Steel rang through the campsite.
Neither landed a decisive hit.
Until—
The stranger deliberately let one axe slide past his shoulder.
He stepped inside Helford's guard.
"...Gotcha."
His knee slammed into Helford's stomach.
The bandit boss folded instantly.
Then—
The blunt side of the scythe crashed into the side of Helford's head.
THUD.
Silence.
Helford collapsed.
Unconscious.
The remaining bandits immediately dropped their weapons.
"...Run."
"...RUN!"
Within seconds—
The camp emptied.
Only unconscious bodies remained.
The stranger casually picked his bag of roasted nuts back up.
"...Waste not."
He grabbed one.
Crunch.
Then—
His eyes shifted toward Kai.
"..."
Kai suddenly felt every instinct scream.
Danger.
The stranger disappeared.
"...Huh?"
A gust of wind exploded.
Kai barely saw the movement.
The scythe stopped millimeters from his throat.
Its edge reflected in his eyes.
The stranger stared directly at him.
"...What's your relationship with the bandits?"
Kai immediately raised both hands.
"I'm not with them!"
"They captured me!"
The stranger didn't lower the weapon.
"...Explain."
"I was traveling from Asphyxia."
"I tried helping someone."
"They turned out to be bandits."
"I surrendered."
The stranger remained silent.
Kai continued.
"I'm heading to Muscle City."
"I have to meet someone."