The trip back to Metus was surprisingly nice. I was over halfway there and I hadn't met a single bounty hunter. The only problem was every village, town, or really any place that's populated had patrolling guards looking for me.
("Guess I won't be meeting the locals.") [Solace]
I had to give a wide berth to known places, so I ended up taking an unconventional path. It was like cutting through the grass when there's clearly a dug out path for you.
("It's peaceful in a way.") [Solace]
The snow that began at the end of the demon lord's death still continued. I don't know how long winter lasts in this world, but it felt endless. Even so, the sight was beautiful. It was like gazing at an endless landscape that remained an empty canvas, just waiting for someone to paint over it.
"Alert: |Cold Resistance| has gained a level." [Spirit Guide]
As I walked, the sound of snow crunching under my feet was the only thing accompanying me. There was no one else around, so I didn't need to eat to keep up appearances. Nor did I have to rest to keep with other people's pace.
("Nice as it sounds, I feel rather… lonely.") [Solace]
Upon first entering the Misty Forest, I had resolved myself to not have any social contact. However, I ended up meeting Elcrid and the twins. Everyday felt like I was learning something new. I had no time to feel loneliness when Elcrid left because I was occupied by others hunting me. But now? There was not a soul in sight.
("I should be in the grassy plains by now.") [Solace]
If I remember correctly, it took Wilharrow and the others a week to pass through it. With my pace, I should be able to get through in two to three days.
("I wonder if the twins are doing well with Nakros?") [Solace]
With no one other than myself, I could only let my mind wander. I was so lost in thought that I didn't notice a group of people approaching until they'd already spotted me.
"Who's there?!" [???]
The falling snow covered their figures, but the torches they had in hand illuminated them enough to let me know they were armed.
("A group of nine. Should I run?") [Solace]
I didn't exactly feel like fighting, but I also didn't feel like running in this cold weather.
("I'll talk to them.") [Solace]
Maybe they weren't looking for me. The group and I closed in on each other, meeting face to face. They were led by a man with a scar across his cheek, and the others seemed to be rather experienced in combat as well.
"Well? What do you want?" [Solace]
The group stared at me, one of them leaning into the scarred man to whisper.
"Boss, is that him?" [???]
"...Hard to tell. The snow's making it difficult. Try to move the torch closer without being suspicious." [Scarred Man]
It wasn't hard to listen to their conversation. I could see the frequency with |Unbound Mortal| so it was more like lip reading though. Don't ask me how I figured it out, |Unbound Mortal| just kind of makes me know things. …Is this what it's like to be a genius?
"May I ask for your name?" [Scarred Man]
"Most usually give their names first before asking for others." [Solace]
The scarred man seemed taken aback.
"...You're right. My name is Victor, may I know your name?" [Victor]
Looking at him, it was unlikely that was even his real name.
"Well then, Victor. My name is Belrick." [Solace]
I can't say it was a pleasure to use a dead man's name, but it's all I could think of at the top of my head.
"Belrick… That's an uncommon name." [Victor]
"So it is. Nevermind that, what are you folks doing out here?" [Solace]
"We're just patrolling. Activity of Alt the Cruel Sinner shows signs of heading to Metus, so everyone's been on high alert." [Victor]
"Is that so?" [Solace]
"With that said, it's getting pretty cold out. How about a heating stone for our fateful meeting?" [Victor]
He motioned one of his men to approach me.
"No thanks. I'm plenty warm as is." [Solace]
I tried to make the man back off, but Victor's subordinate continued to approach. Seeing that, I tensed up to prepare for battle.
"Wait." [Victor]
Sticking out an arm, he stopped his subordinate.
"Sorry about that, he only listens to me. If you're fine, then we'll be on our way. May the gods bless you." [Victor]
"...May the gods bless you." [Solace]
As we both began to pass each other, Victor whipped out a small handheld crossbow and fired it at me. This resulted in me catching it.
