I am , a [Human] Knight-In-Training and the one who roams the lands of to help those in need. In real life, I am also known as Zac Osborne, a good friend of the always cynical Hayate Palmer (aka , the hunter), his younger brother, Kazuki Palmer (aka , the [Insignis] mage, and the know-it-all Damon Jacobs (aka , the [Elf] gunslinger). I wish I can say more about my achievements and life in the game. But right now, I’m facing a big problem in the game. Heck, it's not very much a problem and more like I'm very pissed off right now. First, a bandit by the name of [Cruel Crime Lord Bane Zephil] gloated about trying to demolish , the very same place that Wind and Kazu apparently protected through a hidden [Quest] which was mentioned through the game's first [World Notice]. And then, he gloated on doing something disgusting with a young woman with the royal commander. I know they are just NPCs, but there is no way in hell that I'm going to ignore this.

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Oh! And just what I want. A whisper call from Wind!

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Like I’d ever flee from a battle. Heck, I’m about to draw my sword against this asshole. Thankfully, Wind seems to be okay about this. I still don't know what exactly happened in here, but I feel he also wants his retribution as well.

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I grin at his reply. I know he understands. All that's left is the so-called Crime Lord...

"If you're done talking about burning the forest, how about we'll get things started? Or better yet..."

WOOSH!!!

"How about I'll give myself a head-start?!"

With my sword drawn and rushing towards the big muscled criminal, I begin the fight in earnest. Sure, there are Bane's lackeys trying to make things unfair for me. Thankfully, Wind and Razul remedy that problem very quickly as they lure them away from this area so I can focus on this asshole. I don't know what Wind's planning, but I know him. He may be a bit sarcastic and mean sometimes, but he's got a bit of the same common sense and imagination as his younger brother.

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Yeah, that part might be an exaggeration, but it doesn't hurt to try. Besides, a pretty woman is watching me and I'm not going to disappoint her by dying on a battlefield. With that in mind, I grin at Bane before I swing my blade towards the bandit boss downward, only for him to block it with his large scimitar.

[Is that all you got, guppy? You have to do better than that!]

He quickly pushes my sword away before he swings his blade towards my neck. I know losing my head means a death penalty, so I just duck down and block it, forcing us into a lock. During this, I move back and stand up to break the lock, allowing Bane's scimitar to hit the air. In retaliation, I stab his left arm and kick him a few steps away from me. Once that's done, I swing my blade in an X shape before I shout, "[Cross Slash]!" With that, I throw the shape towards Bane before I follow it. I know that skill isn't enough to put a dent on that numbskull. And true to that, he just swats it away like a fly. But that doesn't matter to me because once he does that, I have a chance to slash his torso. While it isn't enough to cut him in half, it does decent damage to his [HP]. He can be a bit scary, but I know from my action RPG experience that big guys like him mean he's a bit slow to react.

[Tch... You're pretty good for a wimp. Though why are you willing to protect that girl so badly knowing that I will kill you so easily?]

So easily?! Damn, he's seriously underestimating me. But he's right on the "weakling" part. I'm in way over my head here and some of my [Masteries] are too low enough to face this jerk. But...

"I have a thing with the ladies. And letting dumba- I mean, criminals like you violate them in any way is crossing the line for me. Not to mention you're going to destroy the very forest my friends tried to protect. So yeah, attack and kill me all you like. But I'm not going to let the lady, her escorts, and this forest die!"

Whelp, there goes my big mouth. Not like I'm going to flee in the first place. I am a knight in this virtual world after all and I'm going to keep my word. Of course, I don't think this jerk isn't taking me seriously. Either it’s part of his programming or he's just programmed to be stupid.

[Oh, that's cute. Too bad you're still a weakling!]

And with that, he swings his blade towards me again. I know I can't dodge that attack too quickly, so I have to use [Parry] and counter it with a right vertical slash, which leaves him a large digital wound on his arm. He tries to stab me next, but I let my shoulder armor block it as I stab on his right arm and kick him away from me. After that, I draw my sword and use [Cross Slash] again which manages to hit him this time before I slash his chest. I figure that would be the end of his attack until he grins after my attack before he punches me in the gut. Damn it... Not only does that illegal attack stun me, but it causes me to drop my sword and leaves me open as I watch Bane takes out a dagger and stabs me through my chest. I can't help but scream as he stumbles onto my knees once I can move my limbs.

