He started moving closer to Nolan.
"I know you're powerful, I can tell. But are you sure you can stand against all of us together? You're outnumbered—and I'm level 42."
Nolan didn't say a word. He simply breathed in, then out.
"I don't know what you're talking about. What's level, what isn't level. But you're going to pay for what you did to those beautiful ladies in the carriage," Nolan said.
Then Kane dashed toward Nolan to strike—but Nolan was gone.
"Where did he go? How come? Did he vanish?" Kane muttered, confused.
Nolan tapped him on the shoulder from behind. "I'm here."
The other bandits pointed. "Ah! What's going on? What just happened?"
As Kane turned, Nolan punched him hard across the face.
Another man ran at Nolan with a sword. Nolan stopped the blade using just two fingers—then bent it.
The others stared in disbelief.
"Who is this man? He bent a sword with his fingers!"
Kane was already on the ground, bleeding.
"How…? I didn't see anything. He's too fast," Kane thought, blood dripping from his mouth.
He stood up again. "Now you'll see why… I'm going to use my skill—Adna: Crush!"
His body thickened, muscles bulging, physical strength increasing.
"Let's see if he can stand now," Kane said.
Four other men charged at Nolan. But as they ran, they realized their swords were gone.
Nolan wasn't in front of them anymore.
They turned—and saw him behind them.
"Are you looking for this?" Nolan asked, holding their swords on the ground.
He dashed forward and punched each of them in the face. They all fell unconscious, even though he was holding back.
Kane stepped forward again.
Nolan turned to him. "The others fell with one hit. But him… he's truly strong."
Nolan ran at Kane. Kane punched him in the stomach—but Nolan didn't move.
Kane smiled, then tried again. Nolan blocked it with one finger.
"What's going on? How can you smile after everything you've done?" Nolan said, voice cold. "Different species or not—they have hearts. I saw not just women. There were children in that carriage."
"Now… I'll show you my true power."
The forest shook as trees cracked from the force.
Kane stood up—but Nolan punched him again.
"How are you this strong? Who are you?" Kane asked, panicked. "I'm also an adventurer. One of the strongest in my village. I formed a band… it was easier than fighting monsters!"
"Shut up, asshole. I didn't ask you to talk," Nolan said, punching him again.
Still holding back, he knocked Kane unconscious.
Then Nolan turned and walked out of the forest. All the bandits were lying on the ground—unconscious.
As Nolan walked, he looked at the bandits already unconscious, stepping over them as he passed. Then he reached the carriage. The door was closed.
"There are girls in here… How should I open it? Okay, let me just open it," Nolan said.
He opened the carriage. All the women inside turned and looked at him. No one said a word.
He stepped closer.
"Hey, I'm here to save you. Don't be afraid. No one is going to hurt you or harm you," he said gently.
Then he moved to the elf, staring in awe.
"Wow… Elves. These are elves, I'm sure. In my other world, they don't exist. Just fairy tales. But look—I'm seeing one."
He shook his head and refocused.
He placed his hand on the chains around their necks and cut them. He removed the ropes and freed their hands too—not just the elf, but also the demi-humans in the carriage.
They were all silent. Unsure of what to do.
In total, there were about fifteen of them. They stood up in their ragged clothes.
One elf—her name was Linda—walked up to Nolan.
Wow, she's so beautiful, Nolan thought as he looked at her face.
Then she asked, "Hello… Did you save us? Did you save us?"
"Yeah… yeah, yes," Nolan replied, his heart racing as he looked at all the women. They were so beautiful.
He looked back at Linda. "Yes. I saved you."
Another one stood up. Then all of them gathered around him.
One asked, "Does this mean we're free to do whatever we want?"
"Yes. You can do whatever you want. Or go wherever you want. You're free now," Nolan said.