Suddenly , the driver yelled , "Bandits! Bandits!" he screamed, his voice raw with terror. Then came a blood-curdling shriek, cut short as the carriage shuddered violently, the horses bolting in panic.
Clomanius reacted swiftly, throwing the door open and yanking Roe out with him. The carriage lurched, tilting precariously before crashing onto its side with a resounding thud. Dust clouded the air as Clomanius straightened, his sharp eyes scanning their surroundings.
At their twelve o'clock, a dozen men stood armed and ready, their faces twisted with cruel intent. The driver was already dead, slumped on the ground with a sword impaled through his stomach. From the bushes emerged several more men, led by a hulking figure clad in worn leather armor. His menacing grin revealed yellowed teeth as he stepped forward.
"Well, well, travelers," the leader said, his voice dripping with mockery. "Seems you've found yourselves in a bit of trouble. What a coincidence—we need money, and you need your lives. Hand over your valuables, and maybe—just maybe—we'll let you walk away."
His men chuckled darkly, emboldened by their leader's sneering confidence.
Clomanius's expression remained unchanged, cold and unreadable. He turned to Roe, locking eyes with him.
"Watch closely," he said, his voice low and steady. "This is the work I do. The work you'll do soon."
With that, Clomanius strode forward, his posture calm, almost lazy. The bandits erupted into laughter. One, unable to contain his eagerness, called out, "Boss, let me take this one!"
The leader smirked and gave a dismissive nod. "Go ahead."
The bandit charged, short sword gleaming in the sunlight. His crazed grin widened as he swung for Clomanius's face. He was ready for the satisfying sound of steel meeting flesh, for the scream of his victim. Instead, he felt... nothing.
Confusion flashed across his face before he realized his head was no longer attached to his body. It soared through the air, landing with a sickening thud at the leader's feet. The bandit's lifeless eyes stared up in shock.
The leader's grin vanished, replaced by a grim scowl. His knuckles whitened as he tightened his grip on his sword, veins bulging in frustration. "All of you, attack him!" he barked. "He's just one man. We'll deal with the boy later!"
The bandits obeyed, rushing at Clomanius in a coordinated attack. They spread out, surrounding him. The leader charged head-on, flanked by others, while others closed in from the sides.
From a distance, Roe watched, his heart pounding. As the bandits closed in, swords poised to strike, he shut his eyes, bracing for the inevitable. But the scream that followed wasn't Clomanius's. It was one of the bandits'.
Roe's eyes snapped open to see chaos unfolding. One bandit stumbled back, clutching the stump where his arm had been. Another flew through the air, colliding with a tree and slumping to the ground. Clomanius grabbed a third by the face and slammed him into the earth, leaving a crater in his wake.
The bandit leader swung his blade, meeting Clomanius's with a deafening clang. Sparks flew as their swords clashed. Clomanius held his weapon with one hand, his sneer unwavering.
"Weak," he muttered coldly.
He pushed the leader back with ease, his strength sending shockwaves of fear through the remaining bandits. Desperation overtook them, and they charged with reckless abandon.
Clomanius moved like a shadow, his sword a blur. Heads rolled, bodies crumpled, and blood painted the forest floor. The surviving bandits faltered, their faces twisted in terror.
"Impossible," one whispered. "How can he be this strong?"
They turned to flee, but Clomanius was faster. His blade found them before they could take another step, cutting them down with ruthless efficiency.
The leader, now alone, stumbled back, trembling. His voice quivered as he pointed a shaking finger.
"You... You're a cultivator!"
Realization dawned on him, and with it came regret. Why couldn't they have ambushed someone ordinary? Why had they crossed paths with a monster?
Desperation overtook him. He fell to his knees, bowing low.
"Great master, forgive my foolishness! I have eyes but failed to see Mount Tai. Spare me, and I will serve you! I'll be your slave!"
Clomanius didn't even glance at him. Instead, he turned to Roe, who stood pale and frozen.
"Come here," he ordered.
Roe hesitated, but the command in Clomanius's tone spurred him into motion.
"Pick it up," Clomanius said, gesturing to an axe lying near a corpse.
"Wh-why?" Roe stammered.
"Just do it," Clomanius snapped.
Trembling, Roe obeyed, lifting the heavy weapon.
"Kill him," Clomanius said, nodding toward the kneeling bandit leader.
Roe's eyes widened in horror.
"I… I can't," he whispered.
"You will," Clomanius said coldly. "Kill him, or I will."
Tears streamed down Roe's face as he raised the axe with shaking hands. The bandit leader's eyes darted to his sword, but Clomanius's voice cut through.
"Move, and you die."
The leader froze, sweat dripping down his face. He took a closer look at Roe and saw his fear. A flicker of hope sparked within him—this boy wasn't a killer.
But that hope was short-lived. Roe couldn't bring himself to swing, and Clomanius, growing impatient, stepped forward.
"Tch. Weak."
In one swift motion, Clomanius's sword flashed, and the leader's head hit the ground. Blood sprayed over Roe, who collapsed, sobbing.
Clomanius looked down at him with disdain.
"Get up. We're leaving," he said, mounting a horse. "And this," he added, his voice chilling, "is the work you'll be doing from now on. A killer. Your hands will take the lives of many , if you aren't willing return to the city now otherwise the next time I tell you to kill you kill."
Roe wiped his face, forcing himself to his feet. He climbed onto the horse behind Clomanius, his heart heavy with despair.
The two rode off into the forest, leaving behind the carnage.