The Gate of the Gnolls.
The hyena's gaze swept over the people. In its eyes, Woojin discerned several emotions.
Wariness. Caution. And curiosity.
In the Demonic Realm, chances to see humans were rare to nonexistent. As if intrigued by unfamiliar prey, the gnoll approached like a stray dog that had discovered something new to eat.
"Please wait here."
After stopping Roland and the others behind him, Woojin stepped forward alone. Naturally, the creature's attention focused on him.
Sssht, sssht.
He moved his hands lightly.
He was not casting a spell with Enoch's power—this was sign language. A set of gestures used by the natives of the Demonic Realm when attempting to communicate with other species.
Because it had been roughly devised by demonic beings, it lacked the systematic structure of human sign language.
As a result, the vocabulary was limited. After expressing several commonly used words, one had to infer the full meaning from context.
–I seek trade.
He signed.
The gnoll looked surprised. It seemed fascinated that a strange being was using a familiar form of communication.
The two exchanged signs.
–Where do you come from?
–Beyond. Where the shadows are thin.
–Interesting.
Such an encounter was rare indeed. Perhaps intrigued, the gnoll seemed eager to ask many more questions…
But crude sign language made extended conversation difficult, and with an army watching from behind, idle chatter was not an option.
–I seek trade.
Woojin repeated.
The gnoll glanced back at the expeditionary force standing in the distance.
–Do you represent that group?
–No. Only I and those with me desire trade.
Woojin wished to escort his companions through the gate. What the expeditionary force decided afterward was a separate matter.
The gnoll seemed to grasp the situation.
–Are those behind you our enemies?
A sensitive question. Woojin chose honesty over clever evasions.
–Highly likely.
–If your kin oppose us… you too may become our enemy.
–No. I will not break a trade.
–On what grounds do you guarantee that?
Woojin glanced briefly at the others before speaking softly enough for only the gnoll to hear.
"Trade is sacred."
He spoke not in human tongue, but in the gnoll's language—a voice resembling a blend of canine growls and primate cries. The gnoll blinked in surprise… then smiled, as though impressed.
"…Trade is sacred."
The gnoll replied.
It was an acceptance.
Just as Woojin moved to set down the pack he had prepared, the gnoll turned toward the gate and shouted something.
Creeeeak—!
With the groan of wood straining, the gate opened. Woojin was taken aback.
'The deal hasn't even been concluded yet… why open the gate?'
He signed that question. The gnoll answered in a tone that suggested generosity.
"I like you. I will allow your group to pass without payment."
However, the metal in their hands must not be turned against the gnolls. The creature emphasized this condition as the gate opened fully.
Three subordinate gnolls emerged through the opening, each carrying a large wooden basket.
Woojin signaled for his companions to approach.
"Please, come this way."
Roland, who had been waiting, stepped forward.
"Is it resolved?"
"Yes. Only a simple procedure remains."
They had brought ample food and beast hides for trade, yet things had gone more smoothly than expected. As he spoke, Woojin drew the dagger at his waist.
He raised it to his own head.
Snick!
A thick lock of his gray hair fell away. Roland frowned slightly.
"Why cut your hair all of a sudden? It looks like a rat chewed at it."
"It's part of the passage procedure."
He handed the hair to the gnoll. The creature tied it into a knot and wrapped it tightly in thin leather.
The gnoll tossed the bundle into an empty basket, then rummaged through another and withdrew an item.
A necklace made from gnoll teeth. In exchange for his hair, Woojin received it.
'Proof of passage.'
Wearing this necklace would ensure he was not attacked by gnolls. The hair he had provided functioned much like identification.
Gnolls possessed extraordinary senses of smell. They could easily detect a person's scent and chemical signature embedded in hair.
The hair collected at the gate would be sent to the gnoll community. They would memorize its scent and taste, cross-verifying outsiders' identities.
It was a safeguard against the necklace being transferred or replicated.
"Now, one at a time, please."
The group formed a line. Woojin cut a lock from each and handed it over. The wolves were no exception.
Finally… it was Roland's turn.
"Please hurry."
Woojin urged him repeatedly. Roland looked displeased. His long, well-kept hair was one of his prides.
"…Must I cut it?"
"The sisters didn't complain. What's a man hesitating for?"
Woojin prodded his pride. Roland bristled, snatched the dagger, and cut off a handful himself.
With that, the procedure was complete.
Those wearing the necklaces—the people, the wolves, and even the two tarasques—walked through the gate. Before long, it shut firmly behind them.
"Lord Roland. Please escort the group through the gorge first. I'll observe the situation a bit longer and follow."
"Understood…"
Roland replied gloomily and led the soldiers onward.
Woojin turned his gaze upward.
The gnoll stood atop the gate as it had before. Wanting to speak further, Woojin climbed the rope and sat beside it.
The gnoll glanced sideways.
"Why have you returned?"
With no prying eyes nearby, Woojin answered in the gnoll's tongue.
"If they choose to negotiate, I will likely serve as interpreter."
The expeditionary force was still waiting, not yet taking action. Since Woojin's earlier stunt had succeeded, the high command appeared to have convened another meeting.
