Soon, the holographic screen activated once again. Two mission files appeared clearly before Team 11.

[D Rank Mission]

Investigate Missing Caravan near Blackstone Highway

Reward: 3000 Contribution Points

Mission Details: A Federation supply caravan carrying critical intelligence reports and essential medical supplies departed from the Eastern Outpost three days ago but has since gone missing near Blackstone Highway. The caravan consisted of 28 personnel, including armed escorts and Federation officials. The last transmission reported signs of a possible Vampire ambush. All contact has been lost. Investigate the disappearance, locate any survivors, recover the intelligence documents and supplies if possible, and eliminate any hostiles responsible.

[D Rank Mission]

Exterminate Vampire Spawn Nest near Hollow Creek

Reward: 4000 Contribution Points

Mission Details: A rapidly growing nest of Vampire Spawn has been discovered near Hollow Creek, approximately 45 kilometers from Cameron City. These mutated creatures, created through forbidden blood rituals, have begun attacking nearby settlements and travelers. Intelligence suggests the nest is led by a mid-level Spawn Mother capable of continuously producing more offspring. Left unchecked, the nest could evolve into a major threat. Eliminate the Spawn Mother, destroy the nest, and ensure no survivors remain to prevent further spread.

---

The atmosphere in the room gradually grew serious as everyone read through the details.

Deepak frowned slightly. "The Spawn Nest sounds troublesome. If those creatures keep multiplying, nearby settlements will eventually collapse."

Sana nodded in agreement. "Spawn-types are much more dangerous in groups. They spread extremely fast."

James looked at the caravan mission thoughtfully. "The missing caravan might still have survivors if the escorts are holding out. But the Spawn Nest will only continue growing stronger."

At this moment, Vikram spoke calmly, "We’ll handle Hollow Creek first."

Everyone turned toward him. Vikram pointed at the second mission. "The Spawn Nest is a spreading threat. The longer we delay, the stronger it becomes. The caravan incident happened three days ago, a few extra hours won’t make much difference if there are still survivors. But if the Spawn Mother keeps reproducing, we might end up facing hundreds instead of dozens later."

Several team members nodded. The logic was sound.

Rohit agreed, "Yeah. Spawn-type enemies get exponentially worse over time."

Isha glanced at Vikram briefly before nodding. "Then it’s decided. We move toward Hollow Creek first. Everyone prepare for direct combat."

Compared to yesterday’s easy E-Rank mission, the atmosphere inside Team 11 was far more serious this time.

---

Soon afterward, Team 11 departed from Cameron City once again, heading toward Hollow Creek. Just like before, they traveled in two armored vehicles.

However, the seating arrangement was noticeably different this time. The girls naturally gathered into one vehicle, while Vikram ended up sitting with the male members:

James, Rohit, Deepak, Vikrant, Arjun, Imran, and Raghav.

The moment the vehicle started moving, the atmosphere inside became loud and lively.

James leaned back in his seat with a mischievous grin. "So... how did it feel taking away two of Team 11’s proud flowers in a single night?"

The entire vehicle instantly erupted in laughter.

Rohit joined in immediately. "You really moved fast. You used to sleep all day, and now in one night you’ve already conquered two team members."

Vikram simply leaned against the window with a calm smile, showing no embarrassment.

Imran laughed loudly. "You know... I think Ayesha likes you too."

Arjun nodded seriously. "She definitely does. She always pays extra attention whenever you’re around."

Deepak added casually, "Pooja too. That girl practically stares at you half the time."

Imran suddenly spoke again, "Honestly... maybe even Neha likes him."

The entire group froze for a second before bursting into loud laughter.

Vikrant reacted dramatically. "What nonsense are you saying?! She’s older!"

Raghav immediately argued back, "She’s not that old. And more importantly... she’s still single."

The vehicle once again filled with roaring laughter as the boys continued teasing Vikram.

Even the usually calm Deepak couldn’t stop smiling. The conversation naturally shifted from teasing Vikram to relationships in general.

James stretched proudly in his seat. "At least I’m managing two relationships properly."

Rohit scoffed immediately. "Yeah, right. You’re married and still secretly dating another girl behind your wife’s back."

James showed zero shame. "That’s called talent."

Even Vikram let out a soft laugh. He learned that Deepak, Raghav, and Imran were already married. James was married but also had a hidden girlfriend. Arjun and Vikrant were currently dating, while Rohit remained the only single man in the group.

Vikram listened quietly, nodding occasionally. He didn’t realize it himself, but his personality had changed slightly after entering the Zombie Lord Ruin. After inheriting memories and emotions from that place, his views on relationships had shifted. Before, he had only truly cared about Divya. But after Sophia appeared, and after leaving the Ruin, he no longer minded having multiple girls in his life. A part of him had become more lustful, intimacy now felt like one of the greatest pleasures. Yet he still hadn’t fully noticed this change within himself.

---

Meanwhile, the atmosphere inside the girls’ vehicle was far more chaotic.

The moment the vehicle started moving, the girls immediately surrounded Sana and Kavya.

Especially Ayesha, who asked excitedly, "So? How did it feel when Vikram entered you for the first time? Tell us everything!"

Kavya’s face turned crimson. "W-We should be discussing the mission!"

But Bushra shamelessly betrayed her. "Don’t even try to escape. We all want details."

