HDXD: Omni Harem System-Chapter 272: The Underground City

The elevator shuddered to a slow, metallic groan before finally coming to a halt. The red emergency light above dimmed, then brightened once more, casting long shadows as the doors slid open with a hiss of cold air.

Adam's gaze sharpened.

They were no longer in the sleek, modern upper levels of the Tower.

Here, the atmosphere was different, older, quieter, or classical or gothic would be a better words here, as the place in of itself was almost reverent in its design.

The floor stretched wide, polished red tiles laid in a grid of intricate black vein-like patterns, as if someone had captured the image of spilled ink spreading through bloodstone.

The walls, carved from some dark mahogany-like wood, gave off a faint scent of aged resin and oil.

Brass lamps burned low, and their light move on the wood's grain, illuminating golden emblems of the Tower's insignia etched along the trim.

There was no music like the hall upstairs, no chatter of the wealthy. Just silence, that was heavy and disciplined.

It was a stark contrast to the glamorous levels above, those meant for the rich humans who came to gamble, dine, or flaunt their status.

Down here, there was no need for any of that. Here existed only purpose and order.

Priscilla's boots clicked sharply against the tiles as she stepped forward. Without turning, she motioned for Adam to follow.

"Come along, Adam, this isn't a place I feel comfortable leaving you to roam so freely."

She said evenly.

Causing Adam to follow her, his eyes sweeping over the surroundings.

They approached a reception desk made of dark marble, and steel at the sides matching the ground. Behind it a woman stood standing still, bother arms behind her back, her black lipstick covering her lips, as he posture was straight and perfectly still.

Looking at her, in Adam's humble opinion atleast, her appearance was striking.

She had skin as pale as frost, and her eyes much like Clara, and Moca, was a deep crimson that seemed to glow faintly in the lamplight, and long green hair tied neatly into a braid that draped over her shoulder.

She wore a sharp black uniform with silver buttons, gloves, and a military-style hat resting atop her head.

The moment her gaze landed on Priscilla, she removed her hat and placed it over her chest.

"Greetings Madam Arbiter."

She greeted, bowing her head slightly.

Her voice was calm but carried an old discipline, someone trained to serve, not just to obey.

Priscilla's expression softened slightly, as she greet the woman by saying.

"It has indeed been a while, Jenna."

The woman, Jenna...nodded once. Then she began speak up once more, saying.

"Seven years, to be exact, Madam. Since the last gathering. Time sure does fly fast."

"Indeed it does."

Priscilla said, her tone faintly nostalgic. Then, with her authority returning, she added.

"But let is skip the pleasantries for now. You know why I am here, I sent one of familiar earlier to ensure everything goes a smooth as needed it to be for tonight's party."

"Of course."

Jenna replied crisply.

"It is always an honor to serve the Tower and its cause."

Only then did Jenna's crimson eyes drift toward Adam, who stood silently beside Priscilla. Her expression flickered, just for an instant, but as a vampire, her senses didn't lie. What she felt from him wasn't normal.

Not human.

Not even remotely close.

Her pupils dilated slightly as she subtly inhaled the air around him. His natural energy radiated like a storm, yet tightly compressed, like a controlled chaos, caged behind flesh and will. It wasn't his bizarre and stupidly huge amount of various Astrum attributes alone. It was something else. Something older. Wilder even she could sense from him.

But amongst that, his Monster energy was no lesser than Priscilla both had infinite power to spear.

'Two Shinso in one building.... This is... Quite the unexpected development.'

She said to herself, and smiled politely nonetheless.

"Greetings to you as well, sir."

Adam returned the gesture with a faint nod.

"Likewise."

Was all he said.

Behind her calm demeanor, Jenna's mind buzzed with unease.

'What in the name of the old blood… what kind of freak of nature did Madam Arbiter bring here?'

'His Astrum feels like, like there is no end to it.… just what kind of Monster is he... Sniff, he smells of Vampire, Gordon, Nekowolf, oni, what's that weird scent... He also smell like a lot of other Monsters too, how weird.'

But she masked the thought behind a faint professional smile.

Priscilla caught the subtle shift in Jenna's posture and smirked knowingly.

"Ah, yes."

She said smoothly, gesturing toward Adam.

"Allow me to introduce him properly. This is Adam. A… special guest under my personal authority."

Adam inclined his head slightly, bowing just enough to show respect but not submission.

"Pleasure to meet you, Miss Jenna."

He said calmly, his voice carrying a faint warmth that somehow still felt distant.

Jenna blinked once, then nodded back.

"Likewise, sir."

She replied back respectfully. But on that note her attention re-shifted back to Priscilla as she said.

"I suppose you would like to be sent to the Gala now, Madam Arbiter?"

Priscilla's lips curved faintly, her crimson eyes glinting through the soft haze of lamplight.

"I would love that, Jenna. But before any of that…

Her tone shifted, colder, firm even.

"I need to be sent to the Arbitration Correction Office."

For a heartbeat, Jenna's expression didn't move. Then her eyes widened a fraction, just enough to betray her surprise.

