MTLNOVEL Chapter 10: Blood On The Road
Chapter 9: Blood on the Road
The morning sun cast a golden hue over the Highlands as Renji made his way back toward Veydris. His cloak fluttered slightly with the breeze, and the air smelled of damp earth and distant pine.
With the Ashfang Ravager slain, his first true hunt was complete. His sword was stained with the beast's dried blood, a reminder of the battle he had just fought.
And yet, despite the exhaustion settling into his muscles, a thrill remained in his chest.
He was getting stronger.
Leveling up wasn't just about numbers. His body felt lighter, his steps sharper, and with his new skill—Bloodhound's Senses—he could feel everything around him with frightening clarity.
The faint rustling of distant animals. The scent of burning wood farther down the path.
The subtle shift in the wind.
His instincts whispered to him.
Something was wrong.
As Renji followed the winding dirt road, his senses picked up something unusual.
The smell of smoke.
It wasn't from a campfire or a settlement—it was too faint, too unnatural.
His body tensed.
That's not good.
He adjusted his grip on his sword, slowing his pace. The path ahead curved sharply between two rocky cliffs—a natural chokepoint.
Renji frowned.
Perfect place for an ambush.
Then—
The snap of a twig.
A crossbow bolt shot through the air, aimed directly at his chest.
Renji's body moved before his mind even registered the danger.
Phantom Step activated.
His form blurred, flickering a few feet to the left as the bolt whizzed past him, embedding itself in a tree.
A sharp whistle rang through the air.
"Shit! The bastard dodged!"
Renji spun, already raising his sword as figures emerged from the rocks above and around him.
At least six of them.
Bandits.
Their armor was a patchwork of leather and stolen gear, their weapons rusted but deadly. The leader—a scarred man with a jagged axe—grinned down at him.
"Well, well," the man chuckled. "Looks like we caught ourselves a good one, boys."
Renji exhaled, eyes scanning them. They weren't elite warriors, but they had numbers.
And they were blocking his way back to Veydris.
The leader stepped forward. "Let's make this simple. Drop your gear, leave your silver, and we'll let you walk away."
Renji smirked. "You sure about that?"
The leader's eyes flickered with amusement. "Oh? Got some fight in you, huh?"
Renji rolled his shoulders, feeling his pulse steady, his instincts sharpening.
He didn't answer.
Instead, he moved.
The first bandit never even saw it coming.
Renji's Phantom Step activated, his body blurring past the nearest enemy in a ghostly motion.
Before the man could react, Renji's sword sliced across his throat.
Blood sprayed into the air, and the bandit collapsed with a gurgled gasp.
For a split second, the others hesitated.
Then—
"Kill him!" the leader roared.
The bandits rushed in.
Renji's heart pounded in his chest.
But he wasn't afraid.
He was calm.
His Predator's Instinct took over.
A sword came for his side—he twisted, parrying effortlessly and kicking the attacker backward.
Another bandit lunged—Renji ducked, slamming his elbow into the man's ribs before driving his sword through his gut.
The remaining four circled him cautiously now, no longer charging blindly.
The leader gritted his teeth. "He's fast."
Renji smirked. "And you're slow."
He activated Phantom Step again, his form flickering as he closed the distance in an instant.
Before the leader could react, Renji drove his sword straight through the man's chest.
The leader gasped, eyes wide in shock.
Renji leaned in, voice cold. "You should've let me walk."
With a swift pull, he ripped the blade free, and the bandit collapsed.
The last two turned to run.
Renji exhaled, raising his sword. He wasn't about to let them go.
He lunged forward, cutting them down before they could even scream.
Then—
The world flickered.
A familiar blue glow filled his vision.
[Skills Acquired: Item Box & Quickdraw]
Item Box: Grants access to a personal storage space outside of physical reality. Items stored inside will not degrade or add weight.
Quickdraw: Enhances the speed and efficiency of drawing weapons, allowing near-instantaneous counterattacks.
Renji staggered slightly, his body shuddering as the skills integrated into him.
Item Box?
His mind processed it quickly. A personal storage space. Unlimited weight. That's… insanely useful.
He focused, testing the skill.
A faint shimmer appeared before him—a void-like space opening at will.
Renji experimentally placed his dagger inside.
It vanished.
When he willed it back—it appeared instantly in his grip.
He grinned.
This changes everything.
And Quickdraw…?
Renji sheathed his sword, then drew it in one smooth motion.
Faster. Cleaner. No wasted movement.
His grin widened.
He wasn't just surviving in this world.
He was thriving.
The sun was setting when Renji stepped back into Veydris, his cloak still stained with dried blood. The Guild Hall was as loud as ever, adventurers drinking and laughing, oblivious to the fight he had just walked away from.
He made his way to the counter, where Selise once again barely glanced up from her work.
"Back already?" she said, flipping through pages.
Renji tossed the Ashfang Ravager's claw onto the counter.
Selise blinked.
She slowly looked up at him.
"You actually killed the damn thing?"
Renji smirked. "You doubted me?"
The nearby adventurers paused, eyeing the massive claw.
"That's… a Ravager claw?"
"Shit, I thought that thing was supposed to be impossible for E-Ranks."
Selise sighed, shaking her head as she counted out fifteen silver coins.
"Here's your reward," she muttered. "And before you ask—yes, this technically qualifies you for another rank-up evaluation."
Renji pocketed the coins. "Not yet. I'll hold off for now."
Selise arched an eyebrow. "Really? No new quest either?"
Renji leaned on the counter, a slow smirk forming.
"I've been busy," he said simply.
Selise rolled her eyes. "Fine. But don't disappear for too long. The Guild's already talking about you."
Renji simply nodded.
For now, he had earned his rest.
But soon…
He would hunt again.