Chapter 8 − Bandit Bloodshed
Chapter 8 − Bandit Bloodshed
The morning frost clung to their boots as Tyler and Milo made their way through the dense woodland east of Shindo. Guided by a crudely drawn map given by King Wing, they pushed past snow-coated branches and broken fences, finally spotting a crude camp surrounded by a palisade of wooden stakes.
“That must be it,” Tyler muttered, eyes narrowing.
There were five tents, one larger than the rest. Bandits wandered in and out—wolf-shark hybrids with savage eyes and makeshift armour. Tyler eyed them carefully.
[Enemy: Bandit] [Level 21] [HP: 220/220]
Tyler checked his own stats.
[Player: Tyler] [Level 20]
[HP: 225/225] [PE: 16/16]
“Stay out here,” Tyler said to Milo, who had been trudging beside him. “Let me handle this.”
Milo frowned. “You’re doing it again. Trying to play hero.”
Tyler’s expression darkened. “I don’t need reminders from someone who froze during the rhino fight. Do what you want — just don’t get in my way.”
Without waiting for a reply, Tyler skirted the edge of the camp and crept behind a lone bandit. One quick slash with his metal sword, and the creature crumpled to the snow. He retreated before the others could notice. The plan worked.
“Simple-minded trash,” Tyler smirked.
One by one, he lured the patrolling bandits into isolated spots, cutting them down quickly. He levelled up twice from the six kills, feeling the warm glow of restoration surge through him.
[Level Up! Tyler Level 20 → 22]
[HP Fully Restored]
[Level Up! Tyler Level 22 → 23]
[HP Fully Restored]
Just as he relaxed, a shadow moved behind him. A seventh bandit had been hiding behind a tree, blade raised.
“Tyler, behind you!” Milo shouted.
The bandit’s sword descended—but Milo was faster. He tackled the bandit away, slashing with his clawed hands. Tyler sprang up, furious.
“I had it under control! I was baiting him!”
Milo wiped blood from his fur. “Sure, you were.”
Tyler immediately understood his mistake, that he was being too relaxed, but his pride wouldn’t let him admit it. “Fine. You want to follow? Then don’t slow me down.”
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They approached the nearest tent, pushing aside the flaps.
Inside was a raptor-samurai hybrid twice their size. Gleaming metal armour covered his limbs, and his eyes burned with battle-hardened rage.
[Enemy: Elite Bandit] [Level: 28] [HP: 350/350]
The elite lunged. Tyler blocked the first blow, but the force sent him sprawling. His HP dropped.
[HP: 195/225]
Milo rushed in, activating [Absolute Defence].
[Activated Skill: Absolute Defence] [PE: 8/16]
The elite’s blade struck but did no damage. Milo followed up with [Freeze Core].
[Activated Skill: Freeze Core] [PE: 4/16]
“Move! Now!” Milo shouted.
Tyler rolled to his feet, slashing again and again until the bandit fell.
[Enemy Defeated: Elite Bandit]
[Level Up! Tyler Level 23 → 24]
[HP Fully Restored]
They waited for Milo’s HP to regenerate before entering the next tents. Three more tents held regular bandits, and their tank-and-slash strategy worked perfectly. Milo would draw aggro, Tyler would deliver the hits.
[Level Up! Milo Level 10 → 11 → 12 → 13]
Then came the final tent—the largest, wrapped in thick hide with the scent of smoke and metal pouring from within.
Inside stood the Bandit King—a raptor-eagle hybrid adorned in full titanium gear.
[Enemy: Bandit King] [Level: 31] [HP: 500/500]
“So, you’re the ones causing trouble,” the Bandit King growled.
The battle began in an instant. The king swung with power enough to shake the ground. Milo activated [Absolute Defence] again.
[Activated Skill: Absolute Defence] [PE: 1/16]
Even then, the force knocked him back.
Tyler dashed behind, slashing at exposed joints. The Bandit King retaliated with a crushing ram.
[HP: 140/225]
“Milo, distract him!”
Milo obeyed, trying to activate [Freeze Core] with his remaining energy.
[Activated Skill: …]
[Error: Not enough Power Energy]
The bandit king roared and sent Milo flying. Tyler gritted his teeth, dodging and slashing. With a final scream, he activated Sprint and surged forward.
[Activated Skill: Sprint] [PE: 0/16]
In a flurry of strikes, he drove the king back. The final blow cleaved through the king’s chestplate.
[Enemy Defeated: Bandit King]
[Level Up! Tyler Level 24 → 26]
[HP Fully Restored]
[Acquired Item: Bandit Camp Flag]
[Acquired Runestone — Rage]
[Skill: Rage]
[User enters a state of berserk, dealing 300% damage but defence is reduced by 50% for 5 seconds. PE Cost: 10]
Tyler glanced at Milo, who had just finished stuffing pouches of gold from the bandits’ chests into his satchel.
“Let’s go.”
They returned to Shindo. The guards at the gate smirked. “Back already? Still alive, huh? Tough guy.”
Inside the castle, Tyler tossed the flag at King Wing’s feet.
“It’s done.”
King Wing raised an eyebrow. “Impressive. Housekeeper, show them the treasury.”
Nelly bowed and guided them to a chamber overflowing with opulence—crowns, gilded weapons, shimmering potions.
Milo wandered in awe. “This… is incredible.”
Tyler chose practically — 500 gold, ten recovery potions, and a set of charm bombs.
[Acquired Item: Charm Bomb x10]
[Description: Made from the extract of lavender flowers, it secretes a soothing scent which momentarily makes the target fall into a daze-like state.]
“Are you satisfied with your reward?” King Wing asked.
Tyler looked him dead in the eye. “Not yet. I’m not stopping here. I’ll destroy every bandit camp in this cursed land. I’ll make sure none of them remain.”
There was a pause. The Royal Guard shifted. The Shindo warriors muttered. Nelly tilted her head with a curious grin.
King Wing’s beak twitched. “Bold. Arrogant. I like that. Bring me their flags. You’ll be rewarded accordingly. You may yet be a worthy subject.”
[Quest Assigned: Eradicate the Bandits]
[Objective: Destroy Bandit Camps across the Continent]
[Reward: Variable. Proportional to camps destroyed.]
[Will you accept the quest?] [Yes] | [No]
Milo looked at Tyler, concern in his eyes. “Are we really doing this? There might be better ways to get stronger.”
Tyler smirked, his eyes fierce. “This is where the fun begins. Soon, the world will know the name [Player].”