### Chapter 266 – Room ???, The Cursed Room – ‘????’ (4)
—
– Han Kain
“Did I offend you in any way, Gaine?”
“No, no, it’s fine. Just step out for a moment. I need to think.”
“… Alright.”
Phew! I just barely managed to send her out.
The small party held to celebrate the slaying of the Wriggling Teeth might have taken a strange turn. The girl who barged into my room late at night could well be my supposed girlfriend or something like that in this scenario.
None of these tribesmen dare to directly call me by my name, opting instead for titles like ‘divine being’ or ‘young lord,’ so it’s clear she’s someone special.
Of course, this was the first time I saw her!
What on earth is with the hotel setting up a girlfriend or whatever? She could be a girl with a hidden agenda, but for now, it’s very uncomfortable.
Anyway, let me calm down and think about the escape plan.
No matter how I slice it, the ‘paradise’ mentioned in that song across the mountain range holds some key significance. Isn’t that the place we’re supposed to head to?
However, the diverse monsters lurking in the Crimson Mountain are definitely a huge threat. The tribesmen’s tales come from their fathers and grandfathers, so they’re probably not entirely accurate. Nonetheless, even if half of it is true, I can’t possibly lead this primitive bunch through there alone.
Ultimately, I have to reunite with my comrades who are scattered somewhere in this vast primitive world…
The big picture feels set. Somehow, once I gather my comrades, we’ll launch an assault through the mountain range. How am I going to regroup? It’s a bummer that the party status window is blocked, preventing me from checking ‘comrade information.’
Of course, even if I could see comrade information in this primitive world, joining forces wouldn’t be easy. There’s no advanced administration system like a country here, so there are no designated names for areas, and there are no means of transportation to get there either.
Even if I got something like, ‘Park Seungyub: 240km northwest near the oak tree,’ how could I possibly find a comrade that far away?
Let’s keep thinking positively. There are 9 members in the hotel party; even if one is sealed, there are still 8 of us active. So, at the very least, there should be 8 tribes around here in this vast world. One of those tribes has to be nearby, right?
While lost in thought, a good idea struck me. Judging by my situation, it seems like my comrades have also become the leaders of their respective tribes. Therefore, if I can find another tribe, my comrades should be there!
*
I considered summoning Old Wolf Claw. He looked like he’d been enjoying some food and drink, given his flushed nose as he entered the tent.
“Young lord, you requested to see me.”
“Old Tooth, is there another tribe nearby?”
At that moment, a tense silence filled the tent. Old Tooth’s eyes widened as though the alcohol had suddenly worn off, and the four or so warriors who were paying attention to my words shifted their demeanor and looked uneasy.
What’s going on? Why the sudden tension?
“Young lord… You’ve steeled your resolve. I’m just here to follow your lead.”
What are you talking about? What resolve? I suddenly felt an incomprehensible flow of tension in the air.
“Certainly, young lord, while you are indeed wise, I’ve heard your memory has been hazy lately, so let me explain. All tribes are always on the move, so finding one by following them is not feasible.”
“Then how do we find them?”
“We must ambush them at a location they are compelled to go for survival. In this area…”
Old Tooth appeared to contemplate the nearby terrain, but I caught an odd expression in his words. “Ambush”? Why are we suddenly talking about ambushing?
“If you turn right from the tent towards the jet-black forest, you’ll find a small grove abundant with fragrant fruits. Near that grove, though it appears somewhat rough, you’ll come to a river teeming with fish and beasts.”
Clean water and fruit, plus a river full of beasts? In this primitive era, it sounds like a treasure trove of food. So, you’re saying we might run into another tribe by heading towards that river?
“Actually… That land is one we’ve guarded since my father’s time. Unfortunately, the ‘Wriggling Teeth’ weakened our tribe, and plunderers seized the ancestral land. Now, if the divine being shows his might, we could reclaim our ancestors’ land!”
As the atmosphere warmed up slowly, I finally realised how they interpreted my words. I was aiming to find my comrades, but these people were mistaking it for my intent to wage war on another tribe.
While it’s absurd, it’s quite advantageous as well. At least I won’t have to deal with complaints about why I want to go to such a place.
“We’ll move to the riverbank tomorrow morning.”
“I’ll relay the message.”
“Good. And tell them to avoid attacking other tribes recklessly until I give orders. I intend to have a chat with their divine being first.”
“… I’d like you to reconsider that. The divine being across the river is much more savage and brutal than you, young lord. It’s not someone you can reason with; you might as well be facing a boar in human form—”
“Enough. I’ve made my decision.”
Listening to the description, I could roughly guess who that ‘divine being of the neighboring tribe’ was.
*
The next morning, the elderly, women, and children from the tribe were sent to a relatively safer cave, while the strong all set off toward the riverbank.
Thanks to the bloody battle against the ‘Wriggling Teeth’ just two days ago, we have a considerable number of injuries on our hands. While I looked around with worried eyes, a young warrior with wolf teeth approached me.
“Don’t worry. They’re all brave souls, and when the time comes to wield their spears, they won’t hesitate!”
Confidence is good and all, but I’m not convinced at all. I can clearly deduce the identity of that ‘savage being’ ruling the adjacent tribe.
