Chapter 18: The Ambush

Elise and Alice were both visibly shocked. They stepped back, keeping a certain distance from the cross. From their expressions, one could see caution mixed with a hint of fear.

Elise asked, “Where did you get that thing?”

“I took it from Mary,” Mo Yu answered honestly. “This thing can protect its wearer. I took advantage of her being distracted to snatch it.”

Elise warned, “Don’t speak recklessly,” signaling Alice with her eyes.

Mo Yu waved his hand. “Miss, she’s not human; she’s a spirit rabbit.”

Elise’s pupils contracted sharply.

Alice looked tense, but her gaze was fixed on Elise.

Mo Yu noticed this subtle detail.

The disguise was uncovered, yet she looked at Elise instead of him—obviously, she cared about Elise’s reaction.

Quickly, Mo Yu added, “Besides, she’s always known your identity but never made it clear to you.”

He was bluffing.

He was merely trying to deceive them both.

Elise’s face darkened. Mo Yu’s demeanor gave weight to his words, making what he said credible. She turned her questioning gaze toward Alice.

Alice looked confused. “What are you talking about? I don’t understand.”

Mo Yu chuckled and picked up the cross. “Come on, I’ll make you understand instantly.” He circled the table, attempting to approach Alice.

“Don’t come any closer!” Alice immediately deflated.

She was well aware that if she touched the cross, her secret would be exposed, and her true identity couldn’t be hidden any longer. At the same time, she believed in Mo Yu’s ability to see others’ secrets.

Alice looked to Elise seriously and said, “I have indeed kept some things from you and know some truths, but darling, my love for you is real!”

Elise’s expression was dazed.

Everything happened so fast, she couldn’t accept it.

Her best friend wasn’t human, had been lurking beside her all along, and was after her body.

An awkward, eerie silence fell over the scene.

Clearing his throat, Mo Yu steered the conversation back. “What is this cross? Tell me, there’s no need to hold back. After you speak, I’ll leave, and you two can talk things through. Miss, rest assured, this spirit rabbit truly loves you. Revealing the truth might be good for both of you, right?”

Alice’s gaze toward Mo Yu softened somewhat.

Elise appeared evasive, unable to accept the reality in such a short time. After Mo Yu’s question, she instinctively replied, hoping to find an excuse to escape.

“This is a sacred artifact from the Ancient Holy Church, called ‘Confession.’ It’s specifically used to suppress evil spirits and is the nemesis of all malevolent beings. It was damaged during the Twilight Battle and lost afterward.”

“How do you use it?”

“It requires magical energy to activate.”

“Are you saying you can’t touch it?”

“Yes, it burns anyone who does.”

It was a specialized weapon for demon hunters; ordinary people couldn’t wield it.

---

Sighing, Mo Yu said, “Too bad. I’ll head off now. You two talk.”

After confirming the information about the cross, he saw no reason to linger. He packed up the box and left, hiding around the corner to eavesdrop.

Elise spoke first, “Sorry, I’m not feeling well. I’m going back.”

“Darling…” Alice hesitated.

Was she avoiding the issue?

This way, the outcome would remain unseen.

Mo Yu felt deeply regretful.

Rewinding time, back to the changing room.

Mo Yu checked the panel.

The assassination mission on Alice was still active, but the description had changed slightly—Alice was wary of him, not hateful.

Mo Yu also confirmed one thing.

Ability points could only be gained from legendary units, which was very difficult.

Now it was hunting time.

After acquiring the Confession cross, he planned to ambush Elise’s subordinates. Although he lacked magical energy to activate the relic, he could use the cross as a blunt weapon.

---

2:00 PM.

The sky was clear, the sun scorching. On a remote road outside Black City, a white van sped along, followed at intervals by two small cars.

No other vehicles were on the road; it was an old, isolated path. Both sides were barren wilderness, with only some drought-resistant plants growing.

The atmosphere inside the van was tense.

Number 12 sat in the passenger seat, eyes fixed ahead, occasionally checking his phone and sending messages.

From the back came a vampire’s voice, “Master Number 12, she’s awake.”

“Warn her,” Number 12 responded.

Mary regained consciousness and tried to struggle, but her hands and feet were restrained, her mouth gagged, and her head covered—she couldn’t move. Threatened by the vampires, she calmed down.

Silence returned to the vehicle.

Suddenly, an explosion shook the air.

Number 12 was startled and looked into the rearview mirror. Two small cars behind had been blasted, erupting into fireballs as they flew off the road. These were comrades assigned to provide cover.

Number 12 opened the window, peered out, and cursed, “Damn it! We’re under attack—step on it! Don’t stop…”

Before he finished, the driver shouted in panic.

“Watch out!”

A white security team car came barreling in at over 200 kilometers per hour, smashing precisely into the van’s front door.

The terrifying impact tore apart the van’s front, causing it to spin and roll. After flying dozens of meters, it finally halted.

Number 12 was thrown like a human projectile, smashing his head against a metal billboard with a loud clang before tumbling to the ground. He groaned in pain, writhing as his twisted body visibly began to heal.

---

Knight-class vampires were formidable.

If it had been night, such an impact would have only caused minor injuries. But it was 2 PM, under the blazing sun—vampires’ weakest time—so he was gravely wounded.

His body was contorted, bones shattered.

Though seriously injured, vampires could quickly recover by expending life force—at night, ten breaths could restore seven-tenths of their strength. But exposure to sunlight drastically slowed healing.

Sunlight was poison to vampires.

Number 12 staggered to his feet and looked at the van.

The vehicle had caught fire, but the vampires inside escaped, carrying Mary out.

The impact point was at the front.

The elite vampires inside had taken minimal damage, using their bodies as shields to protect Mary.

For elite vampires, the greatest threat now was the sun. Their protective leather coats had torn; they needed to find shade.

Relieved Mary was alive, Number 12 exhaled.

Mary couldn’t die here.

This bait had to perish at the hands of the other two vampire clans.

Suddenly, rapid gunfire erupted.

Number 12 was hit in the back.

Most bullets ricocheted off his skin; only a few penetrated. Furious, he spun around, seeing someone dozens of meters away wearing a helmet and leather jacket, firing a rifle in short bursts from a crouched stance.

His wounds hadn’t healed; he shielded his chest, waiting for his body to recover. The continuous gunfire demanded most of his attention.

“Look here,” an abrupt voice came from the side.

Number 12 turned in shock to see another helmeted figure beside him, a fist rapidly enlarging.

Emblazoned on the fist was a cross.

Bang!

The punch was crushingly heavy.

The shockwave cracked the air with a sonic boom.

Number 12 was hurled through the air again, crashing into the billboard. He rolled on the ground, screaming in agony, clutching his battered face as he writhed.

A cross-shaped mark was imprinted on his cheek.

His head seemed doused in gasoline, igniting. Under the harsh sunlight, orange flames flickered visibly.

A shadow dove from above—it was Number 9 rushing to assist. His car had been blown up by a grenade, and after escaping, he found the van under attack.

Number 9 didn’t hesitate; he revealed his true form, spreading his wings and flying to aid. He let out a piercing scream, flapping his wings as he charged at the helmeted attacker.