Molen walked ahead, humming a cheerful melody. Behind him, his two companions struggled to pull a cart overflowing with monsters of all kinds. Glancing back, Molen gave a satisfied smile.
"Today's hunt was like no other… We haven't caught this many in ages, right, Toban?"
"O-Of course! But I'm Toar," came the meek reply.
"Seriously, bud!" Toban groaned, dragging his feet. "How can you still mix us up? We've known each other since childhood!"
"Eh? How am I supposed to tell you two apart? You look exactly the same!" Molen said defensively.
"Ah… w-we do, Molen, but…"
"But we're wearing different gear, you birdbrain!" Toban snapped.
"Geez, I get it, I get it! No need to get so worked up, Toar!"
"For God's sake—it's Toban! T–O–B–A–N!" he shouted, throwing up his hands. "Toban, the swordsman! And that is Toar, my twin brother—the healer! How come you can't remember? Marfin can recognize us if we are to present us without even our unique trademarks!"
"Hey… hey, that's not fair! You can't just compare us to Marfin! Comparing us to him is like comparing a pig to a dashing prince. That boy is born to be someone far greater than anyone we can just be delusional about."
"Tsk! Showing off your colors again? Being the brocon that you are—once again!"
"B… But… I… it's true, Toban. M… Marfin… i-is just…"
"I know! You don't have to tell me that. Marfin—that jerk—is just a different kind of breed than any of us could ever be."
Their voices carried through the quiet forest, blending with the rustle of leaves and the creak of the monster-laden cart. The twins took turns pulling it, their chatter filling the silence as the last traces of daylight faded behind the trees.
At last, they reached the far outskirts of the forest—where faint lights flickered beyond the treeline. There stood their campsite, encircled by shimmering ninth-tier protective artifacts that pulsed faintly with arcane light, warding off any lurking danger.
"It's high time you came back!"
A rough voice echoed from beyond the protective barrier as a large man stepped out from within it.
"Buhahahahaha! Mr. Aharan, what's up with your—"
Molen laughed loudly but froze the very next second. A sudden realization hit him harder than any rock could. He knew exactly who could have done that. If there was anyone bold enough to draw on the village chief's face, it would be none other than Marfin—his own cherished little brother.
"Finish it… what were you saying? What's up with my what?"
Molen glanced toward Reiner and Aaron. Neither of them dared to speak, their eyes darting nervously. Toban and Toar stood there dumbfounded, jaws hanging open as they stared at Aharan's face.
"N… Nothing… I… I just wondered why you're here to greet us outside… You never did this before."
Molen quickly diverted the subject, hoping Aharan wouldn't press the matter further.
"It didn't feel like you were going to ask that, but whatever," Aharan said dismissively—then dropped a verbal bombshell on Molen.
"That arrogant twerp is nowhere to be found!"
"Wha… WHAT DO YOU MEAN MARFIN IS NOWHERE TO BE FOUND?!"
A chill ran through Molen's spine, and he nearly shouted at Aharan.
"Calm down, brat! When I woke up, I saw my tent tampered with—almost in ruin. At first, I thought he was pulling one of his usual pranks and hiding somewhere around the campsite. That's why I told Aaron and Reiner to look for him, but they didn't find him anywhere. So I went myself… and found that some of our low-grade potions and those worn-out twin daggers were missing," Aharan explained in a flat, heavy tone.
"Tsk… Was he that upset that we didn't take him on the hunt with us?"
"That was out of the question! The boy isn't even of age! Even if he's talented, it's still dangerous. We can't babysit someone while hunting," Aharan retorted firmly, his voice rising.
"Tsk… I know… Did you at least figure out which area he headed to, Chief?"
"I'm afraid that arrogant twerp headed toward the Wolves' Hides."
"WHAT?! Why the fuck there?! Anywhere but wolves' territory was fine!!"
"D… Don't worry, Molen… M… Marfin wouldn't do something th-that he can't handle… h-he's smart," Toar said meekly, trying to comfort him.
