Bandits.
They were a plague, a nuisance, and a curse. No matter how much the governnt tried to eradicate them, they would always pop up like a weed.
This was the case in the Murim world. Even in a world where martial arts were prevalent, there were still people who couldn't follow rules or just loved to take what the others had, leading them into a life of cri.
All they could do was keep fighting and hope that the evil didn't spread.
However, now the situation had changed. A bandit attack was on the rise, and the rchants and the common people were suffering. The start was when Green Forest Bandit was destroyed. No one controlled them anymore, and they could now do as they pleased.
Not only that, there were rumors of a large army coming from the south. They apparently created a new group called Black Dragon Army, and their leader was a mysterious and powerful martial artist.
Their purpose was unknown, but the bandits were their allies and did as they pleased. Many villages were raided, and the economy was in chaos.
"Because you ntioned it, I have spread mini-Coco all over the regions and found them. It seems that the rumors were true. The Black Dragon Army had indeed arrived in the north and occupied one of the villages they raided."
Chiaki explained and handed Leo the report.
He read it and frowned. The fact that the bandit appeared in the north wasn't good news. Why?
'There is nothing stopping them from the north. If they advance this way, they could even reach the Capital.'
This was a very serious situation, and it was his responsibility to solve it as the Emperor had requested him.
"Let's move fast and exterminate them. We shouldn't let them have their way and do as they please. And we can't forget about the Supre Evil and the Followers. They are still active and could take advantage of this situation. These bandits look like a pri subject for being sacrificed."
Leo had a bad feeling about it. If the Supre Evil was controlling the minds of the people and manipulating their actions, the damage they caused would be bigger and harder to predict.
Therefore, the quicker they could eradicate the bandits, the better.
"But..."
There was sothing that was more important than eradicating the bandits. Leo looked at Astrid who munched on a cookie and glanced at the window.
"I will have you to handle them alone. Can you do that?"
"Huh? You want to take care of the bandits?"
Astrid seed confused. She didn't expect to be put in charge of a task this big so suddenly. She thought she just tagged along like before, and her leader would do all the heavy lifting.
"Yes. You had undergone the surgery, so it's the best ti to learn how to move your new enhanced body and new bodysuit. Besides..." Leo paused and smiled, "Aren't you curious how strong you've beco? I can feel that you have broken through 5 Stars and awakened your elent too."
"Eehh?!"
Indeed, she had undergone the surgery and beca more powerful. Her elent had also awakened, which was unusual. However, she didn't have the ti to test her new power yet.
Would she be able to fight the bandits at her current state? What if she t a strong enemy that she couldn't beat?
These questions ran through her mind, and she couldn't help but feel worried.
"Can I handle them alone?"
Sensing the anxiety and unease in her tone, Leo nodded.
"The bandits are composed of maybe only 2 to 3 Stars martial artist. Their leader won't be stronger than a 4 Stars martial artist, so you will be able to handle them. Also, with your new bodysuit and your new strength, dealing with them alone is easy. I believe in you."
Astrid fell silent. She was nervous, but her heart was filled with determination. She was tired of being weak and not having a chance. This was her chance to prove herself.
The nail was hamred into the coffin when Chiaki spoke.
"Or did you not trust my surgery process? Want to do it once again?"
"N-No no no, I trust you! Please don't say that!"
Chiaki smirked and leaned forward.
"Then, please, have fun fighting the bandits and testing your new powers. Leader will be watching."
She patted her head and smiled.
A rare mont of Chiaki being kind to Astrid. It was a sight to behold.
"Fine, I will do it."
With that, Astrid stood up and left. Her expression was resolute, and she was ready to face the danger.
Leo smiled. Seeing his mber's growth has always been satisfying. He was indeed at the end-ga content, but there was still happiness in nurturing people he could discover.
"Now, let's move and kill those bandits."
Following Leo's lead, Chiaki and Astrid stepped forward and joined the hunt.
When they walked along the Capital, many martial artists looked surprised. After all, their enemies had walked in their main territory and were moving without fear.
Still, they didn't even try to approach them. Why?
The reason was clear. Leo was holding an insignia that had the Emperor's seal on it. Anyone who saw it knew that the group was an agent of the Emperor and couldn't act against them.
"We need to report it!"
"Quick, return to the Alliance!"
So martial artists hurriedly returned to their sect or clan, their expression grave.
"Who are they?"
Astrid, who noticed their conversation, muttered and looked at Leo. She didn't think that she would be able to hear their conversation so clearly even though she wasn't trying to listen.
"Just so insignificant bugs even lower than us, you don't need to worry." Leo answered with a soft smile. The insignia in his hand was gone before anyone realized it.
In fact, he intentionally waved the insignia around to avoid unnecessary troubles. He wanted to be as inconspicuous as possible and avoid conflict.
Not only that, he also wanted to show them that the Emperor had recognized the rcenary Union and actually asked them to eradicate the bandits. The news would spread tomorrow when they finished the task, or so was what he guessed.
Emperor Sheng surely waited for the best ti to announce his cooperation with the Union. This would give him a boost in popularity and recognition, not just by the nobles and the ministers, but also by the people.
