Hiroshi launched another attack, but this time, instead of dodging, the rogue stood still, easily grabbing Hiroshi's sword, pulling it from his grip, and throwing it to the ground.
The rogue lifted Hiroshi by his neck and started slapping him viciously. With each slap, Hiroshi screamed in extreme pain.
"AAHHHHHHHH.....!!!!!!"
"This is what you get when you try to be a hero, boy," the rogue sneered, delivering another brutal slap.
Hiroshi's face was covered in bruises, and his clothes were soaked in blood. The rogue tortured Hiroshi until he lost consciousness and then threw him onto the village streets. Hiroshi's crimson blood stained the cobblestones beneath him as he struggled to take a single breath.
Tears streamed down the villagers' faces as they saw Hiroshi's innocent face covered in blood and bruises. "What are we going to do now?" one villager spoke with his shaky voice.
"I'm sorry, Mom. I couldn't fulfill my promise," Hiroshi spoke to himself as he passed out on the street.
The rogue went to his leader with a proud face and knelt before him. "My leader, the time you had given the boy is over."
"Yes, now go stand back," the rogue leader commanded. "Get your swords," he ordered his men.
All the rogues fulfilled their leader's command and drew their swords. "Rogues, on your marks," the leader said.
After listening to their leader's command, all the rogues stood next to the villagers, who were forcefully kneeling on the ground.
"Kill every single living being you see on my mark," the leader's words sent shivers down the villagers' spines. The rogues prepared to execute them.
The villagers closed their eyes and prayed for their safety, while the rogues mocked them.
The rogue leader's voice pierced the air. "Three... two..."
"Krrrr....!!!"
Before the rogue leader could give his men an order, he was interrupted by a loud noise of metal scraping on the ground.
The leader looked back, but the moment he turned around. His eyes widened in shock as he saw Hiroshi standing again, using his father's sword as support. Crimson blood dripped from Hiroshi's body onto the ground.
"N... No.... O...N.....E.... Dies..... Today...," Hiroshi declared with a trembling voice.
"The time you had given me is over, and I am still on my feet," Hiroshi stated, having won the challenge the rogue leader had given him.
"Yes, boy!!!" the Rogue leader said with a menacing look.
"I am Deeply Impressed With You, Boy, And We Are A Man Of Our Word. No One In This Village Will Die....." Rogue leader stated.
The Rogue leader continued after a brief pause,"Except You...." Just as the Rogue leader finished, he signaled his men to eliminate Hiroshi.
"Yes, my leader," the rogue said, rushing toward Hiroshi to kill him.
"Hiroshi, run! Run from here!" the villagers shouted, but Hiroshi didn't have the strength to move an inch. He stood still with his eyes closed, ready to meet his end.
As the rogue's sword was about to reach Hiroshi, a strong gust of wind appeared out of nowhere, sending the rogue's sword flying. The rogue was shocked. "What the..."
The rogue looked to his right and saw a strong sandstorm approaching the village. Before he could do anything, the sandstorm had reached the village, forcing everyone—rogues and villagers alike—to shut their eyes and grab onto something sturdy.
On the other hand, Hiroshi's body did not have the strength to move. He stood still with his eyes closed. The rogue sent to kill him was far from anything sturdy to hold onto. He lay on the ground, hoping for the best.
As the sandstorm hit the village, a loud cry of pain echoed through the air, but the sandstorm didn't just pass through; it settled in the village. It was like the sandstorm hit an invisible wall, which caused him to disappear from existence.
Just as the dust settled, the villagers and the rogue leader saw a shocking sight. The rogue who was supposed to kill Hiroshi was beheaded, his head rolling on the street like a ball.
The entire village fell silent as they watched the rogue's head roll. The silence was broken by the rogue leader. "Where is the boy? Find him now," he ordered his men.
Before the rogues could move, a magnificent black horse appeared out of nowhere, slowly approaching the villagers. They saw that the horse was carrying Hiroshi on its back. Hiroshi was unconscious and tied to the horse.
The rogues also saw Hiroshi on the horse. The rogue leader extended his hand toward the horse to use his dark magic, but the horse snorted aggressively at his gesture.
"This is the end for you, boy," the rogue leader said, his extended arm glowing with dark magic. But before he could use his power, he felt a sudden uneasiness behind him.
As the leader turned around, he saw a mysterious figure standing behind him. "You..."
The leader tried to use his dark magic on the mysterious figure, but before he could, the figure disappeared into thin air, startling the rogue leader.
The mysterious figure suddenly appeared next to his horse without anyone noticing and walked toward the villagers along with his horse. The villagers saw the mysterious figure wearing a black wooden mask with a weird symbol on it, shiny armor, and a crimson cloak. He was also equipped with a sword.