Liberation.

Mission Name: Liberation
Rank: C
Mission Location: Universal

Challenges: N/A
Task:
There are outlying villages within the country that have been experiencing attacks from bandits for quite some time. Sometimes it is a raid, other times it is kidnapping and even worse…but these smaller villages have had enough. They have hired shinobi to find the bandits camp and liberate their people and to kill the bandits as a warning for any future would be scum that might try and prey on the villages.

Word Count Requirement: 2,000
Reward: 4,000 Ryo / 20 AP

Character Requirements: N/A
Character Exclusive: N/A

Link to Legacy Mission: Liberation

Deeb's Statistics.

Deeb really liked this part of the world, where winding rivers and rolling hills converge to create a breathtaking landscape. Amidst all its beauty lay small, charming hamlets that exuded a peaceful and serene vibe. But all was not well in these idyllic villages. For years, the residents were plagued by bandit raids that have left them anxious and uncertain about their future. Deeb was a seasoned traveller and had stumbled upon these villages during his travels. Unlike the superstitious and unfriendly people he had encountered before, the residents of these villages were amicable and welcoming. However, upon further inquiry, he discovered they were frustrated and helpless in the face of the bandit menace. Recently, hostages had been taken, and they weren't going to take it lying down. Determined to end the reign of terror, the villagers banded together and pooled their resources. And now, they were seeking the help of a skilled adventurer - someone like Deeb. Without hesitation, Deeb pledged his support to the cause. He knew that he had the skills and the determination to help these people find a lasting solution to their problems.

The man named Deeb stood before the group, his rugged appearance failing to mask the confidence he exuded. With their approval secured, he wasted no time departing, determined to track down the nearest camp of bandits. It was a race against time, and Deeb knew it. But his unwavering focus and determination helped him stay on track, and soon enough, he was hot on the trail of the elusive bandits. As Deeb reached the siege camp, its heavily guarded wooden palisade daunted him. Many men who posed a potential threat to the village would have to be present to construct such a rudimentary defence. He quickly assessed the situation and decided that catching the two sentries off guard and promptly overwhelming them would be the best course of action. From his vantage point, Deeb surveyed the number of tents, wondering if these bandits were cunning enough to use decoys to throw him off their trail. As he watched the two sentries, he couldn't help but wonder if these dastardly highwaymen trusted them enough to watch over their camp.

Deeb's muscles tensed as he sprinted towards the bandits, his eyes narrowing with a deep animosity following their ignorant movements. With swift and calculated actions, he embodied the villagers' resentment and magnified it by his desire to rid the river country of tyranny. Sensing the danger, the bandits drew their swords and shields, ready to defend themselves. But despite their valiant efforts, they were no match for Deeb's superior strength and speed. Without warning, the vagabond descended upon them, opening the first inner gate - the Gate of Opening. For the first time, Deeb felt comfortable in his skin. Deeb didn't execute the initial strike flawlessly due to inexperience, but it packed a powerful punch. The muscles in Deeb's sinewy right arm bulged, and the skin of his forearm smoothed as he used the Iron Veins Technique. Connecting cleanly with the hinge of the bandit's mandible, Deeb felt the clean snap of a bone in the chin. The bandit's hand released its grip on the curved sword as he collapsed in a contortion of wild curses.

The preemptive strike's speedy deliverance startled the scout's companion, who witnessed his ally collapse momentarily later—by fire's dim light, he was horrified to see a wide grin on the assailant's face. Guttural sounds of anguish were whimpering from the stricken man, who had lost the will to fight, possibly to live. After realising his only chance to find out if there were more bandits was by interrogating this person, Deeb informed the other man, " Now that'll be a story to tell your friends. " As soon as those words left his lips, the bandit took it as a sign that he was free to go. And the selfish man wasted no time in making his escape. Deeb mercilessly absconded after the selfish man, returning only after extracting what he needed from him. The howls of pain that Deeb extricated from the shell of the man roused his compatriots from their slumber.

They emerged from their tents like a swarm of hornets, moving purposefully towards the cries of the fallen as if Deeb had insulted each of their mothers. With a sense of caution, Deeb concealed himself behind the dense foliage of the trees that encircled him. He made himself almost invisible, preventing his presence from being detected by those who walked down the path, as he remained watchful and alert. As they passed by, it was without contrition that Deeb noticed the sheer inexperience of the men hunting him. Shinobi were known for their cunning and deceitfulness, while these civilians struggled to make a living raiding each other. This garrison needed to be better trained. But Deeb, an experienced observer, could perceive the potential threat the rowdy and ill-intentioned individuals posed to the vulnerable and defenceless villagers when they were amassed. He could envision the chaos and destruction they could bring upon the peaceful community and the dire consequences if their unruly behaviours were unchecked. Many walked past him, and Deeb eluded them by remaining silent.

The skilled hunter, Deeb, patiently waited in the treetops, carefully observing his prey. He chose his targets individually, taking them down with precision and stealth. Whenever his targets grew suspicious, Deeb strategically changed his position, always staying one step ahead of his prey. As the night sky slowly gave way to the first light of dawn, the crimson glow of the rising sun began to spread across the horizon, casting a soft, warm light over the camp. The air was still cool and crisp, infused with fresh dew and the faint aroma of woodsmoke from the previous night's fire embers. At some point during the evening, the Gate Of Opening and Iron Veins technique became unnecessary. The paranoid bandits set fire to the surrounding trees, which limited but did not halt Deeb's avenues for engagement. Having been up all night, the remaining bandits were beginning to look despondent. The brave warrior Deeb had cunningly seized the opportunity while the bandits gathered their troops. With his quick thinking, he herded them towards their camp, corralling them together like sheep - He managed to stay alert and composed, being prepared for any unforeseen last-ditch effort.

