The Cuckmaker's System: Netori fromm the First Day-Chapter 11: The Ambush

Kai reached the mill right as the sky started turning gray. Tomas was already there, tying down the last sack of flour on the cart. Two other guys were with him.

"Kai," Tomas said, wiping his hands on his pants. "Glad you made it. This is Garr—he’s my usual guard. Crossbow man. And Benn—he’s riding along with his cloth. Pays extra for the trip."

Garr was short, thick arms, beard going gray. He gave Kai a quick nod. "Heard you punched a dire wolf to death. That true?"

"Yeah," Kai said. "It happened."

Garr snorted. "Hope you can do the same to bandits."

Benn was taller, skinny, looked like he’d rather be anywhere else. He shook Kai’s hand quick. "Thanks for coming. Last run I lost half my stock. Can’t afford another one."

Tomas climbed up front. "Let’s move. Dawn’s breaking. We ride steady, stop once for water, aim for Eldor by dark."

Garr sat on the back with his crossbow ready. Benn next to him. Kai walked beside the cart, sword at his side, eyes on the trees.

First couple hours were boring. Just dirt road, fields, birds. They talked a bit.

"You from around here?" Garr asked after a while.

"No," Kai said. "Far away. Ended up in the village."

Benn laughed a little. "Sounds like half the adventurers I meet. Truck story or something?"

Kai didn’t answer that. "What about the bandits? How many usually?"

Garr reloaded his crossbow while he talked. "Five, six. Swords mostly. One or two with bows. They block the road, grab what they can, run if it gets hot."

Benn rubbed his shoulder like it already hurt. "They’re getting meaner. Used to just take goods. Now they cut people if they fight."

Kai gripped his sword. "They won’t today."

Around noon they stopped at a stream. Horses drank. Everyone ate from their packs. Tomas passed around water.

"Halfway," Tomas said. "Forest gets thick ahead. Eyes open."

They got moving again. Trees closed in—dark, tall, branches hanging low. Perfect spot.

It happened fast.

A big log rolled across the road—fresh cut, blocking both ways. Horses reared. Cart jerked to a stop.

"Ambush!" Garr yelled. He had his crossbow up in a second.

Bandits poured out—six from the left, four from the right. Ragged clothes, scarred faces, weapons out. One in the back had a bow already drawn.

"Drop everything!" the leader shouted. Big guy, two-handed axe on his shoulder. "No one dies if you’re smart!"

Tomas cursed under his breath. "Not again."

Garr fired first. Bolt hit a bandit square in the chest. Man dropped without a sound.

Kai drew his sword. "Stay with the cart. I’ll take front."

Benn grabbed his spear, hands shaking. "I’m trying."

Three bandits rushed Kai at once.

First one swung a rusty sword high. Kai stepped inside the swing, slashed across the stomach. Man screamed, guts spilling, fell.

Second stabbed low. Kai twisted, caught the blade on his sword, kicked the guy’s knee sideways. Bone snapped. Bandit howled and went down.

Third came from the side with an axe. Kai ducked the chop—axe bit into the dirt. He came up fast, drove his sword through the man’s throat. Blood sprayed. Body dropped.

Garr fired again. Bolt took another bandit in the leg. Man limped back cursing.

Benn thrust his spear at one trying to climb the cart. Hit the arm—blood. The bandit swung back with a short sword. Benn blocked with the spear shaft, but the force knocked him off balance. Axe grazed his shoulder. Benn yelled.

Tomas cracked the reins. "Hold them!"

The bowman in the back fired at Garr. Garr rolled off the cart—arrow thunked into the wood where his head was.

Kai sprinted toward the bowman. The man nocked another arrow, aimed at Kai. Kai zigzagged—arrow missed by inches. He closed the gap, slashed the bow in half. Bowman dropped it, pulled a dagger.

Kai punched him once—jaw broke. Man crumpled.

Now the leader stepped forward. Huge axe, faint blue glow along the edge.

"Magic weapon," Garr muttered from behind the cart.

Leader grinned. "Storm Axe. You’re done, kid."

He swung. Blue energy crackled. Shockwave exploded out—dirt and rocks flew. Kai jumped back, but the force knocked him off his feet. He hit the ground hard, rolled, got up fast.

Leader charged. Axe high. Kai dodged left—the axe slammed down, cratered the road. Shockwave again—Kai felt it in his bones, but he stayed standing.

Kai slashed at the leader’s side. Blade bit deep—blood poured. Leader roared, swung back. Kai parried—the blue energy shocked his arms numb for a second. Sword almost flew out of his hand.

Leader kicked. Boot hit Kai’s chest. Kai flew back, crashed into the cart side. Wood splintered.

Benn shouted, "Get up!"

Kai stood. Blood on his lip. No real damage.

Leader laughed. "Tough. But not enough."

He raised the axe high. Blue light built brighter—big one coming.

Kai waited. Leader swung down—massive shockwave.

Kai rolled forward under the swing. Came up inside the man’s guard. Slashed across the chest—deep cut. Leader staggered.

"You... how?"

Kai didn’t answer. Thrust straight through the heart. Pulled the sword out.

Leader dropped. Dead. 𝕗𝐫𝐞𝕖𝕨𝐞𝗯𝚗𝕠𝘃𝐞𝚕.𝐜𝗼𝚖

The last three bandits looked at the bodies. Then ran into the trees.

Garr stood up. "They’re gone."

Tomas climbed down. "Everyone okay?"

Benn clutched his shoulder—bleeding but not bad. "Yeah. Thanks to him."

Garr looked at Kai. "That was... insane. You took eight men. Alone."

Kai wiped his sword. "They weren’t that good."

Tomas stared at the axe on the ground. "That’s a rare weapon. Magic-imbued. Worth a lot."

Kai picked it up. Felt the hum.

[System: Rare weapon acquired – Axe of the Storm (Shockwave Strike skill). +80 EXP. Strength +10 when equipped.]

Kai slung it on his back. "I’ll keep it."

They cleared the road. Tied the wounded bandits for the guild. Moved on.

Rest of the ride was quiet. Garr kept glancing at Kai like he was seeing a ghost.

"You joining the guild?" Garr asked near dusk.

"Already did," Kai said. "Bronze rank."

Garr laughed. "You’ll be silver in a week."

They reached Eldor at dark. Paid Kai twelve silver total—extra from Benn and Garr.

"Stay safe," Tomas said. "Come back for more runs."

Kai nodded. Found an inn. Cheap room.

Lay down with the new axe next to the bed.

Tomorrow—goblin hunt from the board.

More money. More EXP.

And when he got home—Elara waiting. Lira next.