The old man riding at the front of the convoy squinted as a group of figures emerged from the shadows ahead.At first, he thought they were just bandits. But when his eyes caught the strange markings carved across each of their faces, his heart sank.
That mark...He had heard rumors.
In recent weeks, the borderlands near Dark Forest, on the road leading to Lightning City Mandal, had been plagued by a string of brutal robberies. The survivors all spoke the same words — a ruthless gang with unnatural strength and a distinct mark branded on their faces.
The old man's name was Killer Axe, a warrior of the Cloud-Piercing Caravan — once a renowned mercenary, now a weary guardian.He had traveled this region before; he knew what kind of men bore those marks.And yet, here they were, blocking the road.
The Empire's Structure
The Marcrum Empire, like others of its dynasty, was divided with precision.At the top stood a Royal Dynasty, ruling over five to fifteen empires.
Each Empire was largely autonomous, governing itself in exchange for tribute and loyalty.An empire was divided into Grand Mandals, each Grand Mandal into Mandal divisions — major cities controlling surrounding towns.Those towns were further divided into Sub-Mandals, each overseeing a cluster of villages.
From villages to towns, towns to Mandals, Mandals to Grand Mandals — each level reported upward, forming the backbone of imperial control.But the dynasty rarely interfered. They cared only for taxes… and loyalty.
Back on the road, Killer Axe's brows furrowed.He could sense the tension crackling in the air like a storm waiting to break.
He called out calmly, "We are merely passing through. We have no quarrel with you. It would be wise for you to step aside."
The bandits looked at one another—then burst into laughter.The eerie sound echoed through the trees, crawling under the skin like a whisper of doom.
The old man's instincts screamed.Something was wrong.
"Stay alert!" he barked.
But before his words had even faded, two of his own guards moved.A flicker of motion — glints of metal — needles shot out faster than thought.Half of the caravan's guards collapsed with barely a sound.
"Traitors!" the old man roared, moving with startling speed for his age.He leapt to the side of the ornate carriage, an axe appearing in his hand in a flash of cold light.
The needles grazed past him, piercing the wooden panels, but the figure inside the carriage remained safe.His heart pounded.He had overlooked the possibility of infiltration… and now the cost would be heavy.
"I can still make this right," he muttered bitterly to himself.
He raised his voice, steady and cold."Let's settle this peacefully. I can pay you two hundred thousand gold coins. Leave us be."
No one answered.Instead, a booming laugh echoed from above.
From atop a jagged boulder, a bald man appeared, his scalp gleaming like polished steel under the faint sunlight. His thick neck and ox-like frame made him look more beast than man.A thick black scar coiled down his cheek — the same cursed mark that branded his entire gang.
He sneered."Two hundred thousand gold? The Cloud-Piercing Caravan truly lives up to its name… wealthy and arrogant. But why should I settle for coins when the jewel inside that carriage is worth far more?A royal beauty from a rich sect — maybe I'll take her as my trophy."
The old man's expression hardened, fury surging through his veins."You dare! Do you think the Cloud-Piercing Sect is some back-alley gang you can toy with? Touch her, and you'll face our sect's wrath — not just mine."
The bald man rubbed his head mockingly."Hah! The wrath of your sect? Maybe. But by the time they find your corpses, I'll be long gone."
Laughter spread among his men.One of them licked his lips."Boss, let us have a little fun too. The last batch of women barely lasted a—"
"Enough!" Killer Axe growled, voice thick with disgust."You worms dare speak filth in front of me? Perhaps it's time I reminded the world why they once trembled at the name Killer Axe!"
With a grim smile, he summoned his weapon from his storage ring —a battle axe, scarred and ancient, its blade chipped but still glinting with a crimson hue of dried blood.It wasn't just a weapon. It was a memory — of hundreds of lives ended in its swing.
From within the carriage, a soft, anxious voice called out,"Grandpa Protector… are you sure you can face them all?"
Once, seven years ago, the man known as Killer Axe had been the most feared mercenary across the Lightning Mandal.Then, one day, he vanished.People whispered he had died in battle, or retired in despair.But in truth, he had been grievously wounded — saved only by the master of the Cloud-Piercing Caravan.
Even now, the scars had not fully healed.Each battle threatened to tear open the old wounds once more.He knew it.So did she.
The bald man frowned.He could feel it — the air itself seemed to hum as energy began to stir around the old man.His eyes widened.
"This pressure...! Vital Core Level?"
It was the second realm, where warriors awakened their meridians — power far beyond the Physical Level thugs he usually dealt with.There were barely a hundred cultivators of that rank in the entire Lightning Mandal — and none served as mere guards.
But then, the bald man's smirk returned.He sensed instability — a faint tremor in that aura.
"A wounded Vital Core cultivator… no wonder you're hiding as a caravan guard," he mocked. "If you were in your prime, maybe I'd fear you. But now?"He cracked his neck."You won't last long."
Dark, vile energy began to seep from his body — a black mist writhing like serpents.A chill ran through the forest.
Killer Axe narrowed his eyes.Corrupted energy… the kind only obtained through forbidden methods.That meant this gang's motives ran deeper than simple theft.
Anger flared in his chest, and the air around him rippled with a crimson aura — his Vital Energy burning like fire.That energy carried a murderous intent so dense it felt like standing before a storm of blades.
The bald man raised his hand."Go! Catch the girls. I'll handle the old relic."
Killer Axe turned briefly toward the carriage."Ruchi, take the Young Miss and run!"
"Yes, Grandfather Protector!"
A young woman leapt out, seized the reins, and whipped the horses hard. The carriage jolted and sped down the dirt path, wheels thundering.From inside, a frightened voice cried, "Wait—!"But Ruchi didn't stop.
The bald man's eyes widened."Don't let them escape! If they get away, I'll gut every one of you!"
As his men charged after the carriage, a flash of killing intent struck him.He barely raised his energy shield before the axe came crashing down —BOOM!
The impact shattered the shield into fragments of light.The bald man stumbled back, his arms numb from the shock.
He gasped."This old man—he still fights like a demon!"
Meanwhile, Ruchi's hands trembled as she urged the horses onward.But soon, her path was blocked — shadows closing in from every side.Behind her, the sound of pursuit drew nearer.
Inside the carriage, the girl's voice came again, trembling."Ruchi… it seems this is the end. I would rather die than let them touch us."
Tears welled in Ruchi's eyes.Her grip tightened on her dagger."Then… let's end it on our own terms."
The bandits hesitated, uneasy.One shouted, "Don't! Stop them, idiots!"
The two girls raised their blades toward their throats —when suddenly, a mocking voice rang out through the forest.
"Oi… oi… oi… what's this?""So many beasts surrounding two little girls? Don't you bastards have any shame?"
The voice was calm, almost lazy — but it carried a sharpness that sliced through the chaos.The forest fell silent.Even the bandits froze, their laughter dying on their lips.
And from the shadow of the trees… a new figure stepped into the light.