As we reached the village, we slowly moved toward the big hut in the center. The guy said,
"This is Rong Village, warrior."
I saw people looking at me. Everyone here was quite tall and muscular—even the women were muscular. Everyone wore animal skin—it definitely looked like the stone age.
As we approached the main hut, about ten people blocked our path. Everyone held a stone spear.
One person asked,
"Dries, who is that person behind you? He's so huge."
Dries replied,
"This is the warrior who defeated the orc warrior and can use glowing energy."
All ten people were surprised.
Dries continued,
We brought him here because he is not affiliated with any other village, and we thought he could join our village and help us in the coming crisis."
They said,
"We will let him meet the chief, but he needs to leave his weapon outside."
I responded coldly,
"No way I'm leaving my weapon outside."
After they heard what I said, they became tense.
"Then we will not allow him to meet the chief."
Dries tried to calm the situation.
"Warrior, you don't need to worry. We will not harm you in any way. Just leave the weapon outside and meet my father, the chief."
I refused right away and said sternly,
"Do you think I can just go to an unknown place unarmed?"
The ten guards shouted,
"He's not letting go of his weapon! Maybe he wants to harm our chief and people!"
They charged at me with their spears.
as i say in my mind-what kind of conclusion is that.
I immediately took a fighting position and countered their attacks. But I saw haggard movements and no formation—like normal people who had never been trained, just picking up spears and rushing in.
I defeated them quickly. One after another, they hit the ground—even Eagle Mask and Dries.
I said with disdain,
"This is how you're going to defend your village? With this level of skill?"
Suddenly, Eagle Mask wielded his blowgun and shot a dart at me.
I blocked the dart with my spear.
"I already saw your blowgun. You clearly don't know how to use it."
Then I heard a deep voice coming from the main hut.
"If our guest doesn't like to go inside our hut, we can just meet outside."
Three old men stepped out. They were jacked—big muscles, broad chests. The old man in the middle looked like Zeus. His height was slightly lower than mine.
The three of them sat on the ground.
"You want to talk outside? Let's talk."
They gestured for me to sit as well. The people already on the ground also slowly moved into a sitting position.
Now I sat in front of the chief. He looked at Dries with a commanding tone.
"Tell me what you saw and what you talked about with him before our meeting."
Dries explained everything about our little chat.
One elder said sternly,
"Dries, how can you offer the chief seat this easily?"
They entered their own conversation.
I suddenly heard chatter behind my back. I turned around to see about 100–120 people forming a circle around us.
I grew tense, putting one hand on the orc blade.
The chief noticed and said calmly,
"You don't need to worry. We Rong villagers never attack guests. You have my word."
I let go of the blade.
In my mind: I can take the word of a chief.
I said,
"I don't have any intention to harm the village. I just came here because your village needs my help."
The chief nodded.
"Yes, that is true. Our village is in big trouble. And I can see... you are stronger than me."
Everyone looked at the chief with shocked expressions.
I asked,
"How do you know I'm stronger than you?"
The chief said solemnly,
"Well, I'm at an age where I've seen quite a lot of battles and hunts. My instincts tell me... you're something else.
And if Dries' words are true—that you defeated an orc warrior alone—then that's proof. I can't defeat an orc warrior alone."
We locked eyes.
I asked,
"What is the crisis that you're talking about—what could lead to your village's destruction?"
The chief's expression turned serious.
"Well, just recently, lizardmen raided the great orc village. They clashed... and in the end, the orcs were defeated. Some ran away and scattered in all directions to avoid slaughter.
We received news that some orcs are coming in this direction."
The chief lifted his coat. My eyes widened—
There was a huge red wound between his stomach and chest.
I could tell—serious rib cage damage.
In my mind: How can he walk and talk like this with that kind of wound?!
One of the elders applied a green paste-like remedy on the wound.
The chief spoke, his voice heavy,
"As you can see, I got this wound while fighting an orc warrior. I wasn't alone—I lost two comrades during that battle."
His expression turned grim.
"I am lacking in strength now. If three to four orc warriors attack the village, then we are done for."
I asked,
"Is there any human country? Maybe a human kingdom we can get help from?"
Everyone looked at each other.
"You don't know? We humans don't have a country or any kingdom."
I said in disbelief,
"What?"
In my mind: What?! We don't have a country or any kingdom? Am I that far back in time...?!
I continued,
"What about any allies we can get to help us drive out the warriors?"
The chief replied,
"There are three other villages, but they will not help us. They're also trying to preserve their strength against the orcs. They're at risk too."
I looked at him with a straight face.
"If I hadn't appeared, how would you tackle this situation?"
The chief looked down, regret in his eyes.
"We'd need to run away. Evacuate the village."
I clenched my fists, face twisting with anger.(as i never like word run)
One warrior said,
"Yes, our ancestors did the same. We always migrate when there is danger. So why do we need to fight? We can create a new village somewhere else."
Others joined in.
"Yes, that's right."
The chief lowered his head in disappointment.
I stood up, voice raised with fury.(I snapped)
"Run?! Ha!"
I shouted,
"How long are you going to run?! How many times will you run?
Today, it's the orcs. Tomorrow, it'll be something else. So you'll keep running forever to avoid danger?
Look at your village—look how you spent your happy times here. How your parents raised you. How your ancestors found this land and built a village for the future.
Today, you're going to turn your back on your ancestors' dream?"
The entire crowd fell silent, staring at me.
"We will fight! There is no way I'll let humans run away!"
I turned to the chief.
"I will help."
He smiled warmly.
"Very well, young warrior. I will appoint you as chief."
I was stunned.
"Chief?! Me?!" I said with a flustered mouth.
"Well—I said I'll help. I don't want to be chief!"
The chief smirked.
"You accepted our offer—Dries' offer. So I need to honor those words and make you chief."
In my mind: Damn... he got me.
Some people murmured opposition.
"Even though he's strong, we can't let an outsider we just met become chief."
The chief placed his hand on his head and said,
"Well, okay. I'll make him temporary chief. We'll see how he acts as chief until he drives away the orcs. Then we'll make our final decision."
They voluntarily agreed.
The chief asked,
"Warrior, tell us your name."
I answered,
"Liam."
The chief announced,
"From today, the chief is Warrior Liam."
He turned to me.
"Okay, Liam. Come with me to the hut."
He told everyone to leave.
As I entered the hut, I asked the chief,
"I want to know—why did you select me as chief? I'm young, an outsider, and could be inexperienced."
The chief replied calmly,
"What you say is true. There's no way I would let anyone become chief just based on strength.
But your eyes—they're not young. They look like the eyes of a warrior who's fought countless battles.
And the questions you asked—about countries, allies—they signify that your thoughts are not those of a young man but someone who guide many people.
And finally... you never asked for any benefit or reward.
You said you fight for humans. That's reason enough to let you be chief."
I stared at him silently.
In my mind: Well... he's a chief for a reason.
He said,
"Let's discuss the future."
I replied, with smile
"Okay."