Some things come with risk and reward. In my case, I'm risking my relationship with an NPC, who has the power to destroy us if I don’t fulfill his promise. However, the reward is not only kicking these bastard bandits out of this forest but to save those two important NPCs and hopefully Arthur from a crazed crime lord. To do that, I share my plans with someone who is with me during the chase.

"Wait, we're going to split up?! Wind, are you out of your mind?!"

I shake my head “no” at Razul and answer, "Just trust me. I know what I'm doing. By the time we run into a fork, we'll split up and lure them to a respective open area at the end of each road. And since we made the first strike to each of the bandits before they could attack Arthur, I have a feeling they’ll be splitting up to chase us down too for our little interference."

As I said, there is a risk behind this crazy plan. But if we don't do this, there is a high chance Arthur won't able to defeat Bane thanks to these jokers around. Thankfully, Razul sighs, which I can tell he understands what I'm trying to do here.

"All right. But try to limit yourself. Your main strength is ranged attacks and I doubt you’ll able to survive in a long-term melee fight."

"Says the guy who wields a magical pistol and rifle as his main weapons."

"Touché."

After a few seconds of running, the bandits start throwing daggers behind us. This causes Razul to pull out his gun and shoot several bullets behind him to deflect them. I don't know if that would even work in real life, but at least it canceled out their ranged attacks. He then pockets his gun as he growls.

"Dammit, I can't keep this up! I don't know if I have enough [MP] for my pistol's ammo!"

He has a point. This means we have to act fast...

WHOOSH!!!

And just in time. Right in front of us, a road starts to split in two, which I figure leads to our destinations.

"W-What the hell?! Where did that second road come from?!"

I quickly figure it as Bai Hu's doing. Regardless, it is time.

"No time to play 20 questions! This is our chance!"

"W-What?! Isn't it a bit suspicious for us to split us up on these two strange roads?!"

Yeah, I can agree. But I trust Bai Hu and I already have told him of my plan. So I have no doubts about this.

"I told you to trust me! I'm sure at the end will be your key advantage to your success."

"Huh?"

I didn't say anymore. I just head for the right road and shout, "Good luck, Razul!"

I quickly run ahead, hoping that one of the bandits will follow me.

"W-Wait, Wind! Don't leave me behind so soon!"

I wish I can, Razul. But if we don't do this, then everything we’ve done so far will be pointless.

Okay, so far, there are no monsters or obstacles in my path. I guess that Bai Hu already went ahead and commanded the monsters to stop attacking me. This is perfect since I need my full strength to execute my next plan. Eventually, after about five minutes of running, I come to the end of the path, which is an open field with the trees spread around me like walls. Just like I predicted or rather, I requested.

[About time you stopped running, you coward!]

I turned around upon hearing that gruff voice. To my surprise, I see that the bandit with the bandanna and a dagger on hand is the one who just followed me here. If I remember, he is the one who insulted Bai Hu's name and his forest earlier. This is perfect. I promised Bai Hu that I would take care of him in his place and I would make sure to teach him not to speak ill of this sacred place!

[You have some balls trying to mess up our boss's plans like that. But don't think you've won just because you split us up!] The bandit warns as he points his dagger towards me. [Your friends will die by my boss and comrade's hands and once I'm done with you, we’ll collect your bones and make some badass weapons and accessories out of them!]

Eww... gross. Like I’d ever let them do that to my virtual body. Though, aren't players supposed to respawn after a few hours from their virtual deaths? Yeah, I’d rather not know what happens in between those times.

"If they can kill us first. They don't look that much, but I know my friends are strong. They’ll stop your boss and save the commander and his escorts! But I’m getting ahead of myself. Look, uh... Brassa?"

[It's Basta, you dolt! I can't believe you would mess up my name like that! How dare you?!]

"Yeah, yeah, whatever," I mutter. I intentionally mispronounced his name just to confirm how it was pronounced and also to mess with him a little bit. "Look, I'll get straight to the point. I don't like how you’ve insulted the sacred nature of the . Do you know the consequences of whoever speaks ill of and/or desecrate this forest without any guilt or remorse?”

[No, I don't. And I don't care. Why do you even care about a bunch of weeds and thorns growing around here like it's a big deal?]

I sigh in response to his question. Apparently, he is too stupid to even know what this place really is.

"Do I need to repeat myself just to get through your big thick skull? This forest governs and stores part of the mana reserves of . If this place goes down, the whole world will go down with it. And even despite all that, you have no care or love of the to the point that you're willing to disregard and violate every known rule and tradition that people have tried to follow out of gratitude for many years now?"

