“What?!” The bandits’ eyes widened as their companion died instantly before them.
“You bastard!
Are you an adventurer?!” No ordinary newcomer could possess such strength.
The black-haired young man had undoubtedly received a Falna.
“Damn it!
How did that idiot bring back another adventurer?!” The bandits immediately began cursing their dead driver.
They were adventurers from Orario, but adventurers varied greatly in strength.
These men stood near the bottom, and Orario was overflowing with weaklings like them.
They were not even important enough to be called minor characters.
That was why they had chosen to rob ordinary people instead.
Powerful merchant companies had their own guards, but poor traders and newcomers dreaming of becoming adventurers did not.
Those defenseless people became the bandits’ preferred targets.
The presence of gods and adventurers did not mean robberies never happened in Orario.
Most gods and high-level adventurers did not care about such crimes.
Those willing to intervene either lacked the time or manpower.
Sometimes, the criminals themselves were powerful adventurers whom ordinary guards could not handle.
Many gods did not care about someone’s character before granting them a Falna.
Orario was also the center of the world, drawing every kind of person imaginable.
Whether adventurer or civilian, good or evil, all sorts gathered there.
Robberies were so common they had practically become part of daily life, and these men were merely one gang among many.
To prevent accidents, they even disguised one of their own as a driver.
He would bring them a carriage full of victims, and they would rob everyone aboard.
The scheme had never failed.
Until today.
However, the bandits were not ready to give up.
Their opponent might be an adventurer, but so were they.
“So what if he’s an adventurer?
We’re adventurers too!
Even if he’s stronger, the difference can’t be that large!” “Exactly!
I’ve never even heard of him.
He must be another Level One like us!” Their attempts to encourage one another quickly restored their confidence.
Level One adventurers were nameless nobodies in Orario.
Only after reaching Level Two would someone receive an official alias.
None of them recognized the black-haired young man, so he clearly was not Level Two.
Since they were all Level One, there was no reason to fear him.
“You’re just an archer with a little more strength than normal!
You only won earlier because you caught us off guard.
You won’t get another chance!” The bandit leader charged and swung his blade downward, but the young man casually stepped aside.
“That’s it?” While taunting him, the young man grabbed the bandit’s arm.
“Hah!” He lifted the bandit with one hand, swung him through the air, and slammed him violently into the ground.
“Guhah!” The bandit spat out blood in agony, but the young man had no intention of stopping.
He lifted him again and smashed him down on the opposite side.
He repeated the motion nine times in front of the horrified bandits before finally tossing the battered body away.
“What a weak adventurer.” The bandit, whose bones had been shattered throughout his body, landed at his companions’ feet.
They looked down and found him lying with his mouth open, eyes rolled back, and no trace of breath.
“A-A monster!” Another of their companions had died within seconds.
Fear flooded the remaining bandits’ hearts.
Even so, one man forced down his terror and tried to rally the others.
“Don’t be afraid!
We’re all Level One!
He’s only a little stronger than us.
If we attack together, there’s no way he can kill every one of us!” They had already lost two men.
Unless they robbed the passengers and recovered something, this entire venture would end in a terrible loss.
The frightened bandits regained their confidence and surrounded the young man.
Just as they prepared to attack, a loud shout came from farther down the road.
“That’s enough, you scum!” The bandits turned and saw three people standing in the middle of the road.
Their leader was a red-haired young woman wearing an ivory mask.
“Drop your weapons and surrender!
Otherwise, I’ll use force!” “The military police?
There are only three of them.” One bandit scoffed, but another immediately recognized the masked woman.
“Idiot!
That’s Niel Varma, a Level Two from the Ganesha Familia!
She could defeat every one of us by herself!” “What?!” “Run!” One bandit immediately turned and fled.
The others froze for a moment before following, sprinting faster than they ever had in their lives.
They plunged into the roadside forest and continued deeper among the trees.
Niel and her two companions rushed over to the black-haired young man.
“Are you hurt?” “I’m fine.
They aren’t.” He pointed toward the newcomers lying on the ground and groaning in pain.
Niel crouched and examined them.
Fortunately, none of the injuries were fatal, but they would need a long time to recover.
“Damn those bastards!
They always commit robberies whenever we’re overwhelmed with work!” “So they’re repeat offenders?” The young man looked at her curiously.
“That’s right!
They’ve robbed and murdered people for years.
Their crimes are severe enough to justify stripping them of their Falna!” “And they still aren’t sentenced to death?” The young man sounded genuinely surprised.
“Orario doesn’t have the death penalty.
The harshest punishment is having their Falna removed before being exiled.” “Even after they murder people?” “Uh…
yes.” Niel’s awkward reply made him laugh.
“What a heartwarming legal system.
With such compassionate laws, I’m sure ordinary people are never bullied by powerful adventurers.” “Uh…” Niel fell silent, unable to offer any response.
The young man turned toward the forest where the bandits had fled.
“Officer, you’re responsible for maintaining Orario’s security, correct?” “I’m not an officer.
The Ganesha Familia’s military police are simply responsible for preserving Orario’s safety and public order.” “In that case, killing someone while defending yourself from a threat to your life isn’t a crime, is it?” “That…
would not be considered a crime.” “Good.” The young man placed his right hand over his chest and began to chant.
“We are many, yet we are one.
We are one, yet we are many—the ever-changing legion of shadows that bears a hundred faces!” As his chant ended, a man identical to him appeared at his side.
However, unlike the young man’s cheerful expression, the newcomer wore a slightly crazed grin.
“Hahaha!
It’s finally my turn to come out!” “What is that?!” Niel stared in shock at the madman who had suddenly appeared.
He ignored her and immediately asked a question.
“Where are the targets?” The young man pointed toward the forest.
“Ah!
I see them!
They’ve gathered together so conveniently!” The man reached into empty air and pulled out a red longbow.
He nocked an arrow, drew the bowstring to its limit, and began chanting with a wild expression.
“O radiant lord, as sacred as the rising sun!
O glorious sovereign who grants all wisdom, dignity, and strength to this world!” “Please bear witness to my heart, my conviction, and everything within my power…” As he chanted, all his magical power gathered around the arrow resting upon the bowstring.
The entire shaft began glowing with crimson light.
“Come, supreme being who created the stars and moon!
Witness my deeds, my end, and my sacred sacrifice!” “When this arrow carrying every ounce of my strength is released, this mighty body shall shatter and fade away!” Cracks spread across the man’s body as though he might break apart at any moment.
Even so, he raised his voice and shouted the final words.
“Stella!” The arrow tore free from the bowstring and transformed into a crimson meteor.
It streaked through the forest in an instant before erupting in a thunderous explosion!