Knight-Captain Hendrick frowned after hearing the news…

"What? Where did he get that?!"

​​

Caiden is an important part of the evidence so they made sure not to let him die so easily.

He remembers that they've confiscated all the items that the prisoners have to prevent them from escaping or taking their life.

"Well… I'm not sure… He was mumbling like he wanted to tell something… So I removed the gag on his mouth but… this happened."

The Knight said as he told them the truth…

He didn't think that the infamous Red Wolf Gang Leader with thousand of gold coins for his head would kill himself just like that…

"Haa~ It already happened. Don't blame yourself… Just leave him here…"

As soon as Hendrick said this… One of the Hunters at the back made a suggestion…

"Ahh… Sir… May I have his head instead… I think that we can still get his bounty. I mean, we'll split it to everyone."

"You're right… Do as you wish…"

Hendrick replied. He then looked at the three prisoners that were left before he commanded the knights.

"Make sure that these three won't be able to commit suicide…"

"Yes, Captain!"

The Captain then went to Lord Castillo to ask his opinion about Caiden's death.

"I can't say much but the poison appears to be implanted in his body. He triggered it after he used a Beast Art that I'm not aware of…"

"Beast Art?"

"Yes… It's not a topic that I'm confident with but I know that this Art is similar to Magic Items."

"Huh?" Hendrick was confused.

"Yes… However, instead of placing the Arcane Magic in things or objects, they are putting it in various parts of their organs… Even in Erliente Dukedom, not many of them could survive the mutations that can happen in their bodies."

"Haaa~~ This seems to be bigger like what I expected." Hendrick sighed after hearing Lord Castillo's explanation.

"That's right. The Dukedom must be serious in their objective to send these people here."

Nevertheless, they have to leave this place as soon as possible. They have to make a report about the events that have occurred here.

"Do we have to use our Null Flower Potion to cover the scent of the dead bodies?"

One of the Hunters asked after smelling a foul smell from the beasts' corpses.

"Mhmm… Go ahead…" Hendrick answered after he gets a whiff of the corpses' stench.

The Hunters quickly worked on it except for the one beast corpse that Stella claimed ownership of.

After that, the group deliberated for a while on what to do about their exit…

They were unsure where the stream would lead them to and they don't know whether there's really a safe exit if they followed it.

"We should just go to the entrance that we used to get here… The Forest Rats should've left the region at this time… They might've entered deeper into the forest already…"

"I agree… They should've eaten any edibles in that area… In case they haven't left yet, we can just investigate for a little before we move…" Misha stated her opinion.

Everyone else nodded at this.

"Alright, If there are no objections, we'll go with that…" The Knight Captain decided as he ensured that everyone has recovered some of their strength before they started moving out.

***

While everyone else was busy investigating Caiden's death, Stella was just watching her master clear out the blood left by the Phantom Wolf…

She actually noticed that her Master was quite picky about the blood that he will consume.

A while ago, Reiji even asked for an opinion whether he should take Caiden's blood, the Armored Bear's blood, or the Phantom Wolf's…

'I think that Caiden's blood is good, Master… However, the Knights and Hunters were keeping an eye on it… I guess we should take the Phantom Wolf's blood instead.'

'Alright…'

After Reiji agreed to her suggestion, she talked with the Hunter handling the corpses.

Anyway, the beast core was already taken out so they just let her do as she wants...

After getting a go signal, the shinai flew out of her hands as if she threw it to the corpse…

Then, in only a matter of seconds, the blood disappeared as if it has never been there in the first place… It was a fascinating sight for the young girl.

She was already hinted by her Master about this before but seeing it in person was truly something else.

Whoosh!

As soon as her master finished his meal, the sword flew to her hands!

The young girl felt nervous as she looked around to find any witnesses…

Luckily, everyone seemed to be busy so none of them saw her master's flight ability.

'Master… I wouldn't know how to explain that if someone saw you….'

'Haha… Don't be nervous. It is still dark and everyone is busy.'

'...'

'Don't worry, I'm being careful.'

'Alright, Master…'

Stella replied helplessly… After thinking for a moment, she'll probably say that a string was attached to her sword if someone saw it flying to her hands. Whether they believe it or not, she'll just ignore them afterward…

Reiji relaxed on Stella's back as he checked the notifications.

[ Congratulations! You have completed the Blood Scent Mission! ]

[ You have received 70 Skill Points ]

[ New Mission Created ]

[ Faithful Bloody Scent ]

[ Have a taste of the blood of your wielder. Have at least 1 pint. ]

Reward: 100 SP ]

Reiji was smiling at first when he saw the 70 SP adding to his reserves… However, he immediately froze after seeing the new mission!

'Why would you give me this mission?!'

He couldn't help but be surprised after reading the description.

'Is there any way to pass on this mission and change it to a new one?'

Reiji was a bit unsure on how to bring this up to Stella…

Anyway, they'll talk about it later on…

'Wait… There's no increase in my durability this time?' Reiji noticed before that blood would increase his durability base. However, there were no notifications about it this time…

It seems that his current body was already used to this type of Evil Beast's blood.

Well, it was also a good thing for him since he still has that mission about his endurance.

As for his Hold On mission, it only requires him to be held for 3 hours and it will be very easy. He can even do it while Stella was sleeping.

In the meantime, he checked his status.

[ Name: Reiji Miyazaki ]

[ Form: Shinai ]

[ Rank: Rare ]

[ Wielder: Stella Fenette… ]

[ Title: The Gentle Hardworker, Blessed by a Sword Deity ]

[ Durability: 151/170 ]

[ Skills: 14 ]

[ Skill Points: 95 ]

It would still be a long way to go for his durability to reach its half.

After some time, Stella and her group arrived at the mouth of the cave that Lord Castillo has covered with Earth…

"I'll open a small path to let one of us investigate the situation outside…"

"Alright… Who wants to do it?" Hendrick asked after hearing the 3rd-Class Arcanist.

Only 8 people can actively move so there weren't a lot of options…

Stella saw the Knights that are wearing full-body armors and the Hunters who were lacking some weapons as they were either destroyed or at the edge of breaking.

"Let me do it…"

Stella said as she felt that this shouldn't be a difficult job…

The noble Arcanist then smiled at her as he opened a path for Stella.

His control on earth was impressive as always.

Stella went out of the covered cave and allowed her master to take a look in the surroundings.

'Master… Do you need to fly or something to scout the area? I can move to a different angle where they won't see us.'

'Mhmm… Alright. Just move around… But I don't need to fly. I have a new skill with me that I'd like to test…'

'I understand.'

Stella then walked for a while as she let her master do his thing.

Reiji's Danger Sense can be used passively or actively.

When he uses the Skill, it will allow him to sense any potential danger within a hundred meters.

The range would increase if he decided to level up the skill.

On the other hand, its passive effect would only activate if there is a bloodlust or danger that is approaching him.

Since his range was limited, he just told Stella to walk around so he can investigate the area… Apparently, the skill requires his mental energy and it was a bit more complicated than flying. After all, there's a lot of information being passed to his consciousness after activating the skill.

'How is it, Master?'

Stella asked after realizing that they were already walking around for more than five minutes.

'We should be fine. There's no immediate danger ahead…'

Reiji sensed some beasts hiding above the trees but they wouldn't pose some threat to their group. Even if they were exhausted and lacking proper equipment, they can still be dangerous especially to low-tier beasts around.