Moments before the chaos at the bandit camp, Kite and the masked man had tailed after the five bandits who tried to mobbed after Mr Kesh back at the town. The journey took longer than usual because two bandits had already experienced the pain of having their kneecaps shattered as they tried to carry themselves across the desert.
Kite looks at the masked man as they get closer to their destination. He gave a glance. Thinking to himself, what on lumen does he have in mind when he said to see what will happen to the bandits. The closer they got, the more nervous and scared Kite got.
"We are getting closer now. I don't care how physically strong that guy thinks he is. A hundred over people still counts as a small army. Maybe it was a mistake to follow him here." Kite thoughts to himself.
As if on queue, the masked man chuckles as if he heard his thoughts. He fills in the details on their next course of action. What transpires is something ridiculous, even with the existence of magic.
"If you are wondering what the next step is, it is simple. I just need to sink the entire base."
"You do realize that is a base the size of a village!"
"Yes, I do. According to my estimations, I need to hit that spot over there, then down they go."
The masked man points towards a spot right at the front entrance of the base when they arrived. Kite couldn't believe that the answer to his question was a literal frontal assault. As incredible as it sounds, taking on a small army is quite absurd. But something about the way he said it bothers him a lot.
"Wait, did you just say estimate?"
"Yes, what about it?"
"No matter how someone hears about it, you sound like a madman, not gonna lie."
"If I were a madman, I would try and go after them without any form of plan, won't I?"
"That's still something a crazy person will say!"
"Haha, relax. I can deal with hundreds of them no problem when I feel like it."
"You are lying..."
"Numbers meant nothing to me. Besides, common sense is for the inexperience when it comes to tactical knowledge."
"Wha-"
"Well, listen kiddo, just because it's something impossible doesn't mean it's all impossible. Only the naive fools would think something is impossible because they failed at where many other people succeed."
"Impossible is impossible because no one can do it!"
"Impossible is for those who don't know the way, not for those who do. Are you saying that it's possible to serve tens of tables in a short time when many other places failed?"
Kite couldn't counter any sentences that come to him. Just like he said, he can do it because he knows how to. After giving it some more thought, it is true. Not many places can indeed keep up with how Mr Kesh runs the bar. The longer they talk, the more he realizes that the man before him sounds completely sane. The only thing that counters that charm was that neutral attitude of his.
The man smiles with his masked appearance. What comes next can only be described as a diabolical mastermind.
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"Do you know why the bandits choose Libertas in the first place? Bandits are particular about targets, sure many of them show up at other kinds of similar spots but not like this place."
"Why?"
"Bandits only pick targets they consider easy. Just because it's a well-known route doesn't mean they can win against everything. You do realize they suddenly become the talk of the town recently, right?"
"Yes, they are especially dangerous because of their number!"
"No, it isn't because of numbers which makes them considered dangerous."
"Huh?"
"Don't you think it's strange that a bandit this size is only known for its number now compared to their first appearance?"
Kite ponders for a moment. The first mention of the Praedam bandit was indeed three weeks ago. Kite realize what he meant by strange. Three weeks to reach hundreds of members does sound illogical when thinking about how bandits work. Kite is amazed he picks up some crucial detail people had not talked about when it comes to those bandits. The man explains even further about that conspiracy.
"You get it now, don't you? Easy targets. Plenty of time to run away. Authorities failed to do anything to them. Major trade spot. Easy resupply of goods. Far from proper reinforcement. Outpost Libertas is a bandit paradise."
"How did the founder not realize about it! He is never a bad leader!"
"It isn't because he is bad leader-wise. The thing about outposts like these is how strategically placed they are when it comes to routes. Security is an entire aspect people could not put much thought into when it comes to an outpost like this. Because-"
As they talked, Kite realizes they were a few meters in front of the entrance. The masked man looks in that direction while giving a low diabolic laugh. Kite is now scared about what he is going to do next. The bandits guarding the entrance noticed them approaching at the front of the camp tried to go towards them when suddenly the masked man lifts his left leg.
It is a beautiful straight split upwards reaching far up his head. The next moment, an axe kick falls fast while striking the air until he stomps on the hard ground. A massive quake suddenly erupts. As if on time with the foot stomp, the ground cracks towards the entrance.
The bandits at the front are caught unaware as a giant shadow suddenly forms. A monster made of sand clouds two meters high is now heading straight for them.
Unbeknownst to them, cracks follow along with the sandstorm. Crackling unseen as if it is the shadow of the sand cloud, the fissure travel fast until it went past underneath the bandit's feet. Spreading itself like a beautiful tree growing its branches. Sadly unseen unless they have a birds-eye view.
The ground soon gave way. Unable to hold its shape because of the new thin line gaps in its once-solid entirety. The whole camp collapsed into itself. What lies on the surface is now a hole around 1km wide and roughly 20m deep. Unless someone knows about the origin of the hole, they would think a sandworm strayed into the area by mistake.
Kite stares at the hole, still shocked that something of that size got demolished in one move. Clapping his hands twice as if he finished a mundane chore, the masked man looks back at Kite.
"See, isn't that fun?"
"How is any of that fun!"
"But it is fun."
"Only for you, that is!"
"Enough joking around now. Let us find the boss now. Let me see..., should be around the center over there."
"First, you are completely serious. Second, how? I don't think a rope is long enough."
"I can just jump down there?"
"Are you trying to get yourself killed!"
"Well, I won't die from it, rather now that I think about it. You are the one who will die since the impact will affect you instead."
"Do you have a magic item that negates falling?"
"I don't. I can physically withstand everything quite well so I don't need it."
"..."
"But I can do it this way."
"What are you-"
Kite got grabbed and carried around the man's left arm. The masked man makes a running jump toward the hole. Kite screams in horror at what the man just did. The man though starts whistling.
Meanwhile, the man's right arm reaches for the side of the newly formed hole. With his right index and middle finger, he stabs them into the hard rock as if it's nothing but soft mud.
Kite slowly calms down when he realizes they aren't free-falling anymore. Next, he moves his fingers as if trying to give the impression of walking. He keeps stabbing his fingers into the hard rocks every time he does so. A trail of holes is made where his fingers left their mark. Soon, they reached the bottom of the new sinkhole. Kite still trembling after the absurd way of traveling manages to stand up. He and the man continued towards the center.
Back to the present, the bandit leader and his aide stare at the newly arrived duo. The leader is now red as his anger reached new peaks as killing intent fills his eyes. He shouts as he charges at the masked man.
"ARGH!!! DO YOU THINK YOU CAN GET AWAY WITH IT!"
"Yes, rather. There is no next time for you idiot."
The masked man whistles again.