5. My first job

Lina departed the Adventurers Guild with a newfound sense of purpose. The morning sun steadily climbed in the sky, casting its warm rays over the village, while Ming, Garret, and Finn accompanied her, each focused on the mission ahead: tracking down the bandits that had been terrorizing the outskirts of Ashborne.

"Alright," Ming began as they made their way out of the village. "The bandits were last seen near the forest, about an hour's walk from here. They've been ambushing travelers on the road, so we need to stay sharp."

Lina nodded. Though she hadn't yet tested her damage reflection skill in real combat, this mission seemed like the perfect opportunity. A thrill of anticipation coursed through her veins.

As they left the safety of the village behind, the road narrowed, the trees closing in around them. The air grew cooler, and the forest echoed with birdsong. Lina's thoughts wandered back to the mysterious figure she had glimpsed in the village square the night before. She briefly wondered if that person was somehow connected to the bandits but quickly dismissed the idea. It could have been anyone.

"Stay alert," Garret cautioned, his voice low. "Bandits strike when you least expect it."

The group moved in silence, each of them keenly aware of their surroundings. Lina focused on calming her racing heart, attuning herself to the sounds of the forest and the steady rhythm of her footsteps. This was her first true test, and she was determined not to let her companions down.

Before long, they came across signs of the bandits' presence. An overturned wagon lay abandoned by the roadside, its contents scattered haphazardly across the ground. Lina knelt beside it, studying the marks in the dirt.

"There was a struggle here," she noted, pointing to the deep grooves left by something heavy being dragged away.

"Yeah," Finn agreed, his eyes scanning the treeline. "If I had to guess, they didn't go far."

Ming nodded. "Alright, let's split up. Garret, you and Finn take the left flank. Lina and I will take the right. We'll circle around and meet at the clearing up ahead. Stay sharp."

With a nod, the group divided, moving quietly through the underbrush. Lina followed Ming, feeling a sense of security from her damage reflection skill.

The forest seemed to darken as they ventured deeper, the trees casting long, eerie shadows that danced in the breeze. Every rustle of leaves, every snap of a twig, made Lina tighten her grip on her dagger. They moved cautiously, avoiding unnecessary noise.

As they approached the clearing, Ming signaled Lina to stop. She pointed ahead, and Lina spotted several men gathered around a campfire. Their rough clothing and makeshift weapons marked them as bandits, and judging by their apparent celebration, they had recently ambushed the wagon they had passed earlier.

"Here's the plan," Ming whispered. "We take them by surprise. I'll go in first and draw their attention. You hang back and use your skill—if it actually works. Ready?"

Lina nodded, her heart pounding. This was it—the moment she had been waiting for.

Ming advanced, her steps as silent as a shadow. When she was close enough, she stepped out of the trees, her sword drawn.

"Hey, boys!" she called, her voice sharp and commanding.

The bandits scrambled to their feet, drawing their weapons. For a moment, they looked uncertain, but then their leader—a tall man with a scar running down his face—stepped forward, a cruel grin spreading across his lips.

"Well, well," he sneered. "Looks like we've got ourselves a hero. You think you can take us all on by yourself, girl?"

Ming smirked. "I don't think—I know."

With that, she lunged forward, her sword flashing in the sunlight. The bandits barely had time to react as she cut through their ranks with deadly precision. The leader snarled, rallying his men to fight back, but Ming was relentless.

Lina watched from the cover of the trees, her body tense. She saw the bandits starting to surround Ming and knew it was time to act. Taking a deep breath, she stepped into the open.

"Hey!" she shouted, drawing the attention of a nearby bandit.

He turned toward her, his eyes narrowing. "What do you want, little girl?" he taunted, raising his sword.

Lina gripped her weapon tightly as the bandit charged, his blade swinging with lethal intent. But Lina stood her ground, her mind focused on her skill—relying on it for survival.

The pain of the blow never came. Instead, the force of the attack rebounded, sending the bandit flying backward with a cry of pain.

He landed hard, his weapon clattering beside him as he lay motionless. Lina blinked in astonishment, the rush of power still tingling in her veins. It had worked—it had actually worked.

"Nice one, Lina!" Ming called out, still fending off the remaining bandits. "Keep it up!"

Emboldened by her success, Lina moved to assist Ming, using her skill to deflect and redirect the bandits' attacks. Each time they struck at her, their own force was turned against them, leaving them dazed and vulnerable.

It wasn't long before the remaining bandits realized they were outmatched. Those who were still able fled into the forest, abandoning their fallen comrades.

Breathing heavily, Lina surveyed the aftermath of the battle. The clearing was littered with defeated bandits, their groans of pain the only sound in the otherwise silent forest. Ming sheathed her sword and approached Lina, a satisfied smile on her lips.

"Not bad for your first real fight. You did well, Lina."

Lina smiled, the adrenaline still coursing through her. "Thanks. I couldn't have done it without your help."

Ming clapped her on the back. "This is just the beginning. There are plenty more challenges ahead. But for now, let's head back to the village and report our success."

_This damage reflection skill is actually overpowered,_ Lina thought as she skipped along behind Ming.

Suddenly, a thought struck her. "Hey, what happened to Garret and Finn?"

"You're right," Ming replied, her brow furrowing. "They should have been here by now. Let's go find them, shall we?"

"Certainly," Lina agreed, her instincts on high alert. Little did she know that sometimes wolves hide in sheep's clothing.

As they searched for their missing companions, Lina couldn't shake the feeling that something was amiss. The forest seemed quieter than before, the trees looming like silent sentinels. She glanced at Ming, who seemed unfazed by her concerns.

"Hey, Ming? Do you think Garret and Finn are okay?"

Ming's expression grew serious. "I'm sure they're fine. We'll find them soon."

But as they ventured deeper into the forest, Lina's unease only intensified. Something wasn't right. And then, they heard a faint cry for help...