Rin walked through the southern part of the village, stopping by every group of players he passed.
"Have you seen Hairu?" he asked.
Each time, the answer was the same.
"No, sorry."
"Haven't seen him."
"Try the command building?"
After a few more rejections, Rin's expression remained calm, but his patience thinned. Nariku followed behind, silent but alert, his gaze bouncing between people as if he were hoping someone might recognize them.
Eventually, Rin approached the medbay area. Makeshift tents and bandaged players lined the space, with the faint scent of herbs and disinfectant lingering in the air. He noticed four people gathered near a wooden table: Aiko, Tyuri, Nori, and Natsuro.
Rin stepped forward. "Have any of you seen Hairu?"
The four exchanged glances. A moment of silence lingered between them, thick with hesitation. Tyuri's eyes narrowed, Aiko remained unreadable, and Nori instinctively stepped a bit closer to Aiko. Natsuro, the only one who didn't immediately show suspicion, tapped his fingers against the table.
"Should we tell him?" Nori whispered.
Tyuri leaned in slightly. "He's suspicious. But he's not acting out of line."
Aiko didn't say anything, but her eyes flicked toward Nariku.
"That kid's still just following him around like a baby chicken," Natsuro muttered. "If Rin meant harm, I doubt Nariku would look that relaxed."
Eventually, Tyuri spoke up. "Hairu's at the northern gate. He's overseeing the fortification with Yokuta."
Rin nodded once. "Thanks."
Without another word, he turned and continued his way toward the northern part of the village, Nariku trailing close behind.
As Rin and Nariku walked off toward the northern gate, the group at the medbay watched them go in silence for a moment.
Natsuro crossed his arms and chuckled.
"He really is a baby chicken," he said, nodding at Nariku. Then he smirked and added,
"And Rin? He's the hen."
Tyuri gave a short laugh through his nose. "That might be the most accurate thing you've said all day."
Aiko glanced in the direction they left, still silent, but her expression slightly softened.
Nori shook her head. "Let's just hope that hen doesn't turn out to be a fox in disguise."
The group fell quiet again, returning to their tasks—but the unspoken tension about Rin lingered in the air.
Hairu stood near the northern gate, arms crossed as he observed the fortification efforts. The players were doing their best—stacking sharpened logs, hammering down planks, and reinforcing the barricades with scraps from defeated monsters. Yokuta stood beside him silently, her shield slung on her back, eyes scanning the horizon like a sentinel.
The air was heavy, not just with tension, but with expectation.
From behind, the sound of footsteps approached—not hurried, but with purpose. Hairu glanced over his shoulder.
It was Rin.
He was walking up the dirt path from the medbay area, with Nariku trailing close behind like always. Rin's face was calm, maybe too calm, and his eyes darted from person to person as he passed them by. Some players avoided his gaze. Others whispered.
Hairu turned fully to face him as Rin approached.
"Yo," Rin greeted. "Why's everyone so tense? Did something happen while we were gone?"
Hairu stared at him for a second, measuring. The fact that Rin had to ask already told him something.
"You mean besides the fact we're facing an orc in five days and the village is barely holding together?" Hairu replied, voice clipped. "Yeah, just the usual."
Rin's eyes sharpened.
"So it really is an orc, huh?"
Hairu's eyes narrowed slightly.
"You know something?"
Rin gave a vague shrug. "Heard some chatter. Figured it wasn't just goblins this time."
Hairu exhaled and rubbed the back of his neck.
"Scouts confirmed it. Big one, subtle too. And now I have to prepare the whole camp for that while keeping morale from crashing."
There was a moment of silence.
Nariku shifted uncomfortably behind Rin. Yokuta glanced between them, silently alert.
Rin crossed his arms.
"Then it's a good thing we're back. Tell me what you need."
Hairu didn't reply right away. He looked at Rin again—really looked. Something was off. There was an edge in Rin's voice. And Nariku… kept glancing at Rin like he was trying to read him too.
But for now, Hairu nodded.
"I'll bring you up to speed. Let's talk."
He turned back toward the gate, his voice low.
"Because I have a feeling this final wave... might be the last normal one we'll ever see."
Hairu led the way back toward the command building, his posture tense as they passed groups of players reinforcing the northern perimeter. Rin followed behind him with quiet, measured steps. Nariku trailed a few paces back, hands behind her head, observing the activity with mild interest.
The air inside the command building was quiet, with only the low hum of the hanging lamp above providing ambient sound. Hairu stood near the table, arms crossed, his eyes drifting toward the map spread across it. Footsteps echoed behind him.
Rin entered, giving a quick glance toward Nariku. "Hey, Nariku. Mind waiting outside for a bit?"
Nariku blinked but smiled, understanding the cue. "Sure. I'll be right out here."
As the door closed behind him, Rin turned to Hairu, who hadn't moved from his position.
Rin broke the silence with a slight smirk. "Hi, Hero."
Hairu's gaze flicked up, showing the barest hint of tension—but only for a second. "What do you mean by that?"
Rin kept it casual, leaning against the table. "I just got a system notification. Said something about a mission involving a 'Hero.'"
Hairu remained still for a moment, then gave a short nod. "I see."
The two stared at each other in silence—both aware that something had shifted, but neither willing to show their hand first.
Outside, Nariku waited patiently, eyes scanning the village as the tension between the two men simmered quietly behind closed doors.