Forged in Blood and Shadow

John put on the mask and used his Shadow God technique to travel to a forest near the city. Even if my appearance has changed, it's best if I don't go directly into the city, he thought. He walked out of the forest and soon reached the city. It's been a year since I last had a decent meal, he mused. He kept walking until he found an inn, which he entered and sat down. A worker approached him. "Sir, what can I get you?"

John ordered his food. The worker soon brought it. As John ate, he overheard people talking about the Joe Dynasty near the Demon Lands and a secret gate that was about to open there.

There are demons in this world? he thought. I wonder what they look like. He started imagining succubi from fantasy novels and couldn't help but smile. After finishing his meal, he left the inn. It looks like I'm going to the Demon Lands, he thought.

He soon found a cart heading to the Joe Dynasty, hiring warriors for protection. He and three other men were hired, along with two bodyguards already traveling with the cart. They set off. I wonder who's in the cart that needs so much protection, John thought.

After hours of travel, they stopped at a clearing in the forest to rest for the night. They set up camp. The next day, they reached a road. One of the bodyguards spoke to John and the other hired men. "We're approaching a road where mountain bandits often stop carts. None of you are allowed to attack. We're just going to pay them and pass."

It's like everywhere I go, there are bandits, John thought.

They reached the road and saw the bandits blocking it. One of the bodyguards approached the apparent leader of the bandits. "We're prepared to pay," he said.

The bandit leader grinned. "Okay. You'll pay 100 gold coins."

The bodyguard was taken aback. "100 gold coins?! They usually only take five silver!"

"If you can't pay," the bandit leader said, "we'll just have to take it ourselves." The two bodyguards drew their swords.

Just then, a woman's voice came from inside the cart. "Bodyguards, just give them the money."

The bodyguards calmed down. "Okay, young lady," one of them said as he reached into his pouch.

But the bandit leader, still grinning, interrupted. "What a nice voice. We don't just want the gold coins now. I want the lady as well."

The bodyguards' faces hardened. "Protect the young lady!" one of them shouted as the bandits attacked.