The Cuckmaker's System: Netori fromm the First Day-Chapter 17: The Camp

Kai left the house before the village stirred. The sky was still gray, air sharp with morning chill. He carried the new sword at his hip—nineteen silver lighter in his pouch, but the blade felt right: balanced, keen, the faint green rune on the guard catching light when he moved. The Storm Axe hung across his back, heavy and humming faintly, like it remembered the blood it had tasted.

He walked the road to Eldor fast. Two hours passed in silence, boots eating dirt, mind turning over numbers. Thirty silver base for the camp clear, ten extra for the mage’s staff. Forty total. Enough to buy a horse, armor, or just sit pretty for a month. With the axe’s shockwave and the new sword’s edge, he could take the ten men and mage. Maybe even come out ahead on loot.

Eldor’s gates were open when he arrived. Guards nodded—his face was known now. The guild hall smelled of leather, smoke, and yesterday’s ale. A dozen people milled around: a dwarf haggling over a bounty, two elves studying the board, bronze-rank kids laughing too loud in the corner.

The red-haired clerk spotted him from the counter. She leaned forward, elbows on the wood, smirk already forming.

"You’re back quick," she said. "Goblins didn’t eat you?"

Kai walked up, rested one forearm on the counter. "Goblins were easy. Looking for the bandit camp north of the river. Thirty silver. Still open?"

She pulled the parchment from the stack behind her. Skimmed it quick, eyes flicking up to him.

"Yeah. Ten confirmed, one low-rank mage—fireballs, nothing fancy. Hit three caravans last month. Guild wants them gone. Thirty base, ten extra if you bring the mage’s staff. Solo or team?"

"Solo."

She looked him up and down—slow, appraising—then at the Storm Axe on his back. One eyebrow lifted.

"Solo on a camp? Ballsy. Most bronze take at least two friends and still come back bleeding. You sure?"

Kai tapped the axe handle. "This handled their last leader. I’ll manage."

The clerk laughed—short, real, like she actually liked the answer.

"Cocky bastard. I like it. Last guy who said that came back missing an arm and half his pride. But you... you look like you mean it."

She stamped the parchment. Handed it over with a small grin.

"Due in five days. Bring proof or don’t bother coming back. Dead men don’t collect."

Kai folded the paper. "Anything else I should know?"

She leaned in a little, voice dropping like she was sharing a secret.

"Camp’s in a ravine—narrow entrance, good ambush spot. Mage stays in the back tent. Leader’s got a big two-hander, probably enchanted. They drink heavy at night—might catch them sloppy after dark. But don’t count on it. They’re mean bastards. Scouts say they’ve got a lookout on the ridge. Take him first or you’re cooked."

Kai nodded. "Thanks. I’ll hit them tonight."

She snorted. "Tonight? You’re insane. At least grab a healing potion. Five silver, counter over there."

Kai glanced. Shook his head. "I’ll pass. Save the coin."

She rolled her eyes. "Suit yourself. Just don’t die. I hate filling out the death forms. Makes my day shit."

Kai smirked. "I’ll try not to ruin your morning."

She laughed again—genuine. "Get out of here, hero. Come back with that staff and I might buy you a drink."

He walked fast. Road turned to trail, trees thickened. By late afternoon he reached the ridge overlooking the ravine.

Smoke rose from below. Camp sprawled along the narrow floor—tents, cookfire, horses tied. Ten men visible: four on watch, two by the fire, rest sleeping or sharpening blades. Mage sat outside the biggest tent—red robes, staff across his lap.

Plan formed fast.

Wait till night. Guards tired, leader half-drunk. Sneak in from the high north wall—steep drop. Drop down quiet, take out the watchmen first, then the mage. Shockwave the sleeping group if they woke.

Kai waited until full dark. Moon thin, clouds thick. Perfect cover.

He moved down the north slope—slow, deliberate. Boots placed carefully on loose dirt and rock. One wrong step and pebbles would rattle down the ravine wall, alerting the camp below. Breath shallow, controlled. Heart steady.

He reached the steep drop. Crouched low. Studied the camp again—ten men, same positions as before. Four on watch: one near the horses, one on the high ledge, two near the fire. Mage still in his tent. Leader by the biggest fire, flask in hand, laughing at something one of his men said.

Kai picked the high ledge guard first. Quietest approach.

He climbed the side wall—hands finding cracks, toes testing holds. Slow. Muscle by muscle. No rush. Sweat beaded on his forehead despite the cool air. Halfway up, a rock shifted under his boot—small clatter. He froze. Guard on the ledge didn’t turn. Kai exhaled slow. Continued.

At the top, he pulled himself over the edge. Guard’s back to him, leaning on spear, staring down at the camp. Kai rose silently. One step. Two. Close enough to smell the man’s sweat and ale.

Hand clamped over mouth. Sword in the other—fast, precise. Blade slid between ribs from behind, angled up toward the heart. Guard stiffened, eyes wide, muffled grunt swallowed by Kai’s palm. Legs buckled. Kai lowered the body slow—no thud. Blood warm on his hand. He wiped the blade on the man’s cloak. Moved on.

