Chp 22 Bloodstained Resolve

Ash and the others returned from the festival at midnight, too drunk to do anything but collapse into sleep. Morning came, and Baran was the first to wake up. He rubbed his aching head, trying to recall the events of the previous night, but a quick glance around the room made his headache even worse.

Grey was missing.

Baran immediately shook Ash and Levy awake. "Grey's gone."

Ash groaned, still half-asleep. "Huh? Maybe he just—"

"Get up!" Baran snapped. "Something's wrong."

The three of them rushed into the village. As they neared the town square, they noticed a large crowd gathered near the town hall. The atmosphere was heavy with panic. When they pushed their way to the front, they saw several villagers murmuring anxiously.

"What happened?" Ash asked, trying to steady himself.

One of the villagers turned to them, his face pale. "Many people went missing last night... children, adults. Three bodies were found in an alley."

A chill ran down Ash's spine. "Where's Grey?" he asked, turning to Levy.

Levy swallowed hard. "If people are getting kidnapped... then he might be one of them."

Baran clenched his fists. "He's not weak enough to be taken so easily. But we can't take any chances. We need to inform the higher-ups. Ash, come with me—we'll search for leads. Levy, head to the Fortress of the Sun and inform Commander Arthur. Move fast."

Levy nodded and sprinted toward the fortress while Ash and Baran went in the opposite direction, determined to find their missing friend.

Grey's head throbbed as he slowly regained consciousness. His vision blurred, but when he blinked a few times, he realized he was in a dimly lit cave. His arms were tied behind his back with thick ropes, his mouth sealed shut just like the others around him.

Villagers. Children. All bound and frightened.

Grey forced himself to remain calm. He closed his eyes and listened carefully to the conversation between the kidnappers nearby.

"Boss, the dealer sent word. The carriage will be here by tomorrow," one of them said. "He warned us not to damage any of the... products."

Grey's mind raced. Products? Are they talking about the kidnapped people?

Another kidnapper spoke. "What about the knight? What do we do with him?"

"Killing him would be a bad idea," the boss muttered. "Bringing him along was also a mistake. We should have left him behind. But it doesn't matter. Once the deal with the traffickers is done, we can get rid of him. If he's just a simple knight, no one will come looking for him."

Grey kept his breathing steady. Ash, Levy... you better have noticed something's wrong. He flexed his fingers, trying to loosen the ropes. It would take time, but he had no other choice.

Levy reached the Fortress of the Sun in record time, not stopping even once. Bursting into the command room, he barely took a breath before shouting, "Commander Arthur! We have a situation! People are being kidnapped! Grey is missing!"

Arthur's face darkened. "Assemble a search team. Get a magician who can use detection magic. We move now."

Within minutes, the search team was ready. A magician activated her magic, tracing the remnants of energy from the kidnappers. "Their trail leads outside the village," she announced. "Only ten kilometers away."

Arthur nodded. "That's where Ash and Baran went. We move immediately."

Thirty minutes before the search team reached the village, inside the kidnappers' hideout:

"Boss, we won't be found, right?" a nervous kidnapper asked.

The leader smirked. "We're in a cave. No one will find us unless they bring a magician. And why would they waste magic on missing villagers?"

An hour later:

A bandit ran in, breathless. "Boss! The carriage is here. We need to start moving the prisoners."

Grey tensed. So soon? I need more time!

As he worked on his ropes, one of the kidnappers noticed him shifting. "Oi, you're awake, huh? Don't try anything stupid, or you'll be dead before sunrise."

Just then, a woman from the group of captives started pleading. "Please... let me go!"

A bandit sneered. "Shut up, bitch." He slapped her across the face and started beating her, but she refused to back down, biting down on his wrist.

"Tch! This woman is crazy!" The bandit winced as blood dripped from his arm. "Boss, what do I do?!"

"Just kill her," the boss said coldly. "You've already ruined her face—she's worthless now." He left without a second glance.

Grey's heart pounded. He had seconds to act. If I don't do something, she'll die.

His ropes were almost loose.

The bandit reached for a sword. "I'll slice her mouth open!"

Grey's mind screamed. I HAVE TO DO SOMETHING!

With a burst of strength, he activated his aura, snapping the ropes. The moment his arms were free, he lunged toward the table where the weapons were kept.

"HE'S FREE!" one of the kidnappers shouted.

Too late.

Grey's sword flashed, and the nearest kidnapper's head went flying. The others froze in terror.

"D-Don't kill me!" one of them whimpered, falling to the ground.

Grey's eyes, cold and emotionless, met his. "You don't deserve to live."

A second later, his sword ran through the man's throat.

The screams alerted the rest of the kidnappers. As they rushed inside, they were met with a nightmarish sight—Grey, drenched in blood, standing over a pile of corpses.

"K-Kill him!" the boss ordered.

But Grey wasn't holding back anymore.

He moved like a storm, cutting them down one by one. Limbs flew, blood painted the cave walls, and terrified screams echoed. His golden aura now looked crimson, reflecting the carnage around him.

Why... does this feel so easy? Grey thought as he cleaved through another enemy. Why was I afraid before?

Within three minutes, only the boss remained. He fell to his knees, shaking. "P-Please... I'll never do this again! Let me live!"

Grey's cold, blood-splattered face barely showed emotion. "You don't deserve to."

With one swift motion, he beheaded the man.

Behind him, the captives shuddered. The woman he saved quickly ran to free the children, her hands trembling.

"S-Some kids were already taken," she stammered. "Please... save them."

Grey said nothing. He stepped out of the cave, his blade still dripping.

Outside, a carriage was waiting. Four guards stood nearby, along with a well-dressed man.

"What's taking them so long?" the man muttered. Then he turned—and saw Grey, covered in blood.

"W-Who is he?!" the man shrieked. "Guards, protect me!"

Grey cut them down in seconds and walked toward the terrified trafficker.

"P-Please! I'll pay you anything! Name your price!"

Grey chuckled darkly. "Money?"

His sword pierced the man's throat.

"Keep your filthy mouth shut—forever."