Angela's cautious introduction sparked Min's curiosity. The formality in her tone could mean she was of the upper class… or this was simply their culture's method of introduction. Regardless, Min wouldn't try to imitate her exactly.
"I'm Meng Min, surname first… uh, don't really know if I'm from any place, though, since I probably have amnesia? Unless my life was just really uneventful."
Min adjusted the duffle bag on his shoulder before chuckling and scratching the back of his head. The handshake he gave her was relatively soft since he was trying to be friendly. The sheer oddness of this guy's professed circumstance made the short woman frown, but she nonetheless continued.
"That is unfortunate… then you mustn't know what this rainforest is called?"
"I don't… but maybe I can guess. Is it called… the Amazon? The Congo? The… uh… I don't know any more rainforest names. There's some on Sumatra, I think, but I don't know what they're called."
The woman's eye twitched rapidly as she watched this weirdo Elf rub his chin in contemplation over what was probably just fake babble. With a groan, she rubbed the bridge of her nose, brown eyelashes fluttering shut.
"You want to get out of here, right? That's why you came to the road."
"Correct! I've had enough of crocodile popping out of lakes."
The woman paused and gave Min a squint. Some hesitation appeared in her eyes, but it quickly subsided when she cleared her throat.
"Ahem, then we both have needs. My group has taken a mission to gather some materials from this rainforest. Accompany us and we will lead you outside of this place."
A mission popped up in Min's interface and reiterated what Angela said. While it was possible to just follow the road back, gathering intel from these people was also important. Having potential friends would be very valuable in the future.
"Sure. It's a win-win situation."
"Okay. Let's get going- we have places to be."
This woman was clearly in a hurry. Min joined her group and followed them for some time. Mark, the warrior, positioned himself at the front with Angela and conversed with her. Min and Joseph, the rogue, were left in the back.
The other two had briefly introduced themselves to Min, with Mark being from Arshle and Joseph, North Shide. Each of these place names had some form of British pronunciation, which was in-line with the "accents" he heard. Due to the complexity of galactic languages, language accents were somewhat muted when processed through a translator.
The two reserved people didn't speak for a while after the short introduction. However, the situation seemed to have cooled down, so Min broke the ice.
"...So, you're from North Shide, huh? Where's that?"
"On Ingla; North Shide is the foreign quarters. It's where traders usually come and go but rarely stay."
"Oh, I see. Pretty cool."
Joseph's eyebrows rose with a bit of bewilderment. Before the rogue could think about what happened, Min continued with a bit of hesitation.
"Say, um, there's this term that's just sticking in my head. It's 'The Arcane Tide'... is that important at all? It feels important to me but I don't know why."
That cautious curiosity in his voice… was this guy actually an amnesiac? Basically everyone knew about the Arcane Tide- at least the people who had access to society. Perhaps this guy really wasn't just some runaway pretending to forget things.
Min had expected Angela to speak up since she seemed the most learned, but Joseph did instead.
"The Arcane Tide first happened before the Inglan colonial period… a genius Mage, Falan Gerikksturg, lifted the Great City into the air by using the Central Stone. This saved the city but all of the contemporary civilizations were destroyed. Anyway, the big shots in Ingla, Genoch, and Geilermark are working together to execute the Ancient Plan, which will protect everyone this time. A lot of forces have been moving around as the event moves closer."
The stealth-type Pugilist held an uncharacteristic scholarly air as he explained this history. Yet, something peculiar caught Min's eye during this historical recalling.
Joseph didn't seem particularly bothered by the incoming catastrophe. The air didn't even tense when Min asked the question. On Planet Aquamarine, normal people would be anxious about a war between the Six Nation and Germinal Organization. But these guys were rather chill about an event that apparently destroyed every other civilization in the past.
Perhaps it was a one-off. After all, people reacted to disasters differently. Meng Min internally shook his head and kept this thought at the back of his mind before continuing the conversation.
"What're… "Ingla", "Genoch", and "Geilermark"? They don't seem like country names."
"They aren't. Ingla is the Great City, which colonized the entire planet after the Tide's energies receded. Some barbarians did interfere with our process… but they were eventually contained. They have been contained in this jungle for milennia but are still a problem- ah, I am getting off track. Genoch is the capital of the Grand Duchy of Aurivale, which owns this part of the continent. Geilermark is the capital of Gemaire, which broke away from Ingla tens of thousands of years ago."
Min's brows rose slightly at Joseph's tone when talking about the "barbarians". While it seemed that the citizens of this planet reflected their Victorian aesthetic, Min didn't want to immediately assume bad things about this person. So, curiously, he leaned toward the Brighton man and smiled amicably.
"Sorry for all the questions… But what are the "barbarians"? Were they the native population before Ingla colonized the planet's surface?"
