"We should stop here. The horses are exhausted," the old man said, his voice firm and commanding as he dismounted with practiced ease.
Seo Ryun, still disoriented and unfamiliar with riding, struggled to dismount. Unable to find his footing, he awkwardly slid off the horse, nearly losing his balance and falling to the muddy ground.
He managed to steady himself at the last moment, his legs shaky and sore from the rough ride.
Before Seo Ryun could fully regain his footing, the old man grabbed him with a firm grip, his movements swift and practiced. In no time, he tied Seo Ryun's hands together, his stern gaze boring into him.
"Kid," the old man said, his voice sharp and demanding. "Who are you, and where did you come from?"
"I'm... Seo Ryun
I don't know where I came from," Seo Ryun said to the old man, his voice filled with uncertainty.
"When I woke up, I was already in the forest." He looked up at the old man.
The old man fixed Seo Ryun with a piercing gaze, his eyes studying him intently, as if weighing the truth of his words.
For a moment, the air seemed heavy with silence as the old man searched his expression, trying to determine if he was lying or not.
"Alright, stay like that for now, for everyone's safety," the old man said, his voice firm. As he spoke, the others dismounted, their eyes turning toward Seo Ryun, sizing him up with a mix of curiosity and caution. The group remained silent, watching him closely.
The first to approach was a woman in her mid-twenties, her brown hair damp from the rain but still flowing gracefully around her shoulders. A small mole near her eye caught the light as she drew closer, and her crystal-blue eyes fixed on Seo Ryun with an intensity that made him uneasy.
Her flawless skin seemed to glow even in the dim light. She studied him with quiet curiosity, her gaze unblinking as she assessed the situation.
"Are you alright?" the woman asked, her voice soft but laced with concern as she took a step closer, her crystal-blue eyes scanning Seo Ryun for any signs of injury or distress.
"My butt hurts from the ride, haha..." Seo Ryun chuckled awkwardly, trying to ease the tension. "Who would've thought this would be my first time riding a horse?" He shifted slightly, still feeling the ache in his body from the uncomfortable journey.
The woman chuckled softly, the corners of her lips curving into a smile. Then, with a loud voice that carried to the rest of the group, she said, "I think he's a human—and a good person." Her words seemed to ease the tension in the air as the crowd fell silent, some of them exchanging curious glances.
The crowd, who had been busy checking their items and bags, murmured in agreement. "That's good," one of them said, nodding. Another chimed in, "If you say so." It was clear from their reactions that they trusted the woman's judgment, the confidence in her words evident in their responses. The atmosphere seemed to shift, the tension slowly dissipating as the group regarded Seo Ryun with less suspicion.
Soon, a bulky man approached, likely in his mid-twenties as well. Scars marred his face, evidence of past battles, and a long sword was strapped to his back, its hilt worn from use.
He carried himself like a seasoned warrior, his presence commanding and unmistakable. His eyes briefly flicked to Seo Ryun, studying him with a look that suggested he was ready to act if needed.
Seo Ryun couldn't help but think to himself, "Wow, I'm really in another world, huh... This guy looks like he's in a cosplay." He couldn't shake the surreal feeling.
"You shouldn't approach strangers like that, Fillia," the bulky man said, his voice firm and commanding. His sharp features and crystal-blue eyes, identical to Fillia's, gave him a striking appearance. However, his fierce aura contrasted with her calm presence, making it clear he was someone not easily approached without caution.
"It's alright, brother! This guy has a good aura about him," Fillia said with a cheerful smile, her tone light and carefree. She seemed at ease, her earlier concerns melting away as she looked at Seo Ryun with a newfound sense of trust.
The bulky man fixed his gaze on Seo Ryun, his expression serious. "You said you appeared here out of nowhere?" he asked, his voice steady but carrying an edge.
"Do you even know what kind of forest this is?" His words were pointed, as if testing Seo Ryun's knowledge—or lack of it—about his surroundings.
"I really appeared here with no memories," Seo Ryun admitted, his voice laced with frustration.
The bulky man stared at him for a moment, then shifted his gaze to Fillia. She met his look and nodded, a subtle but clear signal of understanding. The tension seemed to ease slightly, though the man's stern expression remained.
'Huh? Just now... Do they have a secret communication?' Seo Ryun thought to himself, his mind racing.
'It looked like they just had a conversation without saying a word.' He couldn't shake the feeling that there was something more going on between them, a silent understanding he wasn't a part of.
The bulky man tilted his head slightly, his gaze never leaving Seo Ryun.
"What is your name?" he asked, his voice still firm but with a hint of curiosity beneath it.
"Seo Ryun," he replied, his voice stebady despite the lingering confusion. He met the man's gaze, waiting for his next words.
Suddenly, the old man spoke up, his tone commanding.
"Prepare to move. We need to settle before nightfall."
He began organizing the group, his voice leaving no room for argument as everyone started to gather their things.
The group quickly went to work, preparing for the journey ahead. Some fed and tended to the horses, while others checked their supplies. The atmosphere was busy but efficient, each person focused on their task.