Volume 3 Chapter 29 Communication
Edited by: Kanaa-senpai
Karin’s POV
”Master, seriously—this guy is supposed to be part of the spirit clan? But he looks just like a human boy about my age.”
Master Sharlin’s sharp eyes narrowed as she rested her greatsword against the ground.
”Hmm. To you, maybe. But to me? That’s no boy. That’s a fierce bug-like demon waiting to strike.”
I blinked. “Master, have your eyes gone bad or something?”
”No, no. It’s just… I’ve heard spirit clan can look different depending on who’s looking. They change shape in the eyes of the beholder.”
”That’s wild. But look—he seems scared.”
”Wouldn’t you be, if someone shoved a greatsword right at your neck? Hey, you! Can you talk? What’s your name? What are you doing here?”
But the spirit clan boy stayed silent. Or maybe he couldn’t speak. I remembered Sir Aaron once said it might be impossible to know if spirit clan even understand us.
”Looks like he doesn’t understand words.”
”But letting some stranger wander free when we don’t know why he’s here—that’s dangerous. Karin, tie him up with rope and bring him to the fire.”
Master Sharlin poked the boy with the flat of her sword to make him stand. I tied his hands behind his back carefully. The firelight flickered over his face—he wasn’t bad looking, if a bit rough. Not quite like Sir Aaron, but close.
Master Sharlin poured water from a mug to the boy’s lips. He gulped it down too fast and started coughing hard.
”Hey, no need to choke,” Master Sharlin said with a soft chuckle. The boy’s eyes flicked between us. I think he realized we weren’t enemies. His stomach growled loud—loud enough I could hear it over the crackling fire. I handed him a piece of rabbit meat, burnt a little on one side. This time, he chewed slow, careful not to burn his mouth.
”Huh. Doesn’t seem hostile. Probably just hungry.”
”Yeah, Master. We can’t talk with him, so maybe we should let him go?”
”But wait. Didn’t you want to ask the spirit clan about your right arm?”
”But if he can’t speak, there’s nothing to do.”
”That’s true.”
Master Sharlin untied the ropes and waved a hand like shooing flies. The boy blinked, surprised to be free. His eyes—black and white, swirling—locked on us.
”It’s okay now. Go home,” Master Sharlin said firmly. I waved goodbye with my left hand.
Then suddenly, the boy grabbed my left hand tight.
”Ah! Let go!”
”Stay back, Karin!”
Master Sharlin swung her greatsword. The boy dodged quick but didn’t let go or move away.
”What the hell is this guy? What does he want?”
Master Sharlin’s whole body tensed, her deadly gaze cutting into the boy.
”No, wait, Master. I think… he’s greeting me.”
”What?”
”I felt it in my head, like lightning. Thank you. His name is Utari.”
”Wait—he’s speaking inside your mind? Is that what spirit clan do?”
Master Sharlin looked confused too. Utari stretched out his right hand again.
”Hey, Karin. Is this—”
”Yeah. You want to talk to Master too?”
”No way… Damn it, be ready with your sword.”
Master Sharlin held out her right hand carefully. They shook for a moment.
”Ah, I’m Master Sharlin. A Dark Elf, definitely. I see now… sorry for the rough welcome.”
”Master, what did he say?”
”He said he was scared, but glad we’re not enemies.”
”Good. But spirit clan talk by handshakes?”
”No, Karin. This touch—this link—goes straight into our minds. If Utari wanted to harm us, we wouldn’t stand a chance.”
”Oh… but now that we can talk, I want to keep talking all night!”
So I held Utari’s hand, forgetting the time as night deepened.
Utari told me we had crossed far beyond the Suicelma lands, deep into spirit clan territory. He had come by chance, curious about our fire.
[So you’re a human girl, Karin?]
”Yes. Is that unusual?”
[Unusual? It’s unheard of. The chief and elders have met humans, but no one else.]
”Wow. So humans do exist here, at least in stories…”
[More like myths.]
”We want to reach Suicelma, the demon tribe’s home. Can you guide us?”
[If that’s Suicelma, it’s three days northeast.]
”Thanks. One more thing, Utari—about my right arm. It’s injured and numb, even Elf magic can’t fix it. Someone said spirit clan might help…”
[They might. But no. It’s forbidden. We don’t heal other races, especially humans.]
”So, even here, humans face discrimination?”
[Stop, Karin. This mind link uses more energy than I thought.]
”I… see. I’m tired… sleepy…”
[Then I’ll let go. I’m returning to my village.]
Utari released my hand, bowed deeply to me and Master, and slipped silently into the night.
”How was it? Did you learn anything?”
Master Sharlin asked, eyes sharp.
”Yes, but I’m exhausted. My head feels like it’s filled with lead. I want sweets. And I’m so sleepy…”
”Rest here. I’ll keep watch.”
”Thank you, Master…”
I slipped into a deep, dreamless sleep.
* * *
”Karin! Wake up! We’re surrounded!”
Master Sharlin shook me hard.
”Now? It’s around noon?”
”Don’t be so slow! Fifteen… sixteen… too many!”
Master Sharlin was tense—something I’d never seen. I forced my heavy head up, looked around, and saw them—spirit clan warriors, armed and grim. Not Utari, but others, blocking all exits. That traitor…
Nearly twenty warriors circled us. In front stood a tall elder, his presence cold and sharp.
[Human! Why have you come here?]
Telepathy. Utari couldn’t speak without touch, but elders could invade minds directly.
”We’re lost. No trouble meant. We’ll leave soon—please let us go?”
[Impossible. Any human who enters must never leave.]
”What does that mean?”
[No questions. Obey us or face the consequences.]
”How arrogant. We have our own plans. Master, the numbers are many… but we fight.”
”Very well!”
[Ha! What can you do against us?]
Suddenly, a wave of pain hit me, twisting my mind like it was inside out. Master Sharlin clutched her head too. Telepathic attack. Nobles use it sometimes to defend themselves…
Ugh…ugh…
[They’ve fainted. Take them to the clan leader.]
The spirit clan dragged us through thick forest. From the shadows, Utari watched, eyes full of regret.
Character Notes:
• Utari – A member of the Spirit Clan that being captured by Sharlin and Karin. His appearance varies depending on the observer; Karin sees him as a human boy of similar age, while Master Sharlin perceives him as a bug-like monster. He communicates through physical touch, directly affecting the minds of others.
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Edited by Kanaa-senpai.
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