The two bandits panicked as Elan’s screams grew more intense. His body shook uncontrollably, and every cry was filled with unbearable pain.

The smaller bandit, who still wore his samurai-like clothes, turned quickly to his older companion.

His eyes were wide with fear as he asked in a trembling voice, “What do we do now? The village is too far away!”

At that moment, the older bandit—the same man who had threatened Adam just moments before—showed his desperation in a new way.

His face, already marked with worry and regret, hardened as he gritted his teeth. Without any hesitation, he spun around and ran toward Adam, his pace filled with urgency.

When he reached Adam, the older bandit fell to his knees in the dirt, bowing so low that his forehead nearly touched the cold earth.

His eyes were full of pleading hope as he looked up at Adam. “Please… I beg you!” he cried, his voice shaking as if he was about to break. “I’ll give you anything you want—just save my son! I swear, I’ll do anything!”

In his desperation, the older bandit reached out with trembling hands and tried to grab Adam’s legs. His fingers brushed against Adam’s clothes as if trying to anchor himself in hope.

But before he could hold on any longer, Adam’s hand shot out quickly toward the bandit’s waist. In one swift movement, Adam drew the bandit’s own sword—the very one he had picked up earlier—and pointed it directly at the man’s face.

“Don’t come any closer,” Adam said in a cold, steady tone. His words were firm and carried a warning that left little room for argument.

The older bandit froze, his hands still reaching out in midair. A flash of fear crossed his face for a brief moment, but that fear was soon mixed with a desperate determination.

His eyes pleaded with Adam as he slowly clasped his hands together in a gesture of begging. “Please… Save my child!” he pleaded again, his voice now softer but filled with raw emotion.

Adam looked down at the man for a long moment. In his eyes, there was a calm evaluation. He thought quietly,' I thought this guy was just another arrogant bandit… 'Yet now he saw that even in a man like him, a caring heart could be found.

It was a surprising discovery, one that Adam had not expected when the older bandit first ran to him in panic.

Taking a deep breath, Adam let out a long sigh. The wind stirred the dust around them, and for a few seconds, everything seemed to pause.

Finally, Adam spoke in a tone that was neither harsh nor overly kind. “Fine. I’ll heal your son,” he said. His decision was made with care, but there was no extra word of comfort in his voice. “Now back off.”

At these words, the older bandit’s face broke into a look of pure relief. He nodded so quickly that it almost seemed as if his head might spin off. “Thank you! Thank you so much! Please—just help him!” he cried, his voice a mix of gratitude and desperation.

Without wasting another moment, Adam turned and strode purposefully toward Elan. The injured boy lay on the ground, his small body convulsing from pain.

Behind him, the older bandit hurried to his side, calling out, “Just hold on a little longer, Elan!” His words were desperate, filled with the hope of a father who would do anything to see his son safe again.

Elan’s breathing was ragged. His body was weak from the burning pain that had scorched his lower back. He clutched the dirt with his fingers, as if the gritty earth might somehow help him feel more stable.

Every gasp he took reminded everyone around him of the severity of his injury.

Adam knelt beside the boy and looked into his eyes, searching for any sign of hope behind the pain. The older bandit glanced back at Adam, his face filled with worry and silent questions.

He must have believed that Adam carried some kind of medicine or a potion that could ease the pain. That was the only way, he thought, that his son might be saved from the terrible burn.

But what Adam did next stunned them all. Instead of reaching into a bag for a potion or searching his pockets for an ointment, Adam simply placed his hand gently over the burned area on Elan’s back.

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His face was calm, and his eyes focused on the injured skin as if he were looking for the source of the hurt.

Then, in a calm yet commanding voice, Adam said just one word: “Heal.”

The moment that word left his lips, something remarkable happened. A soft, radiant green light burst forth from Adam’s hand.

It spread slowly at first, then faster, wrapping around Elan’s back like a warm, gentle glow. The bandits—and even Sophia, who had been watching from a short distance away—stared in wonder as the miraculous change began.

Elan’s scorched skin started to change right before their eyes. The burnt flesh, which had looked so raw and painful, began to peel away slowly.

It was as if the green light was washing away the damage, replacing the charred skin with smooth, healthy tissue. Within mere seconds, every mark of injury had disappeared. The burns vanished completely, leaving behind skin that looked as good as new.

