Chapter 64
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Translator: Ace
Chapter: 064
Chapter Title: Gateway of the Gnoll
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The gnoll's gaze swept over the people. Woojin caught several emotions in those eyes.
Vigilance, caution, and curiosity.
Humans were a rare sight in the Demonic Realm. Whether it wanted information or had stumbled upon unfamiliar prey, the gnoll approached them like a stray dog discovering something new.
"Please wait a moment."
After halting Rolang and the others around him, Woojin stepped forward alone toward the gnoll. Naturally, its gaze locked onto him.
Shk, swish.
He lightly moved both hands.
This wasn't casting a spell with Enoch's ability—it was sign language. The signals used by the Demonic Realm's natives to communicate with other lifeforms.
Crude inventions by the beasts, they lacked the systematic structure of human sign language.
As such, the vocabulary was limited. After expressing the most common words, one had to infer the sentence's meaning from context.
—I want to trade.
That was the signal he sent.
The gnoll's face showed surprise. It seemed intrigued that an unfamiliar being was using a familiar form of communication.
The two exchanged words.
—Where did you come from?
—Beyond there. The place where the shadows are faint.
—Intriguing.
A truly rare encounter. The gnoll seemed eager to ask more questions out of interest, but...
With such crude signs, proper conversation was difficult, and with an army glaring from behind, they couldn't afford idle chit-chat.
—I want to trade.
Woojin proposed again. The gnoll's eyes flicked to the expeditionary force standing at the rear.
—Do you represent that group?
—No. Only I and my companions here want to trade.
Woojin wanted to get the people around him inside the gate. What the expeditionary force decided afterward was a separate matter.
The gnoll seemed to grasp the situation.
—Is that group behind our enemy?
A sensitive question. Woojin answered honestly without any tricks.
—High possibility.
—If your kin are hostile to us... you could be our enemy too.
—No. I won't break a deal.
—What's your basis for saying that?
Woojin glanced at the people around him, then spoke softly so only the gnoll could hear.
"A deal is sacred."
Not in human tongue, but the gnoll's language. A voice like a mix of dog and monkey howls. The gnoll blinked in confusion... then smiled, seemingly impressed.
"...A deal is sacred."
The gnoll's response came.
It meant agreement to trade. As Woojin moved to set down the bag of goods he'd brought, the gnoll turned its head and shouted something toward the gate.
Kirrrrk—!
With the creak of wood, the gate opened. It struck Woojin as odd.
'The deal isn't sealed yet... why open the gate?'
When he signaled that question, the gnoll replied in a tone like it was granting a favor.
"You please me. So I'll let your group in without charge."
In exchange, the iron weapons held by Woojin and his companions must not be pointed at the gnoll. It emphasized that as it opened the gate.
Three subordinate gnolls emerged from the gap in the door, each carrying a large wooden basket.
Woojin needed to call his group too.
"Everyone, come here."
He beckoned to those waiting behind. Rolang, who'd been poised to move, approached.
"Did it go well?"
"Yes. Just a simple matter left."
They'd brought plenty of food and beast hides for the trade, but things resolved more easily than expected. As he spoke, Woojin drew the dagger from his belt.
Woojin held the blade to his head.
Snip!
A clump of his gray hair fell. Seeing this, Rolang furrowed his brow slightly.
"Why cut your hair all of a sudden? It looks like a rat took a bite out of it."
"It's the procedure to pass the gate."
With that reply, he offered the hair to the gnoll. It tied the strands into a knot, then wrapped them tightly in thin leather.
Thud.
The gnoll tossed the hair into the empty basket. Then it rummaged in another and pulled out an item.
A necklace made from gnoll teeth. In exchange for the hair, Woojin received it.
'Proof of passage through the gate.'
Wearing this necklace would keep the gnolls from attacking him. Giving the hair was like presenting identification.
Gnolls had exceptional senses of smell. They could easily detect the scent and chemical traces in a person's hair.
The hair given at the gate would be sent to the gnoll community. They'd memorize the smell and taste to cross-verify outsiders' identities.
It was a measure against the necklace being transferred or forged.
"Alright, one by one, come here."
He beckoned to those around. They quickly lined up. Woojin cut a clump from each person's head and handed it to the gnoll. Even the wolves were no exception.
Finally... it was Rolang's turn.
"Hurry up."
Woojin urged him repeatedly. Rolang wore a reluctant expression. His well-groomed long hair was one of his points of pride.
"...Do I have to cut it?"
"Come on... Even the nuns cut theirs without complaint. What's a grown man hesitating for?"
Woojin prodded the man's pride. Flared up, Rolang snatched the dagger and cut a clump himself.
With that, all procedures were complete.
The necklace-wearers, wolves, and two Tarasques entered the gate. Soon after, it closed tightly again.
"Sir Rolang, please lead the group through the canyon first. I'll scout the situation and follow."
