The wind was warm that morning, the skies clear—just another peaceful day in the village.
Ray was standing by the newly dug farmland, helping one of the kids sow the sweet potato seedlings when he heard the thunder of hooves in the distance.
At first, it was faint—barely audible. But it grew louder, steadily, like a storm brewing just beyond the forest line.
His body tensed.
"Stop," he said, standing up quickly. "Do you hear that?"
The kid looked confused. "It's… horses?"
Ray's eyes narrowed as he looked toward the road leading into the village.
From beyond the trees, they emerged.
Five figures on horseback. Their clothing was torn and filthy, faces half-covered by ragged cloth masks. Rusty blades hung from their hips, and their eyes—though still distant—shone with greed.
Ray's instincts screamed danger.
"Hey," he called out to a nearby old man stacking firewood. "Who are they?"
The man squinted toward the road, and his face immediately paled.
"No… no, it can't be…"
"Who are they?" Ray repeated, stepping closer.
"They're—They're the bandits," the man whispered, his voice trembling. "They came last year. Took everything. Food. Tools. Even… even people."
Ray's fists clenched.
The villagers had only just started to live again. And now… these people wanted to take it all away?
Not on his watch.
---
The Warning
The village bell—a rusted old thing unused for years—rang out as Ray sprinted through the square.
"Everyone inside! Board the windows! Lock the doors!" he shouted. "Take the kids and hide in the storeroom!"
The village chief met him near the center.
"We're not ready to fight!" the chief said. "We don't have enough weapons!"
Ray shook his head. "Doesn't matter. If we don't stand up now, they'll destroy everything we've built. Again."
He opened his system menu quickly.
> [Inventory: Low-grade Iron Spear ×1 | Basic Bow ×1 | Crude Dagger ×3 | Training Sword ×2]
It wasn't much… but it was something.
He handed the training swords to two of the older teens who had trained with him in secret.
"You two, follow my lead. We don't engage unless I say. Aim to protect, not attack."
They nodded, fear in their eyes—but also a glimmer of courage.
Ray drew the iron spear and ran to the front gate, heart hammering.
---
The Encounter
The five horsemen stopped just outside the village path, their leader—a thick-shouldered man with greasy hair and a jagged scar on his chin—looked down on Ray, amused.
"Well, well," he said with a grin. "Look what we got here. A little warrior standing guard?"
Ray didn't flinch. "Turn around. Leave. You're not welcome here."
The other bandits laughed.
"You hear that?" one of them sneered. "The kid thinks he's a knight!"
The leader hopped off his horse slowly, cracking his neck. "Last time, we were polite. Took what we needed and left a few alive. Don't make this ugly."
Ray narrowed his eyes. "This village has nothing for you."
"We'll see about that."
The man lunged.
But Ray was ready.
---
The Battle Begins
Ray dodged the first swing, sliding to the side, and drove the butt of the spear into the man's ribs. It wasn't a killing blow—but it hurt.
> [Combat Momentum – Passive Activated] [Initiating Battle State…]
Ray's system flickered to life as time seemed to slow.
Two more bandits jumped down and charged at him. He deflected one with the spear's shaft and kicked the other backward, yelling, "Now!"
The two teens leapt from behind a cart and tackled the fallen bandit. It wasn't graceful, but it was enough to disarm him.
Ray took the chance to sweep the legs of the third attacker and disarm him too.
But the bandit leader recovered quickly, drawing a larger, heavier blade.
"You're dead, brat!"
Ray spun just in time to block, sparks flying as steel met steel.
It was different from the goblins. Bandits were human. Smarter. Faster. More dangerous.
He couldn't win this alone.
But he didn't have to.
A shout rang out behind him.
More villagers arrived, holding torches, pitchforks, even sharpened sticks. Some of the adults who had trained with Ray in secret came forward—trembling, but standing tall.
The bandits saw the shift in numbers.
The leader growled. "Tch… this ain't worth it."
He motioned to his men.
"Let's go. Too many rats for a meal."
And just like that, they fled—mounting up and riding away into the forest shadows.
---
Victory… For Now
Ray dropped to one knee, breathing hard, sweat pouring down his face. His spear was cracked at the tip, and a cut stung his shoulder—but they had done it.
They protected the village.
> [Quest Complete: Defend the Village from Bandits] [EXP Gained…] [Level Up: Lv. 9 → Lv. 10]
> [Class Selection Unlocked]
Ray blinked as a new window appeared in his vision:
---
[Choose Your Class]
• Swordsman – A warrior who walks the path of the blade. Balanced offense and defense. Unlocks Sword Techniques and increased physical growth.
• [More classes will be unlocked in future updates…]
---
Ray didn't hesitate.
"I choose… Swordsman."
A flash of light burst through his body, as a new power settled deep into his muscles, his instincts, his soul.
> [Class: Swordsman (Basic) Acquired] [New Skill: Quick Slash – Lv. 1] [Strength +2 | Agility +1]
As the villagers gathered around him cheering and crying, Ray looked down at his hands—stronger now than before.
He wasn't just surviving anymore.
He was beginning to rise.