"The Correction Office, Madam?"

She repeated, lowering her voice.

"If I may, they're currently… in the middle of an execution. The sight isn't exactly...

She paused, choosing her words carefully.

"pleasant... Are you sure you wish to be sent to the slaughterhouse at this time?"

"I am."

Priscilla said simply.

There was no hesitation in her tone, no room for argument either.

Jenna inhaled softly, bowing her head once.

"Very well, Madam Arbiter."

Without another word, she extended her gloved hand outward, her Astrum flaring to life in a soft purple hue. The air trembled as the space around them rippled like disturbed water. A low hum began to echo through the hall, deep and resonant, as she code the magic circle for her spell.

Adam felt it almost immediately, that telltale pull in the air, the invisible current of Spatial Astrum gathering, folding, bending upon itself.

His eyes narrowed slightly behind the mask, the corners of his mouth twitching upward. He recognized that sensation anywhere, but also the spell.

'Spatial Warp Spell eh!?'

He thought, quietly amused.

'I haven't seen another Space user for a while now, then and again vampire are race love by Astrum.'

The energy thickened around them, forming a vortex of faint, shifting light. Lines of runic spirit runes symbols appeared on the marble floor, weaving together in a perfect circle before erupting upward in thin, glowing threads.

The air twisted once, and a faint pressure pressed down over his shoulders, as portal in the air came into being.

Jenna stepped back, her voice calm as ever.

"There you go Madam, Sir. I have set the destination to the Arbitration Correction Office."

The portal blossomed into existence, a shimmering oval of violet, its edges alive with volatile and crackling energy.

On the other side, faint silhouettes moved, figures in uniform, dim light, and the sound of distant metal chains.

Adam'd golden eyes glinted as he took it all in. The air on the other side was cold, and stink. It carried the heavy scent of iron and blood

Priscilla turned her head slightly toward him.

"Come along, Adam."

She said softly.

Adam and Priscilla then entered the portal, and almost immediately the thick scent of blood hit their nose.

"AghhhHHHghaaa....

Adam said with a disgust look on his face, holding his nose.

He was used to blood and gore, but this room in particular seem to have been soaked in it.

"God this is bad!?"

"Just do as I do, and don't breathe, you like myself don't need to do breathe, as our energy keep us ever self sustaining."

Priscilla said to Adam.

As they came in they heard a man speaking, among them a bunch of other vampires began to speak.

They instantly took notice of Adam and Priscilla as they sense two distinct energy so powerful it began to press them on all of them despite not passively not trying.

"Come along, Adam."

She said softly.

They stepped through the portal together, and the air changed.

The scent of blood was thick but refined, almost perfumed, like it had become part of the stone interior itself after centuries of judgment and execution.

Crimson banners hung from the tall pillars, each embroidered with a silver insignia of scales, justice twisted in vampiric fashion.

Adam's nose wrinkled. 𝙧𝙚𝙚𝔀𝒆𝓫𝓷𝙤𝓿𝒆𝙡.𝒄𝙤𝓶

"Aghh...holy hell...

He muttered, his voice echoing before he caught himself. He pressed a hand to his face, trying not to breathe in.

"Just don't inhale."

Priscilla said, calm as ever.

"You and I sustain ourselves differently from the others. Let instinct handle it."

He nodded.

"Yeah. I guess you are right, I just won't breathe."

The hall stretched ahead like a cathedral, rows of vampires dressed in formal black, standing in silence.

In the center, a raised platform held a semicircular tribunal of ancient kindred, their eyes glowing faintly in the candlelight.

At the base of the platform, four vampires knelt in chains. Two men, two women, and dark skin man at the center of both. Each bore a different clan's mark carved into their skin, their faces half hidden beneath iron masks that left only their eyes exposed, glowing red, defiant, and afraid.

A robed figure stood before them, his voice carrying across the hall in tones practiced from centuries of judgment.

"By decree of the 7th Arbiter."

The man intoned.

"You all stand accused of violating the oldest law of the night, creation without consent."

Murmurs rippled through the audience, sharp and restrained.

"My brothers and sister's... These four have went against the law of the night, and sired four kins unwillingly at that."

The speaker continued, pacing slowly.

"Without arbitration. Without sanction. Without the chain of responsibility binding sire to progeny. They have torn the veil of order that protects us from chaos for centuries against many factions."

He turned, lifting a pale hand toward the captives.

"For that, your bloodline is forfeit."

A silence fell so deep it seemed the candles dimmed in respect.

Adam's gaze shifted to Priscilla.

"So this is what you meant by a slaughterhouse."

He whispered.

She didn't respond immediately. Her eyes were locked on the captives, unreadable, her aura low but unmistakably commanding. When she finally spoke, her voice was almost too soft.

"This is what happens."

She said.

"When you break the Masquerade in the Human world."

The presiding vampire raised a silver staff and struck it once against the marble floor. The sound rang out like a bell tolling for the dead.

"The accused will have their final words before judgment."

He declared.