Barbarian Quest

Chapter 160

Chikaka, a Phergamon warrior, widened his eyes and stared at the bulky man standing before him.

'What does he want from me?'

Chikaka was on high alert because he was unarmed. He was shackled at the legs, preventing any swift movement.

"...Urich."

The large man said as he pointed to himself. Chikaka understood what that meant.

"I am Chikaka," Chikaka spoke cautiously.

Urich attempted to communicate with the Phergamon warrior.

'These dwarfs speak a language that is completely different from ours.'

Urich spoke with patience. Naturally, the Phergamon warriors glared at Urich with hostility.

"Here is some food. We have no intention to be hostile toward you."

Urich offered a bowl of meat porridge and raised both hands to repeatedly convey he meant no harm.

‘I guess I’ll need strength to even flee or get my revenge.'

Chikaka ate the food offered by Urich. He was worried about the other warriors.

'I had no idea there would be this many warriors here.'

Had he known the number of warriors in the village, he wouldn't have attempted an attack.

"Hey, I am Urich. Let's be friends. You and me. Together."

Urich alternated pointing at Chikaka and himself before joining his hands. His large size made the gesture grand.

"Hah, be friends? As soon as I get a sword in my hand, I'll be taking that neck of yours."

Chikaka boldly threatened murder, knowing he wouldn't be understood.

"I can see what you're thinking in that tiny head of yours, you little bastard."

Urich laughed. Even if he didn't understand Chikaka's words, he could guess what he was saying. Warriors often had the same way of thinking. Urich would have thought the same in Chikaka's position.

Urich ate and acted alongside Chikaka, paying attention to every word he said. He didn't miss even the most trivial-sounding words. Urich was fluent in the imperial language and could even communicate in the northern language. He had a knack for learning new languages.

'What is he trying to achieve?'

Chikaka couldn't understand what Urich was trying to do.

"I’m guessing you are the leader among the dwarfs you came with."

Urich gestured as he spoke. Chikaka's wooden mask was the most ornate among the dwarfs. Most of the time, in a tribe, the more colorful and numerous the decorations, the higher the person's status.

"And you must be the leader here."

Chikaka pointed at other warriors and then raised his finger high toward Urich.

"There are three highest people here. I am one of them."

Urich explained by drawing a picture on the ground. Chikaka nodded.

Chikaka was a respected warrior within the Phergamon tribe, high enough to be leading the goat warriors in human hunts.

'And I was caught like this, how shameful.'

Chikaka smirked bitterly.

"I want to be friends with you. And with your tribe too."

The alliance took good care of the injured Phergamon warriors and treated them well. Knowing their kindness, Chikaka willingly participated in communication.

Belrua approached Urich and Chikaka.

"Urich, are you really planning to learn these dwarfs' language and include them in the alliance?"

"Not dwarfs. They’re called the Phergamon tribe."

"Same thing, idiot."

"You can tell how developed they are by looking at the way they’ve been raising goats for battle. Plus, we need the mobility of these mountain goats. Samikan agreed too." Foll0w current novÊls on nov/3lb((in).(co/m)

It was already decided at the tribal council. Samikan was just as much interested in the Phergamon tribe as Urich.

"So, you're saying you want to stay here to learn their language? Hah, that doesn’t really sound like a warrior’s job to me."

Belrua scoffed. It was understandable and rather justified since the warrior who died from being rammed into by a goat was from the Red Sand Tribe. She voted in favor of wiping out the dwarf warriors.

"The expedition is going smoothly, anyway. With Samikan and your skills, it should be more than enough."

Urich and some Stone Axe warriors stayed in the village to care for and monitor the Phergamon warriors. Meanwhile, the rest of the alliance warriors continued the western expedition.

'It's not like I can learn their language overnight.'

While Urich was learning the Phergamon language, the alliance warriors couldn't just be left idle. The alliance had to keep raiding westward. Staying put meant starving from a lack of food stores.

"Don't die. Urich, you made a promise to me. Also, Samikan is not to be trusted. He'd slit his brother's throat in a heartbeat for his own ambitions."

Belrua crossed her arms and glared at Urich. She didn't trust Samikan. She only tolerated him because joining the alliance brought tangible benefits to her and her tribe.

"Try trusting Samikan a bit. He's a decent guy."

Urich, unlike Belrua, had a favorable view of Samikan. Even though Samikan had once invaded Stone Axe, it wasn't something to hold a lifelong grudge over in tribal society.

'But Belrua's not wrong. I need to be careful with Samikan. He's willing to embrace foreign civilizations for his ambitions... but that also means he'd do anything for his ambitions.'

Urich and Samikan were both open to civilizations, but their reasons differed. Urich was driven by intellectual curiosity, while Samikan embraced civilizations for his ambitions.

"Will these dwarfs really be of help to the alliance? They're tinier than our women."

Belrua looked down at Chikaka.

"The fact that they ride around in goats alone will be a huge help. That you can hold me to it," Urich confidently replied.

"Hmm, then good luck, I guess. I'll be heading west with that damned Samikan."

Belrua waved and left.

Urich and about a hundred Stone Axe warriors stayed behind in the village. They consumed the village's food while monitoring the Phergamon warriors. Some Stone Axe warriors, like Urich, tried to learn the Phergamon language and interact with the warriors.

Another fortnight passed. They couldn't keep depleting the village's food forever. Urich and the warriors roamed around, even in the dry season, looking to hunt something to eat. It was possible to catch a game or two with enough luck.

"I hope our tribe and yours could act together."

Urich clumsily mixed words and gestures.

Chikaka understood Urich's meaning.

'He’s unshackling me. That is some balls.'

Chikaka hopped around freely on his newly freed legs. Urich took Chikaka out of the village for hunting.

