Croak-croak-
The distant shore had just come into view when the frogs' loud calls reached their ears.
Hom lowered his body and steadied the boat with the pole. "They probably heard the commotion on the water and came over. Should we head straight there?"
Greck snorted. "Silver Scale came right to our door. Why wouldn't we?"
Hom ignored him and looked toward Healy, the leader of the party. Healy, in turn, looked toward He Xi.
When he nodded, Healy finally nodded at Hom.
Only then did Hom push the pole again, guiding the small boat slowly toward the muddy shallows.
Green figures gradually emerged through the thin mist.
If he hadn't heard their calls, He Xi might have thought a few Goblins were waiting for him on the shore.
As the boat drew closer, He Xi finally got a clear look at the frogmen.
Their huge heads were nearly as wide as their shoulders. Bulging amber eyes protruded from either side of their heads, slowly scanning the uninvited guests aboard the boat.
Their disproportionately wide mouths stretched all the way to their cheeks.
Their powerful hind legs were bent, with broad webbed feet firmly gripping the slippery mudflat.
Their forelimbs were comparatively short. Each held a crude spear, currently positioned across its body as though ready to pounce at any moment.
Their entire appearance was as if the features of frogs had been enlarged and brutally fused onto humanoid bodies, giving them a primitive, savage, oppressive air.
Unlike the recklessness he had shown when they encountered the Gnolls, Greck did not charge forward at once.
Perhaps he had completely given up pursuing Healy and no longer felt the need to show off immediately. Or perhaps the powerful Gnoll leader had left him with a psychological scar.
Seeing He Xi and