Deep within the forest, across a wide grassland—
A camp stretched as far as the eye could see.
Tents stood in rows, worn and uneven.
Wolfbeasts of all ages lived there—
children huddled close to fires,
the elderly resting quietly,
warriors standing guard.
This was not an army.
This was a displaced people.
At the center stood a large tent.
The wolfbeast from earlier stepped inside, followed by the others.
Inside, a single figure sat on a rough wooden chair.
A large wolfbeast.
A deep scar ran across his eyes.
Even sitting down, his presence was heavy.
"So," he spoke, voice calm but sharp.
"What is your report… Jackal?"
Jackal lowered his head.
"My lord… we attacked the village."
A pause.
"The current mayor… is the son of the man who banished us."
The leader's expression didn't change.
"…So the old man is dead."
"Yes."
Jackal hesitated.
"But… there is more."
The leader's eyes narrowed slightly.
"…Speak."
Jackal clenched his fist.
"The gang controlling the village… is not the Claw Gang."
Silence filled the tent.
"…Then who?"
"…Only two gangsters."
The air turned heavy.
The leader slowly looked at the others.
"…You're telling me…"
His voice dropped.
"…that you were defeated by two men?"
No one answered.
"…And some of our people were captured?"
Jackal said nothing.
The silence was enough.
The leader's gaze hardened.
"Why… did you leave them behind?"
Jackal immediately dropped to his knees.
"We had to retreat, my lord! They were too strong… even the mayor himself fought!"
He lowered his head.
"Forgive me…"
The leader stared at him for a moment.
Then—
"…Get up."
Jackal froze.
"Your pity won't save our people from starving."
The words were cold.
Heavy.
Final.
The leader leaned back slightly, his expression unreadable.
"…So the mayor himself fought."
Jackal nodded. "Yes, my lord. His ability… it was unusual."
A faint smirk appeared on the leader's face.
"…I see."
Jackal frowned. "Do you know something?"
The leader's voice lowered.
"Of course I do."
He rested his arm on the chair.
"The mayor… is an Invoker."
Jackal's eyes widened.
"…Invoker?"
The other wolfbeasts shifted uneasily, whispering among themselves.
The leader continued calmly.
"Invokers are those who can fuse their life force with an element… turning it into power."
Images flashed through Jackal's mind—the cement rising, trapping their warriors.
"…So that's what it was…"
Jackal clenched his fist.
"Then what is our next move, my lord?"
The leader closed his eyes for a moment.
"…We wait."
Jackal looked confused.
"…Wait?"
"Our soldiers are exhausted," the leader said. "And starving."
He opened his eyes again, a cold glint within them.
"Rushing now would only lead to more losses."
Jackal lowered his head.
"…Understood."
The leader's gaze shifted toward the distance—toward the village.
"…Let them enjoy their peace while it lasts."
Inside the jail—
One of the captured wolfbeasts was dragged out and forced onto a chair.
Chains restrained his arms.
Saito sat across from him, calm and composed.
Kaito stood nearby, leaning against the wall, his knife already in hand.
Saito looked at the wolfbeast.
"…Hello there."
No response.
Silence.
Saito sighed softly.
"Alright. I'll make it simple."
He leaned forward slightly.
"Who is your leader… and where is he now?"
The wolfbeast smirked.
"…Maybe he's in space."
He laughed under his breath.
Saito exhaled. "Come on, man. Just tell us."
The wolfbeast's eyes sharpened.
"And ruin the fun our leader has planned for you humans?"
He laughed again.
"Not a chance."
Kaito clicked his tongue.
"No need to waste time."
He stepped forward and raised his knife, pressing it close to the wolfbeast's neck.
The tension in the room spiked—
Suddenly—
"Honey!!!"
A voice cried out from inside one of the cells.
Saito turned.
A female wolfbeast gripped the bars tightly, panic in her eyes.
The wolfbeast on the chair softened for a split second.
"…It's okay, darling."
Saito noticed the shift immediately.
He glanced at Kaito.
"…Lower it."
