Chapter 13: Suffocation

Nagu curled up nervously inside the large wooden box in the house, hugging her legs. The person who had called Hamoyin from under the tree sounded like a woman. Nagu brushed aside the fur that was pressing against her head. Was she a woman from the tribe? What did she want with Hamoyin?

Remembering the attitude of the two fur thieves towards Hamoyin, Nagu felt a bit worried. Although she knew eavesdropping wasn’t good, she still pressed her ear against the wall of the box to listen to the sounds outside. Hamoyin seemed to be saying something, but she couldn’t make out the words through the wooden planks.

After a while, it became quiet outside. Then Nagu felt the box she was hiding in shaking slightly, and the voices outside became much clearer.

Hamoyin had brought the woman into the house!

For some reason, Nagu felt guilty, like a thief. Driven by this feeling, she curled up even tighter, trying to bury herself under the clutter in the box.

“The preparations for this season’s ritual have been moved up.”

It was the unfamiliar woman’s voice, speaking in a very unfriendly, commanding tone. “The chief wants you to give me the offerings now. Honestly, I have to come and get them myself.”

“Oh.”

“Also, the chief insists you attend this ceremony. Although I don’t see the need for a monster like you to be there, the chief said so. You should consider it.”

“I understand.”

That tone… Nagu felt very suffocated. Why did the people in this tribe dislike Hamoyin so much but still allow him to live here? Does that make sense? And what were the offerings the woman mentioned? Furs?

Hamoyin had mentioned before that complete animal skins were used in rituals.

Wait, if they needed furs, wouldn’t they come over and open the box!?

Cold sweat started to form on Nagu’s forehead. Damn, she should have hidden somewhere else. What should she do now? Panicking alone, Nagu began to cover herself with the items in the box, placing the fur on top in an attempt to blend in.

After she thought she was fully prepared, no one approached the box.

Nagu held her breath and listened to the sounds outside. Why wasn’t the woman speaking? She couldn’t hear Hamoyin either. What were they doing? Weren’t they supposed to be handing over the offerings?

Somewhat anxious, Nagu pressed her ear against the wooden box wall again, and then she heard a faint… muffled groan?

It was Hamoyin, Hamoyin making a muffled groan as if enduring pain.

Now Nagu was completely flustered. What on earth was happening outside?? Why was Hamoyin in pain?

Because she was so puzzled and worried, after a few seconds of deep contemplation, Nagu gently lifted the wooden box lid slightly, creating a narrow gap for her to peek outside. The first thing she saw was that woman with the harsh tone. She was a tall, voluptuous woman with light brown skin. Her white, curly hair was piled up at the back of her head, and her hair and neck were adorned with butterfly wings and peacock green scales. Her upper body was completely exposed to the air, and strange patterns were painted on her face, arms, and exposed breasts with golden paint. No wonder Hamoyin didn’t react at all when he saw her exposed chest while applying medicine to her before. It seems he has gotten used to it.

Nagu watched as the woman’s chest swayed like a water bag.

“Uh…”

This faint cry of pain came from Hamoyin, who was sitting cross-legged in front of the woman. He took off the upper part of his clothes, revealing the scales on his back. The woman, without any hesitation, reached out and began to pluck his scales.

Nagu watched with her mouth half-open as blood flowed down Hamoyin’s back wound, pooling into a small puddle on the floor.

“Tsk, so dirty.” The woman finally forcefully yanked off a scale near Hamoyin’s neck, then shook the blood off her hand. “You better heal your back quickly. We need ten scales for the next ritual.”

“Uh…” Hamoyin replied weakly, then stood up unsteadily and walked over to grab the ointment. After getting the item, the woman quickly left the treehouse, as if she couldn’t bear to stay there for another second.

“Ha, Hamoyin!” After confirming the woman had completely left, Nagu hurriedly lifted the wooden box lid and climbed out, stumbling towards Hamoyin. “Are you okay?? What on earth is going on!”

Hamoyin frowned, his forehead covered in sweat from the pain. “I’m fine.”

“Fine? There’s blood everywhere…” Nagu circled around to check Hamoyin’s wound. His scales extended from the back of his neck, where his hair and skin met, down his back.

The scales didn’t cover his entire back; they only grew along his spine, extending down into his pants. Nagu wasn’t sure if there were scales on his legs.

“Let me help you clean up. Sit down first.” Nagu looked at Hamoyin’s pale face, extremely worried. “Tell me what to do, and I’ll do it.”

“Clean the blood, then apply this…” Hamoyin pointed to a small clay jar on the stone table. “That’s all.”

“Okay, got it!”

After washing the blood off with clean water, Nagu saw the full extent of Hamoyin’s back. Besides the new wounds from today, there were dozens of other wounds. The skin not covered by scales was an unhealthy reddish-purple as if bitten by poisonous insects. The scales around these wounds were all pale yellow, some growing abnormally. Only the scales near his neck looked healthy. The woman had taken only the healthy scales today.

“Usually,” Nagu asked with a complex expression, looking at the wounds, “doesn’t it hurt?”

“It’s bearable.”

So it does hurt. Nagu carefully applied the medicine to Hamoyin’s wounds. “Why does that woman take your scales? Is that what she means by offerings?”

“Yes.”

“Does she come to take your scales every time there’s a ritual? And those peacock green decorations on them, are they your scales too?”

“Not all of them.”

Thinking of the woman’s disdainful expression while taking Hamoyin’s scales, Nagu felt angry. “Why do they do this? It’s too much…”

“It’s nothing. I want to live in human territory, so I give them these things in exchange.” Hamoyin stared blankly at a spot.

“Do you have to live here? Don’t you have your own kind? Can’t you go to them?” Nagu felt a tightness in her chest looking at Hamoyin’s scales. If even Hamoyin felt pain, it must be excruciating.

“I can only live here. There’s nowhere else to go.” After Nagu finished applying the medicine, Hamoyin slowly stood up.

“There’s no point in asking these questions, don’t ask anymore.”