As the radiant green light faded away, Elan’s breathing began to steady. His body, which had been trembling in agony, slowly relaxed.

A look of surprise and relief spread over his face as he realized that the terrible pain was gone. The older bandit, who had been watching every moment with his heart in his throat, could barely believe what he was seeing.

The two bandits—both the older one and his thinner companion—were left completely speechless. They had witnessed a miracle right before their eyes, something they could not explain with the simple words they knew.

Slowly, as if coming out of a deep trance, they both dropped to their knees. In a sign of respect and awe, they bowed their heads low to the ground.

“Who… Who are you?” one of them whispered, his voice barely audible over the quiet sounds of the forest.

His question was filled with genuine wonder and a touch of fear, as if he was afraid that such power might not be meant for ordinary people.

Adam slowly stood up and dusted off his hands. He did not look proud, nor did he smile at the sight of the awed bandits. He simply appeared tired, his expression unreadable as he took in the scene.

Nearby, Elan, now free of pain, slowly pushed himself up from the dirt. He reached out hesitantly toward his back, his fingers brushing over the area where the burns had once been. His eyes grew wide as he realized that the terrible injury was gone.

Turning his face toward his father, Elan said in a voice filled with amazement and relief, “Father… The pain is gone!” His words were soft but carried a deep sincerity that touched the heart of his father.

The older bandit’s eyes widened even more, and his face broke into a look of pure relief and joy. He wrapped his arms around his son, as if he could never be sure that he had truly saved him.

The sound of Elan’s recovery filled the air, mingling with the rustle of leaves and the distant call of the wind.

Elan then turned to Adam, his small face shining with gratitude. In a respectful gesture, he bowed deeply, pressing his forehead to the ground.

“Thank you… Thank you so much!” he said, his voice steady now and filled with thankfulness. It was a moment of pure gratitude, where the pain of moments ago had been replaced by hope and relief.

But Adam, who had worked quickly and without any extra flair, simply took a small step back. His eyes were cool and his expression remained indifferent.

“Now, get out of my way,” he ordered sharply. His tone brooked no argument, and his words left no room for further discussion. “I don’t have time to waste on roadside bandits.”

At his words, the older bandit’s face lit up with relief once again. He nodded eagerly, understanding that any delay could bring more trouble than comfort.

“Yes, yes, I understand,” he managed to say, his voice still shaking from the intensity of the moment.

Then, Adam turned his gaze toward Sophia. In that brief moment, their eyes met, and Sophia nodded silently.

It was an acknowledgment of the decision that had been made—a decision to move forward and leave behind the painful scene.

With that silent agreement, Adam turned on his heel and began walking down the dusty path once more, leaving the group behind.

The forest around them was quiet, the only sounds the soft footsteps on the ground and the distant calls of nature. The air still held the faint, green glow of the healing light, a reminder of the miracle that had just occurred.

The bandits remained on the ground for a moment longer, their hearts filled with a mix of wonder and fear, knowing that they had witnessed something beyond their understanding.

Sophia watched Adam’s retreating figure with a thoughtful expression. There was much she could not understand about the power he possessed, but she knew that in that moment, he had shown mercy despite the hardships they all faced.

Her mind replayed the events—the panic, the desperate pleas, the miracle of healing—and she felt a strange calm settle over her. It was as if the forest itself had exhaled a deep sigh after the tension of battle.

For the older bandit, relief had replaced desperation, but questions still lingered. He slowly rose to his feet, carefully looking at the spot where Adam had knelt beside his son.

In his mind, he wondered what kind of man could heal wounds with just a word. His thoughts were interrupted by the sight of his son, Elan, who was now standing up and testing his back.

The simple act of touching his healed skin filled the father with overwhelming gratitude and relief. Even in the midst of chaos, hope had managed to find a way.

The younger bandit, still in his samurai-like attire, looked at his companion with newfound respect and a touch of awe. His earlier panic had faded into a quiet acceptance of the strange events.

He realized that sometimes, even those who had once been enemies could show a kindness that changed everything.

In that moment, as the forest settled back into a gentle calm, the two bandits silently acknowledged that they had witnessed a miracle.

Adam’s figure grew smaller as he continued down the path. His steps were steady and purposeful, and though his expression remained hard, there was a hint of something gentle in his eyes—a reminder that even in the hardest of battles, mercy could be found.