As I travel through this forest, clearly underestimated the distance that will take me to reach the damn town or village, I really couldn't tell. But it looked civilian which is all that matters. I hear screaming in the distance, I rush quick towards the sound. Even though it is in a different direction from where I am heading I couldn't simply ignore it. I run, clearly getting closer as I can hear laughter and pleading. 

I changed my clothes, now I wear a German lighter uniform( I like German uniforms, they looked rather nice),

still have my Luger P08 and M1 Garand. Needed to change clothes since it was warmer here than up there in the mountains. As I got close I see what was making that noise, a wagon, is attacked by bandits. 12 bandits, all different sizes and carrying different weapons, two have short swords, one has a longsword, three have axes, two at the back have bows and arrows and the rest have daggers. The occupants of the wagon are one older man, two armed men and one woman, and one boy, one man has a simple sword and shield, one is a archer, and the woman seems to be a mage judging by the robes she is wearing, good combination, able to support each other. But the bandits are holding the boy with a knife to his throat, yelling and laughing, keeping him as a hostage. The group lowers their weapons, and you can see see the grin on the bandits faces, some looking through the wagon, probably a merchant one, and other are bounding the others. Well when I say others, I mean all the men, they surround the poor girl and knock her on the ground, the pin her down, holding her, and slowly with a knife start to cut her clothes. 

You know what they are going to do, you have read enough books to know what happens practically defenseless women out in the middle of nowhere. You take your M1 and take aim, you are probably about 100 to 150 yards away. You are hiding behind a bush so you haven't been spotted, you aim for the one doing the cutting, you zero on on his head and pull the trigger. 

Mages POV. 

"Let go of me you bastard", I yell out, trying to break free from their hold.

Bandits: Don't worry sweet little thing, you'll enjoy it, if you resist more, it will get worse. 

The bandit says with a grin while cutting my clothes. You are disgusted and scared. You don't want this, you don't want to be defiled right here by these men. I start to sob and plead.

Me: Please let me go, I beg you!!!

He cuts the last bit of fabric that had kept my dignity, I can't move, the fear is numbing me. All I wanted was to help others, that is why I became an Adventurer, I never wanted any of this. I should have never accepted this mission. I hear yelling from my friends, cursing and pleading, but the world for me is blurry. 

I close my eyes, awaiting any second to be ruined. But then something hits me in the face, and falls on me. Then I hear a bang in the distance, and all is silent. I open my eyes, blood all over me, and the bandit laying on top of me, bleeding out of his head. The others let me go as they look around, weapons drawn, yelling.

Bandit 1: What the fuck!!! Come out cowar...

A second bang is heard, and the bandit recoils back, a mist of red appears from his head and he falls down. A hole, in the middle of his forehead, and soon after the bandits start to panic. One by one fall, each one falls to the sound of a bang. And then I hear a 'ping' in the distance, I turn my head towards the source of the sound, a bush in the distance. Then a flash appears and then the bang and another one falls down. No bandit manages to escape, all killed by something. 

Simeon runs toward me, cowering me with his robe, trying to protect my dignity at least. Karl stands in front of us covering us with his shield, we are still unsure what it was, and is it dangerous to us. Then, I just barely see it, a outline of a figure stands up and goes back into the thicket of the forest.

"Muriel!! Are you ok!?", I hear which snaps me back into reality, I see Simeon holding my shoulder with his hands.

Me: I....I...

I try to say something but instead I burst into tears, after the initial shock had left I was left with the realization of what could have happened to me. I start to shake, both of Karl and Simeon hold me close, comforting me as I break down.

Mason POV.

I fire the first shot at the bastard cutting her clothes, and all I can see is he stiffens and then falls on top of her. That is my confirmation that I killed that waste of oxygen. I watch as the other bandits quickly get up and draw their weapons, clearly looking from where the shot came from, scared, they are easy pray. One begins to say something but you shoot him too, his body falling backwards. 

That is when they begin panicking like a bunch of cowards knowing they are facing their death. I keep firing, one by one until I hear the iconic ping sound. I put in another clip in and continue firing, they are starting to run into the forest but the last one I manage to kill right as he gets into the woods. I expected to feel some sympathy, I did kill humans right now, but I feel nothing but satisfaction. I mean they weren't humans really, more like beasts that were savage and merciless, so looking at it this way, this is like any other kill so far.

I look back at the wagon, the archer covers up the woman with his cloak while the guy with the sword and shield stands in front of them. Holding his shield up, covering them. 

