10. Change of perspective

As Lina followed the guards toward the captain's quarters, a sense of unease gripped her. The weight of her decision bore down on her shoulders, reminding her that she couldn't afford to falter. Not now—not when she was so close to uncovering the truth. Outside, the village continued its bustling rhythm, blissfully unaware of the storm brewing on the horizon. And Ming... she silently prayed that Ming hadn't become suspicious of her sudden absence.

The guards led her to a sturdy wooden building at the edge of the village square. Unlike the other structures, this one stood out with its thick walls and reinforced door—a clear indication that it was built to withstand attacks. The lead guard knocked, and after a tense moment, the door creaked open, revealing a man in his early forties. His face was etched with years of battle, his eyes sharp and unforgiving. He wore a simple yet well-maintained uniform, with a sword strapped to his side, ready for use at a moment's notice.

"Captain," the guard said, snapping to attention. "This traveler claims to have information about the bandits near the western road."

The captain's gaze shifted to Lina, scrutinizing her with an intensity that made her skin prickle. "Come in," he commanded, stepping aside to allow her entry. The interior of the captain's quarters was sparse but functional—maps of the surrounding area adorned the walls, and a large wooden table at the center was cluttered with reports and documents.

Lina stepped inside, her heart pounding. This was it—the moment she had been waiting for, the moment that could change everything.

The captain closed the door behind them, motioning for her to sit at the table. He took a seat across from her, folding his hands in front of him. "So," he began, his voice measured and calm, "tell me what you know about these bandits."

Lina took a deep breath, carefully choosing her words. "I've heard that the bandits are planning an attack on the village. They're gathering near the western road, and I believe they'll strike soon. I thought it was important to warn you so you could prepare your defenses."

The captain listened intently, his expression unreadable. For a moment, silence hung in the air, broken only by the distant sounds of the village outside. Then, a strange smile curled at the corners of his lips.

"You're a sharp one, aren't you?" he said, his tone darkening. "Not many travelers would have the insight to figure that out."

Lina's heart skipped a beat. Something was wrong. The way he looked at her... it was as if he knew more than he was letting on. She forced herself to remain calm, her expression neutral. "I just want to help," she said steadily. "The villagers deserve to know what's coming."

The captain chuckled softly, shaking his head. "Oh, they'll know, believe me. But I'm afraid your concern is a bit misplaced, my dear."

A chill ran down Lina's spine. She had walked right into a trap. The captain's eyes gleamed with a sinister light as he leaned forward, lowering his voice to a whisper.

"You see, I'm not just the captain of the guards. I'm also the leader of the very bandits you speak of."

The revelation hit her like a punch to the gut. She had suspected as much, but hearing it confirmed filled her with dread. She fought to maintain her composure, her mind racing to find a way out of this predicament.

The captain watched her closely, savoring her discomfort. "Now, I know what you're thinking," he continued. "Why would a man of my station lead a group of bandits? The answer is simple, really. This village is nothing but a pawn in a much larger game. And sometimes, to secure the future, you have to be willing to make sacrifices."

He stood and began pacing the room, his voice laced with cold pragmatism. "These people... they think they're safe behind their walls, that the guards will protect them from whatever dangers lurk outside. But the truth is, safety is an illusion. The only real power comes from controlling that illusion."

Lina remained silent, her mind working frantically. She had to escape, to warn the villagers before it was too late. But how? The captain was dangerous, and one wrong move could cost her life.

The captain stopped pacing and turned to face her, his gaze cold and calculating. "Now, you have two choices, Lina. You can join us—use that clever mind of yours to help secure this village and ensure that those who survive remain loyal to us. Or..."

His gaze drifted to the sword on his belt, the implication clear.

"Why me?" Lina asked, her voice steady despite the fear gnawing at her insides. "Why give me this choice? You could have just killed me the moment I walked in."

The captain smirked, leaning against the table. "Because I see potential in you, Lina. You're not like the other villagers—you're smart, resourceful. You figured out our plan without raising too much suspicion. That's impressive. And I could use someone with those qualities on my side." He turned to gaze out the window, as if already envisioning his victory.

He looked back at her, his expression almost manic with excitement. "Imagine it, Lina—a new order, where the strong rule and the weak serve. And you could be a part of it."

Lina stared out the window, her heart heavy with dread. The captain's vision was one of tyranny and oppression, a world where only the ruthless survived. She couldn't let that happen. But for now, she needed to play her part, to make him believe she was on his side.

