Just as you clear the South Gate and take your first few steps onto the southern path, a thought stops you. My clothes. You mentally picture the bundle of dirty black athletic gear left behind in the Fletcher cabin. While the local garb is essential for blending in now, your modern clothes are unique, potentially useful later (the weatherproof jacket, for instance), and part of the few tangible links to your past, however hazy. Leaving them behind feels wrong.
With a brief sigh at the minor detour, you turn back, re-entering Oakhaven through the South Gate. The few villagers nearby watch your return with mild surprise, perhaps wondering if you changed your mind, but you ignore their glances and walk briskly back to the small, deserted cabin near the palisade.
Pushing open the creaky door, you step inside the dusty, empty space. Sure enough, the bundle containing your black shirt, sweatpants, jacket, and sneakers lies where you left it on the rope cot. You grab the makeshift sack (perhaps you bundled them in the blanket, or just tied them together), adding it to your meager possessions. It's a bit cumbersome, but manageable.
Brief detour complete, you exit the cabin, secure the door out of habit, and head back to the South Gate once more. This time, you don't pause. You step out onto the southern path, leaving Oakhaven truly behind you. The sack with your old clothes is slung over your shoulder or perhaps tied to your belt.
You resume your steady walking pace, heading south into the Greenvale forest. The path here winds through stands of oak, birch, and pine, similar to the woods north of the village but perhaps slightly less dense immediately alongside the track. Sunlight filters through the leaves, dappling the path ahead.
'Oracle,' you confirm mentally, 'Resume high alert status. Southbound.'
<< Affirmative. High alert maintained. Active scanning protocols operational. Monitoring southward path. >>
The sounds of Oakhaven fade behind you, replaced entirely by the whispering quiet of the forest. The weight of the sword at your hip is a constant, reassuring presence. The road stretches ahead, leading towards Bridgetown, two days away according to Torvin.
You settle into the rhythm of walking, putting distance between yourself and the troubled village, focusing on the road ahead and the steady feed of environmental data from Oracle confirming the immediate surroundings are clear of threats.
You maintain a steady, ground-covering pace, the simple leather boots proving surprisingly durable on the packed earth and occasional rocky patches of the path. The sack containing your old clothes bumps rhythmically against your hip, a constant reminder of the world you left behind. The forest stretches endlessly on either side, a wall of green and brown. Sunlight shifts through the canopy as the morning progresses, the air warming slightly.
Oracle remains a silent presence in your mind, a vigilant watchdog. Occasionally, you get a subtle mental nudge – << Small rodent detected, non-hostile >> or << Avian signatures, normal patterns >> – confirming its constant scanning, but no immediate threats are detected. The path shows signs of use – occasional cart ruts alongside the walking track, smoothed stones where many feet have passed – confirming Torvin's description of this being the main route south.
Around mid-morning, perhaps two hours after leaving Oakhaven, your ears pick up the familiar, welcome sound of running water ahead. The path curves, dipping slightly, and reveals a clear, shallow stream bubbling over smooth stones, crossing the track via a simple ford made of larger, strategically placed rocks.
<< Water source detected. Analysis: Potable. No immediate biological threats detected in vicinity. >>
You stop at the stream's edge, glad for the chance to rest your feet for a moment and replenish your thirst, which has been slowly growing. Kneeling down, you drink deeply from your cupped hands, the water cold and refreshing. You refill your waterskin before continuing on your way, feeling slightly revitalized.
The sun climbs higher, approaching its zenith. The forest sounds change – birdsong lessens, replaced by the drone of insects. Shadows shorten beneath the trees. Your stomach begins to rumble, reminding you that the simple porridge breakfast was hours ago. The path continues its winding southern route, mostly level now, occasionally passing through areas where the trees are larger, ancient-looking specimens with thick, gnarled trunks. You see no one else on the road – no travelers, no merchants, no patrols. The Greenvale feels sparsely populated, or perhaps people are simply wary after the recent disturbances.
