47

I have been bound by rope. My arms and legs restricted. Thrown into a cage in the middle of camp. Surrounded by bandits. Treated like a common goblin. I glance towards the other areas of the cage. The other prisoners are all level 1s. Nothing new I guess. 

[Alexander: Lvl 44] Seems to be the bandit leader. Yep, no doubt about it. Look at him ordering everyone else around. The other bandits are mostly level 20-30. This is perfect, this is it! This is where I power-level! YES.

"M-Mummy, why is that man grinning and laughing to himself?" Asked a young frail boy.

"S-Sssh, stay away from him. Nothing good will happen from talking to strangers okay?" The boy's mother answered, pulling him further into the cage.

...

Going back a few hours. After my encounter with the lusty dragon. I had found footsteps leading off-path. Out of curiosity I find traps scattered around the terrain. This is where my brilliant plan came to be. I hid all my valuables within inventory. Leaving only a cheap copper dagger attached to my belt. Covering myself with mana, I deliberately triggered a trap which caused a hooped rope to snatch my legs springing me up towards the trees. As my body forcefully rotated, my head clashed against the ground before going up. Good thing I barely felt a thing.

After hanging upside down until sunset, I noticed the bandits from afar, pretending to be unconscious I allowed them to take me to their camp. A free entry ticket into their base. No complaints there.

...

Now that I'm here, I reequipped my gear. With intent, my mana cut the ropes off my body. Ready to rock and roll and raise all hell I sneak out with [Hide] I glance back towards the prisoners. 

"I'll come back for you guys when it's safe. You have my word." 

I did consider using them to cause a ruckus and mayhem, but ideally. I wouldn't want them to all die because of me. Before arriving here, I did come to terms with death. Or well, mostly regarding Alex, Emmanuel and Colem. They weren't exactly heroes or good people but, they were people I had become acquainted with. Their sudden death was shocking for me. I simply had been in denial for a while. 

Sneaking through, staying clear from Alexander, who was high enough level to ignore my [Hide] skill. I began to cull the herd. This was simply a buffet, most were drunk, asleep in tents or in the middle of raping someone. With my dagger, like in those movies. I covered their mouths before slicing their throats.

During my first kill. I instantly vomited a little. However, after reassuring myself, convincing myself that these weren't people but monsters for what they've done. My stomach settled.

After neutralizing all the bandits other than their leader.

[Asai: Lvl 33]

[Skill unlocked:] 

Finally, a new skill! Mm. 15 meters is about a football goals width x 2. I immediately find a quiet place to test the skill before challenging the big guy. My confidence in fighting Alexander just rose so much more. I am now in level range for [Hide] to be effective against him and with another skill to utilize I should be fine.

After finding an area far enough from Alexander's tent. I cast the new skill

[Sealing Square]

Instantly I found myself to be surrounded by a ring of red light. On further inspection the ring seemed to be written by symbols that reminded me of Chinese characters. To begin with, I found that I was unable to leave the ring. Even throwing my dagger proved futile as an invisible wall blocked it from leaving. Interesting. I should consider it to be a one versus one type of deal. One that ensures my opponent can't run.

I have no doubt if Istvan had used something like this, Kozumi and I would've been killed long ago.

kophzi