"What do we have here?"
The dim light in the cave flickered as Valac stepped inside, his gaze cold and assessing. His gloved hand shifted slightly, drawing the bandits attention to the ring on his finger-the seal of Noctis glinting ominously in the torchlight.
The bandits' expressions shifted, eyes narrowing as they recognized the emblem.
One of them, a tall, lanky man with a cruel smile, nudged his companion. "Look at that," he sneered. "One of Lord Christian's knights, huh? Our lordship sent someone important to protect us throughout the mission." His gaze lingered on the terrified girl beside him, his grip tightening on her shoulder.
Valac barely spared the man a glance, keeping his features impassive.
Oh! What a convenient misunderstanding. Let them think I'm here under Christian's orders, Valac mused, feeling a dark satisfaction settle in. It'll make this easier.
"Yeah," Valac replied smoothly, his voice as cold and steady as the steel in his hand. "Lord Christian wishes for you all to be unharmed. I'll lead the mission. You can hand over the key to the Moonlit Cavern to me."
The burly bandit smirked, reaching into his pocket. "Of course, sir. His lordship must care about us to send someone from Noctis," he muttered, tossing the silver key to Valac. "This girl is the sacrifice, sir."
Valac caught the key with ease, concealing a dark satisfaction as his fingers closed over it.
So predictable. They're so blinded by their own vanity. They don't even question why a knight of Noctis would be sent here by Christian.
The bandit turned his back, chuckling with his companions as he adjusted the girl's bindings. "Wear your armory, guys ," he sneered. "We're about to get rich."
Yep. Definitely.
A flicker of anger sparked in Valac's chest, but he kept his expression calm, waiting for the right moment.
"You bit**hes! I hope you rot in hell!" Ixia screamed as a hand clamped down on her mouth.
"B*tch! Don't offend bigshots when you're about to die."
"It's okay. Let it be. Why don't you all wear your armory?" Valac interjected, moving closer to Ixia as the bandits moved towards the broken door.
As the bandits relaxed, turning their backs on Valac, clearly convinced of his allegiance, he allowed his fingers to drift toward the dagger concealed at his right side.
With a swift, deadly motion, he plunged it into the back of the first man, feeling the shudder of the body as it collapsed.
The scarred bandit turned ary in surprise, eyes widening. "What the-?"
Before he could react, Valac was already moving, his blade flashing as it sliced cleanly through the man's throat. The bandit gurgled, a look of betrayal etched on his face before he fell.
Only one remained, trembling, his face pale as he tried to make sense of what was happening. "You... you're supposed to be-"
"On your side?" Valac's voice dripped with disdain, and he lifted his hand, letting the ring catch the torchlight one last time. "Why don't you f**k off?"
The man's mouth opened in horror, but before he could speak,
Valac's blade found its mark, ending the confrontation in a single, fluid motion. The silence that followed was heavy, broken only by the quiet sobs of the girl who was tied to the chair.
Damn, too easy. I'm glad they didn't have enough time to use magic.
Valac's gaze softened as he turned to her, slipping the bloodied dagger back into its sheath. Ixia, he thought, guilt settling in as he looked at the frightened expression on her face. I'm sorry I don't want to lose my arm.
He approached her carefully, keeping his movements calm as he reached out to untie her bindings. "It's alright," he murmured softly, his voice gentle. "They won't hurt you anymore."
Her wide, teary eyes met his, and a flicker of relief crossed her face. "You... you came to save me," she whispered, her voice trembling.
Valac felt a faint warmth at her words, though he kept his expression carefully composed. "Of course," he replied, freeing her hands. "I'm a friend of your brother's."
As Valac straightened, he barely had time to sense the shift in the air. A sudden whoosh sounded from behind, and he whipped around just in time to catch a shadow darting towards him. The blow was brutal, forcing him back a step, and he felt his ribs ache as he raised his dagger defensively.
Three more figures emerged from the shadows, their faces concealed by dark hoods, wielding weapons that gleamed wickedly in the dim light.
A trap.
One of the newcomers sneered, brandishing a double-edged blade. "You thought you won? Stupid."
"No! Let him go, please."
"Stay back, Ixia." Valac tightened his grip on the sword, his gaze icy. "If you came here to die, I'd be happy to oblige."
F**k!
—
Congratulations to the host!
You have gained a selfless prayer for your safety even though you are a villain!
Reward : +1 Lucky Spin
Would you like to spin now?
[ YES ]
[ NO ]
—-
Yes.
Valac held his sword, standing in a lazy manner, making them think they were just ants to him as the wheel spun. The bandits, a little shaken by Valac's confidence, were unsure whether to charge or run.
Please don't let me down, System.
---
Skill Unlocked: Shadowrend
Grade: S
Type: Sword Skill
Description: A powerful, dark skill designed for those who wield both stealth and speed in combat. The skill enhances blade attacks with demonic mana from the atmosphere, causing each strike to weaken the opponent's defenses and sap their energy, making it nearly impossible for them to recover mid-battle.
Effect:
Phase 1: Upon activation, the user becomes partially invisible for five seconds, making it harder for enemies to anticipate or block attacks.
Phase 2: For the next 20 seconds, each successful strike deals additional shadow damage, leaving a "shadow bleed" effect that drains the opponent's health over time.
Cooldown: 45 seconds between uses.
Bonus: When a critical hit is landed with Shadowrend, the user gains a temporary shield that absorbs up to 20% of incoming damage for 15 seconds, adding extra protection during intense battles.
---
What the f**k!? A mana sword skill!?