[WARNING]

[Your vitals are almost damaged. Your [HP] will be slowly deducted for every 20 seconds until it's tended to a [Restoration Mastery] magician.]

Almost, huh? I'm just lucky I'm still alive. If this isn't a game, I would have ended up like those protagonists when they're reincarnated into another world. However, if that's true, then that means this fight's not over yet.

[Kid!] I quickly turn around and see the commander of those NPC soldiers is calling out to me. [You have to stop this! You're not strong enough to beat Bane!]

"If I don't, then he will destroy [Tested Wilds]! I can't let that happen!" That and I don't want to humiliate myself in front of the lady. But I started this fight in the first place, so I have to finish it on my terms. Besides, my [Mastery] set allows me to survive a bit longer even with this annoying status condition. However...

[Cruel Crime Lord Bane Zephil]

[Level: 20]

[HP: 842/1200]

Damn it... Even with all of those powerful attacks I've done, it's still not enough to send him down to his knees. This is seriously bad. I'm running out of time here and I need more than strength to beat that lunatic. Unfortunately, comparing to Wind and Razul, I'm practically the slowest fighter of the group. I have to do something or else...

Gghh?!

Before I know it, I realize that Bane has grabbed me by the neck and raised me up as I start to lose my breath. [It's over brat. Any last words before I cut you into pieces?]

As if I want to listen to him. I try to raise my fist and punch him. But I'm too exhausted to even try thanks to him tightening his grip onto my neck. Instead, I just say, "F-Fuck off, dumbass." Yeah, like that’ll intimidate him. But I’d rather die than make him happy.

[Heh... Guess you're a foul-mouth underneath your shining armor, huh? Well, consider your head m-]

[I call the thunderous spirit of my aura!]

Huh?

[Let my small spirit dashed through my staff with this power! [Lightning Bolt]!]

Before I know it, something flashes behind Bane as I watch him scream in pain from that said spell. As a result, he releases his grip from my neck, allowing me to land back on the ground as I catch my breath. I know the Palmers' mother isn't the type to let Kazuki play the game right now, so I turn around to see who shot that spell and to my shock, it was the NPC lady with her staff held forward towards Bane. Sure, I know she's a mage and all from that get-up, but I didn't expect her to cast real spells as an NPC?!

[Knight, are you okay?] The lady called me out with a voice filled with concern, which makes sense. I took on the risk of the death penalty just to save her and her escorts after all.

"Y-Yeah, thank you so much, my lady. I'm sorry if my foul words ruin your image of my fair self." Judging from her smile after my compliment, I'm guessing she's somehow okay with it. That aside, I weakly run towards my sword to pick it up and raise it against the lunatic, who seems to be a bit angry from what she did.

[Y-You bitch! You're going to pay for that!]

But as he rushes towards the lady and swings his scimitar to her head, I dive between them and block its blade with my own. "You're facing me, remember?! You're not allowed to break my rules!"

[Shut up, you brat!]

Damn it... At this rate, I won’t be able to hold on to much longer. I have no choice but to...

[I call the spirits who oversee life.]

Wait, that spell... Don't tell me she knows it?

[Lend me your mana to heal my ally. [Healing Aura]!]

I turn my head and see the damsel raise her staff towards me as light green light envelops my whole body. Before I know it, I slowly regain my strength, allowing me to push him back just a bit away from me and the mage. Guess I got myself a healer for this battle.

[Your grace!] I hear the commander's voice bellowed out to the lady. [You must save your [Mana] or else...]

[I know and I don't want to stay on the sidelines and watch in this helpless state anymore! Otherwise, the knight's intervention will be all for naught! Isn't the point of the magician is to use our magic to protect and aid others?!] My lady... I never knew you have a heart for heroics. Reminds me of a certain [Insignis] I know... Guess it's enough for me to stop treating her as a damsel-in-distress.

"You heard the lady, m- I mean, commander. And speaking of which, the heal is nice and all. But do you have a certain [Wind] spell that can boost my speed for a bit? Two of my friends aren't here to give me one right now and I need to finish this behemoth quickly, so it would be nice if you can do so in about 10 seconds!"

