ep4. Guanggwang Captured by Cannibals

Episode 4
"Guanggwang Captured by Cannibals"
Two days had passed since the battle ended.
The expedition was hiding on the outskirts of the borderlands, watching for an opportunity. They hid during the day and looted corpses at night. It was dangerous, but the haul was good.
"At this rate, we’ve almost reached our target amount."
Grandpa Ken said with a satisfied expression.
"Let’s do one more night and then head back."
But that night, things went wrong.
"Stop right there!"
Torches cut through the darkness as they approached. It was an Imperial Army patrol. About ten soldiers surrounded the expedition.
"Who are you? State your affiliation."
The commander at the front asked, his cold eyes sweeping over them.
Grandpa Ken answered calmly.
"We’re with the border guard. We were on patrol."
"Border guard?"
The commander narrowed his eyes.
"State your unit name."
"…"
Silence fell.
Of course they didn’t know. It was fake.
The commander’s gaze sharpened.
"Judging by your armor, you’re mixing officer and enlisted gear."
His voice turned icy.
"You’re thieves, aren’t you?"
In an instant, the soldiers drew their swords.
"Seize them!"
There was no chance to run. They were surrounded, disarmed, and bound in moments.
Guanggwang was dragged away with his hands tied. So were Mr. Rabbit, Grandpa Ken, and the mercenary.
"What should we do with them?"
a soldier asked.
The commander thought for a moment and replied,
"I don’t feel like going through the trouble of a trial. Throw them into the corpse pit."
"Pardon?"
"The pit where they dump the Sun Cult bodies. Toss them in there and it’ll take care of itself."
Take care of itself.
It didn’t take long to understand what that meant.
The corpse pit.
Dozens of bodies were piled in a massive hollow. Most were Sun Cult soldiers. Limbs twisted, eyes rolled back.
The stench stabbed at their noses.
"Urk…"
Guanggwang fought back nausea.
The soldiers lined the expedition members along the edge of the pit. Then they shoved them.
"Aah!"
They tumbled down. Onto the corpses. Cold, soft things cushioned their fall.
"Ugh… ngh…"
With their hands bound, they couldn’t even get up. Beside him, Grandpa Ken and the mercenary groaned.
"Where’s Mr. Rabbit?"
Guanggwang looked around.
He couldn’t see Mr. Rabbit.
"Look over there."
The mercenary gestured with his chin.
Mr. Rabbit lay collapsed at the edge of the pit, eyes closed and motionless.
Was he dead?
No, he was breathing. If you looked closely, his chest rose and fell faintly.
"Is he… pretending to be dead?"
"Shh."
Grandpa Ken pressed a finger to his lips. The soldiers were still above.
After a while, the soldiers left.
Darkness settled.
And then.
Clack— clack— clack—
They heard it.
Footsteps from the other side of the pit. Drawing closer.
"…Damn it."
the mercenary groaned.
Eyes gleamed in the darkness. Yellow eyes. Red eyes. Dozens of them stared down into the pit.
Cannibals.
Cannibals with red tattoos.
They were different from the green-tattooed brats they had seen before. Every one of them was well-built, muscles bulging. In their hands were sharp bone knives and axes.
"Kieeeek—!"
One cannibal leapt into the pit.
And lifted Grandpa Ken.
"Huh—? What are these bastards doing?"
Grandpa Ken struggled.
"H-hey? No… no!!"
The cannibals hoisted him up and climbed out of the pit.
"Grandpa!!"
Guanggwang shouted. But with his hands bound, he could do nothing.
Next was the mercenary.
"You bastards! Get away!! No! I have a wife and kids!!"
Thud! Thud! Thud!
The cannibals beat the struggling mercenary with clubs.
"Guhk!"
Unconscious, he was dragged away.
And then.
A cannibal stood before Guanggwang.
"…!"
A massive hand grabbed him by the scruff of the neck.
The cannibal village.
It was a grotesque place of caves and shacks mixed together. Bonfires burned here and there, and above them—
Huge cauldrons boiled furiously.
"…!"
Guanggwang swallowed.
The expedition members were tied to wooden posts. Grandpa Ken. The mercenary. And several others.
The cannibals beat drums and danced. Frenzied movements. Drool dripping as they circled the cauldrons.
"Kieek—! Kieek—!"
One stepped forward. Larger than the rest. Probably the leader.
The leader raised a hand.
The dancing stopped.
He pointed at Grandpa Ken.
"Kieeeek—!"
The cannibals rushed in. They untied Grandpa Ken and lifted him up.
"Y-you bastards! Let go! Let go!!"
He thrashed, but it was useless.
The boiling cauldron.
"N-no!!"
Splash—!
Grandpa Ken was thrown in.
"Gyaaaaaaah—!!"
A scream echoed. Arms flailed in the boiling water. One second. Two. Three…
The movement stopped.
"…!"
Guanggwang couldn’t close his eyes. It was too shocking; he couldn’t even cry.
"Cooked!"
The cannibals cheered.
Next was the mercenary.
"Please! Please spare me! I have a family—"
Splash—!
"Gyaaaaaah—!!"
…Again.
Tears flowed.
No sound came out.
