The forest path was silent, the air heavy with tension. Floki, Kaida, and Tanaka moved carefully through the trees, their steps light and deliberate. The mission was simple: kill the bandits and collect proof of their success. Each ear they collected wasn’t just a trophy; it was a step closer to dominance among the disciples.

Floki’s staff tapped softly against his shoulder as he grinned. "Let’s see how well this plan works," he said, his tone amused. Kaida adjusted her grip on her blade, her sharp eyes scanning the shadows. "Just don’t mess it up," she replied, her tone flat.

Tanaka walked ahead, his twin daggers gleaming faintly in the low light. "Focus. We’re not alone out here," he warned, his voice steady. Floki raised a hand, signaling for them to stop. Faint voices drifted through the trees ahead, rough laughter and curses breaking the silence.

Before they could act, another group of disciples emerged from the shadows. Bolo, the #2 disciple, stood at the front, his grin smug and taunting. "Well, look who we have here. The underdogs," he said mockingly.

Floki raised an eyebrow, his grin sharp. "And here I thought the #2 disciple would have better things to do than follow us," he said dryly. Zane, the #4 disciple, chuckled, his tone condescending. "Don’t worry, Floki. We’ll leave you a few scraps."

Jace, the #6 disciple, smirked as he added, "Just try not to get in our way." Kaida stepped forward, her blade glinting faintly as her icy tone cut through their taunts. "Maybe focus on your own kills instead of running your mouths," she said sharply. Bolo’s grin didn’t falter as he replied, "We’ll see who brings back the most ears. Don’t embarrass yourselves."

Floki’s system pulsed faintly in his vision, offering precise information.

[Hostiles Detected: 7 Bandits. Moderate Threat Level.]

"Seven," Floki whispered, his grin widening. "Perfect for a warm-up."

Kaida crouched low, her blade ready as she scanned the clearing. "How many?" she asked, her voice barely audible. Tanaka’s grip tightened on his daggers, his smirk confident. "Let’s make it quick," he muttered.

Floki summoned his clone, the shadowy figure forming beside him with a faint shimmer. At the same time, the Shadow Veil wrapped tightly around him, hiding him from sight. Kaida and Tanaka watched with wide eyes as the clone stepped forward. "Go," Floki said, his voice cold and focused.

The clone advanced into the clearing, drawing the attention of the bandits. "Who’s there?" one bandit barked, his hand reaching for his weapon. The shadowy figure moved purposefully, keeping their focus entirely on it. From the shadows, Floki struck swiftly and brutally.

His staff cracked against the first bandit’s skull, the sound sharp and decisive. Blood sprayed as the man crumpled to the ground, his weapon slipping from lifeless fingers. Kaida lunged from the side, her blade slicing cleanly through the neck of a second bandit. The man gurgled as he fell, blood pooling around him.

Tanaka darted in next, his daggers flashing as they plunged into a third bandit’s chest. The remaining bandits scrambled in panic, their shouts of alarm breaking the forest’s quiet. "It’s an ambush!" one of them screamed, backing away in fear. Floki’s clone turned on them, its shadowy form advancing ominously.

A bandit swung wildly at the clone, his blade passing through harmlessly. "What the—!" the bandit yelled before Floki’s staff struck the side of his head. Kaida moved like a ghost, her blade cutting through another bandit with precision. Tanaka leapt onto the last bandit, his daggers plunging into the man’s chest repeatedly.

The clearing fell silent, the only sounds their heavy breathing and the rustling of leaves. From the other side of the forest, Bolo’s voice rang out, his tone mocking. "Nice try, Floki. We’re still ahead," he called, his words taunting. Floki laughed, his tone just as sharp. "You sure about that? Count your kills again," he replied confidently.

Kaida held up a bloody ear, her smirk icy. "Looks like one of yours got away—right into us," she said. Bolo’s expression darkened, and Zane cursed under his breath. "We had him cornered!" Zane snarled angrily.

Tanaka grinned, his voice light. "Not anymore. Better luck next time," he said. Floki dropped the Shadow Veil, his grin sharp as he surveyed the carnage. "Six ears," he said casually. "Not bad for the first round."

