38 – Episode 38: Ninja’s Salvation (1)
Ninhimsu, the commission, the Yugeom-gyeong investigation, Mukka’s handling, all successful.
We’ve dug ditches, caught crabs, dipped our feet in the water, and enjoyed the scenery.
“Are you really okay? Going on reconnaissance alone.”
“You’ve seen my skills. I’m just as good at hiding as I am with a sword.”
Now that we’ve roughly dealt with the Yugeom-gyeong issue, it’s time to find those beasts, the Yainjok.
The Hongyeomryong Knights are busy protecting the village, so I can’t move recklessly. For the sake of the people’s peace, I have to take matters into my own hands.
I received a request to quietly investigate the whereabouts of the hidden Yainjok.
“I can only offer a few coins. We’ve spent a lot of money hiring the Hongyeomryong Knights…”
Amy, who was chosen as the village representative in place of the ailing village chief, trailed off.
Even if Yugeom-gyeong offered a discount, it would have been difficult for a small village like ours to afford the protection fee of the knights.
I guess we somehow scraped together whatever money we had to show some sincerity.
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“It doesn’t matter. I’ll get ready to go out soon since it’s getting late.”
“I’ll treat your colleagues well. Thank you.”
After quickly finishing the greetings, I entered the inn.
“When I’m not around, Orphe is the leader. Don’t do anything suspicious to raise suspicion.”
“Have a safe trip.”
“Yes.”
[Understood.]
Come to think of it, Tribu doesn’t have a weapon.
“I’ll lend you this. Use it as your weapon.”
I handed the axe I obtained from the old man to him.
An iron axe suits a woodcutter.
[…Thank you.]
He accepted it and admired the tree.
“Can you use it?”
[It is impossible since I am not a being with a soul.]
Well, then it’s just an ordinary axe.
Thinking he would figure it out on his own, I just left.
Taking care of things one by one like a mother is not my style.
Thud, thud, thud.
As always, the knights were patrolling outside the village, but they looked more tired than yesterday.
Muka, she finally messed things up.
Exhibiting superhuman patience, I greeted lightly, holding back my laughter, “Uhahahaha, Pangpare~! Have you heard the song?”
“I heard it very well. Adventurers are lucky. Always hearing such songs.”
The person who answered was Kate, who had come back from the farmland today, after clearing away the Orpheus corpse. Judging by her sarcastic attitude, she was definitely the crazy woman of this area.
“I think I’ll go out soon. Did Amy explain it to you?”
“I heard it. Let’s go and see.”
Kate and the other knights cleared the way without even checking my backpack.
Just in case, I wore a ninja suit inside like other heroes, but it was all in vain.
“I hope you’re as good as the boss thinks you are. Keep up the good work.”
“That’s more than enough. Take care.”
I’m not just good, I’m freaking amazing.
When the village was far enough, I quickly changed into my ninja suit and buried my backpack in the ground before sprinting forward.
I have no choice but to believe Orphe’s words that there are no mole demons.
Swish, swish, swish!
It’s been a while since I ran, slicing through the wind.
They say this cold sensation is the sign that it’s time for me to return as a fugitive ninja.
If I use my radar while running, I’ll hit the mark perfectly, but unfortunately, the cooldown hasn’t finished yet.
Somehow, there’s always a glitch at the most crucial moments.
– Kkrrr…
– Kkugegege…
It seems like it’s mating season as cries of demons echo from all directions.
I’ve seen them a lot even on my way to Sangrokso Village, but it seems like there are more of them now than before.
Is there some kind of festival going on?
It would take too long to tear them apart one by one, so I held back.
The first target is the beast tribe, I’ve decided on that.
After running for about an hour, I found myself surrounded by fog.
Strangely, there were no demons around this area.
To find out the truth, I walked slowly and cautiously entered, taking a deep breath of the air.
“Kkuk.”
Even if I protect my body with mana, I can withstand swallowing poison fog.
Around 10 seconds is enough time for perfect protection, but for someone like me who has seen all kinds of poison at Sagal’s Tail Camp, it’s enough time to analyze.
“Hu.”
It’s not poison fog for now.
It’s more like… a feeling similar to Homkipya or Ephukilla?
It seems to have a mixture of ingredients that make me a little tired and sluggish, but also help control anger.
Swoosh-
Wearing a phantom shadow, I walked towards the center of the fog.
The fog is light enough that I can see my surroundings clearly.
Thinking about the candidates at Sagal’s Tail, I realized it’s been a while.
Since there are 40 survivors, I might be able to meet one or two of them if I live long enough.
I hope I can use the skills I’ve learned for the sake of the people.
If I’m doing a f*cking stupid thing, the only service I can provide is death.
– Drrr…
The sound of a person’s nose breathing. It’s definitely a hundred percent by now.
I didn’t know they were clever enough to turn on mosquito repellent and sleep well.
