After Joker's words, the two gatekeepers were somewhat skeptical. However, because they both had human appearances and spoke more easily than the Deep Gold Fish, they temporarily believed the Joker group. Perhaps because Jarek and Yong had smiles that were more sympathetic than Joker's frowning face. In particular, Jarek had rabbit ears, so he looked a lot like a Beastfolk, which made it easier for the villagers to accept talking to him. They immediately called a young villager and whispered something into his cat's ear. After a few words, the young man immediately ran deep into the village with his nimble cat-like legs!
"They're reporting our presence to the village chief."
Jarek spoke softly enough for the two boys to hear. Yong breathed a sigh of relief when the people on the ground seemed much easier to talk to than the Deep Gold Fish. As for Joker, his expression was still unpleasant and cold, he just pressed the phone screen and waited. It didn't take more than 5 minutes, the villager from earlier returned to the village gate and whispered to the gatekeeper.
"Please follow me, the village chief has a few words to say." The man with wolf ears announced to the group.
"Please lead the way."
Joker put the phone back in the Bag of Holding. He and his two friends were led into the village by the gatekeeper. On the main road of the village, the villagers kept their eyes on the three of them, some looked curious, some were wary, and some seemed excited as if they saw a visitor from afar.
"How is this another world and they speak Earth fluently?" Joker looked at Jarek with wonder.
"The language may be different, but in Dream, their minds are connected and receive each other more similarly." Jarek wiggled his rabbit ears while looking around the village.
“The words may be different, but the thoughts are the same huh.”
Yong rubbed his chin, nodding his head as he took in that information. In just a few short minutes, the three of them were led to the largest wooden house in the village. The entrance was also twice as wide, and on the brown wooden walls were symbols painted in red paint. Walking up the wooden steps and into the house, Joker found that the inside was a bit dark because there were no windows. The atmosphere was quiet, accompanied by the incense scent of wood and straw, and somewhere there was a faint scent of sunflowers. Looking straight, he saw a wall painted black and red in the shape of a pack of wolves and the moon. A room with a fireplace in the middle of the floor. On one side of the wall were wooden masks in the shape of animal heads to human faces. Opposite it was a wall with round wooden shields along with knives, wooden spears, and bows, all hung on the wall. Sitting opposite the fireplace in the middle of the room was a young woman sitting on a mattress on the floor. A female Beastfolk with wolf ears and long light brown hair that seemed to reflect the sunlight. Around her sat wolves, their eyes wary of the strange guests being led in.
“Welcome to the Jaci Tribe’s village, everyone who has traveled far.”
The female Beastfolk greeted her and bowed slightly. The clothes she was wearing were more elaborate than those of the villagers. They were black and white, and she wore a cape with shimmering gold patterns. Despite the fact that the strangers were seeing her for the first time, even though she was accompanied by Deep Gold Fish, her face was calm. Even Joker couldn’t tell what she was thinking based on her expression.
“My name is Góy?ń, Chieftain of the Jaci Tribe.” She placed her hands on her chest and continued.
“I am Jarek, and this is Joker and Yong~.” Jarek replied with a bright smile, his rabbit ears perking up and swaying.
“Please sit.”
Góy?ń gestured forward, where there were three cushions facing the fire where she was sitting. Jarek happily jumped into the middle one, while Joker and Yong sat down more leisurely. Just as they were seated, another female Beastfolk with black feathers on her back walked out from the inner room. She brought out wooden cups filled with a fragrant drink that smelled of wine and roses, along with a plate of dried meat and dried fruits tied with vegetables.
“Salted dried fruits and meat, served with rose apple cider, I hope you like the village’s specialty.” Góy?ń invited.
“Then I won’t be polite.”
Jarek ate the meat without hesitation and took a sip. After biting into the crispy dish, the saltiness of the meat mixed with the sourness of the fruit had a very strong flavor. They were washed away by the strong smell of wine, creating a very refreshing and light-headed feeling.
