Chapter 6 : I’m doomed! I’m surrounded by bandits!
Qianyu was deeply concerned about the characters on her body
and their cryptic, baffling implications.
But she worried more that her laziness would slow the team
and worsen her teammates’ views of her.
As the team’s deadweight, already unpopular,
becoming paranoid and further disliked would be trouble.
“Better—continue researching during rest.”
Qianyu pulled her rolled-up shirt sleeves back to her wrists,
covering the pitch-black characters.
Until their origin was clear, better not let teammates discover.
Even if they might know something.
Her goal wasn’t erasing them but understanding why they appeared.
(I have a feeling these Chinese words tie to the recent weird events.)
Focus on the task at hand.
No more dwelling.
Qianyu finished dressing, equipping gear, packing luggage, and exited the tent—
Teammates were ready,
gleaming silver blades, swords, crossbows, maces dazzling under the sun.
Their graceful poise radiated inner strength.
Even without eyes, one could sense the potential and talent behind it.
Exactly what Qianyu lacked yet yearned for.
The thought of “becoming like them”
never wavered.
“Stop staring. Unless you plan to block fireballs with eyeballs.”
…Probably excluding Leila.
—
Under Captain Lilix’s lead,
all members, including Qianyu, pressed deeper into the mountains.
Two days ago, they’d left the nearest town by carriage;
after two full days, the destination felt close.
But targets wouldn’t appear willingly.
Priority: find traces, then track step by step.
As discussed in morning’s strategy meeting.
How exactly?
Captain Lilix wanted everyone’s input.
Combining differences and common ground—brainstorming.
(If I suggest something good…)
Eager to shine before teammates,
Qianyu reinforced stamina with magic, keeping pace at the rear.
No falling behind like yesterday; she found her opening:
“Um—Captain.”
Lily “Hm? What is it, Qianyu.”
Del “You’re pretty active today. Actually keeping up.”
Leila “No ulterior motive—she just wants to chat with someone.”
Her gaze sharp as ever,
like mind-reading magic spotting Qianyu’s thoughts.
But this time was different!
Qianyu could guarantee that.
“About the plan from this morning, I have an idea…”
Lush green sea of trees, uninhabited borderlands, occasional birds and beasts peeking out.
Seemingly peaceful nature
perhaps hid countless dangers beneath.
Before noon rest,
before the venomous sun scorched the land.
A ragged, dazed, frail girl
walked a weed-choked dirt slope barely a path.
Left arm clutched a rotten branch,
right hand dragged a tattered sack, leaning her full weight.
Barely propping up crumbling body and spirit.
Step by step, inching toward an unknown destination.
“Though—it was my idea.”
Contrary to appearance—exactly opposite,
she muttered in a tone betraying no weakness,
with slight complaint.
It was Qianyu, disguised via forest elf illusion magic.
Building on her usual timid, bully-me aura,
dressed as a lone, fleeing refugee.
As for why…
…
—
Lily “Qianyu, you mean (thinking)”
Del “Pick one of us as bait to lure the snake?”
Qianyu “Exactly. Our targets are bandits and thieves, right?
If they spot a defenseless, unarmed woman in the forest… (confident)”
Del “They’d bite for sure.”
Leila “Lowly, disgusting scum dogs would. Their brains and crotches are connected (scorn)”
Lily “Mhm, simple, direct, high success rate (nod)”
Suwa “But—who do we pick as bait (worry)”
Del “Yeyuan? She should have experience.”
Lily “She handles perimeter watch and scouting—can’t burden her with everything.
If possible, I wouldn’t mind.”
Leila “Spare us. Standing there would scare them off.”
Lily “Ahahaha… my apologies (regret)”
Del “Yes, bait needs appeal—look easy to bully for best effect.”
Suwa “What about me?”
Leila “You’d be real shark bait—better let Qianyu do it.
She wants to shine today anyway. Right? (smirk)”
Qianyu “N-No problem! Mission accepted!”
—
As above,
half-pushed, under someone’s invisible pressure.
Qianyu naturally—or inevitably—became the “star” of her own plan.
The process was somewhat accidental.
At least she contributed, offered real help—goal achieved.
That was true, but.
(Still nervous!)
Under her patched hood, peripheral vision scanned
hidden corners where anything might burst out.
Silently praying the “targets” would show mercy.
If they charged without warning—club left, blade right.
Just imagining made her shiver.
“—”
As expected,
Lilix and the others should be tailing close, out of sight, ready.
To handle emergencies and intervene.
She doubted Leila would cooperate fully.
But the others were trustworthy.
Conclusion from less than a month in the team.
Yet,
disguise and illusion were surface-level.
Even with magic, still superficial.
Anyone with caution, observation,
or means to see through wouldn’t fall for it.
What idiot would believe
a lone woman was easy prey in the wilds?
So more than personal safety, she worried about mission success.
If it worked, she’d earn some—
“Eh?”
Clearly,
Qianyu overestimated their reason and restraint.
No reason to let a duck fly from the mouth.
Undoubtedly, someone took the bait.
The wet ground at her feet suddenly flared blinding light,
a magic circle with layered patterns spreading like a danger warning.
“Bad.”
Qianyu knew no such spell,
but had seen similar binding magic from Leila.
She’d underestimated their cunning too.
A magic-user among them…
She raised a palm,
peering through finger gaps in the hazy glow.
About five figures rushed her way.
Qianyu’s first crisis as an adventurer—officially begun.