Territorial Dispute (1)
The unexplored zone was something like a concentration camp.
Hundreds of years ago, amid the fierce war between elves and the Demon King Army, stragglers and refugees who fell behind settled in the western region of the Libria Peninsula. They tried countless ways to return to their homelands. But every attempt ended in failure. Savage monsters lurked everywhere.
It was only after losing more than half their numbers that the elves realized they couldn't escape this cursed land.
"What the hell are you? Why's there a human here? From that face, you look like some shape-shifting monster."
"Nah, this mug's been like this since birth…."
Following the dark elf boy led them to a village so rundown that a Seoul Gangnam shantytown would look like luxury high-rises by comparison—clusters of miserable shacks everywhere. Dozens of elves swarmed out. Dark-skinned dark elves, of course, but also elves with skin white as porcelain.
Elves presumed to handle hunting and combat—likely the village's warriors—boldly encircled the group of outsiders who'd wandered in. They dangled crude spear-swords at the ready, while those behind gathered mana in their hands, prepping spells.
"We're from the outside," Yushin said.
The elves' reactions ranged from "Runaway human slaves who ditched their masters?" to "Maybe criminals on the lam after committing some crime." No sane person would willingly stroll into this monster-infested hellhole. Yushin mentioned unavoidable circumstances, but the elves piled on the negative assumptions.
"We know you came from outside. We've been watching you through our 'eyes' the whole time."
A dark elf spoke up. She was a beauty with dark skin and elegant curves. Leader of about 300 elves, the village chief. Her bright silver hair contrasted sharply with her skin. Dressed in a china-style outfit that boldly exposed her long, slender thighs, she stepped forward confidently, signaling welcome. No bluff about the surveillance—she moved without hesitation.
"I'm Kalen Dae, of the dark elf clan born on the new moon. If I may be so bold, might I ask your name?"
"Yushin. Yushin Gilliard."
"Pleased to meet you, Yushin."
Kalen knew through her eyes how Yushin's group had bulldozed through hordes of monsters. In a monster-overrun area, every bit of extra firepower counted. While most elves eyed them warily, Kalen—who'd monitored Yushin's every move—welcomed the humans. Of course, she had her own calculations.
"So, Yushin, mind telling me why you followed our Begonia here?"
The dark elf boy they'd encountered must be named Begonia. As village leader, it was natural for her to ask why they'd trailed the kid and what business they had here.
Yushin answered her question.
"No big requests. Just tell me about the infamous monsters around here? The nastier and more headache-inducing, the better."
"Not a tough ask. I'd be happy to share as a favor. But what's the info for?"
"Killing 'em."
Infamous monsters with notorious reps ruled swathes of the unexplored zone, forcing lesser beasts into submission to claim their territories. Three-headed snakes. Saber-toothed tigers with blade-like fangs. Pterosaurs with three massive pairs of wings. The place was a monster paradise, crawling with horrors.
Kalen readily accepted Yushin's request for intel on these named monsters.
"Fine, I'll tell you everything."
"That'll do."
The elves openly bristled at Yushin's casual tone—straight-up banmal to their chief. If the humans tried forcing their way in, they'd hit back with spear-swords and heavy magic. But Yushin had zero interest in entering the elf village. He'd felt their xenophobia to his bones back in the Elf Kingdom. This village was especially hostile to outsiders.
Three days passed.
Yushin racked up kills on the named monsters terrorizing the unexplored zone. He'd taken out most of the ones the dark elf chief mentioned. The house-sized three-headed snake? Reduced to an unrecognizable pulp. The saber-tooth with razor fangs? Same. Even the pterosaur with its intimidating wings? Smeared into bloody mush.
"I wanted to fight too…. You hogged all the fun, bro! So unfair!"
Allen pouted, lips pursed.
"You think I enjoy this shit?"
Yushin, soaking in the lake to wash off the crusted blood, shot back. Allen had turned away, keeping distance. High elf girls crushing on him might've sneaked peeks, but Allen—the type clueless with guys—didn't even dream of it.
