Adam remained silent, staring intently at Bryan. He stood there with his arms folded, his eyes fixed on the kneeling man.

The quiet of the forest made every sound seem louder. Adam’s mind was busy with thoughts, trying to decide whether Bryan’s words were the honest truth or just part of some trick. His heart beat steadily, but his face did not show his inner conflict.

Bryan’s words had come out slowly, and they seemed genuine. Yet, Adam felt a small knot of doubt in his mind. 'Is he telling me everything? Or is he hiding some part of the truth?' The uncertainty made Adam hold his silence a little longer.

Instead of replying at once, he simply watched Bryan, waiting to see if the man would continue his story.

His eyes did not leave Bryan for a moment, studying every detail: the slight tremble in his hands, the way he kept his eyes lowered, and the careful, measured tone in his voice.

Noticing that Adam was not speaking, Bryan took a small, careful breath and decided to add more to his tale. “There were more of us in the beginning,” he said softly, his voice steady despite the situation.

His words brought a new light of mystery to the conversation. Adam’s brows furrowed slightly as he processed this information.

The idea that their group was once larger caught his interest immediately. It hinted at a past filled with struggle and loss—a past that might explain the hardships the bandits now faced.

Bryan continued his explanation, his voice carrying a hint of sorrow. “Just like what happened to my son Elan… wild beasts attacked us. We lost eleven of our companions. Now, only the three of us remain.” Each word was spoken with a heavy heart.

The pain in his tone made it clear that this was not a tale told for effect or to scare; it was a memory that still hurt. Adam’s eyes widened slightly at the news.

Eleven companions lost in the wild beasts attacks was a large number, and it was more than Adam had expected to hear. The revelation added another layer to the mystery of who these men truly were.

Adam could not hide his curiosity. He looked at Bryan, his voice now filled with both suspicion and genuine interest. “Then why do you continue this work?” he asked.

The question hung in the air as Adam waited for an answer. His tone was not completely harsh, but it carried the weight of his doubts.

He needed to understand why these men, now reduced to just three, still chose the dangerous path of banditry.

Bryan turned his head, his eyes briefly meeting those of his son, Elan, and then his younger brother, Samuel. It was clear that his next words were not easy to speak.

“Because we are forced to do it,” he answered quietly. The word “forced” echoed in the still forest air. Adam’s expression hardened at that single word. “Forced?” he repeated slowly, his voice a mixture of disbelief and the need for more explanation.

Before anyone could speak, Samuel took a moment to gather his courage. His throat tightened as if he was fighting against an overwhelming emotion.

Finally, after a deep, shaky breath, he spoke up in a low voice, “Sir Adam… a demon appeared in our village some time ago. He forces us to steal from travelers, to take anything valuable and bring it to him.” The simple statement sent a shiver through the quiet clearing.

Samuel’s confession was spoken with trembling honesty, and it held a weight that neither Adam nor the others could ignore.

Adam was clearly stunned. He repeated the word slowly, almost to himself, “A demon? You mean a real demon?” His voice carried both shock and a growing sense of wonder.

The idea of a demon had always seemed like a myth or a story told to frighten children, but now it appeared to be a real and present danger.

Bryan, who was still kneeling, swallowed hard. His hands trembled slightly as he nodded, “Yes… you heard correctly, Sir Adam.” The admission was soft but determined.

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For a moment, Adam’s mind raced. He thought about the world they lived in—a world full of magical energy, strange occurrences, and things that defied simple explanation.

If the world held such mysterious forces, then the existence of demons was not entirely far-fetched.

He exhaled sharply, steadying himself as the reality of this confession began to sink in. 'Of course they do,' he thought silently. 'If magic fills this land, then demons must also walk among us.'

Adam refocused his attention on Bryan, who remained on his knees, his eyes downcast yet full of quiet determination.

“And you have a request for me?” Adam asked, his tone calm but firm. He needed to know what Bryan expected from him in light of this revelation.

Bryan nodded quickly, as if relieved to have the chance to speak his mind without interruption.

Adam crossed his arms and leaned back slightly, waiting for Bryan to continue. “Alright. What is it?” he said, his voice clear and direct.

