward.

"I won't do that if I-"

The Red Mist could render anyone's movement within a certain radius, but a sword cut off his tongue quickly, interrupting him to finish what he was about to say.

"You're just scared of Ayleen's presence because she's someone you won't be able to take care of."

Russell muttered as he continued his heavy strikes.

[Your Attribute: Nihility has sent the effect of the Red Mist into Nothingness!]

***

"This is clearly not the right place."

Thessalia whispered, realizing that they were transported into an ominous space after utilizing the cube.

"B-but it's what the Commander said… It can't be."

Iefyr, who looked around, seeing the dark, wide cemetery, muttered while trying to assess the situation based on his own perspective.

"We're trapped."

Listening to the Elves, Ayleen Mayfield gathered the attention of everyone as her expression contained that of coldness.

"I should have known. The moment we entered the facility, I saw a similar cube placed on the other side of the room."

Ayleen muttered, but she wasn't blaming herself.

"Miss Ayleen, I'm worried about the others. I mean, we don't know who's the traitor, but we clearly aren't since we have no idea such an underground facility exists.

"After all, we're just mercenaries acting based on the commission entrusted to us."

This time, Samantha interjected. Even though the current situation was full of unknowns, she was still calm as the entity in her head wasn't showing any concern for her.

"But what's this place? Why trapped us here? If not for the Frozen Thorns activation, we wouldn't know that we're not in the right place."

Thessalia said, finding herself in disbelief. The reason why they concluded that this place wasn't what the Elven Commander had told them about was that the eight cerulean cubes, where the eight vampires were trapped, couldn't be activated to return to their original state.

Listening to Thessalia's words, Samantha contemplated the moments before they were transported within.

'That Russell-!!'

She realized that Russell had probably ordered her to accompany Thessalia, Ayleen, and the others.

<Haha! Good luck, my Disciple!>

After a while, the entity in her head mocked her.

<Stop laughing. What do you know about this place?>

<Wow! It's unfair. You'll be like cheating your way out if I tell you. Haha! Fret not.>

<You seem happy, me being in a hard situation.>

<Tsk. Do you think being stronger can be attained by knowing your way through? Anyway, all I can tell you is that this space isn't that wide, but... someone's probably watching you all.>

<W-what do you mean watching us...?>

The entity in her head didn't answer anymore, causing Samantha to let out a heavy sigh.

***

In the land of the Vampire Race, a young-looking woman was glancing at a crimson crystal ball situated at the desk of her room.

What's screened in the crimson crystal ball was a group of individuals, both Humans and Elves.

Sitting on a chair, the beautiful vampire muttered in the air.

"Are these my new playthings?"