The sound of a horse's run echoing all over the place, stomping with loud through the jungle, then ride through the bush where the sound was shutting off, then jumping over fallen stumps... I think it's been a long ride after leaving away from Trey's hut...

"Hmm. it's a little bright here "-- I'm trying to compare the weather here with my hometown which is the sunlight favour here over us

Since I'm riding too long, I stopped at the near river to rest. It's a perfect place for my partner to release his thirsty. I let him drink the river and headed to the small hill where the big tree stood with mighty at that top. After putting all the luggage near the roots, I'm having myself by leaning under the shadow of that tree.

Since it is big, and the leaves block the sunlight, while the wind blows gently... I can say it's a suitable spot for resting. Not to mention this beautiful scenery... it's exquisite.

And my hand starts to play the necklace again while watching this greeny view. I wonder when did my hand had the chance to pick the necklace from the bags... I wasn't even aware of it.

Maybe it's already become my habit... and I find this necklace is quite beautiful. I should ask the owner to sell it to me later.

[sounds of a whip being swing on the ground]

"crap, humans!"

I immediately took up my bags and went hide behind the tree. Not that I'm afraid to those human... but I'm a demon. Things will get messy if they spotted me. I plan on using the transformation spell that I learned from elder Han when I'm near the village.

Should I kill them and burn them till ashes? if they are just normal villagers then I'll let it slide...since they aren't capable of harming me

.....

after hiding behind this tree for a few minutes... the sounds of that whip became louder as they near. Apparently, it's not a normal villager... but it's a group of bandits... full with weapons as well.

Behind them is a people who were chained at their hands and walk with a line. Men, old, women, teenagers... all kind of age are in that line. Behind them are the carts full of kids... and of course... they were being tied up. Once I calculate them... the numbers of them near thirty or more.

I should stay here until that group left this place... but a strange question has popped up in my mind. They seem to come from the direction of the village... the place I want to go to. Even if it's a village... they should have at least a guard or something that can defend them from these bandits... but from what I observed... those men doesn't seem in engaged with any battle.

They don't look tired, not even a sign from being attack has shown by them. Unless they have a sacred weapon... that's a different story.

"We stop here!"-- a well-built human shouts as his right-arm rise in the air

He looks sturdy and kinda capable of fighting. I bet he's this group leader. And those axes at his back... I'm pretty sure that weapon seems familiar to me

I will confirm that later, so the first thing I'll have to do is to leave this place for good. Remain silent in this spot will not be any good as they can easily saw me if they trying hard enough. So for a starter... I'll transform into a human.

To do this spell... all I have to do is to empty my mind and let the aura flow out from my body and they will do the job. Okay... calm down. First... close your eyes... and empty your mind... empty your--

"--- what are you--? get off me!" -- I heard a girl's voice. Ignore her, Sheron...

"Please release her! Don't harm her!"-- hmm... now it turns for the villagers now pleading... don't mind them...

"Hey, this girl got smooth skin. Her chest is soft too.... you guys, come join me"-- Ooh... is she being violated? not that I care as long as they do not notice me

Good... my appearance has completely changed. My hands look similar to a normal human too. This is the first time I use such a spell and the result is quite good. Now the only left is to see my own face if there any changes...

"Captain! I found a horse drinking at the riverbank"

"Yeah... I found a strange blue light behind that tree at that hill too. You two, go check behind that tree. If there's a horse... then it's master should be near too"

The moment I heard that sentence came out from his mouth, I accidentally cast off the spell... out of shock.

"You there, from the behind that big tree ... come out or I'll kill you!"

Oh... how long has been that I'm being threatened like this. Is it from that old Grey or those foolish humans from over past decades? how nostalgic for me to feels this sensation. Either way, I must act reply it like a coward human. A coward human... okay I can do this...!

"I-I meant no harm..."

"We'll decide that for you. Come out and show yourself. If you bring weapons, throw it aside and make me see it!!"-- his sounded all high and mighty... that's a human for you

"I did not bring any weapons on me. I'm just a traveller..."

He then chuckles hearing my reason," I'm not stupid, you know. This path of the forest is only known by those who went to war with the demons. Any traveller would avoid using this path all so they won't meet us...even for a local people"

... really?.... I didn't know that

"I-I'm a new traveller. I've heard that this path is the shortest way to the village"

"Stop this farce and reveal yourself, demon!"

"I'm not a demon!"

"Then prove it!"

It can't be helped... so I slowly showing myself from behind the tree and meet them. Once those bandits are in my view... my mouth instantly mumbling as counting their number. It's a bit habit of mine to measure my situation before the act.

