Chapter 379.1
“I’ve heard that among wandering tribes, marriages typically occur within the tribe,” Eugene remarked. Additionally, the absence of clan markings on a child signifies their upbringing outside of the wandering lifestyle. Eugene couldn’t help but recall the wanderer brought to court by King Akil and Myung King. He imagined that wanderer, much like the one Pered had encountered years ago, choosing to conceal their survival from their clan.
“There are likely numerous wanderers who feign death, seeking refuge in various corners of the world,” Pered continued his narrative. “Corin possessed a remarkable talent. She was nurturing a monkey, which was actually a Hwansu.”
Such a revelation defied conventional wisdom, prompting disbelief unless witnessed firsthand. Pered couldn’t help but chuckle at the astonished expressions of the royal couple. Reflecting on his past actions, he realized how foolish he must have appeared.
“My pursuit of the Hwansu was merely a pretext. Corin adamantly refused to let the monkey be captured, leading me on countless excursions up the mountain to negotiate and satisfy my curiosity about her ability to tame the creature.”
Looking back, Pered understood that the Hwansu was merely a means to engage in mental sparring with Corin rather than a genuine hunting target. Each outing filled him with an inexplicable excitement, relishing the company of someone who treated him as an equal. Pered reminisced, recognizing that those moments were the most vibrant in his life.
“As a result, I found myself acquainted with Corin’s parents and familiarized myself with their family dynamics. These three families resided deep within the mountains, isolated from external interaction. While they had once been nomadic, never settling in one location for more than a year, they had now called this mountain home for over five years.”
“Thanks to the Hwansu’s territorial domain…” Eugene interjected, prompting a nod from Pered.
“That’s when it dawned on me,” Pered continued. “The Hwansu’s territory could provide protection not only from predators but also from the dangers posed by larks.”
While it was common knowledge that Hwansus laid claim to territories, it was typically viewed in terms of the creature’s strength, with people venturing into these domains solely for hunting purposes.