The people would see him as a hero and the savior of the Empire as well as a force that protect the civilians from dangers, different from the news that the Murim Alliance spread.
It was a perfect plan.
Showing the sa insignia he put away at the gate, Leo was able to exit the Capital and head to the destination where the bandit's lair was.
According to the intel, the bandits were hiding in a village, using it as a base and storing their loot. They attacked villages and robbed the rchants, making it a daily routine.
As for their purpose, Leo didn't care. He only knew that they were a problem and needed to be taken care of.
"Here, Leader, the map and the detailed information. Just follow the route and you will reach the bandits' lair. If we're running, it will take around 20 to 30 minutes to reach the destination."
Chiaki pointed at the map and the direction they needed to go.
"I see. How far is the closest village from here?"
"Around 20 miles."
"That's a bit far." He muttered, "Let's run as fast as possible. I don't want to waste ti."
"Yes, Leader."
With that, the three of them set off and moved. They ran at a speed faster than any normal person could, their feet light and their pace quick. Leo glanced at Astrid a few tis to ensure that she was okay.
"Are you sure you can keep up with this pace?"
"Yes, I can."
Astrid nodded, her eyes determined and her voice firm.
'She's really serious, huh? And she's smiling. She's excited. That's good.'
Astrid's growth had impressed him. She changed from a sheltered, arrogant princess who attacked him because he took her table to a reliable and mature mber of the Hallowed Insect.
Maybe the surgery and the bodysuit were a great booster. After running for half an hour, with a slowed down pace, they finally reached the village.
From afar, Leo could see the buildings were wrecked and the streets were empty. Fields were ravaged, a trace of burning could be seen in so areas, and the doors and windows were broken.
'They really did a number on this place.'
Shaking his head, Leo scanned the area. There was no sign of the villagers, only the broken houses and the burned fields were left. So life signs were detected inside the ruins, probably the bandits who were still alive and looting the place.
"Leader, there are more than 50 people in the village. I can sense their presence and their level." Astrid reported, her expression serious. "They are just 2 Stars martial artists as you guessed earlier. There is soone who has reached 4 Stars, I think that's the leader. However, there are no other 5 Stars or above."
"Good."
Detecting the enemy from 200 ters away using smart lenses was easy. However, for a first-tir, it could be a little bit difficult. It showed that Astrid's ability was getting stronger.
"Chiaki, help Astrid to create a distraction so she can enter the enemy's rank. Just showing Coco should be enough, I think. These people love sothing unusual and exotic, and a small, cute doll is a perfect bait. Then, Astrid can ambush them and take them down. Once she reaches the leader, finish him. I will be waiting here and handling any incoming reinforcents."
"Yes, Leader."
Both Chiaki and Astrid nodded. The forr whispered sothing to the doll on her shoulder and mini-Coco jumped to Astrid's hands.
"Go ahead and make proud."
With that, Astrid left, running toward the village by circling from behind and the bandits' hideout. She kept her posture low and activated the optical illusion her new bodysuit had and disappeared.
A smile ford on her face as she ran faster than the wind. The exhilarating feeling of being powerful and invincible filled her heart.
This was her mont.
Entering the village from behind, Astrid looked around and saw no one. The bandits must be all in their hideout, celebrating their victory and robbing the village blind.
'Let's see how well you guys can handle this.' She quietly unsheathed her sword, the one she brought from Peng Estate in her run.
While it wasn't a prized sword, it was still forged by a master blacksmith, boasting great quality and sharpness. She didn't bring the ones the Union provided her as she felt a little uncomfortable with the idea of using the strange weapons. Besides, tal swords fit her elent better.
Therefore, she had brought her own sword and prepared herself.
Astrid waited for the right mont to strike. She had seen mane people loitering around. They were drinking and partying, unaware that a deadly hunter was lurking in the shadows.
At that mont, a single tal doll walked toward the hideout. The bandits were attracted by its appearance and gathered.
"Look, look, it's a tiny doll!"
"I never see anything like this. Let's capture it and make it ours."
"Does it move by itself? Maybe it can be sold at a high price."
Greed flashed in their eyes, and they were about to jump toward the doll. But then, it jumped and climbed up the wall, escaping from their grasp.
"Hey, hey, get back here!"
"Stop right there!"
When the bandits were distracted and chased after Coco, Astrid made her move.
Her footsteps were light and soundless. She approached the group, her Qi gathering at her palm extended to her sword. Purple fla danced around her as she swung her blade.
The bandits didn't realize her presence until she was right in front of them.
"Huh, what-"
One of the bandits was cut off as his head flew, his blood spraying and his body falling on the ground.
The other bandits froze in shock, but Astrid didn't waste ti. She slashed her sword and decapitated the others, leaving their head rolling on the ground. Fla burst forth from her blade, incinerating their body and turning them into dust.
'It's easy.'
She couldn't help but feel happy. This was her first mission, and she was able to complete it flawlessly.
'This is the power of a 5 Stars martial artist with Nanites.'
Maybe, she could take them all. Her appearance with purple fla had already made an impact, and the bandits were scared. She could see it in their eyes.
Raising her sword, she was ready to attack again.
"Co!"
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