Night slowly settled over the village.
Small campfires burned across the open ground, their light flickering softly against wooden walls and rope tied fences. The air smelled of smoke and roasted fish, a warm scent that mixed with the damp breath of the jungle surrounding them. Shadows moved gently as beastmen gathered in groups, talking quietly while turning fish over the flames.
Tokarou and Sumi sat on a thick log near the center of the village, each holding a skewer of fish. They looked around as they ate, watching the village.
Sumi chewed for a moment, then spoke in a low voice.
"We could just attack the Monster King tomorrow," she said.
"Force him to tell the truth."
Tokarou didn't answer right away. He took another bite, swallowed, then said calmly, "Yeah. We can be villains."
Sumi glanced at him, then turned her head slightly to the side.
"Well," she said, "people like villain main characters, right… readers?"
Tokarou looked at her.
"Who are you talking to?"
She shrugged. "We're in another world, we're strong for no reason. There's probably someone watching or reading this like a story."
He stared at her for a moment, then looked away without saying anything.
A soft voice nearby caught their attention.
Not far from them, a small beastmen family sat close to a campfire. The parents quietly grilled fish while two children sat side by side, swinging their legs.
"It's tasty, mom!" one of the kids said, holding the skewer with both hands.
"Slow down," the mother replied gently.
Sumi watched them for a moment. Tokarou followed her gaze.
Both of them fell silent as a memory surfaced.
A quiet park. Small Sumi sitting alone on a bench. Then small Tokarou walking over, holding two sausages.
"What's that?" she asked, eyes shining.
"Food," he replied simply.
They sat together, eating.
"Tokarou," she said back then, smiling brightly, "this is so tasty."
A small voice pulled them back to the present.
They both turned their heads at the same time.
A young beastmen girl stood a short distance away. Her clothes were old and dirty, her hands clutching the fabric nervously.
"Can… can I have one, please?" she asked in a small voice.
"I gave mine to my brother… I saw you were giving food, so I thought…"
Sumi and Tokarou looked at her for a moment.
Then Sumi vanished.
A second later, she reappeared, holding a freshly cooked fish on a stick. She bent slightly and handed it to the girl.
The child's face lit up.
"Thank you!" she said, bowing quickly before running off.
Tokarou watched the girl leave but didn't say anything.
His eyes shifted to another campfire.
Sarei sat there, surrounded by three villagers. She held the familiar fruit from the Monster King's territory.
"Sarei, please don't eat that," one of them said said.
"Eat the fish instead."
Sarei frowned. "Why do you all believe it's poisoned?" she said stubbornly.
"Fine then I'll eat it alone, i won't eat that. I'm happy with this."
Tokarou looked away.
Sumi leaned over and rested her head on his shoulder, closing her eyes.
"Sleeping?" he asked quietly.
"Yeah," she replied.
"We're heading out tomorrow," Tokarou said.
"Mm," she murmured, already drifting off.
He closed his eyes as well.
Maleta walked through the village with a basket of cooked fish, handing them out. She paused when she saw Tokarou and Sumi sleeping side by side.
A small smile appeared on her face.
Then she continued on.
Morning came quietly.
Mist still lingered between the trees when Tokarou, Sumi, and Sarei stood before the village gate. The wooden structure was simple, tied together with thick ropes, and the ground beneath their feet was packed dirt worn smooth.
Dekor stood at the front, leaning on his staff. Several villagers gathered behind him, their faces filled with worry. A few whispered prayers, while others simply watched in silence.
"Sarei," Dekor said slowly, his voice rough but gentle.
"be careful. If anything feels wrong, come back immediately."
Sarei nodded, clutching her hands together.
"I will, Elder."
Another beastman stepped forward.
"Please… don't push yourself if you don't want to then...."
Sarei bowed slightly, then turned toward Tokarou and Sumi. She hesitated, taking a small step closer.
"Do… do I need to guide you?" she asked nervously.
Tokarou just replied. "No. All you need to do is remember the place clearly, hold it in your mind."
Sarei looked confused, but before she could ask more, Sumi walked up and lifted her effortlessly into her arms.
"W-what—?" Sarei gasped.
Tokarou glanced at them. "Ready?"
Sumi looked forward, her expression calm.
"Wind acceleration." She said in a small voice.
Air gathered around her legs, visible ripples forming as pressure built. She bent her knees slightly.
Boom.
A sharp sonic blast tore through the gate area. Dust flew, ropes rattled, and villagers stumbled back as the three figures vanished in an instant.
Sarei screamed as wind slammed against her face, her hair and clothes whipping wildly.
"WHAAAT IS HAPPENING?!"
After some moments they appeared behind a thick cluster of bushes in a clearing deep within the forest. The air here felt heavy, almost stale. Sunlight barely reached the ground, blocked by tall trees and dense leaves.
Ahead of them were monsters.
Some walked on four legs with thick hides and narrow eyes. Others stood upright, hunched slightly, their bodies lean and rough. Their hands ended in small, sharp nails. Bushes heavy with familiar fruits surrounded them, and the monsters worked methodically, pressing those nails into the fruit skins.
Sarei stared, eyes wide, her breath caught in her throat.
Tokarou and Sumi watched quietly.
One monster sighed. "This job is boring as hell. Every day, the same thing."
Another snorted. "At least our nails are perfect for it. Too small to be noticed."
"Still," a third said, "why doesn't the king just wipe those beastmen out already? Would save time."
"You know how he is," one replied lazily.
A low chuckle followed.
"By the way," one monster said, smirking, "isn't there a woman he's been seeing lately?"
"Oh, yeah," another replied. "What was her name… Sarei, right?"
The smirk widened. "I'm pretty sure he'll rape her and make her have his childrens."
Sarei let out a sharp gasp.
Her legs gave way as she fell back, leaves crunching beneath her. The sound echoed in the clearing.
The monsters froze.
"Did you hear that?" one shouted.
"Someone's there!"
They turned sharply toward the bushes and began rushing forward.
Tokarou and Sumi slowly shifted their gaze back to Sarei.
Then Tokarou reached behind him.
The sword Dekor had given him slid smoothly into his hand.