Chapter 46
The Arrow That Left the Protest (5)
So, entering Kona wasn’t a problem.
Of course, as soon as I stepped into the village entrance, all the beastmen aimed their swords, spears, and bows at me, shouting, “It’s a human!”
Even when I said I couldn’t remove my mask due to trauma, they forcibly tore it off anyway.
And yes, I heard the sad insult, “Humans are untrustworthy beings.”
But thanks to Clara’s tearful plea, I was able to buy just enough time to explain, “I saved Clara, I’ve also saved Echo before, and I know Onak too!”
That didn’t fully erase their suspicions, though, and someone had gone to fetch Echo.
I wondered how he was doing… I didn’t expect to see him again under these circumstances.
“I hope Onak’s okay.”
Unfortunately, he was on the front lines, so I couldn’t even ask if he was safe.
Anyway, I had successfully entered Kona without a fight.
I decided to stay under house arrest at Clara’s home until Echo arrived.
Even though Clara had left years ago, the empty house was surprisingly cozy—more like a fantastic vacation than house arrest.
Clara promised to request a visit from the turtle beastman and left for a while.
I flopped onto a beanbag stuffed with soft feathers and opened the scenario window.
At first, I didn’t pay attention, but as I read carefully, a question came to mind.
“Where exactly did Agemor’s infestation start?”
The scenario insisted that I properly wrap up the story, so Agemor’s infestation wasn’t just a one-time event.
Foreshadowing must be planted continuously to pay off nicely later.
Agemor’s infestation—shortened to “Ajam”—I needed to know where it began, why it happened, and who caused it.
“If I uncover it step by step, maybe I’ll find the answer…”
I murmured the thought, sinking deeper into the beanbag.
My body felt heavy, and drowsiness crept in.
Despite the ongoing war, it was a peaceful midday…
Perfect for a nap—at least until Clara came.
Bang bang—
“Ah, seriously!”
Even when I tried to rest, there wasn’t a single helper—or beastman—in sight.
I got up irritably, and as I threw open the door, my eyes met a wolf beastman with a hostile expression.
…Wow, that’s a very negative look.
“What is it?”
Already under suspicion, I spoke in a gentle, pleasant tone.
“I have to act harmless.”
I forced a smile as part of my strategy.
Living up to the name “Friendly Market,” my kind reaction made the wolf beastman flinch.
But he didn’t forget his duty; his expression hardened, and he spoke sharply.
“Did you bring a companion?”
“…Uh, no?”
His question caught me off guard.
I had no companions—solving all challenges alone made that clear.
Well, technically, the scenario bound me to nine fellow companions through a shared past, but they didn’t know me, so I played dumb.
Frowning at my confident answer, the wolf beastman seriously informed me:
“A human foraging in the herb garden was captured. You’re coming immediately.”
“Why me…?”
I asked reflexively—not out of defiance, but because I had no reason to accompany anyone.
Just because a local human was caught didn’t mean I, as a decent Samaritan—or rather, a Korean named Haewon—needed to be involved.
However, my reasonable question seemed to irritate the wolf beastman, who scowled and growled fiercely.
“No human has ever entered Kona before! But after you arrived, intruders appeared. This is all your fault for leaking information!”
Oh… an entirely baseless accusation with zero logic.
I didn’t even try to refute it and simply blinked.
But his demanding gaze urged me to explain, so I mumbled helplessly:
“I was captured as soon as I arrived…”
“No excuses! Follow me! We need to check!”
“I’m under house arrest, so I can’t leave…”
My honest answer made the wolf scowl even harder.
“I ordered your house arrest, you idiot!”
“Idiot?”
When did he even call me that?
I glared at him, but his eyes were too intense to push back.
“Hmm, better just follow quietly.”
Since I was already on the scenario bus of life, there was no hope for a smooth ride.
I sighed and gathered my things.
Noticing my reluctance, the wolf beastman snapped:
“Hurry up, you’re not a slug!”
“Not a slug insult, right?”
I guess this world doesn’t have slug beastmen.
Slugs are insects anyway… so that makes sense.