A spark of hope lit up in Bryan’s eyes at that moment. It was a hope that had been hidden under layers of fear and desperation, but now it shone brightly.

“Sir Adam, we saw your power just now,” he began, his voice growing stronger as he gained confidence. “We believe that you can defeat that demon. Please—help us! Free our village from its grasp!” His plea was heartfelt and full of urgency. It was a cry for help born of years of suffering and forced actions.

Adam’s eyes darkened slightly as he listened. He did not respond immediately; instead, he took a long, slow breath. His mind was filled with conflicting thoughts.

On one hand, this request could be a trap—a lure to bring him into something dangerous. His instincts, honed by many battles, warned him to be cautious.

'This could be a trick,' he thought. 'What if they are just trying to use my power for their own gain?'

But on the other hand, if Bryan was telling the truth about a demon terrorizing a village, then Adam felt a sense of duty rising within him. Helping those in need was something he could not ignore.

Adam looked again at Bryan, who was still on his knees, his eyes full of desperation and hope. The sincerity in the bandit’s gaze made Adam weigh his options carefully.

He knew that if what Bryan said was true, then it was his duty to help free these people from the demon’s control.

Finally, after a long silence filled only by the soft sounds of the forest, Adam spoke. “Fine. Show me your village. I’ll come with you.”

His voice was calm but carried a firm resolve. The words were a promise to investigate, a promise that he would see the truth with his own eyes.

Bryan’s face immediately lit up with relief. The tension in his posture eased as he quickly stood up, turning to look at his companions.

Samuel and Elan, who had been listening quietly, also seemed to perk up.

Hope flickered in their eyes, a light that had been dimmed by fear and hardship now burning brighter. For a moment, it looked as though a small victory was within their grasp.

But before any celebration or further discussion could take place, Adam raised his hand sharply, cutting them off mid-action.

His tone turned cold, and his eyes narrowed as he made it clear that his agreement was not an invitation to celebrate. “You misheard me,” Adam said, his voice sharp and unyielding. “I said I will see your village. I never said I would help you.” His words were direct and left little room for misunderstanding.

Bryan’s expression shifted instantly. The relief that had just been evident on his face was quickly replaced by uncertainty and worry.

He stiffened, and the hope in his eyes was replaced by a deep, troubled frown. The atmosphere grew tense once more, and every sound—the rustle of leaves, the creak of a nearby branch—seemed to emphasize the gravity of the moment.

Adam’s expression turned even colder as he continued, “Your actions made me suspicious of you. And any reasonable person would be wary of your words.”

His tone was firm, as though he was laying down a law that could not be broken.

The truth of his words was clear: trust had to be earned, and promises made under duress or desperation were not enough to win him over.

Bryan lowered his head slowly, his face tight with regret and frustration. He clenched his fists as he struggled to find the right words. In a soft, almost pleading tone, he said,

“Sir Adam… if we prove that what we say is true… will you free us? Will you help us defeat the demon?” His question was filled with a desperate hope, a hope that this man before him could be the answer to the suffering that had plagued his people for so long.

Adam locked eyes with Bryan, his gaze steady and serious. There was no trace of humor or lightness in his eyes now; only the cold weight of a promise that was yet to be tested.

His voice was dead serious as he replied, “If what you say is true… then I promise—I will free you and your village from the demon.” The promise was clear and firm, a declaration that if their story held true, then Adam would stand against the darkness that had forced them into this life.

For a long, heavy moment, the forest seemed to hold its breath. The only sounds were the quiet rustling of leaves and the distant call of a bird.

In that silence, the truth of Bryan’s words and the promise Adam had just made hung in the air.

Every person present felt the weight of what was at stake—a chance to break free from the cruel forces that had forced them into a life of theft and despair.

At that moment, as the wind whispered softly through the trees and the dappled light danced on the forest floor, everything came to a standstill.

The bandits, their faces etched with years of hardship and fear, looked up at Adam with eyes full of cautious hope.

They knew that this promise might be the first step toward reclaiming their lives and freeing their village from a fate worse than their own struggles.