"So, this is that idiot campsite, huh?" Ash muttered, observing the simple layout. "It doesn't look like it was set up too long ago; even his sleeping bag is intact very well. Seems like he only just set up camp when he ran out of luck and got himself in big trouble..."

Despite being a noob himself who only a few things about the investigation which he had seen from moves and novels, Ash couldn't help but be surprised by the sight. A small, rough campfire built with stones lay beside an expensive, comfortable-looking sleeping bag. The incongruity made it difficult to believe this was the site of a crime scene.

"That monster seems a very calm-tempered guy... Wow! A medieval cart wagon!" Ash exclaimed. "This is my first time seeing one, but sadly, it's in a terrible state - old and teetering. If I climbed on, it might break apart. It seems that either the peddler's business isn't going well, or... he even sells his original wagon to satisfy his little brother? This seems more in line with an arrogant, brain-dead young master template."

"Sigh, unfortunately, it appears that because of the monster the peddler's horses ran away, otherwise, it could be a great help for me. Walking for three or more hours just to cover a simple distance isn't a pleasant experience, no matter how beautiful the scenery around you is."

"Forget it, Let's try to find some clues that could lead me to the peddler." Thinking such, Ash first looked around the carriage to see if he could find hooves or that monster's footprints, but alas, there were none, as the ground was too hard to leave any footprints easily.

"Maybe I should try to look for some clue left behind by that peddler in the hope that someone might come to save him following the clue behind him, like how heroines do in movies... But, this peddler seems to have a few screws loose. The chance of him not wetting his pants and staying composed enough to leave a clue while being kidnapped by a monster seems near impossible...? Wait, what is that?"

Ash suddenly paused, his eyes catching something under the right corner of the sleeping bag. But just as he was about to investigate, a faint sound of footsteps reached his ears.

"So, you're here looking for the peddler's whereabouts, huh? It seems I was overthinking things. How can there be a treasure hunter in such a barren place so close to the Goblin Kingdom?"

Hearing a familiar voice, which gave him a lot of pain in the last few hours, Ash opened his eyes wide with shock. He turned around and saw Urmas casually walking toward him with a small axe on his shoulder and a blade of grass in his mouth.

As if predicting Ash's upcoming question, Urmas's lips curled into a mocking smile. "Wondering how I found you, even though you were hiding so carefully the entire time?"

Ash now wished nothing but to punch Urmas' disgusting face, but for the sake of not getting tortured and making the same mistake next time again, since meeting with Urmas undoubtedly means another death, Ash shamelessly nodded his head with a face as if saying "Quickly tell me".

"Oh? You're quite interesting," Urmas said, surprised by Ash's response. "Even after knowing that no one with a right mind would reveal his secrets just because others asked, you still dare to nod your head so confidently?" He raised a thumb in a begrudging gesture of approval. "You know what, with that level of calmness and shamelessness in front of the enemy, you might have what it takes to be a perfect bandit. But alas, we already have more men than we need right now, and our base has been getting overcrowded recently, so sadly can't recruit you. Maybe in your next life."

"Alright, brat," Urmas rumbled, "where were we? Ah, yes, I'm telling you how I found you. Remember, next time if you try to hide from someone, at least look where you step your foot. Okay, that's enough for greetings, now, be obedient and let me tie you. Don't try to be oversmart with me or resist, otherwise, believe me, you'll feel so much pain you'll beg for death," Urmas repeated the same dialogue from before, after giving Ash a life-threatening warning in cliche bandit style with an ugly smile. He took out the rope hanging on his shoulder and walked toward Ash, who was dazedly looking at him as if in deep thought, making Urmas a bit vigilant, after all, from his perspective Ash is just too calm which is not normal at all.

This text was taken from Royal Road. Help the author by reading the original version there.

"Sigh, then believe me as well Little Uncle? No one in this world can make me beg for death," Ash finally realized where he made a mistake, came back to his senses, and gave Urmas, who had stopped moving, a confident look.

"I have a special relationship with a certain Lady Death. Anyway, so shall we start another round of heart-to-heart interaction between two men?"

Saying such with a smile, Ash, who had already determined to become strong by overcoming the mountain called pain, which recently became the most hated part of his life, moved his arms while taking out his dagger, ready to take full advantage of Urmas. After all, it is not easy to find such a serious and easy-to-use sparring tool, I mean a partner as Urmas, who not only will not kill him directly but also uses his big mouth to give pointers and priceless advice from time to time.

"Boy, you are thinking too highly of yourself. Do you really think you can defeat me? Hahaha, you are just asking for a beating," Urmas, who felt humiliated by Ash, as soon as he heard the words Little Uncle, who clearly looking down on him because of his height, spoke with a fake smile while gritting his teeth.

"Who said I wanted to defeat you? I am very aware, okay, I know I could never defeat a veteran warrior like you. Well, let's say that I have always wanted to become a powerful warrior like you, unfortunately, with no fighting knowledge within my family, I never received proper training," Ash explained, his voice laced with a hint of helplessness. "Therefore, whenever I encounter someone skilled in combat, I seek a few pointers. Of course, I understand you wouldn't provide such instruction gratis. How about this - If you can spare a few minutes of your precious time and teach me a bit about fighting, I will fully cooperate with you later. Anyway, it's not like I can escape from your strong hands, right?" He said flirtingly, making Urmas nod his head in satisfaction. Ash instantly became more pleasant than before in his eyes.

"Good," Urmas conceded. "My eyes weren't deceiving me. You indeed have some talent. Well, although you are already doomed, considering it is your last wish, I don't mind giving you a bit of a beating, I mean teaching. Let's see how quickly you absorb the fighting lessons," He spat the blade of grass out of his mouth and swung his axe, attempting to loosen his stiff muscles. "But be prepared, Kiddo. I'll ensure the experience will be... unforgettable."

"Then please," Ash countered, a mischievous glint in his eyes, "be gentle. I heard attractive slaves fetch a higher price than their less fortunate counterparts."

Urmas, who had already decided to give Ash a few wonderful marks on his face so he could also become as handsome as him, suddenly paused because what Ash said indeed made sense. He carefully looked at Ash's face, which was undoubtedly far more handsome than him or any other bandit in his group and couldn't help but fall into deep thought. This process lasted for a few seconds before a smirk crept across Urmas's lips as he erupted into maniacal laughter.

"Come here, kiddo," Urmas roared, extending his arm. "Let me show you the ways of a true warrior!"