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Translated By Arcane Translations
Translator: Chaos
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‘I didn’t expect to run into bandits here…’
I was briefly worried about Ha-seol, but she had several skilled guards with her.
She’d be fine against these third-rate thugs.
“Ugh…”
“Gah…!”
In less than a minute, all three bandits were down.
It wasn’t even a challenge.
I’d simply struck their pressure points.
They stared at me in disbelief.
“A-A master…!”
“But he’s just a boy! How…!”
“…”
I didn’t bother answering their questions.
I didn’t have time to waste.
“Do you know of a place where two sheer cliffs meet?”
I asked.
“…Huh?”
“Or do you know where the Heavenly Sword Sect’s hideout is located?”
“Hmm…?!”
They all shook their heads.
I sighed, realizing I wouldn’t get any information from them.
But I wasn’t ready to give up yet.
I reached for my sword hilt, a subtle threat.
They reacted instantly.
“W-Well…! I don’t know, but someone at the stronghold might!”
“Y-Yeah! The Chief would know!”
“…”
I was taken aback by how quickly they betrayed their base.
I relaxed my grip on my sword.
‘They don’t seem to have any sense of loyalty…’
Well, if they valued loyalty, they wouldn’t be bandits.
I pretended to consider for a moment, then asked,
“…Can you lead me to your stronghold?”
“O-Of course!”
“Just spare our lives…”
They readily agreed.
I nodded and released their pressure points.
They gasped for air, then looked at me nervously.
I thought for a moment, then struck their pressure points again.
“…?!”
“W-What…?”
“Unfortunately, you’ll have to stay like this until morning. It’s getting late, and I need to sleep. I can’t exactly spend the night with you lot, so just close your eyes and rest.”
“…!”
They looked at me pleadingly.
But I wasn’t going to show any mercy.
They frowned and shouted,
“T-That’s not fair!”
“Y-Yeah! You can’t just release us and then capture us again!”
“…”
I tended to the fire and said calmly,
“Unless you want me to strike your pressure points so you can’t speak either, I suggest you keep quiet.”
“…”
“…”
They fell silent.
Their sudden obedience was a stark reminder of how much power mattered in this world.
‘In the end, strength is everything.’
I lay down and pulled a blanket over myself.
Night had fallen.
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The next morning.
I put out the fire and prepared to leave.
I released the bandits’ pressure points and ordered them to guide me.
They grumbled, but they led the way, expertly navigating the dense undergrowth.
‘We’ve been walking for a while.’
I looked around.
Chirp~ Tweet~ Flutter~
Birds flew overhead.
Scratch! Scrape!
Thorns and vines snagged at my clothes, but they didn’t break my skin.
I was protecting myself with my internal energy.
I pressed onward.
“Ha…”
I shook my head.
It truly was a world where the strong ruled.
‘It’s strange how easily you can control people just by demonstrating your power.’
The forest was full of hidden dangers and watchful predators.
An ordinary person would be lost without a trace if they weren’t careful.
A single moment of carelessness could cost you your life.
‘But it’s not a problem for me.’
I quickened my pace to avoid wasting time.
‘I can’t afford to waste time.’
Time is precious.
Crack!
I snapped a twig underfoot and continued walking.
Suddenly, I sensed something up ahead.
‘…Come to think of it, there were animal carcasses scattered around, as if they’d been butchered and discarded…’
I glanced around.
The signs of the bandits’ presence were clear.
‘That means…’
Thud-Thud!
I rounded a corner and saw a tall watchtower, built from sturdy logs.
I scoffed.
‘…These bandits are surprisingly organized.’
The security didn’t seem lax.
There were three guards inside the watchtower, keeping watch.
“…Wait here.”
“…Huh?”
I signaled for the bandits to stay put.
Swish-
I stealthily climbed the stairs of the watchtower.
Creak…
The wooden planks groaned under my weight.
Some were cracked and looked unstable.
But I didn’t slow down.
Three seconds later, I reached the top.
“W-Who’s there?!”
One of the guards shouted as he spotted me.
Without hesitation, I punched him.
Wham!
He crumpled to the ground and lost consciousness.
“Gah…!”
‘Tight security, but incompetent guards. The leader of these bandits might be someone to be reckoned with.’
I easily subdued the remaining guards.
Wham!
It was effortless.
‘…I need to meet their Chief.’
The leader would likely have the information I needed.
I looked out the window of the watchtower, towards the bandit settlement in the distance.
It was larger than I’d expected.
The bandits, looking like ants from this height, had established a sizable stronghold.
‘This… doesn’t seem worth the effort.’
I sighed inwardly.
This was too much trouble just to find the Red Lotus and the Heavenly Sword Sect’s hideout.
I gathered my energy and jumped out the window.
Whoosh!
‘But I can’t turn back now…’
I might as well see this through.
My eyes narrowed.
I sensed something.
“What are you…?”
“Keep moving.”
I ordered the bandits who were waiting below.
They gulped and continued leading the way.
We reached the entrance to the stronghold.
The guards there spotted us and shouted,
“Who goes there?!”
“Identify yourself!”
“…”
I remained silent.
The bandits aimed their spears at me.
I replied casually,
“None of your business.”
“…?!”
Swish!
I attacked and swiftly took down the guards.
I heard the sound of people rushing towards us.
‘I didn’t plan on making such a grand entrance…’
I chuckled.
I’d initially intended to use the bandits as a distraction, but after seeing the size of the settlement from the watchtower, I’d changed my mind.
I wanted to meet the Chief and get the information I needed.
And to do that, I had to make a show of force.
“K-Kill him…!”
“You’re dead now that the Chief is here!”
The bandits who had been guiding me suddenly changed their tune, as if they had something to rely on.
“Who’s causing this commotion…!”
A man’s voice, laced with internal energy, boomed through the air.
It was likely the voice of the Chief.
Swish-
I turned around.
A burly man, presumably the Chief, and a group of his subordinates emerged from the stronghold.
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