"I see."
The man nodded as though he understood something by looking at Juan's expression.
He turned around and said to everyone, looking curiously.
"Alright everyone, you're scaring the young man with your gaze. Let him have some fresh air and give him some space."
After some time, the gathered people dispersed.
Some left to return to their village, while others just stood not far away, still curious, and decided to just stay.
Seeing this made Juan thinking slowly return to its track somewhat.
A man that can affect everyone to somehow follow his words meant he had some reputation and charisma.
This meant the man who helped him just now has a considerably high status.
Thinking of this made him humble his back a little and show a respectful attitude.
"Thank you for your help, sir."
This time, he could say it at least without stuttering.
Although awkward, it wasn't as bad as before.
"Hmm, it's okay. I know what it feels to experience everyone stare at you one time."
The man smiled and said, he seems to be a good person to be amiable and helpful.
At least to not find himself in trouble. Juan had to tread carefully in this new and unfamiliar place.
"My name is Juan, and I came here drifting along the river. I met something along the way that left me exhausted, as you can see."
First is telling one's name to identify oneself as a non-stranger.
Making him feel close to them by divulging his identity.
Next is to say something that can make them sympathize so as to feel pity for him and lower their guards.
Then show weakness and avoid being their dangerous individual targets.
Another thing is to glean information by saying those things.
Like, for example,.
"I see, so you came from the north, huh? That place is really deserted and houses many dangers."
The man seems to accept his reasoning.
But still, some suspicion wouldn't just go away in one sentence.
"I can't believe it when I saw you drifting in the river. But now when I saw you being like this and hearing you say just now."
The man stopped smiling and said it with a serious expression on his face.
"Good job making it out alive," he said.
There's solemnity in the tone he let out.
Juan nodded as he smiled in agreement, inwardly processing for on more meaning from it.
"I'm Garu, the village chief of this village. Nice to meet you, Juan."
The man regains his smile and pointed at himself in the introduction.
"This one is my little brother who helped you pull you back to the bank—Jura."
Garu pointed at another man beside him who had been silent all along.
"Hello Juan. No need to thank me. I'm just doing what everyone would do."
Jura said while laughing, rather embarrassed.
Juan bowed to the two of them before saying.
"Still I had to thank you. If not, who knew I might be still drifting till tomorrow unaware of this village I pass by?"
Garu and Jura looked at each other and beamed.
It's always good to be appreciated by someone you helped along the way.
"Well, if you say so."
Jura said, and then seemed to have thought of something. He turned around and looked at his big brother.
"Brother, let's have Juan rest in the village first. And also, tell the village about Juan. Lest they go around spreading rumors."
Garu nodded before saying. "Hm, let's do that."
"Juan, how about going to the village and resting first before we can continue our conversation?"
Jura turned back to Juan and asked.
"You must be still very tired from your journey," he said.
Juan looked around him and, after some thought, bowed again as a show of gratitude.
"Well, I shall gladly take your offer then," Juan said rather embarrassedly.
He can be shy since he is in another person's territory. And also became of his little social anxiety.
"Well then, let's go," Garu said as he gathered the rope on the sandy bank.
"Please wait for a while. I still had food rations to take back. It would be a pity to just leave them to go bad."
'Well, it's already bad.'
Juan said this before gathering every fish ration he had on his pajama jacket.
Now he was left with just his brief clothing while standing.
"Although it might be a bit embarrassing. Hahaha."
Juan laughed a bit embarrassingly upon seeing them look over his almost naked body.
Garu and Jura laughed out loud before they wiped away the tears at the edge of their eyes.
"No worries, it wasn't actually something to be embarrassed about. Just that, we laughed not because of that but because..."
Jura said, chuckling.
"It's because you're quiet skinny. Women won't look at you with that kind of body, you know. Hahaha."
This time, it was Garu who said that.
Juan laughed wryly before following them to the village with his prey.
On the way to the village. The remaining villagers standing not far from them came near.
They asked Garu what happened while their eyes were looking at him—Juan.
Naturally, Garu retold Juan's story about his name, where he came from, and what happened before.
After knowing that, they became much friendlier, and their eyes no longer looked at him with much suspicion and caution than before.
"You're a big help, sir Garu."
Garu shrugged it off as though it were normal.
"Your welcome."
"It's always been like this. Every time there's a thing happening, people would flock and gather together."
Then Jura chimed in here as he said, "And to the finish, it's always big brother who explained everything."
"Hahaha."
"Hahaha."
"But still, you actually left that place alive. I've seen many who dared to challenge the north, but you're the only one I've known and heard to have come out alive."
Jura suddenly said,.
"Others have already gone missing and unknown, whether they still live to the other end to leave their tales behind."
Garu looked at Juan up and down, still bewildered.
"How did you do it? What did you encounter?"
Garu asked, somewhat expectant and also excited.
"Hey big brother, couldn't we continue this conversation next time after Juan had a rest?"
Jura came to the rescue.
"Well, I can't wait. You know no one has ever seen what's beyond this grassland. Don't tell me you aren't excited to hear what's in their first hand?!" Garu snickered.
"I am, but can we not just wait for a while? Let him have some rest first. It's not like he's going to vanish," Jura reasoned.
The two looked at Juan suddenly, as though asking for confirmation.
"Actually, all I can tell you about the grassland isn't much. But...I hope this will at least help you."
Juan has already recovered, so he doesn't mind them asking him questions that wouldn't hurt him.
They had already passed on the road and entered the village entrance, which was guarded by two leather-armored men with a rusted spear in hand.
"Then—"
Garu was about to ask him to continue when Jura pulled him to the side and pointed around him.
"Big brother, you still have work to do. Also, we're in public. At least wait till we return."
Jura's decision immediately made Garu realize that he was indeed being too hasty.
"Your right, okay. Wait for me for a while. I'll calm the villagers first."
Garu nodded before leaving.
Jura and Juan nodded before the former led the latter to a wooden house near the village center.
"I'm sorry about my big brother. You see, he's always been like that, although he was the village chief and already this old."
Jura laughed wryly as he said so.
"There's no need to say anything, sir Jura. I understand Sir Garu's thought," Juan calmly said, not bothered.
"Even I would be the same if I knew someone had come out of a place of death known to everyone."
Jura nodded, satisfied with Juan's response.
"Good, well then. We have arrived. Well come back again later in the afternoon or maybe tomorrow."
After telling him everything about the house, Jura left soon after.
Right now, it was only Juan that was left in the room with an opened window.
He placed all his rations on the table nearby before closing the door and window as he returned to the bed and fell into its embrace and comfort.
"..uhh...this is much better...."
The bed was just a plain wooden bed with no bedding or anything.
But it's much more comfortable than lying on his back on those thorny and uncomfortable rafts that would sway from time to time.
In the end, he fell asleep and forgot everything.
The village was a beautiful one.
Peaceful and full of vitality despite being in the iron age period— maybe.
There aren't any walls for border protection, nor are there any trees around it.
But all the houses are made of stone, mud, and wood.
There's also an ample space for everyone to make a garden of flowers.
'...this feeling...'
Although he was asleep, His mind was still active enough to subconsciously think.
'... civilization... society... I'm safe for the time being...'