Chapter 10: Crimson Fountain
Level 16 was not a high level in this world, not at all. But levelling up is a dangerous task that more likely than not will result in premature death.
Attending one of the academies dotted around the kingdom guaranteed the commoners to reach a high level. Or at least a high-level relative to the cannon fodder troops in their military.
When it came to commoners, only those with useful classes were able to join easily on the condition that they join the army once they graduate. They would then have to spend 4 years fighting for their kingdom.
This of course was something that most commoners did not mind. They would get to gain a better education, and increase their level at the expense of the crown.
Unfortunately, there were limited spaces and plenty of people who wanted a spot.
By not being able to attend the academies they would usually choose one of a few things to do.
First would be to join a guild, guilds were mercenary forces within this world. Guilds could take up any number of tasks—anything from collecting plants to exploring unknown dungeons.
Guilds also had limited spaces but they were far more lenient with who they accepted.
Looking ahead of himself, the ten men were no doubt those who failed to get into the academy or a guild. Their levels told Kai that much.
This made Kai feel at ease. It meant that while there was a level difference, there should also be a skill difference.
Kai didn't have real combat experience so it could still prove to be dangerous. But he was taught by the Rose duchies best knights to sword fight.
It also meant that they didn't have useful classes or skills. Kai wasn't an idiot and he knew that the best course of action would be to either let the tigers deal with them or at least take a look at their classes and skills.
But Kai wasn't interested in that, at least not for now. Now it was the time to take out the trash.
With a press of a button, the four large tigers were released from their blue mana reins.
Despite being beasts they were far from that, their intelligence far surpassed that of even some humans. They started barring their fangs at the highwaymen in the distance. Luckily they haven't noticed Kai or the carriage.
If they had, chances were that they would have run away from the four beasts. Kai didn't want that as he wouldn't be able to level up.
"Stay here and protect her..." Kai said as he started walking towards the 10 men off in the distance. He rested his sword on his shoulder as he got close to the men.
When he was about 100 meters away one of the men noticed him shouting to his comrades.
"A man with a sword is coming our way!" As he shouted that, the others turned in the direction of the man.
"Am I seeing things or is he half naked?" The man who looked to be the leader asked with a confused expression. Like the others, his face was hidden by the long collar that stopped just under their eyes.
They wore long, black, leather highwayman coats that split down the middle to allow better leg mobility. On their heads were triangular hats that further helped hide their appearance. Like the coat, both the hats and boots were made of black leather.
"No boss, I'm seeing it too..." said one of the men, bewildered at the sight.
Walking towards them was a young man who wore nothing but black trousers. In his hand was a black sword with a silver handle. The handle was decorated with the Rose family crest on the pommel while the hand guard was encrusted with sapphires.
The leader of the men thought for a second before sighing heavily.
"I guess another wanna-be hero is here. Sam, Ren go take care of the kid and take that sword. It looks to be high quality and is most likely expensive. Who knows maybe our employer will take it off our hands."
The two men named Sam and Ren nodded their heads and started to make their way toward the young man.
Kai could see two men making their way toward him, weapons at hand.
"Looks like they want to make it easier on me, how nice of them" A slight smirk appeared as Kai chuckled at the turn of events.
He expected to have to fight all ten at once. But now that only two were walking in his direction, it made things significantly simpler.
Because he ignored all information about these men other than their level, he had no clue what to expect. But judging by their low levels despite their ages one of two things was possible.
Either they didn't have a class or it was useless for combat. Either way, a slaughter was about to occur.
The three men were now roughly 10 meters apart when the one called Ren called out to Kai.
"Hey kid, tell you what. Our leader told us to deal with you and take your fancy sword. But if you give it to me nicely and kneel maybe I will convince him to let you go."
As the man said that a benevolent smile appeared on his face.
The truth was that he had no such thoughts. The only reason he asked Kai to peacefully surrender the sword was to avoid a potential injury.
Kai could read the man like a book and knew what was going through his head.
Unfortunately for Ren, his offer gave Kai an idea that would result in his death.
Kai smirked internally.
