Chapter 10

After crossing a set of tunnels, Shiori and I arrive at what , I believe, is the top level of the mountain.

Diminutive rays of sunlight seep through the cracks, proof the outside is not too far away.

I can almost feel the fresh gusts of wind blowing.

Shiori: My goodness... It took FOREVER to climb this high! I'm not forging into another cavern complex in a long while, preferably never.

Hayato: Same here. It feels as if I had spent an entire week down there in the blackness of the caves.

Shiori: Pfft, I've been there for a literal week! Or so I think, at least.

Shiori: Time moves differently when the sun is missing. It's difficult to keep track of the minutes that go by, you know?

Shiori: But yeah, one thing is for sure... I've been scouting the ruins for days!

Shiori lets out a nervous peal of laughter, further reinforcing the fact she no longer wishes to remain confined somewhere with a ceiling.

That makes me wonder how long I spent unconscious when I woke up...

Was it mere minutes or whole days?

Shiori: Thankfully, my bounty departed back to the civilized world, so I'll resume my hunt there.

Shiori: I'm growing closer! It won't be long before justice is served.

Shiori: What about you, Hayato? What will you be doing once we bid goodbye to these pesky mountains?

Hayato: Now that you mention it... I haven't figured that out yet.

Hayato: With my main mission over, I have no other goals.

Shiori: Well, I'm sure you'll find something soon! One way or another, heroes always chance upon trouble.

Shiori: As for me, I'll rush to Silverleaf before I resume my job. I need a hot bath more than I need breathing, I swear!

Shiori: And once I'm squeaky clean, I'll accept some menial quests from the guild to make some cash.

Shiori: Pursuing my target isn't cheap, and gold coins don't grow on trees! I spent everything I had on the map.

Shiori: A wise investment since we're here in one piece.

Hayato: Yes, I can't argue with that. That map worked wonders to get us out of there.

Agreeing that the uncanny map proved to be a valuable item, we trudge down what looks like a blazed path, the dim light growing brighter as we advance.

But as we enter a new room flooded by sun rays, we bump into three people walking in the opposite direction.

Are they planning to venture into the depths?

Shiori: Great... This is precisely what I needed! Dumbass bandits from the Silvercreek Outriders.

Shiori: Why won't you guys stay in your filthy campsites for once?

Bandit 1: Shut it, hag! Nobody can tell us what to do except for Slackjaw.

Bandit 2: And it's not like he gives a damn since he spends every day as drunk as a sailor on shore leave.

Bandit 3: So quit being so chatty and give us what you got! We won't ask again nicely.

Shiori: If you want my stuff, come get it! This girl will gladly kick your crusty asses.

Bandit 2: You heard the smug airhead... Go get her!

Bandit 1: He-he, with pleasure! But don't cry if I break some of her bones.

The situation escalates in an instant, the bandit that first insulted Shiori pouncing on her with a shabby sword in his hand.

I look at her as she spins around the bandit, moving behind him with grace.

Bandit 1: What the...

Bandit 1: ARGH!

Taking advantage of his position, Shiori delivers a powerful rear kick to his crotch, the man dropping to his knees as a single tear begins to roll down his cheeks.

Watching that hurt... But it was well-deserved.

Bandit 2: Now you asked for it! You'll regret ever setting foot in here!

Bandit 3: Go get that witch! I'll take care of her dumbass boyfriend!

Hayato: Boyfriend? I'm not her boyfriend! I'm merely her acquaintance.

Bandit 3: Yah boo sucks to be you, then! I'll date her after I beat you up.

Hayato: Hmph, talk about a bloated ego...

Making fun of the outrider, I bring out my survival knife, a small weapon that's easily over a hundred times better than his crude axe.

Where would he get it from? The bottom of a lake? It's so rusty it could shatter upon making contact with any surface.

Bandit 3: Here, have an axe to the face! We'll see if you can smile after I cleave your mug in half!

Brandishing his lack of training, the bandit attempts to hit me with a sloppy strike, so slow and ungainly that I simply step aside from the trajectory.

His guard is open, allowing me to counterattack in any way I wish.

Hayato: No offense, but you couldn't smack a tree with such a sluggish attack.

Hayato: I'll show you how it's done.

Bandit 3: UGH!

Preferring not to stab the pathetic criminal, I use the D-guard of my blade to deliver a lightning punch to his nose, knocking him out cold instantly.

I swear these bandits are the worst fighters I've had the displeasure to encounter.

Bandit 2: What the... How did you do that?

Shiori: Hey! Weren't you supposed to be fighting me? Focus, you prick!

Taunting the remaining outrider, Shiori taps the sword of her foe with her kodachi, egging on the man to do something.

Bandit 2: Are you craving to die that badly? Stay still, and I'll fulfill your death wish!

Shiori: He-he, even without budging an inch, you'd be able to cut a strand of my hair!

Adopting a defensive stance, Shiori prepares to fend off the languid slash of the bandit, moving only her arms to skillfully disarm the attacker.

His sword flies several feet away from him, rendering him defenseless.

Shiori: See? I didn't even have to take half a step to dispose of you!

Shiori: What should I do with you now, scum?

Shiori: I can't afford to have prisoners, it'd slow me down.

Bandit 2: H-Have mercy, please! I wanted money, not your life.

Shiori: Mercy, you say? Would you have any if I was in your position?

Shiori: Pfft, of course not! Then, why should I offer you any, hmm?

Pointing the tip of her kodachi at the outrider, Shiori inches closer to him, impishly stating she's going to claim his life.

No matter if they're criminals or not, I can't let her enact justice! We're not judges to decide their fate.

Hayato: Shiori, you can't...

Shiori: HIYA!

But before I'm able to lecture her, Shiori slaps the bandit's face with the handle of this sword, making the defeated man flake out.