Chapter 10

“They’ll just have to fatten her up properly before offering her.”

While one of them made this comment, the leader discovered a strange yellowish lump nearby. He pinched off a piece and tasted it, his brow furrowing immediately.

“They used our salt.”

“See? These outsiders have no regard for anything precious! Do they even know how long it takes to collect this salt from the river mouth?”

“Outsiders are always like this! They think everything on this island is theirs by right! They act as if they own the whole world!”

The tribesmen vented their frustration as they tightened the bindings around Suji. She let out a painful groan as the thorns dug into her skin. The cruel act seemed to bring the men a twisted sense of satisfaction. Meanwhile, the leader noticed small wooden containers set beside the extinguished fire pit. Picking one up, he sniffed its contents, and a familiar fragrance wafted up. His expression brightened.

“To think there’s still some of this incense left! The woman must have uncovered where it was hidden!”

“What is it?”

It was “seduction herb,” an incense made from a rare plant known for heightening desire. Men with faltering stamina especially valued it for intimate moments. Another tribesman leaned closer to examine it and grinned suggestively at the leader.

“You found a treasure! If you use this tonight, the chief’s wife will be thrilled. Maybe you’ll even secure that fifth child with ease!”

Known as a seductive stimulant for both men and women, the herb was a rare and coveted resource. Its rarity only made it more prized among those lucky enough to possess it. The leader’s lips curled into a wide smile, elated at his newfound prize.

“Let me go!”

The triumphant moment was interrupted by Suji’s defiant shout. The leader turned to see her struggling desperately, swaying unsteadily yet fiercely resisting. Despite the pain in her bound wrists and ankles, and the drowsiness overtaking her, she refused to give in. He noted her tenacity with mild interest, finding it unusual for a woman from outside the island to resist so vehemently. Turning his attention back to the room, he resumed scanning his surroundings.

“We heading back now?” one of the tribesmen asked as they secured Suji tightly to a thick branch. But the leader shook his head.

“Not yet.”

The tribesmen all looked at him in surprise. The leader stepped outside briefly, scanning the surroundings, and then returned to deliver the ominous news.

“There’s another one.”

“What? Who?”

“The man is staying here, not just the woman.”

The leader had shrewdly deduced the presence of another person. Examining traces outside and inside, he confirmed that a man had been here. After ordering five of his men to remain while two took Suji away, the leader addressed the group.

“He’s a strong one. Bigger than the woman, but his movements are much lighter. Look at the footprints—large, yet barely pressed into the ground. And near the shelter, I found signs of skinned animals. Every single one had its throat targeted. It was quick and precise, with barely any secondary injuries. This is someone who knows how to kill.”

The leader seemed almost excited to encounter such a formidable opponent. While his enthusiasm unsettled the tribesmen, they were not overly worried. The leader was not only a skilled tracker but also one of the tribe’s most capable hunters.

“If we capture him, the chieftain will be pleased.”

“Let’s hurry up and catch him—I just want to get home and sleep.”

“I’m looking forward to eating until I burst…and then having some fun after.”

“Fun, huh? Don’t tell me you’re planning to get wild outside again.”

“Of course! It’s better that way. My wife loves it when I give it to her out in the open—she can’t stop moaning!”

Their crude banter was interrupted when one of the tribesmen noticed something strange. The air suddenly grew icy cold, and it seemed as if the surrounding mist was solidifying into frost and falling to the ground. He blinked, confused, until he felt hot liquid splatter on his face. Only then did he realize the sound he’d heard was that of a comrade’s throat being sliced open.

“What the—?”

As his hand reflexively touched the blood on his face, he caught sight of a blur—something slicing through the air toward him. Was it a blade? The thought barely registered before his life ended. The others fared no better. In a matter of moments, Rex eliminated two more of them in silence before grabbing the fifth man by the neck and speaking, his voice calm but cold.

“You.”

