Chapter 3: Becoming a Bandit
Chapter 3: Becoming a Bandit
March 31, 2017
Never underestimate the determination of a foodie when it comes to food; these guys are capable of anything to satisfy their cravings.
However, not all foodies are created equal. Some enhance their intelligence solely for the sake of food, while others might turn brainless in their pursuit. Our foodie, though, was a unique case—belonging to the third category, he neither improved nor deteriorated. But this lack of change only fueled his determination, making him exceptionally decisive in his actions, a trait often associated with the term 'idiot'.
Lu HaiKong quickly assessed the strength of the bandit, realizing he couldn't win in a direct confrontation. However, the absence of a head-on clash doesn’ Ransomware Attack Targeting K-12 Schools
FBI
Ransomware
Cyber Attack
Lu HaiKong first spent over half an hour in the bushes by the mountain path, gathering a large bundle of wild vegetables. It seemed that the Refugee profession was either too low-level or too easy to level up, as Lu HaiKong's efforts were quickly rewarded with a level-up to Level 4, and his experience bar was already more than halfway filled, indicating that Level 5 was not far off.
Initially, Lu HaiKong had planned to reach Level 5 before taking action, but since the two consecutive level-ups didn't grant him any attribute points, he decided to stop leveling up and take action. He ventured into the small forest by the mountain path and picked up a bowl-width tree branch. After tying the wild vegetables to it, he carried them towards the bandits.
When he was about five meters away from the bandits, Lu HaiKong stepped off the mountain path and put down the vegetables. He cautiously approached to investigate, as his tactics were designed assuming there was only one bandit. If there were more, Lu HaiKong would have to admit defeat and plan for a future revenge.
Lu HaiKong stealthily moved forward and soon spotted a bandit standing in a pile of bushes by the mountain path, staring blankly at the path. Lu HaiKong observed the bandit for two to three minutes, and the bandit didn't move a muscle, confirming his belief that this guy was just a regular monster.
Lu HaiKong then carefully checked the surroundings and was relieved to find no other bandits. However, he did spot his stolen vegetables and rabbit, along with a tattered wooden crate next to them. This discovery excited Lu HaiKong, strengthening his resolve to defeat the bandit. He cautiously retreated to his original position.
Lu HaiKong returned to where he had dropped the vegetables, picked them up, and headed towards the mountain path where the bandit was standing.
One step, two steps, and as the foodie reached the designated spot, the bandit emerged once again, full of bravado.
"Hey, you refugee, pay the toll!" The bandit's actions, words, and tone were identical to before. This time, Lu HaiKong was no longer intimidated by the tall bandit. He was now certain that this guy was just a regular monster, and he felt ashamed for being robbed by him earlier. Even foodies had their pride!
Despite his shame, Lu HaiKong's initial reaction to the bandit was almost identical to the previous encounter. He took the vegetables off his back and stared blankly, seemingly offering no resistance as he handed them over.
As the bandit took the vegetables from Lu HaiKong, Lu HaiKong made his move. This cunning foodie had prepared extensively to deal with the bandit, and he hadn't forgotten to tamper with the vegetables.
The bundle of vegetables appeared light, but Lu HaiKong had hidden a stone inside. When the bandit took the vegetables with one hand, he was unprepared for their weight and lost his balance, leaning forward.
Seizing the opportunity, Lu HaiKong swung the wooden stick, hitting the bandit's hand and knocking the rusty knife out of it. Unexpectedly, the bandit stumbled and fell to the ground due to the combined effect of the stone in the vegetables and Lu HaiKong's strike.
With the bandit on the ground, Lu HaiKong had the upper hand. The gap in strength between them wasn't significant, and with Lu HaiKong's sneak attack and the bandit's lack of wit, Lu HaiKong easily overpowered the unfortunate bandit.
(End of Chapter 3)
Initially, after defeating the bandit, Lu HaiKong felt a twinge of guilt, but it was short-lived. The system's notification and the intense sense of leveling up, even stronger than before, instantly swept away any lingering remorse. The author's decision to place this carefree foodie in a harmonious society was indeed brilliant; otherwise, who knows what chaos this character might have caused.
"Congratulations on defeating a Level 1 Bandit. You've gained 50 Experience Points."
"Your Refugee Experience has reached 100%. Level Up! You are now Level 5. Experience required for the next level: 0. Your Refugee profession has reached its maximum level. Please consider changing to a higher-level profession."
It seemed that the Refugee profession could only reach Level 5, but reaching this level gave Lu HaiKong a pleasant surprise. The attribute panel, which had been empty before, now displayed some content at Level 5. However, all four attributes remained at 1, much to the foodie's dismay. Thankfully, he gained a Free Attribute Point.
Lu HaiKong was thrilled about the Free Attribute Point, but he didn't add it right away. Instead, the foodie patted his buttocks and happily retrieved the wild vegetables that had been stolen earlier. Finding the wild rabbit still inside, he finally felt relieved. Then, with excitement, he opened the wooden crate next to the vegetables.
The crate didn't hold much—just a few dozen copper coins and a small card. Picking up the card, Lu HaiKong discovered it was an 'Application for the Bandit Profession'.
Application for the Bandit Profession
Profession Level: Ordinary
Description: Allows a Refugee to change profession to Bandit.
Requirements: Refugee Level 5, 20 Copper Coins.
The Bandit profession didn't seem like a decent job, but Lu HaiKong was the main character. He had to embody positive energy and uphold the theme of peace and justice. As a time-traveler, wouldn't it be embarrassing to not choose a hidden profession? So, Lu HaiKong was expected to take this opportunity... What the hell? He threw away the script! This protagonist didn't follow the plot at all and immediately changed professions.
Lu HaiKong counted his copper coins—27 in total, 7 more than needed for the profession change. Without hesitation, he initiated the process, and a radiant light enveloped him.
When the light faded, Lu HaiKong's tattered clothes transformed into the coarse attire of the bandit he had just defeated. A rusty knife appeared in his hand, and his physique seemed to have become more robust. The transformation was complete; he was now a newly-minted bandit.
After the profession change, the excited Lu HaiKong, feeling a surge of power, eagerly opened his attribute panel.
Name: Lu HaiKong
Profession: Bandit Lv: 01
Attributes:
Strength: 2
Agility: 2
Intelligence: 1
Constitution: 2
Free Attribute Point: 1
Talent: Unlocked
Skills: None
Status: Healthy
Lu HaiKong's attributes were similar to those of the bandit he had defeated, which displeased our foodie. Unwilling to accept that a mere monster had the same attributes as him, he added the Free Attribute Point to his Intelligence, bringing all four attributes to 2.
As the foodie admired his improved attributes, the system delivered another message.
"Bandit King Wang DaMaZi has learned of your profession change and is interested in meeting you. He invites you to join his bandit camp within five hours. If you arrive on time, he will teach you a basic martial arts skill. Failure to comply will result in a hundred bandits being dispatched to hunt you down."
"Is this a quest? Is this a quest?" The foodie was thrilled to see a countdown and a virtual arrow indicating the direction. He quickly gathered his belongings and set off in the arrow's direction.
One more thing caught Lu HaiKong's attention: the bandit he had defeated earlier had disappeared from the bushes, presumably due to a respawn. In its place were three or four copper coins. This further reassured Lu HaiKong, making him less concerned about taking down bandits single-handedly.
Chapter end
Report