Kaito hesitated, then slowly lowered his knife.
Saito looked back at the prisoner.
"…She's your wife?"
The wolfbeast's expression hardened again.
"…Stay her out of this."
Saito leaned back slightly, letting out a quiet sigh.
Saito looked at the wolfbeast calmly.
"Listen," he said. "I won't hurt you or your people."
The male wolfbeast narrowed his eyes.
"And why should we trust humans?"
Saito didn't react immediately. He held the man's gaze.
"Because I'm not like the others."
The wolfbeast let out a short, bitter breath.
"Oh yeah? And what makes you so special?"
Saito's voice stayed steady.
"Because I actually have pity for you."
The room went quiet.
Even the guards stopped moving.
The wolfbeast didn't speak.
Saito stepped slightly closer.
"If you had been captured before I arrived in this village… you would've been killed in front of your wife."
A pause.
"But that didn't happen."
His eyes sharpened slightly.
"Because I stopped it."
Silence stretched between them.
The wolfbeast finally spoke, voice low.
"Say what you want… I still won't talk."
Saito exhaled through his nose.
"Fine. We'll try again tomorrow."
He turned away and walked toward the door. Kaito followed silently.
Before leaving, Saito paused.
"Make sure they're fed properly."
The guards straightened.
"Yes, sir."
In the meeting room, Saito sat at the center table.
Kaito and Takashi sat on opposite sides, both focused on him.
The atmosphere was quiet, heavy with thought.
Saito spoke first.
"They're not going to talk easily."
Kaito clicked his tongue slightly.
"That's why I suggested the harsh method."
Saito shook his head.
"Even if it works, it'll only make things worse."
He leaned back slightly.
"We don't just need answers… we need to open their hearts. If we want peace, they have to accept living with the village again."
Takashi lowered his gaze.
"…This is my fault."
Saito and Kaito both looked at him.
"I didn't have the strength to stop my father's decision back then."
Saito's tone softened.
"It's not anyone's fault."
A pause.
"We just need to think properly before making the next move."
Silence filled the room again as the weight of the situation settled over them.
Saito leaned forward slightly.
"Do you know anything about their leader?"
Takashi nodded slowly.
"…A bit."
Saito's eyes focused on him. "Tell me."
Takashi took a breath before speaking.
"There was a wolfbeast named Orun."
"He always believed wolfbeasts and humans could coexist."
"He worked under my father… helping with village security."
Saito listened quietly.
"But…" Takashi continued, his voice lowering,
"His plan failed."
"One of his men made a mistake… and accidentally killed a man who insulted his wife."
The room went silent.
Takashi's expression darkened.
"After that, everything became tense. Orun tried to control the situation, but…"
He clenched his fist slightly.
"…my father refused to change his decision."
"He banished them from the village."
Saito leaned back, thinking.
"…I see."
A short silence followed.
"Then we wait for tomorrow," Saito said calmly.
He turned slightly toward Takashi.
"But tighten security around the village. Every corner needs to be watched."
Takashi nodded. "Understood."
Saito then looked at Kaito.
"Kaito, help him."
Kaito shrugged lightly.
"Sure."
Orun stepped out of his tent.
The cold air hit his face, but his expression didn't change.
Around him, wolfbeasts moved through the camp—tired, hungry, but still loyal.
A young wolfbeast ran up to him.
"My lord… when are we going home?"
Orun looked down at him for a moment. Then he spoke calmly.
"Soon."
A pause.
"After that… you can eat whatever you want."
The young wolfbeast's eyes lit up. "Really?"
A faint nod.
"Yes."
The child cheered and ran off.
Orun watched him go in silence.
Then his expression slowly darkened.
"I'll show you, Iren…" he muttered under his breath.
"I'll show you what happens when you push wolfbeasts too far."
He turned his gaze across the camp.
His people were eating plain porridge. Thin. Barely enough.
No comfort. No home.
"…This is what you reduced us to."
His eyes sharpened.
"Your beloved village…"
A cold pause.
"…will turn to dust."