As I walked along the road towards my destination, I remembered the time when I should have died. That was such a chaotic time for people like me. Everyone was getting ready to kill us for the sake of saving their own. A truly greedy and self serving thing to do.
But now, why am I going towards a place with such barbaric tendencies? You can say it's because of my curiosity to see how the world has changed ever since I was trapped inside that dungeon.
After traveling around for a while, I heard people talk about how different the world is now compared to the time when we were hunted down. Whether it is for the good or bad, seeing the truth is what matters to me.
"It feels as if it was just yesterday. How are you doing, master?" I said to myself.
Thinking about the time when I was still learning how to live again after my people sacrificed me for their own safety after believing the lies they were fed with, makes me question if I am doing the right thing. If I look back into the past, the current me doesn't really care anymore. If it was my younger self, however, I can't be sure.
While following the road for quite some time now, I'm surprised at how quiet and peaceful my travels have been so far. Perhaps what they speak of is the truth? I can't be certain about it since there is a chance that I just got lucky that there is not a single trace of robbers in the area despite the constant warning I get from the people I ask directions from telling me to reconsider going on foot.
Just when I was greatly pleased with the fact that there is not a single hindrance on my travels, I sensed a large crowd of people at a distance. And the smell of iron filled my nose. I can sense it from afar, the stench of death.
As I follow along the road, the smell of blood continues to grow thicker. I was getting close to the source. And as I stopped and reached the ground below me, I touched what seemed like fresh blood that stained the earth.
The scent of blood moved which only means that whoever was injured is being chased down deeper into the thick cluster of trees.
'Should I get involved?'
Is the first thing that comes to my mind. Surely, if the world has indeed changed then this should have not happened, right?
I want to leave despite knowing that fact, but the memory of the old man holding my dirty and tattered clothes keeps coming to mind. No matter how dirty I am, he held onto my clothes without any intention of letting me go after knowing that I am going in the same direction where robbers are flocking.
Is it guilt or gratitude? To me, the reason doesn't really matter. The old man showed worry towards someone he doesn't even know a thing about. It reminds me of how my master treated me in the past.
Like the master used to say, 'When shown kindness, pass it on to the next' I never thought what that really meant back then because my heart is filled with nothing but darkness, but now, I realize how simple it actually is.
I followed the scent of blood and reached a certain area. I cannot see the area clearly but in contrast, the crowd of people gathering around were as clear as day like I was staring right at them. I immediately started counting them. With all the noises and movements they are making, it was easier for me to count them all off.
"Thirteen.... robbers, huh? Excluding the other three that seemed like the victims, there are at least sixteen people." I said to myself as I got ready to launch my attack.
First is distraction. Doing something to divert their attention from the victims will give them time to escape. Since I cannot let myself get caught as the attacker, I need to attack them from the shadows just as how I was taught how to hunt.
I knocked down a tree which immediately caught their attention. And just as I anticipated, the victims ran away the instant they saw the opportunity. They made a good decision. It will make my job easier.
It's been a long time since I have used this trick that my master taught me. If they failed to take a hint and stayed despite the opening I gave them, I might have a little trouble saving them without accidentally injuring them in the process.
"It's a good thing they can grasp the situation. Now then, it's time to hunt."
Hiding from behind a tree, I grabbed the first spear I made by sharpening the tip. It barely passes as a spear, but since the situation calls for an immediate solution I settle with what I currently have.
"If you survive this, then it's not your time yet."
It is always something that my master tells me all the time. Surviving something that should have taken your life away means that there is still something you must do. And death will not come to you until you fulfill the reason for living.
I heightened my senses and threw the spear with all my might. Controlling it using the flow of the wind as guidance, I was able to hit the first target: the robber who decided to pursue the injured.
I can no longer feel his body moving which only means he died.
"You no longer have anything to do in this world."
I grabbed the next spear and carefully aimed at the panicking robbers.
"Where the hell did that come from?!"
"Who the hell are you?! Show yourself!"
"Go check on Buck!"
"He's gone. It struck his chest!"
"Damn it! What the hell was that!"
Killing a man was not a first for me. After all, I had encounters that warrant me to go for drastic measures. Though it is not the first option I have, I cannot let them be and take another life. I have to deal with them now.
I threw more spears, hitting my targets all the time. And as I suspected, none of them survived from my attacks leaving only five of them left standing surrounded by their dead subordinates. Just as I decimated their numbers greatly, one of them managed to clear his mind and locate me despite the fear strangling them.
"The spears came behind that tree! The attacker is hiding there!"
Finally catching a glimpse of a chance to avenge their subordinates. As fear finally left their body, they ran towards my direction. I can hear their heavy footsteps rumbling like thunder. They are closing in towards me.
I may not be able to see their expressions, but I can feel it. Their anger, I can sense it. Their bloodlust fills the air. But unfortunately for them, I, who have trained hard for years and years that I lost count how much time has passed, am not going to be defeated by mere robbers.
As soon as they stepped behind the tree where I was hiding, one of them tripped on the rope that triggered my trap. I need not to inspect them if they are alive, not even an experienced hunter would survive the trap I made.
"It is not always good to rely on your sight. There will come a time, that even your eyes may deceive you." I said without looking back.
Finally reaching the side of the road where I first sensed the dead bodies, I turned back to the thick cluster of trees. Whatever happened there will stay buried unless curious people decide to investigate. Not that it matters to me anymore. After all, I have done what I came there to do. Whoever is involved in it has no significance to me.