After resting for the whole day, the two of them left early morning. As they walked on the road, Ryner told Maya a bit about himself while changing some things to make it more believable since she’ll be accompanying him for a while. This way, she won’t be surprised at every little thing and he won’t have to explain himself each time.

“So, I got a bunch of stuff stowed away in this pocket dimension magic. If you’ve got stuff to carry, just pass it to me.” [Ryner]

“My, to possess such an amazing ability, as expected of Master.” [Maya]

“Yeah, it’s so freaking amazing that it gets me into trouble when other people find out about it. You better not tell anyone.” [Ryner]

“Of course I won’t. But if I do, will you punish me?” [Maya]

She playfully asked him while sticking her body close to his.

“Why are you acting like that? Shouldn’t you be scarred for life and keeping your distance from men?” [Ryner]

Even though she was violated, she kept flirting with him during their journey. She was still scared, but not around her master. He was different from the other men, from anyone she’s ever met.

“I am your slave, my heart and body belongs to you.” [Maya]

She smiled at him as she locked her arm with his. He could feel her soft breasts through her wine red sleeveless shirt. Her black shorts showed off her long slender legs, her pointy animal ears move slightly and her tail waved left and right. Ryner was walking with a young, beautiful woman on his arm, but he didn’t really feel happy about it.

“Suspicious, it’s way too suspicious. Let go of me Maya, that’s an order.” [Ryner]

“Hhmm, Master is quite shy.” [Maya]

She let go of him arm while pouting. As his slave, she had to obey his orders since that was what they agreed on for her to follow him.

“Women chase after good-looking men. If a cute girl I never talked to walks up to me and says “I love you”, I’ll be calling her bluff.” [Ryner]

“But we do know each other, Master. Isn’t it normal that I would feel attracted to the one who gave me so much? Besides, every woman of my clan would be chasing after you.” [Maya]

“Because of strength again?” [Ryner]

“Yes, men desire strong women and women desire strong men. All the females would yearn for you.” [Maya]

She looked at him with flushed cheeks and quietly whispered to him.

“Just like me.” [Maya]

“… Is that so… But I’m sorry. I’ll make a terrible lover if we got together. I’ll probably keep my distance, cheat on you and suddenly disappear.” [Ryner]

Ryner thought for a bit before answering her, he sadly looked at the sky for a second and then rejected her confession.

“I would never ask of you such a thing. All I want is that when you do disappear… please take me with you, Master.” [Maya]

She couldn’t understand him all the time, but her master was definitely an incredible person, someone that she couldn’t match. He possessed strange knowledge, incredible weapons, unique abilities and overwhelming power. She wasn’t worthy to become something like his wife, but at the very least, she wanted to have a place by his side.

“Well, that’s kind of-ah, we’re here.” [Ryner]

A village soon came into their view. Maya wanted to ask him what he was about to say, but she decided to keep quiet for now. Since Ryner had to train his slave, he had to stay in the forest for two weeks. Wanting to quicken his pace, he decided to buy a horse here and ride it to the capital city of Elea kingdom. Once they entered, they noticed that a bunch of people were gathered in a wide area in the center of the village. Men, women, children, elderly, all of the villagers were there as they tearfully hugged each other.

“There’s trouble, definitely trouble. We should retreat.” [Ryner]

The moment he saw them, he grabbed Maya by the arm and turned around, trying to go back from where they came from.

“Oh my, are you travelers?” [???]

However, he wasn’t fast enough as an old woman greeted them. Before he could say anything, Maya already introduced the two of them to her.

“Yes, I am Maya and this is my master, Ryner. Did something happen?” [Maya]

He wearily covered his face with his hand.

“You two should get out of here as soon as you can. A group of bandits moved into a cave near here and have demanded that we hand over our food and women. They’ll be back in three hours.” [Old woman]

The old lady said with a pained expression. When they showed up and made their demands, some of the men stood up to them and were executed in front of everyone.

“Bandits? What about the army? Don’t you have any warriors?” [Maya]

She frowned when she heard that word, the ten dead men showed up in her head.

“They’ll already have their way when word reaches the army and our best men were killed. Their leader is really strong. So strong that he can just ask us to give him what he wants instead of taking it.” [Old woman]

She remembered when their strongest warrior was easily overpowered and had his head rip off of his body. Blood gushed out everywhere as the bandit leader held the dead man’s head while laughing.

“Then what if you don’t give it to him? Is he going to burn down the village?” [Ryner]

Ryner joined in on the conversation and asked in a casual tone, having given up on escaping. The old woman looked at him straight in the eye before speaking clearly.

“We can’t save everyone, so we’ll sacrifice the few to save the many.” [Old woman]

She then turned around and walked towards the group.

