Chapter 29 - 29: Wrapped in Mystery, Not in Clothes
The forest of Fiora was a place of ancient beauty, where towering trees stretched their branches toward the heavens, their leaves forming a canopy that filtered the morning sunlight into a soft, golden glow.
The air was thick with the scent of damp earth and blooming flowers, and the distant calls of birds echoed through the woods.
But today, the serenity of the forest was shattered by the sounds of chaos and despair.
Loud cries pierced the air, carrying with them the weight of fear and suffering. A raid was underway in a small village hidden deep within the woods, and the attackers were Hyenakin—humanoid creatures with the faces of hyenas and red fur running down their backs.
They were known for their cruelty, and today, they had set their sights on a village of Lionkin.
The Lionkin were a rare and noble breed of beastkin, their kind teetering on the edge of extinction.
Their golden fur and majestic manes made them highly sought after by wealthy nobles who prized exotic slaves.
The village was small, its people peaceful and close-knit, but they were not defenseless. As the Hyenakin descended upon them, the Lionkin fought back with whatever they could find—sticks, stones, and sheer determination.
Men, women, and even children joined the fray, their roars of defiance echoing through the forest. But their efforts were no match for the Hyenakin's superior weapons and armor.
The invaders wielded sharp blades and wore thick, metal armor that gleamed menacingly in the sunlight. The Lionkin were being overwhelmed, their courage no substitute for the cold, brutal efficiency of their attackers.
Amid the chaos, a young Lionkin girl was being urged to flee.
"Run, Leina!" a male Lionkin shouted, his voice desperate and hoarse.
Tears streamed down Leina's face as she stumbled out of the village, her golden hair catching the sunlight as it bounced with each step.
Her lion ears, usually perked with curiosity, were flattened against her head in fear.
She ran as fast as her legs could carry her, her heart pounding in her chest. The sounds of battle grew fainter behind her, but the sound of laughter followed close behind.
A Hyenakin was chasing her, his laughter cruel and mocking. "You can't escape, young lady!" he called out, his voice dripping with malice.
Leina's breath came in ragged gasps as she pushed herself to run faster, but her energy was fading. She kept glancing back, her fear of the Hyenakin driving her forward, but in doing so, she failed to notice the cliff ahead.
Her scream pierced the air as she tumbled over the edge, her body plummeting toward the ground below.
The wind rushed past her ears, and for a moment, everything seemed to slow down. She could see the forest canopy above her, the sunlight filtering through the leaves, and the distant figures of the Hyenakin standing at the edge of the cliff.
Then, everything went black.
High above, at the cliff's edge, the Hyenakin stood with his clawed hands resting on his hips. His sharp eyes peered down into the abyss, his ears twitching at the distant echo of Leina's final cry.
He scratched his head.
"Boss ain't gonna like this," he muttered, his voice carrying a hint of exasperation. "We're losing a lotta profit 'cause of that girl's death."
With a final glance into the ravine, the Hyenakin simply shrugged.
"Well, not my problem."
Turning away, he walked back into the forest, disappearing into the shadows as if nothing had ever happened.
•••••
When Leina opened her eyes, she expected to find herself in the afterlife, or at the very least, broken and battered from the fall.
Instead, she was lying on the ground, unharmed, next to a crackling campfire.
The warmth of the flames brushed against her skin, and the smell of roasting meat filled the air.
Two boars were skewered on sticks, slowly cooking over the fire. The meat sizzled and popped, its rich aroma making her stomach growl despite the fear and confusion swirling in her mind.
"I'm alive?" Leina whispered, her voice trembling with disbelief.
A monotone voice responded from beside her. "Yeah. I managed to catch you before you hit the ground."
Leina turned her head to see a young man sitting nearby.
He looked to be about her age, with black hair that fell in messy strands over his forehead and dark eyes that held no emotion.
His face was expressionless, matching the flat tone of his voice. On his head rested a glowing golden crown, but it wasn't made of metal or jewels—it was pure magic, shimmering faintly in the firelight. The crown seemed to pulse with a soft, golden glow, casting faint shadows on his face.
[Common: Human — Level 10.]
The man gestured toward the roasting meat. "Want some?"
Leina's eyes darted to his attire—or lack thereof. He was wearing nothing but a large leaf draped over the front of his body, leaving his back completely exposed.
The leaf was broad and green, its edges slightly curled from the heat of the fire.
She blinked, momentarily distracted from her panic. "You're only wearing a leaf," she said, her voice a mix of confusion and disbelief.
The man didn't seem bothered by her observation. He picked up one of the skewers and handed it to her. "Here. Eat."
Leina hesitated, but the smell of the meat was too tempting. She took the skewer and began to eat, her mind racing.
The meat was tender and flavorful, its warmth spreading through her body and easing some of the tension in her muscles.
As she ate, she remembered the horrors she had just escaped. Her village was under attack, her people were in danger, and she was sitting here, safe but helpless.
"My village," she said suddenly, her voice urgent. "It's being attacked by enslavers. They'll take everyone—kill those who resist. I need to find someone strong, someone who can help. Do you know anyone nearby who can save them?"
The man's expression didn't change. He looked bored, almost disinterested, as he stared into the fire.
The flames reflected in his dark eyes, but there was no emotion in them—no anger, no fear, no urgency. "I see," he said simply.
Leina's shoulders slumped. She had hoped for some kind of reaction, some sign that he cared.
But he just sat there, his face blank, his tone flat. She felt a wave of despair wash over her.
But then he spoke again. "Eat your food. We'll save them later."
Leina's head snapped up, her eyes wide with surprise. "What?"
The man didn't elaborate. He just continued to stare at the fire, his expression unchanging.
Leina studied him, trying to make sense of his words. He couldn't possibly be serious. He was just one person, and a low-level human at that. But there was something about the way he said it—so matter-of-fact, so calm—that made her wonder.
"My name is Leina," she said after a moment. "Leina Alfira. I'm a Lionkin."
The man finally turned to look at her, his dark eyes meeting hers. "I'm Keiran Graywood," he said. "I'm a hero."
Leina blinked, unsure of how to respond. A hero? He didn't look like any hero she had ever heard of.
His appearance was far from heroic—his messy hair, his expressionless face, his lack of proper clothing.
But as she sat there, the warmth of the fire and the food in her belly giving her a small sense of comfort, she couldn't help but feel a flicker of hope.
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Maybe, just maybe, this strange, emotionless man could help her save her village.
But deep down, she knew the odds were against them.
There was no way a level 10 human could take on an army of Hyenakin. He was probably just saying things to comfort her, to ease her pain.