"Knowing him… I wouldn't even be surprised if he managed to slay wolves at his age."
"I would've been at ease if it were only the normal wolves that inhabit that place… Though he's calculative and cautious, that boy still doesn't understand how complex this world can be," Molen said quietly, his eyes fixed on the setting sun.
"Ah…"
"...…"
"..."
A dreadful silence fell over everyone as they gazed toward the crimson horizon, the fading light swallowing the warmth from their faces.
***
"Slaaaaash!"
"Gruaaaahhhh!"
Another wolf fell to my worn-out daggers. I'd been killing wolves and pushing deeper into the forest. I avoided large packs, targeting only those that were separated or could be lured away from their group. From my first encounter with those three wolves, I'd already come to accept the truth — this small body of mine can't handle more than three wolves at once. Not to mention, I have to rest and recover my stamina after every hunt.
"I've come a long way... and the sun's already setting. I should probably head back now."
I turned my gaze to the path behind me. The forest was growing darker, and an eerie sensation lingered in the air.
Nonetheless, I tried heading back to camp, but after a few steps, my breathing grew heavier — a clear sign of my lacking stamina.
"Ah, fuck! Not again... Guess I should just find a spot to rest for a while. Or should I climb the trees again and rest there? I think I can afford to climb a tree."
The wolves have a keen sense of smell. If there were a pack wandering nearby, they'd definitely be drawn here — and in my current state, I wouldn't be able to handle them. Thus, I looked around for a suitable place to recover my stamina and soon spotted a cave entrance nearby.
"It looks like a safe spot… If I head a bit deeper inside, I doubt anyone would find me — let alone some wolves."
I chuckled in satisfaction and headed deeper inside. Taking out a glowing stone, I explored the cave for several minutes. By the time I found a suitable place to lean against, I had already ventured far enough to ensure an escape route if a monster were to appear.
Clutching the glowstone in my hand, I leaned against the cold wall and murmured into the heavy silence.
"Today was a long day! I've never had so much fun in my life. It feels… exquisite — like I've discovered a new side of myself that I never knew existed. I felt truly blessed while struggling against those wolves… owhh, the thrill of betting my life on the line was exhilarating."
[The constellation of salvation is looking at you]
I closed my eyes, reminiscing about the memories of the entire hunt.
"Ah right… I've made quite a mess of the forest. All those wolf corpses — my supposed spoils — are left unattended. Brother once mentioned that monsters might steal the hauls or devour the meat… I wonder, do wolves eat their own kind?"
I kept murmuring into the heavy silence and slowly drifted to sleep — maybe I'd just had too much fun? I couldn't tell.I felt sleepy.. extremely sleepy.
***
Molen anxiously awaited Aharan's decision. He had been told that they needed a solid plan and proper preparation to rescue Marfin, but deep down, he had already braced himself for a firm rejection. The jungle at night was merciless — danger lurked in every shadow. Molen would understand if his chief chose to abandon his cherished little brother.
Nonetheless, he had steeled himself. No matter what decision Aharan made, Molen would rush to save his younger brother. The reason? There didn't need to be one. Why would Molen ever need a reason to risk his life for his siblings? After all, it was his duty to protect them — even if they made mistakes.
Molen's thoughts ran rampant. In his mind, he imagined—no, hallucinated—Marfin desperately crying for help.
"Onee-san, help me! Why aren't you coming for me?"
"Big brother, save me… please save me! I won't sneak in ever again… please, big brother, I'm sorry!"
The image of Marfin, tattered and drenched in blood, begging for his life made Molen's heart ache.
He knew very well that Marfin would never beg like that—not even in the face of death—but still, his heart stirred. He wanted to run, to aid his little brother right that instant.
And so he did.
Clutching his bow tightly, he dashed out of his tent.
"Thuuud!?"
Only to crash headfirst into two figures, falling hard onto the ground.
Molen rubbed his swollen forehead and glared up at them.
