Casimir wakes up feeling a rush of energy pulsing through him. Today's the day he gets his belongings back and finally claims the bounty that's been hanging over him. He's determined and focused, knowing that completing this task will clear the way for him to move forward. He quickly gathers his few remaining belongings—his weapon, the void bag with all his equipment inside and the cooler bag with food supplies inside. Every item feels heavier with the weight of anticipation. Without wasting any time, he checks his gear one last time, ensuring nothing is left behind. Once everything is in place, he steps out of his room, his mind already racing with the plan ahead. The hallway is quiet, almost deserted, as he heads toward the lobby.
As he pushes open the doors into the lobby, a familiar figure catches his eye. Kanako is already waiting for him near the reception area. She's leaning casually against the wall, a breakfast burrito clenched in one hand, her other hand raised in a small welcoming wave. Her face breaks into a soft smile when she spots him. She holds out the burrito with a gentle gesture, her eyes warm with a hint of concern and kindness. "Here," she says quietly, "this is for you." The simple act of passing him the warm, filling burrito feels genuine, as if she's trying to support him in her own quiet way. Casimir looks down at her offering, surprised by the gesture. He responds with a quick, effortless nod. "Uh, thanks," he mutters, voice casual, but inside, he secretly appreciates her thoughtfulness. Despite his tough exterior, that small act of kindness gives him a subtle boost, reminding him he's not alone.
The moment feels a little lighter with her there, a brief pause in the serious rush of his day. They both move forward, approaching the front desk where the staff are busy checking guests out. The same elf woman from last night is behind the counter and she greets them with a friendly smile, beginning the process of finalizing their stay. They exchange quick goodbyes, nodding politely but with a sense of shared understanding.
The sky stretched endlessly above them, a vast dome painted with shades of soft blue and white, hinting at the calmness of the day. A gentle breeze swept through the air, carrying the fresh scent of pine and earth, offering a pure, invigorating aroma that refreshed both their bodies and minds. As the duo prepared to leave the familiar comfort of the village, they were warmly greeted by the villagers — simple folk, their faces friendly and welcoming. Children waved eagerly, and the older residents nodded politely, all wishing them well on their journey. It was a quiet moment of goodbyes before they set out on their path.
The journey ahead would take roughly two hours to reach the location of the bandits' hideout. Though the distance seemed manageable, the trail was not easy. They would have to navigate through thick patches of foliage and uneven ground, with nature itself seemingly standing in their way. As they moved, Casimir took a moment to scan the surroundings. His eyes wandered over the nearby trees and bushes, trying to stay alert for any sign of hidden danger. Suddenly, his gaze was drawn to a faint, almost imperceptible glow emanating from the dense foliage nearby. It shimmered softly, almost like a flicker of light across a dark screen.
Casimir paused, eyeing the glow carefully. "Hey, what are you looking at?" Kanako asked, noticing his distraction. Her voice broke the silence, so he turned toward her with a slight start. Unable to hide his curiosity, Casimir directed her gaze toward the foliage. She followed his eyes but looked closely, only to see nothing. The glow had vanished as quickly as it appeared, leaving only the rustling leaves in the stillness.
Casimir hesitated for a moment, then mumbled, "Nothing… it was nothing," as if dismissing the strange feeling in his gut. He resumed walking, trying to focus on their surroundings and ignore the eerie flicker of light. The forest was thick and quiet, the quiet only broken by the rustle of leaves and their footsteps on the dirt path. Every so often, Casimir glanced back, half expecting to see the glow reappear, but it never did. Still, that small flicker stayed with him, hinting at something unseen, something that might matter in the coming moments.
Two hours later, they finally drew closer to the bandits' hideout. The dense forest now loomed around them, tangled branches and thick undergrowth making the journey harder than expected. The terrain had become uneven and difficult to pass, forcing them to move slowly and carefully. Navigating through the trees, cutting away vines and dodging low-hanging branches, they pressed forward. When they finally got a clear enough view, they saw the hideout's hidden clearing—roughly twelve bandits spread out around a small, rocky cave entrance. Some sat idly, while others sharpened blades or kept watch.
As the duo observed from a distance, one of the bandits, a burly man with a scar across his cheek, spotted something. He squinted at them, narrowing his eyes. His voice was filled with suspicion and annoyance. "Huh? Who the hell are these guys?" he muttered, staring straight at them. Instantly, the other bandits caught wind of the stranger's gaze. They shifted quickly into defensive stances, drawing their swords, their eyes narrowing with hostility. The tension in the air thickened as they prepared for a fight.
Casimir and Kanako got ready for battle, their hands tightening on their weapons. Just as they took their first steps to face the bandits, a sudden chuckle broke through the silence. A deep, rough laugh echoed from behind the group lining the cave. Every pair of eyes turned toward the sound. From the shadows emerged a tall figure, clad in dark clothing, with a confident stance. The bandit leader stepped forward, a sword still sheathed at his side, smirking as he surveyed the intruders. He was the same bandit leader that attacked the newly royals carriage.
"Well, if isn't the notorious bounty hunters," he said, his voice laced with amusement. His gaze was sharp, and his posture exuded a mix of arrogance and readiness. He made no move to attack, simply standing tall in front of his gang, as if daring them to come closer. His voice carried a mocking tone that hinted at previous encounters with bounty hunters.
One of the bandits, a younger man with nervous eyes, looked at the leader and spoke quickly. "Wait. That's the guy we stole from back in Bramola," he said with surprise, glancing at Casimir. Several others nodded in agreement, recalling the incident that took place in the city. A shadow of concern flickered across the bandit leader's face for a brief moment, but he quickly masked it. Instead, he gazed at the others and asked, "How did he find us? How?" The words were tense, filled with disbelief.