The leader flinched, instinctively raising his spear and hurling it. But the weapon missed entirely, disappearing into the mist. Realizing negotiation was futile, Rex tightened his grip. A sickening crack echoed as the tribesman’s neck twisted unnaturally. Rex let the lifeless body drop to the ground.

“Who…what are you…?”

The leader stammered, his confidence shattered. The sheer power and speed of this man were inhuman. Surely, he must be some monster spawned by the swamp itself. Overcome with fear, the leader dropped to his knees and bowed low.

“Oh great being, oh supreme entity, please…if you desire anything, just say the word!”

Rex paused, slightly taken aback by the sudden display.

“Are you bowing because you understand me,” he asked, “or simply because you want to live?”

“Oh great one! Speak your desires, and I shall fulfill them!”

The leader continued mumbling nonsense, offering a small wooden container from his pouch as a tribute. Rex glanced at him briefly before turning his attention to the ground. The deep impressions of Suji’s footprints among the others told a story of struggle.

‘There’s no trace of her nearby,’ he thought.

Rex focused his senses but could not detect Suji. This swamp, infamous even within the kingdom, was notorious for its ability to disorient and obscure. Its peculiar mist interfered with any attempt to track life forces. For someone like Rex, whose body was sustained by mana, this presented an unusual challenge. The swamp seemed almost sentient, reacting defensively to any exertion of power. To avoid provoking it, Rex had been using his abilities sparingly.

‘Was that my mistake?’

He had underestimated the swamp and its dangers. Though he’d heard rumors of inhabitants, he had not anticipated they would abduct people. His irritation flared as he stared down at the groveling tribesman.

“What…?”

A sharp nudge from Rex’s foot made the man drop his wooden container and glance up, panicked. Rex pointed at Suji’s footprints.

Finally understanding, the leader turned pale and stammered, “Th-that way! They went that way!”

Rex barely spared the indicated direction a glance before jerking his head. The signal was clear: lead the way. Trembling, the leader hesitated but eventually stumbled forward, compelled by Rex’s presence.

‘This is all such a mess,’ Rex thought.

Meanwhile, Suji was being carried like a roasted pig on a spit, tied to a pole as the natives trudged across the squishy, muddy ground. Each step they took caused her body to jolt, her thoughts scattering with the movement. She kept trying to think of ways to escape, ways to return home, but her mind felt as muddled as the muck beneath them.

‘Will he come for me?’

Even now, it was him she thought of. Suji regretted not chasing after him sooner. She was terrified of being captured while alone, but on the flip side, at least he wasn’t there to be caught alongside her. That thought gave her some small comfort.

‘No matter what, I can’t lose consciousness.’

She bit her lip, trying to stay awake. The more pain she inflicted on herself, however, the blurrier her vision became. The poison from the thorns seemed to be spreading, and soon her sight was filled with hazy, indistinct colors.

Through her foggy vision, Suji noticed that they were heading into a vine-covered forest. The trees were draped with hanging vines, their tendrils swaying like curtains in the wind. Occasionally, red fruits dangling from the vines brushed against her face, tickling her skin. The sensation felt faint, almost distant, as Suji blinked slowly.

“This is bad. When did this place get so overgrown?”

“Must’ve been a while since anyone came through here. We didn’t notice. Next time, we should avoid this path—one wrong step, and we’ll wake the beast.”

The natives spoke in hushed tones as they cautiously moved forward, mindful not to trip over roots or disturb the forest floor. Their steps were slow, deliberate, as though they were treading on the edge of disaster. When they finally emerged from the tangle of vines, their relief was palpable, and they eagerly searched for the boat they had left on the riverbank.

Suji’s gaze drifted to the shimmering water. The river sparkled like silver wings, its surface dotted with patches of floating vegetation, lazily flowing from right to left.

‘So there’s a river even in a place like this.’

She found herself oddly surprised by the tranquil sight. Her moment of wonder was short-lived, though, as she felt a jolt when they loaded her onto the boat. The natives began rowing, the small craft bobbing gently as it moved into the middle of the river.

Even with her fading vision, Suji kept glancing back over her shoulder.