The rogue grabbed Hiroshi by his neck and lifted him into the air. Hiroshi struggled to breathe as the rogue's grip tightened.
As Hiroshi hung in the air, the rogue viciously slapped him across the cheek. "Ahhhhhh!" Hiroshi screamed in pain while the villagers watched in horror, unable to help.
"This is what you get when you try to be a hero, boy," the rogue sneered, delivering another brutal slap. Hiroshi's face was covered in bruises, and his clothes were soaked in blood. The rogue tortured Hiroshi until he lost consciousness and then threw him onto the village streets. Hiroshi's crimson blood stained the cobblestones beneath him as he struggled to take a single breath.
Tears streamed down the villagers' faces as they saw Hiroshi's innocent face covered in blood and bruises. "Hiroshi, how can we ever repay you for your deeds?" one villager said, their voice filled with regret.
"I'm sorry, Mom. I couldn't fulfill my promise," Hiroshi said weakly, tears dripping from his eyes as he lay on the street.
The rogue went to his leader with a proud face and knelt before him. "My leader, the time you had given the boy is over."
"Yes, now go stand back," the rogue leader commanded. "Get your swords," he ordered his men.
All the rogues fulfilled their leader's command and drew their swords. "Rogues, on your marks," the leader said. The rogues stood next to the villagers, who were forcefully knelt on the ground, their faces menacing.
"Kill every single person you see on my mark," the leader's words sent shivers down the villagers' spines. The rogues prepared to execute them.
The villagers closed their eyes and prayed for their safety, while the rogues mocked them.
The rogue leader's voice pierced the air. "Three... two..."
He was interrupted by a loud noise of metal scraping on the ground. The leader looked back and saw Hiroshi standing again, using his father's sword as support. Blood dripped from Hiroshi's body onto the ground. The villagers thought their prayers had been answered as they saw their young hero stand against the darkness once more.
"I told you I will not let you harm anyone else," Hiroshi declared with a trembling voice. "The time you had given me is over, and I am still on my feet," Hiroshi stated, having won the challenge the rogue leader had given him.
"Yes, boy, but the thing is, I lied. Everyone in this village will die," the leader said with a menacing look. He signaled his men to eliminate Hiroshi.
The village elder, who had been unconscious the entire time, regained consciousness and murmured, "Stop or you'll regret everything."
"What did you say, old man? All of this is happening because of you. You refused to give us the resources we needed. Now sit back and watch him die," the leader spat.
"What are you waiting for? End him already," the leader ordered his man.
"Yes, my leader," the rogue said, rushing toward Hiroshi to kill him.
"Hiroshi, run! Run from here!" the villagers shouted, but Hiroshi didn't have the strength to move an inch. He stood still, ready to meet his end.
As the rogue's sword was about to reach Hiroshi, a strong gust of wind appeared out of nowhere, sending the rogue's sword flying. The rogue was shocked. "What the..."
The rogue looked to his right and saw a strong sandstorm approaching the village. Before he could do anything, the sandstorm had reached the village, forcing everyone—rogues and villagers alike—to shut their eyes and grab onto something sturdy.
While Hiroshi was in too much pain to move, the rogue sent to kill him was far from anything sturdy to hold onto. He lay on the ground, hoping for the best.
As the sandstorm hit the village, a loud cry of pain echoed through the air. The sandstorm didn't just pass through; it settled in the village. As the dust settled, the villagers and the rogue leader saw a shocking sight. The rogue who was supposed to kill Hiroshi was beheaded, his head rolling on the street like a ball.
The entire village fell silent as they watched the rogue's head roll. The silence was broken by the rogue leader. "Where is the boy? Find him now," he ordered his men.
Before the rogues could move, a magnificent black horse appeared out of nowhere, slowly approaching the villagers. They saw that the horse was carrying Hiroshi on its back. He was unconscious and tied to the horse.
The rogues also saw Hiroshi on the horse. The rogue leader extended his hand toward the horse to use his dark magic, but the horse snorted aggressively at his gesture.
"This is the end for you, boy," the rogue leader said, his extended arm glowing with dark magic. But before he could use his power, he felt a sudden uneasiness behind him.
As the leader turned around, he saw a mysterious figure standing behind him. "You..." he began.
The leader tried to use his dark magic on the mysterious figure, but before he could, the figure disappeared into thin air, startling the rogue leader.
The masked figure suddenly appeared next to his horse without anyone noticing and slowly walked toward the villagers with his horse. The villagers saw the mysterious figure wearing a black wooden mask with a symbol on it, shiny armor, and a crimson cloak. He was equipped with a sword, his strength and grace seeming otherworldly.