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11.53% SWORDCRAFT: Reincarnation Of A Nameless Nobody / Chapter 6: Crisis In The Dead Of Night [Pt 2]

章 6: Crisis In The Dead Of Night [Pt 2]

The door to the dilapidated house groaned as it creaked open, its rusted hinges protesting against the intrusion of the world outside.

A figure shrouded in darkness slinked inside, hunching over as he stepped forward. A bandana was tightly wrapped around his head, his eyes gleaming with a malevolent glint that spoke volumes of his depraved nature.

With a perverted expression fixed on his face, the bandit scanned the interior of the humble abode, his bloodshot eyes scouring every nook and cranny. He was a master of stealth, but this time, he had no need for caution. After all, the villagers inside the house were sound asleep, completely unaware of the peril that awaited them.

"This is too easy," he chuckled to himself, his grin widening as he continued his stealthy advance. The bandit's heart raced with anticipation, his mind already calculating the spoils that lay within his grasp. A fresh maiden to violate would be ideal, but he wouldn't turn down a child or two. As long as there was prey to be had, he was satisfied.

As he navigated his way through the shadows, his excited laugh echoed through the empty halls of the house. But then, he heard another sound.

A stifled bloodlust that emanated from the darkness, and it wasn't his.

Puzzled, the bandit halted in his tracks, his senses on high alert. He scanned the darkness, but nothing appeared out of the ordinary. He didn't realize that his presence had been detected by a child lurking in the shadows, whose stillness made him appear like a mere piece of furniture in the room.

And then, in a sudden blur of motion, the little boy closed the distance between himself and the bandit with absolute precision. Without any wasted movement, he delivered a swift, silent strike that left the intruder writhing on the ground, unable to comprehend what had just happened.

This silhouette of a child easily circled the already comfortable bandit—whose focus was now more on whatever he was imagining—and brandished the blade in his hand.

"Hm? Did something just—"

>FWOOOOSSSSHHHH!<

With the grace and fluidity of a seasoned warrior, the shadowy child leaped from his hiding spot, launching himself at the bandit with deadly intent. In one swift motion, he sliced through the man's throat with his dagger, causing blood to spurt out in a gruesome arc. The bandit was caught off guard, his hands instinctively grasping at his throat as he gagged and gasped for air.

But the shadowy child was not done yet. He moved with the speed and precision of a viper, snatching the fallen dagger from the ground and leaping once more towards his prey. The bandit could only watch in silent horror as the child closed in on him, brandishing the very weapon he had once wielded.

In an instant, the dagger found its mark, plunging deep into the bandit's flesh with a sickening squelch. The man's upper left side was pierced, and he felt a searing pain that left him unable to scream. His body convulsed and twitched as he tried to make sense of what was happening, but it was too late.

Time seemed to slow down as the bandit's life ebbed away, his consciousness slipping into a void of darkness. He had barely had time to register the fact that he was dying before his body went still, his last breath escaping him in a gurgling wheeze. The shadowy child stood over his lifeless form, his eyes gleaming with an intensity that spoke of a hidden power lurking within. In that moment, it was clear that he was not to be underestimated.

>THUD!<

The bandit's body hit the ground with a dull thud, the impact absorbed by the unyielding stone floor. The sound was surprisingly muted, almost as if the floor had willingly accepted the lifeless form that had been unceremoniously dropped onto it. The shadowy child stood over the body, his small frame rigid with tension as he looked down at the dead man with a cold, unwavering stare.

For a moment, all was silent except for the child's labored breathing. He had just taken a life, and the weight of that fact hung heavily in the air. The darkness seemed to press in on him, the shadows thickening around his small form like a shroud.

Finally, the child spoke, his voice betraying his youth. "As I thought...you are the enemy." His tone was flat and emotionless, as if he had been expecting this outcome all along. He had come to this place with a purpose, and now that it had been fulfilled, there was no room for hesitation or regret.

*

*

*

The kidney thrust, a ferocious attack that could kill a person within five seconds, was not an easy maneuver to execute. It required expert precision, and if done right, the victim would be left unable to scream, writhing in excruciating pain until their last breath.

Liu knew this well. He had just attempted it on a bandit who had threatened his family. He struck the carotid arteries first, rendering the bandit stunned and helpless. If the attack had been successful, the bandit would have been dead within seconds, but Liu's strike wasn't precise enough. The carotid artery had been reached, but it wasn't severed entirely, and the bandit wasn't going to die instantly.

