Live With Your Blood || LingOrm

Chapter 42: Lives Lost

The air crackled with tension as Ling and Gulf faced off against the hunters back to back. The scene was grim, shadowed by fury and desperation. Orm, trapped by Mrs. Koy's firm grasp, struggled, shouting for them to stop, but her mother pulled her back. "Orm, it's too dangerous! You can't go in there!"

Just then, Bow and Mint appeared on the scene, skidding to a halt beside Ling and Gulf.

"Now it's getting more fun," Franky's lips twisted into a sadistic grin.

The four vampires aligned themselves in a row, a wall of supernatural strength, preparing to defend and retaliate. Ling glanced over at them, her words barely audible, meant only for the group.

"Where's Saint?" she asked.

"Hen stopped him," Bow answered quickly. "He has to stay hidden to keep his identity safe."

"So where's Hen?" Gulf questioned, fists tightening as he scanned the scene.

"He's holding Suree back," Mint said, her gaze never leaving the advancing hunters.

"Looks like it's just the four of us," Gulf muttered, steeling himself.

Ling's eyes flicked over each of them, her expression serious. "Remember, only defend. No killing." The others nodded, bracing themselves.

"Are you all ready for this?" Franky smirked from across the line.

The answer came in the form of movement as the hunters charged forward, weapons drawn, faces set in grim determination. The vampires blocked each blow with expert reflexes, their movements blurring with supernatural speed. Their claws flashed, fangs bared as they deflected, dodging strikes and deflecting gunfire.

Amid the chaos, Orm wrenched herself free from Mrs. Koy's grasp. She stumbled into the battle's center, holding her hands up. "Stop!" Her voice rang out, raw and commanding.

Everyone froze mid-action, their gazes shifting toward Orm. The vampires lowered their claws, retracting their fangs. Even the hunters hesitated, caught off guard.

"Step back, Orm," Mr. Job ordered, his face twisted with a hardened resolve. "We need to end this tonight."

"I've never seen you make such a reckless decision, dad," Orm's eyes flashed with a rare anger.

"They're not humans, Orm!" Franky shouted, his tone defensive, as though justifying the violence.

"So?" Orm's voice was strong, unyielding. "Does that mean we need to slaughter each other?"

Gulf, who had been watching Orm with quiet intensity, finally spoke. "You're not afraid of us? After seeing what we really are?" His glance met Ling's, a flicker of unease crossing his face.

Orm looked at him steadily. "What's the purpose of all this fighting?" She raised her voice, addressing everyone. "Why must we kill each other?"

A sudden rustle came from the nearby bushes, and Hen stepped forward, his expression unreadable as he joined the vampires' line.

"Die!" he shouted, his voice laced with a vengeance that had been long suppressed. He stepped forward, then stood in front of Ling.

"So, you're standing on the wrong side now?" Franky laughed, amused.

"No," Hen said, his stance firm. "I'm exactly where I need to be." His gaze hardened as he looked at Mr. Job. "I've made my decision, and I stand with them."

"I knew we couldn't trust him," Mr. Job's eyes narrowed, his mouth set in a grim line.

"Let the battle be mine!" Hen growled and launched himself at the hunters with unbridled fury, his strikes fast and unrelenting, unleashing a storm of vengeance.