He aimed and released.
The spear tore through a bandit’s shoulder, pinning him to the wall. The man screamed, struggling uselessly as blood ran down the stone.
Two more bandits tried to flank the undead, blades raised.
Too slow.
The undead spun, its fist smashing into one man’s ribs while its knee drove into the other’s abdomen. Both collapsed, coughing blood, before a final strike ended them.
The remaining bandits faltered.
Fear spread across their faces as they realized the truth, this wasn’t a fight. It was an execution.
One of them dropped his weapon and tried to run past Aiden.
Aiden met his eyes and flicked his wrist.
The bone spear pierced the man’s leg, sending him crashing to the ground with a scream. The undead reached him a heartbeat later.
Silence followed.
Bodies littered the cavern floor. Torches crackled softly, their flames reflecting off bloodstained stone.
Aiden lowered his hand, his breathing steady despite the dull ache spreading through his arm.
"...It’s over," he murmured.
The bronze undead returned to his side and stood still, awaiting further orders, while the bandit camp lay completely wiped out.
Aiden searched the bodies one last time before leaving the cave. From the bandit leader’s corpse, he took a small pouch and a crude iron emblem marked with scratches and dried blood, proof of leadership, and proof that the job was done.
Once outside, the night air felt colder, cleaner. He dismissed his undead and began the journey back to town, moving along the mountain path as dawn slowly crept over the horizon. By the time the wooden walls of the town came into view, the sky had already begun to lighten.
The guards at the gate straightened when they saw him.
"It’s sir Aiden," one of them whispered.
Without delay, he was escorted straight to the mayor’s office.
Inside, the mayor was standing by his desk, speaking quietly with the head captain. When the door opened and Aiden stepped in, both men turned.
The mayor froze.
"...You’re back already?" he said, disbelief plain on his face.
Aiden walked forward and placed the iron emblem and the pouch on the desk.
"The bandit camp is gone," Aiden said calmly. "All of them."
The mayor stared at the items, then looked back at Aiden. His eyes widened, and for a moment, he seemed at a loss for words.
The head captain sucked in a sharp breath. "That fast...?"
Aiden gave a small nod. "They won’t be troubling the roads anymore."
The mayor exhaled slowly, then laughed—a short, incredulous sound. "I thought it would take you a day at least. I guess, I underestimate you."
He straightened, his expression turning serious as he bowed deeply. "On behalf of this town, thank you."
The room fell silent for a moment.
Then the mayor reached beneath his desk and took out a heavy pouch, setting it down with care. The weight of it was obvious even before he pushed it toward Aiden.
"Five gold coins," the mayor said. "As promised. Every single one."
Aiden took the pouch of gold, weighed it once in his hand, then looked back at the mayor.
"Thank you, sir," he said calmly. "However, I should let you know, I’ll be leaving the town tomorrow."
The mayor blinked, clearly caught off guard. "Tomorrow?" he repeated. A faint smile followed, mixed with a hint of regret. "You’re leaving earlier than I expected."
He let out a quiet sigh and shook his head. "I suppose someone like you was never meant to stay in a place as small as this for long."
The mayor straightened and walked around the desk, stopping a few steps away from Aiden. His expression was sincere, free of the caution he usually wore.
"Then allow me to say this properly," he said. "Thank you, for everything you’ve done for my town. Because of you, the roads are safe again. Merchants will return. People can sleep without fear."
He bowed, not as a mayor, but as a man offering genuine gratitude.
"I wish you a safe journey," he continued. "May your path be smooth, wherever you decide to go next."
Aiden inclined his head in return. "I appreciate it. Take care of the town."
As he turned to leave, the mayor watched him go, eyes thoughtful. He had a feeling that this wasn’t the last time he would hear the name Aiden, but wherever that name appeared next, it would be far beyond this poor little town.
----
The next morning, Aiden left the town with a caravan.
Several wagons were already lined up outside the gates, their wooden frames reinforced with iron bands, sacks of goods stacked high and covered with thick cloth. Merchants moved back and forth, shouting instructions, while hired guards checked their weapons and adjusted their armor.
Aiden had chosen this caravan carefully. Its destination was the city he wanted to reach, and the journey would take at least two days. Rather than travel alone, he applied as an escort.