Free Web NovelChapter 11: 11: A Curse (5)
The axe wielder tried to curse, but his body dried before the words came out. His skin shrank, his eyes sank, and his heavy body collapsed like an empty sack.
[Blood Absorption Successful.
Level Increased.
Name: Lucard Vardros
Level: 03
Current Rank: No Blood Circle
Skill: Blood Absorption]
The spear man saw his companion become a dried corpse and stepped back in terror.
"What kind of magic is that?"
Lucard turned his eyes to him.
"It is not magic."
The spear man looked at Jeff.
"You did not say the bastard had this kind of power."
Jeff’s face was pale now. "He does not. He cannot. He is useless. He was always useless."
Lucard walked forward.
Jeff stepped back.
"Stay away from me."
Lucard smiled.
"You wanted money and status. Why are you walking backward now? Come take it."
The spear man suddenly threw his spear at Lucard and ran. The throw was fast, but fear had already ruined his aim. Lucard tilted his body and let the spear pass by his shoulder. It cut his sleeve but did not touch flesh. Peter tried to chase, but his injured leg failed him.
Lucard did not chase with his body.
He bent down, picked up the dagger from the dead curved blade user’s throat, and threw it.
This time, the throw was better.
The dagger struck the spear man in the back of the knee. He screamed and fell forward. Lucard walked to him slowly while the man crawled through the dirt.
"No. No. Please. I was hired. I do not even know you."
Lucard crouched beside him.
"That is true."
The spear man looked hopeful.
Then Lucard placed his hand on his bleeding leg.
"But your blood knows me now."
The spear man screamed until he could not scream anymore. His body dried on the ground, fingers clawing into the dirt.
[Blood Absorption Successful.
Level Progress Increased.]
Only Jeff remained.
The clearing became silent except for fire in the distance and Peter’s heavy breathing. Jeff looked at the dried corpses, then at Lucard, then at Jenny. His face twisted with fear and hatred.
"You monster," Jeff whispered.
Lucard looked amused. "A traitor calling someone a monster. This lower world is funnier than I expected."
Jeff grabbed a knife from his belt and suddenly rushed toward Jenny. He knew he could not win, so he wanted a hostage. It was not a bad idea for a desperate coward, but he was too slow.
Peter tried to move but could not reach him in time.
Jenny pushed Jake back.
Lucard’s eyes became cold.
His body moved before he fully thought about it. Maybe it was his own decision. Maybe it was the heart curse pulling at him again. He crossed the distance and caught Jeff’s wrist before the knife could reach Jenny’s throat.
Jeff’s wrist broke.
He screamed.
Lucard took the knife from his hand and stabbed it into Jeff’s shoulder, pinning him backward against a tree.
Jeff cried out in pain.
Jenny stared at Lucard from only a few steps away. Her lips trembled, but no words came out. Jake looked at Lucard like he was seeing his brother and a stranger at the same time.
Lucard leaned closer to Jeff.
"Tell me who ordered this."
Jeff shook his head wildly. "I do not know."
Lucard twisted the knife.
Jeff screamed.
"I said I do not know. I only dealt with the middleman. They wanted the boy alive. They said the Vardros blood still had value. That is all I know."
Lucard’s eyes narrowed.
The Vardros blood still had value.
"Interesting."
"Name of the middleman," Lucard said.
Jeff’s lips shook. "Baron Karswell’s man. I swear. It was a man from House Karswell. They promised me gold, land, and Jenny."
Jenny’s face filled with hatred.
"House Karswell," Peter said through clenched teeth. "Debt collectors."
Lucard remembered the name from this body’s memories. House Karswell was another baron family. They handled debt collection, tax pressure, and mercenary contracts for stronger nobles. They had been circling House Vardros for months, trying to take land and rights after the family’s decline.
Lucard looked at Jeff again.
"Anything else?"
Jeff began to cry. "Please, Lucard. Young Master Lucard. I made a mistake. I was greedy. Spare me. I served House Vardros for years. I can still be useful."
Lucard studied him.
Then he smiled.
"You served House Vardros for years, and this is what you did. If this is usefulness, I am afraid of seeing loyalty."
Jeff’s face twisted. "Please."
Jenny took one step forward. Her voice was cold but shaking.
"Lucard. Let me kill him."
Lucard finally looked at her properly.
The heart curse reacted again, but this time the pain was softer. It was not warning him. His heart was almost relieved that she was alive. Lucard hated that feeling. He did not like anything inside his body acting without permission.
He looked back at Jeff.
"No."
Jenny’s eyes widened. freewebnσvel.cѳm
Jeff looked hopeful.
Lucard placed his hand on Jeff’s chest.
"He is mine."
Jeff screamed as Blood Absorption activated.
Blood rushed out of his body and into Lucard. Jeff struggled against the knife pinning him to the tree. His legs kicked. His face dried. His eyes sank. His mouth opened wider and wider until no sound came out. The blood of a traitor was not noble, not strong, and not pure, but it was still blood. Lucard took all of it.
Jeff’s body became dry and thin, hanging from the tree like a rotten leather bag.
[Blood Absorption Successful.
Level Increased.
Name: Lucard Vardros
Level: 04
Current Rank: No Blood Circle
Skill: Blood Absorption]
Lucard removed his hand and stepped back.
The clearing was silent again.
Peter lowered his sword with difficulty and dropped to one knee. He was not kneeling from respect. His body simply could not stand anymore.
"Young Master Lucard," he said, breathing hard. "What happened to you?"
Lucard looked at him, then at Jenny and Jake.
Jake ran forward before Jenny could stop him.
"Brother Lucard."
The boy hugged him around the waist.
Lucard’s body stiffened.