Pooja leaned in with sparkling eyes. "Yeah! How big was it? And how did you feel when your virginity was taken?"

Under the relentless questioning, Kavya eventually gave in and shyly told them how it felt, carefully avoiding the more painful parts.

Bushra, being more experienced, gave a knowing smile. She could clearly tell what Kavya was hiding.

Neha, who had been listening quietly, suddenly asked, "Did it not hurt? I heard the first time is always extremely painful..."

Neha’s previous relationship had ended because of this very fear. Years ago, she had a boyfriend she was going to marry, but when she learned that intimacy on their wedding night would be very painful, she broke off the engagement without hesitation. Since then, she has remained single.

Hearing Kavya say it didn’t hurt, Neha looked genuinely surprised.

Kavya and Sana exchanged mischievous glances. Sana smiled and answered sweetly, "It didn’t hurt at all. It felt incredibly good... like pure satisfaction."

Kavya nodded in agreement. "Yeah. It was really enjoyable."

Sana then added playfully, "You can ask my sister Bushra too. She’s more experienced with Vikram than me."

Bushra immediately joined in without hesitation. "It’s true. You should’ve seen Kavya’s face this morning. She looked like she wanted to stay glued to him forever. They both enjoyed it very much."

The vehicle instantly exploded with loud laughter.

Ayesha leaned closer, eyes full of curiosity. "So... Vikram is really that different now?"

Both Sana and Kavya fell silent for a moment. Then Sana nodded softly.

"...Very different."

Kavya agreed in a gentle voice. "He really has changed."

Hearing those words, several girls inside the vehicle became lost in their own thoughts.

---

Just as the chaotic teasing inside the girls’ vehicle reached its peak, Isha’s calm voice cut through from the front seat.

"Girls. We’ve arrived."

The noisy conversation stopped instantly. Everyone quickly looked out the windows.

The first armored vehicle had already stopped at the edge of a dark, twisted forest. The atmosphere around Hollow Creek felt completely different from Greyford Village. The air was damp and carried a foul, rotten stench. The trees grew in unnatural, contorted shapes, and dark red stains covered the ground and rocks in several places.

Even from the outskirts, an oppressive sense of danger hung heavily in the air.

Both vehicles came to a complete stop. Team 11 members exited one after another, instinctively checking their weapons and equipment.

Isha walked over to Vikram. After yesterday’s events, she genuinely wanted to hear his input first.

"What’s your plan?" she asked calmly.

The rest of the team also turned their attention toward him.

Vikram observed the dark forest quietly for a moment before asking, "First, explain it to me properly. What exactly are Vampire Spawns? And what about the Spawn Mother? What are their habits, weaknesses, and combat style?"

The team members exchanged glances. Rohit spoke first.

"Spawn-types are basically failed Vampire creations. They’re made through blood rituals and forced mutations. Unlike true Vampires, they have almost no intelligence."

Sana continued seriously, "They act more like wild beasts. They attack purely on instinct and hunger. Most of them only know three things: killing, feeding, and protecting the nest."

James pointed toward the forest ahead. "Their real danger lies in their numbers. If the nest grows too large, they swarm like locusts."

Deepak added, "And the Spawn Mother is the core of the nest. She continuously produces more Spawn using blood sacs and infected humans. If we don’t kill her, the nest will keep regenerating."

Isha nodded and concluded, "As for weaknesses, fire is extremely effective. Explosives work well too because their bodies are mutated and unstable. Light-type purification abilities can also suppress their regeneration. However, the Spawn Mother is usually deep inside the nest and mentally controls the others."

Vikram listened carefully, then slowly nodded.

"So basically, we’re dealing with a hive full of endless small enemies and one core target."

He smiled slightly. "Then this mission is actually quite simple."

Several team members blinked in surprise.

Simple?

Before they could ask, Vikram’s summoning aura began to spread around him. Green and crimson particles gathered in the air.

Two figures soon materialized.

Feiry, the Fire Mage Druid appeared surrounded by flickering flames. Lighty, the Light Mage Druid emerged bathed in soft golden radiance.

The team had seen Shade before, but every new summoning still left them amazed. These beings behaved far too naturally, almost like living warriors.

"Vik," Feiry greeted, flames dancing excitedly around his arms. "What are we doing this time?"

Lighty folded his arms calmly. "Support or purification?"

Vikram pointed toward the hovering drone. "You’ll see for yourselves. Watch through the drone feed."

Isha quickly created another invisible surveillance drone and sent it into the forest. A holographic screen appeared before the team, showing the dark, twisted woods and the grotesque Spawn creatures lurking within.

Suddenly, Vikram remembered something. He reached into his storage and took out a blazing red orb, the Fire Core Orb.

The moment it appeared, Feiry’s eyes lit up fiercely, and the surrounding temperature rose noticeably.

Vikram tossed the orb to him. "After this mission... go evolve."

Feiry caught the orb, his flames surging violently with excitement. "Thanks, Vik!"

Lighty looked slightly surprised but remained quiet. He knew his own evolution would only come once they obtained a Light Core Orb.

The surrounding team members watched with clear curiosity. Evolution? Do these summons actually evolve?

Vikram didn’t explain further. He simply gave the order, "Now go finish the mission."

Without wasting another second, Feiry and Lighty turned toward the dark forest and rapidly advanced into the Vampire Spawn territory.