Chapter 12 – Flashback: The Healing and the Ambush

Chapter 12 – Flashback: The Healing and the Ambush

Night at the blacksmith’s forge, yesterday.

Maro carefully tended the young boy’s wounds, his brow furrowed with concern.
“What happened? Why is this boy so badly injured?” he murmured, voice heavy with worry.

Suddenly, footsteps echoed outside the door, followed by a soft knock.
“Who’s there?” Maro called out, hand tightening on the bandages.

A familiar voice answered, warm and urgent.
“Mister Maro! It’s Yur—and the boy’s little sister, Marel!”

“Come in!” Maro replied quickly.

The door creaked open, and Marel stepped inside shyly, clutching Yur’s sleeve. Maro’s face softened into a gentle smile.
“Don’t be shy, little Marel. You’re welcome here.”

Yur chuckled softly.
“That’s Mister Maro for you, Marel.”

Taking a small step forward, Marel nervously spoke,
“Uh—hi. I’m Marel.”

Maro’s eyes glimmered with warmth.
“Hello, Marel. Your big brother is stable now. He just needs to rest, so don’t worry.”

Marel ran to her brother’s bedside, grasping the blanket covering him.
“Big brother…” she whispered.

Maro and Yur exchanged worried glances. Suddenly, heavy footsteps thudded outside the door again.
“That must be Mister Ro—” Yur began.

Maro hushed her, eyes narrowing sharply.
“No, I don’t think so. Those steps… they’re too heavy. Could be thugs or bandits.”

Grabbing the sword resting nearby, Maro readied himself. Yur pulled Marel close, shielding her protectively.

Knock. Knock.

Silence. Maro whispered,
“Stay quiet.”

A rough voice called from outside.
“I know you’re in there. Open up.”

Still no response.

“Alright, we’re coming in by force!”

Maro’s heart pounded. That door was crafted by me—it’s high-level security.

Suddenly, a powerful slash shattered the door. Yur gasped, Marel began crying.

Maro gripped his sword tighter.
“How did you destroy that door?!”

The man who slashed it laughed coldly.
“This? You call this security? Pathetic.”

Three bandits stepped inside, their leader grinning cruelly.

Maro positioned himself like a shield, standing protectively in front of Yur, Marel, and the unconscious boy.
“Leave now. If you want money, take it. We have nothing else.”

The bandit leader smiled darkly.
“Thanks for the offer, but we’re here for more than money.”

Maro’s eyes narrowed.
“What do you mean?”

The leader pointed at the boy.
“That.”

Then gestured toward Marel.
“And that.”

Maro clenched his sword tightly.
“You won’t take them. Not while I’m here.”

In response, the leader caught Maro’s strike with a dagger, countering expertly. Maro stumbled back, stunned. My attacks are barely like a level 25 adventurer… how can they counter so easily?

The bandit leader smirked.
“Now you’re starting to understand, huh?”

Maro’s voice shook.
“Who… who are you?”

The leader’s eyes gleamed darkly.
“Why should I tell you? But just so you get an idea—I’m level 95.”

Shock froze Maro in place.
“That can’t be… No awakened at that level exist yet. You must be ranked!”

The bandit leader chuckled.
“Bingo. Knew you’d get it.”

Maro clenched his fists, legs trembling.
“Ranked or not, I’ll protect them—”

Suddenly, multiple slashes rained down on him.

The leader sneered,
“I think it’s time to silence you.”

Maro’s vision blurred, body faltering—but Yur stepped forward, tears streaming down her face.
“STOP! If you want to touch Maro, you’ll have to go through me!”

Before she could finish, a small voice cut through the tension.

“Stop this now! I’ll go with you, bandits!”

It was the little boy, barely able to stand but fierce in determination.

The bandit leader’s eyes lit up with cruel delight.
“Now that’s what I like to hear.”

Yur shouted,
“Marel!”

Little boy glanced back, voice firm despite his weakness.
“Thank you for taking care of Marel and me. I’ll repay you someday!”

One of the bandits slapped little boy cruelly.
“Who do you think you are?”

The leader grinned at Yur and Maro.
“You’re lucky I’m in a good mood today. See you again.”

The bandits exited, leaving destruction behind.

Outside the blacksmith shop, the bandit leader sneered.
“Slash the walls, make a mess. Let’s leave a parting gift.”

Little boy protested, voice shaking.
“Why do this to people who haven’t wronged you?”

The leader coldly touched Veril’s jaw.
“Don’t run again, Veril.”

Marel sobbed, clutching her brother’s hand. Veril tried to comfort her.

The bandits began slashing the walls, shaking the blacksmith’s foundation.

Inside, Maro finally collapsed—straight onto the bed where the boy lay.

Yur hurried to him, placing healing medicine on his wounds.
“Maro! Please hold on.”

The chaos outside continued—the walls shook as bandits rampaged.

Finally, the leader called out,
“Let’s go before the north gate closes.”

---

Scene: Northern Gate

The bandits disguised as merchants tried to pass unnoticed.

An army patrol stopped them briefly, then nodded approvingly.
“All clear. You’re part of the high merchant team, yes? Go ahead.”

Veril and Marel sat silently nearby, Marel’s eyes still wet with tears.

A crooked bandit growled,
“You little brat, shut your sister up.”

Veril glared fiercely. The bandit snarled,
“You little—”

He stopped as the army’s sharp gaze fell on him.
“Damn, keep it down! We’ll settle this later, brat.”

---

Scene: Bandit Hideout – Prison

Veril was shoved roughly against the cold stone wall by a bandit.
“You little brat, back in here!”

Marel ran forward, tears streaming, hugging Veril.
“Big brother!”

Veril squeezed her hand tightly.
“It’ll be okay. We’ll get out. Don’t worry.”

Elsewhere, two bandits whispered in the scout tower.
“Why does the boss let prisoners escape?”

A newer bandit replied,
“Because the boss loves letting them taste fake freedom.”

“Fake freedom?”

“Yeah. That prison’s near monsters. Those who escape don’t last long.”

---

Scene: Prisoner’s Escape and Horror

One prisoner quietly slipped free, the rope around his wrists loose.
“I’m out of that hell,” he whispered.

Suddenly, he felt eyes on him.
“Why do I feel like I’m being watched?”

He hid behind a bush and followed voices to a deep hole.

Peering inside, terror froze him: a monstrous creature with many human faces twisted in agony and rage.

Its true face was even more horrifying.

The prisoner turned to run, but a massive claw struck him, impaling him.

He cried out,
“Uuughrh!”

Dragged into the depths, he saw dozens of humans trapped in monstrous forms.

He couldn’t scream, paralyzed by fear.

---

Scene: Bandit Boss Watching

Hidden and invisible, the bandit boss watched from above, a dark smile curling his lips.

“I always love this feeling. When people think they’re lucky, only to fall into my trap.”

He laughed coldly.
“I love this feeling.”