A girl named Narin let out a light yawn.

Being a bandit is something that should be done at a leisurely pace. After all, the reason she even started banditry was to avoid the tediousness of farming.

But why does this job seem to multiply whenever she feels she’s making some money?

Narin smacked her lips and asked her subordinate.

“So… you’re saying you want to expand our territory?”

“Yes! That’s right! Sister!”

“Why?”

“Isn’t it necessary to outperform the nearby Mountain Stronghold?”

“For what?”

“Um…”

The subordinate rolled his eyes.

“Our income is quite unstable, sister.”

“So, why?”

“The complaints from the subordinates are quite serious…”

“But they’re all getting three meals a day, aren’t they?”

“That may be true, but just eating well doesn’t satisfy a person, does it?”

“Stop beating around the bush and just say it. What do you want to say?”

“…Sister, shouldn’t we be able to work like other Mountain Strongholds? Honestly, I’m telling you, if we continue like this, we will all die together.”

Another yawn escaped her.

Narin pursed her lips and buried herself deeper into her seat.

“You need money, right?”

“That’s exactly it! Sister!”

“Money… would be nice. I could buy lots of delicious food, indulge in entertainment, and make the poor dance with just a single coin.”

“Yes! That’s right! Sister! That’s the fun of having money!”

“Good. If you’ve said that much, you must have a plan, right? Let’s hear it.”

“Yes! Sister! First… we only have one village under our control, right? We’re expanding that one and increasing our numbers! Additionally, we’ll collect the protection tax that we’ve neglected until now!”

“And then?”

“Then… instead of just collecting a toll, we’ll rob those passing by like other Mountain Strongholds! What do you think?!”

“Shake down even a single bag?”

“Well, maybe just leave them a little bit… what do you think?”

“What if there’s a Master among them?”

“Huh? No, sister… a martial arts master isn’t just some neighborhood dog you can ignore. Those who are strong usually act tough.”

“Is that so?”

“Yes! As long as you give your approval, Gwangyang will handle everything directly and deliver the tribute to you!”

“That sounds good.”

“Haha! Indeed, sister! You have the eye for business…!”

“However, it’s rejected.”

“Eh?”

Narin’s subordinate, Gwangyang, was taken aback.

“W-why…?”

“Even just collecting tolls is something we have to be sneaky about. If we rob people outright, who would pass along that road? If it were me, I’d take the long way around. Customers would just disappear, so just leave it be.”

“But sister…!”

“The toll collection is only possible because we’re maintaining the path and planting trees, right? We’re managing it; if we rob bags, we’re just bandits, aren’t we?”

“We are bandits! Sister!”

“Oh, right.”

“I know you’re not greedy, but even just once or twice! Just once or twice should definitely make you happy! You wouldn’t have to settle for such a meager meal anymore!”

“Well… to be honest, this already feels a bit excessive… I feel heavy knowing I’m eating well without farming.”

“Sister, your shoulders aren’t like a scarecrow’s, are they?! Just because of that much weight?!”

“But it feels a bit guilty. It’s one thing to collect tolls, but protection tax? I’ve honestly never kept anyone safe.”

“We’re protecting people! We are!”

Narin gulped down some water.

It’s true they’re bandits. It’s only natural to feel like a thief when making money doing nothing. Narin was well aware of her position.

But honestly, extending her reach beyond that was something she wasn’t keen on.

I mean… not farming… just sitting around all day… lounging about…

It honestly pricked her conscience to take advantage of the hard-working folks around her.

“Gwangyang.”

“Yes, sister.”

“Let’s just make a few more roads.”

“No, sister, please!”

“Let’s do some landscaping… plant some pretty trees… and if we plant flowers, wouldn’t it be fair to charge a little more for the tolls?”

“But we’re bandits! Not landscapers!”

“That is true… um… it is true…”

“Anyway, sister! I’m fine! I’m okay with it! But the guys below are grumbling! They’re talking about leaving for another Mountain Stronghold! Not to mention, a big one that claims to be part of the Green Forest 72 Strongholds is encroaching on our territory, how can you be so nonchalant…!”

“Wasn’t that just a rumor?”

