Published at 22nd of September 2024 9:50 am

Chapter 5: Into the Heart of Darkness

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The air inside the cave was damp and cold, the walls slick with moisture. Every step Wei Long took echoed faintly, reminding him that he was walking into the unknown. He kept his senses sharp, his energy pulsing lightly beneath the surface of his skin, ready to unleash it at a moment’s notice. The bandit leader would not be as easy to deal with as his henchmen outside, but Wei Long couldn’t afford to back down now.

As he moved deeper into the cave, the flickering light of a distant torch caught his eye. Shadows danced against the walls, elongating and shifting with the fire’s movement. Wei Long crouched low, advancing silently until he could hear the muffled sound of voices coming from up ahead.

He crept forward until he reached a large chamber. At its center was a fire pit surrounded by crude wooden furniture. A group of bandits sat around the fire, talking and laughing. Among them sat a hulking figure, larger than any of the others, with a scar running down the length of his face. His armor was rough but solid, a clear indication that he had fought his way to the top. This was the leader.

Wei Long’s heart pounded in his chest as he studied the scene. There were six men in total, all armed, and it would be impossible to take them by surprise without alerting the others. He needed a plan, but he didn’t have time to overthink it. The bandit leader wasn’t going to come out on his own, and Wei Long couldn’t risk waiting any longer.

Taking a deep breath, Wei Long stepped into the open. “I’m here for your head,” he declared, his voice steady despite the tension thrumming through his body.

The bandits stopped talking instantly, turning to face him with expressions ranging from surprise to amusement. The leader rose to his feet slowly, towering over the others. He grinned, revealing a set of yellowed teeth.

“Well, well,” the leader growled, his voice like gravel. “Looks like we’ve got a brave one here. You come to collect the mayor’s little bounty, eh? Think you’re some kind of hero?”

Wei Long didn’t answer, his eyes fixed on the leader’s every movement. The energy inside him was building, waiting for the right moment to strike.

The leader’s grin faded as he took a step forward, his hand resting on the hilt of a massive broadsword at his side. “You should’ve stayed home, boy. Now I’ve got to teach you a lesson.”

Without warning, the leader lunged at Wei Long, drawing his sword in a single, fluid motion. The bandits cheered as their boss swung the blade down with terrifying force, but Wei Long was ready. He sidestepped the attack, his body moving almost instinctively, and unleashed a pulse of energy at the leader’s back.

The energy struck the bandit leader, but instead of sending him flying like the others, the massive man grunted and stumbled forward, shaking off the blow. He turned to face Wei Long, a flicker of surprise in his eyes.

“So, you’ve got some tricks up your sleeve,” the leader muttered, his grip tightening on the sword. “But it’s going to take more than that to bring me down.”

Wei Long narrowed his eyes. His energy wasn’t strong enough yet—it lacked the precision and power needed to deal with someone of the leader’s caliber. He could feel it slipping from his grasp, still too raw and untamed. He needed to find another way.

The bandits began to close in, emboldened by their leader’s resilience. Wei Long’s mind raced. He couldn’t take them all on at once, not in close combat. He had to think quickly.

Suddenly, an idea struck him. Wei Long remembered the terrain outside the cave, the steep hills that surrounded it. If he could lure the leader and his men out, he might be able to use the environment to his advantage.

He retreated slowly, keeping his eyes on the bandits as they advanced. The leader smirked, thinking Wei Long was backing down, and gestured for his men to follow. “Don’t let him get away,” the leader barked.

Wei Long turned and sprinted toward the entrance of the cave, his heart pounding in his chest. He could hear the heavy footsteps of the bandits behind him, the leader’s booming laughter echoing off the cave walls.

The moment he burst out into the open, Wei Long darted toward the steep incline he had noticed earlier. The bandits were right on his heels, their shouts filling the air as they gave chase.

Reaching the incline, Wei Long turned sharply and began to climb, his feet slipping slightly on the loose rocks. The bandits followed, but the rough terrain slowed them down, especially the larger leader, whose heavy armor made the climb difficult.

Wei Long reached the top of the incline and stopped, turning to face his pursuers. The leader was nearly halfway up, his sword still in hand, but his movements were labored. Wei Long’s mind raced as he considered his options. Then, a plan formed.

With a deep breath, Wei Long reached inward, focusing all of his energy into his palm. He felt the power surge through him, stronger than before. It was as if the adrenaline had sharpened his focus, and for the first time, he could sense the energy bending to his will.

He raised his hand, and with a shout, unleashed a concentrated blast of energy at the loose rocks at the edge of the incline. The force of the blast shattered the stones, sending an avalanche of debris cascading down the hill toward the bandits.

The leader’s eyes widened in shock as the rocks tumbled toward him, but it was too late to react. The avalanche struck him with full force, sweeping him and his men off their feet. The bandits were thrown back down the incline, their bodies slamming into the ground below.

Panting heavily, Wei Long stood at the top of the hill, watching as the dust settled. The bandits lay scattered at the bottom of the incline, groaning in pain. The leader was still alive, but barely. He struggled to stand, his body battered and bruised from the fall.

Wei Long descended the hill slowly, his energy nearly spent. He approached the leader, who glared up at him with bloodshot eyes.

“You… you’re stronger than you look,” the leader rasped, coughing up blood. “But you won’t… survive out here… alone.”

Wei Long stood over the defeated leader, his expression cold. “I don’t need your advice.”

With a swift motion, Wei Long delivered a final blow to the leader, ending his life. The bandits who remained conscious watched in silence, too broken and afraid to retaliate.

Wei Long took a deep breath, feeling the weight of what he had just done. He wasn’t sure if he felt victorious or simply relieved. But one thing was certain—he had survived his first real battle, and the reward was now within his grasp.

Turning away from the fallen leader, Wei Long made his way back toward the town, ready to claim his prize and take the next step on his journey.

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