Saya's knees hit the ground, dust rising slightly from the impact. She clenched her teeth, wrists bound behind her back. To her sides, Lina, Rui and Yiren knelt in the same predicament, their expressions a mix of anger and disbelief.
But it was Jang who caught her attention—the one standing freely, arms crossed, a smirk playing at his lips.
"Jang, you!" Rui spat, struggling against his restraints.
Saya's glare sharpened. "So that Mustang Black Rabbit… was it part of your plan? You lured us here on purpose?"
Jang let out a small chuckle, shaking his head. "Nah, that was just a lucky stroke. I needed an excuse to keep you all here for the night, and the rabbit just happened to show up. Saved me some trouble."
"Good work, Jang," a deep voice rumbled.
The bandit captain stepped forward—a tall and lean man, his muscular frame exuding both power and menace. He scanned the captives with a satisfied smirk before turning to his men. "We've got a nice haul here, but…" His eyes narrowed. "There were six tents. We're missing one."
Jang's smirk faltered for a second before he raised his brows. "Oh, right. The kid."
"Spare him, Jang!" Saya interjected. "He's got nothing to do with this!"
"The kid?" The bandit captain looked intrigued.
"Yeah, some random brat decided to tag along on our little 'expedition,'" Jang said with a shrug.
One of the bandits emerged from a tent, scowling. "Boss, this one's empty."
The captain's expression darkened. "He's probably taking a leak. Search the area. Find him."
"You bastard!" Saya growled. "He's just a kid!"
Jang turned to her, amusement flickering in his eyes. "Spirit Stones are Spirit Stones. If his background is dirt poor, well... there's always demand for slaves."
Yiren gritted her teeth, struggling against her restraints, while Rui cursed under his breath.
Saya could only clench her fists, her nails digging into her palms. ( Kazel… please, just run ).
Kazel remained one with the shadows, his presence nothing more than a whisper in the night. Stealth was second nature to him—after all, how many failed assassination attempts had he survived in his past life?
They couldn't see him, but he could see them. Every movement, every shift in weight, the way their eyes darted impatiently—he absorbed it all. His ears caught the soft crunch of boots against damp soil, the subtle rustling of leaves as the bandits searched.
Minutes passed. Then—
"We found nothing, Captain!" one of the lackeys called out, returning empty-handed.
Jang let out a breathy chuckle. "Heh, smart brat. Must've bolted the second he saw us."
"Lucky kid," the bandit captain grumbled, shaking his head. "But it doesn't change a damn thing. We're moving. Bring them to the leader."
"You're right," Jang smirked.
"Oi, bastards! Get up!" The captain delivered a sharp kick to Rui's side, earning a pained grunt before forcing the rest to their feet.
Their march through the forest was eerily quiet, save for the occasional sob from Lina.
"Shh! Stop crying!" the captain hissed.
"How did it come to this…" Rui muttered under his breath, his fists clenched.
---
As they trudged deeper into the wilderness, the terrain shifted. Soon, they arrived at a cave—its entrance wide and menacing, the air thick with dampness. Flickering torches lined the tunnel, their flames casting eerie shadows against the jagged walls. The deeper they walked, the more apparent it became.
This wasn't just a hideout.
It was a stronghold.
Stalagmites and stalactites adorned the massive cavern that lay ahead, the natural formations intertwining with wooden scaffolding and crates—supplies, stolen goods, weapons. The bandits had made themselves comfortable.
Yet, just outside the cave, standing at the entrance beneath the full moon, Kazel watched.
The pale light framed his silhouette, casting a long shadow across the rocky ground. His lips curled into a smirk—not of amusement, but of anticipation.
The bandit leader lounged on a crude throne, a slab of carved stone covered with beast pelts. He was a tall, lean man with muscles honed from years of raiding, his body a tapestry of scars that told stories of countless battles. A gourd of strong liquor dangled from his fingers, the aroma of cheap booze thick in the air as he took another swig.
His black eyes flicked toward the approaching group, gleaming with amusement. He licked the excess liquor from his lips before grinning.
"Jang, Tako, I see you guys are bringing me dough," he drawled, stretching his arms.
The kidnapped cultivators were forced to their knees, lined up like trophies before him. Jang stepped forward with a smirk, gesturing to the captives.
"Fancy," the leader murmured as he rose to his feet. He reached down, picking up Lina's spear with a casual grip. Spinning it once, he let his gaze settle on her, watching her chest rise and fall with fearful, uneven breaths.
The corner of his mouth curled.
In a flash, he slashed downward.
