Chapter 5 – The Weight of Blood
The bandits charged.
Their horses kicked up dirt as they galloped toward the village, weapons glinting in the early morning light. Some brandished rusty swords, others held crude clubs and axes, and all of them had cruel grins on their faces. They weren't expecting resistance.
They thought this would be another easy raid.
They were wrong.
"Archers! Fire!" Reinhardt shouted.
The first arrows flew from the rooftops, striking the charging bandits. One took a hit to the throat, toppling off his horse with a gurgled scream. Another was struck in the leg, tumbling down with a shout of pain.
"Spearmen, brace!"
The villagers holding spears dug their feet into the dirt, gripping their weapons tightly. Their hands trembled, but they stood firm.
[Militia Morale +2]
The first bandits reached the barricades—and chaos erupted.
A bandit leaped over a weak spot in the fence, only for a villager to stab him in the gut. Another tried to hack his way through but fell into a hidden trench, where villagers swarmed him with pitchforks.
Reinhardt didn't hesitate.
He rushed forward, sword in hand, cutting into a bandit's exposed side. Blood splashed onto his tunic, and the man crumpled with a scream.
[EXP Gained: 10]
Another swung an axe at him. Reinhardt barely dodged, the blade scraping his shoulder armor. He retaliated, slamming his sword into the man's chest.
The bandit gasped, his eyes wide with shock.
Reinhardt ripped his sword free, and the bandit collapsed, lifeless.
[You have slain a foe. +20 EXP]
Reinhardt froze.
The battle continued around him, but for a moment, the world felt distant. He stared at the body at his feet—the lifeless eyes, the dark red stain spreading across the dirt.
He had just killed a man.
Even though the bandit had attacked first… Even though it was self-defense… The reality of it hit Reinhardt like a hammer.
"Reinhardt!" Gerrick's voice snapped him out of it. "The leader!"
Reinhardt shook himself, gripping his sword tighter. He could break down later.
The bandit leader was still standing—and he was coming straight for him.
The bandit leader dismounted, his axe dripping with blood. He had already cut down one villager and now locked eyes with Reinhardt.
"You," the scarred man growled. "You're the bastard who thinks he can play hero?"
Reinhardt raised his sword.
The bandit leader charged.
Their weapons clashed, sparks flying as metal met metal. The leader was strong, but Reinhardt was faster. He ducked under a heavy swing and slashed across the bandit's arm.
The man roared in pain but didn't stop. He kicked Reinhardt in the chest, sending him stumbling back.
"Not bad," the bandit leader sneered. "But you don't have the guts to kill me, do you?"
Reinhardt's grip tightened.
The bandit leader swung his axe again—aiming to kill.
Reinhardt reacted on instinct. He stepped inside the attack, thrusting his sword forward.
The blade sank into the man's chest.
The bandit leader staggered, eyes widening. "You… little…" He coughed, blood spilling from his lips.
Then he collapsed.
[Bandit Leader Defeated. +100 EXP]
[Level Up! You are now Level 3.]
Reinhardt breathed heavily. The battle was over.
The remaining bandits, seeing their leader fall, dropped their weapons and fled.
The village was safe.
But Reinhardt didn't feel victorious.
The battlefield was eerily quiet after the fighting stopped. The villagers were cheering, celebrating their victory. But Reinhardt?
He just stared at his bloodstained hands.
The body of the bandit leader lay before him. His sword had ended a life. Two, actually.
[You have taken your first human lives.]
[A ruler must learn to bear the weight of his decisions.]
Reinhardt stumbled back, his stomach twisting.
Gerrick approached, placing a hand on his shoulder. "You did what had to be done."
Reinhardt let out a shaky breath.
Had he?
He knew this world was different. He knew killing was necessary to survive. But knowing and experiencing were two different things.
"I…" He swallowed hard. "I need a moment."
Gerrick nodded. "Take your time. But don't regret it too much. You saved us today."
Reinhardt stepped away, finding a quiet spot behind one of the houses. He leaned against the wall, closing his eyes.
On Earth, he had been a nobody. A struggling, miserable man. Now?
He was a killer.
His hands were stained with blood, and they would only get redder from here.
But this was his path now.
If he was going to build a kingdom, if he was going to survive in this world…
He had to accept it.
Reinhardt took a deep breath, steadying himself.
[New Title Earned: Blooded Lord]
[Effect: Slightly increases resistance to mental stress after battle.]
"…Figures," he muttered, wiping his face. "Even the system is telling me to toughen up."
He pushed himself off the wall and headed back toward the village. He could feel the villagers' eyes on him now—not just with gratitude, but respect.
He was their leader now.
And it was time to act like one.