The bandits had recently fattened their purses by raiding merchant caravans passing through this area.
They didn't even have a name for their group. At the center of it was a swordsman named Jack.
He was a former mercenary turned bandit, known for wielding a broad blade with a skill that made it seem effortless.
Strictly speaking, he was a deserter, but there was no need to bring up his past while living the life of a bandit.
Jack stepped forward, brushing past the man who had taken the lead.
'Have they lost their nerve just because of some swordplay? Or are they putting their faith in the Frog?'
In situations like this, all you had to do was break the nose of the one standing at the front. After that, the rest would crawl on their bellies.
That was his plan.
Clang.
Without a word, Jack drew his sword and struck down.
It was a near-perfect trajectory, one he had rarely experienced in his life.
As he swung his sword, Jack felt something different—there were moments when fortune blessed you, when your strike was sharper than your actual skill.
It was a sliver of time.
He targeted the man with black hair who stood at the front. It was obvious to anyone that he was the leader of the group.
If he killed the leader, the rest would be easy.
The Frog might be annoying, but Jack was confident.
With just a little effort, he was someone who could rise to the level of a Junior Knight.
'Damn those Knights.'
For some reason, thoughts of them came to his mind.
But why did it feel like time was moving so slowly?
Everything around him seemed to slow down. In that moment, something swiftly passed by.
It was faster than the raccoon he once saw in the mountains as a child.
Back then, he only saw a shadow, and while his friend said it was a rabbit, Jack had insisted it was a raccoon.
It had indeed been a raccoon.
As Jack was lost in thought, he suddenly saw the sky and ground flip.
Huh?
Before he could even think that he was dizzy, he saw a body standing motionless on the ground.
A person without a head, who had been swinging a sword.
The clothes it wore were strangely similar to his own.
His thoughts ended there.
In one swift motion, Encrid beheaded Jack and flicked the blood from his sword in a horizontal sweep.
The bandit's blood splattered onto the ground from Aker.
Jack had recently made a name for himself as a mercenary. He was also a deserter who had survived in the borderlands of the Demon Realm.
He knew the lay of the land here and was planning to make a big haul and then disappear.
But not even a month into his banditry, he met Encrid.
Jack wasn't the type to die in a single strike. Yet, that's exactly what happened.
"Run!"
The remaining bandits scattered in panic. Even the one with the bow didn't dare to draw his string.
It was only natural. Jack had been the reason this band of bandits had held together until now.
Without him, none of them would have stayed in this line of work.
But now, that fearsome Jack had been beheaded with a single stroke. Panic set in, and the remaining bandits instinctively fled in all directions.
Encrid didn't bother to chase them.
"They'll die on their own."
Rem said as he wiped his nose. And why wouldn't they? Scattering like that in a land teeming with monsters? They might as well be praying for death.
They had encountered quite a few monsters and beasts on their way here.
While it was unusual for bandits to attack, it wasn't uncommon for monsters or beasts to do so.
After all, they appeared to be just a group of four on the surface.
Some groups even attempted ambushes, but none of these monsters were capable of outsmarting them.
Besides, it wasn't common for a monster or beast to slip past Dunbachel's keen senses.
"Too easy."
Dunbachel remarked.
"It must be that time of year when those types run rampant."
Luagarne added.
She seemed to know something, so they asked her.
"There are times when monsters surge like waves. Some particularly troublesome ones show up, and when that happens, you end up fighting without sleep. The pay isn't great, and you're almost certain to die if things go wrong, so it's only natural that some would desert. But this group was quite large."
There had been over twenty bandits clustered around one leader. Could they all be deserters?
Listening to Luagarne's words brought back old memories.
Specifically, a former comrade's words came to mind.
"It's foolish and stupid."
Encrid had agreed.
"We need to run."
That's what he had insisted.
A man-eating bear, turned monstrous, had attacked the village. It was a newly established village, just gathering its people.
It wasn't a job. It happened while they were passing through and staying overnight.
His comrade's words made sense.
Encrid understood all too well.
"Is this foolish or stupid? Holding out here with our skills is suicide!"
His comrade had been angry. Even though Encrid knew it was a foolish act, he still did it.
The monstrous bear had eaten people, and Encrid had seen the child of one of its victims crying.
The child had barely survived, but how much longer could they live? No one knew.
It was clear that more children like that would appear.
Children who had lost their mothers.
Mothers who had lost their children.
