Kyle finally calmed down, and began looting the bodies. Kyle didn't know where he was (though he ws starting to think that maybe this wasn't Earth, which was a problem) but he was at least pragmatic. They certainly weren't going to be using their stuff anymore, unless there was a respawn mechanic or easy ressurection. Which I guess I can't completely rule out...

He found that their weapons were actually all sharp, which confused him. Were they not trying to kill him? Hadn't they hit him with these weapons? He kept the sword and a knife, after all, he'd gone through a lot of bullets in this encounter, and the gun wouldn't last forever. Heh, that would be a curveball if it did, Kyle thought.

It didn't even work right. Every bandit took multiple shots to bring down. Even the one that I essentially held a gun to his head took three shots to kill, Kyle pondered, trying to make sense of it. I know I don't miss that much. I'm a pretty good shot.

Kyle shrugged. After checking the pockets that weren't bloodsoaked for valuables he walked over to the places they came out of and pulled his gun back out. Tracking, Kyle thought, and started to look for tracks and traces that they'd passed this way. Oddly, some of the bent branches and things glowed slightly, and it was extremely disconcerting. But it made things a little easier, so he didn't question it too much and just kept walking. Not long after, he found a clearing with a firepit in front of a cave. The bandit's camp, he thought, sneaking around the clearing. He tried to see if there were any bandits left in camp as he circled it. He didn't see any, but he heard some soft weeping from the cave.

Kyle slowly crept along the edge of the clearing to the cave, and peeked in. It was dark. He crouched and went in, trying to find a big rock to hide behind while his vision adjusted.

"H-hello?" a feminine voice sniffled. "Who's there?"

Kyle finally started to be able to see in the cave, and crept towards the voice. The cave ended in a metal door that was locked on the outside, though a key lay on an outcropping next to it, tucked just out of sight from it's barred window.

"Hello?" the voice tried again, and when Kyle didn't answer, it shouted. "Let me out, you bastards! You can't keep me here forever! Whether for ransom or slavery, you have to let me see the sun again at some point!" A clinking sound followed, the sound of chains piling on top of each other. "Please," she whimpered. "Please just let me see the sun again, just once."

Kyle froze, pressing against the wall, waiting for a response from bandits whose compatriates he had slain. There was nothing. after several tense minutes of waiting, the voice sighed. "I guess it was just an animal," she said. "My captors must not be back yet."

Kyle walked up to the door, and peeked in. Inside the cell sat a young woman, chained to the wall. She may have been tall, but she sat with her knees tucked up against her chest, shaking slightly. She wore a faded yellow shirt and simple brown pants, and her hair was an unkempt mid back length mess of blonde.

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Skill Requirements Met!

Sneaking Available

Kyle nearly jumped as a blue box popped into his vision again. He backed away from the door, but she evidently heard his muffled suprise and looked up at him. Her eyes were a bit bloodshot and despondent, but they locked onto his, and she sneered at him. Kyle frowned. Why was she- Oh. She thought he was one of the bandits.

"If I let you out, do you promise not to attack me?" Kyle asked the girl.

The girl started, as though she'd never been asked before. Then she frowned, evidently considering it. Then she nodded. "I won't attack you if you let me out," the girl said in a resigned tone.

Kyle walked over to the key, grabbed it, and turned the lock, opening the door. He went into the room, and the girl started again.

"You aren't one of the bandits," she said with surprise.

"No," Kyle said. "And if I'm lucky, we can be out before any of them get back or whatever. How many of them were there?"

"I think there were five of them?" the girl said. "They might have had some more men in the past, but they've fallen on hard times recently. Thus, kidnapping me." She scowled. "Just because I'm a low-level elf. They could sell me for a fair bit on the slave market. We'd been heading in the direction of Dewdrop, I think."

Kyle paused in unlocking her manacles. "Five of them? You're sure?"

"I know it's a lot, but don't just stop! If they come, they'll murder you! A mere Lv 2 like yourself couldn't possibly stand against two of them, let alone all five!" the girl panicked.

"There were just the five of them." Kyle repeated.

"Yes!" the girl shouted. "That's what I said!"

Kyle laughed a little, and went back to unlocking the manacles. "I guess we can stay here tonight then," he said. "I doubt they'll be bothering us." Kyle frowned, and looked up at the elf. "How did you know what level I was?"

"Uh, I identified you?" the girl said. "Don't you have Identify?"

"Not yet," Kyle admitted. "What's your name? I'm Kyle."

"I'm Millie," the elf said. "You really don't have Identify? That's such an easy spell to get, too. Super inexpensive."

"Nope," Kyle said. "I'm honestly surprised you speak English. I can only imagine what it would be like for someone who got here from Japan." He stood up, unlocking the last manacle. "And by the way, the bandits are dead."

"WHAT!?" Millie yelled. "H-how? When?"

"I did it, and I cheated. There's a reason gun control laws exist." Kyle said. "I just happen to be a licensed carrier."

"You killed them? At level 2?" Millie said in disbelief. "Are you some kind of Champion?"

"No! Of course no-" Kyle cut himself off as he remembered his title. Champion of Creativity. "Uh, I guess just a little?"

"Can you get me home?" Millie asked warily.

"I think so, but I'd like to do so tomorrow, if possible. I also want to stop by the car and level up before we leave the immediate vicinity."

"OK!"

Quest Requirements Met!

- Meet a friendly intelligent

New Quest Available

Kyle grinned. "Don't worry, I'm sure we'll get you back home in no time."