Next—horses guard. Kai dropped back down the wall, landed soft. Crept along the ravine floor, using shadows from tents and boulders. Horses snorted, shifted. Guard turned toward the sound.

Kai froze. Guard scanned, then relaxed, turned back to the fire.

Kai closed the distance. Ten paces. Five. Three.

Guard sensed something—started to turn.

Kai lunged. Sword through the back, under the left shoulder blade. Guard gasped, spear clattering. Kai twisted the blade, pulled it free. Man slumped forward. Kai caught the body, lowered it quiet against a rock. Blood pooled dark on the dirt.

Two down.

Third guard near the fire—standing, stretching, back to Kai. Kai circled wide, using tents for cover. Firelight flickered, threw long shadows. He waited for the man to turn away again.

Guard scratched his neck, yawned, faced the flames.

Kai moved—quick, low. Sword thrust from behind, straight through the kidney. Guard arched, choked sound. Kai yanked the blade free, clamped arm around throat, dragged him behind a tent. Guard kicked once, twice—weak. Went limp. Kai dropped him. Blood soaked the ground.

Three down.

Camp still quiet. Mage’s tent flap stirred—mage stepped out, staff in hand, looking around.

"Jor? You out there?" mage called low.

No answer.

Mage frowned. Staff tip glowed faint red. "Something’s off."

Kai crouched behind the nearest tent. Mage scanned the dark. Started walking toward the horses—toward the bodies.

Kai waited. Mage passed the tent. Back turned.

Kai stepped out. Axe off his back. Two steps. Mage heard—spun.

Fireball formed fast—red light bright.

Kai swung the axe. Shockwave exploded forward—ground cracked, dirt and rock blasted out. Mage staggered, fire ball fizzled mid-air. Staff flew from his hand.

Mage stumbled back. "You—"

Kai charged. Mage raised hands—another fireball.

Kai rolled under the flame. Heat scorched his back. Came up inside guard. Sword thrust—mage blocked with forearm. Blade cut deep—blood sprayed. Mage screamed.

Kai yanked the sword free. Slashed across the throat. Mage gurgled, dropped. Staff rolled in the dirt.

Kai grabbed it. Proof.

Camp woke. Shouts. "Mage’s down!"

Leader roared from the fire. "Kill him!"

Six men left. They rushed—swords, axes, one with a spear.

Kai spun the Storm Axe. Blue energy built.

First two came together. Kai swung wide—shockwave ripped out. Air boomed. Both flew back—bones cracked on rocks. One didn’t get up. Other crawled, groaning.

Three left.

Spearman charged first—long reach. Kai sidestepped, axe haft blocked the thrust. Spearman pushed—strong. Kai gave ground a step, then twisted. Axe head hooked the spear shaft, yanked it aside. Spearman stumbled forward.

Kai drove sword through the gut. Man gasped, dropped.

Two left—swordsmen. They circled—cautious now.

Kai backed toward the fire. Leader stepped forward—big two-hander raised.

"You took my mage," leader snarled. "You’re dead."

Kai grinned. "Try."

Leader swung—overhead chop. Kai rolled right. Axe slammed ground—shockwave cracked earth. Kai felt it in his teeth.

He came up swinging. New sword clashed with two-hander—sparks. Leader stronger—pushed Kai back two steps.

Kai ducked low swing. Axe haft caught the blade—jarred his arms.

Leader kicked. Boot hit Kai’s ribs. Air whooshed out. Kai staggered, ribs burning.

Leader pressed. Swing after swing—slow, heavy, powerful.

Kai parried—once, twice. Third swing—Kai rolled under. Came up behind. Axe shockwave—point-blank.

Blue blast hit leader’s back. Man flew forward, crashed into tent pole. Pole snapped. Canvas collapsed.

Leader roared, rolled to his feet. Blood on his lip. "Bastard!"

He charged again—wild now.

Kai met him. Sword blocked one swing. Axe caught the next—shockwave again. Leader flew back, hit the ground hard.

Kai stepped forward. Leader coughed blood, tried to rise.

Kai drove sword through his chest. Pulled it free.

Leader slumped. Dead.

Last man ran—into the dark.

Kai let him go.

Camp burned. Bodies still.

He searched tents—coin pouches, rings, potions. Forty silver total.

Mage’s staff in one hand. Leader’s two-hander as trophy.

He walked out of the ravine. Bloody, bruised, alive. 𝙛𝓻𝒆𝓮𝒘𝙚𝙗𝒏𝙤𝙫𝓮𝒍.𝓬𝒐𝙢

Back to Eldor by dawn.

Clerk saw him. Eyes wide.

"You... actually did it?"

Kai dropped the staff on the counter. "Mage’s staff. Camp’s clear."

She stared. Then laughed—loud, real.

"You’re insane. And alive. And rich."

She counted forty silver—extra for the staff.

"Silver rank now," she said. "Don’t die before you spend it."

Kai took the coin. Pouch heavy.

"Next job," he said.

She grinned. "Try not to make me do too much paperwork."

Kai left. Headed home.

Money. Power.

Women waiting.