'There’s nothing better than a hunt to build a bond between two men.'

This was true not just in tribes, but in civilized worlds too. Even the nobles beyond the mountains hunted together to strengthen bonds.

"Take your bow."

Urich even returned a bow and arrows to Chikaka. Chikaka's eyes widened.

'I could shoot an arrow in his neck and run away right now.'

Murderous intent swirled in Chikaka's eyes. Though small, he was a warrior who had lived a bloody life.

"If you try to stab me in the back, I'll snap that tiny neck and spine of yours. Don't even think for a second that an arrow or two is going to be enough to stop me."

Urich spoke fiercely. Though they spoke in different languages, Chikaka understood Urich's words just from the tone.

Chikaka swallowed hard and followed Urich.

Despite it being the dry season, the stubborn grass of the plains held on with its roots deep into the soil. Urich and Chikaka had a significant difference in stride, but Chikaka kept up without falling behind.

"Urich."

Chikaka called Urich's name. Urich had already crouched low and stopped.

"It’s a fox."

Urich and Chikaka sidestepped in a direction where the wind wouldn't give them away. They disguised their scent and footsteps to approach the fox closely.

"I'll take the shot, Urich."

Chikaka was pleased with the feel of the bow he hadn't held in a while. He was eager to shoot right away.

Urich watched Chikaka grasp the bow. Despite his small frame, he pulled the bowstring significantly. Interestingly, their bows were carefully crafted composite bows. Composite bows were difficult to make and took a long time to perfect. The fact that all the mountain goat warriors were armed with composite bows meant the tribe had the resources to invest in such weapons.

"Hoo."

Chikaka took a deep breath, eyeing the fox. His eyes were those of a sharp hunter.

Thwack!

The arrow flew.

Schluck.

The arrow pierced the fox's nape. It was an impressive display of archery skills.

Creak.

Urich held up his bow. Chikaka frowned at him.

"I got it in the neck. It'll fall soon. That one’s mine, so don't waste your arrows."

Despite Chikaka's protest, Urich calmly shot his bow. The arrow grazed past the fox.

"Hah! Idiot! I knew you'd end up like that aiming for my prey!"

Chikaka laughed at Urich's arrow stuck in the ground.

As Urich and Chikaka walked to retrieve their prey, Chikaka's smile gradually stiffened.

"You weren’t aiming for the fox..."

The fox Chikaka caught was gasping and lying down, and Urich's arrow was not stuck in the ground.

"I saw a snake."

Urich lifted what seemed to be an arrow stuck in the ground. A snake's head was skewered on the arrow tip. The snake still writhed powerfully, coiling around Urich's arm.

'He spotted a snake from that distance and hit it right in the head.'

Chikaka watched Urich bury the snake's head in the ground. Urich's archery skills showed he was an extraordinary warrior.

"Do you like snake meat?"

Urich mimed chewing on the snake's body. Chikaka laughed and nodded.

Urich and Chikaka didn't head straight back to the village. Instead, they continued hunting further away, taking turns shooting at prey. Since no hunter is always perfect, they laughed at each other's misses.

Crackle, crackle.

As the day faded, they gathered dry branches and lit a fire under the purplish sky. The dry season made kindling abundant everywhere. Even animal droppings dried quickly and were perfect for burning.

Laughter was constant. They held up the day's catch, and somehow, they were communicating.

Urich and Chikaka wrapped themselves in their leather cloaks and closed their eyes. Though neither got a deep sleep, enough trust was built to sleep by each other's side.

The next day, Urich returned to the village with Chikaka.

"Urich!"

A warrior ran up to Urich as soon as he saw him. The village was in uproar. The Stone Axe warriors were armed and roaming. Not just Urich, but Chikaka's expression hardened too.

"Shackle up that dwarf too and lock him back up!"

An enraged warrior shouted. Urich's eyes grew cold.

"Shut up and tell me what happened."

"A dwarf shot at us with a bow!"

"Anyone die?"

"Someone got hurt."

The fact that no one was dead was a big relief. Urich asked about the whereabouts of the Phergamon warrior who shot the arrow.

"We haven't caught him yet. He must be hiding somewhere in the village."

The Phergamon warrior who shot the bow was hiding somewhere in the village. His small size made him difficult to find despite a thorough search.

"Urich."

Chikaka frowned at Urich. He went to the center of the village and took a deep breath.

"This is Chikaka! Come out!!!!!"

The volume from his small frame was unbelievably loud. He called out several times, gathering other Phergamon warriors.

Step, step.

Eventually, the Phergamon warrior who had shot the arrow limped out.

"That damn dwarf!"

A Stone Axe warrior yelled, raising his weapon. Urich intervened, looking at Chikaka.

Chikaka glared fiercely at his warriors, then punched the stomach of the Phergamon warrior who shot the arrow.

"Keugh."

The struck Phergamon warrior gagged and knelt.

"These people treated us, hosted me as a guest! And this is how you repay them! You've embarrassed me, Kabatu!"

Chikaka was furious. The other Phergamon warriors remained silent. Their hierarchical order was strict.

"B-but..."

Kabatu tried to speak but shut his mouth after seeing the fierce look on Chikaka’s face.

"To aim a bow at those who treated us, even if they are these dumb tall strangers, shame on you!"

Chikaka strode up to Urich and took a dagger from Urich's waistband. The Stone Axe warriors watched silently, awed by his authority.

"Ugh."

Chikaka cut off Kabatu's right index finger. It was a severe punishment for a warrior. Kabatu would no longer be able to shoot a bow.

"Here, take it, Urich."

Chikaka placed Kabatu's finger in Urich's palm. Urich threw the finger into the fire. The commotion and conflict quickly subsided.

"Release all the shackles from the Phergamon warriors. It looks like we’re not gonna need that now.”