Hostage (1)
Whatever this guy was, he'd seriously pissed off Ppareumbo. With that thought in mind, I posted on the Gallery.
These aren't handprints—they're footprints. I'll upload the handprints later; right now, the priority is identifying the culprit. Aside from Ppareumbo's entire stock vanishing, this was a big deal for me too. Whether they timed it while we were out or it was just bad luck, shit hit the fan in that short window.
If this keeps up, I can't even leave the house empty.
Should've put up a fence if I saw this coming. Not sure. Maybe not even a fence—a proper door. Something I need to think about soon.
Anyone recognize this footprint owner?
YasaengGrill
(Animal footprint photo)
(Animal footprint photo)
(Photo of Ppareumbo's dejected, furious back)
(Photo of Wonmo sneakily gauging the mood beside it)
Headed out exploring today and came back to find my Wall Valley Pills gone. These are the suspect footprints—anyone know them? Kinda varied, so asking around.
└Not so much Cheonma footprints as handprint-looking ones. Anyway, I can feel Ppareumbo's rage just from the photo.
└SwordTasteStar Yeah. And Wonmo peeking nervously next to it is cute too. Does she know it's a big deal?
└YasaengGrill Wonmo's surprisingly quick on the uptake. But Cheonma-nim, if it's not too much trouble, could I ask for more Wall Valley Pills?
└Cheonma No issue, but it will take time. Wall Valley Pills use rare herbs, so supply's short.
I read that comment and checked on Ppareumbo. Still staring at where the pills had been. Like a human coming home to a mountain of meat sides all gone. From now on, just veggies or greens—no meat. I'd be pissed too. And this wasn't just Ppareumbo's problem.
Not only invading my turf but stealing too.
Embarrassing to admit, but I handle my business nearby when nature calls. Marking my territory, however slightly. Used to just bury it before. But sticking around long-term, claiming space was essential.
└StarlightPrincess Stealing food? Bad guys. What'll you do if you find them?
└YasaengGrill No time today, probably can't search. Tomorrow for sure.
└ChangguPrincess Uniform safe, right~?
└YasaengGrill Found it on the floor?
└ChangguPrincess …….
└Banned lolololol
└Even animals pass on Changgu uniform lololol
└Design's kinda meh lol
└Design aside, deer pattern lol
└Olfather Hmm. Footprints look like primate ones.
└YasaengGrill Primate?
└Olfather Yes. Not sure the exact species, but definitely primate.
└YasaengGrill High chance gorilla then. Do gorillas invade others' turf?
└Olfather Rare... Like I said before, low aggression unless internal strife—no fights with outsiders.
That meant some change in the gorillas too. Aggression or whatever, bad news for me.
Not one, but a group...
Lots of prints, each shape different. Roughly 4-5. One's tough enough; a pack invading? Can't ignore this. Gotta make an example.
But how?
Don't know their habitat or next visit. Could raid whenever we're gone. Traps and wait, I guess. Entering their turf's too risky.
Didn't expect them to hit first like this.
I invade turf, sure—but animals looting my house? Never crossed my mind. Should've clocked it when the raccoon blatantly stole Wall Valley Pills. Forest critters evolving way beyond expectations.
└SunForever Catch the thieves, then what? Just kill 'em?
└YasaengGrill If they come back, yeah. My place.
└SunForever Brutal now, huh? Didn't Ppareumbo brood forever?
└YasaengGrill Wasn't mercy; couldn't kill 'em ;;
└SunForever Oh right, forgot.
└Ppareumbo looks properly pissed this time?
└Whoever it is, they're done lol
└Gorilla vs Ppareumbo. Epic showdown.
└PassingDwarf Wtf? What got stolen?
└YasaengGrill Wall Valley Pills. Ppareumbo's snacks. My emergency stash too.
└PassingDwarf Ah. Need a door from now on lol
└YasaengGrill Seriously considering.
└PassingDwarf Nah, don't. They'll smash any door.
└YasaengGrill True. Fuck.
└Fated to get raided ;;
└Gotta leave it wide open lol
└Grill's house is free buffet.
└YasaengGrill Shut up, assholes.
└Grill, culprits always return to the scene.
└Above right. Might come tomorrow?
