Hacking the Game Didn't Go as Intended

CHAPTER 76: Homecoming Festivities

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The overseer from the mountain awoke to find himself laying in the middle of an unfamiliar road. His body was still aching from the mob justice he had been served, and his head still had steaming lumps, but his body was whole.

Visibly relieved, he pushed to feet with a nasty grin and vowed his revenge. He couldn't contain the joy he felt at the thought of what the Mhaledictus would do to the Beastfolk village once they got wind of what had transpired.

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The man was so engrossed in his thoughts that he didn't notice the arrival of a carriage.

"Well, look what we've got here," said the coachman with a mischievous grin. "Free merchandise."

In response to the ridiculous declaration, a group of slave traders exited the carriage with their equipment. Their expressions were jaded as they stalked their newly acquired prey with a confidence that hinted at years of experience in the field.

The former overseer took a cowardly step back, his face growing pale at the sight of the cuffs and fetters. Each rattle of the chains made his heart skip a beat. "I-I work for the Mhaledictus! They're the most powerful organization in the western hemisphere! If you mess with me, you mess with them! And don't think that the guilds will be enough to protect you from their wrath!"

The man regurgitated the same line he had used on Daisuke and the others, but the threat fell on deaf ears. He squealed like a pig as his battered and bruised form was engulfed in the shadows of the encroaching men.

Just until a few minutes ago, he was among them—a predator perceiving the world from their perspective—but, at the flip of a coin, the roles were now revered. Now he was prey; now he would have to endure the pain and suffering he had inflicted on countless people without remorse. Now, in an ironic and tragic twist of gate, he had become a slave.

***

Much to the astonishment of Daisuke, Whindel, and the others, Elmridge village came into clear view from a considerable distance away, indicating the current inactivity of the barrier. This discovery left them perplexed, especially considering Timartha's steadfast commitment to maintaining the village's concealment at all times.

Filled with concern for the villagers' safety, a palpable sense of urgency propelled the group forward. As they approached the mound-shaped houses, they noted the path leading into the village was littered with the charred, smoking remains of numerous demons, painting a grim picture of recent events.

Beyond the carnage, a tiny wolf pup could be seen laying on its back in the grass that hadn't been scorched by fire. The canine was receiving the royal treatment from the children—being fanned, hand-fed, and indulged with belly rubs, a privilege usually reserved for dignitaries and kings.

This spectacle left the approaching group dumbfounded. Against the backdrop of widespread destruction, a man, his face pale and panicked, shouted, "It's the Demon King! He's holding our children hostage!"

The mere mention of such a formidable and sinister figure sent the group spiraling into a comical, hopeless frenzy.

"Oh, that's actually—"

Daisuke, trying to dispel the misunderstanding, couldn't get a word in before Whindel intervened. "We can't possibly ask you to do any more for us," the man insisted, sporting a bitter yet grateful smile. "Men!" he bellowed to the group, "Prepare for combat! While we were in chains, our people defended our home alone! Now is our chance to atone for that disgrace!"

Despite Elena, Rexar, and Milo's attempts to quell the misunderstanding that had engulfed their kin, the flames of confusion had grown so large they were practically visible, adding a touch of absurdity to the dire situation.