"I didn't realize you were so well equipped when I saw you in the distance. I guess it would be best for me to give up my sword for my life. After all, I doubt I could deal with all ten of you."
"Oh? And what made you so confident to approach us in the first place?" Ren asked curiously.
"I just thought you were regular bandits, how could I expect a well-equipped group"
"Hmm... Whatever, kneel and present me the sword and I will try to save your life" Ren couldn't wait to end the life of this pretty boy with his sword.
"Very well"
Seeing Kai agree the two men got within a 2-meter distance of him.
Kai kneeled and rested the handle and blade on his fingers as his palms pointed outwards.
They were perfectly angled toward the man that demanded the sword.
The man neared kai and gazed upon the beautiful sword. Ren couldn't help but think that this sword was a work of art. As he reached out towards it a thought popped up in his head. Why does this kid have such an expensive-looking sword?
Unfortunately, this thought came too late as tips of Icicles appeared in his palm.
[Absolute Zero: Icicle]
He cast the skill twice sending two Icicles towards the man's face. He had no time to dodge as the Icicles made their way into his eye sockets and protruded through the other side and killing him instantly. [1]
The icicles were covered in blood and brain matter. Due to the deep crimson colour, they gave the appearance of the horns of a demon.
[Level Up]
[Level Up]
[Level Up]
[Level Up]
[Level Up]
Kai managed to level up 5 levels but had no time to distribute his stat points. He grabbed the handle of his sword and started to swing.
Before the other man who went by the name of Sam could react to what happened, Kai used another skill.
[Erebus: Void Step]
He teleported 1 meter forwards appearing 1 meter before Sam. He continued the swing cutting the man's head off as a fountain of crimson blood sprayed over the shirtless Kai as Sam's body fell to its knees.
His face, head and body were now stained in blood which made him furious.
"Fucking bastard bleeding all over me. Leah better is asleep when I'm done taking out the rest of this trash. If she becomes scared of me because of this..."
Kai didn't want to continue that line of thought. While he acted tough and indifferent as a form of a subconscious defensive mechanism. The truth was that he was soft-hearted. But this soft heart didn't mean he was a pushover.
In his past life, he never did something nice for others, unless it benefited him in some way. Of course, there were some exceptions like that of close friends and family. But Kai was far from a saint then and even more so now.
[Level Up]
[Level Up]
[Level Up]
Kai had levelled up three more levels in that time. The remaining 8 men saw everything transpired and started to make their way toward Kai with their weapons drawn.
Kai stood in place deciding to spend his stat points while he waited for the rest to reach him.
_____________________________
[Status]
[Name: Kai Rose]
[HP: 475][2]
[Mana: 900/900]
[Stamina: 200/200]
[Age: 18]
[Sex: Male]
[Class: Absolute Zero Mage]
[Level: 9]
_____________________
[Remaining Skill Points: 240]
[Vigor: 40]
[Mind: 50]
[Endurance: 35]
[Strength: 55]
[Dexterity: 45]
[Intelligence: 75]
____________________
Kai had 240 skill points but had no time to carefully consider where to add them.
He quickly distributed the skill points and this is what his stats looked like now.
_____________________________
[Status]
[Name: Kai Rose]
[HP: 675]
[Mana: 1200/1200]
[Stamina: 250/250]
[Age: 18]
[Sex: Male]
[Class: Absolute Zero Mage]
[Level: 9]
_____________________
[Remaining Skill Points: 0]
[Vigor: 80]
[Mind: 70]
[Endurance: 55]
[Strength: 105]
[Dexterity: 80]
[Intelligence: 150]
____________________
Thanks to levelling up, his mana had regenerated and he was ready for the bloodbath to continue.
_______________________________
[1] a direct strike to the vitals will almost always result in death.
[2] HP is less about overall health, and more about how much damage you can take or more specifically how much blood you can lose.
A/N: Hey, thank you for reading this chapter.
If you enjoyed it please make sure to add this novel to your collection and vote with your power stones! Your support is what makes me want to continue writing and improving my craft.
(I made a mistake, so here is another chapter, my favourite character actually shows up in the next chapter ^^)
Weekly Power Status
-- Power
Ranking 
-- Power
stone