Hey everyone, I'm writing this note because a lot of comments have been saying the same thing over and over. So instead of replying to each one individually, I decided to clarify everything here.
First of all, I don't understand where the idea that the plot is "forced" is coming from. In truth, once the real reason behind everything is revealed, it'll all make perfect sense. But until we get there, let's talk about the MC's actions based on what we do know.
Puss had been famous for 14 years in San Ricardo and nearby towns, known as a hero. Just as he was reaching the age where he planned to go on an adventure, a request for help arrived. At that point, he didn't have any known enemies, so he wasn't too worried. Worst-case scenario, it could've been a trap to kill him — but with the level of strength he had, he wasn't afraid of that.
Now let's talk about the trap itself, which was clearly designed to ruin his reputation. And even though, as readers, it might seem obvious that it was a trap, I doubt many of you would've guessed that the true goal was to destroy his image.
As for the MC's actions: he ran after being surrounded by the entire city. He didn't know who his enemy was, where the old man lived, or who his family was. Even if he had threatened someone for information and managed to get there… what if, by the time he arrived, the old man's entire family was already dead? He'd still be blamed — not to mention the person he threatened could testify against him. And if the family wasn't dead, they likely wouldn't know anything about the plot, so why would they believe or defend the man accused of killing their father?
And even if you still think it felt forced, or that Puss was being stupid or naive… I think it's understandable. He had just come out of a battle that he thought would be the start of his legendary hero career — only to suddenly be accused and hated for something he didn't do, in a world he had always believed was simple, black and white.
"But he could've stopped the old man from killing himself!"
Maybe… if he hadn't been dazed and furious from everything that had just happened. But what would that have changed? An unarmed old man screaming that Puss wanted to kill him? If Puss tried to force him to tell the truth while his family was held hostage, the man would never have done it. And then if the old man ended up dead later, Puss would still be blamed. After all, he'd be the only suspect who had reason to silence the man accusing him.