Grotesque effigies of cracked bones dangled from the bandit's tents, being held together by crude, unrefined leather that Deeb gathered from unburnt clothing. Horrific boons to terrify the living were scattered around the ashes of their former siege camp. As they tried to recover from the shock, a blood-covered Deeb aggressively charged towards the small group of cowards. Haughtily, he stopped a few metres away and declared his discontent with their rabble. "Seeing fear wheedle through you is disheartening! Conversationally, Deeb rebuked the silent men by taking a step forward, "Your descendants and ancestors will bear that shameful expression as if the maggots carved it into your bones." Deeb's sudden movement caught everyone's attention. He started stretching his legs as if preparing for a competitive sprint. His unexpected behaviour confused the group, and they momentarily forgot about their plan to outnumber Deeb. They ran away from the grim rebuke, jettisoning their weapons and shields to presumably move more quickly.

Their cowardice enraged him, triggering a primal instinct to chase them and deliver retribution. Deeb pressed his heel into the mud, and after a short pause, he sprinted forward after them with agile litheness. Upon catching up with the scared group of men, the wanderer charged and killed the slowest among them. With a terrifying display of strength and ferocity, Deeb dismantled the last remnants of the surviving marauders. After taking a moment to pray for their souls to receive punishment, he headed back to the campsite to locate the hostages who were being held captive. Deeb was aghast as he stumbled upon the sight of frail villagers tied up and confined within the tents. Some seemed frightened and intimidated by his battle-worn appearance, which only added to his heartache and concern. He could not fathom the immense hardships and horrendous acts of perseverance they must have undergone. His rage rekindled as he carefully released the restraints of the prisoners. They thanked Deeb and gathered what they could amongst themselves for the short journey home.

Breakfast was sorted as Deeb scavenged through the meagre supplies the bandits had pillaged from the surrounding villages. As he stood victorious over his fallen foes, Deeb knew his reputation as a fearsome warrior would grow. In the end, Deeb emerged victorious, having liberated the besieged villagers and killed the bandits as a warning to any future scum who might try to prey on the villages. The smoke clouds would draw the attention of shinobi from here to the following country. Sojourning here for too long could prove disastrous; scavengers would pick the skeleton of this battleground clean, and Deeb endeavoured to be elsewhere. As he departed, he navigated along the dusty, winding roads that he believed were frequented by the violent attackers who laid ambushes for unsuspecting travellers.

The vagabond's successful mission filled the people of the villages with immense joy, and they couldn't contain their excitement as he returned triumphantly. The bandit's reign of terror had finally ended, and the villages could finally breathe a sigh of relief. In the days that followed, the villagers went to the bandit camp to retrieve their stolen belongings. This symbolised the end of their suffering and the beginning of a new era of peace. From that day forward, the people of the villages knew they could always count on someone to defend their homes and families. The bandits who once terrorised the towns learned a valuable lesson: even the smallest communities could be a force to be reckoned with when they banded together.

Deeb was received with great kindness by the people who sheltered him. They provided him with the necessities of life, allowed him to take a refreshing bath, and offered him fresh clothes. They even prepared food according to his preferences to ensure his comfort. In return for the culling of the bandits and the return of their family and friends, they paid him a generous sum of two thousand ryo. Cherishing the fundamental kindness of the liberated people, Deeb felt very honoured and regretted his decision to leave. As much as he wanted to stay, he knew his presence was urgently needed elsewhere. In other places like this, there were people at the mercy of the inconsistent feudal struggles of the shinobi.

For ordinary people, it seemed like a constant struggle to get stronger. For the Ajin Tribe, weakness represented a grave threat to their very existence, as it symbolised the possibility of their extinction. The tribe faced a present-day existential crisis, as they recognised that their survival depended on their ability to remain strong and resilient in adversity. The fear of being too weak to defend themselves from outside threats was a constant source of concern and anxiety for the Ajin People. Many tales of nomads who were abducted and compelled to participate in gladiatorial games for entertainment circulated within the communities of the Ajin. The barbarity of the shinobi was crude and diverse, and Deeb recognised that brute force would not always yield triumph in the future.

He knew medicine would be highly sought after as a practical skill in dire circumstances. Deeb was not entirely familiar with the intrinsic nature of the human anatomy, but he was literate and intelligent enough to comprehend and learn. In the shops near the border, he had discovered several books that delved deep into the subjects that intrigued him. Having allies capable of taking care of others can be highly advantageous. These allies can help ensure those in need receive the support and attention they require while easing the burden on those caring for them. Seeking out and cultivating relationships with such allies, Deeb reckoned, would be a wise decision.

Word Count: 2,007.
Claims: Gate Of Healing 1,000/1,000 Gate Of Life 1,000/1000
Gains: 2,000 Ryo. +20 AP.  +1 Speed. +8 Vigor. +11 Strength.