Liu stared at the bleeding corpse beneath him, feeling a sense of disappointment and frustration at his incompetence. He was still too small, his reach too limited. He had to improvise quickly and grab the attacker's dagger, searching for a more reasonable target that would ensure his enemy's instant death.

The kidney was his next choice. It was a risky move, but it was the only option he had. Liu would have preferred to strike the region below his collarbones, where the subclavian arteries were located. A precise strike in that area could cause near-instant death. But he didn't have enough reach to cover a grown adult's mouth while also trying to kill him. He had to make do with what he had.

With the dagger in hand, Liu thrust it into the bandit's kidney, causing him to writhe in pain for a few seconds before collapsing in a lifeless heap. The threat was extinguished, but Liu couldn't shake off the chill that ran down his spine. He knew there was more danger lurking in the shadows.

He looked around, scanning the area for any signs of movement. He could only think of one explanation for the lingering feeling of unease: the bandit wasn't the only one. There could be more lurking, waiting to pounce on his family. Liu's heart raced as he realized he needed to be on high alert.

He took a moment to observe the outfit of the dead bandit, confirming his suspicions that he was a lowlife, a petty killer, and a danger to society. Liu knew that he had done the right thing in protecting his family, but he also knew that the danger was far from over.

Liu knew he lacked the skills of a trained assassin. The idea of expert killers lurking in such a remote village seemed far-fetched, but the encounter he had just experienced left him shaken and full of questions. In his five years in this world, Liu had never encountered someone from outside his village, let alone killed another human being.

His thoughts were jumbled, and his heart raced as he grappled with the realization that he had taken another person's life. The thought of more killers like the one he had just dispatched lurking in his village filled him with fear, but Liu knew he couldn't afford to freeze up. For his own survival and that of his family, he needed to act quickly.

"I must prepare for the others," Liu said to himself, gripping the dagger he had taken from the bandit, as well as the butcher knife he had on hand. He needed to dispose of the body and hide any evidence before the others came searching.

Time was running out. Liu needed to return to his position before the intruders arrived. "It doesn't matter how many come here," he thought, his eyes glinting with a newfound sense of violence and purpose. "I'll kill them all!"

With a sense of grim determination, Liu set to work, making sure that his village and his loved ones would be safe. As he disposed of the bandit's body, he braced himself for the inevitable confrontation to come. He was ready for whatever lay ahead, knowing that he would do whatever it took to protect his home and those he cared for.

*

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[A/N]

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章 7: Crisis In The Dead Of Night [Pt 3]

In his previous life, Liu - or whatever name he went by then - was no seasoned killer, nor a professional assassin.

He never delved into the intricacies of human anatomy or the art of killing, nor was he taught the best ways to ensure his own survival. Everything he knew, he learned through the harsh experiences of a miserable life of perpetual struggle.

Liu had learned how to kill, when to strike, how to hide, and how to fight through trial and error. The list of skills he had acquired went on and on. He was simply a survivor - and more often than not, survival meant getting his hands dirty.

He joined different gangs in the past, committing countless atrocities. He was a child soldier, and as he grew older, he only became more acquainted with the ways of violence. How many lives had he extinguished to become so proficient in the art? He had no idea.

Even in this new world, Liu could not escape his bloody past. Once again, he found himself cornered with the choice of kill or be killed. To live or to die. And, just as he had always done, Liu chose life.

"Haa..." His breath came in short, sharp gasps as he gripped his weapons and blended into the shadows, waiting for his next prey. Liu's eyes glinted with a cold, determined gleam as he surveyed his surroundings, his senses alert for any sign of movement.

The night was his ally, his accomplice. He was a hunter in the darkness, and his prey was ignorant of the danger that lurked in the shadows. The anticipation was intoxicating, the thrill of the hunt coursing through his veins. Liu was a predator, and he was ready to pounce.

*

*

*

"We should be finished by now. Gather everyone here," growled the leader of the Hundred Red Scarf Bandits. Impatience radiated from him as he stood next to a pile of unconscious children his henchmen had brought out.

A bored expression played on his face as he tapped his feet, waiting for the remaining ninety-nine men to assemble. As their leader, he understood their primal desires, but there was only so much he could tolerate. The children had to be taken out of these mountains before they froze to death. The merchandise had to be protected at all costs, after all.

