Chapter 4: Raid

Outside the village, around twenty figures stealthily made their way through the night, preparing to launch an attack. After a few minutes, the sound of snapping tree branches echoed through the air.

The Grand Elder jolted awake, a sense of foreboding overtaking him. "Who's there?" he shouted, rushing out of his house.

"Hehe. Old man, it would've been easier for you to stay asleep. Then you could have died peacefully," sneered a burly man with a prominent scar on his face. He was the leader of the Qi Condensation stage bandits known as the Forest Hunters.

"Damn you! I'll make sure you pay for disturbing my village!" the Grand Elder roared, drawing his sword and charging at the bandit leader.

The leader looked at him with disdainful amusement, unsheathed his own sword, and effortlessly parried the Grand Elder's strikes.

Though the Grand Elder knew the bandit leader was stronger, he refused to back down. Even if he couldn't defeat the bandit, he would fight to create an opening for his fellow villagers to escape, especially the children.

The Grand Elder swung his sword relentlessly, desperately searching for an opportunity to land a hit. Fortunately, the bandit leader underestimated the old man and failed to remain fully vigilant.

"Old man, give up. This village is doomed. We, the Forest Hunters, will slaughter the men and children, have our way with the women, and then dispose of them. HAHAHA!" the leader taunted, defending himself against the Grand Elder's relentless onslaught.

Silent determination filled the Grand Elder's eyes as he formulated a plan to take down his opponent, even if it meant sacrificing his own life. He had little time left, so he might as well seek a warrior's death.

After several minutes of fierce combat, the leader decided to end the fight. He lunged at the Grand Elder, piercing his stomach with a swift strike.

The Grand Elder spat out a mouthful of blood but remained resolute. Grasping the bandit leader's hand embedded in his own abdomen, he plunged his sword into the leader's throat.

Shock registered on the bandit leader's face, surprised by the Grand Elder's willingness to sacrifice himself to ensure his death.

Spurts of blood gushed from the Grand Elder's mouth, but he summoned the last vestiges of his strength to decapitate the leader. Lifeless, they both collapsed to the ground.

The other Forest Hunter bandits stood in stunned silence before erupting into rage-filled screams.

"AHHHH! This damned village! I'll kill every last one of you!"

"To hell with this village! We'll slaughter everyone as a tribute to our fallen leader!"

The bandits roared, charging toward the village to unleash their carnage. The villagers roused from their slumber, soon realized the dire situation as they witnessed the intruders streaming in, leaving behind a trail of corpses.

"Defend! We're under attack! Grab anything you can use as a weapon and protect our home!"

A villager's cry rang out, prompting everyone to seize whatever they could find—swords, spears, knives, clubs—anything that might serve as a means of defense. It quickly devolved into an all-out brawl.

Five villagers would join forces against each bandit, but even with the advantage, it remained a grueling struggle.The villagers were merely at the Strength Training Realm or Bone Forging Realm of the Body Tempering stage, and their weapons were basic Human Grade.

The villagers found themselves at a disadvantage in the battle. Despite their numerical superiority, their lack of combat training allowed the bandits to dispatch them with ease. Occasionally, a bandit would fall, but it cost the lives of three or four villagers to achieve it.

"Mira, you must find a way to escape. We'll fight to buy you some time. I know you've discovered hiding places. Make your way to one and stay hidden until it's safe. Mommy and Daddy love you. Now, go!" Zach said, his voice choked with tears.

"Please, Mira! As long as you're safe, we can depart this world without regrets. These past five years have been the best of our lives. We couldn't have asked for a more wonderful daughter. Fulfill your dream and become the strongest for us! Live on!" Jannette pleaded, tears streaming down her face as she embraced Mira tightly.

After the embrace, she pushed Mira toward the backdoor, armed herself with a knife, and stood alongside Zach near the front entrance.

Mira's eyes welled up with tears. These parents had been the best in all her lives, and she couldn't bear to lose them. Yet, she was only a five-year-old girl—she could barely wield a weapon, let alone fight.

What should I do? I can't let them die! Even with the spiritual scythe residing in my soul, it's too heavy for me to carry. My strength is limited to that of a child.

While Zach and Jannette waited anxiously by the door, Mira stood frozen, unsure of her next move. Startled, they both turned and simultaneously shouted, "GO!"

Mira snapped out of her daze, looking at them, but just as the three of them prepared to act, an eerie silence fell upon the surroundings. Dread filled their hearts as they anticipated the worst.

Soon, the crackling sound of flames reached their ears, followed by an intruder bursting into their house. Covered in blood and driven to madness, the man spotted Mira, Zach, and Jannette.

He made a beeline toward Mira, who found herself shielded by her parents, their expressions conveying a loving understanding. They knew this was their final moment together. Tearfully, all three exchanged glances, and then Mira ran.

"I LOVE YOU!" she screamed, her voice resonating with raw emotion as she fled. Those three words struck her parents like lightning, never having heard them from Mira before. Now, they could depart from this world without regrets.

"You little bitch! Come back here! This entire village will pay for killing our leader! Get off me and return!" the bandit screamed in mad fury, but Mira had vanished from sight.

The battle between the bandit and Mira's parents raged on, but Zach and Jannette were overwhelmed by wounds, their strength waning.

They exchanged one last smile, encapsulating a lifetime's worth of love—a smile that conveyed their lack of regret and the depth of their souls. Such a smile could only emanate from true love.

With resolute determination, they charged toward the bandit. Jannette fell victim to a stab from the bandit, but Zach managed to drive his sword into the bandit's abdomen.

In a final act of madness, the bandit kicked Jannette to the ground before impaling Zach near his heart. Once done, he pursued Mira. However, his pursuit was abruptly cut short as he collapsed, blood gushing from his own stomach.

Zach and Jannette lay side by side on the ground, looking at each other and smiling before departing from this world, their souls at peace.