^^ Bandit Chief ^^

— James —

Over the next six months, I didn't let up on their training. Not even for a day. Days of 'rest' were given once per week, during which time they had to go to each tribe and do manual labor, but they were spared their normal hellish training with me; though, their magical binds remained in place. Every month, I released their binds and sparred with them, to show them their progress, then replaced them. In this way, they didn't get discouraged, but also didn't get cocky.

In the end, I increased all their base stats, including weapons and fist Arts, by double, where it was possible. Their levels rose slowly, but considering they weren't killing anything, -which was apparently the main way to gain Levels, normally,- they were actually raising very quickly, according to Thoth's Voice of the World.

Winter here was full of wonder, for me; I had lived in Iraq and later Iran for so long, I think I forgot what Snow looked like.

By the middle of winter, at the peak of six months since I'd begin training them, I began noticing that their Ur was strong enough to break the Chi Blockers themselves, if they so wished, but I had gotten a great degree of obedience out of them, so they willfully chose to leave the blockers in place, which made me proud.

It was also at this point that I was reminded that Criminals existed in this world, which shouldn't have surprised me.

—

I woke up in the middle of the night, and sat up slowly. 'That's odd... why am I awake?' I wondered, standing up and walking out into the outside of the grove, where there was no moonlight; thick cloud cover and a new moon made it essentially twilight.

<Presence Sensing, warning of Evil Presences.>

I raised an eyebrow, and let out my Chi in a thin, nearly-imperceptible web, to Identify anyone within a few miles.

<Individual: Zoken Katachi
Race: Fair Oni (Ultra-Rare Evolution Path, 3rd)
Ur: 5th Form
-
Status: Seal
-
Class: Magician
Level: Max
Class: Clan Heir
Level: Max
-
Class: Spirit Warrior
Level: 97/100
Class: Clan Hero
Level: 42/100
Class: Hero Seed
Level: 1/100
-
Strength: 10%
Speed: 30%
Stamina: 4%
Defense: 20%
Intelligence: 75%
Weapon's Skill: 20%
Unarmed Skill: 15%
-
The Sage-Guardian Kijin Clan Heir, Kendo Student, Hero Seed, Sage's Disciple.>

<Individual: Mika Katachi
Race: Ogre (near Evolution)
Ur: 3rd Form
-
Status: Seal
-
Class: Shrine Maiden
Level: 99/100
Class: Shrine Warrior
Level: 40/100
Class: Saint Seed
Level: 5/100
-
Strength: 50%
Speed: 30%
Stamina: 6%
Defense: 40%
Intelligence: 85%
Weapon's Skill: 5%
Unarmed Skill: 25%
-
Shrine Maiden of the Sage-Guardian Kijin Clan, Young Earth Mage, Sage's Guardian, Saint's Seed, Sage's Disciple.>

<Individual: Maze Lily
Race: Gilded Dryad (Ultra-Rare-evolution Path, 2nd.)
Ur: 6th Form (prodigy)
-
Status: Seal
-
Class: Archer
Level: Max
-
Class: Pyromancer
Level: 99/100
Class: Spirit Archer
Level: 55/100
Class: Clan Heir
Level: 2/100
-
Strength: 10%
Speed: 20%
Stamina: 4%
Defense: 40%
Intelligence: 100%
Weapon's Skill: 30%
Unarmed Skill: 10%
-
Gilded Lily, Prodigy, Pyromancer, Sage's Disciple.>

<Individual: Hallox Mars
Race: Dark-Orc (Ultra-Rare Evolution Path, 2nd)
Ur: 4th Form
-
Status: Seal
-
Class: Axe-Warrior
Level: Max
-
Class: War-Shaman
Level: 99/100
Class: Seed of Wrath
Level: 25/100
Class: Berserker
Level: 55/100
-
Strength: 75%
Speed: 40%
Stamina: 20%
Defense: 80%
Intelligence: 60%
Weapon's Skill: 20%
Unarmed Skill: 30%
-
Axe-Warrior, Berserker, War-Shaman, Hell-Ox, Seed of Wrath, Sage's Disciple.>

