Chapter - 8
"Join us now, boy. Or die here with your shivering grandpa."
Grendel gasped, "Hey! Why are you dragging me into this?"
He peeked out from behind the tree, eyes wide with panic, "What kind of fucking plot twist did I get myself into? Hero saves the girl... girl humps the villain... and me? I am about to get killed for being the background decoration!"
But neither Leo nor Varkas paid him any mind.
Varkas stepped forward, eyes gleaming like a predator who had cornered his prey, "You have ten seconds. Choose."
He leaned slightly forward, voice dropping low. "If you want to break a noblewoman. Make a highborn scream your name... I can make that happen. Wealth, weapons, women—all yours."
Leo kept his sword loose in his hand, relaxed. Too relaxed. He tilted his head. "Are you telling me the truth? You aren't just looking for fresh meat to offer your boss? The great Chief Sardar?"
Varkas grinned, revealing yellowed teeth, "You do have the face the Sardar might like. But me? I want you for what you are. Under me, you won't follow the rules of this broken world. We'll do what we want. Rob who we want. Kill who we want. Fuck who we want."
He cracked his neck and glared. "I never talk this much to anyone. I won't say it again."
Leo stroked his chin, pretending to think. "Your offer is... interesting."
A beat passed.
"Is there a membership fee?" he added.
Varkas scowled. "You think this is a joke?"
DING!
[System Alert] [New Quest: Reject the Darkness]
Objective: Defeat Blackfang Enforcer Varkas and protect the path to Auravale.
Optional Objective: Humiliate Varkas before defeating him.
Reward:
250 EXP1 Silver Reward PackRare Potion: Elixir of Potent Lust (2 Hour Duration)Title: Bandit Slayer
Time Limit: 1 Hour
[Y/N]
Leo blinked.
"Oh hell yes," he muttered with a grin. [Y]
[Quest Accepted. Rewards will be granted upon completion. Bronze Pack detected. Open now?]
Leo spoke mentally, "Do it, Aiva. Let's roll the dice. Open that Bronze pack for me."
[Opening Bronze Pack...]
-- DING! --
[You have received:]
Flashstep Talisman (One-time use; grants instant speed boost for rapid dash or dodge)Twin Serpent Dagger (Secondary Weapon; coated with minor paralytic venom; chance to numb enemy limb for 10 seconds)Ember Oil Vial (Coating item; apply to any weapon for added fire damage for 3 minutes)Basic Fire Rune (One-use spell scroll; ignites a small explosion on impact)
Leo's grin widened.
He turned his attention back to Varkas. "You know, I was this close to joining you. The murder, the rape, the general body odor? All really compelling stuff."
He stepped forward slightly.
"But then I realized something. I am far too pretty to be seen next to your third-class gang of flea-ridden dick-wavers who can't get laid unless they kidnap a girl and call it 'roleplay.'"
Varkas's expression hardened. His fingers twitched near the axe on his back.
"What did you say?" he growled.
Leo held up a hand mockingly. "Easy now, Shrek. I know words are hard."
Then he smirked.
"You call yourselves Blackfangs, but I have seen puppies with more bite. You got your first man sliced like ham by a naked noob with a rusty iron sword. And now you are standing there trying to sound tough while your favorite cum bucket just made out with you over a corpse."
Varkas clenched his jaw. "I will skin you alive."
Behind him, Brena giggled, licking blood off her lip. "He is cute when he talks dirty."
"You want to taste him, right?" Varkas said.
But Leo didn't let up. "Sorry sweetheart, but I don't do leftovers. Especially the kind who get passed around like a party favor."
That did it.
Varkas's eyes flared. He turned to Brena, who was still clinging to him, and shoved her off violently.
The girl flew backward, crashed into a tree with a sickening thud, and collapsed to the ground. A trail of blood leaked from her forehead.
Leo's eyes narrowed.
"Classy."
Varkas reached back, grabbing the massive axe from his back. The blade gleamed wickedly in the fading light.
"You will regret that mouth," he snarled, "I will rip your tongue out and make you watch while I feed it to that old fart behind you."
Grendel yelped from his hiding spot. "Why does everyone want to kill me today?! Godsdammit, Hilda, you better avenge me!"
Leo rolled his neck and readied his sword. In his other hand, he palmed the Flashstep Talisman and slipped the Ember Oil Vial into his belt.
He cracked a cocky grin. "Alright, Shrek. Let's dance."