Chapter 5: The Bandits of the Forest
Liam adjusted the straps of his leather armor, ensuring it fit snugly around his torso. The road back to Oakridge Village stretched ahead of him, winding through dense patches of forest and open meadows. The apothecary's words about the bandits lingered in his mind. This wasn't just another quest. It was an opportunity to test his abilities, to see how far his hidden class could carry him.
He checked his game panel once more before stepping onto the path.
Name: Liam
Class: Primordial Sovereign (Hidden)
Level: 9
Stats:
• Strength: 120
• Dexterity: 110
• Intelligence: 140
• Endurance: 90
• Luck: ???
• Free Attribute Points: 60
Skills:
• Phantom Strike (Level 3, Rank EX)
• Chaos Manifest (Level 2, Rank EX)
• Dual Wielding (Level 2, Rank F)
Quests:
• [Bandit Trouble: In Progress]
He had leveled up twice on the journey to Greenleaf, and the overwhelming experience boost from his hidden-class multiplier still felt surreal. With every step he took, his confidence grew—but so did the questions. Why him? What purpose did the game—or whoever controlled it—have for giving him such overwhelming power?
The path ahead narrowed, the trees growing closer together until their branches intertwined, creating a canopy of dappled light and shadow. The forest was eerily quiet, save for the occasional rustle of leaves. Liam's senses were on high alert.
"Bandits wouldn't make their presence obvious," he muttered to himself.
He slowed his pace, moving carefully. His Primordial Sovereign class granted him an innate awareness of his surroundings, and though it wasn't a skill he could see on his panel, he had started noticing the subtle benefits. He could hear the faint crack of twigs and the shuffle of feet, even though no one was visible yet.
The faint sound of laughter and the clinking of metal reached his ears, confirming his suspicions. Liam crouched low and moved off the path, using the thick underbrush as cover.
A small clearing opened ahead, where five men in mismatched leather armor surrounded a fire. They were rough-looking, with unkempt beards and cruel expressions. A wooden cart stood nearby, filled with sacks of what Liam assumed were stolen goods.
[Bandits]
• Type: Human (Hostile)
• Level: 5–8
• Rank: Common
The game's interface provided a brief summary of the enemies. Individually, they weren't a threat to him, but their numbers made this encounter trickier. A frontal assault might alert all five, leaving him overwhelmed.
Liam assessed his options. He could feel the weight of his Moonlit Fang and Crimson Dagger, his dual weapons, resting comfortably in their sheaths. His Phantom Strike skill was powerful, but it drained stamina quickly.
After a moment of thought, Liam activated Chaos Manifest, one of his EX-rank abilities. His shadow elongated unnaturally, detaching from his feet and slithering toward the bandits like a living entity.
The first bandit didn't even notice as the shadow rose behind him, forming into a sharp spike. In an instant, it pierced through his back, dropping him silently to the ground.
"Did you hear that?" one of the others asked, his hand moving to the hilt of his sword.
Liam smirked, his shadow darting toward the next target. This time, the bandit turned just in time to see the spike racing toward him. He shouted, alerting the others.
"So much for stealth," Liam muttered, drawing his weapons and charging into the clearing.
The remaining four bandits scrambled for their weapons, but Liam was faster. He activated Phantom Strike, and two shadowy clones of himself appeared, mirroring his movements. Together, they overwhelmed the nearest bandit, their coordinated attacks leaving him no room to counter.
The bandit fell, his body dissipating into particles of light as the game registered his death.
[You have defeated a Bandit.]
EXP gained: 150 (x1000 multiplier applied: 150,000 EXP)
Liam didn't have time to celebrate. The remaining three bandits surrounded him, their attacks coming from all sides. He dodged a wild swing from one, parried another's strike, and countered with a quick slash of his dagger.
The bandits were aggressive but uncoordinated, their movements sloppy compared to the wolves and boars Liam had fought before. He exploited their weaknesses, using his superior stats and skills to outmaneuver them.
One by one, they fell, their bodies dissolving into light.
[You have defeated 4 Bandits.]
EXP gained: 600 (x1000 multiplier applied: 600,000 EXP)
[Level Up!]
[You have reached Level 10.]
Liam stood in the center of the clearing, his breathing steady. The battle had been brief but intense. He sheathed his weapons and moved to inspect the cart.
Inside, he found an assortment of goods: sacks of grain, bolts of cloth, and even a small chest filled with silver coins. It seemed the bandits had been targeting travelers for weeks.
[Quest Updated: Bandit Trouble]
Objective: Report back to the apothecary in Greenleaf Village.
As Liam prepared to leave, a faint sound caught his attention. He turned, his eyes narrowing as he scanned the clearing. The faint outline of a hidden path caught his eye, barely visible through the underbrush.
Curiosity got the better of him, and he decided to investigate. The path led deeper into the forest, the trees growing denser and the air cooler. Eventually, he came to a small cave entrance, partially obscured by vines.
A notification appeared.
[Hidden Dungeon Discovered: Bandit's Den]
Recommended Level: 10–15
Liam grinned. A hidden dungeon was an unexpected bonus, and the rewards it held could be invaluable. But he knew better than to rush in unprepared. His supplies were limited, and his stamina was still recovering from the fight.
"I'll come back for this," he decided, marking the location on his map.
The journey back to Greenleaf Village was uneventful, the road eerily quiet after the battle. When he arrived at the apothecary's shop, the woman greeted him with a relieved smile.
"You've done us a great service, traveler," she said as he recounted the encounter.
[Quest Complete: Bandit Trouble]
Reward: 20 Silver, 1,000 EXP (x1000 multiplier applied: 1,000,000 EXP)
[Level Up!]
[You have reached Level 11.]
Liam thanked the apothecary and left, his mind already racing with plans for the hidden dungeon. The world of Eternal Dominion was vast and filled with mysteries, and he was determined to uncover every one of them.
For now, though, he needed rest. The journey ahead would only grow more challenging, and he had a feeling his actions were already beginning to ripple through the game.