└YasaengGrill So tomorrow it is. Ok.
I bantered in the Gallery, then surveyed the shelter. Open space outside the cave. Barricades help, but small animals slip in easy.
Dwarf's right—door's pointless; they'll wreck it.
Small ones: fence ok. Big ones: even door tough. No good ideas against these extremes. Best: make area mine, keep 'em out.
Comfort Ppareumbo first?
Ppareumbo still spaced out. More despair than rage. Tried patting shoulder—then remembered it hasn't bathed. Dropped hand quietly, offered words instead.
"I'm pissed too, Ppareumbo."
"……."
"Got food for today, so don't stress. But no guarantee on recovering the pills."
Cheonma could supply more. Stolen ones? Write 'em off. Olfather said gorillas herbivores—might eat 'em all.
"They might return tomorrow, so hang tight. We'll punish then. Got it?"
"……."
"Lighten up. Wonmo's watching you."
Ppareumbo finally glanced aside—at Wonmo. She flinched at eye contact, then started nuzzling his cheek.
"Kyuu. Kyuuu."
"……."
Wonmo's cuteness melted him? Ppareumbo slowly placed a hand on her head. Treats her like pet or family, seems. I smiled warmly—then pondered next steps.
Traps... pointless. CCTV magic? Nah.
Oriharukon vein nearby—maybe similar spells. Relays exist; surveillance can't be impossible. Can't stop theft? At least ID the thief.
Or alarm to scare 'em off.
Decent idea. ChangguPrincess might know. About to log in—
Rustle—
"……."
Clear grass-stirring from outside. Froze mid-login. Wonmo, mid-cuddle, went wide-eyed still. Ppareumbo...
Swish—turned head to cave entrance. Me too. Silently slipped hand into sub-space bag. Pulled crossbow—always carried just in case. No sound from bag. Stringing easy now; strength up.
-Ooh! Oooh!
-Ooooh!
Monkey cries outside. Small monkey or gorilla? Gotta see. Crept silently.
And Yudong was right—culprits return.
"Ooh! Oo!"
"Oooh."
Not monkeys—two gorillas chattering. One thumped chest frustratedly; other gestured to stop. Smart, knowing theft. Still thieves to me and Ppareumbo.
Wildlife raiders deserve death. They know the risks.
Swish—I raised crossbow slowly, aimed. They hadn't noticed us, still talking. Wanted to fire, but held—need closer for accuracy. Not yet.
Splash!
"Ooooh!"
Not enough with pills? One pulled fish from barrel. Huge; even gorilla needed both arms. My rage spiked. Otters died trying same. This gorilla's next.
Swish—aiming quietly, Ppareumbo sidled beside. Not advancing—spotter to my sniper.
"Ooh! Oooh!"
"Ooh."
Happy gorillas turned to leave. Aimed at fish-grabber. Breath held, perfect sight picture—
-Shoot.
Illusion? Ppareumbo's voice in my head. No hesitation—trigger pulled.
Ping!
Arrow tore air to gorilla's broad back.
Thuk!!
"Kwaaaah!!"
"Owaa?!"
Flutter—arrow lodged true. Gorilla roared in agony. Fish flew up, thrashing.
Greeek—I reloaded fast, aimed again. Other fled to brush. Hit one bolted too, ignoring dropped fish. Human would've dropped; beast toughness.
But beasts can be crippled.
Thuk!
"Owaaa!!"
Leg shot perfect. Lucky or skill? Doesn't matter—good. As it collapsed, I grabbed sword and shield, charged out. Ppareumbo on my back, ready.
"Owaaa……."
Gorilla clawed toward brush desperately. Buddy ditched it. No help coming. Closed in on crawling form.
Sensed shadow, turned slowly.
"O…… Owooo……."
Terror in its eyes on me—then widened at Ppareumbo on my back. Like Why the hell are you here? disbelief. Knew Ppareumbo for sure.
"E…… Eeeek……."
Pointed at Ppareumbo—then passed out, foam at mouth. Overwhelmed physically/mentally. Reactions human-like despite no speech. Intelligence boost?
But weirder: its reaction.
"Ppareumbo."
"……."
"What'd you do to these guys?"
Local bully? Kinda fits the vibe. Extorting food from me too suspicious.