novelhk Chapter 23 Raid on the Bandit Camp
Chapter 23 Raid on the Bandit Camp
These three bandits were equipped with similar gear to the previous three bandits.
The two bandits behind were carrying shields and single-edged swords, while the lead bandit was carrying a torch and a single-edged sword.
Luo Xu believed he had little chance of winning if he were to confront them head-on.
But now that he's hiding in the shadows, he has more room to maneuver.
The firelight flickered with their steps, and Luo Xu suddenly noticed that the leader of the bandits was carrying a crossbow on his back.
His heart tightened.
If the attack is to be carried out by surprise, it must be done quickly, without giving the bandit leader time to get his crossbow.
Just in case, Luo Xu first rehearsed the move in his mind a few times, then drew his dagger and followed their steps.
With his level 13 reconnaissance skill, he accurately avoided the dead branches and fallen leaves on the ground.
The three robbers ahead were still chatting idly, completely unaware that danger was approaching.
When he was about two meters away from the two robbers behind him, Luo Xu suddenly stepped forward and thrust his dagger straight into the back of the robber on the left.
The knife tip pierced through the cotton armor and into the heart. The bandit froze abruptly, letting out a very soft groan.
"Ding! Your one-handed skill +1, now your one-handed skill is 6, next level: 51/72."
"Your running skill +1, now your running skill is 10, next level: 40/142".
The robber on the right had just turned his head when he heard the commotion when Luo Xu had already drawn his dagger and slashed it across his neck, blood gushing out instantly.
Before the robber could even realize what was happening, he raised his single-edged sword and took a step forward, when suddenly his whole body went limp and he collapsed to the ground.
Although it was Luo Xu's first time launching a sneak attack, he didn't feel rusty thanks to his level 5 one-handed skill.
Upon noticing the commotion behind them, the leader at the front didn't even turn his head; instead, he leaped forward a few steps to create distance.
Luo Xu immediately threw away the dagger and drew his iron sword as he pursued the enemy.
The lead bandit suddenly turned around. In the firelight, he saw what had happened and his eyes widened in fury.
Without hesitation, Luo Xu gripped his sword with both hands and charged forward, not giving the other side a chance to draw his crossbow.
Walter taught me how to attack today. He said that the attack cannot be delayed. The first step is to press forward and put the opponent on the defensive.
The iron sword sliced through the air, slashing downwards from the upper right. The bandit quickly raised his single-edged sword to parry.
Swords clashed, and the sound of metal striking metal echoed through the forest.
The robber was so shocked that he took half a step back, and the torch in his hand fell to the ground.
"Damn it! I'll shoot your head through, you bastard!"
He cursed under his breath and stepped back, reaching for the light crossbow behind him.
Luo Xu didn't give him that chance. Using the force of the sword's rebound, he twisted his waist and unleashed a horizontal slash.
Although his movements were not yet skilled, they were more than enough to deal with the robbers in front of him.
In his panic, the robber tried to raise his knife to parry, but it was too late. The sword tip pierced through the blade and left a large gash in his chest.
The robber stumbled, leaving the door wide open, and Luo Xu seized the opportunity to stab him in the chest with his sword.
The tip of the sword seemed to hit something hard, and then passed right through it.
Luo Xu had little experience in killing and wasn't sure if the sword strike was fatal. He immediately drew his sword and quickly took two steps back.
The other person was still holding the knife; it would be troublesome if they retaliated and injured him before they died.
The bandit leader staggered back a few steps, dropping his single-edged sword to the ground, and slowly reached up to touch his back.
Luo Xu had been watching the other party's every move. Just as the robber reached out, a cold glint flashed towards him.
The robber's head flew off, and his headless body fell straight backward.
Luo Xu glanced at the head on the ground, then wiped the warm liquid from his face.
A system notification sounded in Luo Xu's mind, and he opened the panel to take a look.
"Running" 11, Distance to next level: 98/165
[One-handed] 7, distance to next level: 79/86
[Two hands] 3, distance to next level: 2/42.
'
He put away the panel and took the light crossbow from behind the headless corpse in front of him.
The crossbow was a bit worn, but it was still usable.
Luo Xu then searched the corpse and found a bag of crossbow bolts. He counted them carefully and found there were a total of 7 bolts.
He put away the crossbow and bolts, then picked up the dagger that had fallen to the ground and began to clean up the scene.
The torches were extinguished, and the three bodies were dragged into the nearby bushes.
After doing all this, he turned and ran towards the bandit camp.
A night breeze swept by, rustling the trees.
As Luo Xu traveled, he studied the light crossbow in his hand.
He had never used a crossbow before; he knew how to shoot, but not how to load a bolt.
As the terrain began to steepen, Luo Xu finally figured out how to use the light crossbow.
He put away his crossbow and focused on continuing his journey.
Upon arriving at the bandit camp, Luo Xu bypassed the first campfire and found Speedy Legs at the same spot.
When Feimaotui saw Luo Xu coming over, he first breathed a sigh of relief, but when his gaze fell on the bloodstains on Luo Xu's face, his expression became tense.
Are you injured?
"It's not mine." Luo Xu briefly explained what had just happened, and after a moment's hesitation, he told Feimaotui about Walter's decision.
Speedy Legs turned to look at Luo Xu, paused for a moment, and then said, "What...what do you plan to do now?"
"I want to continue with the raid plan." Luo Xu didn't hide anything and revealed his true thoughts. "This is my own decision. If you want to go back, then go back."
"Are you crazy?" Speedy's voice was low, but it was still trembling. "There are more than a dozen bandits in the camp right now."
"They'll attack Lantas village fully armed tomorrow. Kill as many as you can tonight." Luo Xu didn't explain further; he took another look around the camp.
Three sentries were still patrolling their respective fan-shaped areas around the main camp, and the guard at the cave entrance was leaning against the stone wall. Everything was exactly the same as when they had scouted the area before.
He suddenly noticed that although the three sentries would glance down the hillside, they almost never looked up.
Luo Xu narrowed his eyes, a bold idea forming in his mind.
"Luo Xu," Swiftfoot suddenly spoke up, "I'll go with you, but if you're exposed, I'll prioritize protecting myself."
"Okay." Luo Xu told him about his next plan.
"I'll scout out the cave entrance first, then figure out how to take out those three sentries. You hide on the right and wait until I kill one before we move in."
Speedy Legs' eyes widened.
This method is feasible, but it's too crazy. He thought Luo Xu wanted to kill the bandits by the first campfire and then retreat.
"If I'm exposed, take the opportunity to escape while they're chasing me."
Luo Xu didn't delay any longer. He put the dagger in his mouth, lowered his body, and silently passed through the fan-shaped patrol area of the three sentries, using the rocks on the hillside and the cover of the night.
He reached the top of the mountain, then pressed his back against the rock wall and slowly made his way into the cave.
The three sentries were just below; they could spot him with a single glance. Every time they turned around, Luo Xu's heart skipped a beat.
Halfway there, a sentry suddenly stopped facing him.
Luo Xu abruptly stopped moving, his fingers gripping the crack in the stone, sweat dripping down his neck.
Fortunately, the sentry did not notice anything amiss, yawned, and turned to continue his patrol.
Luo Xu swallowed hard and continued forward.
Soon, he was only two meters away from the cave.
The bandits at the cave entrance were right in front of them, currently fast asleep, leaning against the stone wall.