"A misunderstanding doesn't explain why there are more people hiding in the forest... This one looks young, he must have acted on impulse, but the others are just waiting for your orders, aren't they?"
Aric swallowed, realizing that Kaizen was not someone who could be easily fooled.
The bandits hiding in the forest, now aware that their initial attack had failed, emerged from the shadows of the trees so as not to leave Aric alone. Their faces were partially covered by hoods, making it difficult to discern their expressions, but some were so confident that their plans had never gone wrong that, even when it came to Kaizen in front of them, they smiled as if they had already won.
Kaizen remained calm and smiled slightly too.
The leader of the men in black, a tall, slender man, stepped forward and stood next to Aric. His eyes were fixed on Kaizen, appraising him with a mixture of defiance and respect. He spoke in a loud, firm voice:
