FSE

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'Where on earth are we going?'

Izumo pondered as he walked through the slightly darkened forest.

"We're almost there," Karim had said, but they had been walking for roughly an hour.

It had been bright when they started, but now they relied solely on the torches the men carried.

"I'm not doubting, but are you sure this is the right path?"

He asked Karim, who was walking beside him, his concern evident.

Whether Karim sensed his unease or not, he smiled gently.

"There's no need to worry. We're almost there."

Karim's eyes drifted toward Izumo's bag.

"Would you like me to carry your bag if it's too heavy?"

"No, don't worry about it. I can carry my own bag."

Izumo forced a smile and adjusted the strap of his bag. To be honest, he was exhausted to the point of wishing someone would carry him instead. Days of consecutive search operations, hunger, the mental strain of being unable to leave the forest, and the fight with Ma-ro had all drained him. He was at his physical limit.

'Still, I can't just hand my bag over to someone I've just met.'

Behind his smile, Izumo steeled his resolve.

Countless travelers had opened their hearts to the kindness of strangers, only to be robbed on the road. He didn't believe Karim or his group would do such a thing, but one couldn't be too cautious. Karim, without showing any sign of displeasure, simply stepped back and said, "Understood."

However, he spoke to Latif, who was walking ahead, and Latif's once-brisk pace slowed.

It seemed they were making accommodations for him, which made Izumo feel guilty about his earlier doubts.

"By the way, what do you plan to do about that?"

Trying to change the subject, Izumo glanced behind him.

Trailing behind them, Bari carried Ma-ro's severed neck in his arms. Blood still dripped from the neck's edge, running down Bari's body and leaving crimson spots on the ground. Ma-ro's eyes were frozen in the same state they had been at death, the cloudy pupils faintly reflecting the smoldering embers of resentment.

"Are you planning to sell it? Ma-ro's teeth or windpipe should fetch a decent price."

Izumo subtly hinted at claiming a share for himself, but Karim shook his head.

"We intend to mourn it in our way."

"Mourn it? This thing is Ma-ro."

"That's precisely why we mourn it. Both human and beast share the same essence of life."

Izumo glanced at Karim, feeling a chill run down his spine. The young man's calm gaze revealed his sincerity. It seemed he truly believed what he said.

Ma-ro was an unnatural creature, existing outside the laws of nature, always antagonistic to humans. Mourning its death was incomprehensible to Izumo. He held back the urge to say, "If you're going to discard it, give it to me."

"That's a noble perspective," Izumo managed to say.

"Is that part of your role?"

"Yes, conducting funerals and other special ceremonies in the village is the duty of the prayer officiant. Beyond that, we also pray for bountiful harvests, prepare medicines, and divine the village's fortune or misfortune. Today, we came to gather herbs for a ritual."

It was a smooth response, as if he had rehearsed it in advance.

From what Izumo gathered, a prayer officiant was a role steeped in religious significance, serving as the village's spiritual backbone. Karim seemed rather young to bear such a responsibility, but Izumo held his tongue, not wanting to offend him.

"That's quite an important position. Is that why you have so many guards?"

Karim's expression grew complicated at Izumo's words.

"They are escorts. Normally, only one or two accompany me, but yesterday's divination yielded a troubling result. The village chief insisted on increasing my guard. I never expected things to turn out like this."

"What kind of result?"

Izumo asked without thinking. Karim turned his gaze toward him. Those pale blue eyes gleamed with a cold light.

"A disaster will strike the village, and much blood will be spilled."

At that moment, something shrieked past Izumo's head. Reflexively, he aimed his gun, but nothing appeared. The sound of flapping wings and a high-pitched cry faded into the forest.

"It's just a bird," Karim said calmly. Izumo lowered his gun and resumed walking.

"Was that Ma-ro the one your divination warned about?"

"I'm not sure. But it's unlikely to be unrelated."

Karim's face hardened briefly before softening again.

"I truly appreciate you, Izumo. If you hadn't saved us, we'd probably be inside that Ma-ro's stomach by now."

"Well, at least no one was hurt. That's something to be thankful for."

The path sloped gently upward. They were climbing a hill, Izumo guessed. Even as he looked ahead, he could only see Latif's silhouette, holding a torch. The forest revealed nothing of what lay within it. Latif's small tail, swaying above his slim hips, moved as if beckoning them toward an unknown realm. It gave Izumo an unsettling sense of crossing into a place that defied explanation.

"Whoa!"

Distracted by the tail, Izumo tripped over an exposed root. His foot slipped on damp leaves as he tried to recover.

"Ah!"

He lost his balance and pitched forward. Just before hitting the ground, an arm reached out from beside him and steadied him.

The arm was pale yet strong, holding Izumo's full weight without wavering. When he looked up, Karim's composed face was close—so close Izumo could feel his breath.

"Are you hurt anywhere?"

"Oh, uh… no. I'm fine. Sorry about that."

Izumo's embarrassment grew as the other men glanced his way. He hastily stood up and adjusted his bag. Karim said something to the group, and they resumed their march, now at a slightly slower pace.

Izumo walked more cautiously, watching his steps. Yet, he couldn't shake the feeling that Karim's eyes were still on him. Was he waiting for Izumo to trip again? But when he glanced back, Karim's expression was different—his eyes gleamed in the torchlight, alive with the kind of excitement and curiosity one might see in a child receiving a new toy.

"Do I have something on my face?"

The question escaped Izumo's lips. Karim jolted and blushed.

"My apologies. It's just… you're the first person from outside the forest I've ever met. I got carried away."

Karim averted his gaze, clearly flustered. He seemed unaware of how intently he had been staring. Izumo interpreted it as Karim misspeaking—he likely meant to say, "It's been a long time since I've met someone from outside the forest." Given how articulate Karim was, it was hard to imagine he had never encountered outsiders before.

"Same here. I didn't think anyone lived in this forest. The nearby village told me so little that they even joked I must be going on a suicide mission."

He pictured the face of the clerk at the magic shop in that village, and a simmering anger he had nearly forgotten flared up once more.

The bear man gazed at him with clear eyes and said, “As long as you're alive, good things will happen. Human height is just an illusion when viewed from the universe." Then, he handed over the contact details for a counseling service. It was a reminder that discussing height with mouse man was a no-go. Few things made him angrier.

“I've been meaning to ask, Izumo. What brought you to this forest?"

Perhaps a few exchanges had softened his guard; Karim spoke as if he could no longer suppress his curiosity.

“I was asked to find someone by an acquaintance."

Izumo didn't feel obligated to explain, but staying silent would only drain his spirit. He carefully chose his words, revealing just enough to avoid unnecessary details.

“This acquaintance of mine runs a tavern. He has this bad habit of independently investigating things he overhears. This job? It started from a story told by one of his customers."

As Garland, the tavern owner, was preparing to close for the night, four unfamiliar men walked in.

“His place has been featured in magazines, so it's not unusual to see first-time customers. But these guys? They gave off a shifty vibe. They sat in a corner, placed their orders sluggishly, and began whispering together, heads close."

Garland wasn't one to miss an opportunity. Even if one wasn't actively eavesdropping, people who whispered conspicuously always piqued interest—or so he claimed. Truthfully, he just loved poking into others' secrets.

“...Hiding in a house...with a child...ran off somewhere...killed a few people..."

The snippets of conversation were fragmented, and their full meaning unclear. What was evident was that the men were looking for someone, and that someone had fled with a child.

“A little earlier, there had been a building explosion in the royal capital's shopping district. Casualties were involved, and it caused quite the uproar. Yet, there was no public announcement. Garland figured those guys were secretly tracking down the culprit."

The fact that Garland's network hadn't caught wind of this suggested a serious effort to keep things under wraps. His curiosity piqued, Garland began gathering clues.

“Eventually, the name of a mage came up—someone named... Yupitorga."

Izumo pulled a notebook from his coat and flipped through its pages.

“Here it is. Yupitorka."

Yupitorga was a raccoon man working for a mid-tier security company. His work record was satisfactory, and he lived with his two sons, having lost his wife a few years prior. His reputation wasn't particularly bad, but Garland noted something unsettling in his photos—his gloomy eyes betrayed little of his thoughts.

“What stood out was that he'd been skipping work without notice ever since the incident. His house was empty, and no one knew the whereabouts of his children."

“If he's the culprit, why did Garland entrust this to you, Izumo?"

“Garland's quirks are exactly why. He suddenly felt the need to beat the mages to solving this case."

The root of it lay in the insignia etched onto the mages' gear: Elcius Comprehensive Security Services. It was the top-ranked mage firm in the royal capital and headed by Elcius the Lion Man, a figure Garland had taken a one-sided dislike to. Garland's competitive streak flared, and he decided to do whatever it took to undermine Elcius, even dumping a half-baked lead onto Izumo. Clearly, he wasn't thinking straight.

“Ah, I see," Karim nodded, seemingly satisfied with the explanation.

“So, you're something of a 'great detective,' taking on cases to solve for others."

“It doesn't seem like that's quite right."

Izumo faltered, but seeing the amused expression on Karim's face, he found that he no longer cared about the outcome.

“But is that all the information you had when you came to this forest? From what I've just heard, it doesn't seem particularly related."

“He managed to hear one useful piece of information. He said there's a high possibility that Yupitorga and his group headed to a forest where a dragon supposedly resides."

“A dragon?"

Karim tilted his head.

“Is this forest supposed to be the one?"

“It's more of an old tale than a rumor, really."

Izumo flipped through his notebook and began summarizing the story he had written down.

“A dragon is a Maju with wings, resembling a massive lizard. Long ago, a dragon destroyed a nearby kingdom and made its home here. Many people challenged it, but they were all driven off, and eventually, no one dared approach anymore. The kingdom was forgotten, leaving behind only this dense forest."

Dragons are formidable creatures, powerful enough to make other Majus seem harmless by comparison. They are often hostile toward humans and have been responsible for countless destroyed nations. This area seemed to be one of them.

“That's the story. Have you seen or heard of any Maju similar to what I've described?"

“Regrettably, I've neither seen nor heard of anything like it."

“Figures. If a dragon were really here, no one could possibly live nearby."

Izumo shrugged as he closed his notebook. Tales and legends about dragons are often riddled with lies. People frequently blame unexplained phenomena on dragons, using the stories as an excuse to inflate their significance. If there were truly a dragon in this forest, it would undoubtedly have been designated a Class-One Maju Danger Zone. Most likely, it was just a convenient excuse to explain why the area remained undeveloped.

“There are other forests where people claim dragons live, but this one is the closest, so I chose it. Still, carrying all the supplies and equipment around wasn't easy."

Karim glanced at the bag slung over Izumo's shoulder, filled with camping tools and necessities. Even now, with all the food gone, the bag still looked heavy.

“This is just a job for you. Did it really warrant that much effort?"

“Well, there's money involved."

Izumo fully understood that the assignment didn't make much sense. Calling vague hearsay a lead and chasing after it was borderline ludicrous. What Izumo was doing was akin to endlessly searching for something that didn't exist without proper means or evidence. Perhaps he was simply too soft-hearted.

Still, as long as Garland promised to pay, Izumo couldn't refuse. In his view, Garland's one redeeming quality was his reliability in paying for completed jobs.

Noticing Karim's troubled expression, Izumo hurriedly put on a cheerful smile. He knew better than to share anything that might deepen someone's doubts.

“At least I was lucky to run into you guys."

He spoke as brightly as he could.

“I was starting to think I'd never get out of this forest. I ran out of water and food, couldn't catch any game, and if I'd stayed any longer, I probably would've died."

Karim's ears twitched slightly at those words.

“Never get out of the forest?"

“Yeah. Based on the map, it didn't seem that large. But no matter how far I walked, I couldn't find my way out. And I usually have a pretty good sense of direction, too."

“so that's how it is."

Suddenly, the atmosphere around Karim shifted. The gentle air turned cold, enveloping them in a suffocating tension. The men who had been keeping watch grew visibly tense. They exchanged glances but avoided meeting each other's eyes, as if fearful. Even Latif's tail fur bristled in response.

“Did I say something wrong?" Izumo asked, cautiously glancing at Karim.

“If I said something offensive, I—"

He stopped mid-sentence, swallowing hard. Karim's eyes, once a serene blue, had turned crimson. They were breathtaking, like flawless gemstones, yet they radiated a chilling detachment. A breeze stirred, rustling the leaves around them.

“It looks like you have been possessed by the god, Lord Izumo,”

Karim said in a voice that sent chills down Izumo's spine. Though his tone and manner of speech hadn't changed, the humanity in them had vanished. It was as if his soul had been replaced by something entirely inhuman—an unsettling, unexplainable wrongness.

“Who... what are you?" Izumo stammered.

“Izumo!" Latif's voice snapped him back. He turned to where the boy was pointing, and between the trees, faint lights flickered. They had finally reached the village. Izumo let out a deep sigh of relief.

“Welcome to our village," Karim said warmly.

Turning toward him, Izumo saw the familiar kind blue eyes again, as if the eerie moment before had been a mirage. Ahead of them was a settlement so small it barely qualified as a village. In an open clearing stood triangular huts made of dried plants. About twenty such structures were arranged in a circle, their simplicity stark under the dim light.

At the village's center, a large fire blazed, and around it, people bustled about. There were no fences marking the perimeter, and the place seemed to blend seamlessly with the surrounding forest. It was an austere scene—no electricity, no signs of modern utilities. Karim's earlier description of a barren, remote village had been no exaggeration.

“A tribe, I suppose," Izumo muttered to himself. He had some knowledge that such independent cultures still existed, far removed from modern civilization, but he hadn't expected to encounter one himself. While the thought of cultural exchange sounded appealing in theory, a vague unease settled over him.

As they entered the village, the men who had been escorting them bowed briefly to Karim before dispersing. Izumo was still preoccupied with thoughts of what might happen to Ma-ro when Karim spoke up.

“Lord Izumo, before we eat, how about meeting the village chief?" Karim suggested.

“I don't mind, but can they speak our language?" Izumo asked.

“I'll interpret for you. The others who arrived earlier have already given a summary, so this will just be a brief introduction."

Urged on by Karim, Izumo stepped deeper into the village. Preparations for a feast seemed well underway. Around the fire, an array of food was laid out. Roasted meat and large fish sat on massive leaves, alongside heaps of steamed potatoes. Vegetables and fruits, some familiar and others foreign, were artfully displayed. There was even something that looked remarkably like bread. The tantalizing aroma made Izumo's stomach churn with hunger, but he resisted the urge to dig in and tore his eyes away.

Karim led Izumo to a specific spot around the fire. It was slightly elevated, with mats woven from plants spread over the ground. The arrangement was modest but clearly signaled a place of importance. A man sat there, facing the fire. Though only his silhouette was visible, his presence was overwhelming. The oppressive aura he exuded reminded Izumo of encounters with powerful Maju or high-ranking magicians. The sheer weight of it made him instinctively want to step back. Karim spoke to the man.

As Izumo watched, the man slowly turned around. He was a young, jet-black tiger, his sleek black fur adorned with thunderous gold stripes that outlined his musculature. His chest was broad, his abdomen evenly divided, and his arms and legs were powerful. He exuded a regal air, a blend of ferocity and solemnity. It was the same kind of otherworldly beauty he had seen in Karim, but different.

"This is Adl," Karim said, "the village chief and my twin brother."

"Twin... brother?" Izumo echoed, his eyes darting between the two.

Sure enough, they were strikingly similar - their height, build, strength, beauty, even the pattern of their stripes. Yet, their appearances were worlds apart. Karim had a gentle smile, while Edil's eyes held a sharp intensity. It was astonishing how two people could share the same facial features but express such different emotions.

"But he's so young to be a chief," Izumo thought.

Despite their imposing presence, both Adl and Karim seemed too young to hold such positions. And while he had been surprised to learn that Karim was a priest, the idea of a young man being the village chief was even more astonishing. Perhaps it was a tradition in this village for the young to hold positions of authority.

They were both completely naked, which was quite progressive. As Izumo pondered this, Adl spoke to him in a deep, resonant voice. Karim translated simultaneously.

"I am Adl, the chief of this village. I want to express my sincere gratitude for your help in saving our clan. Though it is a small token, I have prepared a feast in your honor. Please, relax and enjoy your stay."

