Blood Knight(1)

In the southwest of Melromarc's Castle Town, there's this place called Hifro Village, situated on the South side of Lerno Village. It's under the control of a noble named Erfin, who also happens to be in charge of Border Town. Now, in the surrounding area, there's this particular mountain where a group of bandits got their butts handed to them by a tan-skinned young man with black hair and red eyes. This guy is a towering 189.1 CM tall and has a muscular build. He's wearing a blue long coat with silver gauntlets and boots. 

Now, alongside this young man, there was another boy who stood 162 cm tall. He was just standing there, watching the whole scene unfold between the bandits and the young man, with a bewildered expression on his face. The boy couldn't help but gulp down his saliva nervously. 'This is insane!' he thought to himself.

'He effortlessly defeated all these bandits without even using a weapon or magic. He's on a whole different level, even though we're the same age!! How strong is he?!'

The bandits themselves were looking at the young man with fear in their eyes as if they were staring at a monster.

"Hey, Have you guys seen this girl?"

Suddenly, the young man snapped the boy out of his thoughts by asking if they had seen a certain girl. He pulled out a portrait of the girl and showed it to the bandits, seeking information. As the boy looked at the picture of his missing sister, his eyes started to well up with tears.

It had been a week since she mysteriously disappeared in the forest. Vigeil, that's the boy's name, had been living in Hifro Village with his sister ever since their mother passed away two years ago. His sister used to collect herbs from the nearby forests and sell them to make a living. But now, she was gone without a trace. 

He exerted his utmost effort to locate his sister but was unable to discover even a hint of her whereabouts. After an arduous two-day search, he resorted to posting a plea for assistance in the guild. Unfortunately, due to the meager reward he offered, no one stepped forward to accept his quest.

He observed that many adventurers purposefully avoided his request as if they possessed some knowledge. Just as he was on the verge of mental collapse, the notorious Blood Knight unexpectedly emerged and volunteered for the mission, despite the paltry compensation.

His emotions were conflicted upon the blood knight's acceptance, not because he doubted his abilities, but due to his history. Every time the blood knight undertook a task, it was always connected to corrupt individuals of high status or the church. Wherever he goes, he saves a lot of people from evil nobles around the Melromarc.

That's exactly why he got the name of knight attached to his nickname, as everyone accepted him as one.

He was relieved to have someone as skilled as the blood knight aiding him, yet simultaneously feared the nature of the individuals responsible for his sister's abduction.

Within a mere day, the Blood Knight narrowed down the list of suspects and discovered that a group of bandits from the nearby mountain were involved in his sister's disappearance. Throughout the past week, he fervently wished for his sister's well-being.

Contrary to Vigeil's expectations, the leader of the bandits shook his head, maintaining a calm and composed demeanor as if he had no involvement in the matter.

Throughout the entire exchange, his mocking grin remained unwavering.

"Heh~ really though? Then why did you become flustered when I showed you her portrait?"

"Huh?!"

Both the bandit leader and Vigeil appeared confused by Blood Knight's statement. Vigeil, who had been observing the bandit leader the entire time, saw no signs of fear as Blood Knight had claimed.

Disregarding their perplexed expressions, Blood Knight retrieved a dagger from his long coat and cut his own palm, causing blood to flow.

"...Ah!.. What are you saying? Flustered? Me?... Hahaha.. Why would I be?"

The bandit leader sneered and laughed mockingly. However, Blood Knight knelt down to meet his gaze, smiling gently despite the leader's mockery.

"You see, I have a peculiar habit of listening to the heartbeats and Mana's rhythm of the person I am conversing with."

"Huh?!... Heartbeat?! W-what the...?!"

Unlike before, the bandit leader now appeared terrified, his forehead drenched in sweat. Nevertheless, Blood Knight continued his explanation, "I possess an extraordinary auditory awareness, enabling me to detect sounds from miles away. I can also utilize this ability to perceive a person's heartbeat and discern their emotions, such as sensing the increase in your blood pressure just now."

"Haha, you're bluffing... There is no way humans could do tha-!"

The Bandit leader's words were cut short as Blood Knight swiftly grabbed his face, using his right hand to forcefully pry open his mouth. Despite his high level, the Bandit leader was powerless against Blood Knight's immense strength, feeling a helplessness he had never experienced before.

Blood Knight then forcefully placed a drop of his own blood into the Bandit leader's mouth before releasing his grip.

"Y-you! What have you done to me?! W-what did you feed me?!"

The Bandit leader's angry roar quickly turned into deep fear as he desperately sought answers from Blood Knight. However, all he saw was the same gentle smile on Blood Knight's face, which sent a chilling and terrifying sensation through his heart.

"Where is she?"

Blood Knight's calm voice echoed in his ears, causing him to tremble in fear.

"What have you done to me?"

"Where is she?"

The same monotone voice repeated without answering his question, but he saw this time Blood Knight's face no longer held a gentle smile.

"WHAT DI-*cough*..."

Just as he was about to shout again, the Bandit leader coughed up blood, his body trembling violently as the blood vessels all over his body became visible to his naked eyes. His eyes become bloodshot.

"Where is she?"