Chapter 7: The Murkiness Of Human Hearts

The sound of explosions are like a luxurious alarm clock for the bandits. One after another they bombarded the camp with a total of three terrifying claps. Blowing the settlements into splinters while either killing or injuring a few. 

Others that still had the chance to escape scurried from their tents in haste. Muscled men clothed in different levels of fabric appear with fright presented on their faces. 

Some even scampered out naked with their rods pulsing high as murky white liquid drips down.

Shouts of fury rang across the air in questioning, "what the hell is going on!"

"Who did this?!!"

But no one had the time to answer. 

Screams of pain tinted the air along the increasing scent of iron. 

Calculating the time for him to appear, Xiao Fanyu kicked at the bushes in front of him as a signal. The sudden loud rustling of greenery successfully attracts the attention of those furious beasts.

Without giving them enough time to think the youth threw another bomb that flew in a beautiful arc towards the settlement.

Bang!

At the same junction the object exploded, his figure flashed into the woods.

"It's him!!"

"Catch that bastard!!"

"Don't let that rat get away!!"

Instantly, more than half of the bandits rushed out into the forest. Only those left are either dead or heavily wounded now laying on the ground. Moaning in pain, they were forgotten like the trash left on the floor. 

Grabbing onto this opportunity Cipher and Zhitao slipped into the settlement with caution. Daggers glint followed by a streak of red as both of them proceed forward. Fast and precise the two slid their knives against the necks of those writhing bodies. Taking their lives as leisurely as cutting vegetables. 

"Let's stop here." Cipher suggested as he flicked the remnants of blood away. "We don't know when the other bandits will return." Running to the closed door of the cabin. A swift downward clash of metal against metal broke the lock placed on the entrance door.

Clang!

"Help me watch the place," the youth told Zhitao before kicking the door open. Armed with his weapon placed in front of his chest. The expected enemy or portal to the next level did not appear.

Instead, a collection of clothless humans scurrying away to the farthest corner met his sight. Men and women of different sizes and ages crowded at the corner in fear. Their bare bodies showing the bruises and torment of many days. 

"... …"

Cipher stood in the opposite area from where they were. Eyes scanned the area in silence as if the quivering group did not exist. 

The dwelling is bare except for a few stacks of dried grass and dirty blankets. Scattered bones from leftover meals emit a loud crack whenever it's stepped on. A harsh smell of mingling sourness and mold attacked his unwilling senses with every breath taken. Forcing his brows to furrow with pinched lips.

This is not the Chief's house.

This is the place where they place captives.

Seeing how obedient they are to cower in the corner instead of running away. Their spirits must have broken under cruel torture long ago.

Not that it matters to him too much.

"Hey." The young man directed a question to the shivering group. An emotionless glance to the side caused a new wave of fear to spread. 

"Have you seen a door or something similar to a portal here or anywhere in the camp?" 

His flitted glance is cold like hundreds of icy blades skimming across their skin. To the captives, this man is even more frightening compared to the bandits. Those beasts that captured them are at least straightforward in violence and speech. At least they know what to expect from them.

But this stranger is different.

No emotions, no violence, nor vulgar speech. 

He just stood there in silence, glancing at them from the side as if they were nothing more than objects. But that alone is enough to shake them down to their very core.

"... …"

Perhaps seeing their disoriented look the youth furrowed his brows even further. Finally, for the first time since he came in. The man met their sights head on, "have you or have you not seen?"

The face that came into full view is one of a youth perhaps somewhere in their early twenties. Upturned eyes reveal a pair of hazel pupils containing a collection of countless rays from the sun. However, his skin and lips are pale as though lacking in blood. This sick pallor is even further enhanced by dark brown mid-length hair framing the face. 

Coupled with the commanding inquiry as well as the abrupt jolt of this feeble beauty. An unexplainable pressure induces them to answer unconsciously, "n, no…."

Disappointment flashed across his face as Cipher gave a slow nod. Understanding that what he's looking for is not here, the youth turns in preparation to leave. Mind thinking of all the other possibilities the door might be located at instead. 

"W, wait!" One of the braver female captives ran forward to grab at his departing figure. Soiled fingers clenched tightly into the edge of his clothes with a desperate tug. "Please wait…"

The sudden force that hindered him from leaving left Cipher with a streak of annoyance. Voice now tinged with slight anger he warned, "let go." 

Receiving the furious glare, the young woman at first jumped in fright before flushing into an unnatural red.

Handsome. 

So very handsome.

In contrast to those disgusting men full of excessive hair and muscles. Whose only pastime is to cause them misery. This man right here is different, strong, handsome, aloof, and most of all. Lacking the nauseating look those men always have when they glance at them. This kind of man, as long as he is willing to take her with him, she's willing to do anything.