The words were simple and humble, yet they conveyed a sense of genuine gratitude and strength.

"My name is Izumo. I'm glad your brother and the others are safe. Thank you for your concern," Izumo replied.

He extended his hand, and Adl's thick paw enveloped his. While Karim's handshake had been strong yet gentle, Adl's was like steel. it held Izumo's gaze, his golden eyes seeming to pierce deep into his soul. Izumo could only stare back, unable to look away. After what felt like an eternity, Adl released his hand and led Izumo towards the main hall.

As they were about to enter, Karim called out to Izumo.

"I apologize for the inconvenience, but would you mind sparing a few moments? I'd like to introduce you to the villagers."

Izumo nodded, though he would have preferred to eat first.

Upon entering the hall, he found the villagers gathered around a fire. They were all young, muscular men, dressed only in loincloths. Their bodies were taut and smooth, and they regarded Izumo with intense curiosity.

A wave of nausea washed over Izumo as he felt their eyes scanning his body. He felt like a specimen on display.

"Lord Izumo," Karim whispered in his ear, "you are our hero. Please, hold your head high."

Izumo glanced at Karim and muttered, "What a bother."

But as he turned back to the villagers, he found himself feeling strangely calm. Edil raised his voice, his words echoing through the hall.

"Karim, can I speak to you for a moment?"

His voice was soft, but carried a weight that commanded attention.

"There are no women here. Is it customary for women to be excluded from feasts?" Izumo asked.

Izumo looked around, unsure where to focus his gaze. Karim tilted his head, looking puzzled.

"There are no women in this village," Karim said.

"What?!" Izumo exclaimed, his voice louder than he intended. Adl glanced at him sideways. Izumo lowered his voice, embarrassed. "What do you mean?"

"We live separately from the women," Karim explained. "The women live in a village far from here."

Izumo felt his strength drain. He'd always imagined that after saving a village, he'd be rewarded with the company of the most beautiful woman. Perhaps, he'd even be given the opportunity to father a child. His dreams had been shattered. Karim looked apologetic.

"I know you must be disappointed that we can't offer you the usual hospitality," Karim said. "But there's nothing I can do about it."

"It's fine," Izumo replied, forcing a smile. "I understand you have your own customs." He added, trying to lighten the mood, "You're quite handsome yourself, you know."

Karim's eyes widened in surprise. Izumo realized he'd said something inappropriate. "Wait, that was just a figure of speech."

"Don't worry, I understand," Karim replied, a hint of mischief in his voice.

Though he sensed something off in Karim's tone, Izumo's attention was drawn back to the villagers as Adl spoke.

"Can we eat now?" Izumo asked.

"No, they want to show you the beast they defeated," Karim replied.

"You mean Ma-ro? Do they really need to show me that before dinner?"

Despite Izumo's protests, Adl gestured towards the darkness at the center of the square. The villagers gasped as a creature bearing the head of a marang was revealed. Some of the younger boys began to cry. Izumo understood their fear. He would have reacted the same way.

Adl raised his voice to silence the crowd, then turned to Izumo. "I have something to ask you," he said.

"What is it?" Izumo replied.

"We would like you to say a few words. The villagers are eager to hear from our hero. Think of it as a hero's interview."

"I don't think that's necessary," Izumo replied, but he knew he had to do it. He took a deep breath and stepped forward. "I'm Izumo. I'm from the outside world. I'm glad your friends are safe. I sincerely appreciate the grand feast you've prepared for me," Izumo declared, his voice echoing through the forest. The villagers exchanged curious glances at the unfamiliar language, but Izumo paid them no mind. When he finished, Karim translated. A thunderous roar erupted from the crowd, shaking the ground. The men stood up and cheered.

Among the cheering faces, Izumo spotted those he had saved earlier. Their eyes sparkled as they waved at him.

"It's not that bad," he murmured to himself, feeling a surge of satisfaction. The forgotten spark of his youthful ambition as a magician ignited within him.

Adl thanked Izumo and addressed the crowd. "Thank you all. Now, let's eat!"

Before Karim could finish translating, Izumo was already digging into the food.