♢ ♢ ♢ ♢ ♢
The truck carrying Rogi and her father had already reached its destination. It was a shabby village located inside a ruined city.
At the entrance, a large wooden sign hung between two tall stone pillars, and on it, the words "Acorn Village" were written in bold letters.
Rogi's heart pounded… and fear followed.
"Acorn...? Is this where I'm going to live...?"
An unknown fear filled her with worry. She wanted to cry, but she held it in. Thinking of her mother, she could not cry.
The truck slowly entered the village, and many people had come out to welcome them. It felt as if the entire village had gathered.
"Huh? Dad, over there..."
To calm the surprised Rogi, her father explained.
Dad: Rogi, surprising, isn't it?
Rogi: Uh... why is everyone outside?
Dad: When Dad was young, this was normal.
Dad: Back then, neighbors lived helping each other like this.
Dad: Like one big family.
Rogi: Wow... that's amazing...
Dad: Right? Pretty amazing, isn't it?
Rogi: Yeah... but I still don't understand.
Dad: You wouldn't see this where we used to live.
Rogi: Yeah.
Dad: Haha, this is what it means for people to truly live together.
Rogi: Hmm... I see...
Rogi's thoughts became more complicated. The villagers' excessive kindness felt unfamiliar and frightening. She didn't know how to respond.
When the truck stopped and the engine turned off, her father quickly got out and began greeting people.
Rogi felt as if her mind had gone blank.
"Should I get out... or not...?"
After a deep sigh, Rogi slowly got out of the truck. Looking around, adults were moving busily everywhere.
She searched for her father, but it wasn't easy to find him among the crowd. Standing still felt strange, and walking around felt scary.
Then something even more surprising happened.
Villagers gathered around the truck, unloading the luggage in an orderly manner and carefully carrying it into the house where Rogi would live.
Rogi wondered what was going on. Some adults made eye contact with her but didn't approach.
[It was consideration.]
She finally found her father. He smiled briefly, then returned to being busy.
Rogi kept looking at him desperately, but he had no time to respond.
Not knowing why, Rogi felt hurt, afraid, and even isolated.
She slowly moved to a sunlit wall and leaned against it.
"...Mom... what should I do...?"
Just as tears began to rise—
Two girls approached. One her age, one younger.
Without hesitation, the older girl grabbed Rogi's hand.
Pai: Hi, you're Rogi, right? I'm Pai. This is Eti.
Eti: Hi, Rogi! I'm Eti.
Rogi: Huh...? How do you know my name...? Hehe
Pai led Rogi to her father.
Pai: Hello, sir!
Dad: Oh! Hello. I'm Rogi's father.
Dad: We just moved here. Nice to meet you.
Dad: Please take good care of Rogi.
Pai: Yes, sir!
Pai took Rogi toward the study room.
"Dad, I'll be back~"
But her father was already too busy.
On the way, they met Leo.
Leo: Hi, Rogi~ I'm Leo.
Rogi: Huh...? You know my name too...
Leo: Haha... where's Dabi?
Rogi: Who?
Pai: That idiot is probably watching cartoons again.
Eti: Idiot, haha~
Leo: I'm hungry.
Pai: Let's eat at the study room.
Rogi: You eat there?
Pai: Yeah! The teacher cooks!
Leo: It's the best.
Rogi was confused.
"What is this place...?"
♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦
Cold wind seeped through the warehouse door. An unpleasant chill.
A large insect approached the Red Rooster.
"So, as promised, I've caught you."
Red Rooster: Mond! Please let me go this time.
Mond: A promise is a promise. Let's go back.
Red Rooster: Please. Just pretend you didn't see me.
Mond: Even if I let you go, you won't reach the Tarin Forest. Our forces surround it.
Red Rooster: Then I'll defeat you.
Mond remained calm.
Mond: You've lost everything. The power that once terrified Barak is gone.
Mond: The Sage Queen imprisoned you deliberately—to humiliate you...
Mond stopped speaking.
Mond: I understand. But come back.
Their argument escalated.
Red Rooster: I'll show you the food chain!
Mond: With that body? Don't make me laugh.
Behind him, Meron appeared—three times larger than Mond.
[Barak explanation]
Barak possess antennae used for sensing and communication, capable of transmitting large amounts of information.
Their body color varies by role, and ground combat types like Meron tend toward purple or blue.
Their shells are light yet extremely durable, resistant to blunt force and simple projectiles.
Between the head and torso is thick fur-like material that helps retain heat.
Red Rooster, pushed to the edge, revealed hidden weapons.
Numerous weapons poured out behind him.
Mond: What is all that?!
Red Rooster: Insecticide bombs made by Emperor Rolan of Gordik. [Created as a hobby. Effect unknown.]
Mond: That won't work on us.
Red Rooster: Last warning!
"Roll-roll!"
The weapons rose into the air and fired.
Instead of gas, they exploded violently.
Chain explosions spread through the warehouse.
Heat and shockwaves filled the space.
Red Rooster: What is that!?
Using the chaos, he ran.
He forced his way through the Barak, passed through the door, and escaped.
Explosions continued behind him, pushing him forward.
He was thrown farther than expected and landed hard.
His ears rang, and dizziness overwhelmed him.
"Rolan... this is a bomb..."
He collapsed.
Behind him, the warehouse continued to explode.
"Just because it says insecticide..."
♢ ♢ ♢ ♢ ♢
Eti: Sis! This is the study room!
Leo: I'm starving!
The teacher opened the door.
Teacher: Why are you so late? Come in!
Rogi hesitated.
Teacher: Hmm... who are you?
Strangely, that made Rogi happy.