They waited in silence, their eyes scanning the bushes for any signs of movement. Suddenly, a small rabbit hopped out, grazing on the foliage. Roh let out a sigh of relief and chuckled to himself. "It's just a rabbit," he said with a grin, his voice filled with amusement.

Lorne rolled her eyes at Roh's comment, but couldn't help but smile at his lightheartedness. "I know, I know," she replied, "but old habits die hard. Can't blame a girl for being cautious."

Roh grinned, feeling a sense of relief flood through him. "Well, I think it's time for you to take a break and let your hair down. We're on an adventure, we should enjoy it!" he said, slinging his arm around her shoulder.

As they continued on their journey, Roh stumbled over a rock, nearly losing his balance. He quickly regained his footing, clutching Taro tightly to his shoulder to keep the young creature safe. Lorne caught him and helped him steady himself, her grip strong and reassuring.

"Looks like your guard is never up," Lorne quipped with a grin, her eyes twinkling with amusement. "As a hunter, one should always be aware of one's surroundings."

Roh let out a chuckle, feeling a sense of ease wash over him. "Yeah, I guess I got a little too caught up in the moment," he said, rubbing the back of his head sheepishly.

"Just make sure to keep your eyes on the environment and not just on me," Lorne said playfully, her voice light and teasing.

The peacefulness of the surrounding was suddenly disrupted by Noona, who let out a loud bellow of warning. The couple quickly sprang into action, drawing their weapons and preparing to defend themselves.

Emerging from the shadows, a trio of ominous figures loomed before them, their faces twisted in cruel grins. As the trio of figures emerged from the shadows, their silhouettes seemed to grow larger and more menacing with every step. The cruel grins on their faces were like slashes of a knife, and the glint in their eyes was like the reflection of a predator stalking its prey. "Looks like these lovebirds were too busy flirting to notice us coming," one of them said with a chuckle.

"Next time we'll make sure to keep a vigilant watch for any brooding thugs lurking in the shadows,” remarked Lorne, her eyes defiant.

“We’ve been ambushed,” said Roh, somewhat still in shock.

"Thanks for stating the obvious, Roh," Lorne said, rolling her eyes. "Now, can you focus on finding a way to get us out of this mess?"

"Ah, look lads, a lovers' spat," one of the figures jeered, eliciting laughter from the others.

As the three figures closed in on Roh and Lorne, the couple quickly assessed their surroundings, looking for any advantage they could use in the fight. They were standing in a clearing, surrounded by dense forest and rocky terrain. The sky was overcast and dark, with a thick blanket of clouds covering the primordial light. The wind was blowing fiercely, sending leaves and twigs flying around them, making it harder to see and hear. The air was heavy with the scent of rain, and it was obvious that a storm was brewing.

Roh decided to try and use [Identify Species] on the figures not sure if it would work on them. Fortunately, to his surprise it did.

Henchmen 1: The Brash Brute - Level 5 (Human)

Henchmen 2: The Grimy Goon - Level 5 (Human)

Henchmen 3: The Deadly Drunkard - Level 5 (Human)

The first henchman, known as the Brash Brute, loomed over Roh and Lorne with his massive six-foot-tall frame and muscular build. His dark, weathered skin and thick beard spoke of a rugged life in the wilderness. His deep-set eyes glinted with a fierce determination, like a predator on the prowl. He wielded a massive battleaxe that appeared too heavy for a mere mortal to handle. His movements were slow and deliberate, as if he was gathering momentum like an avalanche.

The second henchman, named the Grimy Goon, was a repulsive sight to behold. His small, wiry frame was covered in a layer of grime and dirt that made him seem like a creature from the sewers. His shifty eyes were bloodshot and set deep within his skull, giving him a menacing appearance. His perpetual smirk betrayed a deceitful nature, as if he took pleasure in the pain of others. He twirled a rusted dagger in his hand as he circled Roh and Lorne, his movements quick and agile, like a snake ready to strike. The stench of sweat and filth emanating from the Grimy Goon made it clear that he was not to be trifled with.

The third henchman, the Deadly Drunkard, stumbled around with a broken bottle in hand. His tattered, stained clothes and red, puffy face hinted at years of heavy drinking. His eyes glinted with wildness, like a caged animal about to break free. The stench of alcohol permeated the air around him.

The trio closed in on Roh and Lorne with a cocky swagger, grinning wickedly as they prepared to attack. The brute let out a deep, rumbling growl, the Goon giggled maliciously, and the drunkard hiccuped and swayed from side to side.

Roh and Lorne tensed up, their muscles coiled and ready to strike. The henchmen circled around them, like vultures circling a fresh kill.

Roh and Lorne found themselves outnumbered as the brash brute, Grimy Goon, and deadly drunkard closed in on them. They circled the duo, grinning wickedly as they prepared to attack.

Noona was stationed nearby, watching the fight with a sense of alertness and readiness. The massive beast was used to the chaos of battle, and she stood calmly, her eyes scanning the area for any potential threat.

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The brute charged forward with a bellow, swinging his axe in a wild arc. Roh and Lorne separated, dodging the attack.

Taro had slept through all the noise, but was jostled from its slumber by the chaos and violence surrounding it. Roh's sudden movements, meant to evade and overpower the henchmen, nearly knocked the delicate creature from his shoulder. In a moment of panic, Taro's claws dug into the fabric of Roh's tunic, gripping tightly as it sought to find purchase and steady itself amidst the turmoil. As Taro's claws dug into the fabric of his tunic and his skin, Roh felt a sharp sting of pain. He winced and gritted his teeth, trying to focus on the fight and not let the pain distract him.