“It’s delicious~.” Jarek smiled like a child who had received a snack.
“The taste is simple, but very addictive.”
Yong rubbed his chin, smacking his lips a few times to savor the aftertaste of the dish. And unlike them, Joker enjoyed it in silence, the solemn expression still on his face.
“It’s a little late to ask, but I remember that some places require a certain age to drink, right you two?” Jarek’s rabbit ears perked up, and she quickly glanced to the sides.
“Hmhm, we’re already 18 years old.” Yong sneered and took a sip of the wine.
“You think alcohol is more dangerous than an anesthetic that can kill an elephant?” Joker replied with half-closed eyes.
“Heheh… you’re right…” the female Shapechanger scratched her cheek and smiled shyly, her white rabbit ears drooping slightly.
“I heard you were kidnapped by Deep Gold Fish, right?” Góy?ń confirmed.
“Yes, in a sleep…” Yong pursed her lips with a hint of bitterness.
“The way you dress doesn’t look like anyone else on the surface. And you two are missing a few body parts…” the Chieftain commented as she looked at the three of them.
“We’re from another world.” Joker immediately replied. “Instead of prying into us, would you mind telling me what’s the matter between you and those fish?”
“…If you’ve decided.” Góy?ń held his breath for a moment. After a few seconds of contemplation, his wolf ears drooped, his face slightly sad. “In Jaci Village, we are residents from many different walks of life and places, including criminals, war victims, immigrants, commoners, and former nobles. We have lived on this wild land in peace with nature for centuries. Deep Gold Fish, mindless creatures like various monsters that once existed on the surface, often attack children and the elderly when they come near the sea. So we occasionally hunted them, either for ourselves or for food. One day, they suddenly came to the surface, carrying shields and spears and overwhelmingly attacked our Jaci village. More than half of the villagers survived because they were spared. But now, the fish demand a monthly tribute from the village, a male and female pair, and food. After a few years, the number of villagers is less than 1/10 of what it was before, and food is running out…”
“…It’s scary.” Yong shuddered at the news.
“I’m so sorry…” Jarek clenched his hands, looking at the female wolf Chieftain with pity.
“How did you guys get free from them?” Góy?ń asked curiously.
“They said it was because we smelled like them, maybe it was because of our power.” Joker replied, his expression somewhat sour. “Before that, they didn’t see us as anything more than fuel to use.”
“You guys have worked hard.” The female wolf Chieftain couldn’t help but feel sad.
Stolen content warning: this tale belongs on Royal Road. Report any occurrences elsewhere.
“…By the way, I have a little gift for you.”
Jarek took off her three Bags of Holding. She put them in front of her and took out what was inside, it was a lot of food that she had bought in the sky village Olzug!
“This is…” Góy?ń looked as if he had seen something new.
“No need to worry about food for this winter, we have plenty.”
The female Shapechanger smiled and winked at Joker. The wolf boy just sighed in understanding, because that was what he did best.
“I’m sorry I couldn’t help the Jaci people become Dreamers.” Jarek said to Góy?ń sympathetically.
“It’s okay, your generosity is beyond words.”
The female Wolf Chieftain smiled gently. Although she didn’t fully understand what Jarek said, she understood his kindness. Even so, fatigue and sadness filled Góy?ń’s eyes. She looked like she was waiting helplessly for the inevitable cruel fate that would befall this Jaci village.
“Jarek, give me a cart.”
Joker suddenly stood up and demanded. That made Jarek a little confused, but she also created a cart for him out of curiosity. Joker took the cart and silently left the house. Both beast-eared girls couldn’t understand that action. In contrast, Yong was watching his friend, his mouth raised as high as possible in anticipation, as if he had anticipated what was about to happen.
--- 5 minutes later, at Chieftain Góy?ń’s house ---
“…Um, what is this?” Jarek blinked a few times and looked at Joker.
