Chapter 101: Bandits
The surface world flourished in comparison to the underground world, boasting an abundance of diverse species that far exceeded the Underworld by an immeasurable degree.
In the underground world’s sinister environment, the flora and fauna all shared one similar characteristic—either highly resistant to extreme cold or possessed formidable combat strength.
Mild and weak living beings were virtually non-existent.
The surface, however, presented a stark contrast.
In the first three days after Sein departed from the Underworld, he indulged in a feast of numerous peculiar creatures.
They were mostly ordinary animals, with only a few magic creatures and even fewer magic beasts.
Magic creatures and beasts tended to gather in deep mountains and dense forests, which were often referred to as “magic beast forests”.
Sein had been journeying across plains and hills since he arrived at the surface, so he did not stumble upon powerful creatures as the forests he traversed were not dense.
“Gloomhaven is much larger than I anticipated. It seems like Mystralora City only occupied a corner of Gloomhaven’s underground space,” Sein commented after consulting the magic map left by his mentor for direction.
Despite three days of continuous travel, Sein had covered only a small portion of Gloomhaven’s vast territory.
At this rate, reaching the northern part of Gloomhaven would take at least half a year.
"Unfortunately, black mages are still active in this region. The mages from the Divine Tower and knights from the surface are likely continuing their search and elimination efforts in the neighboring areas. If only I could ride on Seven, my progress would be faster,” Sein lamented.
Although the map indicated a considerable distance to the north of Gloomhaven, Sein continued on, appreciating the scenery along the way.
Gloomhaven, being a no-man’s land, was less densely populated than other regions in the Magus World.
The constant disturbances caused by the black mages and poor security led to frequent population losses and migrations.
***
Sein pressed on and even passed through several human cities.
Sein’s contemplative silence in this moment puzzled the five bandits confronting him. The situation felt subtly off.
Those who could traverse the mountain trails of Gloomhaven alone were generally not ordinary individuals.
These eight bandits had collaborated for a few years, initially as a group of twelve.
The comrades lost during their endeavors were those who faced formidable targets in the course of their robberies.
Despite these setbacks, the remaining members persevered for various reasons, managing to accumulate a small fortune.
A thin and shrewd bandit approached the strongest among them and pointed at Sein. “Big brother, look at what he’s holding!”
Sein was still wearing his usual attire from the Underworld—a tattered black magic robe, giving him a somewhat ragged appearance.
He kept his Acid Wand close to his chest.
Despite the bandits’ years of experience, they could not decipher Sein’s situation.
The mages they had encountered before were usually well-dressed, a stark contrast to the disheveled young man before them.
Not only that, those mages were usually older.
While the leader of the bandits was still thinking, Sein took action.
Most of the bandits in front of him were ordinary people, like the residents of Mystralora City who harbored a deep-seated fear of black mages and the black magic initiates.
Sein surmised that only ordinary people would dare to rob a magic initiate in the surface world.
As soon as three slightly smaller Minor Fireball spells appeared, the faces of the bandits in front and behind him changed drastically.
Before they could plead for mercy, Sein unleashed the fireballs.
Sein did not wish to create a commotion.
His weaker Minor Fireball spells served more as a deterrent and dispersal, lacking any real intent to kill.
Even in his prior encounters with bandits, Sein chose to drive them away rather than inflicting harm.
To Sein’s surprise, he discovered that one of the bandits among this group of unremarkable-looking men, actually possessed battle qi.