NOVEL NEXT Chapter 6: Those who lives by the Flash of a Blade
Victor gazed at the unfolding scene with a mix of amusement and calculation, a glint of opportunity sparking in his eyes. Before him lay two paths—one safe and methodical, the other perilous and filled with potential. On the safer route, he could buy and kill animals to grow stronger gradually, maintaining a low profile. The dangerous path, however, offered a more direct approach: targeting the gang of scoundrels terrorizing the streets. These thugs, tools for the city's influential to handle dirty work, were parasites on society. But who cared about their misfortune? The patricians? Hardly. They'd shrug off the death of a few criminals, lost as they were in their petty disputes. In an age ruled by superstition and the strong, even the gods' justice was often a tool to mask inconvenient truths.
"Who would even notice if these men disappeared?" Victor mused, his mind whirring. The consequences of his actions unraveled in his thoughts.
The first possibility was optimistic: the death of the thugs might be seen as divine punishment for their misdeeds, spreading fear among criminals and temporarily driving them into hiding. The second, less promising, was that their demise might be attributed to a human vigilante, prompting retaliation against perceived threats. A third scenario leaned into pessimism: rival gangs mistaking the attack for an act of aggression, leading to violent turf wars. The fourth and darkest possibility was the gangs identifying him and seeking vengeance, spilling innocent blood in their pursuit. Despite the risks, Victor's calculated nature assured him of one thing: any association with him would be nearly impossible to trace, unless of course, he was captured.
His decision made, Victor resolved to act. These men were his first true prize in this world.
Moving silently, Victor approached his target: a thug distracted by his peers. His eyes honed in on the knife sheathed at the man's side. In a fleeting motion, Victor's hand darted forward, snatching the blade. Before the thug could react, Victor drove the knife into the back of his knee. A muffled cry of pain escaped the man as he crumpled. Chaos erupted among the gang members. Without hesitation, Victor pulled the knife free and dashed into the shadowed alleys, his heart pounding as adrenaline surged through his veins.
The alley was dark, lined with small balconies and abandoned market stalls. Victor's eyes darted around until he spotted a closed bakery with a stack of baskets on its balcony. Quickly, he climbed into one of the baskets, curling up and covering himself with a blanket. The sound of footsteps echoed in the narrow space. One of the thugs, enraged, was searching for him.
The man moved cautiously, his Spatha drawn. He wasn't stupid; running headlong into the alley could lead to an ambush. Instead, he stalked methodically, checking every shadow and crevice. As he passed each stall, he drove his blade into the baskets and blankets, testing for hidden threats.
- Brat!
the thug growled, his voice low and menacing.
- Think you can hide from me? Come out and tell me who sent you, and I'll let you go with your life.
Victor's muscles tensed as the man neared his hiding place. The thug's blade pierced the basket beside him, the point missing Victor by mere inches. In one fluid motion, Victor leapt from his hiding spot, lunging at the thug's exposed neck. The stolen knife gleamed in the dim light as it found its mark, plunging into the man's temple. The thug's body convulsed briefly before collapsing to the ground. Death had come swiftly.
Victor stood over the lifeless body, his chest heaving. He couldn't help but reflect, "Such is the fate of those who live by the blade. Fragile creatures… just as we were in my previous world."
[BING! You defeated an enemy. Would you like to absorb his blood?]
The system's chime jolted Victor from his thoughts, its intrusive notification pulling him back to the moment. Annoyed, he muttered, "This damn thing again…" Without hesitation, he selected "Yes" to silence it.
[BING! Your blessing "Aegis of the Damned" is evolving.]
[BING! Absorbing blood from a human is considered a taboo akin to cannibalism. Your evil deeds increase.]
[BING! You gained the skill "Blood Control – Initiate Stage."]
Victor's head spun as the notifications continued.
[BING! Blessing Progress: "Aegis of the Damned" 10/100.]
[BING! Passive Skill Unlocked: Blood Control – Initiate Level 1.]
[Skill Description: Your mana has an affinity with blood. You can manipulate nearby blood as an extension of yourself. At this level, blood is fragile and lacks definition. As the skill progresses, its resilience and shaping capabilities will increase.]
Victor's body tingled as he felt a surge of power course through him. The notifications continued:
[BING! Blood bank capacity full. Excess blood will be used to upgrade skills and blessings.]
[BING! Your charisma has increased by 1 point.]
The lifeless body before him now resembled a dried husk, every drop of blood drained. Victor couldn't help but grimace at the sight.
- So… this is the result of using the blessings.
he muttered.
The man's Spatha lay nearby, catching Victor's eye. He considered taking it but dismissed the idea quickly. "It's too big for me," he reasoned. "I'd look like a dwarf wielding a greatsword."
As he examined his new skill, curiosity overtook him. The notification from the system seemed to anticipate his thoughts.
[You have no blood nearby to use your passive skill. Would you like to access your blood bank?]
Victor hesitated before selecting "Yes." A sinister smile curled his lips. "Let's put on a show."
From the tips of his fingers, a crimson liquid began to materialize, swirling and coalescing into a thin, fragile blade. Victor marveled at the sight. The blood felt like an extension of himself, responding to his will as though it were alive. He swung the blade experimentally, the motion fluid yet delicate, the blood shimmering in the faint light.
He clenched his fist, and the blood blade shattered into droplets before dissipating. The skill was rudimentary, but its potential was clear.
Victor's thoughts turned to the remaining thugs. "I could end them all," he mused. "But if they scatter and spread tales of divine punishment, it'll work to my advantage."
As he deliberated, faint voices echoed from the alley's entrance. The gang leader seems to be talking to the laid. Victor slipped deeper into the shadows, his mind racing. He wasn't strong enough to take them all at once, but with his newfound powers, he could turn the tide in his favor.