Chapter - 7
After killing the bandit, Leo stood motionless by him, as his sword was still dripping with warm blood. He took deep breaths to regain his composure. His ribs ached, while his hands trembled slightly.
He had just killed a man, and it was not a game anymore. And it was certainly not in a dream.
It was in real life, in his new life, very far from his past life.
The bandit's eyes were still open as if he was staring blankly at the slightly reddish sky. He could have enjoyed the beautiful sunset. But right now the blood pooled under his neck, thick and red. The iron stink of the blood filled the air.
Leo stared at the corpse.
Part of him felt this sudden rush in his body, something that was 100… No… 1000 times of what he felt whenever he defeated a boss in Eldora Online.
But another part of him was numb as well. Even if the bandit was a scum, he was a human. And he just took a human's life.
Right now the forest was completely silent. Even the girl who was crying and begging before had gone silent because of the shock and was looking at the dead bandit's body with her eyes not blinking at all.
Finally a voice broke the silence.
"You killed my brother... You don't think you will walk away with it, do you?"
Leo turned sharply.
Another man stepped out from behind the trees. He was even bigger than the last bandit, at least a foot taller. His eyes were half open, while he wore nothing to cover his chest and Leo could see the thick scars on his chest.
A long axe hung lazily over his shoulder. His hair was greasy, wild, and tied in a messy ponytail. His eyes were sharp and mocking.
"This idiot," the man looked at the dead bandit and clicked his tongue, "I just went to take a piss, and he gets himself killed."
The man didn't look angry, instead he was somewhat amused.
And just then the system rang softly in Leo's head.
[Enemy Identified: Blackfang Enforcer - Varkas]
[Level: 4]
[HP: 180/180]
[Skills: Cleave, Berserk Rage, Brutal Grip]
[Status: Uninjured. Calm.]
Leo swallowed hard.
"Level 4…?" he whispered to himself.
He was still recovering from the last fight. That guy was only Level 3, and he still had such a difficult time killing him. If not for the surprise attack, he might not have had a chance. With such a threat looming over his head, Leo's hands were shaking… Out of fear? Hell no!
He was shaking from the thrill of the danger, of the adventure, the taste of the blood. He was finally alive after spending years as a shut in, locked away from the rest of the world.
Meanwhile old man Grendel peeked out from behind a tree, his legs wobbling like jelly. His face had lost all color.
"By the Gods," he mumbled, "There's more of them. Why didn't I just stay in that damn town? And why did I follow this bastard? I am too old for this. My poor bones…"
Leo shot him a look, "I can still hear you, dumbass."
Grendel whimpered like a dog, holding his hands to his face like he was praying to every god he knew, even the Temple of Light.
Meanwhile, Varkas didn't even glance at the old man. Instead, he turned to the weeping girl beside the dead bandit.
She was silently looking at the dead bandit.
"Oi," Varkas called out casually, "You done yet?"
But the girl didn't respond to him. She kept staring into nothingness.
"This whore," Varkas took slow steps towards the girl. Leo's body tensed. If the man made a move on the girl, he would act.
"Come on now, sweetheart. How long are you going to cry? It was just a bit of play gone too far," Varkas spoke out loud.
Leo narrowed his eyes. What the hell was he talking about?
'Play gone too far?'
Varkas saw the confused look on Leo's face and gave him a crooked smile.
Gesturing at the girl, he spoke,"You think she is some innocent little victim? Nah. That's Brena. She works with us. Been with Blackfang bandits for five years."
"And the poor bastard you just killed? That was her lover."
Leo blinked, confused, "What the hell?"
Here he was thinking after saving the girl, he might get lucky and finally lose his virginity. But now that's a fucking plot twist he had not expected. His chances of getting laid just flushed down the drain.
Varkas laughed, "They had a thing. Real kinky couple. They loved to roleplay."
"Sometimes, he would act like the cruel kidnapper, and she would be the poor little farm girl. She would always play the part she was asked to."
"This time, she was the handmaiden of a lady from a very rich family," Varkas explained it to Leo, "She spent the last three years getting into the family. Earning the trust and rising the ranks. And it all finally paid off today. We suffered some losses, but in the end it comes down to who gets the riches and the women."
"And we got everything today."
Listening to Varcas, Leo looked at the girl again. Her hands still clutched the dead man's chest, her face hidden. Now that he think about it, the girl had been staring at the dead body without blinking not out of disbelief that she was saved, but because of the shock that her lover was dead before she could even think what was going on.
And then suddenly the girl moved. She slowly rose to her feet. As Varkas watched the girl stand up, he took a step towards her and grabbed her by the hair.
Leo was about to make a move, but he froze at the sight in front of him.
The girl didn't scream, she just put her hand on Varkas's chest and tried to pull away.
Varkas yanked her head up and placed his rough lips on hers, kissing her hard and rough.
The girl tried to resist, her hands pushed against his chest, but she could not escape.
And pretty soon her protest died down. She moaned softly, she wrapped her arms around his neck, and kissed him back.
She jumped into his arms, her fingers dug into his shoulders. Her legs wrapped around his waist. She pulled him in, like she wanted to devour him.
Their tongues fought, lips pressing tight, faces messy with spit and blood. Her eyes rolled slightly as she licked the side of his face, like a dog tasting her favorite meat.
Leo stood frozen, disgusted and shocked.
He had risked his life for that girl. He had killed someone for her. And now she was already dry-humping a new man on top of her dead lover.
After a long, sloppy minute, Varkas pulled back, his mouth slick with spit. The girl's breath was heavy. She stared at him like a starving animal.
Varkas chuckled, "Still wild, huh? Gotta say, you have got no shame. Not even a tear for your dead boy toy?"
The girl giggled, "You are just better. I have always wanted you to fuck my brains out."
"Oh I will! But just give me a minute you bitch. Let me handle this guy,"
At the mention of Leo, the girl smirked, as she licked her fingers like she was tasting something sweet, "Don't kill him just like that. I want to taste him."
"You shameless whore, hehehehe…" Varkas shook his head, turning his attention to Leo.
"Boy! You…" he said, "You are something else."
Leo lifted his sword slowly, "Don't try me. I already don't feel good after seeing you both."
Varkas laughed, "Easy, kid. Forget about that."
"But I must say, you have got fire. I like that."
He gestured around them.
"You took down Brena's man. Not bad. You have got guts. You got lucky, but you are fast, and there is something sharp in that head of yours. The usual greenhorn would have pissed himself."
He stepped closer.
"But you need to understand, boy. Your fire won't last long if you go around playing the hero."
"That kind of thing? It gets you dead fast."
Leo didn't respond.
Varkas's voice dropped lower. He had the body of a tank, but he was also smart. He decided to make an offer.
"Join us. The Blackfangs are growing. We have got a camp, power, gold, weapons, women… It will all be yours."
"But only if you are willing to kneel. Kneel in front of our 'Sardar'"
Varkas continued.
"You want strength? We can give you that. You want to stop being the underdog, running around with old farts and cheap gear? We can get you real weapons. Real skills. Real women—ones that scream your name in the dark."
He raised his hand in offer.
"Join us now, boy. Or die here with your shivering grandpa."
Grendel gasped, "Hey!"
** ** ** ** **