With just these makeshift wooden spears, they won’t stand a chance against it. They probably know that too, but they must all be banking on me to see them through.
As we walked toward the riverbank, a question popped into my head.
“By the way, about the divine being of the neighboring tribe—was there any word about them being incapacitated?”
“I’m not sure about the affairs of the neighboring tribe…”
Whoops! Mistake! It’s not like we have smartphones or the internet in this age. How would I know what’s going on over there?
After leaving the grove full of fragrant fruit and walking for about 20 minutes, we finally arrived at the troubling river. As soon as I stepped foot there, I understood why this riverbank was coveted by several tribes in the vicinity.
The width and depth of the river were immense, even to the point of obscuring the opposite bank, and swimming around were gigantic fish even larger than humans.
As for the water, it didn’t look crystal clear to my modern eyes, but it might be drinkable for the Stone Age.
Soon enough, the warriors started murmuring about hiding and sending scouts to the enemy tribe for reconnaissance, but I told them to knock it off.
And then, around 30 minutes later, I encountered humans from the other tribe for the first time since entering this room.
*
“What the hell! How dare you pillage ancestral land—”
As soon as three people from the neighboring tribe appeared with spears in hand, my tribe rushed at them, aiming to intimidate.
Before I could even take a step, the other tribe’s folks were already face down in the mud. It seemed like the conflict between the two tribes was fiercer than I expected.
“Hey! Hey! Back off!”
“We’re gonna skin you alive—”
“Are you deaf?!”
“Oh, I’m so sorry! It seems this guy got a bit too excited.”
Barging in to shoo away the predators, I approached the subdued neighboring tribesmen only to witness something peculiar unfold.
Moments ago, they were hurling insults at my tribe’s warriors and putting up fierce resistance, but upon looking at me, they instantly bent down, prostrating themselves and starting up the most courteous of pleasantries. It seems in this primitive age, even if they were from a hostile tribe, there’s a custom of respecting someone who’s a descendant of a god, whether they like it or not.
Thinking about it, throughout history on Earth, those of noble blood were often afforded special treatment even when captured by rival factions. It seems they had this idea that a precious being isn’t like ordinary humans, even in enmity.
“I’m honored to meet the divine being.”
“Divine being! This humble little rock hill—”
“Self-introductions are enough already.”
“Oh mighty divine being… Of course, I cannot begin to fathom the will of someone so great, but today’s events will certainly not be forgiven by the ‘Angry Boar God’!”
“The Angry Boar God? Is that the title of your divine being? You know, I wonder if I have one too. What’s my title?”
Strangely enough, both those prostrated before me and the tribe members following me shut their mouths tightly. Old Wolf Claw beside me finally cautiously spoke.
“Young lord! Do not concern yourself with nicknames bestowed by the lowly ones.”
“Got it. Hey! I’m on my way to meet your divine being. I have no intention of fighting, so guide me.”
As soon as I finished speaking, the surrounding murmurs swelled. The prostrate primitive widened his eyes, while the members of my tribe looked astonished. Old Wolf Claw immediately grabbed my arm and whispered into my ear.
“Young lord! You must stay calm! The ‘Angry Boar’ is renowned for their absurd strength and is often likened to a raging inferno. Approaching rashly could cost you your life. Your… ‘abilities’ work better when you maintain some distance, right?”
The opposition was so strong that it led to a conclusion that I’d stay put while the captives would bring their divine being to me.
I doubted these guys would just ambush me, but surprisingly, the tribesmen had complete faith. They believed no one would break a promise made before a divine being.
What on earth is a ‘divine being’ in this world? Who knows…
That evening, not long after we parted ways, I found myself face-to-face with one of the familiar faces I missed dearly.
“Hey! It’s great seeing you, bro. ‘Angry Boar God.’”
Giggling, I greeted the figure, who happens to be my older brother, Cha Jinchul, who looked awfully strange with part of his left arm missing.
“Still kicking, huh? Lucky me, ‘the Evil Body Snatcher.’”
*
In a desolate plain with thick clouds of sand swirling around, an elder and a well-built man stood facing each other. Behind the elder, there were over 20 others, but the man visiting him brought no one.
“Honestly, I never thought we’d meet like this, ‘King of the Undead.’”
“… Sir, what’s with that name?”
“I hear if Sanghyun’s around, everyone gets well, and the injured spring back to their feet, so they call your tribe the ‘undead.’ Just so you know, my name is ‘Hand of the Evil Spirit.’”
“Well, your ‘Hand of the Evil Spirit’ doesn’t seem in great shape.”
“Oh, this is from a fight with a monster worm a while back. I seem to have regeneration, so it’s nothing to worry about… But more importantly, where’s your tribe? It looks like everyone got assigned their own.”
“Sir, I have something important to tell you regarding that.”
“Something to say?”
Kim Sanghyun, the man in question, gazed at the distant plain with a dark expression.
“Have you heard about a divine being from the west who has turned into a demon?”
“…”
“There are rumors of a witch summoning a demon that was lost to humanity, slaughtering countless tribespeople beyond counting. Survivors have fled to where my tribe resides.”
“Surely, that can’t be….”
“We must prepare. We might all meet our end at the hands of a comrade in this room.”
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