Caelum cautiously approached the prison door, clutching the makeshift firearm in one hand and the brıoken sword in the other. The HUD map in the corner of his vision displayed the locations of the enemies—none were outside the prison, but three were stationed on the floor above. The odds were far from in his favor, and Caelum could feel a weight in his chest. But he refused to let fear rule him. Drawing from the cold, analytical side of Eclipse, he formed a plan.
"This is going to be difficult," he whispered to himself, taking a deep breath and slowly opening the prison door. He peered through the slight opening, making sure the coast was clear. Confirming his suspicions, he quietly closed the door behind him and made his way toward the stairs leading to the upper floor.
As he moved silently through the corridor, Caelum recalled his training from the Town Chef. Eclipse lacked sword training, but Caelum of this world received formal training. Combined with his stealth, they would be just enough. Every step he took was measured, ensuring he made no noise. His past life as Eclipse only intensified his skills, allowing him to blend seamlessly into the shadows.
Upon reaching the stairs, Caelum paused, carefully assessing the situation. He could hear muffled conversations from the floor above. They were close. Using the HUD map as guidance, he calculated their positions. The three enemies were conversing in a triangular formation, a slight distance apart from each other. Lining them up for a single shot would be nearly impossible without drawing their attention.
Suddenly, a raspy voice from above broke his concentration. "Did you hear something below?"
Caelum's heart raced. He quickly concealed himself behind a pillar near the staircase, holding his breath.
"Nah, probably just a rat," another voice responded dismissively. "This place is crawling with them."
With the enemies' attention momentarily diverted, Caelum seized the opportunity. He silently crept up the stairs, readying himself for confrontation.
Reaching the top, he observed his targets. One of them stood slightly isolated from the other two. Taking a moment to gauge the distance, Caelum swiftly lunged at the solitary enemy, catching him off guard. He swiftly and silently plunged the sword into the man, muffling any sounds of alarm with his hand.
The rapid succession of the system notifications had been annoyingly obtrusive for Caelum. With a swift hand gesture and a thought command, he silenced them, prioritizing the imminent threat over intrusive updates.
Caelum's senses heightened. His instincts, molded by a lifetime of hunting malevolent criminals, sharpened his perception. Every heartbeat echoed like a drum, every breath sounded as clear as the gust of wind across a quiet meadow. The two remaining guards chatted, their voices oblivious to their companion's demise mere moments ago.
Their laughter, echoing in the dimly lit chamber, grated on Caelum's nerves. He shifted, every move a testament to his past as Eclipse, evaluating the layout, the light, and the shadows around him. The makeshift gun in his hand was a powerful tool, but it was limited by its need for reloading after each shot. And with the hairpin acting the bullet, he couldn't afford to waste it, he was going to save it for now.
"Where did Jak go? Early for his patrol, no?" One of the guards inquired, looking around, a hint of suspicion in his voice.
"Dunno. Maybe he found some old wine to steal." The other one chuckled.
Caelum needed to divide them, isolate them, and eliminate them. He remembered an old tactic Eclipse often used in such situations: misdirection.
He gently tossed a small stone to the far side of the chamber. The echoing clatter immediately caught the attention of both guards.
"What was that?" The first guard questioned, drawing his sword and moving cautiously towards the sound.
"Stay sharp," the other guard whispered, following suit but staying a few steps behind.
As the guards moved away, Caelum swiftly approached the rear one, his steps virtually silent, blending seamlessly with the ambient noises. Without wasting a moment, he struck, thrusting the blade with precision and silencing the guard before he could react. The lifeless body fell quietly, neatly hidden by the shadows.
Now, only one remained.
The other guard, his face etched with confusion, turned back when he noticed the absence of his partner's footsteps. Caelum, seizing the moment of distraction, closed the distance in swift, silent strides. His blade, quick and precise, ended the third guard's vigil without a whisper. The trio was down, and the immediate threat was neutralized.
Caelum took a brief moment to gather himself, his breathing steady and controlled. His eyes flicked to the HUD map, quickly scanning the positions of the remaining threats. Tens of red dots clustered in one area – probably asleep, given their lack of movement. Isolated red dots were scattered around, and those were his next targets.
He approached the nearest isolated red dot, his body moving with practiced ease. His every step was a silent dance, a blend of his training with the Town Chef and the lethal grace of Eclipse. Caelum's eyes, keen and focused, tracked the oblivious guard as he patrolled the area.
The guard was whistling a tune, completely unaware of the danger lurking in the shadows. Caelum, seizing the opportunity, lunged forward. His blade, swift and silent, ensured the guard's song was cut short, his body crumpling to the ground without a sound.
Caelum moved on, his expression unchanging, his movements fluid. The HUD guided him, his past life's instincts propelled him, and the makeshift firearm remained at his side – a silent promise of power, reserved for when he truly needed it.
He navigated through the darkened halls, his senses alert. The isolated red dots on the HUD map dwindled one by one, each encounter ending swiftly and silently, a testament to Caelum's deadly efficiency.
Only the cluster of red dots and two isolated ones remained. But the isolated red on Caelum's HUD evoked an odd unease. Every time he had approached it, a prickle of warning brushed against his instincts, urging caution. Yet, he could no longer avoid it. With a renewed sense of purpose, he moved to confront this looming threat.
The door before him stood out. Unlike the other doors, it was embellished with intricate designs and seemed to be more fortified. A faint muffled moan of a woman echoed from the other side. Realization dawned on Caelum; the leader of the bandits was likely inside. The sounds suggested he was preoccupied, distracted by carnal pleasures. This could be the opportune moment to test his makeshift weapon.
Caelum positioned himself next to the door, listening intently. Through the faint sounds of the woman's moans, he could hear the gruff chuckle of a man.
"Is this what you wanted, bitch?" The voice was dripping with arrogance.
The woman's reply was hesitant, barely audible, "Please… just let me go."
The leader laughed. "Soon, maybe, after I've had my fun."
Caelum's jaw tightened. Memories of Eclipse flashed through him. The times he had encountered such dark personalities and brought them to justice. His fingers curled around the grip of his makeshift firearm, feeling its weight and reassurance. He knew he had a single shot, and it had to count.
With a deep breath, he pushed the door open, weapon raised. The lavish room was bathed in the dim glow of a lantern. At the center, a robust-looking man with an imposing stature stood over a terrified woman, her eyes widening in shock at the intruder's sudden appearance.