The Transmigrated Author

As we made our way deeper into the Iron Fist territory, the oppressive atmosphere grew heavier.

The further we walked, the more modern and industrial the surroundings became.

Towering metal structures loomed over us, belching smoke into the already hazy sky. The people here moved with purpose, their faces set in grim determination. Your journey continues with My Virtual Library Empire

"This place gives me the creeps," Christian muttered, his eyes darting nervously from side to side.

Anouz nodded in agreement. "It's like everyone's afraid of their own shadow."

I remained silent, observing everything around me.

This version of the Iron Fist territory was far more developed than I had originally envisioned. The mix of medieval poverty and near-modern industry was disturbing, to say the least.

"Hey what's that?"

As we rounded a corner, we came face to face with a massive statue.

It depicted a muscular figure with a clenched fist raised high, its face obscured by a helmet.

At its base, an inscription read: "Strength Through Unity, Unity Through Strength."

DING!

[Second Landmark Has Been Discovered!]

[Landmark of the Iron Fist: Statue of Power (2/3)]

[5 Skill points have been added...]

"Well, that's subtle," Anouz remarked dryly.

I studied the statue carefully. "This must be their leader, or at least a representation of their ideals."

Christian shifted uncomfortably. "So, where to next? We still need one more landmark."

Before I could respond, a commotion erupted nearby. A crowd had gathered, their voices raised in anger and fear. We exchanged glances before cautiously approaching.

In the center of the throng, two Iron Fist soldiers were roughly manhandling a young woman. Her clothes were tattered, and she was pleading desperately.

"Please, I didn't steal anything! I was just looking!"

One of the soldiers sneered. "Looking with your hands, more like. You know the punishment for theft, street rat."

***

The three of them stood frozen at the edge of the crowd, their eyes fixed on the unfolding scene.

The young woman's terrified face was streaked with tears as she cowered before the soldiers.

Her simple dress was torn at the shoulder, and her dark hair fell in tangled waves around her face.

"I swear on my mother's grave, I didn't take anything!" she pleaded, her voice cracking with desperation.

The taller of the two soldiers grabbed her by the arm, yanking her forward with such force that she stumbled and nearly fell.

"Tell it to the Magistrate, he loves hearing the pathetic excuses of thieves before sentencing them."

Rel, Anouz, and Christian exchanged uneasy glances.

"We should do something," Christian whispered, his hands clenching into fists at his sides.

Rel's expression remained carefully neutral as he assessed the situation.

"There could be more soldiers nearby. We don't want to start a riot on our first day here."

Anouz's eyes narrowed, the red in them seeming to intensify as he watched the woman struggle against her captor's grip.

"So we just stand by and watch?"

The second soldier, a stocky man with a face like curdled milk, stepped closer to the woman.

"Maybe we should teach her a lesson right here, let's save the Magistrate some time."

His companion chuckled, a sound devoid of any warmth.

"Good idea. The street rats need to be reminded of their place."

The three observers tensed as one, each wrestling with the decision of whether to intervene.

The consequences could be severe, drawing unwanted attention, potentially jeopardizing their mission, or even worse, starting a conflict they weren't prepared for.

And yet, the sight of the young woman's terror was becoming increasingly difficult to ignore.

"If we step in, we could have dozens of soldiers on us within minutes," Rel murmured, his mind calculating the risks.

Christian shifted his weight from one foot to the other. "But if we don't..."

The words died in his throat as the stocky soldier reached for his weapon, the metallic scrape of steel against scabbard cutting through the hushed murmurs of the crowd.

The sunlight glinted off the blade as he raised it, a cruel smile twisting his features.

"Let's see if you'll remember not to steal after this," he hissed.

That was the tipping point. In that instant, any hesitation vanished like morning mist under a burning sun.

The soldier's blade flashed in the harsh sunlight as it descended toward the terrified woman.

The crowd collectively held its breath, a sea of onlookers frozen in horror. No one moved to intervene—no one except Anouz.

With a burst of speed, Anouz surged forward through the crowd.

Bodies parted before him like water around the bow of a ship, his determination creating a force that none could resist.

In the space between heartbeats, he positioned himself between the soldier and his victim, his hand shooting up to intercept the falling blade.

BAM!

The sharp edge of the sword met Anouz's palm with a sound like metal striking stone.

A halo of red light pulsed from the point of contact as his aura enveloped his hand, creating an impenetrable barrier between flesh and steel.

The soldier's eyes widened, his momentum suddenly arrested by this impossible obstacle.@@novelbin@@

"Hey old man," Anouz drawled, his voice carrying easily across the now-silent square, "if you wanna pick a fight with a lady, I'm sure you wouldn't mind me stepping in, right?"

His words were casual, almost conversational, but his eyes told a different story.

They blazed with an inner fire, twin pools of molten rage that bore into the soldier's soul.

WOMMM!!!

The pressure of his aura intensified, rolling off him in waves that seemed to distort the very air around them.

"A-ACK!"

The soldier's face drained of color, his mouth working soundlessly as he tried to process what was happening.

His sword arm began to tremble, not from the exertion of pressing against Anouz's hand, but from the sheer fear that now flooded his system.

Something ancient in his brain recognized the predator before him, that he stood in the presence of a power beyond his comprehension.

With a soft gasp, the soldier's eyes rolled back in his head, and he crumpled to the ground, unconscious, before he even hit the cobblestones.

CLATTT…

His sword clattered beside him, the sound unnaturally loud in the hushed square.