"Got it..."
Rolange replied glumly and led the soldiers forward.
Woojin turned to look at the gnoll.
It stood atop the gate as when it first appeared. Wanting to talk more with the creature, Woojin climbed the rope and plopped down beside it.
The gnoll glanced sideways at him.
"Why'd you come back?"
The gnoll asked. With no eyes on them, Woojin replied freely in its tongue.
"If they decide to trade, I might need to interpret."
The expeditionary force was still holding position, not acting yet. Seeing Woojin's bold attempt succeed, their leaders seemed to have called another meeting.
It would take time, so...
Habitually, he pulled out jerky and chewed. Like gum, grinding away. Intrigued by the aroma, the gnoll beside him perked up.
"...What's that food?"
"Dried meat. Try some."
Woojin replied and tore off half to offer. The gnoll hesitated, then took and ate it.
Immediately, its eyes widened. The jerky's flavor had stunned it.
"This... what beast's meat?"
"Sheep. You can get it beyond there."
Woojin pointed to the horizon. The gnoll smacked its lips regretfully.
"That's outside our territory."
"Figured. How are things for you lately? I've been away a while, so I'm out of the loop here."
A question about internal affairs. The gnoll pondered briefly but answered readily, deeming it payment for the food.
"Not good. The ancient ones are expanding. Our territory's shrunk a lot because of it."
"Spiders still a problem?"
"No. They were headaches before... but now it's the opposite. The spiders are blocking the ancient ones' southward push. No idea why."
Mid-conversation, as if the situation struck it anew, the gnoll stared at him.
"Strange... Where'd you learn our tongue? You speak like one of us."
"No special story."
Back in reality, he'd struggled with basic English conversation. Oddly, he'd picked up the natives' language here effortlessly.
As they chatted...
"...Looks like they've reached a decision."
Woojin said suddenly. The gnoll caught on late. The silver army marched toward the gate, silver bolts loaded in their crossbows.
No negotiations.
Opposite to what Woojin wanted, but not surprising. The second expeditionary force's foolishness wasn't new. He'd half-expected it.
"Regrettable to fight your kin."
The gnoll said. Understanding the necessity, Woojin nodded.
One last thing to ask.
"I'm Jin. What's your name?"
"Logar."
"Good name."
They exchanged names briefly...
Shing—
Woojin drew his machete. Logar bared its fangs in fury.
"Breaking the deal?!"
"No... We have to put on a show of fighting. Parting amicably in front of the army would look weird."
"...True enough."
With the invasion underway, Woojin needed to play the part too.
Logar muttered awkwardly. Still, its genuine anger made the scene tense and convincing.
Woojin explained his script.
"Trade one attack each, then kick me lightly into the gate interior."
"That okay?"
"Fine. My body's tough."
Logar didn't refuse. It had sensed long ago that Woojin was an exceptional powerhouse.
The gnoll lunged. Its claws elongated sharply. Like the werewolf's trick before, but far more potent.
Kagagak!
As he stepped back, long claw marks scarred the stone floor. Simultaneously, Woojin swung his machete at the gnoll's neck.
Using the flat would minimize damage. But Logar dodged in panic anyway—the machete was faster than expected.
Thwack!!
As prearranged, the kick flew. Woojin channeled mana into his side.
Boom—!
Like a drum burst, Woojin's body soared far. Flashy, but the kick lacked real force. He'd rolled into it himself on contact.
Immediately after, the gnoll leaped after like hunting prey, landing inside the gate. Woojin and Logar rolled naturally to their feet.
Inside the stone walls, the expeditionary force could no longer see them. No need for more theatrics.
But...
Pew pew pew pew—!
Odd sounds erupted outside. Glistening bolts arced over the walls. Silver arrows from the force.
Human and gnoll jumped up hurriedly. They sprinted together toward the canyon interior.
Splat, splat—!
Chasing them, silver arrows rained like downpour where they'd just passed. Their haste kept them out of the blast radius.
"Kuuuwaaak!!"
Logar howled. At the signal, its hidden subordinates fled into the distance.
Surrendering the gate bruised pride, but the enemies outnumbered them vastly. No choice. Two gnolls lit signal fires.
These fires focused on scent over smoke. Burning aromatic plants alerted nearby gnolls via the smell.
Gate fallen.
...And vengeance.
"I must return to my kin. Jin, we'll meet again soon."
Woojin and his group had earned recognition. Thus, the gnoll's fangs wouldn't turn on them. Logar explained as it prepared to leave.
Woojin voiced a small hope.
"Try not to be too harsh on them. Most were dragged here clueless."
But Logar shook its head.
"Can't grant that. Showing false mercy could harm my kin. War is merciless by nature."
"Fair enough..."
Woojin sighed deeply. Pressing further would be shameless. An invader making such pleas was absurd to begin with.
Logar and its subordinates departed.
...They'd return with the army.