The Thunder Tribe's Chieftain (1)

"Whoa there, the forest's all cleared out. No more dangerous monsters lurking around."

The leader of the adventurer party reported to me after boldly taking out a werewolf at the vanguard. We'd almost exited the northern forest.

"Where there are werewolves, lycans could show up too. Don't let your guard down."

I added that, and the leader grinned in slight surprise.

"You know your stuff, huh? I was planning to give you a real shock if one popped up."

"What, you wanted to see the saintess's knights' jaws drop?"

"Hah, how'd you guess? Doc, you ever run with adventurers before?"

The leader chuckled, caught off guard. The hero party's warrior and archer were ex-adventurers, always pulling pranks like this. Adventurers tended to be rough around the edges, both in movement and manner.

"Haha, just kidding. No worries. We're a full B-rank party, and I'm A-rank myself. Lycans? Pfft, we can handle 'em easy. Even those barbarians or whatever."

"Monsters are one thing, but don't underestimate the barbarians."

"Really? Never heard that. We get hazard pay or what?"

"You already got an extra tenth for the terrain. Call it even."

"Right you are. Why the hell do they live in a frozen hellhole like this anyway? Fit for humans? No tech, those barbarians."

The Thunder Tribe weren't ordinary humans, that was for sure.

"Earn your keep. The highlands are coming up. Scout ahead."

"You got it."

The adventurers took point, mapping the terrain and clearing paths. Our route advanced with the knights' units inching forward bit by bit. Emerging from the forest, the trees and grass cut off abruptly like a border.

"Whoa."

The earthy scent vanished, replaced by a sea of white filling the view. Towering peaks greeted us. Clouds shrouded the summits, hiding their full shape. Twin mountains thrust skyward, blocking the northern vista and path, with only the narrow gorge between them beckoning as an entrance.

"Ominous."

As the adventurer leader said, it felt like a maw that swallowed all who entered, never to ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠release them—pure monster's jaws vibe. We advanced slowly right up to it. Adventurers scanned for ambushes, knights holding formation tight.

Along the way, I spotted something. At the gorge mouth, wooden pillars carved with patterns flanked the entrance. Totems.

"Halt."

I stopped the whole force and dismounted. Step by step, I trudged through the knee-deep snow.

"Doc."

I waved off Tanya following me. Circling back a bit from the totem to inspect it.

Yeah, that's the one. Seen it before.

In the future, the Thunder Tribe marked their territory with these.

"It's a kind of sensor. Cross the line the totems mark, and the barbarians detect us and attack on sight."

"Prepare for battle?"

"Peaceful approach first."

The knights were a last resort. The Thunder Tribe chieftain was strong. No hero, questionable if we could take her down and snag the Stormstone. War would just waste time.

"Bruno, bring it."

"Yes, sir."

Bruno hauled the prepped wagon with knight help. They unpacked and piled goods neatly. Looked like an altar offering.

"What'd you prepare?"

"Southern tropical fruits. Northern barbarians never tasted juicy, sweet stuff like this. One bite and their eyes'll roll back."

"Bargaining chips, eh? Think it'll work? Better set ambushes for contingencies."

Tanya voiced concern. Fair for a first contact with unknowns. But I'd met them countless times.

"Not ambush—conceal and position. Show a big army upfront, they'll panic. Send a small group first. Oh, and."

I handed Tanya her helmet visor.

"Keep your face covered, Captain. They don't like women. But they respect the strong."

"Understood."

Adventurers and knights went hidden. Me, Tanya, Bruno, and one squad held at the gorge line. We nudged the fruit-laden cart just inside the boundary.

Then the peaks hummed with waves. Like a harpy's screech.

"Hmm..."

Knights tensed—

Thud, thud, thud!!

Earth-shaking footsteps grew louder, heading our way. When they entered view, knights gawked.

Two barbarians on recon. Face tattoos, fur cloaks. Bare skin in this cold. But intimidating: riding massive polar bears that could chomp a man's head in one bite.

"Th-they tamed bears?"

"Not ordinary bears. Monsters."

The pair eyed us warily, spears tipped with sharp iron points, ready to hurl.

"What now, Doc?"

"Come on, they're people too. No spitting in a smiling face, right?"

I stepped forward arms wide, casual.

