episode_0167

I learned one pleasant fact.

I was being recognized by them in my own way.

The news about Dennis disqualifying Yusria and Jules’ words that I was dead began to spread among the executioners.

In addition, the executors who knew me, including Claudia, started talking about me as if they knew about me. Soon, a fair for the deceased was held.

“What is that guy who looks like a male prostitute?”

“It would have been helpful if I had a hunting dog.”

He grumbled and glared at me, saying that there was no proper guy for a guy that looked like that.

You’re comparing me to myself.

I had to somehow stop the corners of my mouth from twitching.

But the situation was not good.

I definitely heard that they were looting, but what kind of sit-in protest is this all of a sudden?

‘Could it be that all the rangers are immortal?’

Considering the time it takes for news to arrive after an attack, the time an eagle flies, and the time the enemy discovers it, there is ample room for a change in posture.

“What do you think?”

Jules glances at me.

“There’s nothing to see. They are trying to get information about the Precious Blood from us.”

What I want to find out is the internal circumstances, troop deployment, and armament.

There will be oxygen captured anyway, and there are many ways to stab the opponent. All I have to do is scout and rescue those who are still left.

“Shall I go?”

“Are you okay?”

“Of course.” “No.”

Shir looks at me intently.

But it was time for me to step up.

I tied the peddler’s transparent crystal ring and an old money bag filled with silver and copper coins that I had brought with me in advance, to my waist, and unsheathed my long sword.

Armed only with a bow and dagger like a hunter.

Accessories and money establish my identity.

“Jul. Does my body smell like hosot? Even the scent of another demi-human.”

“It doesn’t work out. It smells like milk, though.”

Milky smell. It’s Shir’s body odor.

The important thing is that it is not visible as a hosot.

So, isn’t there a problem?

They say I’m not good at lying, but strangely enough, my tongue becomes more flexible when I’m lying.

“Sihyeon, what do you plan to do?”

“You can catch an animal and pretend that you came to the village to sell it. First of all, you have to go to find out, right?”

“Say something that makes sense! You think the other person is an asshole?!”

Shir still hasn’t come to his senses, so he lets out a loud noise.

“It’s my job to do something about it.”

But the current situation is no joke.

Shir also knew this through my emotions and kept his mouth shut.

But I was a little annoyed, so I hit Sur’s can.

“Shir, don’t be damned, just watch.”

*

The method of catching a stag is simple.

Just grab it by the horns. An angry stag stabs a person with its front leg?

Instead of standing in front, you can grab the horns from the side.

That’s it. The horn is both a weapon and a weakness.

Deer are like that.

As long as the weight is similar or the difference in weight is not too large, you can neutralize it by grabbing its horns.

If it doesn’t work out, kill me.

Juul only told us the location of the stag.

At some point, there is a need to capture deer alive.

Because it costs more.

In fact, the stag in front just stares at me blankly. It’s like, ‘Do you know who I am?’ It seems like he is dealing with sewage water.

Some squat to make their bodies appear smaller.

“What are you looking at?”

He approached the stag with an arrogant behavior that subtly provoked the animal.

Herbivores are very fearful, and fear secretes adrenaline and prepares them for battle.

There is no checking, monitoring the situation, or anything like that.

Either run away or fight back.

It is a set reaction to the point of compulsiveness.

This is why herbivores kill more people than carnivores. Typical melancholy. That is a herbivore.

Lee Geuk-go started running towards me.

I immediately hid behind a tree.

The deer was very excited and approached me at a fast pace, probably because it was trying to hide behind a tree and catch me with its front paws.

In terms of weight class, it would be around 100kg to 130kg.

He weighs about 20 to 50 kg more than me.

How many steps did you walk with the tree as your support?

slap-!

He quickly went out, grabbed the horn, and pulled it.

Kiyiuuk—?!

I guess I realized then that something was wrong.

The thing started screaming and shaking.

I held its horns and walked around the tree, tying its horns to the tree.

The guy whose neck started to break couldn’t run away and was subdued by me.

After that it was simple.

Sigh! Bye! Sigh!

Cut off twigs.

The stag, who had been castrated, shed tears of fear.

Looking at the blood coming out, it looked like it was a deer antler that was still half-ripe.

“I’m sorry.”

Before I can even take care of the exhausted deer, Juul appears and tilts his head.

“Are you okay?”

“Yes. There are no injuries.”

“How about it, you can’t do anything because you’re holding on by the horns?”

Jules came to me, giggling.

I followed Jule around the South for five years and learned various hunting methods.

Moreover, after receiving Venus’ blessing, my body feels very light. Thanks to this, it wasn’t that difficult to choke and kill the deer.

“Antler, it’s a little hard. Do you want to eat it?”

When Juul was presented with an antler that he couldn’t tell if it was an antler or an antler, Juul took it, peeled off the velvet from the antler, and ate it.

“Do you want to eat too?”

“It’s fishy for humans.”

The deer was so discouraged by the sight that it lowered its eyes and shook its head.

Sorry. There is nothing but death ahead of you.

