Chapter 187: Foresight
“Do you think this place will recover after we leave?” Nesha asked, her voice tinged with uncertainty.
“Sure.” Percy shrugged.
Micky rarely hunted the Red or Orange beasts of the swamp. He only ever indulged in them if he failed to find something else to eat. The lower-grade animals vastly outnumbered the Yellow variants too, so the ecosystem should bounce back within a few years. At least, Percy hoped it would.
After all, the bog wasn’t just a patch of wilderness. It was a cornerstone of the town’s fragile economy. While Percy and Nesha’s exploits had brought the townsfolk peace and safety – a pair of arguably more important commodities – that did little for their bleeding pockets.
Even after uncovering the truth behind the mysterious ‘guardian spirit’, fear kept the residents away from the swamp. Nobody in their right mind would dare place themselves between two warring Houses for a couple coins. Besides, even if they were braver, there weren’t that many resources here anymore.
Soon, Percy and Nesha pushed into a part of the bog untouched by human hands. The dense undergrowth felt primal, each gnarled branch and mossy root a barrier against intruders. Even Micky avoided this area – not out of fear, but indifference. The swamp trolls that dwelled here were mostly Reds and Oranges, which didn’t make for great snacks.
Still, collectively, the creatures were more dangerous than any lone Yellow beast. This was why predators and humans alike tended to leave this place alone, even before Percy’s group came along.
“Why are we here again?” Nesha asked.
“Call it curiosity.” Percy replied, sidestepping her question.