The mage clutched his cut hand and screamed, staggering back before falling on his butt with a heavy thump.
"Damn it, Boss." The remaining four bandits lunged at once. Their faces showed anger at their boss’s treacherous behavior, but now wasn’t the time to lose their temper.
But with the mage down, they never stood a chance. The two who had gone to the wagon to restrain Martha and the children were just cultivators. And now, with just one Auran and three cultivators left, they looked helpless in front of Rudeous even after trying their best. Like sacrificial lambs.
The Auran swung his sword. Rudeous answered with his own. Rage boiled inside him, and his strikes grew merciless.
Both blades met, but in the next instant, the bandit’s weapon snapped. The broken half spun away with a sharp clink, leaving only a stump of steel in his hand. His eyes widened in terror.
But before that fear could even spread through his body, Rudeous’s left fist smashed into his chest. The bandit flew back like a broken kite.
’I should hold back from spraying blood. If the children see too much... it might scar their hearts, twist their growth.’
Even in the middle of battle, Rudeous’s thoughts stayed with Daisy, Arthur, and Derek. He wanted to protect their futures. He didn’t want them turning into monsters.
But he had no idea what was already growing inside Derek’s mind.
’That bastard dared to touch my mother. If only I could punch a hole straight through his chest. Damn this tiny body. When will I finally grow up?’ Derek cursed inwardly, his small fists trembling.
Clutching Derek close, Martha stood a short distance away. Her hands shook slightly, the tension refusing to leave her body.
Arthur and Daisy stood by her side. Arthur had his right hand gripping the hilt of his wooden sword tightly. His eyes were burning with determination. ’Father, don’t worry. If you need help, I am ready.’
The fear he had shown earlier was gone. Wiped out, leaving only resolve. ʀᴇᴀᴅ ʟᴀᴛᴇsᴛ ᴄʜᴀᴘᴛᴇʀs ᴀᴛ novel·fıre·net
Daisy, too, looked prepared. Her face was calm and steady, and she was ready to act at any moment if needed.
Any other children their age would have been crying by now.
Meanwhile, the fight was nearing its end.
One of the remaining three swung a wild punch. Rudeous ducked, slipping past with ease. Then, straightening his body, he drove his fist into the bandit’s side, right on the lat.
The man flew back, gasping in pain.
Two quick punches, each landing squarely on a chin. The last two collapsed at once, out cold.
All of them were down. Some lay sprawled unconscious. Others groaned, clutching their wounds.
Their boss sat on the ground, sobbing, clutching his bleeding hand. ’Damn my luck...’ he cursed inwardly, tears mixing with pain.
’The other bandits get to loot and enjoy themselves with women. So why did I end up with this cursed family? Even that child, who can’t even talk yet, turns out to be a nuisance.’
He knew well why his earlier plan had failed, and was flabbergasted. He didn’t know how on earth this was even possible.
After all the bandits were down, Martha finally breathed a sigh of relief.
From behind the wagon, the coachman crept out. He was still trembling. Everyone was defeated, yet his shaking wouldn’t stop. He had heard too many stories of bandits, how they ambushed travelers, taking money, jewels, beautiful women, sometimes even children.
"Thank the heavens the Keeper Head was with my wagon today. Otherwise, what would have become of us..."
He was genuinely happy and relieved, though fear still lingered in his eyes.
Meanwhile, Rudeous slowly walked toward the boss.
The man panicked. "What do you want now? You already cut my hand and crippled me. Don’t come any closer!"
But Rudeous ignored his pleas. He crouched down, leveling his gaze with him.
"You’re evil. If I let you go, I know you’ll ruin countless more lives. Don’t worry... I won’t kill you. But I’ll make sure you never harm anyone again."
With that, he turned the sword, pointing the hilt toward the bandit’s stomach. And then....
He drove it in with controlled force. Not enough to kill. But enough to destroy something far more important.
Agony tore through the boss’s body. His eyes widened, not from pain but from shock.
"Y-you! How could you... You should have just killed me!" he screamed.
Rudeous’s expression didn’t change. His voice was calm, almost cold.
"I won’t dirty my hands killing scum like you. Instead, I’ve shattered your energy core. From now on, you’ll never use magic again. You’ll live only on the mercy of others. That’s justice enough."
He rose to his feet and turned back toward Martha and the children.
The few bandits still conscious shrieked in terror, scrambling backward. They didn’t want to face the same fate as their boss.
Because once a man’s energy core, his dantian, was destroyed, he was no longer a mage or a cultivator. He was nothing. A cripple.
As Rudeous came closer, Martha asked worriedly, "Are you alright, dear? You didn’t get hurt, did you?"
Daisy ran up and grabbed her father’s hand. "You can just tell me if you’re hurt, Father. I can heal you right away."
Rudeous smiled, lifting Daisy gently into his arms. "I’m fine. Don’t worry. Come on, let’s get going. It’s already late."
Arthur stood beside Martha, while Derek lay in her lap. Both of them stared at their father in amazement.
’I hope this time, I can fight alongside you, Father,’ Derek thought, waving his tiny limbs in joy to show the feelings in his heart.
They climbed back into the wagon. The coachman hurried to his seat, whipping the reins at once. He only wanted to get away from this place as fast as possible.
Soon the wagon rolled forward, passing by the scattered bodies of the fallen bandits.
Those men won’t dare to try something reckless ever again, Rudeous thought.
That was why he hadn’t destroyed the others’ dantians. Breaking one was enough.
Meanwhile, the mage sat on the ground, clutching his wound, glaring at the wagon’s retreating back.
"I swear... I’ll make you pay," he muttered through clenched teeth.