<Individual: Jerrod Kylan
Race: Dark Dragon, (Ultra-Rare Evolution Path)
Ur: 7th Form
-
Status: Seal
-
Class: ArchMage Apprentice
Level: Max
-
Class: Magic Archivist
Level: 99/100
Class: Hades Cultist
Level: 60/100
Class: Sage Seed
Level: 26/100
-
Strength: 75%
Speed: 40%
Stamina: 20%
Defense: 80%
Intelligence: 100%
Weapon's Skill: 20%
Unarmed Skill: 15%
-
Apprentice ArchMage, Sage Seed, Cult of Hades, Chronicler, Sage's Disciple.>

<Individual: Hanimura Tamagotchi
Race: Hideous Oni (Rare Evolution Path, 2nd)
Ur: 4th Form
-
Class: Slave Trainer
Level: Max
-
Class: Bandit Chief
Level: 75/100
Class: Thief
Level: 60/100
Class: Demon Seed
Level: 40/100
-
Strength: 5%
Speed: 15%
Stamina: 1%
Defense: 1%
Intelligence: 60%
Weapon's Skill: 5%
Unarmed Skill: 5%

Demon Seed, Bandit Chief, Slave Taker, Slave Trainer, Black Market Thief.>

'Oh? Who are you... Bandit Chief, Hmm?' I hummed, and I looked down the mountain towards the Bandit Chief and his crew of 30, each about two-thirds as strong as him, just north of me. Their objective was likely the Dryad Village, or perhaps the Ogre Village.

I stretched out my web again, even further, to be sure, and found a group on the other side, though this one was full of people with the class 'Dragon Slayer'.

<Individual: Benimura Tamagotchi
Race: Hideous Oni (Rare Evolution Path, 2nd)
Ur: 4th Form
-
Class: Dragon Slayer
Level: Max
-
Class: Bandit Chief
Level: 85/100
Class: Thief
Level: 85/100
Class: Demon Seed
Level: 60/100
Class: Dragon Hunter
Level: 5/100
-
Strength: 10%
Speed: 20%
Stamina: 1%
Defense: 1%
Intelligence: 75%
Weapon's Skill: 10%
Unarmed Skill: 3%

Demon Seed, Bandit Chief, Slave Taker, Black Market Thief, Dragon Slayer.>

I narrowed my eyes at the higher-level Bandit Chief's stats, and thought about whether or not I should just kill them, or sic the children on them... the Chiefs were a little above the children in level, and each of the bandits was just below them... with their seals released, they could whip these little chiefs like dogs...

I nodded, coming to a decision, and contacted the Chiefs of the villages. 'Bandits. Slave Takers. Take the children inside. The Heirs will offer Challenge. Do not interfere with their Tests.'

A few weak responses came back, but I couldn't hear them properly, as my Skill was too weak.

Then I contacted the Heirs, asleep below me in their chambers. 'Wake up. Arm Yourselves. Slavers have come for your Kin.'

It didn't surprise me when Hallox was the first one up the stairs, wearing only pants and holding his twin battleaxes. "Where are they?" He growled savagely, as the others stumbled out after him, also haphazardly-dressed.

"North of us, half of them are waiting to ambush the Ogre and Dryad Camps. Across the Lake, aiming for the Dragons and Orcs, the stronger half are waiting. They have Dragon Slayer skills, and their Chiefs are a bit stronger than you all... the bandits are a little weaker than you. Most of them are Hideous Oni and Bacchus Demons, and there are about thirty in each crew. Detail your plan of attack?" I raised an eyebrow at Hallox, whose tusks were glowing softly.

"Attack!!!" He grinned savagely.

I slapped his skull harshly, and frowned at him. "Wrong! Zoken?"

He knelt and drew a map slowly, of the lake and surrounding area. "If they are here and here... then we should get the Stronger ones first, right? The weaker ones will be easier to fight if they don't have reinforcements... so we go to the other Group, and we have Jerrod send out a miasma or something to put them to sleep or poison them; thus weakened, we can attack them with minimal risk."

I nodded, impressed. "Much better. Jerrod, is that possible?"

He nodded. "Miasmae are indeed my race's strong suit, as Zoken is aware... but if they are almost our level, then that won't work; my strongest Miasma, even with a spell to bolster it, only affects those twenty-five levels or more below me."

Zoken frowned, and nodded. "Alright, what about fire? If you make a flammable miasma, Maze can light it, and it would all obtain the Status of her Pyromancy, effectively combining and amplifying, yes?"

The Dryad girl nodded. "That would be preferable, but that would most definitely burn up the forest..."

"Magic won't work? Attacking it is!!!" Hallox grinned.

