Burrrppppp!
I flinched as the sound of the monk's belch rolled through the forest like a thunderclap. For a moment, I wasn't sure if I should laugh or run. The man—if he was even a monk—sighed with satisfaction, his expression serene, like he'd just ascended to a higher plane of existence.
Then, noticing my stare, he hurriedly adjusted his robes and folded his hands, attempting a semblance of humility. But the glint of mischief in his eyes betrayed him.
"Apologies, traveler," he said, his voice calm and measured, as though a loud, echoing belch was the most natural thing in the world. "It's been days since I last ate."
I raised an eyebrow. "And monks are supposed to be…?"
"Fasting," he admitted with a casual shrug, completely unbothered. "But the rules bend for survival. I am Saya, from the western regions—or, at least, that's what the letter in my pocket claims."
He patted his chest, where a folded slip of parchment stuck out. His grin turned sheepish as he added, "Apparently, I'm forgetful. This letter serves as my memory."
I stared at him, unimpressed. "Convenient."
He shrugged again, his grin widening.
This guy was scamming me in broad daylight, wasn't he?
"And," he continued, unprompted, "it also says I shouldn't eat animals. Yet here I am." He gestured proudly at the fish carcasses littering the ground. His lips trembled, clearly holding back a laugh, and I had to stifle my own.
Seriously. This guy.
Still, I stayed quiet, half-expecting him to reveal himself as some kind of forest spirit in disguise.
Saya's tone shifted, growing more solemn. "You're cautious. That's good. But there's no need to fear me. My purpose here is to help. Many of the creatures in this forest—spirits—have lost their way. And I…" He paused dramatically, raising a hand to the sky as sunlight gleamed off his shiny, bald head. I winced as the reflection hit my eyes.
"…I purify them," he finished.
I blinked. "Purify?"
"Indeed," he said, nodding gravely. "Some spirits become corrupted when their natural homes are destroyed. Their wisdom—the essence that gives them form—dissolves into sorrow and rage. A spirit can only exist by reaching a higher understanding of the world. When that understanding is shattered, they become… dangerous."
I hesitated, curiosity prickling at the edges of my fear. "Dangerous how?"
Saya tilted his head, as though I'd just asked why the sky was blue. "You've seen it. The Heer you encountered—it was once an elegant guardian of a swamp, keeping the land fertile and abundant. But when the swamp was drained by farmers and factories replaced its home, it lost its purpose. The grief twisted it, and the purity it once held turned to madness."
As he spoke, Saya stepped closer. Too close.
I instinctively stepped back, tightening my grip on the strap of my bag.
"And now," he continued, his calm voice taking on an unsettling edge, "I sense traces of that spirit's energy lingering in you."
My stomach dropped. "Wha—me?! What does that mean?"
"It's nothing to fear," Saya said, taking another step forward.
Nothing to fear? My instincts screamed otherwise.
Nope. Nope. Nope.
Snatching my bag, I bolted.
"Wait!" he called after me, his voice still maddeningly calm even after raising it. "Why are you running?!"
"You're not fooling me with your shiny bald head!" I shouted over my shoulder.
"I just want to purify you!"
"Well, I don't want it!"
Then—smack.
Something hard and fast collided with my forehead. Dazed, I stumbled backward, clutching my head. When I looked up, Saya stood directly in front of me, his expression serene and unshaken.
How the hell did he move that fast?!
He folded his hands, tilting his head slightly. "I may be forgetful, but I assure you, I won't harm you."
I scanned the forest, my heart still racing, but nothing else seemed to be lurking in the shadows. Finally, I sighed and stood, brushing dirt off my clothes. "Fine. I'm Kiyel," I muttered begrudgingly. "Sorry for, uh… running and all."
Saya smiled, and somehow the serenity of it was more infuriating than comforting. "It's normal to be cautious after an encounter like that."
"Yeah, well…" I rubbed the back of my neck. "Since you've been here for a while, have you seen a man around? Dark hair, green eyes, fancy noble look—and a pressuring personality?"
Saya stared at me, unblinking.
I groaned, rubbing my temples. "Never mind."
He tapped his bald head thoughtfully. "I might have…" His smile widened. "But I probably forgot."
Of course he did.
Saya's expression softened, and his tone dropped to something almost tender. "This won't take long."
Before I could protest, he began chanting softly. The air around me shifted, warm and heavy, like sunlight filtering through thick clouds. The tension in my chest eased, and I let out a breath I hadn't realized I was holding.
"Thank you," I muttered when he finished. Saya only nodded, his smile faint.
"May I ask," he said, "why you're venturing through Luminos?"
I hesitated, then sighed. "I'm looking for someone. I was think he went to the holy temple."
Saya tilted his head again. "I don't know where that is."
I stared at him. Of course you don't, monk with short-term memory loss.
"But," he continued, his smile returning, "I can keep you company. You may encounter spirits along the way, and it's better to have someone with you. Don't you think?"
His smile was kind, but there was something melancholic in his eyes. It took me a moment to answer.
"Try not to forget me, then," I said, managing a faint smile of my own.
Saya chuckled softly and handed me the folded paper he'd shown earlier. "Write your name here."
I stared at him, deadpan. "Seriously?"