Every time Yushin rinsed, water droplets plopped. Allen's face flushed tomato-red. Just the sounds—no visuals—sparked vivid images of the blood-soaked man bathing. She realized imagination hit harder than seeing it live.
"Fighting the Demon King now? I'd just die like a dog. Even if I can sever their immortality, that doesn't mean easy win. Taking down a Demon King? Ten lives—no, a hundred—ain't enough."
"So you plan to fight the Demon King…?"
Allen's question halted Yushin mid-sentence. No reason to risk his neck against Sabnack for the elves. But he kept agonizing, lost in thought. Plenty of ways to flee abroad, yet he'd bolted to this Elf Kingdom-adjacent hellhole. Couldn't shake the lingering attachment.
"Dunno. What I want, why I came this far…. Pathetic, right? I look pathetic even to myself. It wasn't their high-and-mighty attitude that made me turn down the elves. Just scared shitless."
Slaying Agares didn't guarantee Sabnack. Demon Kings were suicidal odds—you needed lives by the hundred. Over the last century, countless Another Ones dropped into this world, yet no Demon King fell. It was an impossible ordeal, even wagering your soul.
"Why pathetic? Fearing death's basic instinct. Who the hell wants to die? Everyone thrashes to stay alive."
"Never thought you'd comfort me. That's fresh. Was worried you'd never grow up…."
Yushin chuckled. Allen puffed her cheeks at the teasing—here she was, sincerely worried! The blue-haired swordswoman spun away in a huff, yelling, "Hurry up and wash! Get back already!" before storming off to the others.
Yushin scratched his head at her stomping retreat. Meant as a joke, but apparently too savage.
"What's up?"
As he emerged half-dressed, a dark elf woman approached. Kalen Dae, leader of the elves. Urgent business, apparently—she'd barged right up to him mid-bath.
"Got something to discuss. And to help with your convenience."
Kalen waved a hand. A warm breeze dried his sopping hair fluffy. Some elf magic, probably drying spell. Yushin, magic illiterate, could only guess.
"Thanks. Always singe my hair drying by campfire."
"No trouble."
Kalen smirked, eyes crinkling. She explained the warriors' decision.
"We've voted to let you into the village. You shared food with us for three days. Repaying that kindness. Can't rudely turn away benefactors."
The "food" Yushin shared? Monster corpses. Why not? They'd piled up from his kills. Fresh to the zone, humans found monster meat revolting anyway, so he handed it over generously. Without Begonia's plea, they'd have buried it all.
Eating monster meat? Never crossed their minds.
"Got a question…."
"Yes?"
"Monster meat tasty? Never tried it. Heard from guys who have—shit reviews."
"Can't eat, you die. Survival means eating anything. Monsters too, probably."
Kalen's silver hair framed a bitter smile, eyes shadowed. Didn't mean to sadden her—his casual query hit wrong. Guilty, Yushin fished for cheer-up material, cursing his loose lips.
"Took out most infamous local monsters. Leftovers ain't big threats. Village raids should drop."
"Thanks, Yushin."
Kalen beamed. Yushin nodded back with a grin.
Back at base camp.
Subordinates gawked at Kalen tagging along, then bombarded Yushin.
"Boss, you with the dark elf chief?"
"Yeah."
"Boss as expected!"
Isana stomped excitedly. Others too, hyped: "Spill the tea already!"
"From what I saw, dark elf chief's got G-cups easy. Killer body too—huge tits, tiny waist, that killer eye-smile. Rare beauty even among elves. Heard from village elves: widowed young. Total widow dark elf."
Isana rattled off unasked deets. She'd dug dirt on Chief Kalen Dae in three days.
"Skip the bullshit. Anyway, brief on other monsters."
"Got it."
At Yushin's order, Isana spilled on local beasts. Three days of slaughter—Yushin's rampage scared survivors off to other zones. His kills were city-wreckers. Even in monster hell, those calibers weren't common. Isana traded Santander Castle spices for long-range scout intel from elves.
"Sighted Demon King Army flags farther out. Looks like old banners from the elf-Demon King Army turf wars over Libria Peninsula hegemony…. Need more digging for details."
Demon King Army traces. Yushin decided to grill the elf witness himself.