Gromer strode through the village with quick steps, ignoring the curious glances of passersby. His hunting gear was torn, fresh cuts lined his hands, and his breathing was still ragged from the fight. The image of that deer attacking Soyeon and Ellie in the forest lingered in his mind—its red, rage-filled eyes and the strange glowing stone embedded in its forehead.
"This isn't just about animals," he muttered to himself. "It's something much worse."
He was heading to the barracks, where Captain Rendal resided. That pompous man, known for his love of comfort and loud boasts, was far from Gromer's ideal choice to warn. But there was no other option—if this threat wasn't dealt with now, it would soon consume the entire village.
Reaching the wooden doors of the barracks, Gromer pounded on them forcefully, not giving the guards time to react.
"Rendal!" he called loudly. "It's Gromer! We have a problem, and it concerns all of us!"
After a few moments, the door creaked open, revealing the lazy gaze of the captain. His armor, as always, was meticulously polished, and the long sword at his side looked more like a decorative piece than a weapon.
"Gromer," Rendal drawled, crossing his arms. "Here to spin your tales again?"
"This is no tale!" Gromer shouted, stepping forward. "I just fought a deer that wasn't normal. It attacked a woman and child in the forest. Its eyes were burning red, and there was a stone on its forehead, as if the forest itself had cursed it!"
Rendal raised an eyebrow, smirking.
"A deer attacked? A woman and child?" He shook his head. "Gromer, do you even hear what you're saying? Animals sometimes attack, especially when they're hungry. You're a hunter; you should know that."
"It wasn't hunger!" Gromer interrupted. "This was unnatural! I saw how that beast acted—it wasn't a herbivore, but more like a rabid predator! And you dare call it hunger?"
Rendal smirked, circling Gromer with a lazy grin.
"You know what your problem is, Gromer? You always look for trouble where there is none. If there were a real threat in the forest, I would be the first to know. I have people patrolling the area. None of them have reported your 'demonic deer with glowing eyes.'"
"They haven't seen it because they're too scared to go far enough," Gromer retorted stubbornly. "But I know this is just the beginning."
Rendal stopped and looked him straight in the eye.
"Listen, if you want to keep living with these stories, go tell them to kids around a campfire. But don't stir up panic in my village. We have enough problems as it is."
Gromer clenched his fists.
"If you don't listen to me now, this village will be destroyed. Those beasts will come here, and by then, it'll be too late!"
"Then prove it," Rendal said dismissively, turning to his men. "Until I see evidence, your words mean nothing to me."
With that, he walked deeper into the barracks, leaving Gromer standing at the door.
"He's a fool..." Gromer muttered, turning to leave.
As he stepped out, a familiar voice called out:
"Gromer? Is that you?"
He stopped and turned. A tall man with a broad smile and a dusty cloak stood before him. His face was framed by a short beard, and a heavy sack hung over his shoulder.
"Raymond?" Gromer said, surprised, instantly recognizing his old friend.
"Ha! Long time no see!" Raymond approached and clapped him on the shoulder. "I was passing through and thought I'd drop by. Figured you'd still be wandering the woods. But you look like you've just run out of them. What happened?"
Gromer sighed heavily, feeling some of his tension ease.
"It's a long story, Raymond. Something's happening in the forest. The animals… they're not the same as before."
"Oh, Gromer, you've always been good at these forest tales," the trader chuckled. But your tone says this is serious."
"More serious than you can imagine," Gromer replied grimly. "I saw a deer… if you can even call it that. Its eyes burned, and there was a stone on its forehead. It attacked a woman and child, and I barely made it in time."
"Come on. We shouldn't talk about this here," Raymond said, glancing around the village. "Too many ears."
"You know something?" Gromer asked, following him.
"Maybe. But if it's what I think it is," Raymond looked him straight in the eye, "then we both need to prepare for the worst."
They headed to the nearest tavern, and Gromer felt his fears beginning to take on an ominous shape.