“Where is the village they are hiding in?”

Jules pointed to the high ground.

“You can climb straight north from here.”

“Please stop Shir from chasing me.”

“I told you as soon as you left.”

Jules didn’t approach me.

This was because the smell could be transferred with just a light touch.

“If it’s dangerous, scream or rub the blood with your finger. If I check the scent or voice, I will go rescue you.”

“Yes.”

I grabbed the horns of the now unsightly guy and started walking to the direction Jules pointed out.

“I’ll be back.”

The further we went, the more traces of Terub began to appear.

I thought I ate a lot of meat, but now that I think I was mistaken, I feel like I’m going back to the beginning.

I walked aimlessly toward the place Jules had mentioned.

How long did it take to walk like that?

After crossing a few hills, we came across an area that was open to the eye, with trees low and few in number, which was noticeable for the southern part of the country.

The remaining trees have been neatly pruned, and arrows are stuck in the guard posts above the trees.

And, the odor that wafts out.

‘This is why I can’t confirm.’

I have never smelled a smell this intense.

The body was taken out without being buried. It was like they were openly advertising that there was a dead person here.

I think I understand why the Hosott that Claudia mentioned had to take and smell stimulants.

The odor is so strong to begin with, but being able to smell something different is amazing.

I heard that there are marauders holding out in the village, so I thought they might be plotting something like Jules said, but something is going strange.

“···Human?”

“──────?!”

Back! I was caught up before I knew it!

A match took place.

“Who are you!”

I looked around, but there was no one.

“What’s going on here?”

I turned around and heard the sound of something landing behind me.

It was a nimble gesture worthy of Terup.

“···I came to sell deer meat to the Siren.”

“They are no more. Because we killed them all.”

The guy is cackling wildly.

We shouldn’t have lost momentum.

“Killed? Why?!”

I already knew.

I pretended to be interested and slowly turned around to look at Terup’s appearance. He is a little taller than me.

Terup was wearing leather armor with a dragon, the flag of Habstenburg, drawn on it. Terup, who was looking at me, put the machete he was holding into his waistband and smiled.

“You─ Isn’t that Drekkar’s military uniform? Why is the soldier here?”

“That’s right. What are you doing?”

God you liar.

Please help me as always.

“People and hunters that you must protect.”

Terub’s eyes turn to the deer.

“The people we must protect do not deal with sirens.”

I was expecting it to come out like that.

You must spit out lies that are reasonably realistic.

I need to adapt and refine what I have experienced, heard, and seen so far.

“What are you talking about? There were so many people that they crossed a river, and there were no tax wagons or supplies! You don’t have a choice, do you?”

“Then why are you here?”

“We settled down near the Rhine River, but because of you, the southern Ains flocked around the river, so we had no choice but to leave. About most of the household chores!”

“No, that’s not a reason. But who could settle in such a remote area? Normally, it’s normal to go back inside the river.”

“Normal? Those of you who live comfortably behind walls don’t know. Do you know how many natives there are here? If you go east right now, you’ll find a village! I used to live there.”

“Did you not understand what I said correctly? I asked why you were here.”

“Listen to what people say until the end. The situation in the village was bad. The Southerners have been looting on a regular basis. I’ve filed complaints with you many times, but I’ve never received any help. Do you know why I left that town? They’re all dead! While sending relief requests to the Great Wall more than 20 times, you only once─.”

“Stop.”

Terub cut me off with a look of disgust. They also recognize that they are unable to provide help to natives outside the demarcation line.

“···At least, unlike you, the people here are people who at least accept barter. But you killed it.”

“Drekar’s territory extends to the Rhine River you mentioned. We cannot protect all of Drekkar’s people outside the Rhine. And are you a native or a criminal?”

“Of course I’m native!”

“Then what is that finger?”

Oh right.

‘I know that humans cut off the ring finger of someone who has committed a misdemeanor, sewed the bone, and made it mandatory for the criminal to carry it around. It means don’t forget to look at your fingers.’

Mortality is the punishment for thieves in Drekkar and Junaira.

I was so absorbed in method acting that I forgot about my own situation. I immediately gathered my thoughts and kept my mouth shut. We have to make him cross the line.

While organizing his thoughts, Terub’s eyes narrowed.

“Hehehe… He was a criminal? It’s truly incredible that they commit crimes even in the southern part of the country.”

asked. He identified my identity.

He took out a small finger bone attached to a necklace and showed it off.

“Look. I was cut off when I was fourteen. I was an orphan. There was no proper food, clothing, and shelter. Bread, beef jerky… I got my finger cut off while stealing these things. It was a day that changed my life.”

Terub snorts.

“Hmph, you were a beggar.”

“You don’t understand. Do you know the feeling of digging up weeds in the mountains and boiling them and eating them? It was the same when I came here. I lived by catching frogs and snakes. Even temples and orphanages won’t accept me, so what on earth can I do?”

“Do not justify your mistakes. Isn’t the reason you couldn’t mix with the villages inside the demarcation line because you don’t have four fingers? So they settled in a village outside the border. A place where people like you live together! I will overlook your mistakes, so leave the deer behind.”

