Bandit's Attack

Vargus continued to affectionately pat the adorable Auris, who, for his part, seemed to have resigned himself to the affectionate gestures.

Despite the initial shock of his transformation, Auris found a certain solace in the gentle touches and prolonged hugs from Vargus. Recognizing Vargus as his master, Auris accepted this new chapter of closeness with a quiet grace.

However, their moment of bonding was abruptly interrupted by the sound of rustling nearby. Both Vargus and Auris turned their attention toward the source of the noise, alert and cautious.

Out of the underbrush emerged a group, their faces obscured by masks, creating an air of mystery and menace. They were armed with a variety of weapons, clearly prepared for conflict or some nefarious purpose.

The leader of the bandits then stepped forward, his weapon trained on Vargus, and demanded, "Hand over your money, or face the consequences." The tone was menacing, leaving no room for negotiation.

Another bandit, eyeing the small white tiger beside Vargus, added greedily, "And that little beast of yours should fetch a pretty coin too. Hand it over quietly, and we might let you off easy."

Upon hearing the bandits' threats, Vargus's demeanor shifted dramatically. He gently set Auris on the ground, his actions deliberate and calm despite the rising tension. Turning to face the bandits, the smile that had been on his face moments before vanished, replaced by a look of unmistakable anger.

As Vargus's gaze hardened, a palpable sense of killing intent began to emanate from him. This was not just the protective instinct of a master towards his companion, but the battle-ready composure of a warrior. 

With a voice heavy with fury, Vargus stared down the bandits, each word dripping with venom. "You have the gall to disrupt my moment with Auris," he spat out, his anger palpable in the tense air. His tone was more than mere irritation; it was a deep, seething rage at their boldness.

His anger intensified as he mentioned Auris, "You even dare to lay your greedy eyes on Auris, thinking you can just take him from me." Vargus's voice grew louder, filled with incredulity and wrath. "You clearly have no clue whom you're messing with."

As he stood there, his fists balled up at his sides, it was clear Vargus was more than ready to leap into action to protect what mattered most to him. His posture was one of unyielding defiance, his eyes alight with a fierce determination.

He took a step forward, narrowing the distance between himself and the bandits, and with a menacing calm, he declared, "This is your last chance to back off. I promise, if you make a move, you will regret ever crossing paths with me." His warning was a clear ultimatum, leaving no doubt about his readiness to fight back with all his might.

The bandit leader, trying to quell the fear that Vargus's aura had instilled in him, forced a tone of defiance. "You think we're frightened by your threats?" he called out, his voice betraying a hint of nervousness despite his efforts to sound bold. "You stand alone, while we have strength in numbers."

He attempted to belittle Vargus's stance, adding a sneer to his voice: "You also are the foolish one, as you do not give us what we want willingly? We'll just take it later from your body."

With a forced laugh meant to display confidence he clearly did not feel, the leader then turned towards his band, rallying them with a mix of false bravado and underlying fear. "Let's show him how we deal with stubborn fools. Men, attack!" he ordered, his voice louder, trying to inspire urgency and aggression in his followers.

His command broke the momentary standstill, propelling his bandits into motion as they prepared to launch themselves at Vargus, spurred on by their leader's call to action despite the evident danger of facing such a formidable opponent.

Vargus, facing the bandits with unwavering resolve, replied, "So, you've made your choice. Remember, don't plead for mercy later."

The bandit leader, with a sneer, retorted confidently, "Save your threats. You'll be the one begging, right before you die." With that, he lunged forward, sword aimed directly at Vargus.

However, to everyone's astonishment, Vargus effortlessly caught the incoming sword with one hand. The ease with which he halted the attack left the bandit leader gaping, his bravado faltering as he stammered, "How... How is this possible?"

Without missing a beat, Vargus replied coolly, "You underestimated me." And with that, he applied pressure to the sword, effortlessly crushing it within his grasp.

Then, showcasing his formidable strength, Vargus reached out to a nearby tree, yanking it from the ground as if it were no heavier than a branch. He wielded it like a giant stick, turning to face the bandits with a look that promised retribution.

