The four of them moved cautiously toward the plume of smoke in the distance, their steps silent as they crept closer. When they reached the source, they spotted two bandits sitting near a small fire, deep in conversation. Their voices carried faintly on the wind.
"We need more money. These gigs don't pay enough," grumbled one of the bandits, idly sharpening a dagger.
"Tell me about it," the other replied, adjusting the greatsword strapped to his back. "We've been stuck out here for weeks, and for what? Guard duty in the middle of nowhere?"
The exchange was cut short when the bandits suddenly froze, their eyes narrowing toward the bushes. Leo shifted slightly, and a twig snapped under his weight.
"Hey! Who's there?" one of them called, drawing his weapon. The other stood up, his hand gripping the hilt of his sword.
Realizing he had been noticed, Leo sighed and stepped out from his hiding place, hands raised. "Wait! I'm not here to fight. Let's talk."
The bandits weren't interested in negotiations. The one with the dagger lunged forward, his blade flashing as he unleashed a flurry of swift strikes. Leo moved fluidly, dodging each attack with ease. From behind, the second bandit tried to take advantage of the distraction, raising his greatsword to strike. Before the blade could connect, Kounéli darted into the fray, his fist colliding with the sword and knocking it aside with an audible clang.
"You guys are persistent," Leo muttered. With a swift motion, he caught the dagger mid-swing and hurled it away, leaving the first bandit defenseless. Both attackers froze, their confidence evaporating.
"We don't want trouble," Leo said firmly. "We just need information. Where can we find a place to shelter for the night?"
The bandits exchanged nervous glances before one finally spoke. "There's a big camp up in the mountain hills. But you're better off avoiding it."
"Thanks," Leo replied, stepping back as the squad regrouped. They left the bandits unharmed and continued toward the hills.
The sun dipped low on the horizon as they approached the bandit camp, nestled in a rocky outcrop. The squad debated their next move.
"We should try to negotiate," Leo suggested. "If we can avoid unnecessary bloodshed—"
Before he could finish, Kenny unsheathed his sword with a wild grin. "Negotiate? I haven't had a decent fight since we landed on this cursed island. I need to shed some blood."
With that, Kenny charged toward the camp, leaving the rest of the squad no choice but to follow. The bandits, numbering at least twenty, turned toward the commotion. Alarmed shouts rang out as they readied their weapons.
Kenny tore through the ranks like a whirlwind, ignoring the attacks of those who tried to stop him. His target was clear: the bandit leader, a burly man clad in armor, who stood at the center of the camp. Kenny pointed his blade at him.
"I heard you're strong," Kenny said, his voice dripping with anticipation. "Fight me."
The leader smirked, drawing his twin swords. "You'll regret this, stranger. I'm the strongest here."
The two clashed, the sound of steel ringing through the air. The leader's strikes were swift and powerful, but Kenny shrugged them off, grinning as if the blows were nothing more than a mild inconvenience. As the fight progressed, Kenny began to overpower his opponent, forcing him back with each swing. Finally, with a mighty strike, Kenny's blade cleaved through the air, forcing the leader to dodge. The blade cut cleanly through the mountainside behind him, leaving a jagged scar in the rock.
The leader stared at the destruction, his confidence wavering. The two continued their battle, darting across the camp in a blur of motion. Kenny's relentless attacks finally brought the leader to his knees, his swords falling from his grasp.
"I thought you were strong," Kenny said with a disappointed shake of his head. "I guess I was wrong."
The leader's face twisted in rage. From his pocket, he pulled out a strange stone artifact. Without hesitation, he swallowed it.
A mysterious
"Use this when the time comes," the Celtor had said. "It will bring you closer to perfection."
The leader's body convulsed as the transformation began. His skin hardened into rough stone, his frame expanding until he stood over four meters tall. The ground shook as the newly-formed stone golem roared, its glowing eyes fixed on Kenny.
Kenny's grin widened as he sheathed his katana and cracked his knuckles. "Now we're talking."
The two charged at each other, exchanging blows that sent shockwaves through the camp. Despite the golem's massive size and strength, Kenny matched it strike for strike. Frustrated, the golem opened its chest, revealing a glowing core. A beam of energy shot out, carving through the earth. Kenny stood in its path, grinning as he caught the beam with his mouth and swallowed it.
"Delicious," he said, licking his lips. "This fight is delicious!"
With a roar, Kenny delivered a punch that shook the entire camp. The golem staggered, cracks forming across its stone body. Another punch, and the golem shattered into rubble, the camp collapsing around them.
As the dust settled, the remaining bandits threw down their weapons. The squad rounded them up and demanded answers.
"We were hired to guard this route," one of the bandits explained. "The boss pays us to keep intruders out."
"Who's the boss?" Kounéli pressed.
"A Celtor," the bandit replied. "He's got influence all over the Etrean Luminant. Buys and sells test subjects and uses us to protect his trafficking routes. That's all we know, I swear."
The squad exchanged grim looks. The fight might have been over, but the real battle was just beginning.