Finally, it was done. My task in Lahyana City was complete.

  My departure was accompanied by a warm farewell from the residents. However, my focus now lay on the next destination. Based on information from merchants and locals, there were two city options I could head toward.

  The first city had easy access and was famous for its culinary tourism. The second city was located in the highlands, near the headwaters of the river that flowed through most of the kingdom.

  I chose the second option: Villa del Río Alto.

  The reason was simple yet dangerous. The surrounding area was still wild. Many bandits roamed, and it was also habitat for the Titan family. The Titan species there were called Espinas Mortales. They had a mating cycle once every four years; according to merchant information, this wasn't their mating season, so it was relatively safe to cross—excluding the bandit threat.

  I had asked the locals why someone as powerful as Grandmaster Tristan didn't exterminate them. Their answer surprised me; they actually laughed.

  "Grandmaster Tristan isn't a fool," they said. "Villa del Río Alto is located in the mountains.

  If Tristan fought all-out there, that vital river's headwaters could be destroyed, causing a drought disaster for the kingdom. He restrains himself not out of fear, but because of the consequences."

  Five days had passed since that decision.

  Our group's preparations were complete. We departed without formally bidding farewell to the city's ruler. However, at the city gate, one of the ruler's subordinates was already waiting. He conveyed farewell greetings and provided a small additional severance—perhaps as thanks for the "church official's visit."

  As our carriage wheels passed through the gate, once again the line of light from Yardorh's power appeared in my vision. That line stretched forth, splitting the horizon, guiding me toward Villa del Río Alto.

  The initial journey felt quite smooth. The slaves remained silent as statues, performing their tasks with machine-like efficiency. However, I refused to become complacent. Whenever we rested, I had one of the slaves spar with me.

  Although I had basic swordsmanship from the academy, the shadow of Grandmaster Tristan's strength still haunted me. Our abilities were like heaven and earth's core.

  I had to become stronger, or at least, not die foolishly on the road.

  Day 5: We entered the mountain forest path. My heart pounded erratically. Every rustle of leaves put me on edge, fearing encounters with bandits or Espinas Mortales. But thankfully, until we set up camp, there were no significant disturbances.

  A case of theft: this story is not rightfully on Amazon; if you spot it, report the violation.

  Day 6: I decided to continue our journey in the pitch-dark dawn, just as the sun peeked over the eastern horizon, to expedite mapping. This day passed smoothly without horrific incidents. Toward evening, we discovered a remote village rarely visited by merchants. This village was quite scenic, the residents friendly, and we decided to stay overnight here.

  Day 7: The peace shattered.

  In the pitch-dark dawn, shouts and loud crashes woke us. The village was under bandit attack. They came to extort the villagers. My young blood boiled. I and the slaves prepared to draw weapons and attack, but the village elders stopped us.

  "Calm down, Young Man. This is a common occurrence in our village," said one elder with a resigned expression.

  "Why don't you fight back?!" I exclaimed in disbelief.

  "Young Man, you're still too wet behind the ears to know how this world works?"

  "What do you mean?"

  "There's no difference to us... paying tribute to bandits or paying taxes to nobles. Both extort us just the same."

  I fell silent, at a loss for words. All the noble doctrines I'd learned at the academy seemed to crumble instantly before the reality of common folk.

  "And hide yourself, Young Man," the elder continued. "Your clothes are too conspicuous. And among those slaves of yours... there's a beautiful woman. Hide them."

  "Do the bandits also take your children and wives?" I asked quietly.

  "Yes." With tear-filled eyes.

  Reluctantly, I followed that advice. We hid. However, I couldn't just stay silent. After the bandits left with their loot, I counted their numbers. Ten people.

  I decided to pursue them. I selected the five best slaves based on physical strength:

  A bald, muscular man.

  A Beastwoman (half-animal human) with tiger-striped skin.

  A spear-armed man (the only spear user).

  Two other large, muscular men (Slaves 4 and 5).

  We tracked their trail deep into the forest. However, upon arriving, my courage faltered. Their hideout was far larger than expected. Dozens of bandits were there. Attacking with five people was suicide.

  "Fall back," I whispered. We turned around.

  Unfortunately, bad luck was hunting us.

  As we tried to move away from the bandit hideout, we crossed paths with this forest's nightmare.

  Espinas Mortales.

  The creature stood towering, elephant-sized. Its body was covered in thick hide bristling with sharp spines. On its face, a horn that looked like pure iron jutted out menacingly, complete with fangs protruding from its mouth.

  And most terrifying... I saw Yardorh's line stretching horizontally right across its eye area. That was its weak point, but the position was incredibly difficult to reach.

  The creature spotted us. Without warning, it charged straight at us. The ground shook violently.

  "Damn! We're trapped!"

  Forward meant fighting the Titan monster. Backward meant being discovered by bandits.

  No time to think. "ATTACK!"

  I recklessly charged forward with three slaves, while the other two tried to draw its attention. My eyes locked onto that line on the monster's face. Maybe... maybe I could cut it.

  My first attack missed. The monster spun with speed absurd for its size.

  BAM!

  Slave number 4 (or 5, I couldn't tell) managed to stab his sword into a gap in the armor on the monster's right side. However, that was a fatal mistake. The monster went berserk, thrashing its body. That poor slave was flung far, crashing through trees until they toppled.

  I didn't know if he was still alive.

  The monster wasn't in pain—it was only getting angrier. Its breath came in bursts, hot steam billowing from its nose.

  Suddenly, the monster's spiked tail whipped toward me.

  CLANG!

  The Beastwoman leaped in, blocking the tail strike with her greatsword. Her strength was insane! She managed to withstand the impact, though her body was dragged back several steps.

  That was the opening!

  As the monster focused on the tiger woman, I saw the line on its eye exposed. I leaped, swinging my sword with all my might to sever that line.

  But the creature was clever. At the last second, it turned its face away and deflected my sword with its iron horn.

  TING!

  My sword ricocheted. My swing missed, veering sharply downward... straight toward the Beastwoman's neck behind me!

  With incredible reflexes, that woman ducked, avoiding my errant slash. My sword didn't sever her neck.

  But... my sword cut something else.

  I saw it clearly. The power from Yardorh—my power—saw it. My sword didn't touch her skin, but that sharp blade severed the thin Line of Light wrapped around her neck and stretching skyward.

  The thread that always bound those slaves... was cut.

  Time seemed to stop. Before me stood a rampaging Titan monster; behind me lay the bandit hideout.

  Oh, Gods... Help me!!!