Villain's Requiem

Alex's POV

I let out a deep breath, the weight of the battle finally lifting from my shoulders.

"Sigh..." The sound escaped my lips as I turned away from the lifeless body of the bandit leader.

The ground was slick with his blood, and the air was heavy with the stench of death. I sheathed my sword, the metal scraping against the leather scabbard.

The familiar sound was a comforting reminder that the fight was over.

As I surveyed the aftermath of the battle, I couldn't help but think about the terror these bandits had unleashed on the neighboring village.

They had been a thorn in the side of the villagers for far too long, using their cunning and ruthlessness to evade justice.

But now, they were nothing more than a pile of bodies, a testament to the consequences of their actions.

My gaze fell upon the sole surviving structure, a makeshift hut that stood like a beacon amidst the destruction.

Haaa... I sighed, feeling a mix of exhaustion and relief. I began walking towards the hut, my footsteps echoing through the silence.

The wooden beams creaked in the gentle breeze, a stark contrast to the chaos that had ravaged the rest of the base.

As I stepped inside the hut, I was met with a sight that, although disturbing, didn't entirely surprise me. The interior was dimly lit, with only a few slivers of sunlight peeking through the gaps in the wooden beams. The air was thick with the stench of sweat, smoke, and something else - something acrid and unpleasant.

My gaze fell upon the six women, chained to the bed, their bodies bearing the brutal evidence of their ordeal. Their clothes were torn and tattered, their skin bruised and marked by the cruel hands of their captors. The women's eyes, sunken and haunted, met mine, filled with a deep-seated fear. Tears streaked their cheeks, and a faint, white liquid trickled from between their legs, a stark reminder of the horrors they had endured.

I approached the women, my movements gentle, as I began to untie their chains. As the shackles loosened, their tired eyes locked onto mine, searching for answers. "Who are you?" one of them whispered, her voice trembling with fear.

"I'm an adventurer," I replied, my tone calm and reassuring. "I was tasked with dealing with the bandits, and I've now taken care of them." The women sat in stunned silence, their minds reeling from the sudden change in their circumstances. They made no move to cover themselves, and I respectfully ignored their state, prioritizing their safety and well-being above all else.

After a few moments of silence, one of the women, her face a mask of emptiness, spoke up. Her voice was devoid of emotion, her tone flat and detached. "Did you kill them all?" she asked, her eyes fixed on mine.

I nodded, my response straightforward. "Yes." The woman's expression didn't change. She just muttered "I see".

As I gazed into their eyes, I saw a haunting emptiness, a loss of will to live.

Their eyes told a story of desperation, of hopelessness. I knew that each of them had their own unique struggles, their own reasons for wanting to give up.

But I didn't have the luxury of time to explore those stories. I had to make a decision, and fast.

"It's your choice," I said, my voice firm but gentle. I pulled out six knives from my side pocket and placed them in front of the women.

"You can choose to start anew, or to end your suffering. The decision is yours." I knew it was a harsh reality, but it was one they had to face.

I turned my attention to the task at hand, searching the destroyed huts for any valuable items.

I doubted I would find much, but I had to try. As I rummaged through the rubble, I found a few scattered coins, some broken pottery, and a handful of worthless trinkets.

But amidst the wreckage, I stumbled upon two items of note: the leader's war hammer and the vice leader's sword. I stored them in my ring, intending to sell them in Erantel.

Huuu... I let out a deep breath, knowing I had to move quickly.

The fight was sure to have attracted unwanted attention, and mutated beasts would be drawn to the scent of blood and destruction.

I couldn't afford to linger, not when danger lurked around every corner. I had to get out of there, and fast.

As I completed my task, I returned to the hut where the six women had been held captive. I pushed open the creaky door, and a faint smell of blood and sweat wafted out.

My eyes adjusted to the dim light, and I was met with a gruesome sight. The six women lay lifeless on the floor, their bodies pale and still.

Some had knives lodged in their chests, while others had their necks slashed open, their eyes frozen in a permanent stare.

I felt a pang of disgust, but it was quickly replaced by a sense of detachment.

"Disgusting. Oh well, nothing to do with me anymore," I muttered to myself as I began to retrieve the knives.

I carefully pulled out the blades, making sure not to touch the women's skin. As I worked, I whispered a quiet prayer. "I hope you find peace in your next life."

I couldn't help but feel a sense of sadness. These women had been through unimaginable trauma, and in the end, they had chosen to escape their suffering through death.

I understood why they might feel that way, but it was still a tragic end to their stories.

I finished retrieving the knives and stood up, my eyes scanning the hut one last time before I turned to leave.