I slapped his skull again, and then hummed. "Alright, well, I like your planning, Zoken, but you forget something important; your enemies likely aren't stupid enough to fall into simple traps. Hunting beasts, traps work; even hunting sentient beings, traps sometimes work. But you're not hunting, you're defending. All of your plans lacked a crucial element; who guards the children?"

They all silenced, and I nodded, searching for the bandits again; their positions had changed slightly, heading directly towards us, now. 'Hmm... directly here? I wonder why... can they sense that I know they're here? Curious...' I looked back at them. "They've changed direction... they're both coming here, now. If you wish to ambush them, you must do so before they reach the mountain, or set a defense here; what will you do?"

"As much as I hate agreeing with Hallox's idiotic idea, he and I should ambush the stronger group, attacking their flanks and thinning their numbers; then we run, and they chase us to here, where there isn't anything to burn besides grass; Jerrod will fill the area with a non-toxic Miasma, and Mika will block their escape, and Maze will prepare her biggest Burning Spell, to ignite the Miasma and amplify her abilities." Zoken hummed.

I nodded. "If the others agree to that plan, perhaps it would work... or if you came up with it quicker." I nodded down the mountain, where a group of Bandits were exiting the Gilded Wood, some visibly bleeding from the attacking tendrils.

Hallox grinned and attempted to leapt towards them, but I horsecollared him and threw him to the ground, standing on his chest. "Would you like to spend this battle unconscious?" I asked calmly.

He blinked slowly. "No?"

"Then obey the only person amongst you with a proper tactical mind, Me. Zoken is doing his best, but he lacks experience, an essential part of being a General. Hallox, you will Tank, meaning you will fight in the front. Mika, you will use earth magic to cut off their escape routes and heal your allies. Maze, you will stay with Mika and snipe with your bow, aiming for the bosses or any enemy mages or healers. Zoken, you will fight with Jerrod; a spearman with a shield and swordsman is a good pair. You will back up Hallox. Is everyone clear on your duties?" I asked sternly.

They nodded, and Mika raised a hand slowly. "Uhm, I don't know any quick healing spells?"

"Then focus on screwing with the enemy footing; lower the ground under their feet in a reverse pillar of stone when they try to attack, or raise pillars in front of them while they retreat, and surround the groups with pillars to drive them towards Hallox." I nodded.

She grinned. "Okay, that I can do!"

The bandits could see us now, and I caught an arrow before it struck my throat without looking. "Rude." My Voice rolled down the mountain like thunder, and Jerrod flung out a hand, creating a black shield in front of the group before four more arrows clashed into it, and the one that reached inwards scratched his cheek, but didn't cut him, to his surprise.

I snorted at his surprised face. "You thought I would leave you weak enough an arrow would hurt you?" I glared down at the bandits scornfully. "And one loosed by a Bandit, no less?"

They were now close enough to hear me clearly, about fifty meters off, and one of them, who my Status window showed to be the weaker brother, stepped forward, his red mask covering a pallid, ugly face. "Now that's quite rude, isn't it? I am-"

"<Individual: Hanimura Tamagotchi
Race: Hideous Oni (Rare Evolution Path, 2nd)
Ur: 4th Form
-
Class: Slave Trainer
Level: Max
-
Class: Bandit Chief
Level: 75/100
Class: Thief
Level: 60/100
Class: Demon Seed
Level: 40/100
-
Strength: 5%
Speed: 15%
Stamina: 1%
Defense: 1%
Intelligence: 60%
Weapon's Skill: 5%
Unarmed Skill: 5%

Demon Seed, Bandit Chief, Slave Taker, Slave Trainer, Black Market Thief.>
I could sense your presence so easily that it woke me from my sleep before you even reached the Forest. Altogether, you are a weakling, and you came to the Mountain Directly... why? Do you covet death? Do you mean to throw yourselves upon the Sage's forgiveness and mercy?" I asked, after listing his status in its entirety.

He blinked slowly, and looked at the other masked man, who snorted softly. "The Sage is what we came for, actually. We heard he'd woken up, and we knew that Materials from a Sage would be worth-" he looked at the shrine, and tilted his head slowly, slowly looking back at me.

I smiled. "Continue?"

"Huh... Alright, then. Easier to take you if we can find you so easily. I was worried I'd have to fight Ken again, to get you." He hummed, and drew a long, elegant katana that didn't fit him. His robes, also fine, didn't fit his job or titles.

