It was surprising that these barbarians knew about Arahan.
Especially here, at the far northern edge of the continent—this wasn't even the West.
"How do you know about Arahan?"
"Heard stories. Red eyes. Strongest."
"And? Why are you looking for me?"
"Black Water. Fought it. Did you win? Where is it?"
"No, I lost it."
"Ah...!"
Lake let out a long sigh, then turned and spoke to his tribesmen. Their expressions immediately fell into the same look of disappointment.
They're hunters, so maybe they were thinking of taking down the Black Cougar? If they'd fought it even once, they'd know that was impossible.
"Shame. Black Water escaped."
"Why do you want to catch it so badly?"
"We hunt. Black Water stops us."
So, the cougar was interfering with their hunts?
Made sense. If its territory overlapped with the Toma Tribe's, there wouldn't be much game left for them.
I had a rough idea of what they meant now.
"Give it up. You guys don't stand a chance. Why not just move to a different hunting ground?"
"No. This is our land."
"There must be other places you can settle."
"No. Ancestors will be angry."
Stubborn as hell.
Well, that's a problem. Because capturing the Black Cougar was simply impossible.
Lake suddenly grabbed my hands, his expression desperate.
"Arahan. Strong. Black Water—defeat."
"…What?"
"Catch it, we give you gift. Tribe's treasure."
"What kind of treasure?"
"Very valuable."
"Yeah, but what exactly is it?"
"Cannot tell. Secret."
"It might be valuable to you, but I probably have no use for it. Unless it's a magical artifact, I'm not interested."
"Magical artifact? What is that? Do not know."
Oh, so now he doesn't understand?
They want me to risk my life hunting the Black Cougar for some mystery prize?
Yeah, no thanks. That's a terrible deal for me.
"Bring me the treasure first. I'll decide after I see it."
"Arahan. Too much."
"What's too much? You're the ones making the unreasonable demand."
"Arahan. Stealing our treasure."
"I won't steal it. Just bring it here. Until then, I'm not moving."
"Tch."
They must think I summoned the Fire Dragon.
Technically, they weren't wrong, but since the summoning box had disappeared, I couldn't summon it again.
Hunting the Black Cougar had become even more difficult. Not that I really wanted to kill it—I still had some lingering thoughts about making it my summon.
"Huh?"
A commotion nearby caught my attention. When I turned, I saw two barbarians struggling with Jinju.
One held the reins, while the other was trying to loop a rope around her neck.
Rage flared inside me. I glared at Lake.
"…What do you think you're doing?"
"White horse. We caught it."
"And? You think you can threaten me?"
"You catch Black Water, we return white horse. Give treasure, too."
"Ha…! Did you only hear half the stories about Arahan?"
—CRACK!
As I summoned lightning energy, the Toma warriors instinctively gripped their weapons.
Since I was the one threatening them first, I doubted this would end peacefully.
Just as I was about to unleash my transformation, a voice called out from behind.
"Hey, hey! Everyone, calm down!"
"…?"
A short, rotund man—barely taller than a dwarf—waddled forward.
He immediately scolded the barbarians holding Jinju, then turned to face me.
"I told you not to mess with strangers! Do you all want to die together?"
Even the proud Lake looked sheepish under his rebuke.
Interesting.
"And you are?"
"Ah, I am York. You must be Jed Arahan, correct?"
"You know me?"
"Of course! You're famous, haha."
Wait a minute.
York? Wasn't he the guy Ralph mentioned?
The shady merchant who handled negotiations with the Toma Tribe?
I could see why Ralph called him shady just from his face.
"Why don't we all calm down and talk this out?"
His eyes were narrow slits, his patchy beard grew in awkward clumps, his nose was as small as a buttonhole, and his lips curled strangely.
I wasn't an expert in reading faces, but if I had to picture a conman, this was exactly what he'd look like.
"Sir Jed… perhaps you could put away your mana? Heh."
"..."
He rubbed his hands together like a sycophant.
Still, since he had stepped in to mediate, I decided to play along.
As I withdrew my lightning energy, York smirked.
"Why don't we head into town? This is hardly the place for a proper discussion."
"I'm not interested in talking."
"Ah, but you'll need my help in Katura. I may not look it, but I'm an important figure here."
Ralph had called him just a merchant who traded with the Toma Tribe.
But now he was claiming to be someone of high status?
I could already tell he was full of it.
"Fine. Just take me to a place to stay."
"Ah, yes! Of course! The best lodging, with a stable for your fine steed!"
"Do whatever you want."
I was going to make my own decisions anyway.
It was already late. Getting to town quickly was the priority.
I climbed onto Jinju's back, and York eagerly led the way.
"So, Sir Arahan, what brings you to this area? Could it be… because of the Black Beast?"
"Just shut up and lead the way."
"Ah-ha! You must be tired. We can talk later. Heh."
"Just keep moving."
"Yes! I'll take the shortcut!"
York kept his gaze forward, but I could practically see the expression he was hiding.
Whatever he was scheming, I'd find out soon enough.