Brandishing the uprooted tree like a colossal battle staff, Vargus executed a wide arc with astonishing speed, the air whistling around the makeshift weapon.

His movement was fluid and precise, designed to neutralize the threat posed by the bandits in a single, powerful sweep. As the tree hurtled towards them, the bandits' initial confidence shattered, replaced by sheer terror.

"Look out!" one of the bandits cried, panic lacing his voice as he realized the imminent danger. But their reactions were sluggish, caught off guard by the unexpected display of strength from Vargus.

The massive tree connected with a resounding thud, knocking the bandits off their feet and sending them tumbling across the forest floor. The impact was decisive, leaving the attackers in a heap, dazed and disoriented by the force of Vargus's counterstrike.

As the dust settled, the groans of the defeated bandits filled the air, their earlier threats now replaced by moans of pain. The swift and effective response from Vargus left no doubt about his capabilities, and the remaining bandits, those who were still conscious, looked on in horror, their resolve crumbling under the weight of their miscalculation.

Amidst the scattered groans and the slow, painful attempts to rise, one of the bandits, his voice laced with fear, shouted, "Run! We can't win against this monster!"

Panic took hold, and those who could stand scrambled to their feet, their movements frantic and uncoordinated as they sought to escape the wrath of Vargus.

Leaves crunched and branches snapped underfoot as the bandits fled into the denser parts of the forest, their earlier aggression replaced by a desperate desire for survival.

Amidst the chaos of the retreat, the bandit leader found himself alone, lying on the ground, a direct victim of Vargus's earlier display of power. Struggling to prop himself up on his elbows, he looked around to find his followers abandoning him, their loyalty dissolving in the face of their own fear.

"Cowards!" he spat out, but the word was a hollow echo in the now silent clearing. The realization that he had been left behind, combined with the pain from his injuries, left him feeling both furious and helpless.

Vargus, standing tall amidst the aftermath, fixed his gaze on the fallen leader. "Your men have abandoned you," Vargus stated, his voice calm but carrying an undeniable edge of authority. "What will you do now, alone and defeated?"

The bandit leader, despite his precarious position on the ground, tried to summon his last vestige of defiance. "You won't dare touch me," he sneered, attempting to leverage his supposed status. "I am the right hand of the most fearsome bandit leader in this forest."

Vargus looked down at him, unimpressed and unmoved by the name-dropping. "I don't care about your boss or anyone else you might call your ally," Vargus responded, his voice steady and devoid of fear.

This indifference struck a chord of fear in the bandit leader, who had hoped his connections would instill some hesitation. As he watched Vargus raise his hand, the realization of his vulnerability became palpable, his sweat a testament to his growing panic. "What... what are you going to do?" he stammered, his voice betraying his fear.

"Ending this," Vargus stated simply, his tone final. The bandit leader's attempt to intimidate with his affiliation was cut short, "But you can't— I'm the right hand of—" His protest was abruptly silenced as Vargus delivered a devastating punch. With brute force, Vargus struck the bandit leader's head, the sheer power of the blow instantly fatal, ending the threat he posed once and for all.

Auris, who had been observing from the sidelines, watched in utter astonishment as Vargus acted. The little tiger's mouth hung open, a silent gasp frozen in time, as he witnessed the raw power and decisive action of his master.

Up until this moment, Auris had seen Vargus as a strong barbarian with a peculiar affection for cute things, an unusual but kind-hearted warrior. However, the resolve and ferocity Vargus displayed in protecting them both unveiled a new, formidable side. This revelation caused a complex mix of emotions to swirl within Auris.

Respect for Vargus deepened, a newfound admiration for the strength and protection he offered. Yet, there was also a hint of fear, a realization of the sheer power Vargus wielded so effortlessly.

Auris pondered over his own position, feeling a surge of gratitude for his cuteness and the bond they shared. "I'm lucky that i am cute," Auris thought, relieved at the thought that his cuteness and connection to Vargus shielded him from ever facing such wrath.