The four bandits who left earlier to chase the runaway carriage were running towards Vivian and the rest.
One was holding a sword.
The second one was holding a pair of daggers.
The third one was holding a mace.
And the fourth one was holding a short sword.
They noticed the corpses of their three companions -- one was still in human form while the other two were in demon form.
The bandit holding a pair of daggers activated a spell.
[Greater Origin Transformation].
Blaaak!
His eyes transformed into demon form -- black eyes with yellow irises.
"I don't see anyone else!"
"Then it must be that woman with a sword!" the bandit holding a mace said.
All four of them focused on Vivian.
The bandit holding a sword activated a spell.
[Lesser Chaos Enchant].
Light red lightning appeared on his left hand.
He raised his hand forward and cast another spell.
[Earth Arrow].
WOOOH!
As the 15-inch arrow made out of soil started to manifest on his palm, the light red lightning was getting absorbed into the arrow until it grew up to 30-inches before shooting away.
Vivian's brows knitted together.
What kind of spell is that…?
Vooom!
She rushed forward and reached out for the 30-inch-long arrow made out of soil with her left hand.
Let's see if it's possible to catch a spell in mid-air and then throw it back to its caster…
Ding!
'Unlocked [Greater Origin (Greater Chaos) Mastery - Level 1]!'
The moment Vivian's fingers made contact with the 30-inch-long arrow made out of soil, a notification popped inside her head. She ignored the notification and continued grabbing onto the arrow but it only slipped through her hand and flew away.
The four bandits stopped in their tracks.
"That's a Priestess!" the bandit holding a short sword said.
The bandit holding a sword looked over the bandit holding a mace and the bandit holding a short sword.
"The both of you keep her busy for a moment. Todd and I will report this."
A look of hesitation appeared on the faces of the bandit holding a mace and the bandit holding a short sword.
"Todd and I are the fastest among us. If we send you both, we won't reach in time."
"Curse the Elemental Gods…!" the bandit holding a short sword said.
Meanwhile, the bandit holding a mace didn't say anything but the expression on his face shared the sentiment that the bandit holding a short sword was feeling.
"I'll take this path," Todd, the bandit holding two daggers, said as he gestured to the west.
"And I'll take this path," the bandit holding a sword said and then gestured to the east.
Vooom!
Vooom!
Vivian was checking her left hand.
[Greater Origin (Greater Chaos) Mastery - Level 1]…?
Greater Chaos…?
And I have a new spell…
[Greater Origin Enchant]…
It costs 10 mana points…
Although she just learned the new Mastery along with a new spell and has yet to use the new spell, the basic details of the spell was sent inside her head the moment she opened the Mastery.
And it amplifies any skill or spell by x4…
She returned her focus to the four bandits and noticed that two of them running away.
Trying to escape…?
Or are they planning something else…?
She focused on the two bandits who were still standing.
I want to try this new spell…
An image of the 3-meter-tall alien-humanoid-octupus-like being flashed inside her head.
Right...
I can't afford to waste any more mana…
The bandit holding a mace activated a spell.
[Lesser Chaos Transformation].
Blaaak!
A long and thin two-elbowed arm with an ethereal pale grayish skin and was appropriate for a 3-meter-tall being burst out on each side of his rib.
The bandit holding a short short activated a spell as well.
[Lesser Chaos Enchant].
A light red lightning appeared on the left hand.
Vooom! Vooom!
They both charged towards Vivian.
And even if they choose to go for the hostages…
Well...
It doesn't matter…
Like hell I'm going to surrender for the sake of someone else…
Voooom!
Vivian turned into a blur.
Whooosh!
Whooosh!
And then appeared a few meters behind the two bandits.
[Lesser Chaos Transformation].
Blaaak!
The bandit holding a mace transformed into a 3-meter-tall alien-humanoid-octupus-like being.
[Lesser Chaos Transformation].
BLAAAK!
The bandit holding a short sword also cast the same spell. However, since he still had the light red lightning on his left hand, the moment he cast the [Lesser Chaos Transformation], the lightning spread all over his body and he transformed into a 6-meter-tall alien-humanoid-octupus-like being.