As early afternoon settles in, the path takes you through a section where the woods feel older, darker, the trees thicker overhead, casting the track in deeper shadow. The air is still and heavy. Suddenly, Oracle flashes an urgent warning directly into your consciousness, bypassing its usual calm tone for something sharper:
<< WARNING! Ambush detected! Multiple hostile signatures converging! >>
<< Source: Three (3) individuals, concealed in dense undergrowth flanking path approx. 15 meters ahead. Humanoid. Life signs indicate intent: Predatory / Aggressive. >>
<< Armaments Detected: Crude melee weapons (clubs/axes inferred), potential nets/ropes. >>
<< Tactics: Standard roadside ambush formation. Attempting to block path and surround target upon engagement. >>
Simultaneously, you hear it – a sharp rustle in the bushes just ahead to your left, too loud, too sudden to be an animal. Then, a similar noise to your right. Just as Oracle warned, figures begin to emerge from the dense ferns and shadows flanking the path ahead of you.
Three men, rough-looking and clad in mismatched, dirty leather and homespun cloth, step onto the path, effectively blocking it. They are gaunt-faced, with desperate, hungry eyes. Two wield thick, heavy-looking clubs, while the third carries a rusty handaxe and has a coiled rope slung over his shoulder. They spread out slightly, their body language aggressive, clearly intending to intimidate and overwhelm. They haven't drawn blades yet, perhaps hoping fear will be enough. Their movements are clumsy, lacking military precision, suggesting desperate bandits rather than trained soldiers.
"Alright then, fancy lad," the one with the axe calls out, his voice rough, eyeing your relatively clean clothes and the sword at your belt. "Drop the sword, the bag, and whatever coin ya got. Do it slow, and maybe we won't have to rough ya up." The other two grip their clubs tighter, smirking unpleasantly, ready to move in.
Time: Early Afternoon (Approx 1:45 PM)
Date: 03/05/1042
Status:
- Ambush Encountered: Three human bandits (Rank E likely, based on description/gear) blocking path.
- Hunger: Hungry
- Thirst: Hydrated
- Stamina: Good (Mildly depleted from walking)
- AI Status: High alert, confirmed threat.
Inventory: Unchanged
'Oracle, scan them. Identities, stats, surface thoughts. Now!' The command is sharp in your mind as you face the three bandits blocking your path.
<< TEMPORAL INTERVENTION ACTIVATED >>
The world freezes. The lead bandit's unpleasant smirk hangs on his face. The leaves disturbed by their emergence stop rustling mid-air. The shafts of sunlight piercing the canopy halt their slow crawl across the forest floor.
<< Scanning designated hostiles... Cross-referencing local facial recognition data (limited database) and analyzing physiological indicators... Accessing surface cognitive signals... >>
The data flows into your consciousness, clear and detailed overlays appearing over the frozen figures:
Target 1: Leader (Holding Axe & Rope)
- Identity: Kaelen Vance. (Low probability match with records of petty criminals / poachers operating fringes of Greenvale).
- Rank Estimate: E
- Stats: STR 8, DEX 7, INT 5, CON 7
- Equipment: Rusty Handaxe, Rope, Patched Leather Jerkin, Worn Trousers.
- Status: Hungry, Desperate, Overconfident (believes target is lone traveler, easily intimidated/overwhelmed).
- Surface Thoughts: (Need coin... food... This one looks soft despite the sword... maybe a merchant's son? Easy marks... Quick score... Gronk, Finn, don't mess this up... need his boots too...)
Target 2: Bandit (Left Flank, Club)
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- Identity: Gronk (No surname match. Likely nickname).
- Rank Estimate: E-
- Stats: STR 9, DEX 5, INT 3, CON 8
- Equipment: Heavy Wooden Club (nail-studded), Ragged Tunic.
- Status: Hungry, Low Intelligence, Follower Mentality, Nervous but Aggressive.
- Surface Thoughts: (Food... hit him hard... Kaelen said hit hard... Shiny ring on finger?... Hope he don't fight back much...)
Target 3: Bandit (Right Flank, Club)
- Identity: Finn (No surname match. Likely nickname).
- Rank Estimate: E-
- Stats: STR 7, DEX 6, INT 4, CON 6
- Equipment: Crude Wooden Club, Torn Cloak.
- Status: Hungry, Fearful but Masking it, Easily Spooked, Follower.
- Surface Thoughts: (Just want food... hope this goes fast... What if he's tough? Kaelen said three-on-one... Should be easy... Don't like this... That sword looks sharp...)
