Chapter 16
Chapter 16
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 16
Chapter Title: The Bipedal Monster
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Perrun tied the blood-drained rabbit to his waist. He had boasted on the way out of the house that he’d catch a big one, but the haul was sorely disappointing.
“Hey, Guchi. Isn’t winter still months away?”
“A few months, yeah.”
“Then why aren’t we seeing even a glimpse of them? At this rate, I’ll be heading home with just this one rabbit.”
“That’s exactly why you can’t make it as a hunter. You’ve got to be grateful for catching something without empty boasting. That mindset is essential if you want to keep at this.”
“I want to catch something rare like you do. Not these plain white rabbits.”
He shook his waist. The limp rabbit swung back and forth.
“If you dress it properly and cook it, it’ll taste great, so don’t be too disappointed.”
Guchi sliced through the grass with his sickle. They were tracking wild boar signs, and he was full of anticipation at Guchi’s mention of its size.
“How long are you planning to stay this time?”
“Not long. I’ve got business in the Holy City.”
“Business?”
“I need to find a new partner. I’ve parted ways with the one I was working with, so I’ve got to look for a new one.”
Perrun pointed at his own face with his thumb.
“What about me?”
“Hey, friend. The partner I’m talking about has to be able to protect me in a pinch. You wouldn’t cut it.”
“That’s a shame. Following you to unexplored lands has been my dream.”
“Your wife would be thrilled to hear that.”
He could picture her yelling that there was no way in hell. Ans might not stop at words—she’d probably tie him up with rope. He smacked his lips and said,
“Speaking of unexplored lands, are the animals in there really that different from the ones around here?”
Perrun snapped a twig as he spoke. It was a way to mark their path.
“Some are similar, some different. A pig the size of a house was pretty unusual, though.”
“Isn’t that a Magical Beast?”
“That doesn’t qualify as one. Perrun, have you ever seen a monster up close?”
He shook his head vigorously. He’d only heard stories about Magical Beasts, never seen one himself.
“Nope. But I’ve indirectly experienced what one’s like exactly once. A while back near Tennan, I saw a guy who’d had his arm torn off. He told me it was the result of running into a monster.”
He switched places with Guchi. Taking the sickle, he hacked at the grass as they advanced. Guchi, now behind, continued.
“Magical Beasts are truly bizarre life-forms that can’t even compare to vicious wild animals. Hell, I wonder if you can call them life-forms at all. That’s why they’re called ‘monsters’—because they’re unknowable.”
“Have you run into one before?”
“A few times.”
“You’re lucky to be alive.”
“It was luck. A few unlucky guys bought me time, and I survived.”
“Sorry I asked.”
“Monsters are hard to encounter unless you go looking for them. It’s best to live without ever knowing about them. But if you do cross paths with one—if you unluckily meet it right in front of you—calmly draw your blade.”
“There’s a way to deal with them?”
“There is. Slash your own throat with that blade, and it’s over clean. Of course, I mean your throat. Monsters come in all varieties, but they have one thing in common: they don’t kill their prey cleanly. If you’re going to die anyway, better to go out quick, right?”
“That’s some damn fine advice. I’ll keep it in mind if I meet one.”
He chuckled lowly. Monsters were terrifying, but as Guchi said, not something you ran into easily.
Most people would go through life having only heard the name. Even he, past forty, had never seen one. Compared to Magical Beasts, his wife Ans’s glaring eyes were the real terror.
“What’s your eldest up to these days?”
Guchi asked. Eldest. An image of his son rose in his memory. Even his face was now hazy. The heartless boy hadn’t visited home once. He only sent occasional letters to say he was alive.
“He’s probably doing fine. I haven’t heard properly since he enlisted to make something of himself. The ungrateful bastard just drops a letter now and then saying he’s alive.”
“He takes after you.”
“Am I that heartless?”
“Not heartless—stubborn. The boy set out with a goal, so he’ll grit his teeth and stick it out until he bears fruit.”
“He could just come back if it’s tough and take over what I’ve built.”
“Wait and see. Who knows? He might settle nicely in the Holy City and earn citizenship there.”
“Just hearing that makes my shoulders puff up. Well, he’s got that tenacious streak. All in all, I raised my kids right. The eldest is managing on his own, and I can support our sweet second for life.”
“Don’t say such awful things about blocking your daughter’s marriage. She needs to meet a good man and wed.”
“She’s only nineteen. Too early for marriage.”
“Too early? She’s a grown woman.”
Perrun swung his sickle high and held it right in front of Guchi’s nose.
“If you’ve got your eye on her…”
“Don’t talk nonsense. I’ve got no intention of ruining that young girl’s life.”
“My daughter’s got eyes; she wouldn’t fall for an old coot like you.”
“Hey, now I can’t even joke?”
Guchi gestured for the sickle. He said he was fine. He still had stamina left.
“I’ll take the lead from here. See those trampled grasses? It’s probably close.”
Perrun handed over the sickle without argument. A seasoned hunter’s words were to be heeded. He lowered his stance and slowed their pace. No more chit-chat.
“Didn’t you hear something?”
He said. His ears had caught a faint metallic sound from afar.
“A sound?”