"Let's get this over with. I can't wait to get our payment. Once I have enough..." He allowed himself to ponder the grandiose plans he had in store for himself, something beyond the comprehension of his savage subordinates. "A few more rounds, and I'll finally have enough to buy the Bone Forging Pill. With that, I'll have a sturdy constitution to return to practicing Martial Arts."

He could hardly wait for that moment to arrive. The thought of reaching new heights of strength and power sent shivers of excitement down his spine. But first, he had to complete this mission and secure his fortune.

*

*

*

A couple of minutes ticked by, marked by the sound of hushed whispers and the occasional rustling of leaves. Eventually, the bandits began to gather, drawn together by some unseen force. They knew that their leader would be there, waiting for them - it was the only reason they had come.

As the group coalesced, a sense of relief seemed to wash over them, their expressions softening and their bodies relaxing. For these men, nights like these were a much-needed respite from the violent and dangerous lives they led. It was a chance to indulge in their vices, to let off some steam and escape the constant stress that plagued them.

But their momentary respite was short-lived. The leader's voice broke the stillness, sharp and cutting like a blade. His eyes roamed over the assembled group, taking stock of each man present.

"Hm? Something is wrong," he murmured, his gaze narrowing. "Were you always this few?"

The bandits shifted uneasily, a sense of foreboding creeping over them. They knew that the leader's scrutiny could be deadly. He was not a man to be trifled with.

"Ninety-two? What's the meaning of this? Seven of you are missing!"

Tension spread like wildfire through the group, the missing men a stark reminder of the danger that lurked outside their makeshift encampment.

As they pondered their missing comrades, a figure emerged from the shadows. He charged towards them, causing the bandits to jump in alarm. Their hands went to their weapons, poised to strike.

But before they could act, a familiar voice rang out, dispelling the tension.

"Whoah! Whoah! It's me!" the latecomer shouted, the red bandana on his forehead identifying him as one of their own.

"You're late," the leader rumbled, his deep voice sending shivers down their spines.

The latecomer chuckled nervously, his excuses spilling out in a rush.

"Haha! Sorry leader. I was taking a piss back then, so it took me some time to-"

In an instant, the leader's hand shot out, swift and deadly. It struck the bandit with a resounding thwack, silencing his protests.

>SQUISH<

A sharp object had already punctured his chest, crushing his heart in the process.

"Congratulations. That cost your life," the leader declared, staring at the dying bandit. The man's eyes bulged, blood dripping from his chest, as stifled groans escaped his lips. With a final gasp, he gave up the ghost.

>THUD!<

The lifeless body fell to the ground as the leader removed his bloodied hand from the corpse. The crowd descended into silence, as no one dared to make a sound when the leader was around.

"The rest of you should stay here. I'll go and look for the other six," the leader spoke, his deep voice sounding even heavier for some reason.

The bandits knew better than to utter a word. They only nodded quickly in agreement.

"If any other member returns after I leave, well... I don't need to tell you what to do, do I?" This time, they responded by shaking their heads.

The leader already knew their numbers, and if they dared to accommodate a newcomer, it would increase their sum, thus dooming them all.

'If anyone else arrives, we'll gang up on them and capture them for our leader!' The bandits all thought, knowing there was no honor among thieves, and it was every man for himself. They had to survive in this situation.

"I'll be back soon," the leader announced before his hulking body turned into a silhouette, vanishing into the cold, dark night.

As his bloodlust left the vicinity, a sense of relief overwhelmed the bandits. They felt better the moment he was gone.

"He's going to kill them... the late ones..." Dread filled the bandits as they imagined the fate that would befall their comrades. But even greater was their sense of gratitude that they were still alive.

The bandits breathed a collective sigh of relief, grateful that they weren't among the ones who had chosen their own deaths.

"I actually... want to have a piss," one bandit whispered to another, trembling as he held it in.

The other bandit simply smiled and shook his head. A dripping sound came from underneath him, and the smell of ammonia permeated the air. A twinkle of wisdom reflected in his eyes as he opened his mouth to speak.

"You better follow my lead," he said.

The first bandit nodded in agreement, understanding the unspoken rule of the bandit camp. It was better to blend in and avoid drawing attention to oneself, even when it came to basic bodily functions.


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