Apparently... the number exceed thirty, and most of all... they are well-equip with weapons. There are two lines of the bandits that guarding the slaves, one that held my horse. There are three carriages and each of those have at least three guards. And a few of them is gang on a girl who is held by them

"A young boy huh? a good finding here, boys!"-- the big guy among them roars to his men and they all cheers as well.

The cheering living up this place, making all the captives tremble by it. The kids start wailing for their parent, while the daughters wearing a hopeless face toward hearing that roars. I can firmly say that this view is no better than at the hometown.

Playing as the weak might not the correct answer, and maybe... if I help these villagers, they might provide me with information that I need

"So, hands on the back head and walk toward me, now..."

It's decided... I will help the villagers.

"Are you a bandit?"-- I'm just want to confirm it before the massacre begun

"Yes, I am..."-- he chuckles while answer me

"And those men... your companions?"

"Couldn't agree more~ hahaha"

"And those who been captive by you... aren't they the innocent peoples?"

"They are my goods, my source of income! make haste your move... as I became impatient with you!"

"Then... let the death be your last companion!"

I took my spear from the ground and dash toward their leader. He seems to stun by my blink arrival, so I give him a powerful stomp on his stomach, causing him to fly back through the trees. I consider that attack to be a gentle touch from my feet, but for human... who knows

"Boss...!!"-- all of them shout the same words after saw their leader fly past them

"You bastard! Kill him...!"

A single command from a random guy causing all of the bandits from each side rush toward me with their respective weapons. I do not want any of them to flee, so I deliberate by evading all of their attacks and make myself look disadvantage.

Apparently, my plan works. All 35 worms have gathered... and encircle me like I'm some of their prey. Plus, our battle holds a bit far from the carriages and the captives, which is they will not use human shield to escape.

"I will gouge your eyes, and sell you to the demons!"-- all of them chuckles

"Demons huh...?"-- that's strange... I smile hearing that word

"It seems you can smile while facing your worst, kid~! but I have to say... you have the skill to dodge all the attacks at once"

"Say... have you heard a black spear demon?"

"Those will be your last words..!!"-- they charge at me in every side at the same time

"Shifar te amnul itog, rkum... (pray for your demise, fools...) "

I took a stance by spread my pivot leg at the front, while my right leg act as a spring. I take a deep breathe, and release it with calm. Noticing they enter my range of attack, I release a barrage of my spear-thrust toward them. For me, their movement is slow, so I can pinpoint the attack to become lethal. For that, each of my attacks has gone piercing their necks.

I keep my barrage while rotate myself around to aim them. After a few seconds have passed, I decided to end my endless attacks... and find all of them lie on the ground with a hole on their neck as the moment I stop the barrage.

A second I took a glance over them, I find their last expression was befitting as their rotten nature. Thus I leave the bandits and headed to the where captives are.

I stop at the girl who nearly getting 'play' by them. Her blouse was torn and dirty... as she can only cover her private place. I took my cloak and put around her," Are you hurt?"

"J-just a scratch..."

I only release a heavy sigh of release and threw a smile to her, all for to convince her that I'm no threat

And here I thought they will cheer for my killing but instead, they trembling. Well... I had expected.

"M-my kid...!"-- an old woman starts speaking as I walk near her

"I will, but after this... okay?"-- I broke her choke and went to the others, and done the same thing.

They became shocked as I broke the choke for them... until I understand what's in their mind right now.

I went to the carriages, and release the youngsters. The moment their hands and legs free from being tied... they force their way out the carriages... and even pushing me to the side.

And apparently, I'm in no state of anger. In fact... my eyes witnessing almost all the captives hug their kids, kissing their forehead numerously... and cries. This is somewhat felt nostalgic as I reminisce about the past... saving Godin from being taken away by the humans.

I take a seat and watch this scenery, with a mixing feeling. Why not... because just now, I help the human. And that is new by any mean.

"Big brother...~!"-- a sudden call greet me from keeps daydreaming... and I find a girl and her mother stand before me

"Young man, thank you for saving us...we're truly grateful!!

"Thank you, big brother...!"

They both lowering their head to me. I really think this situation is feeling awkward. Not until I saw the tears dropping from that old lady.

"Please raise your head. It wasn't even a problem for me anyway..."

They both do as I told without question

"Thank you...~"-- with a smile attach on their lips, they said it with sync

"You're welcome..."--- ....!?

Hmm... this is really something new for me in this journey

I'm showing a smile to human...