Everyone sprang to their feet, more alert than they had been when the scream first rang out.
Asher's gut twisted a bit. The old man… someone he had suspected of being dangerous was dead. That wasn't just strange... it was ominous.
Such a clean cut. The killer had to have not been seen… Maybe not, is it really the silver Bandits? Other than, mages could pull that off.
He kept an eyes on the severance of the old man Sammy's head. It hadn't just been a random kill. No panic. No mess. Precision. Intent and timing. While he mges can he saw Lucian did it a couple time before.
Now, that scream hadn't come from surprise. It had been meant to draw them in… to test their reaction.
Jackson stepped forward, his trembling hands picked up sammy head. His jaw clenched, tears swelled up, despite only knowing him for a couple months, he couldn't help but shed a tear for him.
"Sammy... I'll get revenge for you."
The members unsheathed their weapons, eyes sweeping the forest darkness. The camp's air thickened with killing intent, it was tense and suffocating.
Mason stepped beside Jackson, his arms crossed. His eyes gleamed as he asked coldly, "Who are you people? Seems like you don't understand the rules around here."
"Ha! Ha!"
In that moment, a low, mocking laugh echoed throughout the forest. Then rustling of leaves began, dirt sliding as dozens of figures emerged from the ground, dressed in brown doubles and vest, brushing themselves off like they had just crawled out of graves.
They stood in loose formation, eyeing the camp with sneers and bloodlust burned into their scared faces.
A few younger bandits, wild-eyed and twitchy, snickered under their breath, exchanging excited glances like they were waiting for permission to pounce.
One, a tall man with braided hair and a wolf's fang hanging from his neck, licked his blade slowly as he stalked toward the wagons. He muttered, "Been a while since we had a good harvest… Hope they fight back."
Another one… a skinny, old man with sunken cheeks and sharp eyes stepped forward.
"Mighty Deliverer Jackson," his voice rasped, "Hand over everything, and we'll let you live. Resist… and none will leave here alive."
Jackson frowned but quickly calmed himself. He took one step forward.
"Silver Bandits…" he muttered. "I figured someone was watching. So it's you vultures."
The old man chuckled darkly. "No need for small talk. We overheard something about a relic. Hand it over. Otherwise, your so-called 'Mighty Escort' ends here. A single artifact isn't worth your lives."
Jackson eyes scanned the Silver Bandits.
How did they hear about a relic? That shouldn't have been public. And we don't even have one… Wait. Maybe it's not the relic they want… it's the shipment itself. They know how valuable it is.
His gaze shifted subtly to the Mason.
Jackson took a deep breath, then stepped forward and declared in a deep, commanding voice.
"Whether we or not I have the relic, are you going to steal it from me with your inferior fight capability?"
He normally wasn't one to boast. He had no real combat prowess, not enough to face the infamous Silver Bandits directly. But this wasn't the time to appear weak. Not now, when fear could kill faster than any blade.
Despite, his past at being a pit fighter in North Frico, forced to fight to pay off a family debt. That's where he earned the nickname "Iron Sledge."
He had originally planned to give away something of his own, because as Asher said they don't have any Relic.
Also what he had was worth alot. Jackson collected currencies from every kingdom he delivered to. He believed every coin has a story, and his pouch is filled with tales of places he never had time to stay in.
The Silver Bandits, name comes not from silver loot, but from a cursed silver mine where their legend began.
At the back of the group, Halcyon noticed Aiden quietly shifting his feet, inching backward toward the trees. She frowned and instantly grabbed his arm.
"What are you doing?" she hissed. "Scared? Stay close… we'll protect you."
Aiden froze, shame flashing across his face. He hadn't meant to run... but his jaw tightened, and something changed in his eyes. Before he could respond…
"Ha!" The sunken face old man barked. "Jackson, you're bold, but it won't matter. Our boss is acting personally tonight. You're already dead."
He stepped back and dropped to one knee.
"The boss has arrived!"
The other bandits followed instantly, dropping to the ground in unison, shouting.
"The boss has arrived!"
In that moment. A cold voice, echoed everywhere and nowhere. It slithered through the trees like a serpent.
"Stop wasting my precious time… Bring out the relic… or die."
In that moment, a flash of silver light tore through the air at blinding speed. It streaked past the carriages and struck one of the guards cleanly through the chest. He didn't even have time to scream.
His body collapsed… lifeless.
Everyone stood frozen in place, stunned eyes widened. A few guards, their grips on their weapons loosened by shock, some weapons clatter to the ground.
Liam's eyes widened in horror. "W-What… what kind of weapon is that?!"
At the same time, a silver light flash through the at a intense speed, passed the carriages, it hit one the guards clean through there chest. Before he could even, scream or move he collapsed.
Everyone, was stunned. Some even lost their grips on their weapons and dropped them onto the ground.
Aiden eyes widened. "What…what weapon is that!?"
Asher stared at the dead guard. His eyes followed the thin, scorched line that the blade had carved into the dirt. Whatever it was, it was sharp, lethal, and precise.
Jackson took a shaky step back. He had heard rumors of their strength… But magic? That part he had never heard in the stories.
He stared at the body, he swallowed hard and loudly.
The old man grinned with pride, a twisted gleam in his eye.
"Of course our boss is a mage. Now, be good and hand over the relic."
The guards turned to Jackson, their eyes pleading. There was no more bravado, no will left to fight. Against regular foes, they might've stood tall.
But against a mage? They were terrified.
Jackson gritted his teeth. He turned to glance at Asher, ready to speak…
Suddenly, three more flashes of silver light tore through the night.
This time, they missed the members… but barely… The threat was clear.
In the back, Halcyon's eyes lit up. She leaned forward slightly.
A spell that made a flying blade more like a dagger… a person still using that spell couldn't be very strong. They won't even be able to beat me at my weakest.
She focused on the forest. A subtle pulse spread from her body… silent and unseen by others, a second later, she sensed him.
A figure stood on a branch, not far from the camp. Early twenties, cloaked in darkness, his face gloomy and marked with scars. He looked fierce… but his energy was thin.
Fragile
"They hides behind theatrics. Light tricks. Flashing blades." She muttered.
She knew, he was masking his strength, but she could sense the truth… he wasn't strong.
Meanwhile, Asher was putting pieces together.
Too many things weren't right.
Since the beginning everything has been suspicious. The first thin we heard is about the silver Bandits. They decided to come to us first… old man sammy. Aiden trying to run away, how he easily decides to travel with anyone.
Why did this feel too clean, too staged? Could someone have orchestrated this entire encounter?
At that moment, Aiden stepped up beside him and let out a long sigh.
"Friend," he said quietly, "Just give it to them. If we survive this, we'll make it up to you. The enemy's a mage, and they have numbers. What could us mortals do against them?"
Jackson heard everything and snapped, "Aiden! What the hell are you talking about? He can't give them something we don't have!"
Asher's eyes narrowed. Something was off.
At that moment, he saw.
Aiden's head dropped, and his jaw clenched. His right hand… glowed faint green, while everyone else didn't.
"Tch!"
Instinct took over. Asher spun around just as Aiden's glowing fist shot toward his back.