Chapter 16: Bandits
Around us are a bunch of bandits. Apparently, they're waiting for our arrival and have planned an ambush against us. Neerial and I are standing firmly, observing the movements they will make.
"Neerial, you focus on protecting the carriage and Mr. Locke," I ordered.
"Got it," replied Neerial.
Turning my head left and right, I successfully counted the bandits surrounding us. There are nine in total—too many for normal adventurers, but not for me. I alone am enough for these thugs.
The bandits didn't waste any time and rushed quickly towards me. pointing their dagger, aiming for my chest.
I tucked my magic wand on the ground, and a circle of fire appeared, circling the whole carriage.
"I cast a spell that will turn you into dust once you step in this circle," I bluffed.
I actually don't want any trouble. In fact, I want them to give up by merely seeing my strength. But things won't seem to go as I want.
The bandits didn't listen to my warning. One of them stepped on the fire. I immediately noticed this and cast a spell without hesitation.
"Blaze Dynamite."
A ball of fire went to the bandit's location, hitting him directly and turning him into dust.
This spell is rather dangerous; Neerial somehow taking this spell head-on after receiving minimal damage makes her abnormal.
This kind of spell instantly kills a normal person in a single cast.
The bandit's was reduced to 8. Most of them were intimidated by my action. I stepped back from the circle of fire I had placed. However, one of the bandits stepped right into the circle of fire without hesitation.
"Blaze Dynamite."
I cast the spell once again. The bandit swung his arm and deflected my spell. One of the bandits took the deflected spell and was burned to crisp.
The bandit stood proudly in front of me and took off his cover. Revealing his face in clear sight. Smiling widely and throwing his dagger into the air lightly.
"You're strong; how lucky. You are an adventurer, and you have such a handsome face," said the bandit.
Unaffected by his words, I didn't give any reply; I'm on my guard, knowing that this guy is strong.
"The name is Cedric Hernandez; I'm infamous around the world. I'm a murderer; I'm a rebel! Just like my father!" he added.
"Like I care; just let us through, and you might do something good once in your life," I replied.
Gritting his teeth, he immediately dashed towards me, attacking me with his dagger. I deflected it using my magic staff, and immediately seeing an opening, I kicked his abdomen.
"Blaze Dynamite!"
Hearing me cast the spell, he jumped back and deflected it while he was on the air. I turned around and saw that the other bandits were attacking Neerial.
I immediately put my hands on the ground and summoned three shadow assassins. I looked into Hernandez, and he's already in front of me. He was swinging his dagger through my face, but luckily I managed to dodge it.
The Shadow Assassins immediately helped Neerial and Mr. Locke. Losing my attention to my enemy, he kicked me in the stomach, and I went flying into the wall.
A blade was thrown towards me, and I dodged it. Hernandez quickly appeared in front of my face and raised his fist, aiming for a punch. I rolled around the wall and successfully escaped his attack.
He was quick to his feet, and he took that to his advantage. As I turn around in his direction, he has already prepared his next attack.
I panicked and immediately pulled out my book, pulling a katana from it. I intercepted his dagger and sent it flying. Realizing I had a weapon, he quickly took a step back.
"A magic staff, summoning, and a katana. Interesting," he muttered.
Hernandez smiled and called out to his men.
"We're done here! Let's go!"
His fellow bandits heard him clearly and escaped immediately. Neerial attempted to follow them, but I stopped her.
"Don't. They might pull up a trap."
I called out my summons and told them to follow the bandits. The shadow assassins gave a nod and immediately followed my order.
"That summoning... how many summons do you have?" asked Neerial.
"I can summon any of the creatures that exist in this world," I replied.
"All?!" Neerial shouted.
"Yep, all the mythical creatures that I read in the book can be summoned," I said.
"That's... ridiculous," muttered Neerial.
"Indeed, however, I can only use 3 summons for normal creatures and 1 for mythical creatures every 3 days," I added.
"Then you can't use it anymore?" asked Neerial.
"Correct."
I turned my attention to Mr. Locke, who seemed worried. He's counting the packages in the carriage and looks unsatisfied.
"Is there something wrong?" I asked.
"One of the packages is missing," Mr. Locke said.
I suddenly remembered when I was kicked against the wall. The bandit must've taken it by then.
"I'm sorry, Mr. Locke. I'll find it for you," I said.
"No, that's fine. We must bring you to your destination first," Mr. Locke replied.
"But..."
"Your quest comes first; the guild hall needs you to finish that quest as soon as possible, right?" he added.
"I understand; I'll be counting on you," I said.
We hopped in the carriage and continued on our way to Conheart City. I placed a barrier on the carriage in case of another attack.
.
.
.
In an abandoned building, the bandits who attacked Klay and Neerial went inside. The cracks in the building can be seen clearly. Its wall is also surrounded by holes, and the roof is barely hanging on.
A bunch of fallen rocks are on the ground, mostly the same rock used for the building.
Hernandez stopped in his tracks and said, "I'm here; here's the thing you requested."
A man in a black cloak suddenly emerged out of nowhere and closed his distance from Hernandez.
"Good work; you're now considered one of us," the man in the cloak has said.
"Cool, now about the guy I fought earlier."
"Hmm?" the man in the cloak wondered.
"Oh, nevermind. He's just no one special," Hernandez said, suddenly taking back his words.
"The Shadow Pledge will call you once we have a job to do," the man in the cloak said before disappearing.
The bandits who were with Hernandez suddenly talked. They couldn't help but be worried about how strong Klay was. They also lost members because of his magic.
"He's not a threat, but if somehow you encounter that guy, run as fast as you can," said Hernandez.
'A guy with three classes, was that the guy named Karma Cloud, or was it Klay Panthor? Either way, he's interesting! ' Hernandez thought.
Hernandez was filled with excitement when he encountered Klay. His fight with him is the best one he has had in his entire life.
Cedric Hernandez - [Level 178]
"None of you lay a finger on him, got it?! He's mine!" Hernandez said to his followers while pointing his index finger.
Meanwhile, Hernandez looked above the building and sensed something in it. The bandit asked the reason for Hernandez's movement.
"No, it's nothing," he replied.
And apparently it really is something; the thing that he sensed is one of the shadow assassins that Klay has sent to follow them. making its way back to relay information to Klay.
.
.
.
Still on their way to Conheart City, we stopped midway and made a camp. While we're eating, a figure suddenly appears beside me.
It's the three shadow assassins that I summoned.
"Have you located their location?" I asked.
The shadow assassin gave a nod, and I stood up immediately.
"Let's go, Neerial. We're going to go hunting tonight." I called out to her.
"Sure," replied Neerial.
If you're wondering why Neerial didn't transform into a werewolf today, it's because last night, before we left, she made her transformation. It's not a hassle, really; I watched her transform and trapped her in my book until she calmed down.
She said that the book doesn't stop time for living things, and they certainly can move freely inside the book. I find it funny because, from my perspective, the book just shows a steady picture.
In case of an emergency, I can use her werewolf form to my advantage.
"Mr. Locke, I'll leave two shadow assassins to guard you." I turned my head to Mr. Locke.
"Be careful," he replied while waving his hand.
We made our way to the bandits location to take back what they had stolen.