<< Analysis Complete: Standard low-level bandit group, likely driven by hunger and desperation. Leader (Kaelen) displays slightly higher cunning but low stats overall. Gronk is physically strongest but slow and unintelligent. Finn is weakest link, prone to fear. Combined threat level: Low-Moderate due to numbers and potential flanking, but individually weak. Optimal engagement strategy: Eliminate leader swiftly to break morale. Utilize superior speed (DEX 24) and combat skills (Dagger/Sword C+). >>
<< Temporal flow ready for resumption on host command. >>
The picture is clear. These aren't hardened criminals, just desperate thugs. Their stats are pitifully low compared to yours, even lower than the goblins you faced. Kaelen, the leader, thinks you're an easy mark. Gronk is focused on violence and potential loot (your ring). Finn is already scared. Taking out Kaelen quickly should shatter their confidence.
You quickly formulate a plan based on the intel, ready to execute the moment time resumes.
Frozen Time: Early Afternoon (Approx 1:45 PM)
Date: 03/05/1042
Status: World frozen. Full analysis of bandit threat received. Optimal strategy determined.
Instead of a swift, efficient takedown, you decide to use these desperate bandits as live practice dummies. A grim opportunity to hone your skills, explore Oracle's combat assistance in a controlled (by you) environment, and perhaps indulge a darker curiosity about inflicting pain, maybe as a release after the helplessness felt regarding Elara. This is riskier – prolonging the fight increases chances for mistakes or unforeseen factors – but with your stats and Oracle's safety net, the risk feels manageable against such weak opponents.
'Oracle,' you adjust the parameters mentally, 'Maintain high alert. Prioritize non-lethal takedown options but focus on disabling limbs, maximizing pain feedback, and analyzing combat flow during prolonged engagement against multiple, low-tier opponents. Use predictive analysis to guide counters and strikes designed to maim and demoralize, not necessarily kill quickly. Temporal intervention remains active for critical threats to me.'
<< Acknowledged. Engagement parameters updated: Non-lethal disabling tactics prioritized. Focus on pain infliction, demoralization, and combat flow analysis. Predictive guidance adjusted accordingly. Temporal intervention threshold unchanged. >>
<< Temporal flow ready for resumption. >>
'Resume,' you think, letting a cold calmness settle over you.
<< TEMPORAL FLOW RESUMING >>
The world snaps back to life. Kaelen finishes his sentence, "...maybe we won't have to rough ya up." His smirk remains, full of misplaced confidence. Gronk grips his nail-studded club tighter, taking a step forward menacingly. Finn shuffles nervously on the right flank, trying to look tough.
You don't react immediately to their demand. Instead, you let your eyes sweep over them slowly, dismissively. You shift your stance slightly, loosening your shoulders, your hand resting casually on the hilt of your new sword. You project an aura of calm confidence, even boredom, designed to unsettle them.
Kaelen's smirk falters slightly at your lack of immediate fear. (Not scared? Arrogant bastard... thinks that sword makes him tough?) "Didn't ya hear me, pretty boy? Drop it!" he snarls, gesturing more aggressively with his axe.
Gronk, taking your silence as defiance, decides to force the issue. With a brutish yell, he lumbers forward, raising his heavy, nail-studded club to bring it down in a crude overhead smash.
<< Incoming Attack: Gronk (E-). Trajectory: Overhead Strike. Target: Host Head/Shoulder. Speed: Low. Predictability: High. >>
<< Optimal Counter (Non-Lethal Disable): Sidestep left. Utilize host DEX 24 advantage. Target Gronk's right knee with disabling side kick (calcaneus strike). High probability of joint dislocation or ligament damage. Follow-up: Elbow strike to brachial plexus nerve cluster on extended arm for temporary paralysis/extreme pain. >>
Following Oracle's guidance flashing through your mind, you move with fluid grace. As Gronk's club whistles down towards where your head was, you sidestep effortlessly to the left. His momentum carries him slightly off balance. Pivoting sharply on your lead foot, you snap a powerful side kick precisely into the side of his right knee. There's a sickening pop and Gronk screams, a high-pitched sound of agony completely unlike his earlier bellow. His right leg buckles instantly, unable to bear weight.
Before he can even comprehend the source of the pain, as his arm is still extended from the missed swing, you step in close and drive your elbow sharply into the side of his upper arm, hitting the nerve cluster exactly as Oracle indicated. Gronk's scream intensifies into a gurgling shriek as his entire arm goes numb and erupts in white-hot agony. The nail-studded club slips from his nerveless fingers, thudding onto the path. He collapses onto his back, clutching his ruined knee and useless arm, writhing and howling in pain, completely disabled and no longer a combat threat.