It would likely take time.
Out of habit, Woojin pulled out dried meat and began chewing it slowly, like gum. The scent piqued the gnoll's interest.
"…What is that food?"
"Dried meat. Try some."
Woojin tore the jerky in half and offered a piece. After a brief hesitation, the gnoll accepted and took a bite.
Immediately after taking a bite, the gnoll's eyes widened.
It seemed genuinely shocked by the flavor of the jerky.
"…What beast is this meat from?"
"Lamb. You can get it beyond there."
Woojin pointed toward the horizon. The gnoll smacked its lips regretfully.
"That lies beyond our clan's territory."
"I figured. How have things been lately? I've been away for quite some time, so I'm not sure how the situation here has changed."
A question about internal affairs.
The gnoll hesitated briefly, then answered—perhaps deciding the food warranted a response.
"Not good. The Old Ones are expanding their influence. Because of that, our lands have shrunk considerably."
"Are the spiders still causing trouble?"
"No. They used to be a nuisance… now it's the opposite. The spiders are blocking the Old Ones from advancing south. I cannot fathom why."
As they spoke, the gnoll studied Woojin closely, as if the situation itself felt surreal.
"How strange… Where did you learn our tongue? You speak as naturally as one of us."
"It's not a particularly grand story."
Back in his former life, he had struggled with even basic English conversation. Yet somehow, he had picked up the language of this realm's natives without much difficulty.
As they continued their idle exchange—
"…It seems they've reached a decision."
Woojin said quietly.
The gnoll noticed it as well. A silver-clad army was advancing toward the gate. In their hands were crossbows fitted with silver bolts.
There would be no negotiation.
It was the exact opposite of what Woojin had hoped for… but it wasn't surprising. The Second Expeditionary Force's foolishness was nothing new. He had half-expected this.
"I regret that I must fight your kin."
The gnoll spoke. Woojin nodded, understanding.
There was one last thing he wanted to ask.
"My name is Jin. What is yours?"
"Rogar."
"A good name."
After exchanging names—
Shing—
Woojin drew his machete.
Rogar bared his fangs in anger.
"Do you intend to break our trade?!"
"No… but we should at least make it look like we're fighting. It would seem odd to part on friendly terms in front of an army."
"…True."
With the invasion underway, Woojin needed to play his part as well.
Rogar muttered awkwardly, though he still put genuine force into his rage. The hostility made the scene look more convincing.
Woojin explained the plan he had in mind.
"We'll exchange a few blows. Then kick my side hard enough to knock me inside the gate."
"Are you certain?"
"I'll be fine. My body's sturdy."
Rogar did not refuse. He had already sensed that Woojin was an unusually strong individual.
The gnoll lunged.
Claws extended from its fingertips in an instant—similar to the werewolf ability Woojin had once seen, but far more potent.
Krrraaaak!
As Woojin stepped back, long claw marks gouged into the stone floor.
At the same time, he swung his machete toward Rogar's neck.
Even if struck with the flat of the blade, it would not deal significant damage. Yet Rogar still dodged in surprise—the machete was faster than expected.
Whoosh—!!
Right on cue, the kick came.
Woojin channeled mana into his side.
Boom—!
With a thunderous impact, his body flew through the air. It looked dramatic, but the kick carried little real force. At the moment of impact, Woojin had propelled himself backward with his own footing.
Immediately after, Rogar leapt as though chasing prey and dropped inside the gate.
Both landed smoothly within the stone enclosure, out of sight of the expeditionary force.
No further theatrics were needed.
But then—
Thwip! Thwip! Thwip!
Strange sounds burst from outside the gate.
Moments later, gleaming projectiles arced over the stone wall.
Silver bolts.
The expeditionary force had opened fire.
Both man and gnoll sprang to their feet and ran deeper into the gorge.
Thud, thud, thud—!
Silver bolts rained down like a sudden storm exactly where they had just been standing.
Thanks to their quick sprint, they cleared the strike zone in seconds.
"Grrrraaaah!!"
Rogar roared.
At that signal, the subordinate gnolls who had remained nearby began retreating.
Surrendering the gate was a blow to their pride—but the enemy's numbers were overwhelming. Two gnolls ignited signal fires.
These beacons focused not on smoke but scent.
They burned large quantities of aromatic plants, releasing a distinct fragrance. The surrounding gnoll territories would detect it and recognize the situation.
The gate had fallen.
And vengeance would follow.
"I must return to my clan. Jin… we will meet again soon."
Woojin and his group had earned recognition. The gnolls' fangs would not be turned toward them.
Rogar made that clear as he prepared to depart.
Woojin voiced a small hope.
"I would appreciate it if you did not treat them too harshly. Many were dragged here without understanding what they were walking into."
Rogar shook his head.
"That request I cannot grant. If I show shallow mercy, my clan may suffer for it. War is, by nature, merciless."
"…I suppose so."
Woojin let out a deep sigh.
It would be shameless to ask for more. After all, it was the invader speaking of compassion.
Rogar and his subordinates departed.
…They would return with an army.
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