Bandits… Bandits are the scum of the world—the absolute worst of the worst and the shit-stained underside of the bottom of a barrel. Beautiful communities with fantastic people have fallen to trash like this, which always infuriates me whenever I think about it for too long.

These bandits before me aren't the same scum from my world, but they don't have to be. These are just beasts in the shape of people. But even then, some of them don't even look human, and I don't mean that in just a derogatory way. There are folks with green skin and tusks, others that look human but with pointy ears, some have pure black, almost purplish skin, some bird person, and what can only be described as a bull with muscles that can stand on its hind legs.

With Basti prowling around, I count a total of 10 bandits. Through Basti, I can smell smoke and the musk of filth. It doesn't take long, but I find a camp that these bandits have seemingly set up. It's currently empty, with the dying embers of fire from that morning having been improperly put out. There's little to see regarding personal effects, some scraps of bread and dried meats over by a wagon covered with filth, though Basti can pick up the stench of dried blood.

One tent looked nicer than the others, having Basti step inside; there was a proper cot with a feathered pillow and blue cotton sheets. Across from the cot was a desk, which had some red silk covering. Having Basti peer over the edge, there are a few books and a couple of scrolls of some kind, along with an ink well and quill. Between the desk and the bed, along one of the walls of the large tent, was a chest, like one of those simple latchkey chests. It's not like Basti can open it, so I don't bother asking her to.

After a few moments, I decided to try and take these items, like how I can pull in the stuff from the cave. It takes more energy than it would've compared to trying to do it within the confines of my bubble, but we clear out the only tent with anything worthwhile.

Stalking out, Basti makes her way back to where the bandits seemed to be set up. There's a fairly wide dirt road, and I would say an F-250 and a half could drive down this with little to no issue. The bull-man and the green-skinned woman seem to be chopping down a decent tree by the road, performing one of the most simplistic and overused gambits common enough to transcend worlds.

Basti… Wipe out this filth from my territory; let none escape.

I don't need to guide her; after replying with a confirmation she steps forward and melts into shadows. That... Well, I wasn't expecting that. She starts from the outside of the group, her presence sliding up to a purple-skinned woman and a human-looking man who was shooting the shit. In a flash of darkness, Basti lunges out, claws outstretched and slashing the man's throat. Pushing off the still-standing corpse and pouncing on the woman, her head soon finds itself in the open maw of Basti, her ferocious fangs clamping down and crushing the skull with a sharp, twisting motion that leaves the head dangling; some strands of the flesh are the only thing keeping the head attached as a shower of blood sprays up from the neck of the woman.

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Basti is gone in a flash, the corpses barely landing with dull thumps into the dirt and grass by the time she's dived back into the shadows, whereas I received vast amounts of energy, images, and memories that aren't mine flashing through my mind's eye. I learned some things, but honestly, I could give two shits about that. There's more scum to exterminate.

Basti circles around the group, finding a loner who seems to be off starting a golden river. Basti didn't even give him the courtesy of using her claws, lunging up and out of the shadows as she slammed her paws into the back of his head, smashing his brain case into the tree in front of him. The corpse remained there for a few moments before falling back, grey viscera sticking in clumps against the tree as he crumpled into a heap. I receive another wave of energy, the feeling almost addictive as I seem to grow more powerful with each kill, finally a good use for bandits.

And it's not only me; while Basti may receive only a fraction of the energy I might be getting, it's a considerable amount. She's moving faster yet proceeding with even more care as she stalks her prey silently without relying on shadows.

Basti soon comes across a well-dressed, pointed-ear woman in purple robes with some silver trimming adorning her body and leaning on an ornate staff. She looks almost bored, watching the bandits work on setting up. She doesn't look like a Bandit, but she's by no means a prisoner or here against her will, so she may as well be complicit. That means she's got to go.

Basti accepted the go-ahead as she rushed forward toward the woman. However, it seems she was more aware than she previously appeared, her gaze snapping over towards Basti at the last second and moving to dodge, receiving a deep gash along her plump thigh as she spills to the ground with a scream. Basti skids to a stop as she comes around for a second pass.

Though the ambush site is soon buzzing with activity, sounds of movement rushing towards the screaming woman. Basti ducked under a whizzing arrow she sensed before even I reacted. The pointed-ear woman is shouting words that I vaguely understand, though I know for sure it isn't any language I know. Suddenly a wave of ice launched out from the end of her staff at Basti, the big cat tanking the hit as her teeth clamped down on the woman's throat, ripping and tearing with a smooth twist as she continued to run, diving into the next shadow.

Next is an even more grisly and brutal scene as four of the remaining bandits are screaming and calling out for their allies, striking blades into shadows and loosing arrows at the slightest movement. There was some grim humor for me as Basti pounced down on a black-skinned man, the notched arrow from his bow being loosed as he ended up nailing the green, tusked woman right in the eye.

All that was left was the bull-man, who was easily 7-8ft tall and wielding a massive war hammer. He was bellowing a challenging call to Basti, who accepted it as she stepped out from behind a large tree, her ebony maw glistening with the brutally fresh red blood of his comrades. She rushes the bull, who takes a step back due to the pure intimidation he feels facing Basti, who slides between his legs, slashing at his inner thigh with her claws and sending him to one knee. He freaks out, gripping his hammer and wildly swinging into the air. Basti closes back on the bull, ducking and weaving past the swings as she hops onto his back, claws digging into his thick back flesh while she bites into and rips out his shoulder. He's still alive as she pounces off of him, the force of her legs sending him sprawling as his horns rip up the dirt and grass. Basti ducks into a shadow before erupting out beside the bull, landing on his chest as he looks up at her, the sun blinding him as she sinks her teeth into his throat, ripping it free from his body and ending him.

Well, Basti, it looks like you've been holding out on me. I didn't know you could do all that. Honestly, I was expecting this to be a little harder and somewhat unfair to you. My rage against bandits had gotten the better of me. However, I'm proud of you for being able to step up to the plate and excel. Good work, Basti.

Now go ahead and help me collect their bodies and gear. It looks like I have some studying to do.