Guchi halted. The forest grew even quieter. He cupped a hand to his ear. His hearing had been sharp since childhood, especially for distant echoes.
“Sounds like it’s from the village.”
“What kind of sound?”
“Like bell tolling.”
“Bells? At this hour?”
Perrun spat on his hand and climbed the nearest tree. Perched high above the canopy, he peered toward the village.
Focusing, the sound sharpened. Definitely bells.
Ding-ding-ding-ding, ding-ding-ding-ding. Four tolls, a pause, then four more. The signal for area control.
“Pack of wild dogs prowling around, maybe.”
The village used that signal for only one thing: dangerous animals approaching or entering.
As long as doors were secured, it wasn’t a big deal. The tolling meant the lord’s castle guards were on the move.
“Better head back, just in case.”
“Yeah.”
He turned toward the village. The sun was cresting the ridge. Dusk would settle soon.
“Four months ago, the warning bells rang too.”
He said.
“Four months ago?”
“I don’t know the details. A guard I know said a black panther was prowling. If it hadn’t been lockdown, I would’ve gone to see.”
“A black panther’s pretty rare.”
“Exactly. It’s aggressive, attacks on sight, so dangerous. But they handled it quick—no injuries.”
“Those kinds can climb over fences no matter how high.”
Exchanging words with Guchi, they retraced their steps. It was near the forest edge.
Guchi raised his hand. Before setting out, Guchi had taught him a few hand signals. Essential for hunting sensitive-eared beasts.
Fist: stop. Open hand: advance. Index and middle fingers: alert. And now, hand flat sideways with thumb up...
Perrun dropped flat immediately. Holding his breath, he peeked around. The signal was simple: extreme danger—stay low, don’t move.
“Perrun.”
Guchi’s breathing changed. The friend who never huffed even on rough trails was breathing shallowly.
“When I signal, run full speed to the village.”
“What the hell is it?”
“Magical Beast.”
“What?”
He barely stifled his rising voice. A monster? Why was the thing they’d joked about here?
He followed Guchi’s gaze. In the gathering dusk along the path to the village, something stood.
It stood—literally. Animals crawled on four legs, as far as he knew. The Magical Beasts he’d imagined were like other beasts.
But what Guchi called a Magical Beast stood on two feet, as if it were the most natural thing.
Long legs, even longer arms. Humanoid so far. But no neck or face.
Just torso and limbs—a bizarre form that chilled just to look at. No fur, either. Sleek and glossy like a plucked chicken.
“It’s seen us.”
“How do you know? It doesn’t even look like it has eyes.”
“Magical Beasts have special senses. They never miss prey. So listen to me.”
Guchi moved his hand cautiously. He took what Guchi offered: a signal flare. The expensive item Guchi had bragged about.
“If it comes for me, put distance and fire that.”
“What about you?”
“I told you. I survived because unlucky guys bought me time. This time, it’s my turn.”
“You planning to die? Come on, let’s go together. Aren’t your legs fast?”
“Perrun. Be honest. The moment you saw it, you knew. Even running might not be enough.”
He shut his mouth. The first time he’d seen it, he’d known: no matter how fast he ran, slower than a four-legged beast.
Same with this Magical Beast. The instant he saw it, he realized: surviving would be tough.
“Together, we both die. Split up, maybe one lives. I told you—Magical Beasts don’t kill prey quick.”
“Guchi.”
“If there’s a way for both to live, I want it too. Who wants to die?”
Then the Magical Beast twitched. It raised its long arms high, waving them side to side. Taunting—or beckoning to play.
Cold sweat beaded under his arms. An innocent-looking thing that would rip him apart up close. No more talk of fleeing together.
“Parents with kids should live longer. No guarantees, though. It might kill me and come straight for you.”
The Magical Beast approached slowly, as if tired of waiting. Perrun felt his jaw tremble.
The predator out for sport was now the hunted.
He looked at Guchi. The cool-headed hunter stared calmly at the beast even now.
Impressive, he thought—then saw Guchi’s throat bob. Unconcealed fear. His friend was struggling too.
“Avoid dying like dogs.”
Guchi stood. The Magical Beast spun in place, clapping. Kak-kak-kak—eerie sounds like a monkey.
He gripped the signal flare tight.
“Straight up into the sky.”
As he nodded, the Magical Beast lunged. The monster leaped impossibly high, plummeting toward the ground.
“Run!”
Guchi charged with his blade, and he raised the flare overhead, bolting. He yanked the cord with all his might.
Bang—a deafening crack. His ears rang. Amid the tinnitus, yellow light bloomed in the sky. Oddly pretty amid the horror, he thought fleetingly.
Kak, kak, kak. The beast’s cries pierced the explosion. He sprinted full tilt, recalling Guchi’s words: don’t look back, run for the village with everything.
But his head was turning. The Magical Beast had grabbed Guchi’s blade. Its remaining hand crept slowly toward Guchi’s throat.
He thought of the rabbit at his waist. The moment he’d gripped its neck bone and snapped it back.
The limp rabbit overlapped with Guchi. Before he knew it, his body was sprinting not toward the village—but at the Magical Beast.
(To be continued)