This is an emotional appeal that criminals usually make.

I must have listened to it so hard that it hurt my ears, so it’s clear that it didn’t make any sense.

At the very least, his inertia and stereotypes transformed him into a ‘nuisance guy’ rather than an enemy. This was what I was aiming for.

“Should I say I did something wrong? Can’t you see my fingers? I cut it. And like you said, I was kicked out. That’s my punishment. Have I sinned against you? doesn’t exist. This is something I had a hard time catching. If you buy it, you don’t know, leave it behind? No, I’ll take it. If you want to report me, follow the proper procedure.”

There’s no way the people protesting can take me to the north gate.

He grabbed the deer’s antlers.

“Leave it when you have good words to say.”

“Are you hungry?”

Terub revealed his teeth.

But I didn’t draw my sword.

This is a simple threat.

“Okay. I’m very hungry.”

I think he realized that his threats had no effect on me. I smiled at him.

“Do one of the three. Either pay the money, exchange it for something I’m satisfied with, or cut off my little finger and live outside the walls of my colon. Just like me.”

There’s no way you’re carrying money during an operation.

There is no way I would cut off my little finger. If you agree to do business with me, you will probably want to exchange something.

If not? You will leave with it taken away.

Terub’s clear, clean eyes stare at my face. If the deer is taken away, you will never be able to set foot here again.

But when you open a transaction, things change.

Even if it is a little risky, there is a need to gamble.

You should never open your mouth first. After making eye contact for a long time, Terup finally opened his mouth first.

“Let me ask you something first.”

“What?”

“The deer does not smell like a wound. How can humans catch deer without using tools?”

“I held it with my hand.”

“How?”

“Deer at this time of year are fearless. They believe in horns, but in fact horns are their weak point. If you get caught, you can control its head.”

When I shook the deer’s antlers, its head whipped around.

“This is what happens when you say you’re great and attack me.”

“····Good. But I don’t have the power to decide what to pay. Let’s meet the captain. Follow me.”

I can hear the rustling of the bushes nearby. Someone was hiding.

‘I didn’t notice.’

Another terub that was hiding glanced this way, glanced at me, and then left.

Likewise, he is wearing armor with a dragon on it.

It wasn’t just me, there were several more people watching me. Somewhere, even a ranger must be aiming his bow at me.

“What is there to do in a place like this?”

“A lot, a lot. Knowing that, what are you asking for?”

I asked too directly.

“Of course I’m doing that because I’m curious. People who were kind to me have become corpses.”

“Jong-Ae Lee guy.”

You misunderstand yourself.

Thank you so much for selling me out.

“Isn’t it all like that? I think I saw a lot of sirens on Changgwan Street when I was five years old. I saw you too sometimes.”

“Hmph. Well, most of them are human.”

Terub scoffed and looked away.

There you are. I’ve vaguely heard of this before, but this is my first time using it.

Because human trafficking was the decisive reason why the relationship between sirens and humans became distant. The odor got worse as time went by.

“I’ll leave this to you.”

Terub came forward and captured the deer by its horns.

“Thank you.”

Terub held the deer in his arms.

After handing over the deer, I was able to have some freedom.

Siren’s village was a humble village.

Most of the houses were climbed up by ladders, like a children’s secret base, and crows flew around the village.

A lot of that too.

Caw! Caw-!

Crows and eagles are some kind of scavengers.

However, the crow did not devour the Siren’s body. It just flew around and cried mournfully with a sound that I didn’t want to hear.

“Those annoying crows.”

It’s your fault.

“I’ve seen it before. That’s a crow raised by a siren. The name of this tribe is Crow Wings.”

Terub’s ears flutter.

“You are a hunter, right? If you are knowledgeable about birds, I hope you can tell me how to get rid of those pieces of garbage. As soon as I got close to the corpse, it would sometimes fly over and peck at me, so I couldn’t do anything to clean it up. Thanks to you, my nose is rotting.”

That doesn’t mean they didn’t clean it up on purpose.

But it’s better not to clean it up.

Because if your sense of smell is paralyzed, it is easy to attack by surprise.

“In general, leaky hair is good. Crows are particularly intelligent among birds. You probably already know that you killed your master.”

“Then I can’t understand it even more. You’re burying it, right? Why are they blocking the store?”

You say things like that because you don’t empathize.

“If a family member dies and a robber tries to bury the body, will it only result in a secret burial? Of course they will be reluctant to touch it.”

“At best, it’s an animal, right?”

“It’s a matter of emotions before intelligence. Judgment is a mixture of desire, emotion, reason, and intelligence. But most people judge animals based solely on intelligence. That’s stupid. It’s stupid. like this. Hunters caught up in that inertia get eaten by animals. Especially in the South.”

I still get goosebumps when I think of Groots, who crushed children in front of their parents like they were killing cockroaches.

“···Try to listen carefully.”

The guy nodded and started taking the lead.

Turning your back on me means you have thrown away your doubts. It started now.