She forced a small smile. "It's... an ambitious plan," she said carefully. "But if I'm going to be a part of it, I need to know more. Who else is involved? How many men do you have?"

The captain studied her, weighing his options. Then he nodded, satisfied. "We have a small but loyal group—men who have been with me since the beginning. And we've made some powerful allies along the way. But the details... those are for trusted members only." He circled the desk and returned to his seat, a look of twisted satisfaction on his face.

"Every single one of them," the captain said, his voice dripping with malice. "The villagers will be slaughtered. The men dealt with swiftly, but the women and children... they'll serve as an example to others. Nothing spreads fear faster than burning homes and screaming families."

A wave of nausea rose within Lina, but it was quickly consumed by a seething rage. For so long, she had believed that people, deep down, were good. She had convinced herself that conflicts could be resolved peacefully. But this... this was beyond anything she had imagined.

Her fists clenched as the captain's words echoed in her mind. *Slaughtered.* Innocent lives meant nothing to him—just pawns in his cruel game. A red haze of fury clouded her vision.

*Is this really the world I live in?* Lina's thoughts raced. *A world where the strong trample the weak, where power is all that matters?*

A surge of determination coursed through her. She would not allow this madness to continue. If the world was as dark and twisted as the captain claimed, she would fight to change it. No more standing on the sidelines, hoping for the best. No more pretending everything would work out on its own.

*I've been too soft. Too trusting,* Lina thought bitterly. *But that ends now.*

The air around her crackled with energy as intense emotions swirled within her. She could feel something shifting deep inside—a power awakening, growing stronger by the second.

Suddenly, a rush of heat surged through her, and she knew something had changed. Her skill—the one she had relied on for so long—was evolving, adapting to match her newfound resolve.

A notification flashed before her eyes:

"Message: Branch skill unlocked"

"Anomaly: None"

"Branch skill: Damage Store - 0 of 20"

"Result: Damage Store successfully unlocked"

Lina's eyes widened as the knowledge of her new abilities settled within her. *Damage Store...* A skill that allowed her to absorb and store damage up to twenty times, only to unleash it when she chose. A dark smile tugged at her lips.

Oblivious to the change in her, the captain continued his monologue. "You see, Lina, this village is just the beginning. Once we're done here, we'll move on to the next, and the next. Soon, the entire region will be under our control, and no one will dare defy us."

He looked at her, expecting fear, submission—some sign that he had broken her spirit. But instead, what he saw in her eyes sent a shiver down his spine.

Lina stepped forward, her voice cold as ice. "You're wrong, Captain. You won't get that far. This ends here."

The captain sneered, drawing his sword. "Big words for someone who has no idea what she's up against."

But Lina wasn't afraid. The fear that had gripped her earlier was gone, replaced by a steely resolve. She had the power to protect these people now, and she wasn't going to let anyone take that away from her.

"Come then," she said, her voice steady. "Let's see who's really out of their depth."

The captain lunged at her, his sword slicing through the air with deadly precision. But Lina didn't flinch. As the blade connected with her, she felt the impact—but instead of pain, there was only a strange sensation of absorption. Another notification flashed before her eyes:

"Message: Damage Store"

"Anomaly: None"

"Damage Store: Due to damage store being active, user is unable to receive damage as a result damage has been absorbed."

"Result: 1000 damage successfully absorbed"

The damage was stored, waiting for her command.

The captain staggered back, confusion flickering across his face. "What… what are you?"

Lina smiled darkly, she then thought of a line she had always wanted to say, "I'm your worst nightmare."

With just a thought she released the stored damage onto the captain's chest, sending it crashing back toward the captain with devastating force.The energy slammed into him, knocking him to the ground.

The captain gasped, struggling for air.Lina stood over him, her chest heaving with exertion, but her mind was clear. This was only the beginning. If the world was as cruel as the captain had shown her, then she would meet that cruelty with strength and determination. She would protect those who couldn't protect themselves, and she would never let herself be blindsided by evil again.

As she turned to leave the room, her eyes hardened with resolve. There was a new path laid out before her now, one she hadn't anticipated. But she would walk it without hesitation.

*The world isn't as peaceful as I thought,* Lina thought, her grip tightening on the hilt of her sword. *But that's okay. I'll be the one to change it—one battle at a time.*