At the End of the Hidden Greenery - Chapter 283

“Darling, we can take care of all of it for you.”

After seeing how discouraged Jiwoo had been over this lately, several of them had immediately volunteered to solve the problem, quickly tracking down the area where it originated.

In other words, they were willing to risk a conflict with another tribe if it was for Jiwoo’s sake. Judging by Lugarmel’s attitude, their side would probably have the advantage anyway.

“Hmm.”

Jiwoo didn’t have to think about it for long.

“It does make me a little sad, but I don’t think it’s something we should interfere with. Even if it feels like a long time to me, I heard we can simply bring food from elsewhere in the meantime…”

Starting with Asilion, many people had come to visit Jiwoo because of this problem.

They all described it as a cold. A very long-lasting one, certainly, but still something that would eventually pass on its own. They only came to her because, if it could be resolved, they’d naturally prefer that.

“You know… all the people who’ve visited our village recently? I think I finally understand why they kept bringing me gifts like honey and produce.”

In the end, everyone had chosen not to force the issue. Instead, they found ways to weather it together.

Those gifts were simply their way of showing Jiwoo kindness.

“The people here already have their own way of living in harmony. I don’t want to be the one who disrupts that.”

“Just as I expected.”

Although Lugarmel had proposed the more aggressive solution, he seemed to have known from the start which choice Jiwoo would make.

“What if they threaten us first?”

“Would they?”

“Our tree is stronger than theirs. If they have any sense, they won’t.”

Then wouldn’t Jiwoo’s group be the ones bullying them if they got involved…?

She was just thinking how glad she was that she’d refused before saying something like that when.

“But, darling.”

“Hm? Yes?”

“What if they’ve already started something?”

“…What?”

Lugarmel tilted his head, frowning in concern. 

“The team that was supposed to meet us here returned ahead of schedule. I heard there was some kind of problem…”

Come to think of it, Lanceil had mentioned that they’d split into multiple teams. One team had originally been investigating this area, and they were supposed to regroup here.

Instead, they’d gone back early.

“Did they say what happened?”

“They seemed far too rushed to explain.”

Jiwoo immediately hurried back toward the village. She needed to find the group that had returned first after discovering the underground passage.

“El!”

Lancet spotted her first and waved enthusiastically.

Arven, who usually worked alongside him, noticed Jiwoo as well and quickly nudged the man beside him.

“Reed, El’s here.”

“Oh, damn. Hold on. We’ve got a problem.”

At Jiwoo’s request, the investigation teams had been organized like this: each consisted of members who normally handled scouting, hunting, or patrols, accompanied by one senior member.

The first team had been Lanceil, Tevon, and Lugarmel. The second had been Marron, Night, and Helkainis. The remaining team consisted of Lancet, Arven… and this man.

“Narkreed.”

“Oh, yes.”

For some reason, Reed had one entire hand covering both of his eyes. Normally he had the sharp, piercing gaze of a hawk.

His dark gray hair gradually faded to white near the ends, and when Jiwoo had once asked about it, he’d casually explained that it simply turned white with age, much like flower petals changing color toward their tips.

If he had a defined role within the village, it was training the younger brothers in hunting and weaponsmanship.

Since he oversaw hunting and scouting, his instincts were exceptionally sharp. Perhaps because of that, he recognized Jiwoo’s arrival even with his eyes covered.

“What brings you all the way out here?”

Reed laughed lightly as he lowered his hand, intending to look at Jiwoo.

He tried to.

“Ah!”

The instant he opened his eyes, he let out a short cry, immediately clamped his hand back over them, and squeezed them shut as though he’d stared straight into something blinding.

“What’s wrong?”

Something was obviously wrong with his eyes.

“Are you hurt?”

Did the people underground attack him?

***

They were gathered in the small work area outside Narkreed’s home.

True to his specialty, bows, swords, and every kind of weapon imaginable were neatly displayed around the space, along with all the tools needed to maintain them. At a glance, it looked almost like a weapons shop.

This was where Narkreed normally sharpened blades, repaired bows, and carved arrows.

The brothers who specialized in weapons usually gathered here to work together, and today Lancet and Arven were seated beside him as though they were in the middle of another routine task.

Which made the sight of Reed sitting there with his eyes covered seem all the more dangerous.

Frowning, Jiwoo started toward him. Before she could get close, Reed raised his free hand to stop her. Then he answered the question she’d asked earlier.

“No. Nothing like that.”

His hearing really was excellent. He seemed to know exactly where she was even without looking.

“I heard the people underground might become hostile toward you.”

“Oh, that?”

He spoke as though he’d only just remembered something so insignificant that it hadn’t even been worth mentioning.

“We met them, but nobody got hurt.”

“You met them?”

So they really had encountered them.

“Yes, but nothing happened.”

“Then what’s wrong with your eyes?”