The sun sank in the west.
Cang Mountain rose and fell like the back of a crouching beast, twilight flowing down its rugged ridges.
The last sliver of the dying sun fell upon the jagged peaks, like a fading ember.
It dyed the withered mountain grass the color of cooling slag in a bronze furnace, and even the falling maple leaves held a deep, rust-like crimson.
RUSTLE!
Suddenly, the undergrowth to one side was pushed apart.
Three dark figures approached from a distance.
As the last rays of twilight shone through the gaps in the leaves, their general appearances became clear.
They had colorful flags on their backs and iron tokens hanging from their waists.
A cow's head, deer antlers, a scaled body with a long tail—it was clear at a glance that none of the three were human.
"A good haul today, brothers. Once we turn in our Mountain Patrol Waist Tokens, come to my place for a few drinks."
The one who spoke was the burliest and tallest figure at the front.