I'm not kidding. In a few seconds, I'm going to fall and break my lock enough for Bane to cut me down in half. Even that spell isn't enough to stop my [Injury].

[I-I understand. However, I'm not leaving you with your lack of strength.]

My what?! Is that supposed to be an insult or something?!

[Spirits of life, hear my call. Give my ally the strength from your power. [Gift of Strength]!]

Just then, a fire begins to envelop my body with a mix of that same light green mana from her previous spell, and to my surprise, I feel a lot stronger. Heck, I somehow manage to push his scimitar a bit farther away than before. Looks like there are no guesses what kind of spell it is.

[What the hell?!] Heh... That's all Bane can say before I use my newfound strength to break the lock, the force causing him to drop his weapon in the process. [My sword! You're going to pay for that, you son of the bitch!]

"Story of my life. My lady now's your chance!"

I turn to see the lady nod to me before she raises her staff towards me.

[Spirit of Sylph, I ask for your aid. Grant me the power of the wind to outrun and defeat my opponents!]

[Don't you dare, you...]

Damn it! He's going to use another skill! Come on, my lady! Hurry up!

[Young knight, finish this fight once and for all! [Bluster Speed]!]

She then summons a gust of wind that envelops me, causing it to push the large bandit away from us.

[NOTICE]

[Your [Speed] has doubled from [Bluster Speed's] effects.]

I grin once I see the window pop right in front of me. "Consider it done, my lady!"

Without any hesitation, I charge towards Bane and with my enhanced speed, I continuously slash him as fast as I can with a mix of [Cross Slash], [Counter Slash], and [Parry]. When he tries to sucker punch me again, I managed to block it and quickly use [Clash Block] to deflect his attack. Eventually...

[Cruel Crime Lord Bane Zephil]

[Level: 20]

[HP: 210/1200]

Before I know it, he’s lost most of his [HP] in 2 minutes before I lost mine. As I look down, I can see Bane trying to stand up, which I can see that he's now covered in cuts and wounds. A far cry from his intimidating presence earlier.

[Y-You... brat... I-I'm going... to kill you...!]

At this point, I’ve finally had it with him. I take a deep breath and step in front of the fallen criminal. "Let me get one thing straight, Bane. I'm indeed too weak to defeat you in my current state. However, the only thing you've underestimate is my determination and willpower to stop you. Heck, the only reason I managed to beat you was her growing a backbone." I turn and grin at the NPC magician. "Isn't that right, my lady?"

I then see her eyes widen and smile back to me before she nods in agreement.

[Tch... Don't get all cocky, brat. Why don't you get this over with and kill me already?!]

Everyone gasps as I frown at him egging on his deathbed.

[I know he's one of the dangerous criminals in our kingdom. But if you do this, you will never forgive yourself! Just leave everything to the law!]

The commander is right. I know this is just a game, but if I do this, his reign of terror is finally over. But if I don't, there is a chance he might escape from their jail again. With that, I slowly approach Bane and raise my sword above his head. I can see him grinning at the sight of it. So I stand in front of him and...

THUD!

As expected, I fell to the ground.

[Young knight!]

[Quick! Help the young knight up!]

Yeah, I'm still aware of my [Injury] status draining my [HP]. So I’ll let it decide his fate instead. Besides, the commander is right. It's not worth it to kill him. Thankfully, I'm still conscious enough to see the magician and her escorts help me get up and lie on the former's lap.

[You almost scared us, kid. You have no intentions to kill him at all, right?]

I smile in response.

"H-Heh... Guess I can't fool you, huh? Glad you didn't draw your sword after that." I sigh as I stare at the magician next. "A-Are you okay, my lady?"

I notice that tears begin to appear in her eyes as she says, "Y-Yes. Thank you, my knight."

To my surprise, she gently kisses my cheek. I expected something else since she's an NPC, but this is much better than I imagine! Although, this moment might end soon since I can see Wind's shadow beginning to emerge from the path. Regardless, I defeated the toughest NPC opponent of [Isekai] so far and saved an important NPC at the same time. It's not as big as a [Hidden Quest], but I have a feeling this [Quest] is enough to steer us in the right direction for the future of our fates in the game.