Once back in cover, Bane realized that the sack in his hand was much softer than he expected. In his hands, it felt like a soft blanket, which made Bane smile.
'I don't think that you should use that,' Eve warned, making Bane stop reaching for the sharp-looking rock.
"Huh? Why not? This stuff feels like it will make a good first outfit!" Bane chuckled in a low voice, but Eve spoke up again.
'That is exactly why you shouldn't use it! Now that you have it in your hands, I can tell what this is, and I think I might have an idea where we are. You should just go put this back, and we should leave this place as soon as possible!' Eve warned again, but this time her voice was tinged with fear, making Bane frown. However, the feeling of something pointy pressing into the back of his neck, and into his skin, drawing blood, stopped all Bane's thoughts.
"Don't move unless I tell you," A child-like voice commanded.
Bane didn't flinch, nor did he move. The person behind him had appeared behind him with no sound, nor had they made any extra movements to disturb the air. Bane was no martial arts master, nor had special abilities, but a life of trying to survive. He should have felt the person at some point. Bane knew how to listen and feel the air around him, and normal people moved too much.
Bane remained perfectly still, feeling the blood trickle down his neck from the sharp point digging into his skin. The voice behind him was young, but carried a weight of authority and confidence that suggested whoever it belonged to was no ordinary child.
"Drop the sack," the voice commanded.
Bane complied, letting the sack slip from his fingers and fall to the ground. He could sense more figures emerging from the shadows, surrounding him. These weren't just ordinary kids—they moved with a practiced silence and precision that spoke of training.
"Turn around slowly," the voice said.
Bane did as he was told, turning to face his captor. A group of children stood before him, each armed with makeshift weapons that looked far more deadly than their appearance suggested. At the center of the group was a girl with striking green eyes and long, dark hair tied back in a ponytail. She held a dagger, its tip still stained with Bane's blood.
"Who are you and what are you doing in our town?" the girl demanded.
"I'm Bane," he replied, keeping his voice calm despite the tension. "I woke up in the middle of nowhere, and I was just trying to find some clothes and shelter."
The girl narrowed her eyes, scrutinizing him. "You're not from here. And that sack you took—do you have any idea of what you took, or its value?"
Bane didn't reply right away, and instead looked to the person that should know the most about this situation. 'So, what now?'
'I personally think that we are screwed if you can't figure out a way to smoothing things over. That sack is made from a Jade Vermillion Griffon, a legendary ranked beast,' Eve explained nervously.
Bane swallowed hard, processing Eve's words. A legendary-ranked beast? Why in hell was something like this being casually stored outside under a rock?! No wonder Eve had been so nervous about the sack. He turned his attention back to the girl, meeting her gaze squarely.
"I'm sorry," he said, trying to sound as sincere as possible. "I didn't know its value. I was just desperate for something to wear."
The girl studied him for a moment longer, then lowered her dagger slightly. "Desperation doesn't excuse theft. But since you seem genuinely ignorant, we'll deal with you accordingly."
Bane raised an eyebrow. "And how exactly do you plan to deal with me?"
The girl smirked, a mischievous glint in her eyes. "Follow us. You'll find out soon enough."
With no other options, Bane followed the group of children as they led him through the quiet streets of the town. He couldn't help but marvel at their stealth and coordination; they moved like shadows, seamlessly blending into their surroundings.
'I thought everyone just entered this world?!' Bane snapped in his mind. 'I thought we were all starting from scratch!'
'No. You all start at the age of five, but the other NPC will already have the static level. This means that some will be born weak and stay that way, while others will be born at a higher level,' Eve explained, but then paused for a moment before continuing. 'I think I know where we are, but this could be either a blessing or a curse.'
Bane didn't like the sounds of any of that. It was clear that he had stumbled into a town filled with high level children and now he had pissed them off.
Eventually, they reached a large building at the town's center. It was an old structure, its walls covered in ivy and moss, but it had an air of importance about it. The girl gestured for Bane to enter, and he stepped inside, the children flanking him on either side.
The interior of the building was dimly lit, but Bane could make out rows of shelves filled with books and various artifacts. At the far end of the room, an elderly, yet imposing burly man sat behind a desk, his eyes sharp and discerning despite his age.
'Hey! What the hell?! I thought everyone was supposed to be a child right now?!' Bane demanded as he kept his composure on the outside.
Eve was just as surprised as Bane, but seeing the old man confirmed her suspicions about where they were. Yet, knowing this didn't make her feel any better. This could potentially become the perfect training grounds to turn Bane into the hero this world would need. On the other hand, this could be the end of their story before it even began.
'Be extremely respectful to this person. If you anger him, we are finished. Consider him to be a god among mortals. Even the slightest gesture from his hand could eliminate both of us. If that happens, we will be gone and unable to revive,' Eve warned, making a cold sweat form on Bane's back that was still bare because he hadn't been given anything to cover up with.
'What do you mean? This is a game, right?! I get to revive after I die, right?!' Bane tried to ask, but the girl's words snapped him from his thoughts before Eve could answer.