Time was spent waiting idly in the center of the square. Another man joined us, looking as mean as the first.

“Who’s that?” He asks, looking at me with suspicious eyes.

“A giftholder” The first man replied while looking somewhat smug.

“Ya sure? Ain’t getting taken for a ride here?”

“Nah, nah, he was about to stroll into the dungeon as if it was a picnic, with a kid in tow too!” So that’s how he guessed it! Upon hearing the news, the newcomer suddenly brightens, not a hint of the suspicion present earlier.

“Please to meet ya! I’m Guran!” he introduced himself with a wide smile.

This pattern repeated itself twenty times or so. Someone coming, looking at me with disdain, being told I held a gift, proceeding to treat me very friendly. It’s honestly scary how much people’s attitude change.

After the hour has passed, we twenty or so men and single girl are leaving for the dungeon.

“Ya really bringing a kid? She ain’t old enough, is she?” Is asked. To be honest, I myself don’t like it, but I think it is better to keep her close, than leaving her with some random person, who might discover her species.

“It’s fine. I am strong enough to look after her” I say. Kassa backs me up “Yian is the strongest! He doesn’t even need to eat, too!” What the hell, kid? I squeeze her hand a little and look at her reproachfully. She cowers a little under the gaze. Seems she understood she did something wrong.

“Ya don’t need to eat? What kind of strange gift is that?” Few of the guys look disappointed. They must think my gift is not as strong as they had hoped. I was trying to think of good cover story, but all of the lying is getting to me. Like I feel tired of always having to invent something new. I get an idea.

“I don’t really know. That’s just how it works.” Yes, I can just say I don’t know!

“Huh, do you not shit then?”

“Uhmm, well, no.”

“Does that make you strong in any way?”

“I don’t know.”

“Can you still eat?”

“Yes I can.”

“Do you become stronger the longer you go without eating?”

“I don’t know”

Questions keep bombarding me. Did it backfire? It surely is annoying. I am bombarded by meaningless questions all the way to the dungeon.

Once there, no real hunt ensues. I instead run around, find monsters with read and eliminate them one after the other, while the rest of the group merely follows and bags the prey. The only breaks are small pauses for dismantling, and whenever we come across some edible plants that are gathered. A few hours later, it seems the people are fully stocked up, carrying all they can in sacks and backpacks.

“Woohoo! What a haul!” The atmosphere is lively on the way back.

“All hail Yian!” One of them shouts and a surprising number follows suit. “Hail Yian!” is shouted by many.

It feels embarrassing, but kind of pleasant too. As we walk back, cheerful stories are swapped around, people have smiles on their faces and many are thanking me. However, seems there is also a bit of a misunderstanding. I hear plenty “Things will be good from now on!” and “No more scraping by!” as walk back. Seems they have assumed I will stay here, but my motivation was to find a place for Kassa and I to live peacefully, and I don’t think that’s happening among humans. I feel like I don’t really have the heart to tell them though.

As we return to the village, the mean-looking man who I met first speaks up. “Right boys, the arrival of Yian calls for a celebration! Everyone with wives and daughters, go fetch them and tell them to prepare a feast! We will dine like nobles tonight!”

A cheer springs forth as little less than half of the men spread out and run to various houses, only to come back with women of a variety of ages, who look delighted to see the massive haul. One of them comes over with a little girl, probably around ten like Kassa.

“Yian, wanted to introduce you to my daughter, this here is Siya!” I feel strange being introduced to a ten-year old.

“Hi there, Siya!” I say. She turns a little away from me, but her father pushes her back in front. She visibly forces herself to do an introduction. “I am… Siya. P-pleased to meet you” She says.

“What do you think?” He follows up? I am a bit confused. “Cute girl” I reply. He laughs and follows up, while putting his hand on my shoulder.

“Ready to marry in a couple of years, I tell you!” The little girl seemed shy. This doesn’t feel right.

“Oy, Guran, you shouldn’t jump ahead of the rest of us! Yian, meet my daughter!”

“No, meet mine!” Five or so people are suddenly approaching with daughters in tow, most looking shy or hesitating. What is this? Are they trying to secure future favor from me? I feel overwhelmed and only see one way to stop it.

“Ehm, I think everyone misunderstood, I am not planning to stay” It hurt a little to see the lights vanish from their seasoned faces, but I could finally breathe again. The mean-looking appears as if out of nowhere with a laughter.

“Haha, worry not, such a bounty is still worthy of a feast! Come, let us chat until the food is ready. He takes me away. I couldn’t see it with my eyes, but my read-sight catches him winking to the crowd, upon which their faces ease up. Just what is going to happen?