“You should hurry up and go back. Now, if you’ll excuse me, I need to say goodbye to my daughter and granddaughter.” [Old woman]

Ryner looked at her small and hunched back, burdened by her own decision. That back was similar to someone else, someone who ended up breaking under the pressure and cried every night. Maya quietly watched him from the side and after a few seconds, Ryner loudly sighed.

“You know, Maya, we could have just left right away.” [Ryner]

Hearing his words, she smiled and jokingly replied to him.

“But if we did, there wouldn’t be any reason for me to follow you. Please get into trouble once in a while for me, Master.” [Maya]

The two of them started walking towards the group as well and passed them, not turning back but going forward.

“You’ve changed compared to the first time I met you, in a not so good kind of way.” [Ryner]

“It’s a wonder what being able to ravage a forest can do to a girl.” [Maya]

Some villagers turned to look at these two travelers and others called them to a stop, trying to warn them of the bandits. But, the master and slave ignored them all, continuing on their path, straight towards another battlefield.

“Ah whatever, this isn’t so bad. Fighting some bandits won’t put my vacation in jeopardy. It’s not like they’re giant broccolis.” [Ryner]

“Giant… Broccolis?” [Maya]

Truly, her master sometimes didn’t make any sense.

“It’s nothing. Anyway, let’s find that cave, kick out the occupants and ask for some compensation later. I want a horse.” [Ryner]

After walking for an hour towards a rock formation in the forest, they found a cave with the area in front cleared of trees. Sure enough, they could hear people boisterously talking inside it.

“Wow, they don’t even bother to put guards to keep watch.” [Ryner]

As they approached the entrance and left the sea of trees, they stopped and prepared for combat. Maya cracked her knuckles while her master put on a pair of gloves that he took out from bluish rings, his pocket dimension magic. They were black gloves and on the back of the hands and fingers were steel colored plates with yellow and black lines. Once they confirmed with each other that they were ready, Ryner made their presence known.

“Excuse me! Anyone home!? We’re here to pick a fight! And possibly slaughter you all!” [Ryner]

After shouting towards the cave, all voices stopped before they heard many footsteps heading towards them. Nasty-looking men poured out, armed with armor and weapons. Soon, more than fifty bandits grouped up in front of them, either staring with bloodlust or looking down on them. The last bandit came out and stood at the head of the group. He was in his early thirties and had brown hair, green eyes, a muscular body and steel gauntlets.

“Hmpf. So that village actually sent some people after us. Guess we’ll need to teach them a lesson later, won’t we boys!?” [Bandit leader]

The leader declared with a savage grin as his men all shouted out in agreement. Some of them suggested killing all of the elderly, others offered more vulgar ideas.

“No, we’re here because this mysterious force in my guts that I’ve been trying to get rid of compelled me to kick the crap out of you. So, no offense, but please leave.” [Ryner]

Ryner waved his hand and casually talked to him with his eyes half closed. A vein popped on the bandit’s leader head as he listened to the weakling with sleepy eyes talk, not even knowing the crisis he was in. he needed to put him in his place.

“… Before we deal with the villagers, we’ll take care of you… and especially your friend.” [Bandit leader]

His last words were spoken not with bloodlust, but pure lust. At the same time, all the bandits around chuckled and looked at Maya with a disgusting grin on their faces. They whistled and called out to her.

“Look at that. A beastman and a fine one at that!” [Random bandit]

“*Whistle* Check out those breasts! And that ass… Can’t wait to touch them.” [Random bandit]

“Perfect timing. Before digging into those village women, I’ll have a taste of her body to calm down.” [Random bandit]

“Hey babe, why don’t you come here and keep us company?! We’ll show you what a real man is like!” [Random bandit]

“You won’t be able to walk after we’re done, but you’ll love it! Gahahaha!” [Random bandit]

Hearing their remarks and being stared at by those lewd eyes, Maya suddenly grew scared as her body started trembling. She held on to her arms and looked down with a frightened expression. The ten assailants from before attacked her and she was at their mercy. The scene replayed in her mind and she saw the same thing happening to her, but with these bandits instead. She had to get away, she couldn’t stay here. She wanted to run, but her body couldn’t move. Her breathing became shallow, her vision was shaking and the voices of the fifty men echoed around her, ringing in her head as they grew louder and louder.

Whack

A sharp pain brought her back to her senses as she held the top of her head. She looked to her side and saw Ryner staring at her with his usual sleepy face. He chopped her on the head when he noticed that she was freaking out.

“The heck are you doing, kid? Keep your head in the game, or I’ll whack you again.” [Ryner]

He then walked in front of her and calmly stared back at the bandits who were enjoying the sight of Maya trembling with fear. His remark was insensitive as always, yet it calmed her down. Watching his back as he stood there before her, she couldn’t help herself as a small, bitter smile spilled on her face.

“(Really, what am I doing?)” [Maya]

She admonished her actions before taking a few steps forward to stand right by his side. This is where she wanted to be and she won’t be scared away by some bandits anymore. She won’t give it up no matter what.