The sheer speed and brutal efficiency of your counter-attack leave Kaelen and Finn momentarily stunned into inaction. Their eyes flick from your calm stance to Gronk, sobbing and writhing on the ground. Finn takes an involuntary step back, his face pale with terror. (Gods! His knee... his arm... just like that... Knew he was tough! Need to run!)
Kaelen recovers faster, his desperation overriding his shock, now mixed with fury. (Damn you! Broke Gronk's leg! Fast little shit!) "Finn, get him! Now!" he roars, finally drawing his rusty handaxe properly and starting to move forward himself, trying to circle around to your left while Finn hesitates on your right.
You fix your gaze on the remaining two bandits, your expression cold, unmoved by Gronk's agonized howling from the ground. You deliberately let the casual brutality of your previous actions sink in.
"Last chance," you say, your voice level and clear, easily cutting through Gronk's cries. Oracle ensures the translation is perfect, carrying an edge of absolute finality. "Get out of my way. Leave now, and you live." You jerk your chin dismissively towards the incapacitated Gronk. "Stay, and you end up like him... or worse."
Your eyes lock onto Finn, the weaker, more fearful one. You see the terror plain on his face. His eyes dart between you, his fallen comrade, and Kaelen. (Gods, he means it... Look what he did to Gronk... Just want to run... But Kaelen...)
Kaelen grits his teeth, his desperation making him reckless. "Don't listen to him, Finn! He's just one man! We take him together!" He raises his axe, but his advance slows, uncertainty flickering in his eyes despite his bravado. He doesn't truly want to charge you alone.
Seeing Finn wavering, torn between his fear of you and his fear of Kaelen (or perhaps loyalty), you make your move. You don't wait for them to decide. You simply start walking forward, steadily, directly towards them, down the center of the path. Your hand remains loosely on your sword hilt, but you don't draw it yet. Your calm, deliberate advance is designed to be intimidating, forcing them to react, to choose between getting out of the way or initiating another attack.
As you approach, Finn visibly trembles. The sight of you calmly walking towards him after crippling Gronk in seconds is too much. With a panicked cry of "I'm out!", he throws down his crude club and scrambles backward off the path, crashing into the undergrowth and disappearing into the woods as fast as his legs can carry him. He doesn't even look back.
(Morale Broken: Finn (E-). Threat neutralized.)
Now it's just you and Kaelen. He stands alone on the path, axe held uncertainly, watching his last ally desert him. Gronk's continued moaning provides a grim soundtrack. Kaelen looks trapped, desperate, his earlier confidence completely shattered. He glances from you to the fleeing Finn, then back to you, licking his dry lips.
You continue walking towards him, your pace unchanged. You're only a few meters away now.
Kaelen makes his decision. Fear finally wins over recklessness. With a choked curse directed at Finn's retreating back, he lowers his axe slightly. "Alright! Alright! I yield! Take the path!" He starts backing away slowly, carefully, keeping his eyes locked on you, holding his axe defensively but clearly showing no intent to attack. He moves off the main track, giving you a wide berth, effectively conceding the way. (Just let me go... Don't hurt me... Got to get away...)
You walk past him without slowing your pace, keeping him in your peripheral vision. You don't acknowledge his surrender, don't threaten him further. You simply continue south down the path, leaving him standing there amidst the trees, with Gronk still whimpering on the ground nearby. You hear Kaelen scramble away into the woods in the opposite direction from Finn a moment later, leaving Gronk entirely to his fate.
The ambush is over. Two fled, one incapacitated. You didn't even need to draw your sword. The calculated display of brutal efficiency and cold confidence was enough to break them. Oracle's guidance allowed for precise, disabling strikes that maximized impact while minimizing lethal risk (to them). It was effective practice.
'Oracle, maintain alert status, but lower threat imminence unless new hostiles detected,' you think, resuming your steady southward pace, the brief, violent interruption already fading behind you.
<< Acknowledged. Threat level reduced. Maintaining active scanning protocols. Resuming southward travel monitoring. >>
The forest path ahead is quiet once more.
Time: Early Afternoon (Approx 1:50 PM)
Date: 03/05/1042
Status:
- Combat Ended: Bandit ambush resolved. One bandit incapacitated (Gronk), two fled (Kaelen, Finn). Keelan unharmed.
- Tactics Used: Psychological intimidation, precision non-lethal disabling strikes guided by Oracle. Confirmed effectiveness.
- AI Status: High alert maintained, scanning resumed.
Inventory: Unchanged