A Run-In With Bandits

 Ryker flew to the area he was supposed to investigate. The mission is supposed to be an easy one, for Genesis Source experts that is. A mere scouting mission to determine the location and strength of a nearby bandit group.

 However, after the third group didn't return, the mission was up in rank as clearly it was not the simple mission it was supposed to be. More adventurers, stronger than the one that took the mission previously joined in but they also didn't return.

 Right before he took the mission, there was already a group of adventurers that took the mission, the leader was a peak Genesis Source expert. If all goes well, the man and his group will be already finished with the mission.

 But if not, he would report it to the guild and tell them to up the rank of the mission, maybe involving Genesis Spring, even possible Genesis Lake experts if the bandit is at such a level.

 He slowly flew to the area before hiding himself on a tree, his mastery of Law of Nature allowing him to build an appropriate camouflage for him, making him harder to spot by the bandit.

 He also used his ability to reduce the chances of a Soul Sense finding his location, though how effective it is depends on how strong the bandit actually is. Best if the bandits are only at the Genesis Source and overwhelm their opponent with numbers.

 If they were strong, however, his only option was to flee as he didn't want to die in such a way. As he observed the surroundings using only his sight, he looked around, not finding anything. He suppressed the urge to use his Soul Sense. Who knew if the bandits were waiting over there or not?

 He sighed, this would be a mission that would test his patience.

-x-

 As time moved on, Ryker began to grow more agitated, unable to hold himself from using his Soul Sense. It had been nearly an hour and he didn't even spot a single bandit in that time.

 He let out an irritated sigh, before steeling himself, his decision to use his Soul Sense would either be his best or worse, and last, decision. He released his Soul Sense before sensing something, one that was covered with the stench of death.

 Using the Shadow Traversing Step, he ran towards what he sensed. Getting close to it and confirming his fear, Ryker's gaze upon the corpses of adventurers, likely slain by the bandits some time ago.

 Warily looking at his surroundings, he quickly hid back in the shadows before finding a new tree to hide himself. This time, he didn't bother creating a cover as the bandits likely sensed his Soul Sense and currently using their own to find him.

 True to his expectation, he could feel their soul sense covering his current spot. If not for some of his ability to conceal himself from Soul Sense, he would have been detected by the bandits. 

 He should return to the city but he knew if he did so, the chances of finding the bandits would be near impossible. He should at least confirm their numbers and determine the strength of the bandits' group and maybe even profile which bandit group it is, as a powerful bandit group likely is a survivor of a previous bandit hunt.

 He waited, though this time, there was some anticipation of what was going to happen. He observed the dead bodies of adventurers, waiting for the bandits to converge at the exact spot.

-x-

 His guess was right, as the bandits regrouped at the bodies. 

 "Any sign of the intruders?" one of them asked. The bandits shook their heads, all unable to find his exact spot.

 "Maybe he ran away after using his Soul Sense and confirming the others are dead?" one of the bandits tried to guess, though if it was any sane person then that is what they should do.

 "Impossible, there are a lot of our hidden brothers hiding all over the forest. If there is anybody running away, they will be found," a tall bandit shot down the idea immediately. The bandit who suggested it thought about it some more before nodding in agreement.

 'Looks like staying is the best decision,' he thought to himself before focusing on their conversation, maybe learning more about their group.

 "So he should remain hidden, but where?" another bandit asked, making the rest shake their head as they clearly didn't know the answer.

 "We should try to find him faster then! If not, the boss will have our hide!" one of the bandits screamed in terror, prompting the others to follow suit. Ryker put that into his memory. Whoever the 'boss' is, they are clearly terrifying, even to their underling.

 He planned to run knowing he had obtained some vital information but before he could do so, a powerful bandit' emerged. "Do you find the rat?" Ryker rolled his eyes, to call him a rat, why didn't the man check himself first?

 "No sign of him commander," now that is an interesting call sign. It is likely the man is someone important to the bandits. If he wants to give them a crippling blow, killing the man would be ideal.

 As the commander 'chews' his men out, Ryker tries to determine the strength of his target. From the aura, he was likely a Genesis Spring expert and someone important to the bandit as a whole.

 He did another quick check, confirming the man likely reached the 4th, maybe even 5th Stage of Genesis Spring. Several more quick checks confirmed his finding, the man is at least a 4th Stage Genesis Spring expert.

 Thankfully, it was someone that he could kill, though whether he would be able to avoid the ambush or not would be the one action that determined the man's survival, with him trying to make sure he wouldn't avoid the blow.

 He began to creep closer, waiting patiently for the right moment to strike. When the bandit had his head turned around, he pounced like a cat, his blade swinging towards the man's neck.

 To the bandit's credit, he was able to sense the attack and almost avoid it, almost. His head was separated from the rest of his body, a fountain of blood exploding from the place of the cut.

 With the strongest bandits having been killed, he was about to slaughter the rest when a powerful aura was unleashed. One that he could tell belonged to someone at the Genesis Lake realm, meaning he wouldn't survive if he was caught by the bandits.

 He then ran away as quickly as he could, but not before catching something the bandit said.

 "Who dare to kill my men!?"