“As expected of Jozo, so bold, so decisive!” Yong trembled in joy, his mouth tightly closed to keep from laughing out loud.
“T-this…”
In contrast to everyone else, Góy?ń’s entire face was pale. Cold sweat rolled down her white cheeks, her wolf ears and tail were erect. What caught her eye was a young man with a cart carrying two Deep Gold Fish. Worse, the fish’s heads were punctured, blood was flowing all over the cart. The two fish lay motionless, not moving, their eyes lifeless!
“…Why?” Góy?ń said in a trembling voice, his eyes filled with confusion as he looked at the owner.
“I thought you weren’t afraid of death.” Joker replied in a cold voice.
“I’m not afraid of death… but I’m afraid of the safety of the villagers of Jaci Village…” The female wolf Chieftain closed her eyes tightly, trying to keep her voice from getting too loud.
“Then why did you accept giving up instead of fighting back?” Joker asked again.
“We’re hopeless anyway, what can we do?”
“Grrr…”
Góy?ń spoke loudly, her voice echoing throughout the house. Her wolves also growled at Joker, as if sympathizing with their master’s frustration.
“If you don’t agree with being oppressed, you should stand up and fight back.” Joker said in an unchanging, calm voice. “At least, I acknowledge your efforts to keep this place alive until now.”
“…Sorry.” The female wolf Chieftain lowered her voice, her wolf ears drooping, her face full of melancholy. “I’m afraid our village won’t be able to protect you if the Deep Gold Fish come to take revenge… So, you should run far away from here…”
“I didn’t shoot them just to escape or let your village suffer.” Joker continued. “Those fish don’t respect life, I will respond in the same way.”
“Huh?”
Góy?ń looked up, she clearly saw a black-haired boy with a face as cold as ice but the atmosphere was completely different from before. His expression exuded the fear of an angry wolf, his fangs bared, ready to tear apart to fight for life. However, the light in Joker’s jet-black eyes was gentle towards her. A bright light with a determination that cannot be moved or extinguished.
“Go ahead and eat them, the fish and meat that your entire village has raised.”
With that, Joker turned around and walked away. The female wolf Chieftain’s heart was now beating a dull drum, not out of fear, despair, sadness, or anger. It was the sound of a heart pounding as the dawn of hope shone upon it.
“I won’t hide anything from you.” Yong now leaned his hands on the head of the bag and stood up, his face smiling with confidence. He spoke loudly, his hand reaching out to his friend. “This boy is Joker Zone, a genius among warriors, an immortal hero who cannot be defeated, a boy of the family chosen by the gods!”
“Immortal… hero…”
Goyan clenched her hands in front of her chest, the clouds of doubt that covered her eyes gradually dissipated at that declaration. Yong smiled gently, he nodded slightly and followed his friend, entering the not-so-easy challenge.
“I-if possible,” Goyan clumsily stood up, she ran to the front door and shouted loudly. “PLEASE SAVE GALILAHI, MY SISTER!”
“Wooooooo…”
She said in a broken voice, tears streaming down her eyelashes, her mournful cry harmonizing with the howls of the wolves. Joker didn’t say anything, he kept walking, but he raised his index and middle fingers and waved them lightly.
“What does that person look like?” Jarek asked as he approached Goyan.
“She… is also a female wolf with brown hair and wolf ears like me…” The female wolf Chieftain wiped away her tears with her hands, her two hands tightly grasping Jarek’s hands. She was grasping onto a ray of hope and pleading. “Please… save her and the others!”
“Once Joker has made up his mind, I’m sure it will be okay.”
The female Shapechanger gently hugged Goyan, comforting the suffering that this woman had endured. That warm embrace was like bandaging the open wound that was bleeding in the female wolf Chieftain's heart.
"Please wait for good news from us, Goyan of the Jaci tribe ~." Jarek said his blessing and kissed her forehead lightly.
