Chapter 95: The Khamsin Clan
The silence that followed was heavy. Miss Solstice leaned back in her chair, studying Lucian with those unnervingly calm eyes.
"The Hunter Guild outpost in Kharga was attacked by Hassan," she said. Her voice was flat. "Thirty-two dead. Twelve injured. The entire command structure was wiped out in under four minutes. That’s why no one responded when the blood mist appeared in the city."
She paused.
"Hassan is confirmed to be at least Peak Core Realm. Based on the aftermath and survivor testimony, his actual combat strength borders on quasi-Grand Core Realm."
Lucian absorbed that quietly. Quasi-Grand Core Realm. That meant if they’d fought in that city, Hassan would have killed him without effort.
"What do you have for me?" she asked.
Lucian didn’t answer immediately. He looked at her for a long moment.
"Are you aware of the existence of vampires?"
Miss Solstice blinked. Then she let out a short laugh.
"Vampires? Those are just made up fantasy. Pale creatures that drink blood and turn into bats? Come on, Lucian—"
"Please." Lucian’s voice cut through hers calmly. "I know you are aware of vampires. The government too is surely aware but doesn’t want to stir up panic among the people. After all, dungeons and dark faction attacks are already problem enough. The existence of vampires on top of that..."
He trailed off.
Miss Solstice’s expression didn’t change. But the silence that followed told him everything.
Lucian exhaled.
"You might try to classify me as crazy," he continued, "but even as a six-year-old — eleven years ago — my parents were killed by those fuckers. And I intend to wipe them off the surface of this earth."
Miss Solstice laughed.
""I do know of their existence. But you intend to wipe them out? Do you have any idea what you’re saying? Vampires have way longer lifespans than humans. Some of those monsters have been around even before the mana apocalypse three hundred years ago. Their roots are so deep in this world you can’t even fathom their power."
Lucian met her eyes. "Well, I don’t care. I will still stick to my goal."
He reached up and pulled his collar aside slightly, revealing the faint puncture scars on his neck — old scars, barely visible, but there.
"I encountered two of them today. Killed one. His name was Bashir. Mid Core Realm. A turned vampire." Lucian let his collar fall back into place. "His master was a female called Zara. From the Khamsin clan. Late Core Realm. True born."
Miss Solstice’s calm cracked. Just barely. A flicker in her eyes.
"You fought a late Core Realm vampire and won? Plus how do you know so much about vampires?"
"I was born with insane physical stats," Lucian lied without blinking ignoring the other question. "."
Miss Solstice stared at him for a long time as she thought, I might really try to snatch him from the old man.
Lucian pressed forward.
"The Khamsin clan is involved with Hassan. Directly. They’re not just funding him — they’re working together. And they’re planning to wake something up. Someone. I don’t know exactly what yet. But for that to happen, they need war. Large-scale conflict. Massacres. Blood sacrifices."
He paused.
"That’s what the children were for. That’s what the government official kidnappings were for. To start war. That’s what tonight’s blood mist attack was for. Each one feeds into something bigger."
Miss Solstice leaned forward. Her fingers interlaced on the desk.
"The Khamsin clan." She said the name slowly. "We traced them back to Africa years ago. A minor vampire clan. Small territory. We didn’t consider them a priority."
"They’re operating in Egypt now."
"Clearly." Her jaw tightened. "Anything else?"
"I’m still in on the mission whether you like it or not."
Miss Solstice looked at him as she sighed.
"Get out of my office and shower first. You stink." She waved a hand dismissively. "I’ll think about it later."
Lucian turned and walked to the door.
**********
Two more days in New Miami.
Lucian spent them recovering.
He also spent those two days convincing Miss Solstice.
On the second evening, she finally caved.
"Fine. You’re back on the mission. But you operate under my directives. No more going rogue."
"Understood ma’am."
"Now get out of my city. Go back to your academy before your master files a complaint."
Lucian left the next morning.
***************
Meanwhile.
A hidden island near the Sudanese border in Egypt.
No maps marked it. No satellites tracked it. Layers of bloodline abilities — concealment, illusion, sensory manipulation — buried it beneath a shroud of supernatural camouflage. To the outside world, there was nothing here but empty water and barren coastline.
Beneath that shroud, a huge mansion rose from the island’s center. Guards in dark clothing patrolling the perimeter with silent, inhuman precision.
Inside one of the upper rooms, Zara al-Khamsin’s eyes opened.
She was lying in a large bed, bandages wrapped around her torso. The wound from Lucian’s sword intent had closed, but the flesh beneath was still healing. A man was at her bedside before she could fully sit up.
"Zara—"
Omar al-Khamsin. Dark beard. Sharp eyes that were currently wide with worry. He grabbed her hand. Zara’s husband.
"What happened? Who did this to you?"
Zara opened her mouth to speak explaining what happened.
Omar’s aura erupted.
Killing intent flooded the room. The temperature dropped. The lamps flickered. A vase on the desk cracked from the pressure alone.
Peak Core Realm.
"I’m going to kill that bastard vampire," Omar snarled. His hands were shaking. "Who was it? Which clan? Tell me and I’ll—"
"Omar." Zara’s voice was weak but firm. "Stop."
Omar hesitated. Then, slowly, the killing intent receded. He turned back to her, his expression shifting from rage to concern. He sat on the edge of the bed and took her hand again.
Omar al-Khamsin was a distant cousin of the Khamsin family. He had married Zara to ensure the Khamsin bloodline remained pure. A political arrangement that had, over the years, become something close to genuine affection.
The door opened.
A maid stepped in, head bowed.
"My lord. My lady." She greeted. "Your father has called for you."
Omar and Zara exchanged a glance.
A few moments later, they walked into the main hall.
The chamber was vast — marble floors, high ceilings, red silk curtains draped along the walls. Torches burned with pale flame. At the far end, on a raised platform, sat a throne.
Tariq al-Khamsin.
The patriarch of the Khamsin clan looked deceptively ordinary — a middle-aged man with greying temples and a calm expression. He sat with one hand resting on the armrest, fingers tapping slowly.
To his right stood a woman. Dalia al-Khamsin. Younger than Tariq, Tariq’s wife.
To his left stood Hassan.
The scarred man leaned against a pillar, arms folded, his wild eyes half-lidded. He looked bored.
Omar and Zara stopped before the throne. Zara bowed her head. Omar did the same.
Tariq’s tapping fingers stopped.
"I’m quite disappointed, daughter." His voice echoed through the hall softly. You have never failed me before. But today, you have disappointed me."
Zara said nothing. Her fists clenched at her sides.
Tariq leaned forward slightly.
"Now tell me — which creature could have defeated a late and mid Core Realm vampire?"