Chapter 53: Those Who Can Never Be Forgiven (4)

Reviving the Red Tail Tribe

The goal of the Unyielding Boulder was clear.

There was no time to question or doubt this objective.

It was more than just a goal—it was a guiding milestone, an unwavering direction.

The Red Tail Tribe had once been the most prosperous beastkin in the Kaputa Highlands.

In this harsh land, it had been the only tribe to survive discrimination and persecution.

Though only a few remained, they still believed that one day, they would rise again.

The Unyielding Boulder had dedicated every possible effort to educating the tribe’s children.

Unlike the Thunderous Gallop, who had once used extreme methods, the priority now was securing the future—rescuing the young ones from ignorance.

Of course, education required both time and money.

Naturally, the Unyielding Boulder and the adult members of the tribe had little time for sleep.

But when they thought of the children, diligently reading books until they dozed off, exhaustion never felt like a burden.

“Wow, this brings back memories. In the Holy Kingdom, we set up a few facilities for orphans too. But thanks to some ‘leaks’ in the donations, most of them ended up looking like this.”

A foreigner had once appeared before the Unyielding Boulder—someone who had seduced Thunderous Gallop and led the tribe’s warriors astray.

That person now stood before them again.

“You are…”

“Hehe, you remember me? This isn’t our first meeting, after all.”

A smile so charming, even a woman might fall for it.

White hair, red eyes—a woman who had likely made a secret deal with Thunderous Gallop, his former lover.

Diana.

“Wow, no matter when I see it, this place always looks like a trash heap.”

“Why are you here? If you’re looking for Thunderous Gallop, he’s already—”

“Let’s not be so hostile. Wouldn’t it be better for us to stay on good terms?”

“Oh dear, I think I’ve scared you. Don’t worry, I’ll explain things properly. Wouldn’t you be kind enough to hear me out?”

“Heh, looking at you, I see you’re just as crazy as ever.”

Suspicion deepened.

And then, from the shadows, a man with black hair stepped forward.

He seemed to melt into the darkness of the night. Black hair, black eyes—an unnatural color in this world. Though his clothing was tidy, his sly grin felt unsettling.

“Surprised? He may look like that, but he’s a Hero.”

“…A Hero?”

The Unyielding Boulder momentarily doubted their ears.

He had the same hair color, but this was not the Hero they knew.

“Yes, a previous Hero. Let’s call him Baek Min-jun. We need your help.”

“…No.”

Anxiety surged in their mind.

Instinctively, they knew—this was the wrong path.

If they followed these people, they would end up just like Thunderous Gallop.

Taking a deep breath, they firmly rejected the offer.

And then—suddenly, the world spun.

“…What?”

Blood.

A sharp pain shot through their nose as crimson dripped down uncontrollably.

It was a vivid, unmistakable pain—as if this rejection was a direct threat to their life.

“I can offer your tribe greater opportunities.”

“Agh… N-No…”

“I can pay you handsomely, too. I’m not asking you to be an ally or commit any crimes. Just guide us to the White Haze Forest.”

“I said no…!”

The Unyielding Boulder forced the words out, gritting their teeth as they looked at Diana.

She spoke in a gentle, almost kind tone.

But there was no warmth. No gratitude. No sincerity in her voice.

“Ah, but I’m only proposing a deal. If you refuse, I’ll end up looking like the bad guy, don’t you think?”

“Well, there’s no helping it. Getting someone to sit at the negotiation table is an art in itself.”

Even if it meant dying, they would not abandon the righteous path.

That was the responsibility of one blessed with the Guide’s Divine Protection.

Every divine blessing existed for a reason.

“You…!”

“The price of this deal is the lives of these children. What do you say?”

Baek Min-jun understood that as well.

That’s why, without the power of the Charm Eye, he couldn’t manipulate heroines so easily.

Of course, there were other ways to persuade people.

A blade wreathed in black flames.

Baek Min-jun’s dark, eerie gaze shifted toward the sleeping children.

If the Unyielding Boulder refused to guide them, he would kill them all.

This was no longer a negotiation. It was pure coercion.

The Unyielding Boulder resisted desperately.

For the past six months, they had trained relentlessly after meeting Kim Su-hyun and Sera.

Even the god they once despised—they had learned to accept.

To properly wield the Guide’s Divine Protection.

But just because they could see the path did not mean they could move their body accordingly.

They could predict Baek Min-jun’s attacks, the safest routes, the openings.

But possessing mere human strength, how could they possibly dodge the blade of a former Hero?

Baek Min-jun seemed to be enjoying himself.

He avoided fatal strikes with eerie precision, instead prolonging the agony with relentless blows—sometimes with his fists, sometimes with his boots.

Whenever they collapsed from exhaustion, his sword would turn back toward the children.

Strangely, none of the tribe’s people woke up, no matter what was happening.

“I’m done being used!”

This was torture.

A pain so unbearable that death seemed preferable.

But the Unyielding Boulder bit down on their lip and stood up again.

To protect the children, they would never cooperate with the enemy.

To work with these people was to stray from the righteous path.

To forsake their honor as a Guide.

Again and again, they rose.

A boulder does not crumble.

And they knew—Diana and Baek Min-jun needed them.

At the very least, they wouldn’t be killed here.

And in a brief moment of distraction, the Unyielding Boulder saw their chance.

They lunged forward—offering their own heart to the blade.

“You were getting too excited. Didn’t you say not to kill them, Hero?”

“Tch, this damn woman, acting up again.”

Baek Min-jun twisted his sword’s trajectory, but the Unyielding Boulder was still fatally wounded.

Blood sprayed like a fountain, but Diana simply placed a hand over the wound.

They couldn’t be allowed to die—not yet.

Not when they were necessary for reaching the White Haze Forest.

A slow, creeping divine light spread from her hand.

Their wounds began to heal—only for a dagger to suddenly pierce Diana’s throat.

“Huh…?”

“So you were the one maintaining the barrier.”

It was strange that, despite all the chaos, the villagers still hadn’t woken.

Touching her bleeding neck, Diana laughed.

In that moment, the Unyielding Boulder let out a desperate cry.

“EVERYONE, RUN!”