What are you?

That question still echoed in Kaiser's ears, haunting him even now as he sat waiting for his food. The dining hall felt quiet and still, for there are only a few tables here now and three customers. Across the table sat Ariella and Cia.

Soon enough, their meal arrived, it was Miss Lina herself who brought it, her posture prim and formal. She wore a spotless apron and fresh clothes, which is unusual for her since she was always bustling in the kitchen, her attire usually bearing the marks of her work. Having seen her work for a few days now, to know that her clothes never stayed this clean for long. And yet here she was, moving with careful grace as she placed each plate before them, her smile held in check, almost strained, like she feared any slip might offend him.

After a quick, respectful bow, she turned and walked back to the kitchen. Normally, she would’ve stayed a moment, chatting with them about the day or sharing some gossip, treating him and his companions like neighbors. But ever since she and her family had come to him, begging forgiveness for leaving the inn unattended with Ariella and Cia still inside, their warmth toward him had been replaced by a wary formality.

Kaiser couldn’t bring himself to blame them. They were a simple family, helpless against the influence of authority. Alfred had planned the ambush meticulously, manipulating every detail. The innkeepers had likely been coaxed away with some persuasive excuse they couldn’t refuse, giving Alfred the access he needed. They were just villagers, ordinary people with little power or protection; he didn’t expect them to stand up against someone like the head of the Hunter to protect his friends. That is, if they actually knew Alfred had malicious intentions.

Recalling the memory of that night once again made him feel resentment, his dislike for the Hunter simmering beneath the surface. Even though his genuinely sorry for the misunderstanding, casting aside his pride as he kneels in apology to punish him alone and don't involve anyone else. Honestly, Kaiser respected the man for his integrity, his discipline, his willingness to sacrifice himself for others. But that night, Alfred had been blinded by revenge. And Kaiser couldn’t quite forgive him. Not completely. Such was the complexity of human nature and the tangled web of loyalties and betrayal that society wove around them.

Now, at least, he felt certain no one would dare harm Ariella or Cia again. '

After all, I’m a Player.'

That night, when the hunters and villagers gathered around him, he had faced their scrutiny, their curiosity and fear all woven into one questioning gaze, needing to know what manner of being he was to hold such monstrous power, far beyond that of any ordinary man. Some whispered that he might be a monster in disguise; others speculated he was a descendant of one of the ancient beings. Alfred, however, had dismissed the descendant theory outright, demanding an answer with an intensity that left no room for lies. He had said nothing less than the truth would be enough, for whatever Kaiser was, it might threaten the village if left unexplained.

So, left with no choice, Kaiser had spoken the truth to end the troublesome scrimmage.

I'm a player.

Then realized how much weight those words hold judging by everyone's reaction.

Here, in Greenland, “Players” were not just legends or distant ancestors; they were viewed as the very origin of humanity, powerful beings from whom the strongest bloodlines descended. It was a term spoken with reverence and fear, a word that echoed the lineage of the ancient world itself, outside Green Land, other realms and so on. Powerful beings capable of venturing far, far away, through the boundaries.

Supported by undeniable proofs, the villagers had no choice but to believe. From that moment on, they saw him as a living legend, something extraordinary, a being to be respected, even worshipped. Disbelief and awe still colored their expressions each time he walked by. Kaiser didn't know how to react at first, but now his certain.

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'I despise it.'

Because instead of finding satisfaction in their admiration, Kaiser felt trapped by it. The attention suffocated him. Once, he’d roamed the village with ease, but now every interaction came with stiff respect. His every movement was watched, his every word heeded, until he began to dread leaving his quarters at all. Even Brick, the brash Hunter who had once annoyed him to no end, was now little more than a shadow, constantly sidestepping and avoiding Kaiser’s gaze. Oddly enough, he kinda misses the guy's arrogance to taunt him into fighting that smug face once more. Come to think about it, with his current status, he could smack the bastard all he wanted but Kaiser had lost interest.

Alfred, for his part, kept his interactions brief and formal, respecting the distance Kaiser now imposed. But what stung the most was the shift with Miss Lina and her family, once friendly and warm, now treated him with quiet reverence. Ethan doesn't even dare talk to Ariella and Cia, afraid of displeasing Kai, in contrast, it seems to do the opposite. The armor shop owner avoided charging him, the blacksmith refused payment for sharpening his sword. Miss Lina’s didn't even scold him for devastating the Inn furniture, let alone, made him pay. Because before he could, the village chief had already stepped in to cover the damages for him, brushing off any attempt Kaiser made to pay. Each meal was offered to him without charge, under the saying that the very act of serving him was an honor that justified the cost. After all, as a Player, he would surely become one of Greenland's pillars.

