Early in the rising of the Sun, I set off on my journey. Turned out having a huge travel pack full of food was not the best of ideas. 10 miles after I left the village and I was already getting tired.

Man, I guess this trip is going to be harder than I thought.

I had set off east towards the direction of Will City and my goal, the Unyielding Dojo.

I was traveling pretty slow, and the road went through semi forested hills, which turned out to be harder to tread on than I thought.

Luckily, I had worn my standard issue combat boots that the Defense Force gave to its members, even the reserves. They were quite comfortable and durable, but also not heavy and cumbersome, perfect for a long march, a journey in this case.

By the time it was midday my energy reserves were running quite low, and I was hungrier than I had been at any time in recent memory.

I decided to stop to camp out a few meters to the side of the road so that I could prepare myself a proper meal. Kill two birds with one stone, lightening the load I had to carry, and filling my stomach.

The spot I chose was nice and comfy, as well as well hidden from the main road, while also giving me a good view of the surroundings so nothing could sneak up on me. It was because of the way the hilly terrain was sloped that this was possible.

I took out the required utensils as well as the food, and I started to prepare it. Nothing too special, some dried rations, some boiled water for some tea, and special energy bread they sell at the market. Triple portions of everything that's the way I roll.

***

Three men were sneakily walking down the main road leading out of Beans Village.

It was a big and weird colored big-nosed guy holding a sword, a tall and lanky guy holding a spear, and an imposing man with humongous hands.

All three looked like they came straight out of a cartoon. But the evil gleam in their eyes was anything but cartoony.

“You sure he went this way Noug”

“Of course Biras, my nose has never proven me wrong I got the smell of that guy and his coin burned to memory.”

“Hahaha with such an ugly nose like that it better be useful, or else why even have it, hahaha.”

“You want a taste of my sword Yose, I wouldn’t be talking at least I can actually get close to a female, with that vile spit of yours, you can’t even kiss a girl!”

“Youuuu! What female would let an ugly thing like you even get close.”

“Shut it you idiots you’re both hideous, the only way we'll get what we want is by rising to the top, and for that to happen you guys have to become Rankers, then everyone will respect us. But in order for that to happen, we need resources, we need Platinum, and the best way to get it is to take it, so get your mind in the game and stop squabbling like idiots. Especially when the price is right in front of us.”

“You’re right Biras, sorry, I'm just sensitive about my nose, but with it, I’ll definitely lead us to that sweet Platinum coin, with it we'll have enough to upgrade all our equipment with Ranker items and squash all the bugs.”

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“I guess your nose is useful, you’re right Biras all that matters is power, forget everything else let's go catch us this juicy rat.”

“That's more like it, with our Evolved abilities there's no way a mediocre traveler like him, who can’t even be called a true warrior, could stand up to us. The Platinum coin is as good as ours.”

“Biras I smell the rat no longer moving, I think he’s stopped you think he sensed us, he seemed to be quite wary back in the Market.”

“No I highly doubt it, we're too far away from sight, especially in this hilly terrain, I’m sure he’s just stopping to take a break pshhh! Amateur! Alright, boys now’s our chance it's time to get what's ours!”

***

I had taken my sweet time enjoying my meal, for how simple it was it had tasted amazing to me. Man, I loved food, one of the few things that made a normal life worth living.

I had definitely taken more time than I should, I could sense it was already getting late but I was in no rush, no one said a journey had to be rushed, I'm going to take in the scenery and approach everything calmly and carefully.

Speaking of which nature calls time to enjoy the scenery somewhere else.

I ran to the side of the hill and picked a good spot to do my business. It took me no more than a couple of minutes. But it was a glorious couple of minutes.

A started to head back to camp when a bad sense of foreboding suddenly took over my senses.

For some reason, I instinctually moved to the side but not fast enough.

I immediately sensed an intense amount of pain in the left part of my chest closer to the gut. Something had hit me. It felt like something had torn through my skin.

I didn’t have time to look at what it was, because at that moment I heard something that sounded like a spitting noise, I saw an ominous-looking liquid fly straight at me.

With no other choice, I dived forward in order to avoid the liquid. If I got hit with it, who knows what would happen.

I was being attacked!

By whom I did not know, but they had obviously been following me for a while now since they had the time to plan an ambush.

Shit!

Well whatever I’ll think about the details later, fight back so you don't die.

I immediately pull out my slingshot from my side after dodging the liquid, but upon gaining a better foothold and preparing to load a shot I hear the sound of running.

I look up and see a stocky man with a big weird-colored nose and a sword, and a tall man with a spear, right on the stocky man’s heels charging at me.

I immediately started to panic, they were too close for comfort, they would reach me in a matter of seconds, and then I’m sure I’d be finished. There's no way I could beat these guys in hand-to-hand combat.

I tried my best not to panic, but the anxiety was getting the best of me. My hands started shaking and I couldn't think of what ammo to use.

”Screw it Guso! Who cares pick one or else you're going to die!”