Ereon's steps were steady as he walked along the dirt path leading to the village chief's house. Dry dust scattered with every step he took. The village felt like a haunted place, quiet with little activity. And yet, it was midday. That's because only a few people still lived there. The village was large. Most of the villagers had already left, except for the elders who still wanted to stay. Ereon had already offered to relocate them.
He let out a long sigh. This was the third time he'd tried to persuade the village chief to move the villagers to a safer place. He would cover all the costs himself, but was always rejected.
They were stubborn. Too stubborn.
As he walked, his mind busied itself arranging the right words to convince that old fool. Kael was supposed to help, but his thoughts were stuck on Dyren. Kael spent more time observing Dyren than doing anything useful.
"Aren't you suspicious of that guy at the inn?" Kael's voice followed from behind. "His eyes... they look like someone used to killing."
Ereon stopped walking. He turned slowly. "You mean Dyren?"
Kael nodded.
Ereon frowned. "He's polite. Calm. And seriously injured. He hardly leaves his room except for meals. You think he's pretending?"
"That's exactly what's strange." Kael looked at Ereon, his voice rising. "He's the only survivor of that S-rank dungeon. The only one. How could he be the only one left, while the others all died? It doesn't make sense."
Ereon replied, his tone firm. "He hasn't shown any suspicious behavior, Kael. He hasn't threatened anyone, hasn't attacked, hasn't lied. If he really were dangerous, we'd be dead by now. He's had plenty of chances."
"So you think I'm wrong?" Kael clenched his fists. "You think I'm just paranoid?"
"I'm just saying you're too quick to judge," Ereon replied. "Not everyone should be suspected just because they survived something. And besides, he's just a victim of that robed man who escaped."
Kael stepped closer. "And you're too quick to trust. The world isn't as pure as you think, Ereon. There are people who are good, and people who are born to be evil. If you're wrong about Dyren, it's not just your life at stake. This whole village will be destroyed. Maybe Saria and Mireille will be killed because of your decision." His voice rose higher.
Ereon fell silent, shocked at the veins bulging on Kael's forehead. He was shouting—something Kael rarely did. That only made Ereon angrier.
"You're just full of fear. You suspect everyone because you're a coward." Ereon's gaze sharpened. He looked increasingly upset. "I don't agree with you. I believe everyone is born good. No baby is born evil. It's the environment that shapes them. They can change if we give them a second chance."
"That's what I hate about you. You're stubborn. And stupid," Kael shouted, his voice sharp and loud.
The atmosphere suddenly went silent. Only the sound of wind passed between them. Ereon clenched his fists tightly. So did Kael.
Ereon stared at Kael in silence, his jaw tightening. But he didn't reply. Not because he couldn't—but because he knew nothing he said would change Kael's mind now. He took a deep breath and exhaled slowly. He opened his mouth to say something.
But Kael turned his face away first. He let out a harsh sigh. "Do whatever you want. If something happens, don't say I didn't warn you."
Ereon said nothing. He watched Kael walk away. Now he was alone. Ereon shook his head slowly. He continued walking toward the village chief's house. He would still go on with his mission to convince the villagers to move to a safer place.
"He called me stupid. He thinks he's better than me?" Ereon muttered. His mood was completely ruined by their argument. "If I hadn't invited him to join this party, he'd still be a poor guy hated by everyone."
Ereon shook his head in disbelief. "He should be thanking me."
***
Nearby, Dyren was sitting on top of a house roof. He had heard the two friends arguing. He was confused why something so trivial had to be such a big deal. Dyren shrugged. All of it was about him, but Dyren didn't feel guilty.
"They're complete idiots," he said, mocking both of them.
He stood up and started walking around the village. He remembered there was something valuable in this village. Something guarded by the villagers. That was also the reason they didn't want to leave. No one knew the location of that place except the village chief.
According to their beliefs, if the village was abandoned, then a powerful monster would appear. It would destroy the entire world. However, the creature was sealed, and the only way to maintain that seal was by performing a sacrifice ritual every day.
The seal was supposed to break two months from now when the villagers were forced out by royal troops convinced by Ereon. At that time, all the soldiers were killed, the village destroyed, and several other villages and two nearby cities were wiped out by the creature. All of it because of Ereon's foolish decision.
He thought what he did was best. But in truth, he didn't save anyone. He only caused more deaths.
"If I remember correctly, Ereon was traumatized and disappeared for a year. He really felt guilty, but guilt doesn't undo what's already happened," Dyren said.
This was the plot that made Dyren start liking the story. The only thing he looked forward to was Ereon changing and becoming wiser. Unfortunately, even by the end, he remained the same man. A kind-hearted, naive, and… stupid man. Since then, Dyren hated the name Ereon. He even cursed him in the comment section.
***
"Isn't this the entrance?" Dyren said, looking at an old well behind a large abandoned house.
He remembered the description of the entrance told by the narrator in the novel. But he wasn't so sure anymore because the well looked uncared for. It should've been maintained by the villagers since the ritual was supposed to take place there.
Dyren frowned. "Am I in the wrong place?" He scratched his head.
He looked around. Everything matched what he remembered. An old well behind the largest house in the village. In front of him was the biggest house in the area, and this was the only well around. He should be right, but Dyren hesitated a bit.
He walked toward the well. He wanted to look inside. "There should be a long tunnel down there."
He leaned over, and a second later, he felt someone push him from behind. Dyren tried to turn around, but he was too late. His body fell into the well.
The person who pushed him smiled. "One more sacrifice."