“Sister!!!”

Narin relaxed with her legs crossed.

“Gwangyang. How many years has it been since you and I have been together?”

“Three years, sister! So shouldn’t you listen to me a bit already?!”

“You’re the brightest among the bandits. You may complain, but you don’t betray me. When everyone else turned their backs, you stayed with me and the kids, right?”

“S-Sister… are you finally acknowledging my loyalty…?”

“Then you know what I’m going to say, right?”

“Damn it! Sister, please!”

Gwangyang spat out a furious speech.

“Someone with talent should rise to the top! You need ambition! Sister! You’re talented and strong enough! Walk the path of the Bandit King! At this rate, we’re going to lose even the little income we have to the neighboring Mountain Stronghold!”

“Is there such a thing as a Bandit King? No matter how well we do, I only see a bitter road ahead…”

“That may be true…! If that’s the case, why are you banditing instead of becoming a wandering samurai?!”

“Being a samurai means you have to work.”

“Bandits work too!”

“I can make my subordinates do it.”

“No, damn it! So these subordinates are all trying to leave?! We have to gather public sentiment somehow! Are you going to sit by and suck your fingers while it’s just the two of us left?!”

“Well, at least one is remaining.”

“That’s not a positive attitude!”

Gwangyang wiped his face in exasperation.

“No, sister. Please, we’re family, aren’t we? I want to see you do well. I also want to do well myself. Ideally, I want to sleep in a warmer place than now. Sometimes I want to hug a girl too.”

“You shouldn’t speak of that in front of me.”

“It’s not a time to be shy about those things! Sister, there’s a limit to tolls! In the end, if it’s just the two of us left collecting tolls, if they come from another Mountain Stronghold, we won’t even be able to do that. We’ll really starve to death then.”

Gwangyang kowtowed.

“If we continue like this, we’re really going to go bankrupt. We should at least try it once. If you taste money, your heart might be moved!”

“I’m not keen… I’m really not keen…”

“Then at least get up and try to do something! If you’re going to only sit around and not feel like doing anything, what are you going to do?”

“Why was I born a human?”

“If you’re going to ponder such questions, you should study. But you haven’t even done that.”

Gwangyang spoke earnestly.

“Let’s just try robbing one person. Even if it’s just to gather public sentiment. There won’t be any blood on our hands! Absolutely! I don’t want to do it either, but I have no choice! We have to survive! Without the underlings, we can’t even do bandit work, can we? Are we going to lose everything we’ve built and end up on the street?!”

“…sigh…”

“Sister! Please!”

Narin thought it over. Public sentiment.

Well, she did need to gather it. If her subordinates all disappeared, she’d eventually have to work herself.

However, she didn’t want to cause any harm. To be honest, it feels wrong to act like a bandit; it’s a tug on her conscience.

Narin stealthily checked her emergency funds.

There’s still a decent amount left. Then…

She could pretend to rob, and later go after them to return the money, right?

“Just this once? If I don’t feel like it after doing it, I’ll just do some landscaping.”

“Yes! Sister! Trust me! I’ll bring back an enormous amount of money!”

“Rob appropriately. Don’t let things get bloody for no reason.”

“There won’t be blood! Really!”

“No, I’m serious, just rob appropriately.”

. . .

“Brother.”

“What?”

“Why doesn’t sister have any greed?”

Gwangyang, the bandit, glanced sideways.

Is that a new recruit? They’ve reached a point where the numbers aren’t holding, and every new recruit is precious.

Counting all of them together, they barely had over ten.

The ones in this place were the Mountain Stronghold’s entirety. That’s why Gwangyang tried to coax and soothe him.

“Sister also has deep intentions.”

“Do you know what those deep intentions are?”

“I do.”

He swallows back the words that say he doesn’t want to work but has strict morals.

After all, he’s the same. Damn it. Honestly, isn’t it the same for everyone, living while causing trouble for others feels bitter?

It’s just that he doesn’t know any other way, so he’s living this way. He can’t afford to lose everything and end up on the streets.

“You see, sister plans and acts thoughtfully. It might seem foolish right now, but in the end, it’ll all make sense.”

“…is that so?”

