The group of bandits continued moving through the market, collecting gold from frightened vendors.
People stepped aside quickly whenever they passed.
But suddenly, someone walked toward them.
It was June Astral.
Her long ponytail swayed behind her, and her bangs framed her curious face as she approached the men.
The bandits looked down at the short girl in a simple dress standing in front of them.
June tilted her head slightly.
"Excuse me," she said politely.
The largest bandit frowned.
"What do you want, girl?"
June clasped her hands behind her back and asked innocently,
"Why are you asking everyone for gold?"
The men looked at each other and laughed.
"Because we can," one of them said.
June blinked slowly.
"But that's rude."
A few people in the market gasped quietly.
One of the bandits leaned closer, annoyed.
"Listen, little girl. Walk away before—"
June interrupted him with another innocent question.
"Are you strong?"
The bandit froze for a moment.
"…What?"
June looked at them thoughtfully.
"You're taking money from people. Usually strong people do that."
Her tone sounded curious.
"But I don't feel like you're strong."
Some people in the crowd started whispering.
The bandit's face turned red.
"You brat!"
He suddenly reached toward June to grab her arm.
But in the next second—
THUD.
The man slammed into the ground.
No one even saw how it happened.
Before the others could react—
BAM.
Another bandit flew backward.
CRASH.
A third one collapsed beside a broken crate.
In only a few seconds, all of the bandits were lying on the ground.
Groaning.
Defeated.
The crowd stared in stunned silence.
In the middle of the fallen men stood June Astral.
She lightly brushed dust from her dress.
Then she looked down at the unconscious bandits.
Her brown eyes blinked softly, and she spoke in a gentle, innocent voice.
"…Weak."
She tilted her head.
"Really weak."
Meanwhile, not far away—
Lucas de Hein watched the entire scene.
His silver eyes narrowed slightly.
For the first time since seeing her in the market…
He finally smiled.