“Huh?”

Moen froze, as if struck by lightning.

“Big brother, what did you just say?”

“I said, I’m here to rob your body!”

As if afraid Moen hadn’t heard him, the scar-faced man raised his voice, shaking the surrounding tree leaves to fall to the ground.

Of course, I know you said you’re robbing me for that—but the problem is…

“I’m a man!”

Moen patted his muscular chest, exasperated.

“Take a closer look, dude. Don’t let my exceptional beauty blind you. I am a man!”

“Mm, I can see that.”

The scar-faced man’s gaze drifted downward to Moen’s groin, and he smiled wickedly.

“It’s exactly because you’re a man that I’m robbing you for your beauty. Otherwise, you can ask the little girl behind you—did I ever show the slightest interest in her body?”

“…”

Moen’s neck stiffened as he slowly turned his head.

The fierce-looking young girl from before now seemed completely unsure of how to respond. After hesitating for a long moment, she averted her gaze, unable to meet Moen’s pleading look.

Then, she silently nodded.

It really seemed like these bandits had never cast a lecherous glance in her direction.

“…”

Upon seeing this, Moen felt something crack deep inside, as though his very spirit had shattered.

Please, someone save me—there’s a gay pervert here!

“Hmph, perhaps it’s destiny.”

The scar-faced man’s rugged face turned slightly red. His expression grew wistful as he sank into deep memories.

“Ever since I became a bandit, I’ve dreamed of this moment. Out here on these desolate places, I’ve longed to meet a radiant, self-assured young man who isn’t afraid to embrace his true nature.

Preferably, someone who’s a true pervert.

But alas, real men like that, who shed all pretense and embrace their authenticity, are so hard to find in this world.

I had almost given up.

Yet I never expected—I’d found you!”

Tears welled up in the scar-faced man’s eyes as he spoke with heartfelt emotion.

“To stand so boldly before strangers, unafraid to show your true self—this is the epitome of a true pervert!

So I'm sure you are the one I’ve been waiting for all along!”

The scar-faced man stretched out his hand with conviction and declared:

“Come with me, then! I'll step on the colorful clouds to marry you and make you my spouse of honor back at the mountain hideout!”

Moen: “…”

The girl: “…”

Bandit D: “Ugh… Boss is amazing. Even while working so hard to rob people for a living, he still chases his dreams. I’m so moved I could cry! Waaahhhh…”

“Hmph, must be feeling shy now.”

Watching Moen fall into utter petrification, the scar-faced man smugly wiped at his nose.

“Looks like my charm hasn’t diminished one bit.”

“…”

“Damn you—”

After a brief silence, Moen’s face suddenly contorted in fury before he erupted.

“Shadow Step!”

“Go to hell, you perverted freak!”

In an instant, he closed the distance between them. With a clean and powerful uppercut, he slammed his fist squarely into the scar-faced man’s jaw.

Ever since advancing to the second tier and gaining battle aura, Moen’s physical abilities had become unparalleled.

As a result, with just one punch, the scar-faced man—who was several sizes larger than Moen—was sent flying over ten meters, crashing through multiple thick tree trunks before finally coming to a halt.

“Huh? Am I this strong?”

Moen was startled by his own sudden surge in power. But then, he immediately struck a triumphant pose, placing his hands on his hips.

“See that, you pervert? How dare you call me a pervert! You’re the real pervert! Your entire family is full of perverts!”

“Boss!”

Seeing their leader sent flying, the bandits cried out in panic and rushed to help him.

“Cough, cough, I’m fine.”

The scar-faced man shoved away his subordinates’ anxious hands and rose on his own. With a casual spit, he ejected a bloody tooth, laughing nonchalantly.

“Well, as expected of my future spouse. That’s the kind of fiery spirit I like! The wilder, the better—it gets me excited! Hahaha…”

“God…”

Moen shivered with revulsion.

Why was he always running into this level of perverted psycho? Just how cursed was I by fate?

Couldn’t the heavens ever drop a gentle and adorable girl into my life instead?

“If my beloved wishes to play, then I shall indulge.”

The scar-faced man laughed heartily, raising his massive blade.

And then… he swung it down with immense force.

From this distance?!

Moen’s pupils contracted as alarm bells rang wildly in his mind.

Reacting instantly, Moen twisted his body to the side, narrowly avoiding the strike.

A deep slash appeared where Moen had just been standing—a gash several meters long and as wide as an arm.

Seeing this, cold dread coursed through Moen’s veins.

This was… blade energy?

No. It’s battle aura projection.

So the opponent was also a second-tier warrior, and at least mid- to late-second-tier!

Hell, with skills that strong, why are you even a bandit?

Couldn’t you do practically anything else and still be more successful?

“Haha, I already told you, I became a bandit for one reason—to wait for my destined love!”

The scar-faced man’s booming laughter filled the forest. Like a massive bear, he leaped through the air, crashing down toward Moen with overwhelming force.

“And you see—I’ve found you!”

“Stay away from me, you damned pervert! I only like cute girls!”

“Shadow Step!”

Moen once again dodged the scar-faced man’s attack. But deep down, he knew this couldn’t go on.

Ever since reaching the second tier, the side effects of Shadow Step had diminished significantly. But even so, it wasn’t a skill he could use endlessly.

And as far as endurance went, Moen was no match for the bear-like strength of this bandit leader.

If his energy ran out, he’d be at the mercy of that perverted psycho.

At that point…

“My dear… why resist? Just surrender…”

“Heh heh, you can’t run anymore.”

“No one will hear your screams, no matter how loudly you shout.”

“Now, would you prefer this pair of black silk stockings, or the bunny suit? I can do either—totally up to you.”

AAAAHHHHH! Why am I imagining this?! Why?!

This is straight out of some horrific nightmare!

Get out of my head this instant!

“No. That’s not going to happen.”

Moen’s eyes burned with resolve.

“Even if it costs me my life, I refuse to lose!”

Facing a second-tier late-stage warrior as a mere second-tier beginner—

Facing him unarmed when he wielded a weapon—

The odds were in my favor!

“I'm gonna borrow this!”

But Moen also knew the frontal attack was not an option.

He immediately used Shadow Step again, appearing beside a bystander bandit. A swift punch knocked the bandit unconscious, and he seized the broadsword from the fallen foe.

Now armed, Moen finally felt a sliver of reassurance—actually no.

Wait, I’ve never even used a broadsword before. How the hell do you fight with this thing? Someone give me a manual!

Coach, I’d like to learn swordsmanship, please!

Naturally, the scar-faced man wasn’t going to give Moen the time to practice with his new weapon. In the brief moment that Moen lamented his situation, the scar-faced man was already closing in—his attack just as simple and brutal as before: another downward slash.

But this time, the scar-faced man’s blade emitted a terrifying suction force. Moen, as though held captive, couldn’t activate Shadow Step immediately.

Crap.

That’s…

A combat technique!

Moen’s eyes widened as regret surged through his heart.

Ever since advancing to the second tier and being able to use Shadow Step with near-constant frequency, he’d evidently let his guard down.

How could I not have considered this?

If I can use techniques, so can others!

“Damn it!”

Gritting his teeth, Moen had no choice but to raise the broadsword in his hands to meet the scar-faced man’s strike.

But how could his lean and wiry self possibly match the massive, muscle-bound form of the scar-faced man?

This might be the end.

Moen Campbell.

Once again, he caught a dreadful glimpse of his own tragic end.