A light, tense frown crossed Joseph's face while the two in front of them tensed slightly. The bridge of the rogueish Pugilist's nose wrinkled ever-so-slightly as he replied.
"According to scholarly observations, the Arcane Tide "creates" a new species that will develop intelligence every time the world is wiped. This phenomenon explains the Civilized Races' origins, like Humans and the Elves, but doesn't dismiss with each person's religious reasonings. The Civilized Races survived the previous Tide in Ingla, though, so maybe the magical energy made the "native" population more savage in response. They are basically walking mushrooms that will eat children who go too far into the rainforest. If you see one, kill it or run. Very few can actually operate with any functional intelligence."
After Joseph finished, Angela and Mark both looked back and nodded solemnly. On the surface, Min's mouth just opened slightly in awe of the new information, but he internally had a realization. If he heard a monster described like this in any bland Isekai world, he might accept it as true. But this world was a gray as Earth. Every civilization stood atop countless tragedies, and people couldn't be expected to reconcile every single one of them. Still, hearing the discolorization of a likely normal sapient species gave the Western-grown Meng Min strong culture shock.
However, he shook this internal reaction off. The American in him wanted to discuss this matter further, but he had no information nor any frame of reference from which to craft an argument. So, Min simply stuffed this matter into his heart and nodded slowly at the people before him.
"Hmm, that sounds pretty scary. I hope I have peaceful encounters with them."
After moving past this topic, the two spoke for a little longer about common information. As a few groups of adventurers walked by them along the way, Angela and their leaders simply exchanging glances.
Soon enough, an expanded clearing appeared in the distance whose far end had a peculiar veil. It was partially transparent and allowed for viewing into the rainforest's dim interior. This clearing was crowded with various camps and tents. A few groups clad in diverse armors, robes, and other gear sat around some campfires while chatting amongst themselves.
Most of the campers were far away from the entrance into the rainforest proper, making the clearing's entrance densely populated. Min's group stepped over many camps before chosing an area near the clearing's center that was very close to other groups.
Mark set down their things and began to build their "camp", setting up tents and taking out food. There was one communal firepit for every few groups. These fire pits were set up by random adventurers who were at the camp. While it seemed like a loss to those adventurers, the groups that used their communal firepit contributed to the flame's fuel, so it was often fine in the end. Everyone seemed to mostly get along even in the crowded camping space.
Many groups came in and out of the camp area. Fresh adventurers came from the clearing's entrance while exhausted ones left the veil's exit. Some groups temporarily camped before leaving while others intended to remain for the night. Despite all of this changing of people, there was a lively atmosphere about this place.
Perhaps a dozen minutes passed before Min saw Angela freeze up. Looking to where her gaze was, he saw a group of adventurers coming toward them. An irritating voice cut clear through the surrounding noisy conversations.
"Hey! What are you fools doing in my spot?"
The one who spoke an arrogant-looking, brown-haired man crossing his arms and looking down upon the group. His ethnic features were vaguely East Asian. A small entourage followed him- a scholarly Halfling; a tall, erotic Elf woman; and another Human male with a bulky physique.
Angela quickly stood with a frown. Her hands clenched at her sides- one gripping the staff harder.
"Jin! You can't keep trying to take our spots."
"Whatever, Angie. Just get moving before I call my Super friend on you."
Jin rolled his eyes before the shaking Angela. Before his response, however, he spotted Min. He haughtily stepped toward the Elf.
"Oh, who's this guy? Another debt-dog you picked up off the streets? Your kind really do travel in packs."
A smile that did not seem like a smile spread across Min's face. Who the hell was this asshole! He couldn't help but think that perhaps this was how his body's previous owner acted, given the texts between "friends" he casually read through on the way over.
Meng Min quickly stood and approached the taller man. He stared up at him with an overly diplomatic expression. The conflict drew a few gazes.
"This spot is, unfortunately, occupied. You will have to try your luck elsewhere, "friend". Take care."
Condescension dripped from Min's amicable-sounding tone. The arrogant man's face twitched. People rarely challenged him like this; especially with such a scary- ahem, experienced look. Jin got what looked like a business card from his pocket and flashed it to Min. It showed the picture of a guy who looked like a caveman and had some other written information on it.
"How dare you approach me like this! I know Barrel the Smasher, and he's a Grade E Pugilist who will mess you up! Don't think your arrogance can go unpunished, dog."
"He's a Super, eh? If that's what you're looking for… I can fill the part."
A small, invisible pressure emitted from the scarred Elf, attracting more attention from their surroundings. Shock took Jin's face as he backed up nervously with hands up, his troop following suit.
"I-I'm sorry for not realizing who you were, sir. Please forgive us."
Min was a little speechless at this guy's swap in attitude. This guy knew shamelessness well… clearing his throat, Min smiled at Jin.
