Slave Traders

Owl and Sa walked through the forest.

To be honest, it was anything but easy or pleasant.

Snakes, insects, rats, ants, jackals, wolves, tigers, and leopards were almost everywhere in a world not yet ruled by humans. Even in towns where humans gathered, wild beasts occasionally came calling, let alone in the forest.

Thus, the two of them stopped and started along the way, changing routes several times. It was truly exhausting.

However, Owl always found a way to catch wild rabbits and squirrels. As a result, not only did they grow more spirited as they traveled, but their bodies also became much stronger.

Owl's appetite grew by the day, and his strength nearly caught up to that of an adult. Sa's stamina improved as well. The only thing Owl worried about was Sa growing a beard from eating too much squirrel meat, though fortunately, that feared event never happened.

It was probably because Sa had a small appetite and did not eat much.

One day, the two emerged from the forest to find a plain ahead of them. By rights, such a plain should have been ideal for human settlement, yet there was not a single city here. Instead, an aura of bleak desolation hung over the land.

Owl spotted a rust-covered blade stuck in the ground nearby. It seemed to have been there for a long time, so he went over to inspect it.

They could no longer determine their direction, nor did they know where they had wandered. All they could do was start walking at sunrise and find somewhere to rest at sunset.

Moreya Town was surely far behind them, but as for where the road lay, they knew nothing.

"Sa, it's fine. Come over," Owl called to Sa, who was hiding in the woods.

Sa