An unsettling silence hung in the forest, broken only by the muffled groans of an elderly man. A few strong men with rough faces and arrogant smirks surrounded him. His gray hair was disheveled, and his face was covered in mud — the bandits had thrown him to the ground and now, kicking him with their boots, demanded money.

— Well, grandpa, where’s your stash? — growled one, with a scar across his cheek. — We know you’ve got some!

The old man helplessly covered his head with his hands, but the blows continued. They enjoyed his weakness as if it were entertainment.

But suddenly, a sharp female voice rang out:

— Enough!

All heads turned simultaneously toward the voice. From the mist appeared a woman in military uniform. She was about thirty-five years old. Tall, imposing, with a determined gaze and confident stride.

For a moment, the bandits were taken aback, but then predatory smiles spread across their faces. They looked at the woman with lust.

— Wow, what a beauty, — one sneered, eyeing her greedily. — And what’s a girl like that doing alone in the forest?

— Look at her legs… — croaked another, breathing heavily. — And the smell… mmm… delicious.

— If you’re alone here, it means there’s no guy around to protect you. — added a third. — We can take care of you better than anyone.

— You must be cold; do you want us to warm you up? We’re great at helping lonely, beautiful girls.

They exchanged disgusting comments, laughing and glancing at each other, as if they had an unexpected prey before them. But the woman didn’t react. She calmly crouched beside the old man, checking his breathing and pulse.

— Are you deaf? — one of the bandits grabbed her arm.

The woman lifted her eyes. There was neither fear nor panic in her gaze.

— Take your filthy hands off, — she said firmly.

— Oh really? — the leader laughed. — And you still dare? Guys, it’s time to teach this brainless beauty some manners!

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The woman twisted his arm, struck him with her knee and fist in the face. A crack was heard — and the big man collapsed onto the grass, holding his nose from which blood poured.

— What the… — shouted another, rushing at her.

But her movements were fast and precise, like a predator’s. A deft turn of her body — and the attacker was on the ground, losing his balance. Another elbow strike, a jump — and the third fell, writhing in pain.

One by one, the bandits fell, screaming and cursing. Their laughter was replaced by cries of pain and panic.

The last remaining one, trembling, stepped back:

— Who… who are you?!

The woman straightened up, adjusted her uniform, and said coldly:

— Special Forces Captain.

Silence.

A few minutes later, her colleagues arrived at the scene. The bandits were restrained and taken to the station. The old man was carefully lifted, placed in the car, and driven to the hospital.

Before leaving, the old man, holding her hand, whispered:

— Thank you… you saved my life.

The woman simply nodded, her face remaining calm. For her, it wasn’t a heroic act, just part of her duty.