My chain of wandering thoughts earned another irritated shout:
“Move faster!”
“Okay…”
Unlike the mossy, damp underground prison of Kasabl, Kona’s jail was nature-friendly.
Crossing shaky stairs between trees, climbing ladders, and sliding along ropes dangling between trees…
Any acrophobic would be terrified. After a long climb, we reached the top of a massive tree, seemingly a thousand years old.
Birdcage-like prisons hung from thick branches with ropes.
I gawked at the unexpected sight.
Beyond the branches, two figures appeared.
One beastman was scolding a smaller beastman with cute ears, his face full of irritation.
“I brought them, Vespa.”
At the wolf beastman’s words, Vespa whipped around.
“Why are you so late? That crazy human, they don’t understand a thing!”
Under Vespa’s skirt swished the tail of a massive snake beastman.
A snake beastman, then.
“Even if I threaten them to bite, and even if James tries to negotiate, it won’t work.”
“What? James tried and couldn’t find out anything?”
Ah, the complaining beastman was James.
Compared to his cute ears, his face was surprisingly intimidating. I peeked at it, speechless.
‘A capybara.’
Warm, kind-looking, slightly elongated snout—this had to be the world’s most gentle animal, the capybara.
Just looking at him made all grudges melt, a calming presence.
‘Wait, how is there a capybara in this strange dimension?’
Then why not a slug beastman?
“Wanda, come quickly and talk. Maybe the human will find out something.”
“…Wanda?”
I blinked at the name and looked at the wolf beastman.
He, who only knew irritation and contempt, barked sharply:
“I am a woman, human!”
Wow… maybe I really am a narrow-minded human.
Wanda shook her head, then strode forward.
“Follow me.”
Couldn’t she go a bit slower? Don’t overestimate human legs.
I grumbled internally but followed silently, as both Wanda and Vespa looked as if they just wanted to brush me aside.
What hurt most was James the capybara staring at me coldly despite his gentle face.
After crossing a few more branches…
“Damn it, what do you want!”
“…I told you, I said what I want. Why are you asking again…”
“That’s all? Then tell us how you snuck in here!”
“…I just… came in…”
From somewhere, voices replied.
One sounded frustrated to madness, the other completely unaffected, weak, and slow.
“There’s no place here to sneak into… ah, seriously!”
The frustrated beastman stomped as if he’d crush the unyielding tree.
“That won’t break it…”
Oh, same thought as me.
The weak voice belonged to someone exhausted by the world, seeing everything coldly.
‘But the voice sounds familiar…’
“This way, human.”
Following the wolf beastman’s unfriendly guidance, I slowly walked toward the voice.
And when I saw the prisoner’s face…
‘Crazy.’
“Don’t you give water here…? I’m a bit thirsty…”
The woman calmly asked water from a fierce eagle beastman.
Long, pure white hair down to her waist, pale skin, indifferent eyes as if uninterested in the world.
I gawked.
‘Han Romi.’
The head of the guild “Shinrok”, Han Romi, was trapped inside a tree cage.
Guild “Shinrok”
Unlike other guilds boasting overwhelming offense, Shinrok ranked 6th with only support roles.
Guild leader Han Romi was the only S-rank healer.
Her skills were broken-level, and during a massive sudden gate, she saved tens of thousands. Anyone who didn’t acknowledge her was a spy.
Her title was “Hymn of Healing.”
Her hair supposedly turned completely white after awakening the title and evolving her skills—a famous anecdote.
Under her leadership, Shinrok was filled with dozens of healers, alchemists, and support roles.
Hence, their guild HQ had massive herb gardens and meditation gardens.
Seen in Hunter Everyday, the HQ resembled not a guild, but a botanical garden or a retreat forest.
The interior looked like a large yoga center.
So seeing a guild leader of such a large guild trapped in a cage was shocking.
“Hey, do you know them?”
Wolf beastman Wanda grabbed my arm roughly. I raised my head in surprise.
“Go check.”
Wanda dragged me forcefully.
Being E-rank, I had no strength to resist and was flailed along.
Then I suddenly realized something.
‘Wait a minute.’
I’m going out bare-faced?!