“Do you doubt that?”

“There aren’t many people around, even though there are plenty in the Mountain Stronghold.”

“Ha! That’s a bluff. It’s to keep the enemy off guard.”

“Who is the enemy?”

“Other Mountain Strongholds.”

“Why are you trying to keep the Mountain Strongholds off guard? Wouldn’t it be better to threaten them openly?”

Gwangyang’s patience hit its limit.

“What was your name again?”

“Yeonguk.”

“Yeonguk, yes. Damn it. If you say so, say it. Why are you so curious being the youngest?”

“I heard this was the major stronghold around here, but it seems completely different.”

“Kid, do you show everything to a newbie who just joined? Does that even make sense? You should hide at least 30% of your capability!”

“It feels like you’re hiding about 90% here… And isn’t that something martial artists say? It seems a bit far from bandits…”

“Did you unsheathe your sword?”

“Yes.”

“Then you’re a martial artist or not.”

“Isn’t it?”

—Smack!

The back of the youngest’s head nearly crashed into the ground.

“You’re a martial artist, kid. The moment you draw your sword, you’re a martial artist. That’s why we hide at least 30% of our ability. Got it?”

“…I-I don’t get it…”

“Come over here. Don’t dodge.”

“Y-yes, understood!”

“Seriously, kid. You should’ve figured that out sooner.”

The youngest slowly edged away. Gwangyang, leaning against a tree, saw another subordinate approaching.

“Brother.”

“What now?”

“Why are you treating sister like this? What kind of relationship do you have?”

“Sister is my little sister, damn it. What else could there be?”

“Honestly, I don’t get it. I know sister is strong, but that doesn’t mean she’s serious about being a bandit, right? I talked to the others; wouldn’t it be better to switch now? We’d rather live in a warm place, eat good food, gamble a bit… Anyway, I want to enjoy life. But right now, it’s just about grabbing some food!”

“……”

“Brother. Let’s move quickly even now. I heard the Green Forest 72 Strongholds are getting bigger. They’re creeping into our territory, so let’s switch before we get hit. I have connections; if it’s just us, we could manage somehow…”

“Damn. Have you never experienced being the youngest? In any group, you start from the bottom. You want to abandon sister? Are you crazy?”

“B-brother…”

“Who saved you from being killed by a tiger? I may be someone who survives by robbing others, but I do know one thing. You repay kindness with kindness. Don’t you all feel the same? Everyone here owes sister something. You bastards.”

“……”

“Shut your mouth and get ready to work. If you bring that up one more time, I’ll kill you. A person should have some decency; how can you take it for granted to betray someone who saved your life? Who the hell convinced you to do banditry? And now you want to toss her aside because you’re unhappy?!”

“Isn’t that what I’m saying?”

“Damn it! That’s not what I meant!”

Gwangyang rubbed his face.

“Shut up and get the kids ready to move. Something will be coming sooner or later.”

“Are all of them coming?”

“Sister said to rob just one. So we must rob a proper one. At least… yeah. A person with a heavy load should be good. If they look poor, just collect the toll and send them on their way.”

“What if it’s a warrior?”

“A warrior, damn it. Do you think they’re that common? Those who use swords usually don’t travel alone! We’ll primarily target those who are alone and look wealthy.”

“…isn’t that more suspicious?”

“Then should we pick a fight where we’re outnumbered? We’ll rob just one! Get ready!”

Gwangyang merely collected tolls from passing travelers.

Just one.

He aimed for just one person to let his leader taste the joy of money and open her eyes.

And soon, it arrived. A person carrying a massive load slowly approached, the setting sun casting a silhouette.

Starting from the wide-brimmed hat that hid his face, he emanated an aura of “I have a lot of money.”

He was large in stature. His face was hard to see.

But…

There didn’t seem to be anything particularly unique about the way he walked. His stride appeared just like that of an ordinary person…

He must be a big guy. Being alone, with a lot in hand, he was likely a merchant carrying goods.

Perfect!

“Hey!”

Gwangyang blocked the path with his subordinates.

“Drop everything you have and scram!”

“…….?”

A scarred face emerged from beneath the hat.

 

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