"Yes... please take care..."
Goyan smiled and breathed a sigh of relief, her eyes filled with tears. Perhaps she had been waiting for these words for a long time. The two said goodbye, Jarek also followed his two friends. When she heard the howling of the wolves again, her rabbit ears twitched. Turning her head back towards the village gate that had gradually become smaller, the female Shapechanger saw Goyan and the pack of wolves standing in front of the village gate. They stood to bid farewell to the humans who had chosen the path of daring to step into the gates of death.
"You could have said it more gently, as well as a few promises that would have helped her feel more at ease." When the village had disappeared behind the green fields, Yong commented to his friend, accompanied by a playful pat on the shoulder.
“I don’t promise to succeed, but I swear I won’t leave those damn fish alone.” Joker continued to walk steadily, his voice unchanged, his eyes still fixed on the sea. “I don’t care if this is justice or revenge, right or wrong or just to satisfy my ego. Those fish are Monsters, and I will destroy them.”
“Hmhmhm, once Jozo has made up his mind, heaven and earth can stop him.” The Asian man put his hand on his chin and chuckled.
“Lesson three, let your heart and mind be freer. That’s where Dreamer’s power comes from.” Jarek walked to Joker’s side and gave him instructions.
“…Sure enough, we have to do it all the way.” Joker smiled wryly and held out his hand. “We’ll return to the disguise to make it easier to act. Make me a bulletproof suit, mask, and gloves.”
“CGL~.”
Jarek held out his hand, the requested all-black outfit was complete. Joker took it and immediately changed his clothes, a long T-shirt inside, a thick hooded coat, gloves and boots were also put on. A pure black outfit, only the windshield worn over the eyes was white.
“I’m done, what about you two?” Joker asked as he placed the old clothes into the Bag of Holding.
“Done~.”
Jarek replied, her appearance had also changed completely. The white hair was still there but was now loose, the rabbit ears were now replaced by a pair of black horns. Attached to the horns was a red ornament that looked like a dragon’s head. Her pajamas were replaced by a sleeveless cheongsam, it was pure white and decorated with red flowers. The hem of the dress stood out in a bright red like her eyes now. Attached to her taller, fuller figure was a white scaly reptilian tail. Her face now looked more mature, more ladylike, in contrast to the childishness of her rabbit form. Even though her form had changed, the tattoo on the female Shapechanger’s bicep was still there. If anything, this time the tattoo was shaped more like a writhing Chinese dragon.
“…Why is it a Half Dragon this time?” Joker looked at the other party from head to toe, wondering.
“Because the people of Jaci Village don’t seem to have Dragons.” Jarek smiled. Her hand opened a folding fan and covered her mouth, her ruby ??red eyes glancing mischievously. “Does it suit your taste?”
“Your taste is better than mine…” The wolf boy slumped his shoulders, followed by a sigh.
“Hahah, with a lady, all you need to do is compliment her, brother.”
Yong chuckled at the slightly joking advice. Once again, he transformed into a Demon form. His figure was taller, his entire body was covered in bulging red muscles, and his veins were shining brightly like the light of lava under the cracks. His eyes were glowing golden like dawn, a pair of sharp red horns protruded from his forehead, and his wings were spread wide behind his back. Different from last time, instead of the angry face like an erupting volcano, this time Yong had a satisfied smile.
“No matter how much I comment, it won’t change the fact that Jarek is already beauty.” Joker shrugged.
“Eheheh… so it’s a pass…” The Shapechanger Dragon girl’s cheeks flushed red. She hid half of her smiling face behind her folding fan.
“Hoh, you’re getting better at using your silver tongue, Jozo~.” Yong rubbed his chin with one eyebrow raised and the corner of his mouth raised.
“… Back to the matter at hand.” Joker immediately changed the subject. “Let’s talk about how to deal with the Deep Gold Fish and save the prisoners.”