It was too terrifying.
Am I next?
Will I end up like that too?
Then, a cannibal approached Guanggwang.
It’s over.
That’s what he thought.
But the cannibal did not drag him toward the cauldron.
Instead, he pulled him in another direction.
Deeper into the cave.
Deep inside.
A single faint torch hung on the wall. Beneath its light, something crouched.
A cannibal.
But different from the others. Similar build, but the eyes were different. Not madness—intelligence.
The cannibal approached Guanggwang.
Rough fingers prodded his arm.
"…"
As if inspecting meat at a market.
Then.
"Me, first time see brown skin like this."
…What?
The cannibal spoke.
"Y-you… can talk?"
Guanggwang asked in a trembling voice.
The cannibal nodded.
"Me can talk. A little."
The finger moved from arm to shoulder, from shoulder to neck. Goosebumps rose.
"White skin bland. Black skin chewy. You brown skin, first time see. Curious."
"…"
Guanggwang couldn’t answer. He was paralyzed with fear.
"You, what name?"
"…Guanggwang."
He didn’t know why he answered. His mouth moved on its own.
"Guanggwang?"
The cannibal repeated the name.
"Guanggwang. Good name."
A finger brushed his cheek. Rough and hard.
"Guanggwang salty. Because sweat? Sound tasty."
"…"
The cannibal slowly stood.
He took a knife from the wall.
"Me good cook. Guanggwang, not worry. Me cut good so no stress."
The blade flashed in the torchlight.
It’s over.
Really over.
Tears streamed down.
Nuangnuang.
I’m sorry.
I don’t think I can keep my promise, sis.
"Now, where should me cut first?"
The cannibal raised the knife.
At that moment.
Boom—!
The cave entrance exploded.
"Hello?"
A familiar voice came through the dust.
Silver hair fluttered.
Red eyes gleamed.
It was Mr. Rabbit.
"Kiehek—! Who are you!"
the cannibal shouted.
Mr. Rabbit grinned.
"Your worst nightmare."
Slash—!
A massive sword cleaved the air.
The cannibal’s head rolled to the ground.
"Whew, Guanggwang~"
Mr. Rabbit approached and untied him.
"A little later and it would’ve been bad."
"Mr. Rabbit…"
Guanggwang couldn’t continue. Only tears streamed down.
Alive.
I’m alive.
"Don’t cry, don’t cry."
Mr. Rabbit patted his head. A cold but gentle touch.
"It’s all over."
Just then, another voice came from the cave entrance.
"H-hello? We met briefly earlier…?"
Turning his head, Guanggwang saw a familiar face.
Brown hair and round eyes.
A Sun Cult novice they had fought yesterday.
"W-what are you?!"
Guanggwang shouted.
Mr. Rabbit answered.
"Oh, him? I brought him."
"What?!"
"Needed someone handy to unlock shackles. He looked good with his hands."
"Y-you brought an enemy?!"
"Eh, he was an enemy. Not anymore."
Mr. Rabbit said casually.
The Sun Cult boy smiled awkwardly.
"M-my name is Kui. About earlier… um… I’m sorry."
"…"
Guanggwang stared blankly at Kui.
What is going on?
"Let’s get out of here first."
Mr. Rabbit said.
"I’ll explain later."
Guanggwang nodded.
There was no time to think.
Survival came first.
They exited the cave.
The cannibal village was in chaos. Cannibal corpses lay scattered everywhere. Mr. Rabbit had swept through them on his way in.
"Whoa…"
Kui marveled.
"You did all this alone…?"
"About twenty of them?"
Mr. Rabbit shrugged.
"Red tattoo guys were a bit tougher."
A bit tougher?
Guanggwang looked at him again. His clothes were stained with blood, but he seemed uninjured.
Just what is this person?
"Oh, and."
Mr. Rabbit pulled something from his clothes.
Knives. Coin pouches.
"While I was playing dead earlier, I grabbed all the expensive weapons later. We’ve got plenty of money~"
"…That’s not what matters right now."
Guanggwang said weakly.
"Your arm… and Grandpa Ken and the mercenary…"
His voice trembled.
"…I know."
Mr. Rabbit’s expression darkened.
"Sorry I was late."
"…"
Silence fell.
Then Kui spoke carefully.
"Um… I’m sorry, but we should move quickly. Other cannibals might come."
"Yeah, you’re right."
Mr. Rabbit nodded.
"Let’s get out of here. I have somewhere to go."
"Where?"
"My master’s house. It’s safe, and we can rest."
Mr. Rabbit began walking.
Guanggwang followed. His legs trembled, but he couldn’t stop.
Kui followed behind, keeping an awkward distance.
The three walked through the desert.
No one spoke.
The sun was rising.
A new day was beginning.
But in Guanggwang’s heart, night still remained.
Grandpa Ken’s scream.
The mercenary’s cry.
The boiling cauldron.
He didn’t think he would ever forget.
For the rest of his life.
"Guanggwang."
Mr. Rabbit called.
"Yes?"
"I’m glad you’re alive."
"…"
Guanggwang couldn’t answer.
Instead, he nodded.
Yes.
He was alive.
That was what mattered.
For now.