“Well, now, if you guys don’t want to leave…” [Ryner]

Ryner spoke as the bandits were still grinning among themselves and imagining what they will do to Maya later.

“Then die.” [Ryner]

Maya rushed forward and punched a bandit in the chest. His top blew off in a spray of blood as his entrails flew backwards. No one could catch her movement at all and froze in place with their lewd smiles still on their faces. No sound was heard except for the blood flowing out and the body hitting the ground. At that moment, Maya went on a rampage and killed all of the bandits near her as they screamed and ran around in fear.

“Waaahhhh!” [Random bandit]

She punched one in the face which caused his head to blow to bits.

“What the hell! What the hell is she?!” [Random bandit]

She kicked a man in the stomach which made a large hole as his insides flew out of his back and tore him apart.

“M-monster! Get away from me!” [Random bandit]

She stepped on a fallen bandit’s head like a rotten tomato, blood and brain matter splattered around her foot.

“Kill her! Quickly kill her before-!“ [Random bandit]

She caught another one’s sword with her bare hand before stabbing him in the heart with the other.

“Wait! Spare me! I-I didn’t do anything!” [Random bandit]

She dug her fingers into a crying victim’s face and eye sockets before ripping his head out.

As his comrades tried to escape while screaming in horror, the leader stood there, too stunned to move. The frightened little girl turned into a savage beast that sent blood and body parts flying. Before he became a bandit, he was an A rank adventurer. Sure, he could rip a man to pieces with his bare hands just like her, but seeing her in action, she was much stronger than him. Most likely, she was an S rank. He couldn’t win against her; he could barely follow her with his eyes. His knees started shaking as he took a step back and at this moment, a man talked to him with no tension in his voice.

“What’s the matter, bandit king, are you scared?” [Ryner]

Without him noticing, Ryner was standing next to him.

“DIIIEEE!!!” [Bandit leader]

The moment he saw him, he lashed out, trying to kill him with one punch. He had to get away from here while that woman was preoccupied with his group and this languid weakling was standing in his way. Instead of dodging the incoming attack, Ryner met it with his own fist and as it travelled through the air, the glove expanded, turning into a gauntlet that covered up to his forearm. The plates turned yellow with two black lines near his elbow and on the back of his hand. The moment the two armored fists collided, a loud explosion blew away the bandit leader’s forearm.

“AAAARRRGGGHH” [Bandit leader]

He fell fell to his knees while gripping what was left of his bloody arm. In front of him, Ryner sleepily looked down on him as he screamed in pain before raising his fist for the finishing blow.

“WAIT! Argh! Y-y-you said we could leave, didn’t you?! I-I’ll leave, change myself, go back to being an adventurer. *Pant* I won’t be greedy anymore! So, let me live!” [Bandit leader]

He hurriedly begged for his life, scared of the prospect of death. But, without changing his expression, Ryner denied him all hope.

“We all have to take responsibility, and your time has come.” [Ryner]

“N-n-no! Please wai-” [Bandit leader]

“Besides… You freaked out my student, so I’ll have you pay for that.” [Ryner]

Suddenly, killing intent flew out of Ryner and hit the kneeling man head on. He couldn’t recognize the languid weakling anymore. There was a monster standing before him. Feeling such fierce bloodlust, his teeth chattered and he turned around to try and escape with his life. But, expecting this, Ryner punched the bandit’s leg, causing another explosion that blew away his leg at the knee.

“GYAAAAHHH!!!” [Bandit leader]

The pitiable criminal fell face first on the ground as blood now gushed out from his arm and leg. With the massive blood lost, he felt faint and couldn’t stand up anymore. He only managed to turn his head to see his attacker, ready to finish him off.

“Wh-what are you…?” [Bandit leader]

Because of his pain, fear and hazy consciousness, this was the only thing he could think of in his last moments: asking for the identity of his killer.

“Top-class monster, Ryner. I’m one of the strongest beings you’ll ever meet, brat.” [Ryner]

He got punched in the face and blacked out, another explosion blew away his head. Ryner stared at his victim, then at the sea of corpses around him. There were mangled bodies everywhere and the area in front of the cave was dyed red from all of the blood. All fifty bandits had been dealt with. Fighting the urge to throw up, he turned his gaze to Maya who was covered in blood from head to toe, just like the first time they met. She was standing in the middle of the carnage and staring back at him with a smile on her face.

“Are you still freaked out, kid?” [Ryner]

“No, I am fine now. Thank you for worrying about me, Master.” [Maya]

As her smile widened, he guessed that she heard him talk to the bandit leader.

“Is that so… Then let’s burn this mess up before this entire place becomes polluted. Then, we’ll return and get our free horse.” [Ryner]

Ryner put away his gauntlets and took out his flaming sword, trying to not look at Maya who was happily smiling at him with red cheeks.