Chapter 96

Chapter 96

[Translator – Clara]

[Proofreader – Lucky]

Chapter 96: Madam Eight Legs (2)

“Now, I want to meet her and ask her why.”

Vikir’s final words shocked all of Ballak’s warriors.

It’s not that they hadn’t considered such thoughts before.

Innocent children, the elderly, patients, comrades, and wolves had perished, and they had lost their homes, food, and other necessities.

However, despite all this, the warriors were skeptical of Vikir’s words.

“Confront Madam? That’s impossible. None of the bravest warriors have been able to do that.”

“Vikir, no matter how much you’re the hero of all Ballak now, it’s impossible.”

“Madam Eight Legs is the god of these Mountains, and she’s one of the darkest evil gods.”

“Damage will be repaired eventually. Forgetting quickly is the only way.”

Ballak’s warriors, who had never doubted anything Vikir said, for the first time, shook their heads in response to Vikir’s words.

It gives a sense of how much fear they had of Madam over all these years, to make such fearless individuals speak like this.

At that moment...

...Thud!

Someone touched Vikir’s shoulder.

Aquilla, the tribe leader, the Night Fox, was looking at Vikir with a pale face.

She had lost much of her overwhelming presence.

Aquilla had battled the legendary Adonai one-on-one and turned him into dust.

However, in the process, she had also suffered many wounds.

Countless scratches all over her body, even the lingering poison from Madam Eight Legs, which resisted healing even with the recovery abilities of a master-level expert.

“Vikir, the young hero of all Ballak and the rising sun. Don’t let your immediate fervor sway you. We need extreme caution in anything related to Madam.”

Aiyen, who was standing next to her, also agreed.

“Madam Eight Legs” is not just Ballak’s problem. She is the terror of all tribes. She’s an inescapable fate and the core of darkness. Her existence is like a natural disaster, so harboring the emotion of revenge is...”

But Aiyen didn’t finish his sentence.

[Bzzzz...]

They saw a figure crawling out from the debris of the collapsed building.

Bakira. Born on the same day and at the same time as Aiyen and a lifelong companion.

He had run ahead to deliver Vikir’s victory news to the village before the Illiad battle between Vikir and Aheuman.

The results of that simple errand had turned out to be so tragic.

[Bzzzz...]

Bakira, dragging his hind leg, struggled to crawl and sniffed at Aiyen’s feet with a wet nose.

One of Bakira’s right hind legs was in terrible shape.

Not only were all its bones broken, but the venom had also penetrated deep into the marrow.

It was too obvious why this had happened. What else could it be if not the result of resisting Madam Eight Legs?

The poison was still spreading at this very moment, to the point where they would have to amputate the leg if they didn’t do something quickly.

Aiyen examined Bakira’s condition with a vacant expression.

Vikir replied briefly, “Even if I say so, would revenge be in vain?”

“...”

Aiyen couldn’t respond this time.

She smiled at Vikir.

“You’re not a hunting dog, Vikir. You may call yourself that, but... No hunting dog behaves like you do.”

“...”

Vikir looked down at Aiyen’s leg.

Her right leg was tightly wrapped in leaves and leather.

When they fought against Adonai, Aiyen had been injured in the leg while saving Vikir from a poisoned arrow.

Due to the aftereffects, she was still limping.

After a silence, Vikir finally spoke.

“...With that body, you won’t be of any help. Go back to the village.”

The atmosphere was so humid that it felt like water was wrung out of the air, but his words were as dry as ever.

But it seemed that Aiyen had expected this level of response, as she bit her lips tightly as if to say nothing.

Finally, she gave something to Vikir.

It was dried meat, fruits, and nuts wrapped in leaves.

Vikir chuckled.

“It’s like a packed lunch.”

“Don’t make jokes like that.”

Aiyen narrowed her eyes fiercely and stared at Vikir.

Then, she added one more thing.

“Promise me.”

A sense of urgency hung in the air.

The hunting dog found this situation somewhat familiar.

Aiyen spoke again.

“You don’t have to promise to come back.”

Her voice crept in with anxiety, restlessness, and a sense of desperation.

Aiyen looked into Vikir’s eyes with a fierce expression.

“No, you don’t have to promise to come back.”

Her voice wavered with anxiety, restlessness, and a choking feeling.

Aiyen looked into Vikir’s eyes with determination.

“You don’t have to promise to come back. Just... stay alive.”

Vikir stayed silent for a moment.

Then, he opened his mouth a bit late and said, “Of course.”

Upon hearing this, Aiyen finally exhaled the breath she had been holding, and it came out white in the dark sky.

The distant silhouette of the hunting dog, or rather, the wolf, moved away, and the owner watched quietly from where he stood.

The wolf was running through the darkness once again.

However, unlike last time, there was one thing Vikir didn’t say.

‘You don’t have to promise to come back. Just... stay alive.’

Women often make such difficult demands.

For the first time since his rebirth, he had told a lie.

He didn’t know if he could keep this promise, as he couldn’t even be sure himself.

[Translator – Clara]

[Proofreader – Lucky]