Vivian's jaw dropped.
"Holy shit…"
Vooom!
The 3-meter-tall demon bandit rushed over to the hostages.
WHOOOM!
Meanwhile, the 6-meter-tall demon bandit threw a punch at Vivian but she easily avoided it.
WHAAAM!
It flicked its 6-meter-long tail towards Vivian and she also easily avoided it.
What the hell…?
So it was only for show…?
In Vivian's head, since the bandit was 6 meters tall, she was expecting that it would be faster, kinda like a power-up.
Let's see if the sturdiness is the same…
Vooom!
She appeared next to its right foot.
Whooosh!
"GRAAAA…!!!"
She swung her weapon through its ankle and sliced it off completely, causing red blood to gust out as the demon bandit howled in pain.
Eh…?
So it's really nothing but for show…
THUD, THUD!
The 6-meter-tall bandit demon lost balance and immediately supported itself with its two arms while the other two extra arms aimed for Vivian.
Whooosh!
"GRAAA…!!!"
Whooosh!
"GRAAA…!!!"
Vivian ran around the 6-meter-tall while slicing off the wrists of the two arms supporting it.
THUD, THUD!
The demon bandit used its two remaining arms to support it.
Hmm…
Why is he not healing…?
WHOO-BAAAM!
The 6-meter-tall demon bandit tried to crush Vivian with its 6-meter-long tail but missed.
Whooosh!
GRAAAAAA…!!!
THUD!
Vivian sliced off its third wrist and it finally lost its balance and fell to the ground.
Hmm…
The head is too big for my sword…
And I don't want to bathe in blood…
[Lightning Arrow].
Pssscht!
A 15-inch-long arrow made out of lightning shot out of her left palm and penetrated into the 6-meter-tall demon bandit's head. And when the electrocuting effect stopped, she stopped as well.
Hmm…
It really didn't heal…?
She turned to the remaining demon bandit.
Robbie was fighting it.
Oh…?
He's already up…?
Vivian glanced at the dead 6-meter-tall demon bandit.
If I'm bound to fight more beings like this…
She shifted her gaze to her sword which was covered in blood.
I'm going to need a bigger weapon…
And then looked over at her left hand.
Well...
Good thing I have [Lightning Arrow]…
A satisfied smile appeared on her lips.
I always knew that the stunning or electrocuting effect would come in handy…
"Honored Priestess…!!!" a female voice called out.
Vivian turned to where the voice was coming from and saw that it was the woman in her mid-30s.
As for the children, they were guarding the body of their deceased father.
"I beg you to please help Robbie…!"
Vivian returned her gaze to Robbie and the remaining demon bandit.
Some of the eyes of then demon bandit noticed Vivian looking at him and the 6-meter-tall corpse of his companion. He pivoted and then ran to the opposite direction.
Everyone, including Vivian, were caught in a surprise.
He's running…?
Vivian then noticed the penetrating stares of Robbie, the mother and the three children.
Seriously…?
She let out a sigh.
Vooom!
And then chase after the demon bandit.
***
A few minutes later…
Vivian returned to where Robbie and the others were.
Hmm…?
Robbie was arranging the corpses of the demon bandits together. Meanwhile, the corpse of the deceased father was being guarded by the mother and children. The children in particular were hugging each other and sobbing.
They all then noticed Vivian.
Robbie stopped what he was doing and rushed over to Vivian. The mother went over to Vivian as well.
Robbie lowered his head.
"Honored Priestess, please allow me to introduce myself. My name is Robbie, a former Adventurer and Mercenary. I would like thank you, the God of Light and the Elemental Gods for helping us!"
Vivian waved her hand.
"It's fine."
The mother lowered her head as well.
"Honored Priestess, thank you so, so, so much…! Bless you, the Temple of Priests, and the God of Light…!" she said and then raised her head. "Are we safe now…? What happened to the demon-worshipper…? What about the rest…?"
"The demon-worshipper that I chased is dead. But for the rest of his companions, I don't know where they are."
"Honored Priestess, I think we should to Luxen City as soon as possible. We would be at a disadvantage if they came back with reinforcement. And we would be at a greater disadvantage during nightfall," Robbie said.