"Thank you for being cooperative. But, before you go, one last thing-"
Min stepped forward and stuck a pointer finger up. When Jin inevitably paused, Min took a step forward. The smile remained on his face, but his gaze became cold with slight killing intent.
"Don't become some loose end that tries to get revenge. If I get the inkling that you will, I'll just kill you now. Got it?"
Allowing this clichè to develop would be disastrous, so he needed to squash that possibility as early as possible. The growing indignation in Jin, which had been exposed, made him both ashamed and angrier. However, the risk was too great for him to act now.
"Fine! We will leave you losers alone!"
With a huff, the angry man brought his group away and settled in another area. Our Great Farmer Min could only hope that this method worked. It looked like he'd need to be more cautious… the arrogant were truly annoying.
As for what he said? Min didn't really mean it- actually killing people was something he really didn't want to do more of, though it would happen for sure. But perhaps this kid would believe him and act smartly.
The Elf returned to his seat by the fire and went back to stirring the food pot. His teammates were looking at each other in tense relief. They didn't know that Min was a Super! Thinking back to their readiness to fight when they first met, an involuntary shiver crawled up their spine.
Meanwhile, Min frowned a little. Everyone was too tense now and it made things awkward. To continue the conversation, he sighed and stared at them incredulously.
"Does that happen a lot? I don't necessarily blame you since the strong can bully the weak, but it's still not fantastic."
Angela frowned deeply and sat next to Meng Min, crossing her arms.
"All we can do is avoid trouble. That is part of the risk we face every day as normal adventurers and normal people."
The Mage released an exhausted sigh. She stared into the crackling fire underneath the pot- the orange flame dancing dimly in her blue eyes. "Thank you for standing up to him, but don't try it again. There are going to be people who will use your naivety to put you in a bad situation. The rainforest life you've lived so far must be morally simple, but the civilization outside is complex. Keep your wits about you."
Meng Min glanced at the fire as well, his expression sympathetic.
"Speaking from experience, huh? Regardless, I did know that, but it's good to know that that caution is still quite applicable."
A scarred fist rose, ushering Angela into a fist bump. But she only glanced at it in confusion. Was this supposed to be an expression of support???
The woman's question-mark-filled face made Min chuckle. He brought his fist down to her hand and knocked it slightly.
"It's an expression of solidarity. No need to be so tense."
For the first time in what seemed to be a long time, this mage's emotions loosened into laughter. She returned the peculiar fist bump with a small smile across her face.
"You are truly ridiculous, Meng Min. Is that a comment you receive often?"
"...Yes, yes it is."
"But I thought you were an amnesiac."
"Hmph, I still remember some things!"
The Elf crossed his arms indignantly. Angela stared upon his face and decided to not push further. Just because they were now friendly didn't mean their guts had to be spilled. Perhaps that chapter could be opened when the times were better.
After talking for a little bit longer, the meal was ready. Everyone ate up and spoke for some time before heading to bed. They had a long day ahead of them tomorrow, after all.
…
A few days ago, on a Halmet Colonial planet.
Unlike the capital's gorgeous ivory architecture, this planet was built with standardized infrastructure. Colonial planets were often the dumping place of those who did not want to work and live off of welfare. As less developed areas, these planets sometimes retained a portion of their natural beauty. Some housing developers treated these worlds as a nature retreat for citizens on the higher tier worlds and thus created "luxury" hotels and apartments.
In a certain skyscraper apartment building, a tall, muscular man was resting in his luxury apartment. The recliner beneath him was made from authentic cow leather, a call back to a historical era in his home civilization. In fact, the entire room had a rustic aesthetic despite the high tech devices it held.
Upon his large lap was a communicator that projected a holographic screen at his eye level. The man's defined forearms flexed as he rubbed the bridge of his nose at the text he just received.
"Damnit, why did this happen again…"
The reason he could live so "lavishly" despite being from a planetary civilization was due to his job and the location. He unofficially worked under the Meng-Tsu Shai corporation in a group who dealt with the company's dirty laundry. Most of the time, he enjoyed the work, but there were a few tasks that made him unhappy. Wrangling spoiled brats was one of them.
Regardless, it paid well enough for him to live in relative luxury in an advanced civilization despite being a low-level Super. Even Grade C Supers back home had to work twice as hard for half the personal reward, so he couldn't help but secretly gloat.
Some would say that he was ungrateful and unpatriotic, but he was just pragmatic. The home society and himself had always butted heads, so trouble would have come eventually. It was better to leave the familiarity behind and work for people who valued him, even if most of the civilians in Halmetistan gave him weird looks on the streets. Anyway, lamenting wouldn't make the work go away, so he stood up from the recliner. In accordance with Halmet corporate tradition, he signed his name at the end of the message.
Brahm.