People who had lost their loved ones.
People who had lost their friends.
People who had lost their comrades.
These kinds of things were common across the continent. The threat of monsters was always like a blade pressed against one's throat.
People were dying. It was clear to see.
But even knowing that, should one turn away just because what lies ahead is dangerous?
Even knowing that there are people desperately struggling to survive?
Encrid shook off his thoughts and absently looked at his palm.
It was a palm full of scars, where calluses had been broken and then broken again.
What had he intended to do when he first picked up a sword with these hands?
He had taken up the sword to protect his own back.
It was because he had decided to live that way that he was here now. So it was only natural that he wouldn't stop.
"Let's go."
Encrid said.
The difference from the past was that back then, he only had comrades who turned away from him, but now, it was different.
"Let's do that."
A barbarian followed without a second thought.
"We should."
There were also a beastwoman with golden eyes blinking and the Frog.
'Should I consider this a luxurious group?'
Encrid suddenly had such a thought.
Honestly, these were people who could wipe out most monsters the moment they encountered them.
And they had done so up until now.
* * *
The group headed straight toward the borderlands, staying in villages when they found them, and camping out if there were none.
No one found camping uncomfortable.
They were all familiar with it, if not downright used to it.
So today, they were camping out.
It seemed there weren't any small villages nearby because there was a large city not too far away.
Soon, they would see the city guarding the borderlands of the Demon Realm.
The group found a spot where two large rocks flanked them, leveled the ground, and lit a fire before the sun set.
Dunbachel caught a rabbit, and Rem prepared it and made a stew.
"If you can cook like this, why don't you do it in the barracks?"
Dunbachel asked curiously, and Rem chuckled as he replied.
"This is field cooking, that's proper cooking."
"How about just sticking to field cooking from now on?"
Encrid sometimes thought Dunbachel was fearless. Though she didn't seem to do it knowingly.
"You've been quiet lately, haven't you?"
Rem asked as he sipped the stew. A drop of broth ran down the edge of the wooden bowl.
"What do you mean?"
"Sparring."
"I haven't been quiet."
He had been. Rem had been staying low-key for some reason, which was why he was fearless. It seemed he was back to normal now, though.
"Finish up and come out. Beastmen can regenerate a leg or two, right?"
"No, we can't!"
"Oh, was that the Frog?"
Rem knew how to provoke people. He was surprisingly good at talking in moments like these.
It would be nice if he were like that when teaching as well.
As Encrid watched them, Luagarne, sitting beside him, spoke up.
"The mood seems worse than before."
"What does?"
"Just a feeling."
"Does it?"
"So, would you like to learn the Frog's step?"
The conversation didn't quite make sense, but Encrid didn't question it. Learning was a process. Encrid knew how to put aside minor awkwardness.
Encrid placed the empty bowl down. The dishes could be washed later in the stream he had scouted earlier.
If Dunbachel didn't pass out, she could do it.
As expected, learning from Luagarne was enjoyable.
"You bend the knee of the leg that's extended backward. From there, you gather strength and push forward in one burst, reducing the distance without the opponent realizing it by showing them your front leg. It's called the Frog's Step."
It was more of a dashing step than a sword technique.
In a way, it was similar to the Valen Mercenary Sword Technique.
The technique involved feinting with the front leg and pushing forward with the back leg.
Additionally, the Frog taught him a few other steps.
She explained how to jump down from a moving carriage, how to fight while on horseback, how to fight someone on horseback from beneath the horse, how to deal with unfamiliar monsters, and Fairies' techniques for blocking arrows.
The best technique for blocking arrows was using a shield.
But she also said practicing to block them with a sword wasn't a bad idea.
She was truly an excellent teacher.
"That's pretty good."
Rem said, who had been listening nearby, nodding in agreement.
Encrid was an ordinary person who had to work hard to master something once it was taught.
Luagarne broke down each process to teach him.
He even learned how to jump down from a rock while holding a sword in each hand, roll, and regain balance.
Time flew by with step training alone that day.
Before they knew it, the moon was shining brightly, and Dunbachel was washing the dishes.
Even though she was limping after being hit by Rem, it was clear to anyone watching that she was faking it.
"One more limp and I'll cut it off."
Rem said, and Dunbachel's walk quickly returned to normal. She had been faking it.
She's quite the actor, Encrid thought as he went to the stream to wash off his sweat.
He returned, cleaned up his spot, and went to sleep.