The tiny creature looked around in confusion and alarm, its wings flapping wildly as it tried to make sense of what was happening. Roh quickly noticed Taro's distress and tried to soothe the creature while he fought, speaking to it in a calm and reassuring voice. But Taro, not used to the chaos of battle, panicked sensing danger and quickly sought refuge behind Noona's massive legs, using the auroch as a shield from the violent scene.

The Goon took advantage of the opening to lunge at Lorne with his dagger. She parried his attack with her sai, the clash of metal ringing through the air.

Meanwhile, the drunkard stumbled towards Roh, swinging his broken bottle in a haphazard manner. Roh sidestepped the attack, grabbing the drunkard by his collar and throwing him to the ground. The brute swung his axe once again, forcing Roh to retreat as he dodged the deadly blade.

The Goon circled around Lorne, striking at her from behind. She spun around, using her sai to deflect the attack and kick the Goon in the chest. He stumbled back, tripping over the drunkard as he fell to the ground.

The brute's rage mode kicked in, his eyes glowing with a fierce determination as he charged towards Roh once again. Roh dodged to the side, slicing his knife across the brute's arm. The brute let out a roar of pain, but refused to go down.

The drunkard got back up, his eyes wild as he lunged at Roh.

Roh's instincts kicked in as he dodged the first blow, feeling the wind of the bottle whistle past his ear. He circled around the drunkard, keeping his eyes on his opponent's movements. The drunkard was unsteady on his feet, but his blows were fueled by a desperate anger.

Roh waited for the right moment to strike. As the drunkard stumbled forward, Roh sidestepped him and delivered a swift kick to the back of his knees. The drunkard crumpled to the ground with a thud, dropping the broken bottle which smashed on the ground.

The Brash Brute advanced on Roh, his massive battleaxe raised above his head. As the Brute closed in, Lorne unsheathed her twin sai from her belt. She took a deep breath and focused her mind, entering a state of heightened awareness.

The Brute swung his battleaxe in a wide arc, aiming to cleave Roh in two. Lorne darted forward, her sai flashing in the air. She aimed for the Brute's wrist, hoping to disarm him before he could strike.

Her aim was true. The tip of her sai pierced the Brute's skin, causing him to drop his weapon with a howl of pain. Lorne pressed her advantage, delivering a quick strike to the Brute's solar plexus, knocking the wind out of him.

The Brute stumbled back, clutching his wrist in agony. Lorne seized the opportunity to strike again. She lunged forward, driving the point of her sai into the Brute's chest with a swift, decisive blow. The Brute let out a gurgling cry and fell to the ground, dead.

Lorne withdrew her sai, wiping them clean on the Brute's clothes. She looked over at Roh, who was panting heavily but unharmed. They nodded at each other in silent agreement, knowing that the other henchmen would not be far behind. They steeled themselves for the next attack.

The Grimy Goon took the opportunity to attack Lorne. Roh saw red as he watched the Grimy Goon try to harm Lorne. He lunged forward without thinking, his own knife flashing in the moonlight.

The Goon saw him coming and tried to sidestep, but Roh was too quick. He grabbed the Goon by the arm, twisting it painfully and causing him to drop his own knife.

"You picked the wrong person to mess with," Roh growled, his voice low and dangerous.

He used his free hand to punch the Goon in the face, stunning him. Then, with a swift motion, he drew his knife across the Goon's face, leaving a deep, bleeding gash.

The Goon shrieked in pain and fell to the ground, clutching his face. Roh stood over him, breathing heavily, his own knife still in hand.

"You should be glad I didn't kill you," Roh spat. "Now get out of here before I change my mind."

The Grimy Goon scrambled to his feet, his hand clutching the bleeding wound on his face. He whimpered in pain, but his eyes glinted with fury as he glared at Roh and Lorne.

"You may have scarred me, but I'll have my revenge," he hissed, his voice full of malice. "You haven't seen the last of me."

He stumbled away, his movements unsteady as he disappeared into the darkness of the forest. The rustling of the leaves and the distant sounds of his footsteps were the only signs of his retreat.

Roh and Lorne stood there, panting and watching him go as his threat of revenge lingered in the air like a dark cloud.

An alert popped up on the party log.

Alert: Grimy Goon will remember that. Due to your choice in actions of scarring him, Grimy Goon now holds a grudge against you and will seek revenge with increased ferocity. Beware, as Grimy Goon's hatred towards you has now risen to the level of 'Bane'.

Due to your actions of scarring him, Grimy Goon's animosity towards you has escalated to the level of a '[Bane]', manifesting as a unique ability called the "[Heartbinders Chain]." This ability allows Grimy Goon to conjure icy chains that can ensnare targets. Once a target is caught by these chains, they suffer from "[Frigid Blight]," a condition that significantly weakens them by reducing their mobility and inflicting continuous cold damage. The chains not only immobilize the target but also amplify Grimy Goon's ability to control and dominate the battlefield. Be cautious, as this new power makes Grimy Goon a more formidable and dangerous adversary in his quest for revenge.

Roh's heart pounded as the memory of the Frigid Blight's harrowing effects flooded his mind. The vivid recollection of the victim he had seen in Tuck’s hut – immobilized, pained, their vitality drained away by the unyielding cold – triggered a mix of empathy and terror within him. His breathing hastened, envisioning the numbing grasp of the blight.

Yet, amidst the rising tide of fear, Roh's instinct to survive kicked in. He couldn't help but let out a frustrated grumble, "Seriously? A bane? Just what I needed. Another overpowered enemy with a grudge. Thanks, game devs."

Lorne smirked at Roh's annoyed response, her eyes sparkling with amusement. "Oh come on, Roh, don't be such a sore loser," she teased. "You know we can handle whatever these game devs throw at us."

She twirled her sai in her hand. "Besides, a little challenge is good for us. It keeps us on our toes," she added with a grin.