Me: Hah, if you only knew how useless that shield is. Still have to praise the bravery though.

The girl seems to be looking in my general direction, clearly figured out the direction from where the shots came from. Once I confirm that she is safe I get up from the ground, dusting myself off. I look back at their direction one last time, confirming once more before I set off that they are safe. 

I head back into the deep of the forest, heading again in the main direction that I was meant to go. This incursion probably cost me a night in the forest, but before the sun starts to set I want to make as much progress as I can possibly. 

I have walked this damn forest for what feels like an eternity, but was probably a couple of hours. I heard many wolf howls in the distance and I really don't wish to sleep on the forest floor. I want to avoid it as much as possible, don't want to be mauled by a wolf while sleeping. As I was about to give up, coming with the terms that I would have to take a risk and sleep on the forest floor I come across a hut in the middle of the forest. 

Me: Strange. What the hell is a hut doing all the way out here? There isn't even a single road leading up to it.

As I walk up to the hut I hold the Garand in my hand just in case. The hut isn't in a bad shape, surprisingly, considering the place that it is in. I peak into the window, looking inside. It seems that someone was here recently, all the stuff looks nice, maybe a little unorganized and messy but clean and there are herb on the walls. But there isn't anybody inside right now, and it looks like a perfect place to rest, even though it might be private property I would rather get yelled at rather than mauled. I try the front door but it doesn't open so I go around trying to find a window that is open. I manage to climb into one, the hut has a small kitchen, a bed and a bathroom. "This might be a small like resting place that anyone can use. Maybe a hunters resting place?", I think to myself, it would explain the mess and that nobody is in it.

As I am feeling a little famished I take out a piece of meat that I had in my backpack and light up a fire. I fill a small pot with water and mix some herbs that were on the walls, probably are all safe, why would anyone keep poisonous ones. I mix the stew, it smells really nice, can't wait to eat it. As it sits there cooking itself I decide to pass the time and start to clean up the room. I am not much of an OCD but I do like clean and neat rooms. Once I have tidied up to a acceptable degree I begin to eat and watch the sunset out of the window. 

Me: Damn I made a fine meal. I could become a cook at this rate.

I laugh to myself, I can feel becoming a little crazy. The loneliness and not having someone to talk to is taking a toll on my mind. I leave a some stew for breakfast tomorrow and begin to undress, leaving my gear on the table in the corner of the room and getting into bed. The bed is not the most comfortable thing ever, but better than sleeping on the forest floor. I lay there, thinking about stuff, thinking of my current situation, having taken it all in.

I have killed not only for survival but to also help. It would be ok if I killed animals but I also killed humans which took some time to settle but I didn't have much choice did I. The world is definitely beautiful but also dangerous, but undoubtably very interesting. I feel sorry for leaving those guys up in the fort like that but I didn't have much choice, I simply couldn't be up there. Tomorrow I hope to reach the place I saw, I am kind of getting sick of walking and just want to settle in. I roll onto my side and close my eyes and eventually fall asleep.

??? POV.

I finally see my hut in and step out onto the porch. It has gotten quite late, the moons hangs high up above, illuminating the world beneath. 

???: This will be the last time I go out to gather herb this late. Even had to deal with some stupid goblins.

I sigh and garb my keys and open the front door. The first thing I am hit with is the smell, a rather nice one, like something was cooked. But I didn't cook anything today. I summon a fireball not only for a defense but also as a light source. I notice a pot on my stove filled with some kind of stew, but also my room is in a less of a mess than when I left. Then I notice some odd gear on my work table. That is when I notice someone sleeping on my bed, a young man, no older than 20. Who is he? How did he get in here? What is he doing here? I look at him closer, he looks so relaxed while sleeping, and rested. 

???: I am not having a stranger sleep on my bed.

With my magic I lift him up and place him on a chair and tie him up. How tired could one be to not be awoken by such movement? I will deal with him tomorrow morning, right now I need to sort this stuff out. I place my herbs next to the wall where I keep most of them, and I notice that some a missing. 

???: He couldn't have?!

I look at the stew. There is no way that he used them for his stew. Some are extremely rare, ohh, he is going to pay for this. That is when I hear my stomach grumble and realize that I am hungry. And as one step toward revenge I eat his stew. And as much as it pains me to admit, it is really delicious and rich in flavor. After I have finished my meal I go to my bed and lay down and grab some sleep.

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