The caravan loomed ahead, bustling with activity as the guards and drivers made their final preparations to move out. The captain, Tung Poe, rode at the front of the line, his presence commanding and purposeful. His sharp eyes swept over the scene before landing on me. His gaze was hard, calculating—measuring whether I was worth the risk.
“Wang Jian,” he called out, his voice firm, “take this traveler to the rear wagon. Treat his injuries, but keep him out of sight and away from the clients. If we’re attacked, he’s your responsibility.”
“Yes, Captain,” Wang Jian replied without hesitation. Turning to me, he gestured toward the rear of the caravan. “Come on, Jayson, let’s get you patched up.”
Grateful but apprehensive, I followed him, leaning heavily on my makeshift walking stick. My injured leg throbbed with each step, but the prospect of safety—even temporary—spurred me on.
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A WARY WELCOME
As we approached the rear of the caravan, I took in the disciplined movements of the guards. Each one carried themselves with an air of readiness, their weapons gleaming in the fading sunlight. The group’s cohesion was undeniable, and their focus on their surroundings made it clear they were no strangers to danger.
Wang Jian led me to a quiet spot near a wagon laden with supplies. Two men stood nearby, their contrasting demeanors immediately catching my attention. One was older, with a rugged appearance and a massive war axe resting against his shoulder. The other was younger, with sharp features and an impeccably maintained glaive that gleamed in the low light.
“Ming Lian,” Wang Jian called, his tone easy but firm. “We’ve got someone who needs tending to. Can you help?”
Ming Lian turned to us, his eyes narrowing as they landed on me. “Another stray? You’ve got a soft heart, Wang Jian.”
“It’s the captain’s orders,” Wang Jian replied, undeterred. “Come on, Lian. Patch him up.”
With a reluctant sigh, Ming Lian motioned for me to sit. He inspected my injured leg with a mixture of disdain and efficiency, muttering complaints about dirt and blood as he worked. Despite his grumbling, his hands were skilled. The pain dulled slightly as he applied a pungent ointment and wrapped the wound in clean bandages.
“Thanks,” I said quietly.
Ming Lian didn’t respond, already returning to his glaive.
“Don’t mind him,” Wang Jian said with a chuckle. “He’s not big on manners, but he knows his stuff.”
I nodded, though I couldn’t shake the feeling of unease that hung in the air. The guards were clearly on edge, their vigilance hinting at an underlying tension. Whatever awaited us on this journey, it wasn’t going to be easy.
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AN UNEXPECTED ATTACK
The uneasy calm shattered with a deafening explosion from the front of the caravan. The ground trembled beneath us, and shouts erupted as chaos descended.
“Stay here!” Wang Jian barked, drawing his sword in one swift motion. He sprinted toward the source of the commotion, his movements fluid and precise.
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Ming Lian grabbed his glaive, his sharp gaze scanning the treeline. “If you value your life, stay out of the way,” he said curtly before disappearing into the fray.
But staying still wasn’t an option. I crouched behind a stack of crates, gripping a broken spear I’d scavenged earlier. The sounds of battle grew louder—clashing steel, guttural cries, and the harsh bark of commands.
Peeking out, I saw a wave of masked attackers swarming the caravan. Their dark clothing and coordinated movements made them nearly invisible in the dim light. The guards fought valiantly, but the sheer number of assailants threatened to overwhelm them.
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A GLIMPSE OF POWER
I scanned the battlefield, I realized Wang Jian wasn't just skilled—he was extraordinary. His movements were precise, his strikes deadly. If he weren't so badly outnumbered, this fight would already be over.
Ming Lian was no less impressive. His glaive spun in wide arcs, deflecting blows and retaliating with crushing force. One swing shattered an attacker’s weapon; the follow-through sent the man flying into a wagon, his body crumpling like a ragdoll.
Despite their efforts, the battle was turning against the guards. More attackers poured in from the shadows, overwhelming the defenders with sheer numbers.
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A DESPERATE STAND
A sharp cry drew my attention to the center of the fray. Wang Jian faced a berserker wielding twin axes, the man’s body radiating a crimson aura that seemed to fuel his relentless assault. Wang Jian’s sword darted and parried, but the berserker’s raw strength forced him to give ground.
Ming Lian battled a heavily armored opponent wielding a massive hammer. The two clashed with thunderous force, their blows sending shockwaves through the air. Despite his skill, Ming Lian struggled to match the bandit’s brute strength.
My heart pounded as I watched the chaos unfold. I was a spectator to a fight that would determine whether I lived or died.
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MY FIRST KILL
A sudden movement to my left snapped me back to reality. A bandit had broken through the defenses and was heading straight for me, dagger raised.
Instinct took over. As the bandit lunged, I thrust the broken spear forward. The jagged tip caught him in the chest, driving deep into flesh. He gasped, his eyes wide with shock, before collapsing at my feet.
I froze, staring at his lifeless body. My hands trembled, the weight of what I’d done pressing down on me like a physical force.
A familiar blue glow surrounded the bandit’s corpse, and the System’s interface flickered to life:
[System Update: Skill Available]
Before I could process the notification, another bandit charged. Grabbing the fallen dagger, I sidestepped and drove the blade into my assailant’s side. He crumpled to the ground, and I stumbled back, panting.
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TURNING THE TIDE
Wang Jian and Ming Lian regrouped, their combined strength shifting the tide. Wang Jian’s precise strikes and Ming Lian’s devastating glaive swings created a deadly synergy that cut through the attackers.
The berserker roared in fury, his attacks growing faster and more erratic. Wang Jian exploited an opening, his sword finding its mark and forcing the berserker to falter. Ming Lian delivered the finishing blow, his glaive smashing into the berserker’s ribs with a sickening crunch.
The remaining attackers retreated, their retreat marked by the triumphant shouts of the guards.
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AFTERMATH
The battlefield fell silent, the air thick with the metallic scent of blood. Wang Jian approached me, his sword still dripping. “You’re alive,” he said, his tone a mix of relief and surprise.
“Barely,” I replied, my voice shaky.
Ming Lian joined us, his expression unreadable. “You killed two of them.”
I nodded, the weight of my actions sinking in. “I… didn’t have a choice.”
Ming Lian’s gaze softened slightly, and he gave a curt nod. “Good. You’ll need that resolve to survive in this world.”
As the guards tended to the wounded, I sank to the ground, exhaustion washing over me. The battle was over, but the journey ahead felt more uncertain than ever.
In the distance, the captain’s voice rang out, issuing orders to secure the area. The caravan had survived, but the danger wasn’t over. This was only the beginning.