– Kuuul…
Men and women with tattooed bodies as tough as animal skin were sleeping on leaves the size of their torsos.
There seems to be quite a large group, at least a hundred people.
The yellow branches, emitting mist, were actually burning branches, just like the mosquito incense used by the savages.
Those branches were scattered throughout their camp.
Both men and women were tall and brawny, giving off the impression of a group of gangster clones.
They couldn’t possibly be yakuza, could they?
I had my doubts, but so far, there were no victims of the savages.
I had to hold back the extermination.
There was only one tent standing like a boss room, surrounded by strange totems resembling baby dolls.
It felt similar to the “Doll Island” I briefly visited when searching for the ninja village.
After confirming with my senses if there were any magical traps, I entered the tent.
Swoosh-
“…?”
There was only one person sleeping inside the tent, a young woman wearing strange ornaments around her neck.
Aren’t these savages supposed to have muscular men or wise elders as their leaders?
While searching the inside of the tent for evidence called “Yasayo,” I found a square cauldron.
When I opened the lid, a pungent smell emanated from the red liquid that was revealed.
Could it be…
“…!”
The young girl totem, a means to record tragic truths, the young leader who devours the tent alone in the forest, bizarre ornaments, and the bloodstains in the fireplace.
Every piece of the puzzle fit perfectly.
The true identity of the savage leader was a baby-slayer, who maintained their youth by consuming the blood of children.
Anger surges.
Snap!
I immediately swung my bat.
“Yaddae!”
With a strange sound, I grabbed the witch by the collar and dragged her outside the tent.
“Damn you! Burn!”
At the witch’s scream, her worshippers jolted awake.
“You damn witch! Burn her!”
“Mandaria! Mandaria!”
“Chinja hano! Hanoa!”
Damn it, I didn’t expect the language barrier.
At least give the option of a translation feature to those who have crossed over to this world.
I shouted at the chaotic crowd.
“The sin of stealing innocent children’s lives!”
I lifted her by the collar and legs.
“Yaddae~! Yaddae~!”
Squirming.
Her feeble struggles couldn’t stop my strength.
“It’s execution.”
Just as I was about to bring the bat down, the witch spoke.
“Sto-stop the execution!”
***
In the inn where Robin and the others were staying,
[Orphe.]
Tribou called out to Orphe, who was reading a borrowed book in the village.
“Yes?”
[I heard from Diana about the massacre that happened in Maple Leaf Village.]
Orphe, who had shifted his gaze towards the sleeping Diana, paused at the word “massacre.”
“What are you trying to say?”
[I heard that he was by Robin’s side the longest. Don’t you think he’s too aggressive?]
Since there was no tone in the words, it was impossible to know what he meant.
Orphe, who was thinking slowly, raised his head.
“Not at all. Those people in the village were all cannibal monsters. They were cheap scum even when they were in trouble.”
“Did you personally see them eating people?”
“I heard it from Laminna. It wasn’t a lie. The dragonkin would go crazy just by seeing blood.”
“I confirmed it after committing the act. I feel that way.”
“Are you asking me to witness people being eaten?”
“That’s not what I meant.”
“I don’t understand the intention behind asking me this. Do you have a complaint against Robin? If so, it would be better to talk to him directly.”
Tribou fell silent, perhaps because of Orphe’s brusque attitude.
[It’s been a while since I woke up, so I’m still not very good at speaking. Please bear with me.]
“…It doesn’t matter.”
[I want to make him a better person.]
A completely unexpected statement.
“What do you mean?”
[He is not someone belonging to this world. There must be something fishy.]
“…”
This time, Orpheus couldn’t easily speak like Orpheus.
Robin’s tone, common sense, way of thinking, everything was alien.
[Only the Watchers can bring people from this realm. They even summoned the heroes.]
This is something Orpheus knows.
[Robin’s case is different from other beings from different realms. It’s not his physical body, but his soul that has crossed over.]
“His soul has crossed over.”
Quick-witted Orpheus recalled the sudden change in 567’s behavior one day.
[The Watchers, who we thought were banished from our era, are up to something. And they’re doing it very cleverly.]
“…What does that have to do with wanting to make Robin a better person?”
[He has already absorbed two Watchers.]
“…A body snatcher.”
Those things that Robin mentioned he had exterminated were Watchers that only appeared in fairy tales.
Orpheus’ lips trembled at this shocking revelation.
“I believe he has the power to resolve this situation.”
“Are you planning to use Robin to confront the Observer?”
Orphe’s expression darkened as she said that.
She also harbored the expectation that Robin would help her reveal the truth.
The thought was that if she helped selflessly without asking for anything in return, she might receive help someday.
It was her own excuse, saying that it was okay because they were not using each other.
“Orphe, you are not an ordinary person either. There must be something you are after.”
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Trevo pointed at Orphe with his black finger, which was split at the end.
“You are a hybrid of two worlds. And your blood is the purest.”