The dusty road stretched before Floki, the village's crooked wooden gates visible in the distance.
He adjusted the map at his belt, his fingers tracing the route to the Western Region where Master Sho-Nuff awaited.
But first, there was the matter of this village, a stop he couldn't resist.
The system had flagged it as overrun by bandits, and Floki's grin widened at the thought of stirring up trouble.
"Bandits?" he muttered to himself, his staff tapping against the ground. "Perfect. Let's see how they measure up."
As he approached the gates, two ragged men stepped forward, their weapons crude and their sneers wide.
"State your business," one growled, his blade resting on his shoulder.
Floki tilted his head slightly. "Business? Let's call it curiosity. I heard this village has new management. Thought I'd come and see what the fuss is about."
Floki tilted his head, his grin sharp. "Oh, I'm here to pay my respects. Mind if I come in?"
The bandits exchanged glances, their suspicion plain. "Respect? For us?"
Floki's chuckle was low and dark. "Of course. Men like you… keeping the roads interesting. It's admirable."
The second bandit spat at the ground, stepping closer. "You think we're stupid? What's in your bag, traveler?"
"Just a few trinkets," Floki said, spreading his hands innocently. "But you're welcome to try and take them."
The second bandit sneered. "You don't seem worried, traveler. Either you're brave or just stupid."
Floki's grin widened. "I'd call it confidence. But why argue? Actions speak louder, don't they?"
The first bandit's sneer deepened as he raised his blade. "I think we will."
In a blur, Floki's staff moved, striking the blade from the bandit's hand with a sharp crack.
The second bandit lunged, but Floki sidestepped smoothly, planting the staff's end into the man's gut.
Both men crumpled to the ground, groaning in pain.
"Your welcome is a little rusty," Floki said, stepping over them. "Let's see if the rest of your friends are as entertaining."
The village was a collection of crooked houses, their windows shuttered and doors closed tightly.
The few villagers visible hurried about their tasks, their eyes darting nervously toward the center square.
Floki's sharp gaze followed theirs, landing on a group of armed men lounging near a makeshift throne.
A burly man sat on the throne, his armor cobbled together from mismatched pieces, a crude crown perched on his head.
"Well, well," Floki muttered, his grin widening. "A king among thieves."
Floki's sharp eyes scanned the bandits lounging near their makeshift throne. "Is this what passes for royalty these days? Maybe I should start calling myself Emperor."
The "king" noticed him, his expression twisting into a scowl. "Who's this?"
One of the lackeys stepped forward, pointing at Floki. "Saw him knock out the gate guards, boss."
The bandit king rose, his bulk casting a long shadow. "You've got some nerve, stranger. Do you know who I am?"
Floki's laugh echoed through the square. "Should I? You look like someone who fell into an armory and came out the worse for it."
The crowd of bandits tensed, their hands drifting to their weapons.
"You've got a sharp tongue," the bandit king growled, stepping closer. "But you're just one man.
Floki shrugged, twirling his staff playfully. "One man is all it takes. Or maybe I should say, one god." You really think you can take us all?" The bandit king retorted.
Floki twirled his staff, its hum faint but menacing. "Oh, I don't think. I know."
The villagers watched from the shadows, their faces pale with fear. Floki's voice carried over the square. "Who knows? Maybe you'll surprise me. But I doubt it."
The first bandit charged, his blade flashing in the sunlight. Floki sidestepped, his staff whipping out to knock the weapon from the man's hand.
With a spin, he struck the bandit's legs, sending him crashing into the dirt.
The next two attacked together, but Floki moved like water, his staff a blur as it parried their strikes.
A sharp jab to the ribs sent one bandit wheezing to the ground, while the other found himself disarmed and flat on his back.
The villagers watched in stunned silence, their fear turning to awe as Floki dismantled the bandits with ease.
The bandit king's face darkened, his hand gripping the hilt of a massive sword. "Enough! You think you're clever, boy?"
Floki's grin widened. "Clever? Oh, you haven't seen anything yet. Tell you what, I'll give you three free moves. Come on, take your best shot."
The bandit king blinked, his confusion turning quickly to rage. "You mock me?"
Floki twirled his staff lazily, leaning back. "No mockery, just facts. Three moves. Don't waste them now."
With a roar, the bandit king charged, his massive sword cleaving through the air toward Floki's head.
Floki sidestepped effortlessly, his voice calm. "That's one."
The king spun, swinging in a wide arc that sliced the air where Floki had stood moments before.
Floki ducked, his staff tapping against the ground. "That's two. Are you even trying?"
The bandit king let out a guttural scream, raising his sword high for a final, desperate strike.
Floki stepped in close as the blade came down, his staff cracking against the man's wrist with brutal force.
The sword fell from the king's grasp, clattering uselessly to the ground.
"And that there was three," Floki said, his voice cold as his staff swung in a powerful arc, connecting with the bandit king's skull.
The crack of bone echoed through the square as the bandit king crumpled onto his makeshift throne, dead, his last breaths wheezing from his throat "Not bad," he said, his tone mocking. "For someone who dresses like a scarecrow."
The villagers erupted in cheers, their suppressed fear giving way to relief.
One of the younger villagers called out timidly, "Are you really a warrior, sir? Or something more?"
Floki chuckled, planting his staff into the ground. "Let's just say I'm good at cleaning up messes."
Floki planted his staff in the ground, his grin sharp as he addressed the remaining bandits. "Well? Who's next?"
The bandits exchanged nervous glances before dropping their weapons and fleeing into the surrounding woods.
Floki turned to the villagers, his expression softening slightly. "You're free now. Might want to put up a real gate next time."
An elderly man stepped forward, bowing deeply. "Thank you, traveler. We owe you our lives."
Floki waved a hand dismissively. "Just keep the roads interesting. That's all I ask."
As he left the village, the system interface pulsed in the corner of his vision.
[Mission Complete: Free the Bandit-Controlled Village]
- Reward: Increased Reputation and Path Compatibility.
Floki read the notification, his grin widening. "Reputation, huh? Guess I'm becoming a household name."
The road stretched ahead, the Western Region waiting beyond the horizon.
Floki's thoughts returned to Master Sho-Nuff, the promise of power hastening his steps forward.
But for now, he savored the thrill of victory, the echoes of the villagers' cheers still ringing in his ears.
Floki read the notification, his grin widening. "Reputation, huh? Guess I'm becoming a household name."
The road stretched ahead, the Western Region waiting beyond the horizon.
Floki's thoughts returned to Master Sho-Nuff, the promise of power spurring his steps forward.
But for now, he savored the thrill of victory, the echoes of the villagers' cheers still ringing in his ears.