A sharp tear filled the silence, but no blood spilled. Lina gasped, her robes had been sliced clean through, exposing the bare skin of her shoulders and stomach. Though her undergarments still covered her, humiliation burned hotter than any blade.
The bandits erupted into laughter, jeering and whistling at the sight. Lina shuddered, her sobs growing heavier as she bent forward, trying to shield herself from their gazes.
Saya clicked her tongue in disgust, her eyes blazing with fury.
The leader caught the sound and turned his head, his amusement deepening. "Hmm?"
He took a step toward her, letting the spear drag lazily across the ground.
"Oh?" He tilted his head, looking her up and down. "Got something to say, girl?"
Saya's glare said more than words ever could.
The bandit leader chuckled. "Feisty one." Then, without warning, he slashed again.
A sharp rip.
Saya flinched as fabric fluttered to the ground, her robes now tattered like Lina's. The bandits howled with laughter, their delight filling the cavern. But unlike Lina, Saya did not sob—her jaw clenched, and her eyes burned with silent rage.
"Stop it!" Yiren shouted, her voice trembling.
The leader turned, his smirk widening. "Hahaha! I'm a fair leader, am I right, boys?!"
"YEAHHH!" The cavern echoed with drunken cheers.
The leader's hand tightened around the spear. He drove it upward with a swift motion.
RIIIP.
Yiren gasped as her robes tore apart, baring the soft skin of her collarbones and shoulders. The bandits whooped in glee, their laughter mixing with the flickering torchlight.
Satisfied, the leader finally turned toward Rui. He studied him for a moment before scoffing.
"Not worth the effort," he muttered, tossing the spear aside with a clatter. He slumped back onto his throne, taking another swig of liquor, a satisfied smirk still playing on his lips.
The bandits continued their raucous laughter, drinking and cheering at their leader's display of dominance. The cavern reeked of sweat, booze, and the damp musk of unwashed bodies. Flickering torchlight cast eerie shadows on the walls, making the stalagmites resemble jagged fangs ready to swallow the captives whole.
The bandit leader leaned back on his throne, tapping his fingers against the armrest. His black eyes scanned over the captured cultivators, drinking in their despair like the finest liquor.
"Jang, you really brought me some fine little birds this time," he said, his tone half-amused, half-impressed. "I might just let you keep your cut this time."
Jang grinned and bowed theatrically. "Always a pleasure, boss."
Lina was still trembling, clutching the remnants of her robes tightly around her. Yiren's face was flushed with humiliation, her hands gripping her torn clothing. Saya, though outwardly composed, was seething. Her wrists were bound, but her fingers curled like claws, itching to tear flesh.
Rui, however, kept his head low, his mind working in overdrive. ( We were careless, ) he thought bitterly. ( If only I noticed Jang's odd behavior sooner... )
The bandit leader took another swig from his gourd before tossing it aside carelessly. "Alright, boys," he called out. "Throw them in the cages. We'll decide what to do with them tomorrow."
The bandits let out approving grunts and laughter as they moved in.
"Oi, be careful with that one," Jang gestured toward Saya. "She's a fine catch. Might be worth more in one piece."
Lina flinched as rough hands grabbed her arms and yanked her to her feet.
"A-Agh!" she winced as the bandits manhandled her.
Saya thrashed as two men seized her by the shoulders. "Touch me again, and I'll rip your fingers off!"
One of the bandits just laughed. "Yeah? With what hands, sweetheart?" He squeezed her wrist cruelly, causing her to wince.
Yiren refused to make a sound, even as her legs wobbled under her.
Valuables were stripped from them, all while the bandits gloated over their finds.
Kazel had no interest in watching the bandits flaunt their pathetic displays of dominance. They were nothing more than bottom-feeders who mistook cruelty for strength. He had seen true power in his past life—he had wielded it himself. These fools? They were just another stain on the world, waiting to be wiped clean.
While the bandits were too busy jeering and stripping the captives of their belongings, Kazel had already slipped deeper into the cavern, moving like a ghost through the shadows. Their raucous laughter and the crackling of the torches masked the sound of his silent footsteps.
( Weaklings love to hear themselves talk. It makes it easier for them to ignore their shortcomings )
Before long, he found himself in what he assumed was the supply room. The scent of dried meat, damp wood, and old blood hung in the air. Crates and sacks were stacked haphazardly against the rocky walls. Some contained grains and provisions, while others held weapons—mostly stolen, judging by the variety of craftsmanship.
Kazel crouched down, sifting through the stolen goods. He wasn't interested in wealth or common weapons, but what he did need were tools—something useful to level the playing field.