My Living Shadow System Devours To Make Me Stronger Chapter 1169 - 1170: Human Error

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Previously on My Living Shadow System Devours To Make Me Stronger...

Ranar encountered a spectral figure resembling her mother in a fog-filled realm, which Gunter warned was a dangerous illusion. The group discussed the afterlife, with Ric explaining the "Circle of Life and Death" governed by various gods and True Demons, including the paradoxical "Unknown God" who offers choice. Gunter revealed his hatred for demons due to a past village massacre, while Ranar expressed her forgiveness towards her mother's killer, Morticai, contrasting with her father's view.

The fog gradually thinned, and the mountain road widened.

For some reason, Ric noticed that Gunter and the two female adventurers had become much more tense.

"Watch where you’re stepping."

"And keep your eyes peeled for anything suspicious."

Gunter scanned the trees and jagged rocks while advancing one careful step at a time. One hand rested on the hilt of his sword, ready to draw it at a moment’s notice.

Ric instinctively moved closer to Ranar to shield her.

Honestly...

It wasn’t necessary.

She was by far the strongest person in their group.

No one here came close to her strength.

Gunter continued forward without another word.

His cautious behavior spread through the group until everyone fell silent.

Half an hour later, he finally let out a quiet breath.

The fog had become much thinner.

They could clearly see the road ahead.

This time, it wasn’t littered with skeletons.

Instead...

The trees themselves were decorated with hanging skulls and rotting corpses swaying gently in the mountain breeze.

Ranar’s expression grew increasingly disgusted.

Gunter suddenly crouched.

His eyes narrowed as he noticed a concealed trap buried beneath the dirt.

He quietly waved everyone around it.

Just as they stepped past—

Whoosh!

An arrow whistled through the air before burying itself into a nearby tree.

"Who dares enter our turf?"

"Since you’re here..."

"Leave your valuables."

"And your women."

"Hahaha!"

"Ahhh!"

"Yayaya!"

Rough laughter echoed from every direction.

Men wearing stitched monster hides emerged from the trees. Strange symbols were painted across their faces, and each carried crude weapons stained by years of use.

Within moments...

They had surrounded the group.

Gunter immediately drew his sword.

Ric and the two female adventurers followed suit, forming a defensive circle around the children.

Ranar stood frozen for a moment.

These people...

Were human.

Just like her.

Yet somehow...

They looked even more savage than the lesser orcs.

"Ahahaha!"

"Look what we have here."

"A few little ladies to keep us company."

Ranar felt the hairs on the back of her neck stand up.

Gia gritted her teeth.

If they fell into these people’s hands...

Death would be the kinder fate.

It was difficult being a man in this world.

It was hell to be born a woman.

Gunter kept his sword leveled, silently observing the positions of the archers hidden among the rocks and the mages standing farther back.

Then he spoke calmly.

"We only seek safe passage."

"We’re willing to surrender our belongings if you spare our lives."

"But if you corner us..."

"We’ll fight."

"And some of you won’t be leaving this mountain."

For a heartbeat...

The bandits fell silent.

Then they burst into loud laughter.

A broad-shouldered man stepped forward.

His chest was bare, his face covered in crimson tattoos.

A pair of wolf ears rested atop his head, revealing his beastkin heritage.

Across his shoulder rested a chipped greatsword worn down by countless battles.

His grin exposed rows of blackened, decaying teeth.

"You dare threaten us?"

"Good."

"I’ll make sure you join the women."

"You’ll serve us for a few days before you die."

On second thought...

This world wasn’t only cruel to women.

It was cruel to everyone too weak to resist.

Those who lived in the Anarchy Mountains had long abandoned honor.

Here...

Those with dignity were either powerful...

Or dead.

There was no middle ground.

Gunter swallowed.

He didn’t want to die.

But they were badly outnumbered.

"I’m sure..."

"We can work something out."

The bandit leader’s eyes slowly drifted toward Ranar.

She was only ten years old.

Even so...

Anyone could tell she would one day become breathtakingly beautiful.

His grin widened.

"Well..."

"You boys can leave."

"But everything stays."

"Especially that pretty little thing."

"I just happen to need a wife."

The moment those words left his mouth—

Ric’s expression turned ice cold.

"Screw off."

"We aren’t leaving anyone behind."

"And you aren’t taking anyone."

He stepped forward, ready to charge.

Ranar gently caught his arm.

Then...

She walked toward the bandit leader herself.

"I’m sorry."

"I’m far too young to be anyone’s wife."

"And even if I were older..."

"I wouldn’t marry someone so foul and low in character."

She smiled politely.

"That said..."

"If you truly wish to marry me..."

"I wouldn’t be opposed."

"...Provided my father approves of you."

She tilted her head.

"If you’re smart..."

"You’ll turn around and leave."

The bandit leader laughed.

He found her courage amusing.

He released the aura of his Second Class Advancement and strode toward her.

Without hesitation, he reached out to grab her.

The next instant—

His body disappeared.

Boom!

He smashed through a nearby tree before crashing into the ground.

Silence fell.

Every pair of eyes slowly turned toward the little golden-haired girl.

"Attack!"

One of the bandits screamed.

But Ric and Ranar had already moved.

A blast of magic struck Ranar head-on.

She didn’t even flinch.

She walked through it.

She grabbed the caster by the head and slammed him into the ground.

Once.

Twice.

Three times.

Only after he lost consciousness did she let go.

Another bandit rushed her with a battle axe.

She caught the weapon mid-swing.

With a single pull, she yanked him off balance, lifted him into the air, and slammed him into the earth with frightening force.

On the other side...

Ric dove straight into the middle of the bandits.

Using only the flat of his sword, he disarmed them one after another.

Every strike was precise.

Every movement controlled.

Broken wrists.

Bruised ribs.

Dislocated shoulders.

Not a single fatal blow.

Gunter and the two female adventurers showed no such restraint.

Years of war had long since buried mercy within them.

Gunter drove his sword straight through one bandit’s throat, the blade bursting from the back of his neck before he ripped it free in one brutal motion.

Without pausing, he spun and beheaded another.

Gia slipped through the battlefield like a shadow.

A dagger pierced one man’s ear before the second found his throat.

The other female adventurer thrust both hands forward.

A violent gust of wind exploded outward.

Five bandits standing too close to the mountain’s edge lost their footing.

Their screams faded into the abyss below.

"Run!"

"Retreat!"

"She’s Fourth Class!"

The surviving bandits broke ranks and fled in panic.

They hadn’t expected someone so young to possess such overwhelming strength.