"You fought Ken and won with those shoddy skills of yours? I'll have to discipline him later, and train him until he knows better than to let trash best him." I asked, irritated by the concept.

His eyes narrowed slowly, and he darted forward like a flicker of wind.

To my surprise, Zoken appeared in front of me, and covered himself in his Aura Armor, the Spirit Form of his Father. The man hesitated at the vision of the man who had likely nearly killed him, at one point, but then disappeared again, attacking Zoken.

The young Fair Oni parried, and then the armor slowly soaked into his skin, turning his skin black and flaming lightly. "My Father should have killed you when you left the village; as his heir, I will do so in his stead!" He snapped, shoving the man back.

"You are allowing Emotion to rule you; use your opponents anger, but never your own." I scolded him.

He frowned, but breathed deeply, centering himself as I'd taught him. "I will try, Master."

"You will succeed, or I will increase your training by ten, and your sleeping time will be cut in half." I rebutted dryly.

He paled, and then turned his head forward, readying his sword. "Understood, Master!" He squeaked softly.

The bandits laughed at his fear, relaxing and watching what they assumed would be their Boss's win.

I glanced at Mika. 'Soften the ground around them, quietly... hide behind Hallox so they don't see the Glow. Make it into liquid sand.'

She instantly stepped behind Hallox, and began muttering softly.

Zoken charged the enemy, making use of his superior speed, so his enemy wouldn't use his superior Strength; or, he thought so. The enemy's strength was actually the same as his, though his level was higher. 'Perhaps I have made them over-strong...' I sighed, as he dodged the enemy's swing, and slit one of his hamstrings.

One of the enemy bandits immediately began chanting a healing spell, but Maze shot him in the throat before I could react. "Do not interfere." She frowned, her small voice a stark contrast to her deadly expression.

He collapsed slowly, and Benimura frowned at her. "When I am done with this brat, you will be in a cage, Little Dryad." He growled, and his sword lit on fire suddenly, his Ur filling his body and increasing his stats.

I smiled as Zoken followed suit, instead of breaking his seal; his stats were still superior, though only just. Now it was all about Skill; he was superior there, as well. Experience would be the deciding factor, which was good; Zoken would learn more from that.

They clashed a few times, as Benimura tested out Zoken's skill and power, but found the flames on his sword were being eaten by Zoken's Black Flames, and skipped back a bit. "Huh... that's new. Kijin don't have that ability..."

"I'm a Fair Oni, you Dickhead." Zoken smirked, mimicking one of my unfortunate bad habits; I cussed like a sailor when I hurt myself, like stubbing my toe or something similar, even if it didn't hurt, it was reflexive.

I sighed, rubbing my forehead. "Zoken, respect is to be shown to your opponents, even when taunting!"

"Yes, Master." He muttered, and sprinted forward, letting the flames extend his sword just when his enemy thought he had dodged properly, scoring a savage cut across his stomach.

"Brother!!!" The other Masked one snarled, leaping into the fight, but I halted Maze from attacking him.

"Hallox? That one's yours." I let him up, and he grinned, dashing forward with a happy roar of challenge. The weaker brother halted his attack on Zoken, leaping away, and was attacked by the charging Orc, his full momentum slamming into the Hideous Oni like a Freight Train.

I sighed at my overestimation of the enemy's abilities, but then I paused, and reviewed their Status's. 'Do only Combat Classes count towards combat potential?'

<Obviously? Why would it be otherwise? Non-Combat classes can help Evolution, but being an alchemist doesn't increase your battle potential, unless you're throwing potions around.>

'Don't get sassy with me.' I frowned.

Zoken disarmed his opponent, to my surprise, and raised his sword to strike him down.

"BOY!!!" I barked, and his sword halted instantly. "We do not kill weaponless enemies." I growled.

He bowed, kicking the Oni's sword back to him. "Either surrender, or pick that up and die." He frowned down at the man, his own sword against his throat.

The weaker Oni darted towards Zoken, making to interfere, then crashed to the ground, his head already rolling away, while the bandits drew their weapons and growled at Hallox.

Seeing his brother fall, the stronger Oni gripped his sword, standing up... and fell, his head also removed.

The bandits rushed forward now, with no one telling them to stay put, and I whistled at the other heirs. "Go." They ran forward as the bandits fought through the Quicksand, and a veritable slaughter followed. Even Mika was stronger than them, which made me shake my head.

"I really made you all too powerful..." I sighed, muttering to myself.