Kaida wiped her blade clean, her tone calm and focused. "We need to move. There will be more," she said firmly. Tanaka collected the ears with precision, his face set with determination. "Let’s go," he said, tucking the bloody trophies into a small pouch.

The group moved deeper into the forest, their senses sharp and alert. Floki’s system pulsed again, highlighting another cluster of bandits.

[Hostiles Detected: 5 Bandits. Low Threat Level.]

"Five this time," Floki said, his voice low. "Should be easy."

Kaida nodded, her blade already in hand. "We stick to the same plan," she said. Tanaka grinned, his daggers gleaming faintly. "Let’s finish this," he said, his confidence unwavering.

Floki summoned his clone again, its shadowy form moving ahead with eerie precision. The bandits didn’t notice the danger until it was too late. Floki’s staff crushed the first bandit’s knee, sending him screaming to the ground. Kaida’s blade followed, slicing cleanly through the man’s throat.

Tanaka moved with deadly speed, his daggers finding their marks with brutal precision. Blood splattered the trees as the bandits fell one by one. The last bandit tried to run, but Floki’s clone blocked his path, its presence menacing. "Where are you going?" Floki taunted, his voice cold and sharp.

The bandit froze, trembling as Kaida’s blade pierced his back. The fight ended as quickly as it had begun, leaving the clearing silent once more. "Five more," Floki said, his grin widening. "We’re on a roll," he added with satisfaction.

Kaida shook her head slightly, though a faint smile tugged at her lips. "Let’s keep moving," she said simply. Tanaka gathered the ears, his efficiency undeterred by the gore. The forest around them seemed darker as they moved toward their next target.

Ahead, the road to Evergreen City stretched quietly into the distance. Before they moved, they saw Bolo’s team engaging another group of bandits in the distance. "Looks like they’ve found the next group," Kaida said, her tone laced with amusement. Floki’s grin widened, his tone mischievous. "Then let’s make their job harder," he said, his eyes gleaming with intent.

Tanaka laughed, already moving into position. "I like where this is going," he said, his voice low.

[Hostiles Detected: 10 Bandits. High Threat Level.]

Floki’s grin didn’t falter as he adjusted his stance. "Ten. Now this will be fun," he said confidently.

Kaida’s eyes narrowed, her grip on her blade tightening. "We need a better plan," she said seriously. Tanaka glanced at Floki, his expression focused. "Your clones won’t distract all of them," he pointed out.

Floki nodded, his mind racing with possibilities. "Then we split them up," he said, quickly outlining a strategy to divide the bandits. Kaida and Tanaka nodded, their confidence in Floki clear. The three moved into position, ready to execute the ambush.

Floki summoned his clone, letting it lead the first group of bandits into the trap. As the bandits followed the shadowy figure, Floki dropped the veil and attacked with precision. His staff struck the first bandit with brutal force, dropping him instantly. Kaida and Tanaka moved with deadly efficiency, cutting down the others with ease.

The second group of bandits hesitated, their fear growing as they realized the ambush. From the corner of his eye, Floki saw Bolo glaring at him as his team arrived too late. "Thanks for softening them up for us," Floki called out mockingly. Bolo’s fists clenched as Zane snarled in frustration.

Kaida wiped blood from her blade, her tone cutting. "You should’ve been faster," she said coldly. Tanaka’s laughter echoed as he added, "Better luck next time, boys." Floki’s clone turned on the remaining bandits, unnerving them further. The group pressed forward, overwhelming the bandits before they could recover.

When the fight ended, the forest was silent once more, the ground littered with bodies. Floki wiped his staff clean, his grin sharp and satisfied. "Ten ears," he said cheerfully. "That’s a good haul."

Kaida sheathed her blade, her breathing steady. "We should head back soon," she said firmly. Tanaka collected the ears quickly, his efficiency unwavering despite the gore. The group regrouped, their steps steady as they moved through the darkening forest.

Ahead, the road to Evergreen City stretched out quietly, offering a brief respite. But Floki couldn’t shake the feeling that something—or someone—was watching them from the shadows.