Night wind gushed out as Lena took a deep breath then looked at the men's eyes one by one.
"Honestly, I'm shocked by your conditions. I'm adept in treating patients, so if you don't mind, please tell me why your body was weak? I bet kids could knock you out."
Regarding this question, all of them had various thoughts. Eldu and Banma thought they have to tell their journey but not the magical, mysterious beast.
They were not sure whether telling it will be a good thing. It might put them under troublesome matters if the beast was some kind of treasure. Adventurers who snatched others' fortune were not uncommon after all.
Meanwhile, Dun and Majo thought they have to tell the beast first.
It was something that made them shiver but they kept telling themselves that such a creature was nothing but an illusion. Unconsciously, they were no longer scared of predators like lions or tigers but a rabbit.
"We had a journey," said Eldu briefly. Paused for a moment, he looked at his comrades before he continued.
He started from the beginning where he joined the forty people's journey to deliver some goods through a dangerous route. Skipped most parts as he knew one night won't be enough. Of course, he hid the rabbit fight.
Lena listened to their story attentively. The young man in front of her showed indescribable emotions. Sometimes his breath was heavy as though a huge boulder was on his back, and sometimes he smoothly passed the story.
After a while, she could portray their life better and sighed a couple of times.
Life was full of surprises, even with her job who often met new people. She found their story to be new. Whatever one achieved in one's life, one would not be omniscient nor omnipotent and would not be content with it.
It didn't mean this thought was ruthless. It's just...this defined life, the ups and downs. She also had her reactions, the sympathy, but she could hide them better.
One year in a forest, selfish companions, wild predators, and hunger was something she knew how it felt so she could grasp the superficial emotions these guests had been through, especially the young man's word when he said, "we craved for a place called home."
During the storytelling, she didn't stop the young man at all. The other young men interrupted a couple of times, adding some details to the story.
As time went by, she noticed their voice became heavy and hoarse, their head nodded uncontrollably, and the pace of the story came slower.
"Okay child, that's all for today." Lena clapped her hand then she pointed to a smaller wooden house.
"That's my barn. I'm sorry but I only have that place for you to stay. There are two beds, you can sleep there. Now, let's forget those things and have a good night. The past is experienced, what's matter in the future."
Lena walked away immediately after she spoke. She didn't give any chance to them if they had any questions for she wanted them to sleep soon. Besides, it's almost midnight.
Eldu and his companions startled for a moment.
They didn't know what to do because it made them very uncomfortable, receiving this boundless kindness. They planned to sleep outside because they didn't want to bother this family anymore.
However, Lena offered them in the first place so they had no choice but slept there. It touched their weak part, profusely lowered their head with utmost gratitude towards the closed door.
Moments later, inside the barn.
The barn had two rooms. One was for equipment and another for harvest. There were two beds made of grass, at least it looked like a bed, placed in the equipment room.
Each bed was barely fit for two people but they felt very grateful toward this. They often slept on rocks or muddy soil so it's clearly better.
And, today... was like a dream.
They tried to sleep to no avail. The yesterday them would never believe that tomorrow, they would meet someone who was very benevolent.
They got treated like a human with their appearance, and recalling their body odor that one year did not properly take care of, they still wondered how come Lena and Ziya did not vomit or felt disgusted while saving them.
Instead, they waited for Eldu and others, even looking after them like a mother to her son. They knew they were dirty beyond words and the disgusting smell was inevitable yet... how amiable!
Many random thoughts floated in their mind. They did not remember when was the last time they slept with a roof above and bed beneath them, when was the last time they ate delicious food, and when was the last time they met humans.
In the middle of their daydreaming, Dun spoke with his back touching Eldu's back. "My friend, thank you. I will never reach this point without you. I was a huge mess and help the least yet you let me be and teach me day by day."
There was a long sigh coming from Eldu. He responded, "don't mention it, Dun kiddo. Let's do as madam Lena says. I think we'd better engrave our foolishness and use it for our future. None of us wish such a journey but it hit us anyway."
"I am weak and often bring troubles but I will shamelessly agree with Banma. Since the fight of demon, I can't sleep properly," said Majo.
The rest of them knew which demon Majo meant. Such a creature was indeed fit the nickname. However, Banma's words afterward made them feel a tinge of emotions.
"Demon... it's not quite like it but I think we heard such thing in our childhood." Banma stared at the ceiling. A flash of nostalgia passed through his eyes.
"I never see fiery rabbit. Not even snake's scale that as hard as steel but among adventurers, we heard a few mystical creatures." Continued him.
All of them internally agreed. Such rumor indeed existed but it usually came from braggarts.
"I doubted it but my father talked about existence who could control the weather, connecting limbs and growing bones, and so on. He said if I met such a creature, I should run away." Yi Majo scratched his head.
"Me too." Said Dun and Banma in unison.
Dun quickly explained, "I mean, some people forcefully told me to run away if I see a monster, not a mystical existence."
Myth, tales, and legends were something common. Various stories streamed in the river of time, appeared from generation to generation. Some were brilliant, marvelous stories. Some were hateful, dreadful tragedies.
This kind of story was widely spread to the edge of the world. Brought by bards and poets, people enjoyed this and sometimes hummed it in their daily activity.
Speaking of which, since these four men's childhood until now, there would be people who also deliver such stories.
Many liked it because it was good to lighten up the mood, imagining how if the myth becomes the truth.
However, it could escalate into something serious. Banma, Dun, and Majo experienced this where elders around them warned them about it, saying that some of the stories were no jokes.
Although they said it seriously, people took it as nonsense. Who believed such a ridiculous story?
Especially when it came to the grown-man's ears in bars or markets, they would laugh right in front of your face and would ridicule you to the bone.
"Yes. When I was younger, some veteran adventurers told me about a similar thing. Some even put it on the list of ways to survive for adventurers. I think I saw once or twice but not that fierce." Banma agreed.
List of Ways to Survive was a community guideline, everyone was eligible to fill it. It contained do's and don't's for adventurer.
"It's strange," Eldu said abruptly.
"What do you mean?" asked Banma.
"My grandpa told me to observe it if possible. Well, your words make more sense...who wants to deal with such beasts? But, you know my senile old man prioritizes knowledge and information, so he wants to learn it instead of running away."
When Banma listened to the latter part, his face stiffened.
He was one of the countless adventurers who got scolded a lot by Grandpa Po because he was not fond of studying. He heard a familiar voice ranging in his head.
'You fool! That's why you have to study. It's to fill your muscle brain, save your peasant life! Bah! I hope you return with severe injuries but it seems like you're lucky. Don't worry, this old man is so nice and amiable. I will take care of you properly.'
Banma always shivered remembering this. Grandpa Po's smile when he said 'take care' was like a nightmare for him. He didn't want to hear that again but part of his missed Grandpa Po.
"So, do you think Grandpa Po has seen it?" asked Majo.
Eldu shook his head. "I don't know."
"Grandpa Po always smacks me and rarely speaks lies, but I think we still have to be cautious. Also, we can't divulge the demon fight to madam Lena yet." Banma glanced at Dun.
"Didn't you see the wooden tube? I think madam Lena also has sort of power." Dun rebutted quickly. "There's no harm in asking."
"Dun, how if the demon is sort of wealth? Then, they lock us and use us to track the demon. Some people could lose themselves while facing wealth. Do you remember the story of a spouse from the east?"