"Hahaha! Blood sausage stew! Pork stir-fry!"

I bellowed cheerfully. Tanya whispered,

"Their language?"

"Nah, just happy words."

Beaming, I gestured at the fruits. Empty hands shown, no threat—reinforced.

The barbarians eyed me warily but eyed fruits greedily, reining closer, glaring fiercely. Close enough to make out faces and builds.

"Women."

"Thunder Tribe's all-female."

"Huh."

Bruno tilted his head seriously.

"How do they..."

"Shh."

Poke! One speared a fruit. Sniffed—eyes popped. They chattered. Glancing at me, I flashed a bright salesman grin, hey, come get some!

One crunched a manly bite, nodded, grinned wide. The other tasted, same reaction. Pumped, they crammed mouths full, skewered more on spears, mounted up.

One addressed me.

"Human, state purpose."

I thumped my chest firm—their favorite gesture.

"Want to be friends with your chieftain."

"Chieftain, friend."

She nodded, wheeled her bear into the gorge. The other winked at me, followed.

Barbarians vanished from sight; knights sighed relief.

"Phew."

"Intense pressure."

"Handling beasts that size."

"Way above the rock tribe from the county."

Tanya asked,

"Message get through?"

"Wait and see. Hope the chief takes a liking."

Fruits never failed in my looped month, but different timeline now.

Thunder Tribe's a profitable ally if negotiated right.

Memories surfaced. This regression was hero party's third mission. Started fighting monsters flooding the western duchy and canyon battles. Neighboring kingdoms fallen to demons already. Teleport gates everywhere, endless deployments. Detours to capital clashing with Asella, par for the course.

Original story's save point vibe. Four Heavenly Kings fights in capital. First Great Demon, second Evil Dragon. Then advance parties infiltrated Demon Realm a year prior, set gates—hero party ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠assaults Demon King's castle.

Barbarians tangle early.

Thunder Tribe chief featured often.

Barbarian and Great Demon-related bad ends: ten total. Among Heavenly Kings, a high-hierarchy demon infects tribes with its blood, turning them minions.

Rock tribe was the worst headache.

We'd exterminated them last time—[Corrupted Barbarians] ending gone.

Thunder Tribe resists even infected, strong wills. Great allies.

Once synced with their chief against Heavenly King. Dodged [Troop Shortage] and [Great Demon Horde], eased early fights, lightened hero party's load. After, whenever they showed as foes, I befriended the chief. Best way: food.

Thud, thud.

Sorting thoughts, footsteps echoed distant.

"They're coming."

"More than before."

"More monster bears?"

Closer, mood shifted. Not simple steps.

Boom! Boom!!

Ground quaked, snow whipped from mountains. Thunderclaps.

"Wh-what's that?!"

Source in view—knights nearly fainted.

A mammoth: horns three meters, height six. Massive.

"What the hell is that?!"

"Never seen a monster like it!"

Leashed to its neck, a bold barbarian yanked reins from the saddle. Thunder Tribe chieftain led her warriors, striding forth proudly.

Thud, thud.

Reining the mammoth to a halt, she glared from under her horned helm, eyeing me down.

"Ah, white hair!"

Grinning toothily, she leaped from saddle, landing before me.

"Ugh!"

Knights staggered under her aura. She chomped a fruit, nodded satisfied.

"Great taste! You wanna be friends, Empire human?"

I stepped up smooth.

"Yeah, Thunder Tribe chieftain. Name's Ras. I fix people."

Straight answer; she straightened, fur coat parting to reveal pale, toned body. Messy blue hair spilled from bone helm. Exuding wild allure, she clapped my shoulder.

"I know you, Ras Gotberg! The one who beheaded the rock tribe chief!"

Oh, she knew the rock tribe extermination? Tanya did it, not me. Scout must've watched from afar in the county. Me tumbling off cliff with the head—misread as my ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠kill. Tribes hated each other fierce.

"You slay foes and bring gifts—you're my friend already! Thunder welcomes you!"

She beamed wide. Good vibe.

"Ras, fixer. I am Gishuta, devourer!"

Snap! Gishuta gripped my face firm with strong hands.

"No men in our tribe. Good man? Catch him, devour him!"

Correction. A slight bad vibe too.