"...What is the meaning of this?" [Solace]
"It was worth a try." [Victor]
Reloading his crossbow, Victor aimed it at me again.
"Men! Take out Alt the Cruel Sinner!" [Victor]
("So he knew.") [Solace]
I guess refusing the heating stone was too obvious.
"|Liquid Barrage|." [Solace]
Water bullets mixed into the falling snow made it near impossible for the men to evade, causing all but four including Victor to fall.
("If my |Liquid Barrage| were more powerful, I could've shot straight through them and ended it quickly.") [Solace]
They unleashed a hail of bolts, each armed with two small handheld crossbows. I ignored the bolts, leading to them bouncing off me as I rushed through it.
"Alert: |Poison Resistance| has been triggered." [Spirit Guide]
Vicious bastards aren't they?
"He's still coming! Switch to melee!" [Victor]
Experienced as they are, none of them panicked. They calmly took out shortswords and a small metal shield to combat me. It kind of looked like gladiator gear. Matter of fact, one of them threw a net over me.
"|Flame Cannon|." [Solace]
Burning through the net, I faced a sword being swung at me.
"|Revolving Shell Arts|." [Solace]
Redirecting the sword in a circular fashion, I disarmed him and took the sword for myself.
"How did you-?!" [Subordinate]
Before he could react, I grabbed his shield so he couldn't block and proceeded to stab him.
"Stay down if you value your life." [Solace]
I let him drop as the next three charged me.
"|Earthen Shield|." [Solace]
I blocked off Victor with a stone wall, forcing it to be two on one for a moment. After that, it was quick work. I evaded a swing so I could position myself so that they'd be lined up. Once that was done, I struck the closest one in the gut with |Blazing Fist|.
"Argh!" [Subordinate]
As he keeled over, I grabbed him as a shield against his ally.
"You… coward!" [Chasing Subordinate]
"Mhm." [Solace]
With a quiet acknowledgement, I stuck my meatshield with |Piercing Blow|, taking the last subordinate out of the equation. In the end, it was me facing Victor.
"All my men… in an instant." [Victor]
"I spared all of them, you know." [Solace]
"I know what you do. You'll make them suffer a fate worse than death." [Victor]
"Hence my nickname, I assume." [Solace]
Victor glared at me, eyes filled with hate, anxiety, a dash of fear, and some desperation.
"|Fettered Slash|!" [Victor]
Swinging wildly, I ended up catching Victor's blade.
"Huh?" [Solace]
Within an instant, I felt my movements get sealed by an unknown force.
"You fell for it, fool!" [Victor]
Dropping the shortsword, he took out a rather menacing dagger. It was coated in some sort of green liquid, in which he wasted no time in attempting to stab me. Unfortunately for him, I broke whatever was sealing me through brute strength.
"You're not fast enough!" [Victor]
He tried to put everything into his thrust before I could react. However, I ended up grabbing his hand.
"Not yet!" [Victor]
Using his off hand, Victor tried to punch me. Like before, I caught his fist.
"What were you try to accomplish with-" [Solace]
Is what exited my mouth before dust exploded from his fist. It filled my mouth and vision, distracting me for a moment. That of which Victor slipped his fist out of my grip, snatched his dagger out of his other hand, and then stabbed me.
"...Eh?" [Victor]
Color us both surprised, the dagger couldn't even break skin. Victor tried pushing the dagger further into my abdomen, but to no avail.
"Too bad, so sad." [Solace]
With one swift punch, I knocked the bounty hunter unconscious.
("That wasn't so bad.") [Solace]
In the silence among the still alive, but unresponsive bodies, I could hear a small voice coming from Victor.
("Is he still awake?") [Solace]
There weren't any signs so I just searched him. That resulted in finding a neat little crystal with a voice coming out of it.
"Victor! What's going on over there!? Victor! Reply, Victor!" [???]
("Was he on a call?") [Solace]
"Victor, we're sending men your way! Just stay where you are!" [???]
("Ah…") [Solace]
Yeah, I ended up running.