'So much for being rich. What am I supposed to do with all my gold? Toss it down a well?' He thought with a twinge of bitter humor.

Although, Kaiser understood their reasons, he felt that the villagers’ regard felt hollow, a pedestal he never asked for and couldn’t shake off. They treated him as if he were some lofty being, an object of reverence that none dared offend, that most only admired from afar. In all honesty, Kaiser preferred casualness rather than respect, being viewed in high regard doesn't suit his taste.

To distract himself, Kaiser let his mind wander elsewhere - to the events of last night. From what he had pieced together, the true monster had shown itself when the Hunters were distracted— 'distracted chasing him', no less. They hadn’t said it outright, of course, but from the fragmented clues, he could piece together a picture uncomfortably close to the truth.

The Hunters had initially missed the monster’s reappearance. It wasn’t until one of them noticed a friend missing—along with several other familiar faces—that they realized something was wrong. Even then, they’d brushed it off, assuming their comrades had just gone on ahead. But when someone went back to check, he stumbled upon a gruesome discovery - remains of their comrade, and not just one body. That was when the hunt had taken a more desperate turn. Confirming that their first target had been false, they’d spread out, searching frantically for the real monster.

As they tracked the beast, they found more corpses, the remains half-eaten and barely recognizable, those that were fully consumed left a splatter of blood a clue of their horrible death. Despite their overwhelming numbers, the creature was faster and more elusive than any of them. Too swift for the foot soldiers and even launched projectiles had no effect on it. No matter how closely they pursued, it left no blood trail for it doesn't bleed, its footprints strangely shifting, never quite identifiable. Even those who caught a glimpse of it couldn’t agree on its form. Some described it as a creature with black, leathery skin; others insisted it had a furred, human-like appearance, as if its shape changed before their eyes.

And it was cunning. That much was clear. The monster had played with the Hunters, disappearing and reappearing, striking whenever a lone pursuer strayed too far. It evaded their arrows, danced around their swords, and showed a level of intelligence that unnerved even the most seasoned Hunters.

Kaiser’s head throbbed at the thought of it. Catching the monster would be no easy feat, the more he pondered over it, the more difficult it became. Still, he felt an undeniable need to apprehend it, to put an end to the terror it had caused. The deaths of the victims weighed heavily on him, and he couldn’t shake the guilt. If he hadn’t broken their formation in his outburst, maybe they could have handled it better and lessened their loss. Yet, even as he berated himself, he knew the creature’s unnatural speed and shifting form meant that the odds were slim.

When they finished eating, Kaiser collected the empty plates then headed to the kitchen. Kaiser is a bit shameless... Maybe a bit more. However, He was aware he’d been eating free meals ever since his "Player" status had come to light, but he wasn’t about to sit back and do nothing in return. The least he could do was bring the dishes back for Miss Lina as usual, leaving it here would be too rude of him.

On his way, a bluish fruit caught his eye on the corner of the counter. Probably dropped by Ethan. Picking it up, Kaiser studied it for a moment. It was a common enough fruit in this world, and he recalled it could be made into juice. A faint smile crossed his lips, upon remembering when he ordered a sour blue juice once before, right before he ended up brawling with the drunken Hunters and Brick.

'Good times.'

He smirked, wondering if the blue fruit was just as sour when eaten raw. Kaiser glanced around, making sure no one was watching, then turned his attention back to the fruit. It wasn’t his, and it had fallen on the floor. Besides, he wasn’t even sure if it was ripe yet for consumption. But who would dare stop an almighty 'Player' from biting what he found?

"Don’t mind if I do."

Biting into the fruit, Kaiser’s face twisted instantly, his mouth assaulted by an intense, sour taste.

'So that’s why Ariella fed it to the dog that one time...' he mused, grimacing. 'This thing is like an orange, but... not orange.'

He held the fruit up again, giving it one last disdainful look before it slipped from his grip, dropping on the floor as realization hit him, his eyes going wide in horror.

"Wait, then why...!"