After the defeated bandits retreated, their leader, the imposing figure they called the "Boss," listened intently to their reports. A cruel smile spread across his scarred features as he learned of the young woman they had encountered.
"A powerful one, you say?" the Boss rumbled, his deep voice carrying an edge of malicious anticipation. "And you let her go?"
One of the bandits, the apparent ringleader, quickly stepped forward. "But Boss, she was too fast, too skilled! We couldn't lay a hand on her." He gestured to the gashes on his arm and leg. "Look what she did to us!"
The Boss studied the wounds, his brow furrowing. "Hmph. So this girl bested my best men, did she?" He let out a dark chuckle. "Well, then she'll make an even better prize."
He turned to the others, his eyes gleaming with ruthless anticipation. "Where did you last see her?"
"Heading towards the old resort, Boss," the bandit replied, straightening up. "That's likely where she's holed up."
The Boss nodded slowly, contemplating his next move. "Gather the men. We'll pay this 'powerful one' a visit." His lips curled into a malicious grin. "Time to show her who's in charge around here."
The bandits quickly dispersed, scurrying to assemble the rest of their group. The Boss remained behind, cracking his knuckles as he anticipated the coming confrontation. "This will be fun," he murmured to himself, already picturing the look of terror on the girl's face.
The bandit's hideout was a sprawling, heavily fortified compound on the outskirts of the city. Ramshackle buildings and makeshift barricades surrounded a central courtyard, where the Boss and his lieutenants maintained a constant vigil.
Scavenged vehicles and weaponry were scattered throughout the compound, evidence of the group's ruthless efficiency in pillaging the ruins.
As the bandits returned and relayed the details of their encounter with Laura, the Boss's expression grew increasingly predatory. He listened intently, his scarred face betraying a mixture of curiosity and anticipation.
"So, this girl thinks she can defy me?" the Boss growled, his fist clenching around the handle of a wickedly serrated machete. "We'll soon see about that."
He turned to his lieutenants, his voice laced with a sense of urgency. "Gather the men and prepare to move out. I want this place secured before we leave." His gaze narrowed, a malevolent gleam in his eyes. "And make sure the special accommodations are ready. I have a feeling our new guest will be arriving shortly."
The lieutenants scurried to carry out the Boss's orders, rallying the rest of the group and making the necessary preparations.
Within an hour, the compound was in a state of heightened activity, with armed guards posted at every entrance and the central courtyard bustling with activity.
Meanwhile, Laura had indeed arrived at the resort just as the sun was setting. She was genuinely surprised to see that most parts of it were still functional to a degree. As she approached the main entrance, she noticed the faint hum of a backup generator, providing power to the building.
"Well, this is certainly a stroke of luck," Laura murmured, her sharp eyes scanning the area for any potential threats. Seeing none, she allowed herself a small sigh of relief and stepped inside.
The interior of the resort was a mix of the familiar and the dilapidated. While the kitchen showed signs of neglect, with overturned furniture and debris scattered about, the refrigerators and other appliances appeared to be in working order, thanks to the backup generator's power.
Laura's gaze swept over the well-stocked kitchen, and a small smile tugged at the corners of her mouth. "The others will be grateful for this," she said, already mentally cataloging the supplies.
Without hesitation, Laura switched her class to "Hoarder," her inventory expanding to accommodate the abundance of resources.
She methodically cleared out the refrigerators, packing every edible item and drink into her expansive storage. Canned goods, bottled water, and even a few luxuries like soda and juice were all carefully stashed away.
"Can't be too careful these days," Laura mused, recalling the bandits she had so easily dispatched earlier. She knew that every scrap of food and every drop of water could mean the difference between life and death in the harsh, post-apocalyptic world.
Once the refrigerators were empty, Laura turned her attention to the kitchen itself. Her eyes scanned the shelves and cabinets, taking stock of the available ingredients.
She pushed most of the foodstuffs into her inventory and then left a few items. "Hmm, this should be enough to feed the whole group," she said, already mentally planning out a hearty meal.
With practiced efficiency, Laura began to prepare the food, her movements fluid and precise. She knew that a good, filling meal would do wonders for morale, and she took pride in her ability to provide for her friends and allies.
As the final stages of the cooking process unfolded, Laura paused, her gaze drawn to a door at the back of the kitchen. Curious, she made her way over and pushed it open, revealing a well-stocked archery range.
Laura's eyes widened as she took in the sight – hundreds of arrows, in a variety of sizes and materials, were scattered throughout the area. "Essei will be thrilled to have this," she breathed, a genuine smile spreading across her face.
Wasting no time, Laura began to meticulously collect the arrows, carefully packing them into her inventory. She didn't discriminate, grabbing everything she could get her hands on. After all, the Hoarder class was all about greed, and in this case, her greed would directly benefit her group.
As she worked, Laura couldn't help but feel a twinge of unease. The encounter with the bandits had left her on edge, and she couldn't shake the feeling that they might return.
Still, she pushed the worry aside, focusing instead on the task at hand. She had a responsibility to her group, and she would do whatever it took to ensure their survival and wellbeing.
With her arms laden with a considerable haul of arrows even after the hundreds she's stashed on her inventory, Laura paused, taking a moment to survey the resort once more.
The sense of unease had not fully abated, and she knew she would need to be vigilant. But for now, she was content in the knowledge that she had secure valuable resources for her group.
Steeling herself, Laura turned and began to make her way back towards the kitchen, determined to complete her preparations before the day's end.
Little did she know, the Boss and his men were already on the move, closing in on the resort with a singular purpose: to capture the "powerful one" and make her their own.