Chapter 91: The Bandit Leader
Chapter 91: The Bandit Leader
Fenrir strode through the weathered wooden building, his footsteps echoing through the deserted hallways.
His heart pounded in his chest, anticipation and excitement surging through his veins.
He emerged into the brisk air, greeted by the imposing silhouette of the massive wooden wall protecting their lair, the golden ember of sunlight casting a foreboding glow on the large gate.
A crowd of bandits was already gathered, their murmurs hushed, faces tense in the bright light.
They parted for Fenrir, their whispers falling into silence. Behind him, more bandits fell into step, their raucous chatter ceasing as they neared the gate.
The gate creaked open, revealing the narrow stretch of open land before the lair.
In the distance, three figures loomed, their shadows elongated by the ghostly daytime light which was dulled by the shrubbery around.
A prick of recognition flashed through Fenrir as he recognized the sturdy frame of Benard, the Guildmaster of Terance, standing tall despite the odds stacked against him.
Beside him was the slender figure of Fey, the acclaimed Ranger, her usually vibrant eyes dim in the faint light.
The third figure was unfamiliar, but he stood with a steadfast determination that suggested a formidable strength.
Fenrir's lips twisted into a cruel smile. His bandits fell into place behind him, an impressive army looming ominously in the moonlight. The mismatched trio facing them appeared insignificant in comparison.
"Welcome to our humble abode, Guildmaster Benard," Fenrir's voice cut through the tense silence, his tone dripping with mockery. "And the renowned Ranger Fey, it's such an honor."
His eyes fell on the third man, his gaze sharpening, "And you...you're a fresh face."
The daytime was thick with tension, the approaching confrontation hanging heavily in the air. The bandits behind Fenrir stirred restlessly, a chorus of menacing murmurs rippling through the crowd.
Fenrir raised his arms in a grand gesture, his cruel laughter reverberating through the silent night, "I hope you didn't expect a warm welcome. You're greatly outnumbered, after all."
He lowered his arms, his gaze icy as he stared down the trio. His eyes locked onto Benard, his menacing gaze hard and cold.
"Benard, you're a fool," he scoffed, his voice carrying clearly across the stretch of no-man's-land between them.
"Did you really think you could barge in here with only two others?"
Benard's gaze was resolute as he responded, "All we want is the delegate. Release her and we can avoid bloodshed."
Fenrir's laughter echoed into the air, a chilling sound that made the hairs on the back of Benard's neck stand on end.
"Is that what you think, Benard?" he spat, "Do you not recognize me anymore?"
Benard's brows furrowed, his gaze scrutinizing the man before him. Perhaps there was something about his voice... or his damaged face... or his demanor.
Perhaps...
Suddenly, his eyes widened in recognition, and he took a step back, his body trembling upon realizing the identity of the Bandit Leader.
"Fenrir?!" He breathed hard.
"Y-you were presumed dead…"
Fenrir's lips curled into a bitter smile.
"Dead, am I?" he retorted, "Abandoned is more like it."
Benard shook his head, trying to make sense of the shocking revelation. The pieces began to come together.
Why the former Knight, Fenrir, would want the delegate of the family he once served? It all made sense now.
"Fenrir, I heard about the expedition. It was a dangerous situation back then. The Lyma family had no choice but to—"
Fenrir's fury erupted, cutting Benard off mid-sentence.
"Shut up, Benard!" he roared, his rage reverberating through the still midday air. "You weren't there! You didn't see how they left me to die!"
His breaths were ragged as he relived the painful memories, the betrayal he felt so keenly.
"I bled for them, fought for them, and they repaid me by leaving me to die in the wilderness!"
His words echoed hauntingly, his fury tangible in the air.
"I will make them pay, Benard. I will make them feel the same betrayal, the same despair that I felt!"
His words hung in the air, a promise of revenge. His face twisted into a deranged grin, his eyes reflecting the depths of his hatred and fury.
"This is only the beginning," he promised, his grin widening into a maniacal smile as he stared out at his audience.
"I'll surely bring them to ruin and—"
"Would you shut up already?" A voice suddenly echoed.
"H-huh...?"
The sun blazed overhead, casting harsh shadows and illuminating the tense standoff. The sudden voice repeated itself amid this tension.
"I told you to shut up." The newcomer, the boy they did not recognize, was the one who spoke.
His tone was icily calm, and he had a dead look in his amber eyes.
Fenrir's gaze snapped to the interloper, his eyes narrowing dangerously.
The boy continued, his words calm and steady, "You were just weak, Fenrir. That's why you got taken advantage of, that's why you were abandoned."
"What did you just say to me?"
"Oh? You didn't hear me? What I said was pretty simple, though. You. Were. Just.
Too. Weak."
Fury flared in Fenrir's eyes, his anger manifesting in a sudden surge of energy.
~WHUUUUMMM!~
The ground around him trembled, his power creating a palpable pressure that filled the air. Crimson aura lashed around him as he glared at the impudent lad who dared to speak about words he didn't understand.
"How dare you!" Fenrir roared, his voice a whip crack in the silent midday.
But the boy was unmoved, his gaze steady on Fenrir, his expression unyielding. The tension between them was a taut wire, ready to snap.
"You became a liability..." The boy continued, his voice resonating with an undercurrent of something that wasn't quite sympathy
"... And so you were disposed of. It's that simple."
Fenrir's chest heaved as he sucked in a breath, his eyes burning with a feral light.
Then, a sudden quiet settled over him.
"Haha..." He looked at the boy, his gaze softer, but no less intense.
"You're right... " He admitted, his voice barely a whisper.
His eyes hardened, his jaw clenching. "I was weak. In this world, the weak are discarded while the strong are exalted. That is the truth."
His lips curved into a cruel smile, his power surging around him, the air thick with it. "But now, I am strong. And I intend to prove it."
His gaze swept over the three, his eyes burning with a cold, ruthless light.
"I will show you... " He declared, his voice echoing around them.
"... Just how weak you truly are… and just how strong I have become!"
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[A/N]
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Giga Fenrir is going to teach prideful Mc the meaning of true strength. I can't wait!
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