Pressing her chest up against his back, the woman spoke in a tender voice, "please take me with you." Eyelashes flutter whilst ambiguous words continue, "as long as you take me with you I'm willing to do anything you want." As if trying to prove the words spoken she rubbed even harder, allowing the two buds on her chest to roll on his back.

"What do you say? I can- ack!" Without warning the woman fell to the ground. The clothes that were already on the verge of breaking undone itself from this abrupt fall. Revealing the noticeable teeth marks lined with clotted blood along bruises presented on those large breasts. 

Instantly, she looked up in surprise to the scornful gaze and words of the young man, "vulgar."

Flinging his arms as if to rid himself of dirt Cipher left with the entranceway wide open. Showing the people inside the cabin the sight of lifeless bodies strewn about from outside the boundary. 

At this moment in time, there are no other bandits in the settlement. Only those that are either dead or still writhing in pain on the verge of death. Weapons and minimal supplies are there for looting if those captives have the slightest hint of courage. Even if there is just one person willing to step out of the opened door. Although there is no concrete evidence that they won't be captured again.

But at the very least they tried.

Who knows, maybe this might be the only chance available to them.

However, no one moved. 

Not even the courageous woman on the floor. 

Everyone just remained at the same spot, staring at the brightness of the open doorway in contrast to the darkness of the cabin interior. 

_____

Passing twigs and leaves left deeps marking onto the surface of Xiao Fanyu's dusty skin. Along the sound of his heavy breathing and snapping of forest foliage. Loud rumblings akin to a tide of beasts pursue closely behind. They ram past trees and bushes alike, similar to mad animals as indignant growls roared through the woods.

"Catch that bastard!!"

"I'll fucking kill you!!!"

"Fucking piece of shit!!"

Xiao Fanyu couldn't help but let out a low chuckle while taking a glance backwards at the pack of wild dogs, "fools."

The youth's nimble body taps over large rocks at the same time evading low branches and occasional objects thrown from behind. Once in a while he'll even break off a piece of branch or grab a handful of dirt to throw at them. Fulfilling the little pettiness presented from the wound he had received from them the day before.

Of course, this game of cat and mouse cannot continue forever. At the exact moment Xiao Fanyu was pondering on the next set of actions his eyes flitted over something at the corner of his vision. Instantly, the figure made a sharp turn to the right and entered the forest path skipping over the remains of a diminished campfire. 

Steps are light and quick, comparable to the leisurely romping of a stray cat going through alleyways and tight streets. The young man proceeds forward while keen sights search left and right for the destination of his goal. 

Finally, phoenix eyes widened in surprise then narrowed with a cunning glint as he pushed his body further. Seeing that the guess made within a fraction of a second during the escape bearing fruit. Xiao Fanyu ran closer to the group of players treading up front with an arm raised, within his hand are a few small stones. 

"??"

Noticing the noise coming from behind, the group of innocent players glance back to see an approaching shadow. Wearing a body of black from head to toe that moving mysterious silhouette approaches with a pressuring aura.

Sensing the impending danger all five of them were about to run when an aching pain ran across their bodies. Paralyzing them all in a matter of seconds, the group could only maintain the motion of fleeing while standing still. 

"What is happening?" One of the female members wailed in horror.

"What do you want with us?!" Another male member roared in fury. 

They watched as the blurry figure gradually halted a few steps away with mirth shown in his eyes.

"This comrade here, we haven't done anything to you. Why are you doing this to us?" The man who seems to be the leader of the group asked in a deep authoritative voice.

"... …"

Xiao Fanyu only tilted his head to the side after hearing this question. Glancing at them briefly, phoenix eyes lowered along the action of unsheathing his blade.

The cold glint of the military knife shone in their eyes akin to an oracle foreshadowing of death.

'It's over.' The players thought the moment this strange man showed his blade.

Killing between players is not uncommon, especially in a world ruled by the strong. But to think he, Nangong Hao would also experience the feeling of being slaughtered like an animal.

The world is unfair.

However, in the next moment instead of aiming at them with the blade. The five players witness the young man turn his back with the weapon raised above his chest. 

At the same juncture, a large crowd of burly men came into view. Shouts of curses and anger filled their senses with fear. 

"There he is!!"

At that moment.

"Boss! Be careful! Don't worry about me! Hurry up and leave with the rest of the group!" Raising his knife in preparation for battle Xiao Fanyu took a deep breath before rushing in. Leaving four confused people and an astute boss who immediately caught on behind.

"Boss.. do we know him?" One of the members asked in a hesitating tone. This stranger whom they've never met before seems to be protecting them from those murderous men? If he's not one of them then for what reason is there for the youth to help?

