After hearing the strange man's conversation with the employer, I felt a wave of unprecedented anxiety throughout the day. I didn't know what I would do if he suddenly asked me to go hunting. All I hoped for in those moments was that I wouldn't be one of those chosen… or, better yet, that the employer would reject the idea of hunting altogether.
I was lost in thought as I worked, and my performance began to noticeably decline. Every movement felt heavier than the last, and even the simplest tasks started to feel like monumental challenges. I was losing focus quickly and made mistakes I'd never made before.
As I moved sluggishly through my tasks, the employer noticed my unease and distracted state. He paused what he was doing and looked at me, concern in his eyes.
"What's wrong with you?" he asked in a calm but serious tone.
I hesitated for a moment, then quietly replied,
"Nothing. Just feeling a bit tired."
He didn't seem convinced. "Tired? It's clear your focus isn't what it used to be. Is something bothering you?"
I gave a faint smile and tried to ease the tension,
"No, just… too many thoughts in my head."
He looked at me again and said,
"Try to stay focused. Work won't wait."
I didn't want to tell him what was truly worrying me, so I chose to remain silent.
The day passed excruciatingly slowly, and every small sound in the workshop made my heart jump. The employer didn't mention anything else, as if the conversation with the strange man had been nothing more than a strange joke that didn't deserve further thought.
But deep down, I felt something had changed. The world I thought I was starting to understand had suddenly become more mysterious… and more dangerous than I imagined.
By the end of the day, I returned to the inn feeling the full weight of everything that had happened. I couldn't sleep easily, and my mind kept racing with thoughts of what might come in the following days.
The next morning, as I was heading to work, a coworker rushed over and said:
"I heard the boss asked everyone to gather by the wagon. He has something important to tell us."
Curiosity and fear took hold of me at the same time. What could the news be? Was it about the hunting? Was everything about to change?
I stood there for a moment, hesitant, then slowly made my way toward the gathering spot, ready to face whatever awaited me.