The few bandits have an eager look in their eyes, they order us to give up our supplies, specifically the magic cloak, and my earring.

I comply with giving them the cloak, but as I try to take off my earring, I notice it is not budging. I try to imagine the feeling of when I put on the necklace, trying to reverse the earring into a removable necklace, but I fail.

When I try to tell the bandits in front of me that I am unable to remove the earring, they talk amongst themselves, debating on what to do.

Some of bandits debate on whether it’s cursed, they come to the consensus that even if it is, if they can remove the curse, then they can sell it.

I haven’t seen a mirror or asked anyone, but it sounds like this earring looks expensive.

Eventually after the discussion, one of the bandits comes up to me, and fiddles with the earring, trying to see if he can remove. Of the bandits, none are able to make any progress with the removal of the earring, but one of them has quite the terrible suggestion, “Why don’t we just cut it off? Then we can leave.”

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This is truly a terrible idea that I would prefer them not to go through with, and during this time, Alver and Ellie look distressed at me.

Just before I am able to tell them to not cut my ear, one of them grabs a knife and attempts to cut through my ear.

The knife hits resistance, and I wince, but there is no pain, the knife has failed to cut my ear.

Next the bandits try to cut the earring instead, which I much prefer, but they meet resistance once again.

I am getting fearful, It hadn’t fully hit me before that I was in quite a lot of danger, but now as time progresses, I’m starting to realize just how much danger I’m truly.

These bandits show no qualms with hurting me, other than likely getting a larger target on their back. I don’t know what these bandits might do, but I really want to get away.

I might be able to run away, but I would leave Alver and Ellie behind. I’m not strong, just fast, so I can’t carry them.

I don’t know how to fight, and I’ll probably lose if I do.

As I’m thinking of how to get out of this situation, I suddenly feel a sensation of pain coming from my chest, which only grows as I feel something tear a large amount of my flesh.

I look down as I see blood stain my torso, staining my plain grey t-shirt and pants a vibrant red that is filled with swirls of purple, white, and other colors. I never noticed it before, but my outfit has stayed clean this whole time, not a single drop of dirt has permanently stained it. I wonder if blood is the same…