[Gratitude? Tradition?! Who cares about that shit?! I don't know why those people even care about those so-called gods and mana to this day. I mean, it's just like any other forest. Plus, gods and mana are not real. All that stuff is made-up fairy tales that the kingdom just came up with. Who would want to believe that junk?]

He might have a point regarding those made-up stories from the kingdom theory. But I've seen the secrets that this forest was hiding with my own eyes. I may still have a lack of knowledge about the game's lore, but I’ve seen proof enough that the gods and mana are real in this world.

“That junk is what makes this world ticks! And if you keep disrespecting the traditions, you'll get what's coming for you."

Before I can continue, Basta takes out his dagger and shouts, [Oh, forget about your stupid ramblings about the kingdom's made-up gods and monsters! I'm going to fulfill our boss's mission and I'm not letting you and your friends go until you're all dead!]

Guess talking is out of the question for this guy. Well, I had planned to fight him anyway, so I quickly draw out my sword and give a smirk.

"I don't know. We’re all strong and I doubt your boss and your companion wouldn't last one second with them."

For a few seconds, the bandit just stares at me for no reason. But all of the sudden, he starts laughing hysterically.

[Strong? What kind of a "strong hero" wields a weak iron sword around?! Are you trying to make a fool out of yourself?]

I was a bit confused at what he meant. I had changed my equipment to a stronger version of themselves and...

...

Hang on, did I change all of them? I quickly go over my inventory without lifting a finger and check my sword's stats.

[Starter Sword]

[An iron sword that is easier to wield, but it can only deal small damage due to its worn blade.

Effects: +11 ATK

Quality: 10]

Oh, god...

[Well?]

I quickly stumble back, trying to restore some of my confidence.

"N-No, I'm not! Besides, every hero doesn't have to be determined by their weapons!"

Sure, I say that right now. But not my sword! Man, I was so focused on upgrading my bow through my crafting [Masteries] and Star's crafted gear that I forgot about upgrading my sword as well! Damn it, I should have paid attention to my equipment before I got here. Then again, I did beat that plague's source with Kazu's help. Maybe I might able to win this through my wits. Besides, what he doesn't know is that I have an upper hand and I'm not gonna let one Level 1 sword disrupt my plans.

"So what are you waiting for? Make your move!"

I stand firm on the center of the field with my sword right in front of me, ready to make a strike. Once I do, I mentally open up [Investigate] to get a glance at his stats.

[Cruel Bandit Basta Equil]

[Level: 19]

[The right-hand man of , he is known for carving up his victims with his signature dagger and violating every sacred place such as churches or [Mana Landmark]s after ransacking villages and towns.]

[HP: 1000/1000]

Huh, he's one level lower than his boss. He's still strong, but it's enough for me to deal with alone.

[Okay, you've asked for it, brat!]

With one step, I watch Basta dash towards me as he laughs madly. But as he gets closer, I activate my [Parry] and countered it with a normal horizontal slash. It would cut him up in half after that, but he just takes one step away from its blade, leaving grazes on his nose.

[Is that all you got? I've seen weak soldiers swing their sword harder than you do!]

He then tries to stab me through the chest, but I quickly block it with my sword and activate [Counter Slash] as a retaliation, slashing his chest a bit lightly. After that, I twist my body and twirl myself into a bladed top to do a 360-slash to Basta. It manages to strike through his shoulders, but he still manages to sidestep out of his way and swing his dagger at my face. This causes me to block once more, locking our weapons together in a standstill.

[Ha! I say it again, and I'll say it again! You are weak and you will perish at my boss's hands! You cannot stop his awesome...]

Oh, god, please... I quickly interrupt him with a swift kick in the gut and break our lock before trying to attack him with a vertical strike. Unfortunately, he quickly blocks it, trapping us in another lock

"Man, you're even more annoying than Arthur. You know what your problem is, besides your atheism?"

[What? The fact that you're dumb enough to believe those fairy tales?]

"No... The fact that you talk too much!"

Using most of my strength, I manage to overpower him enough to break the lock again, giving me the chance to step back a few meters away enough to catch my breath.

"Alright, I'm done playing," I said as I raise my sword once more. "Let's see if you can handle the bond between me and the ."

Wind's Masteries

[Archery] Level 17

[Woodcrafting] Level 7

[Swordsmanship] Level 16

[Cooking] Level 6

[Wind] Level 14

[Physical Enhancement] Level 14

[Hunting] Level 14