In the morning, after packing up, Takeru and the others quickly moved towards the forest across the city, which was about 10 kilometers away to reach its entrance.
According to the information gathered by Ken the night before, at the entrance, they had guards and a wooden wall in place. This was to both slow down any potential attackers and give the main wall time to prepare in case of a monster wave.
The term "monster wave" referred to the sudden and intense increase in the number of monsters, turning them aggressive and causing an unavoidable disaster.
The timing of these monster waves was unpredictable. In the past, the city had experienced two monster waves. Fortunately, during those times, heroes lived who saved the city from destruction.
Hence, the city was also known as the city of adventurers, where adventurers from all over the kingdom gathered to challenge or exterminate monsters in the forest. This could delay the occurrence of monster waves, or at least reduce their numbers.
The city of Yark had prospered considerably, despite being 10 kilometers away from a forest filled with monsters. It thrived on funds from inns catering to adventurers and providing various necessities such as food, equipment, and other essentials.
Takeru and the others decided to walk and left their horses in a stable, entrusting them with the necessary care.
Ken seemed to have successfully approached the two beastmen, providing Takeru with intriguing information. In this world, creatures that were a combination of humans and animals were referred to as "Ajin" or demi-humans. Their origin was said to date back to ancient times and had evolved thousands of years ago due to a mysterious surge of magical energy.
Takeru felt like he had heard a similar story somewhere. By the way, they originated from the werewolf tribe that lived deep in the forest. When asked which forest, it turned out to be the one to the southwest, meaning it was west of the neighboring kingdom.
Considering the distance, it made sense for them to be here. The fact that they could become slaves made Takeru and Ken somewhat angry. Non-human races were often favored in slave hunting—elves, Ajin, mermaids, dwarves, fairies, and even demons.
Sometimes, humans were more wicked than the demons often portrayed as sources of evil. Takeru was momentarily stunned by the chaos of this world. Despite people from his world often yearning for this fantasy realm, reality wasn't always sweet.
After passing the guard post at the forest entrance and distancing themselves from the guard wall, Takeru brought out his armored combat vehicle.
"Hmm... Ken, can you drive?"
He asked his first servant, who was chatting with the kids. Ken immediately responded after being called.
"Yes, sir!"
Ken answered with a salute. Apparently, Takeru forgot they were not in a formal setting, and Ken reverted to his servant mode.
"Ken, just relax with me. Don't be too tense. Honestly, it's a bit scary if you keep acting like that when we're alone like this."
Takeru said honestly, realizing the excessive tension.
"Er?..." Ken turned pale, and his shoulders slumped. "Yes, sir..."
Alright, let's start this vehicle. I'm a bit curious about driving this armored vehicle. It's like an amphibious Humvee.
"Sir..."
When Ken checked and warmed up the vehicle, Rakrak and Ruri approached me with confused and slightly fearful faces.
"Yes?" I responded, crouching down so they didn't have to strain their necks.
"Are we going to be... bait?" Rakrak asked with a trembling voice, while his sister, Ruri, shivered.
It seemed like they misunderstood. In this world, there were cases where slaves were used as bait during extermination. It was to save time and costs for adventurers or rulers conducting conquests.
"Both of you, don't think negatively like that. We bought you because Ken has to do his duty, so you can be useful to me later. Don't you want to repay my kindness?"
I spoke with the best smile I could muster, although my smile looked more eerie and scared them, causing them to hug each other.
I don't understand why my expression can be so frightening. My face shouldn't be too ugly or handsome. Standard, but my expression seems problematic.
"Sorry... Sir, the car is ready."
Ken saved them, and when I saw him without waiting long, I approached him and stood up.
"Sir...?"
Ken wondered what was really happening, looking confused at me.
I sighed deeply while standing. "It's okay... I just said that they have to be useful to me. So, Ken. As I commanded before. I don't want any burdens within this circle; everyone must be useful, even if it's just lifting a shovel. Do you understand?" I said.
I might be rough and emotionless, but one day, they'll be thankful to me. You live in an unfair world. So, to survive in this world, you need to be not only strong but also socially intelligent. If not, no matter how strong you are, you'll crumble when someone stabs you from behind.
Ken nodded in understanding and quickly reassured the two with gentle words and interpreted my words in simpler language.
The siblings immediately nodded in understanding, their eyes sparkling as they looked at me. It seemed like Ken instilled his respect for me in them.
I don't know what Ken said, but it seemed better than before. Then, we set off into the depths of the forest, shrouded in deceptive mist and filled with fierce monsters.
Inside the vehicle, I sat in the front seat with the driver, Ken, while the kids sat in the back, admiring the interior or the vehicle itself. Occasionally, they glanced at the scenery outside, although it was just a forest.
We had already seen the purple mist, and it gave an unpleasant feeling. "Everyone, I sense something strange about the mist, so just in case." I took something from the inventory, a gas mask. "Use this." I handed it to Ken, and he put it on immediately. Meanwhile, Rakrak and Ruri stared at the gas mask with puzzled faces.
Indeed, they didn't know how to use it. "Come here." I asked them to come closer and helped them put on the masks one by one. At first, they were a bit hesitant, but after putting them on, they looked at each other's faces and immediately lit up as if they liked the gas masks.
After finishing, Ken thrust the gas pedal, and we entered the purple mist. We sealed the air vents and turned on the vehicle's AC.
I stared at this forest with a slight unease. Was it the right decision to build a base in this forest? However, I needed a hidden place to construct a base so that no one would disturb the building process.
Some time later, something crashed against the window next to me.
Takeru was genuinely surprised by something hitting the window beside him. As he examined it more closely, it resembled a large-sized locust, unlike anything Takeru knew from his world.
"Damn it, Ken, step on the gas!"
Takeru ordered while grabbing something from the inventory—a firearm.