All eyes shifted to Kanako, and the leader pointed a finger accusingly. "It's obvious why he's here," he said coldly. "Because of her." He gestured sharply at Kanako, his tone dismissive but ominous. The mention of her name seemed to send a ripple through the group. The bandits' stance shifted slightly as readiness turned into aggression. Without hesitation, the leader gave the order with a commanding voice. "Dispose of them immediately." Every bandit tightened their grip on their blades, eyes flickering with determination and hostility.
In the moment, the atmosphere grew tense—ready for an all-out confrontation. A sudden blur of movement broke through the group. A bandit lunged at them with wild eyes, swinging his rusty sword with reckless abandon. He aimed straight at Casimir's chest, eyes blazing with fury or perhaps desperation. Casimir barely had time to react before the blade was inches from his skin. Kanako, quick as lightning, stepped forward. Her sword flashed through the air and intercepted the attack, parrying the bandit's strike with effortless grace. As the bandit staggered, Kanako spun her blade with precision, slicing his neck in one clean, swift motion. The head separated from the body in a spray of blood, falling to the ground with a dull thud. Shock registered on the remaining bandits' faces, a mixture of horror and disbelief at how easily their comrade was taken down. Only the bandit leader watched quietly, a small, amused smile curling his lips. His eyes gleamed with interest, as if he found this turn of events amusing rather than alarming.
Kanako's tone shifted suddenly, her usual calm replaced by a sharp seriousness that felt almost intimidating. She pointed her sword at the bandit leader and looked at Casimir. "I'll handle them. You kill the Leader." Her words carried weight, the transformation in her demeanor clear. She seemed to be a different person, someone who had shifted from silent protector to fierce warrior in an instant. Her expression was cold, focused, devoid of her previous serenity, revealing a fierce determination that sent a shiver through the remaining bandits. The bandit leader chuckled again, a rough sound that echoed through the chaos. "Alright then," he said with a lazy grin, voice dripping with arrogance. "It's you and me, boy." He stepped to the side, unsheathing his own sword as Casimir and he moved apart, each determined to face the other alone. The tension thickened as they prepared to fight, the air tense with anticipation. "I suppose I should tell you my name before I kill. My name is–" Casimir interrupted him, "I don't care, that sword you're holding doesn't belong to you. My mother made that sword for me." The bandit leader smiles and laughs, "And I'm going to kill you with, how sweet of me."
Casimir and the bandit leader circled each other. The two filled the space between with the clash of swords, sparks flying with each strike. Casimir's arm trembled slightly, sweat trickling down his temples, his breath heavy and ragged. The bandit leader was toying with him, deliberately slow, testing Casimir's defenses. Every clash felt like a test of nerve, time stretching painfully, every second ripe for mistake. Casimir gritted his teeth, fighting to keep his footing, aware that his opponent was simply biding his time. With each move, Casimir's hands grew clammy, hardening with resolve. His muscles ached from the effort. Suddenly, the bandit leader delivered a swift cut, hacking through Casimir's sword. The blade shattered, leaving Casimir vulnerable who then threw a few punches but in a sudden instant he felt a sharp pain in his abdomen as the bandit's blade pierced him. Casimir staggered, instinctively kicking backward to create distance, blood seeping from his wound. His vision blurred slightly as he tried to pull the sword out, but it was lodged deep. The pain was sharp, a sting that made him feel weak for the first time in his life.
Kanako swiftly and effortlessly kills the other bandits, her expression so serene it's eerie. "What the hell is this girl!?" One bandit says before having his head cut clean off. Kanako ominously walks towards the last five, covered in their comrades blood. "D-die!" One bandit yells as he swings is sword down towards her but she swiftly moves to the side and cuts his arms off before removing his head with her blade.
Casimir's scream echoed in the chaos as he clenched his fists and pushed through the pain. The bandit leader, amused, closed in slowly, savoring his advantage. Casimir's knees buckled slightly, sweat dripping from his brow, as he faced his first serious injury. Every breath became a struggle, each movement a fight against the pain. The bandit leader's smile widened as he approached, confident he had the upper hand now. Just then, the sky darkened further. Heavy rain began pouring down, the drops lashing at the ground. The rain seemed almost prophetic, washing away some of the violence but not the danger. Before the leader could finish approaching, a powerful blast of water hit him, knocking him off balance. He was sent sprawling onto the muddy ground, surprised and frustrated by the sudden attack. Kanako emerged from the storm, her and her sword swirling in the blue energy of water, her face serene but tense with focus. Her eyes flicked over Casimir's injured form, concern flashing across her features. Her calm was gone. Now, her voice was gentle but commanding. "Casimir, are you okay?" she asked softly, kneeling beside him.
Casimir managed a weak nod, blood staining his face. "I'm fine," he said, voice strained but steady. "Just focus on the Leader. That's what matters now." His eyes held determination despite the pain. Kanako shook her head softly, worry still evident. "I can't focus when you're hurt," she admitted, voice trembling just slightly. A deep ache crept into her voice, revealing how much she cared. Casimir straightened, dabbing at the wound with a trembling hand. "I told you I'm fine. Focus on killing the bastard," he insisted, voice firm but faint. "There are more important things than worrying about me." His words were cold, perhaps to hide how vulnerable he felt. "Now go. Finish him," Casimir added, with a hint of urgency. Kanako hesitated, torn between her concern and her duty. She looked at him with a mixture of frustration and resolve, but her mind was cloudy with worry. She reluctantly rose to her feet, readying her blade, but she couldn't shake the image of Casimir bleeding, vulnerable. The storm raged around them, but her focus sharpened as she prepared to face the bandit leader.