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It’s not even the evening when I’m awaken from my nap. I hear loud steps, three pairs to be exact.

(Man 1) “I told you it’s bullshit. There were no dead travellers reported so there is no way there are demons in this forest Char” One of them said this to the woman.

(Char*) “It’s not like we could refuse the request, Phol, but I also think it’s better if we don’t have to fight them.” There is a clear relief in her voice. Are they after me?

(Man 3) “Let’s just go home. It’s almost evening, we won’t find anything anyways…”

(Char) “Not you too!” She sighs angrily. “I don’t care anymore. Let’s head home for now, we can continue tomorrow.”

(Phol & Man 3) “No way.”

They stop a little, wait for the woman to take out a paper. She puts her finger in some kind of ink cartridge, and draws an X on one part of it.

Is that a map? That means the X is where I’m. Let’s memorize the map.

As I inspect it, I find it hardly recognisable, since it’s hand drawn. Maybe if I draw maps that would worth a lot. Even I draw better than that.

She blows it a few times then puts it away.

(Man 3) “I want to eat meat tonight. The mush they have at the inn is inedible.”

(Phol*) “You wish. You are too poor to eat thing like that. And don’t complain about a free meal. You should be glad it comes with the room”

(Char) “We all know you only stay there cause’ you like the innkeeper’s daughter. Confess her already and you’ll have free food and lodging you cheap bastard.”

At her comment both of them are laughing. I quickly jump down from the tree on the other side, and slowly sneak away.

I have an idea. If I bribe them, I might be able to go inside. I run through the forest, and under 10 minutes I manage to catch two rabbits. I break their necks so they are not kicking. Following their trails I manage to catch up with them. Quickly sneaking in front of them, I stand up and casually walk towards them with the rabbits in my hands.

The moment they notice me they wave their hands at me, but after recognising my skin color, they all grab their weapons. The woman shouts first. It seems she is the one wearing the pants here.

(Char) “You demon! Stop there and drop your weapons!”

I obediently stop and look at the rabbits. I forgot to bring weapons. Great.

(Me) “Are you robbing me?” I ask trying to sound afraid.

(Char) “No. I’m Charlot Ferrand, mercenary. Our task is to locate and kill a dangerous demon.”

(Me) “I live here and never seen any dangerous demon here.”

Keeping me in check they slowly walk closer with raised weapons. I don’t move so they manage to surround me in seconds. It seems they are not friendly.

(Man 3) “She’s talking about you!” He says. Annoying.

(Charlot*) “You just shut up. And you demon. Are you saying you are not attacking others?”

I tilt my head in confusion. Are they enemies or not? Decide it already! They are trying to look me in the eyes, failing miserably. Not sure it’s my or the food’s fault.

(Me) “Why would I?” It seems if I manage to act cool I can still bribe them. They all look hungry. A hungry humas is a stupid humas.

Charlot puts down her weapons, and motions to the others. The men both are on their guard just in case. She walks directly in front of me measuring me. I try to smile a little and hold the rabbits in front of her with one hand.

(Me) “Care to accompany me in dinner? I’m quite lonely nowadays”

She’s trying to refuse, but looking at the rabbits, her stomach wins. She nods with a smile. Not so good looking, if I have to say. She’s tall for a female, and has developed muscles. Her face is average, and with that body she can pass as a guy. Ordinary dark hair, like most of them.

The leather armor makes her even less appealing. I’m not the one to say anything though.

(Charlot) “We’ll gladly accept your offer. Meat is rare in the town. The normal forests are reserved for the nobles, and this place is full of beasts. You can’t hunt if you are hunted. By the way, what your name?”

Ah! So that’s why I see no humans here. I’ve never seen any beast here. They probably ran away from me. I want to try eating one of them.

I got disgusted from my own thoughts. Great. Let’s ignore it.

“I don’t have one, but you can call me Red.” She looks at me with strange eyes. Yes, I have zero naming sense. Names should be given by others anyways…

I lead them to a glade. Yes we are going to cook the meat, they are humas afterall. I learn their names during our short trip. The one they name as Phol, is Phol Arnaut. The other man, the one I dislike, is called Garrett Edun.

Their names has meaning, unlike in a modern world, they care about that. They wouldn’t tell me the meanings for some kind of reason.

They improvise a fireplace while I’m skinning the animals. Chalot tries to talk to me, but I only answer in a few words. It seems if I want to bribe others in the future, I’ll have to develop my conversation skills. It’ll be hard.

(Charlot) “What kind of magic can you use?” I’m not sure she tries to be friendly or interrogate me.

(Me) “I was not taught magic. I have some magic power, but I’m unable to use it.”

(Charlot) “How do you live in this forest then? Isn’t it dangerous?”

(Me) “I live with the trees and I’ve never encountered anything dangerous. They probably ran away after sensing me…” I said using a sad tone. It seems it worked. She puts her hand on my shoulder.

(Charlot) “You don’t have to worry, we won’t run away. Am I right guys?”

(Garrett) “If you have food, at least.” She tried to be nice, and that asshole ruined her intent so I act sorrowful a little. I notice that Charlot is getting angry. Nice, she’s in the bag. She goes and punches him in the face. Phol just smiles and continues staring at the fire.

(Me) “Don’t worry, I’m used to it. When I tried going in the city the guard just shouted at me to go away and refused to even talk to me.”

I guess I’m better in acting a little. But... Why are my eyes watery?