While lying down, Encrid continued his training in his dreams.
He started with basic steps like lunging, passing, and gathering, then moved on to steps that closed distances and steps that confused the opponent about distance.
After waking up, they cleaned up their camp, reheated the leftover stew from the previous night, and continued their journey.
Although summer was supposed to be ending, it was getting hotter and the air more humid as they traveled.
Luagarne liked the weather, Dunbachel didn't mind, but the weather wasn't pleasant.
The Frog naturally liked this damp weather, and Dunbachel, who prided herself on not bathing, seemed fine as well.
The air became even more humid after a brief rain.
Encrid felt like he had forgotten something along the way.
'I forgot.'
He hadn't informed Sinar. She had asked him to let her know the next time he went somewhere, but Krais would probably explain things well enough.
With that thought in mind, he continued walking.
"The smell of blood. A beast."
Dunbachel said, and Encrid felt a murderous intent within the range of his sixth sense.
This was a main road. The path to the city. It wasn't a trail worn down by travelers' feet, it was a paved road.
And yet, here a beast had appeared?
No matter how hungry they were, such things were not common.
Especially considering that just ahead was the gateway city guarding the borderlands of the Demon Realm.
"Grrr!"
A few hunting dogs that had turned into beasts appeared. They were much larger than normal dogs.
First bandits, now beasts. While they had encountered monsters on their way here, encountering beasts in this area was a different issue.
This area was inside the city. That is, it was on the opposite side of the Demon Realm.
While it might not be unusual for a few ghouls to show up, it was strange for hunting dogs that had turned into beasts to appear here.
"Is the situation getting worse?"
Luagarne said, blinking her large eyes and puffing out her cheeks.
She had once worked on various things in the Royal Palace and knew a bit about such matters.
It seemed that the number of monsters coming from the Demon Realm was not small.
If that weren't the case, these hunting dogs turned beasts wouldn't be roaming around here.
The bandits earlier were the same.
Normally, a band of thieves wouldn't be able to operate so freely in this area.
If they blatantly raided travelers, the Knights would come and swiftly cut their throats. Who would dare engage in banditry near here?
'Is the situation out of control?'
Watching the unfolding situation, Luagarne began to make some assumptions.
None of them were good.
Meanwhile, four beasts charged at them without fear.
While Dunbachel stepped forward and cut off the heads of two with her curved sword, another pounced on the horse carrying their supplies.
It did so by circling around, pretending to flee, and then suddenly leaping at the horse's throat. It had jumped from the ground and bit the horse's neck.
If it had been a battle-hardened warhorse, it might have avoided the attack, but the horse they had brought along was a regular riding horse.
It wasn't trained for combat.
As the horse was bitten on the neck, it let out a sorrowful cry.
Neigh!
The horse's blood poured over the hunting dog's hide, staining it a dark crimson as the hide absorbed the blood.
It had been an unexpected attack. Rather than targeting the threatening Dunbachel or the other companions who were glaring with killing intent, the beast had gone after the horse?
'Clever.'
Since when were beasts this intelligent? Even its size was far from ordinary.
The way it feigned a clumsy charge before targeting the horse made it seem as though the beast had learned tactics.
Luagarne quickly dispatched the beast that had killed the horse with a swift kick.
Screech! Squeal!
The beast's belly burst open, spilling its innards, under the force of the Frog's kick.
"Something's not right."
Luagarne muttered repeatedly as she withdrew her extended leg.
This area was under the control of the Red Cape Knights. It wasn't unusual for beasts to appear, and even monsters could show up. But this was too much, too frequent.
"There are too many of them."
"The scent is still lingering."
Dunbachel added after Luagarne's comment.
Rem glanced around, sensing something was wrong too. Although they were approaching the Demon Realm, this was still the area beneath the city's walls, which should have been relatively safe.
If it weren't, they wouldn't have bothered building such a well-paved road.
Encrid examined the horse's neck. It wouldn't survive. Having been bitten by a beast, it would likely turn into one if they were unlucky.
"I'm sorry."
He said.
They had grown attached during the journey, but it felt like he hadn't properly taken care of the horse.
Neigh.
The horse whinnied. Encrid swiftly ended its suffering by cutting its throat.
The horse's blood pooled on the stone pavement. Stepping through the blood, Encrid spoke.
"Let's keep going."
If they weren't going to turn back, the only choice was to keep moving forward.
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