Vivian raised an eyebrow.
These people expect me to escort them…?
Well…
Come to think of it…
I also don't know where I am right now…
I delved too deep into the forest…
But if things get too dangerous...
Well...
"Sure, just lead the way," she said with a smile.
Robbie and the mother nodded.
"By the way," Vivian said. "Where is your carriage? I'm assuming that you will be bringing your companion's body as well?"
A bitter expression flashed across Robbie and the mother's face.
"To be honest, we have no idea where the carriage is. I tried looking for it while you were away but I didn't search too far because I don't want to risk leaving Mr. Fagan and the others," Robbie said. "But if you will give me 15 minutes while you stay here with Mr. Fagan and the others, I'm sure I'll be able to find it."
"Okay, no problem."
***
A couple of minutes later…
Robbie and the mother were moving the body of the father inside the carriage.
Although Robbie was able to find carriage, the Tamare or the animal that was pulling the carriage was killed by the bandits.
After moving the body of the father inside the carriage, Robbie and the mother looked at Vivian with an uncomfortable expression.
"What's wrong?" Vivian asked.
"Honored Priestess… We understand that you've risked your life protecting us and we will forever be grateful to you, the Temple of Priests and to the God of Light, but we have no idea how to transport the bodies of the demon-worshippers. The only demon-worshipper body that we can realistically carry is the one who hasn't transformed into a Lesser Demon form," Robbie said.
Huh…?
A Lesser Demon form…?
At the moment, there were 4 demon bandit corpses -- 1 was still in human form, 2 were 3 meters tall in Lesser Demon form, and 1 was 6 meters tall in Lesser Demon form.
There was also a 5th demon bandit corpse, the one that Vivian chased after.
"Why do we need to carry them?"
Robbie and the mother's eyes blinked.
"You don't want to collect the reward for killing them?" Robbie asked.
There's a reward for killing them…?
"We also won't take any part of the reward," Robbie added.
Vivian waved her hand.
"I don't mind sharing the reward. But even if I want to, I don't think I'll be able to carry these corpses."
Robbie nodded.
"That's what I figured out as well. But we can at least carry the one who hasn't transformed into a Lesser Demon and have your Temple resurrect and interrogate him about the rest of his companions, right?"
Wait…
Hold on…
Why is it like this person knows more about being a Priest than me…?
Robbie immediately lowered his head.
"I'm very sorry, Honored Priestess…! I didn't mean to tell you what to do…! You've helped us so much and we owe our lives to you so we want to help you and your Temple in any way we can…!"
The mother lowered her head as well.
"What Robbie said is correct… Please forgive me, Honored Priestess… We currently don't have that much because we lost our entire livelihood after experiencing the tragedy at Sierra Village… We tried to start a new life at Prism Town but it still didn't work… So now we're trying our luck at Luxen City… But in the name of the Elemental Gods and our family, we promise to properly repay you one day…!"
Vivian waved her hand.
"It's fine, really. But okay, let's carry the corpse of the bandit who hasn't transformed so that my Temple can prevent the rest of his companions from committing more crimes in the future."
Robbie and the mother raised their heads.
"Honored Priestess, one more thing," Robbie said.
"What?"
"Are you okay?"
Vivian knitted her brows.
"What do you mean?"
"You look so pale," he said and then took out two potions. "I have two Healing Potions here that could help you recover some of the blood loss."
As a former Adventurer and Mercenary, Robbie knew that Vivian being a Brown Cloak meant she doesn't have any Priest Class Magic spells. And if she does have the Light Affinity, because that's one of the main prerequisites to be a member of the Temple of Priests, [Heal] doesn't recover any blood loss sustained from an injury.
Huh…?
I look pale…?
Well…
I have been very busy lately…
But I feel perfectly fine…
Vivian held out her hand.
"I'm perfectly fine. Save those for yourself and the others in case those bandits return. But if you have a Mana Potion, I'll take it."
An apologetic expression flashed across Robbie's face.
"I'm very sorry… I already drank my last Mana Potion a while ago."