MEMELAND

Morning arrived quietly.

Kai had already left Asphyxia behind.

The city walls slowly disappeared over the horizon.

Ahead—

Only open roads.

Rolling plains.

And distant mountains.

Kai rested one foot on Noah and Eric's newest invention.

The small scooter rolled surprisingly smoothly.

"...Not bad."

The boosters behind the wheels hummed softly.

Not fast.

But much faster than walking.

Kai grinned.

"They actually made something useful."

For almost half the day—

Everything went perfectly.

Then—

Clunk.

The scooter slowed.

"...Hm?"

Clunk. Clunk.

The rear booster sputtered.

A tiny puff of smoke escaped.

"...Uh oh."

The wheels locked.

Kai stepped off just before the entire thing tilted sideways.

"..."

"...Well."

He crouched beside it.

Looked underneath.

Stared for several seconds.

"...I have no idea what I'm looking at."

He poked one gear.

Nothing.

Another.

Nothing.

Finally—

He sighed.

"It honestly did better than I expected."

He folded the scooter.

Wrapped it with cloth.

Then hid it inside his travel pack.

"...Noah's going to cry."

With no other option—

Kai continued on foot.

The road became quieter.

Not a single traveler had passed him all afternoon.

Then—

He spotted a wagon.

One wheel had fallen off.

A man knelt beside it, struggling to lift the axle.

Kai walked over.

"Need a hand?"

The man looked up.

"...Really?"

"Sure."

Kai reached down.

Before he even touched the wagon—

The man smiled.

"...Thanks for helping us."

Kai smiled back.

"No problem."

The man finished his sentence.

"...By giving us everything you're carrying."

"..."

Kai blinked.

"...What?"

The wagon exploded.

Not literally.

The back doors burst open.

Bandits poured out.

One.

Two.

Five.

Ten.

Fifteen.

Twenty.

Kai stared.

"..."

"...How."

"...How did twenty people fit in there?"

One bandit proudly answered,

"We practiced."

"..."

"...That's actually impressive."

They surrounded him immediately.

Weapons pointed from every direction.

The fake traveler grinned.

"Hand over your valuables."

Kai slowly looked around.

Then sighed.

"...This day couldn't possibly get any worse."

"Get him!"

Twenty bandits rushed forward.

Kai immediately moved.

Wind gathered beneath his feet.

A burst of air launched him sideways.

Three swords struck nothing.

Kai slipped between them.

"...Whoa."

The spell actually worked.

A club swung toward his head.

He ducked.

Another sword.

Sidestep.

Spear.

Backstep.

His body moved almost on instinct.

Not naturally—

But remembered.

Fragments surfaced.

Footwork.

Angles.

Distance.

Someone else's experience.

His mind knew exactly what to do.

Unfortunately—

His body couldn't always keep up.

He blocked one strike.

Too slow.

A knife grazed his shoulder.

"Tch."

Kai punched the attacker.

His improved knuckle duster slammed into the man's jaw.

The small spikes dug just enough to make him scream.

Kai followed with the dagger tip beneath the gauntlet.

Not lethal.

Just enough to force the man backward.

Another rushed him.

Kai formed a tiny fireball.

Flick.

The flame shot forward.

It struck the ground beside the bandit.

Sand exploded into his face.

"MY EYES!"

Kai scratched his cheek.

"...Still can't aim."

Another two attacked.

Kai swept one leg.

Elbowed another.

Wind pushed him backward before an axe reached his neck.

The battle quickly became complete chaos.

Bandits flew everywhere.

Kai stumbled almost as often.

Twenty minutes passed.

Everyone looked worse.

Bandits held bruises.

Broken noses.

Split lips.

Kai wasn't much better.

Cuts covered his arms.

His breathing had grown heavy.

His shoulder bled steadily.

"...Can we..."

One bandit wheezed.

"...Rob someone easier next time?"

"No!"

Another immediately answered.

"We're committed now!"

Kai wiped blood from his cheek.

"...You people are weird."

Suddenly—

The entire group stopped attacking.

They stepped backward.

Forming two lines.

Kai frowned.

"...What now?"

Heavy footsteps echoed down the road.

A tall man walked forward.

Broad shoulders.

Scar across one eye.

Large sword resting across his back.

The bandits immediately straightened.

"Captain Inoy!"

Behind him—

Another man slowly approached.

Unlike the captain—

He looked almost bored.

He casually tossed roasted nuts into his mouth.

Crunch.

Crunch.

Crunch.

His clothes were far cleaner than everyone else's.

He didn't even bother looking at Kai immediately.

The bandits bowed their heads.

"Boss Helford."

Kai blinked.

"...Why's he eating nuts?"

One bandit whispered proudly,

"The Boss always eats during important moments."

"...Why?"

"No one's brave enough to ask."

Kai decided that was fair.

Captain Inoy looked around.

Then at the battered bandits.

His face twisted.

"...Twenty of you."

"You couldn't beat one traveler?"

One bandit immediately defended himself.

"He's strong!"

"We thought it'd be over in minutes!"

Another nodded frantically.

"He keeps dodging!"

Inoy sighed.

"...You're all just weak."

Crunch.

Crunch.

Crunch.

Boss Helford continued eating without saying a word.

Kai quietly watched both of them.

His instincts screamed.

Danger.

Far more dangerous than the others.

He slowly raised both hands.

"...I surrender."

The entire road fell silent.

Even the bandits blinked.

Captain Inoy frowned.

"...That was faster than I expected."

Kai nodded.

"I know when I'm outmatched."

Boss Helford finally looked at him for the first time.

He tossed another nut into his mouth.

Crunch.

"...Smart."