Ambush at the bandit camp

After resting from the fight, the three children had told him their names. Noah from the Beastkin race, Wuell the dark elf girl, and Tayrn the wood elf. 

They mentioned how they had escaped from the bandit's camp, but there were still other captive children. The main camp was guarded by a similar number of bandits as only half of them had joined the chasing party. 

So Reiji agreed to go free the others. The Elven children were now sharing a horse, leading the way while he followed on his bike. 

"You've gotten stronger from that fight Reiji." Elnyra was once again floating besides him. Together they were studying the changes to his status window after the previous fight. 

"Since that was the first time I've earned exp in  this world. I can't tell if that was a lot, or was it worth the hassle."

"You took out 10 bandits including the leader, although you lost 40% of your exp for not killing them... I'd say 7 levels from that is still amazing."

"So the system in this world encourages people to kill each other? That's seriously messed up."

"It's how it was designed... I mean, if the hero doesn't kill the bad guys, they'll just go on to terrorize others again."

"..." 

VIT: 120    SPD: 80

Apart from the increased stats, Reiji’s status window also displayed newly acquired skills from the previous fight. 

Rending Strike – a skill that upon impact, can shatter the enemies’ defenses. Will leave a defense down debuff on the enemy.

Stunning Blow – a skill that is utilizes a heavy strike to the opponents, can be used to stun the opponents and cancel their spell casting.

Blitz – a skill that can be used to close the distance between Reiji and his opponent, using an incredibly quick strike.

"Each of your skills are incredibly useful. It will allow you to take on tougher opponents and monsters." Elnyra was nodding furiously in approval once again.

"Your affinity for combat is truly astounding. I truly chose the right person." 

"Even if you praise me, I'm still not going to become your hero. Especially since heroes are expected to kill their enemies."

"..."

"Anyways, forget that. Explain to me why do skills have a cost and a cooldown?" 

"That's because it's the world system balancing itself. Think of it as cosmic law or fairness of the universe." Elnyra floated ahead of Reiji. Giving her best impressions of a professor. 

"The stronger the skill, the higher the cost.  Just think of it as being tired from over exerting yourself." Elnyra irresponsibly shrugged at me. "I'm more like an admin, I use the system but I'm not the creator. Even I don't know everything."

Sighing at her casual demeanor, Reiji could only  remind himself of how irresponsible of a goddess Elnyra can be. The more time he spent with her, the more he wanted to wring her neck. Catching the eyes of the three children staring at him in confusion,Reiji quickly coughed to cover it up. 

"How much further you three?"

"Just a little further Reiji!" Noah chirped.

As the group continued riding towards the bandit camp, the Sun had already risen lighting up the sky. The sound of birds and insects could be heard from the lively forest. 

During the rest of their journey towards the bandit camp, Reiji was continuously bombarded by questions from the trio. Mostly about who he was, his mechanical beast, and where did he learn how to fight.

"So you're not from this world?" Wuelle asked.

"Yes. I was summoned here against my will by an incredibly irresponsible goddess." 

"HEY! Stop calling me an irresponsible goddess." Protested Elnyra. 

"And, you're strong because you've been training to fight since you were a child?" Noah asked.

"Yeah. I've been training in four different kind of fighting styles from my world. But it's not just strength of body that's important. Your determination and will are just as important." Reiji ruffled Noah's head, thinking of his childhood pet.

"So how were you guys caught by bandits? Were you brought here from somewhere else?" 

"We were kidnapped from the city of Tristan." Taryn finally spoke up.

"We're friends! All three of us are from the same orphanage." Noah excitedly answered. 

"Our orphanage lies in the western district of the city. It's where all of us orphans live." Wuelle continued sadly. "We've all lost our family, and are living together."

"I see..."

"Yeah. It's great, we have Sister Mary, of the church who looks after us. Big bro Souma also comes to play with us often. They're probably worried sick." 

"We were playing by the nearby river bank. The riverbank is further down from the city. Normally it's safe, but three days ago we were suddenly ambushed by those bandits, and taken captive." Taryn continued after seeing how dejected Noah and Wuelle had become . 

"Normally this wouldn't happen. It's usually incredibly safe. If Souma was here, all of them would have been dealt with already!" Wuelle shouted angrily.

"Well it's a good thing I was in the area then. Once we've dealt with the other bandits and the captives, I hope you'll take me to the city."

"Ofcourse! You've helped us so you're definitely a good person. I'm sure Sister Mary and Souma would love to meet you."

After riding for another 30 minutes, they finally approached the location of the bandit camp. 

"You three wait here. I'll approach on foot by myself to take care of the bandits, and free the others." 

"Becareful Reiji." The three children were filled with apprehension.

Smiling to reassure them, Reiji slipped away, quickly disappearing out of sight.

---

Odd. 

The closer he got, the more his instincts screamed in warning. 

The bandit camp was eerily silent. Not the kind that happens during sleep, but the hollow, breathless silence that normally accompanies a graveyard. 

The scattered remains of tents flapped in the wind, some burned some torn. The central fire pit was gone, completely frozen over. Dust and ash hung in the air  lazily drifting in the morning sun. The scent of blood filled my nostrils.

"Dammit!"

Panicking, Reiji ran forward looking for the cages of captives. Praying that the worse hadn't happened. 

Corpses of bandits lay strewn around the camp. Badly shredded by blades of some kind and damaged by magic. 

Reaching the cages, His heart beated at 100 kmph. The cages were destroyed, but there wasn't any dead body of childrens or other captives. 

"Reiji!" Elnyra shouted louder than she'd ever before.

His body moved the same time Elnyra's warning rang out. His instincts kicking in to overdrive, dodging backwards away from the cages.  

The cages erupted in a ball of flame, wood splinters and scrap metals launching out like shrapnels of a frag grenade. Cutting him all over. Once again staining his white tshirt underneath his jacket blood red. 

"Foolish human, I'll send you to join the rest of your group!" 

Ice cold words rang out as a hooded figure appeared in the middle of the camp. Their features shrouded, the only thing poking out was a pair silver swords still dripping with blood.