章 24: Night Hunting

As the saying goes, every coin has two sides, and this can also be said about most things in life. Opposites are commonly observed in many areas, including nature and human behavior. For instance, water and fire represent opposing elements of nature. Similarly, we can see contrasts between white and black, smooth and rough, and rich and poor. These are just a few examples of how opposites can manifest themselves in different ways.

It is also essential to acknowledge that if there is brightness in the world, there is also darkness. Sadly, many people can't see the darkness that exists, but it is still there. The changes have brought about an increase in the ugliness of people, which is evident in rampant terrorism, murders, kidnapping, and robbery. Crimes have increased everywhere.

While there have been some improvements now due to the Hunter Management Association, it is unrealistic to expect that we can completely eradicate these negative activities from our society. While they can't catch high-class rankers. Throwing those low level in prison is still easy.

That's how rain made those weirdos get home visit from bureau, Now they might be singing "Tears behind the bars."

According to information rain got from his family network and some details from storyline, there are many local bandit gangs in the neighborhood area. Recently, one of these gangs looted a corrupt high-ranked official's house. Luckily, they acquired valuable items. Although it's a good thing that they looted corrupt officials, bandits are also no good.

Rain was going to raid their hideout. He knew it was not worth it to take great pains and go there alone, still, he wanted to go. Even though he can inform the Authorities and become a good citizen, perhaps he might get some rewards too. However, he won't do that because there is a [skill manual] among the things in the bandits' hideout.

'Shadow Sword art.'

'Yeah, I'll be taking that [skill manual]. It was mine in the plotline anyway,' Rain mused, reflecting on the events of the plotline.

Apparently, in the game, the bandit gang successfully auctioned the [skill manual] without getting caught, and Rain bought it at a very high price.

You might be wondering why Rain paid a high price for it. It was because someone pitted him. Due to Rain's poor luck, a heroine, the 'Merchant Queen,' was also present at the auction. After Rain and she got into an argument, she started a bidding war with him and made him pay double the price.

"Argh," Rain clenched his fists.

Just like these scenarios, she ruined Rain's plans many times in the game. Rain wanted to crush her business. However, now wasn't the time.

Although Rain didn't want to take any revenge on her as that happened in the game, there was still some anger within him. Thinking like this, he started walking on the silent streets, the sound of his footsteps echoing in the quiet night.

'Hah... At midnight, I am alone walking. This sure brings memories of past life.'

As he continued his solitary stroll, his mind drifted back to the days gone by. He remembered how in his past life, after completing work every day, he was walking alone to his home.

While other people used to walk with their friends, the laughter and chatter used to fill the air. However, for Rain, it was just silence. Even now, all he had was the sound of his breathing and the pitter-patter of the dusk on the pavement. It was a lonely feeling but somehow comforting, too.

As he walked on, the memories of his past life washed over him like the darkness in the sky, a reminder of what once was and what could never be again.

He will be different from what he was in the past.

***

[Somewhere In the forest]

The moon was high in the sky, casting a pale glow over the forest. Amid the forest beside a small cave, a small campfire crackled and popped, surrounded by a group of rough-looking bandits. They lounged on logs and stumps, passing around a bottle of cheap whiskey and exchanging crude jokes.

"Hey, boss, we sure catch big this time. From now on we don't have to raid any village. But I still want to taste women." (Bandit 1). One of the younger members spoke up eagerly.

"Just wait for some time. After we auction these things, we will buy some elixirs. We will increase our power with them and with new power, we will enjoy the city's women. Nobody can stop us right now. Hahahaha." said the bandit gang's leader, a grizzled man with a scar on his cheek.

"Hahahaha." (Bandit 2)

"Hahahaha." (Bandit 3)

"Hahahaha." (Bandit 4)

"Hahahaha." (Bandit 5)

"Hahahaha." (Bandit 6)

"Hahahaha." (Bandit 7)

The others nodded in agreement, their eyes glinting in the firelight. They chattered excitedly about their previous heists, bragging about the valuables they had stolen and the people they had killed.

"Let's toast for our new life that will start from tomorrow." The leader grinned and shouted, you can see he had some golden-colored teeth.

They raised their bottles in a toast, laughing like villains as they drank to their success. The night grew darker around them, but they were unconcerned - they were the ones who lurked in the shadows, striking fear into the hearts of anyone who crossed their path.

TAP

Suddenly, a round-shaped object appeared out of nowhere and fell right in between the group of bandits. All of them stopped whatever they were doing and stared curiously at the object. They were trying to figure out what it was.

And then, without warning, the object exploded with a loud BOOM. The explosion was so powerful that it killed many of the bandits instantly. While others were left badly injured and screaming in agony.

"Argh…" (Bandit 5)

One of the bandits, Bandit 5, cried out in pain as he fell to the ground.

"Please save me... Boss..." (Bandit 1)

Another, Bandit 1, pleaded for help from his boss, his voice filled with desperation.

The scene was chaotic, with smoke and dust everywhere. The bandits who were still alive tried to scramble away from the blast site, some limping or crawling due to their injuries. The silence that followed the explosion was broken only by the groans and cries of the injured bandits.

The leader of the bandits was the least injured. With his willpower, he stood up and started searching for the enemy that was hiding.

"Who the f*ck are you?" The leader of the bandits demanded, his voice was filled with rage. But before he could even finish his sentence, a bullet came out of nowhere and pierced his skull.

The gunshot echoed through the area, followed by a loud BANG and a sickening THUD as the leader's lifeless body hit the ground. Suddenly, gunfire erupted from all sides, and the air was filled with the deafening sounds of weapons being fired.

BANG

THUD

And with this, gunfire continued.

BANG

THUD

BANG

THUD

The bandits tried to fight back, but they were hopelessly outmatched and injured severely from the blast a few moments ago... One by one, they fell to the ground, their bodies riddled with bullets. The sound of gunfire continued for what seemed like an eternity, but eventually, it stopped.

When the smoke cleared, all the bandits lay dead on the ground, their weapons scattered around them. The mysterious figure stood alone, their face shrouded in shadow, and a feeling of silence and stillness descended upon the scene.

Soon all bandits died.

He removed the hood from his face. It was Rain.

"Yup good. Just quick and easy." Then Rain came to the scene. He felt it was too anti-climatic.

Rain thought it was a good thing that he prepared a mana grenade earlier. He was proud of his presence of mind.

'But this is quite natural, huh. I feel something uncomfortable about killing, but not that much. In those novels, how those MCs feel like vomiting, I don't feel that much. Just want to spit something.' Rain spat on the land while walking.

'Maybe this was because of my new memories? Oh, there is also a Calm mind.'

►[Host is indeed correct.]

System assured Rain.

►[Congratulations to Host for clearing the bandit gang alone.]

►[Reward: Skills- Lock pick and pickpocketing.]