"We… we're sorry, Molen. We didn't see you running toward us."
The two quickly helped him up and apologized sincerely, even though it was painfully clear that Molen was the one at fault.
"Aaron? Reiner!? It's alright—you don't have to apologize. I was the one rushing. I'm sorry!"
Aaron and Reiner exchanged awkward glances before Aaron finally broke the silence.
"We were sent to fetch you, as per the chief's orders."
Molen's heart tightened. Seeing their grim expressions, he came to a painful conclusion—his plea had been rejected.
It was the most rational choice, after all. Who would risk an entire party just to save one naive boy from his own mistake?
Still… a fragile hope clung to his chest.
"D… Did the chief reject Marfin's rescue mission?"
"No… Noo! We don't know anything about that! We were only ordered to get you, not informed of his decision!"
Aaron retorted hurriedly, trying to ensure Molen didn't get the wrong idea.
"Then why does your expression say otherwise?"
An awkward silence engulfed the trio once again. After a while, both Aaron and Reiner bowed deeply, apologizing once more — this time wholeheartedly.
"We're sorry, Molen! It's our fault that Marfin had the chance to sneak away! If only… if only we'd been more attentive to him, this wouldn't have happened. We knew exactly how mischievous he could get… but still…"
"It's alright. He was always like this. Once he made up his mind, it was nearly impossible to hold him back. That's just how Marfin is… so I don't really blame you. No — I don't have any right to blame you."
Molen replied with a faint smile tugging at his lips — but it didn't reach his eyes.
"B… but still, we should've—"
"Enough about that! Let's go and hear what the Chief has to say!"
With Molen's firm tone, the two stopped, though with great difficulty. Being the kind fellows they were, they still felt guilty about the whole situation. Nonetheless, they heeded Molen's words and escorted him toward the Chief's tent.
The three of them entered the chief's slightly larger tent. Molen looked around. The inside was in shambles—completely different from how he had first seen it. He let out a defeated sigh at his brother's reckless antics before finally setting his gaze on a large man who looked to be in his fifties, perhaps even his sixties.
"You've come. Have a seat," the large man ordered flatly.
Molen took a seat opposite the man. The twin brothers were already in their respective places. Reiner and Aaron sat down as well, and a heavy silence followed.
"Mr. Aharan," Molen began, his voice low and tense. "My brother… he's my responsibility. He snuck onto the carriage on his own and even tampered with your tent—something none of us ever dared to do even once,just because you scolded him for his own good. He took weapons and went out hunting alone. I understand the gravity of what he's done, and I sincerely apologize. I would even understand if…"—he exhaled deeply—"if you decide not to risk it any further…"
Molen bowed deeply, releasing all the emotions that had been running rampant in his mind.
A silence followed, even after Molen had poured his heart into it. Then, cutting through that silence, a throaty laugh echoed.
"You're overthinking it, kiddo! In some sense, you resemble your father, Mareuine unlike that spoiled little brother of yours. We're not abandoning anyone. Risking our lives? As if we're not doing that right at this very moment. If we can't even ensure protection to a spoiled youngling, then we're better off dead."
Aharan conveyed firmly, his voice carrying a resolution like no other.
Molen felt deeply moved, a small chuckle forming on his lips. He vowed to show respect.
"Thank you for this… I'd do anything to repay your kindness, Chief! But really… you should wash your face, Chief. You sounded so amazing, but it didn't go along with your clownishly drawn face."
Molen said it out of guilt and sympathy for the man who was going to help him rescue his brother.
Aharan looked at him confusingly, then the realization hit him—if Marfin dared to mess with his tent, then what's the guarantee he wouldn't mess with his appearance?
"Is there any way I can take back my words?"
Aharan said, gritting his teeth. An exaggerated smile appeared on his lips, but it didn't quite reach his eyes.
***
[WARNING!]
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[WARNING!!]
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[WARNING!!!!!]
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[THE CHARACTER HAS ENCOUNTERED CHAOS]