"He- not good!!!" Nangong Hao immediately shouted towards the aggressive crowd in defense, "no!! We don't know him!! We're not together!!" His deep voice grew hoarse from the loud shouts of desperate denial.

But it was no use.

"Boss!" Xiao Fanyu replied with a flustered expression, "it's no use trying to trick them right now. Hurry up and run! I'll hold them back as much as I can!!" The young man fended off the oncoming strike from a nearby bandit while kicking the one coming from the right. "Run!!"

This desperate display of camaraderie as well as the courageous show of a willing sacrifice. Who would ever believe Nangong Hao's words of not knowing each other. His words only contributed to the opposite reaction of fanning the flames.

"These bastards are still trying to trick us at this time!!"

"Damn it! Wait till I get my hands on you!!"

"Boss!! You have to run with the others!"

Nangong Hao's eyes reddened in fury as he tried hard to move. The numbness from his muscles hinder him from trying to escape. "Shit!"

"Boss, what do we do!?" A male member squirmed about with a pale face. "Are we just going to die like this?"

Just as tears of bitterness threaten to spill, the group felt the numbness retreat. Their limbs return back to normal with no signs of unease.

"This..?"

"Forget about it! Let's hurry up and leave while that guy is holding them off!!"

Bringing their minds back to the situation at hand, the group instantly dashes off. Hoping to put as much distance as they can from the bandits. 

But is that possible? 

Of course not.

Xiao Fanyu glanced at the departing figures from behind before refocusing on the bandits in front.

Changing into an expression of utter hate and repulsion he shouted, "you disgusting beasts! You all should have died in the explosion just now!" Eyes reddening from enragement it would seem as if these bandits have done something terrible to him before.

Twirling the dagger in his hands, a swift upwards swipe clashed with the downwards blow of a bandit holding a sword. Sparks flew into the air in a matter of seconds as their weapons collided.

Forced to take a few steps back the enemy widened his eyes in bewilderment at the strength of the youth before him. 

Taking the chance when the man with the sword stepped back, another foe holding an axe took a large swing sideways. Avoiding a direct conflict with that weapon, Xiao Fanyu ducked with ease while slashing at the leg of that same person. 

"Agh!!" That bandit stumbled and fell back towards an nearing comrade making both collapsing onto the ground. 

"Stupid get off!!"

Using those two as a stepping stone Xiao Fanyu jumped into the air to reach the outer layer of the group. Choosing to engage in a battle with a foe holding a morning star instead. 

"Ha! Kid, you're dead!" Throwing the chain of the morning star forward, a clinking sound of iron rings jingle as it sped towards its target.

Clang!

Like a snake the iron chain wrapped around the arm of the youth and sunk its fangs of the iron ball into his flesh.

Furrowing his brows from discomfort the young man pinched his thin lips together in displeasement. Ignoring the wave of pain emitting from his right hand, Xiao Fanyu used the same hand to grab onto the chain and began to pull. 

Just like that, a game of tug of war took place for a few minutes while he continued to dodge the offense of others.

"Where do you think you are going?!" The man holding the morning star said as he pulled the chain with a start. 

"?!" Unable to respond, Xiao Fanyu lurched forward in the direction of the voice.

Instantly, splatters of red colored the air as the young man coughed out an arc of blood. Flying into the thickets, even more crimson liquid rained as the claws of the iron ball ripped from his arm.

In the blink of an eye his body disappeared from sight.

Scarcely did a few bandits move to search, did another shouted for them to stop, "just leave that guy. He's dead already, let's focus on the rest that ran away." Thinking that what their comrade said is plausible the others immediately gave chase, leaving the body of the dead Xiao Fanyu behind.

A few minutes later.

"... …"

The supposedly dead body of the young man twitched as phoenix eyes opened to see the blueness of the sky. Standing up from the pile of greenery beneath him, Xiao Fanyu took a moment to listen for signs of movement.

Confirming the silence of his surroundings, he swiped at the stream of blood flowing down the corner of his lips before checking the rest of the injuries.

Streak marks from the iron ball of the morning star cut open a deep enough wound to see the muscles underneath. 

There is a light slash wound on his chest caused by when he was tugged forward.

Fortunately he was prepared enough to jump back before the hit fully met. Lessening the seriousness of the injury while providing a reasonable rebound to fly away.

The blood that came from his mouth was made by him the moment he jumped back. In that fraction of a second he bit open his tongue and spewed the blood out. Accomplishing a beautiful illusion of a man on the verge of dying from a severe hit. 

All in all the only heavy injury received was the one in his arm, nothing serious enough that needs immediate treatment.

Flicking the dripping blood away from his slender fingers, the young man stares at the open wound for a few seconds in silence before moving away. His firm back dispersed into the shadows of the trees.