Bandits

"I apologize for forgetting to inquire about your name," Zenith expressed while they were in the wagon, which had just started to move.

 "I'm Hudson," the man responded.

Zenith remarked, "A rather fitting name for you."

"Why is that?" Hudson asked.

"You're strong, and Hudson sounds like a strong person," Zenith explained.

"Why are both of you heading to Eclipscya?" Hudson inquired.

Zenith hadn't questioned Kurogane about their destination, leaving him unsure of what to say. Fortunately, Kurogane overheard their conversation and stated, "We're joining the adventurers' guild."

"The Adventurers Guild, I suppose we'll be crossing paths often because coincidentally, I'm also joining the guild," Hudson remarked.

"Oh, you too," Zenith said.

"Yes, do you have a party?" Hudson asked.

Zenith replied, "No, it's just me and Kurogane."

"How about—" Hudson began before being cut off by Kurogane, who said, "I allowed you on this wagon because you gave him the movement book, but joining a party is too much."

"I was just offering," Hudson replied.

Zenith could sense the tension between them and couldn't help but wonder, "What happened in the few minutes I was gone?" No one spoke for quite a while after that, and Zenith decided to pass the time by reading his movement book.

After a few hours, he successfully completed the book and decided to check his level:

Level -17

Legacy: ???

Bloodline: ???

Affinity: ???

skills-

Katana mastery (level four)

abyss flame (level one) – currently flame cannot hurt other being only can enhance weapons damage.

Scanner (level one)

movement technique (mortal rank- level 2)

stats-

Health- 160/180

strength – 32

agility- 42

stamina- 37

"What does 'Mortal Rank' mean, Abyss?' Zenith asked after seeing it for the first time.

Abyss replied, 'Mortal rank means they are human-made techniques.'

'So they can be higher ranks than these?' Zenith inquired.

Abyss explained, "Yes, they can be. If anything, this is probably the lowest rank an item can be."

'So, it is bad?' Zenith questioned.

Abyss clarified, 'Lowest doesn't necessarily mean bad. For your current level, this is much better than what most people would have.'

'Okay,' Zenith said, accepting the explanation.

The journey progressed smoothly for the next few days, with occasional breaks. "Stay in the wagon," Hudson advised abruptly. Both Zenith and Kurogane wondered why he made that statement. They halted the wagon, and Zenith peeked through a small hole, discovering two cartwheels filled with hay blocking the way, surrounded by a multitude of people.

"Why did you block the way?" Hudson inquired.

 The person ignored his question and sternly stated, "Give us all your valuables if you don't want to get hurt."

"So, you're bandits," Hudson remarked.

The bandit retorted, "Yes, mister obvious. Now, give us your valuables or you'll die."

"I'll give you one chance to back off, or you'll all die," Hudson warned. The bandit attempted to instill fear, saying, "Do you know how many people are surrounding you?"

Undeterred, the bandit took a step forward, but before Hudson could react, Kurogane exited the wagon and threw a fireball, reducing the bandit to ashes.

"I told you to stay inside," Hudson scolded.

Kurogane responded, "Save those lines for a girl. We don't need your protection."

"I wasn't trying to protect; I was trying to end this as fast as possible," Hudson explained as he took out his daggers and shot them at the bandits surrounding him.

Kurogane retorted, "So you're saying we're a hindrance to you," as he burned the bandits to ashes.

"No, just you," Hudson replied.

This response further enraged Kurogane, prompting him to create a heat zone. Anyone entering it without sufficient heat resistance would be turned to ashes. Seeing this as a challenge, Hudson gathered all the sharp tree branches around him and shot them at the bandits. The situation escalated into a fierce display of abilities between Hudson and Kurogane, both determined to deal with the threat in their own way.

Feeling a sense of inferiority to Hudson in that moment, Kurogane expanded the heat zone to cover the entire area, turning both the bandits and the ground to ashes. "You almost killed me!" Hudson yelled out.

Kurogane, puzzled, asked, "How?"

"I was in that heat zone," Hudson explained.

Kurogane, seemingly surprised, replied, "I thought you were strong."

"It doesn't matter if I am strong or not; that doesn't change the fact you almost killed me, right, Zenith?" Hudson said, searching for Zenith's acknowledgment.

Kurogane asked, "Where is Zenith?"

"Zenith, Zenith, where are you?" they yelled out.

While they were calling out, Zenith was in the nearby forest with a bandit he had taken with him a few minutes ago, providing the bandit with a sword.

"Try to hit," Zenith said with full confidence.

The bandit replied, "You sure are a dumbass," and ran towards him to stab him. Zenith dodged the attack much better than before but not as effortlessly as Hudson did.

'How did he dodge that so effortlessly?' the bandit wondered.

"Are you just going to stand there, or are you going to fight?" Zenith taunted, engaging the bandit further. The two continued their back-and-forth for twenty minutes.

"Just kill me at this point," the bandit exclaimed, frustrated with his futile attempts to harm Zenith.

Zenith took one look at him and replied, "You would never understand the value of your life until you lose it." He then unsheathed his sword and swiftly sliced the bandit's head off.

"Guess I've got to meet the guys again. Hope they haven't killed each other," Zenith mused as he wiped the blood off his katana with a cloth on the floor.

"Where the hell did you go? Do you know how worried we were since you went missing?" Kurogane questioned.

Hudson added, "Him, not me. I knew these guys can't hurt you. But what were you doing?"

"I was using a bandit to train my movement technique," Zenith explained.

"Isn't that a bit heartless?" Kurogane questioned.

"They were willing to kill us for a few valuables. If I am heartless for using him for 20 minutes, then so be it," Zenith justified his actions.

Kurogane had never seen this side of Zenith and began to worry, "He shouldn't become like everyone else. When I saw him in the forest, he seemed innocent, but now..."

"We should start moving again. We shouldn't waste time," Zenith said abruptly.

"Okay," Hudson agreed, using his telekinesis to move the wheel carts out of the way, allowing Zenith and Kurogane to return to the carriage. The atmosphere had changed, and an air of concern lingered among them as they continued their journey.