However, his expression instantly turned flat, and his cold voice made their blood run cold.
"Now... you want to live, don't you?"
"Yes! Yes, sir! Please let us go! We won't fight anymore, we'll do anything!" cried the little bandit, tears falling mixed with sweat.
Raven smirked slightly. That smile was not comforting, but a cold smile resembling a demon toying with its prey.
"Then... prove it."
Both of them stared in confusion, their hearts beating wildly.
"Prove who is more deserving of life," continued Raven. The tip of his sword rose slightly, pointing straight at them.
"Only one of you will be allowed to live. Kill each other. Now."
The big bandit swallowed hard. "Eh... but didn't you say we could live?"
The small bandit's eyes widened, his body shaking violently. "N-no... please, don't force us..."
"I did promise you life," Raven replied flatly, his eyes empty.
"But from the beginning, I said you could only live if you followed all my orders."
With a casual movement, Raven threw his small axe onto the ground in front of them. The metal fell with a heavy thud, making both of their hairs stand on end.
"Well," Raven's voice was low and cold.
"Now... who deserves to live?"
His gaze changed. Raven's eyes were jet black, as if there was no light, no emotion, no humanity in them. The slight smile that graced his lips made the two of them even more terrified, as if they were standing in front of a demon.
The large bandit, his body muscular and still holding onto a little bit of energy, immediately grabbed the axe. His breath was labored, his eyes filled with fear. "I-I'm sorry… I don't want to die…"
"NOOO DON'T…" the small bandit screamed.
But it was too late.
The axe had already pierced his head. Blood spurted out, and the small bandit staggered, staring at his companion with disbelief. His lips moved slowly, as if he wanted to say something... then his body collapsed to the ground, lifeless.
The big bandit gasped for breath, cold sweat pouring down his face. His hand still clutched the blood-stained axe, his body shaking violently. "I-I... I won... please, let me live..."
Raven rose slowly, stepping closer. The aura of death emanating from his body weighed on the bandit heavier than iron chains.
"Good, you are indeed more deserving of life... so now take me to your headquarters," said Raven, staring deeply at the bandit.
The bandit froze. His face was pale, cold sweat running down his temples. His lips trembled violently as he tried to speak.
"E-ehh... aren't you—"
A silver flash struck.
The sword in Raven's left hand moved too fast for the eye to follow. All that could be heard was a sharp whistling sound and the sound of flesh being cut.
Several of the bandit's fingers were thrown to the ground, falling scattered among the wet leaves. The axe slipped from his grasp along with a gush of blood that spurted profusely.
"AAAGHHHHHHHHH!"
He immediately curled up, clutching his hand, which was now missing several fingers. Blood dripped profusely, soaking the ground.
Raven stared at him coldly, without the slightest change in expression.
"HEY!!,"
His voice was calm.
But it felt like a thin blade pressed against his neck.
"Be quiet... and take me to your headquarters."
His tone did not rise, but there was a pressure that made the bandit dare not do anything but obey. His breathing was labored, his hands shaking violently as he endured the burning pain. He could only nod quickly, his face pale and his body shivering.
"O-okay, okay, I... I'll show you the way..." he stammered, his voice hoarse from holding back the pain and fear.
"In that case,"
Raven stepped closer, picking up the fallen axe. The blade was dark with blood, even the handle stained with severed fingers.
He held it for a moment, then stared coldly at the bandit.
"What are you waiting for? Let's go."
The bandit stared at Raven's face under the moonlight that filtered through the trees. There was a thin streak of blood on Raven's cheek, but what was more frightening than that was the sharp, cold, empty gaze in his eyes. A gaze that seemed to pierce the soul and destroy any remaining courage.
At that moment, the bandit knew that one small mistake and his life would not last until sunrise.
With a trembling body, he stood up slowly, still holding his blood-stained hand. He stepped forward cautiously, leading the way through the forest.
Raven followed behind, his steps calm. The moonlight reflected off the blade of his sword, leaving a trail of cold gleam every time the wind blew.