The dense forest began to thin, and Zaire could make out the silhouette of buildings in the distance. His excitement grew with each step, the promise of civilization offering a brief respite from the constant dangers of the wild.
"There it is," Yuki said, pointing ahead.
"Welcome to The Hidden Village."
Zaire followed Yuki's gaze and saw a small, yet bustling village nestled within the trees. The buildings were made of wood and stone, blending seamlessly with the natural surroundings.
People of various races and appearances walked the streets, creating a lively atmosphere.
As they approached the village, a guard standing at the entrance eyed them warily.
"State your business," he demanded, gripping his spear tightly.
"We're just travelers," Yuki replied, stepping forward. "Looking for some supplies and proper clothing for my friend here."
The guard scrutinized them for a moment before nodding. "Fine, but any trouble and you'll be dealt with swiftly."
"So we are friends." said Zaire.
"Don't get ahead of yourself" said Yuki.
Zaire nodded in understanding, feeling a sense of relief as they passed through the gates. The village was a stark contrast to the perilous forest.
Vendors lined the streets, selling various goods ranging from food to weapons.
Children ran around, playing games, and the air was filled with the sound of laughter and chatter.
Zaire looked around, puzzled. "I don't see any monsters," he said to Yuki.
"Of course not," Yuki replied. "Not every country supports us monsters. Some people kill us for fun or even make us slaves."
"What?" Zaire exclaimed, shocked by the revelation.
"But don't worry," Yuki continued. "Even though some humans don't see it, there are monsters in this town who blend in by taking human forms, just like us."
Zaire thought back to their earlier conversation. "I thought because you said this is a monstrous world, humans and monsters lived together," he mused to himself.
Yuki noticed Zaire's contemplative expression. "Are you okay?" he asked.
"Yeah, just trying to wrap my head around all this," Zaire replied, shaking off his surprise.
" Yea, where do we start?" Zaire asked, taking in the sights.
"First, we get you some clothes," Yuki said, leading him to a nearby tailor shop.
Inside, the shop was filled with fabrics of every color and texture imaginable. A middle-aged woman with kind eyes approached them. "Welcome! How can I help you today?"
"My friend here needs some proper clothes," Yuki explained.
The woman looked Zaire up and down, her eyes softening. "Of course. Follow me, dear." She led Zaire to a section of the shop filled with various outfits.
Zaire and Yuki looked around the market, searching for suitable clothes. After a few minutes of browsing, Zaire found a set that suited him perfectly: a simple yet sturdy outfit consisting of white pants, a red top with a long red scarf, and black combat boots with black belts.
"How does it feel?" Yuki asked as Zaire tried on the clothes.
"Perfect," Zaire replied, feeling a sense of normalcy returning to his life.
"Good," said Yuki, nodding in approval. He called over the shopkeeper. "This will be it," Zaire said.
"Alright, that will be 500 Dworl," said the lady behind the counter.
Yuki pulled out his wallet.
"Are you going to pay?" Zaire asked, slightly embarrassed.
"Yes, if I don't, who will? I can't let you walk around naked," Yuki replied.
"Thank you," Zaire said, grateful.
"Don't think this is free. You're going to pay me back, and until you do, I won't let you wander off," Yuki added sternly.
"Oh really? Nice, I get a travel buddy," Zaire said, grinning.
"I'm not your friend, dumbass," Yuki retorted, rolling his eyes.
Just then, the store door burst open, and two men with guns entered. They walked up to the lady at the cash register.
"Don't move! Empty everything into this bag, now!" one of the men demanded, his voice filled with menace.