Author's POV
A small group of five humans approached the monster village, their steps steady despite the dense forest surrounding them. The leader, a young merchant wearing a wide-brimmed hat, walked confidently at the front, her companions trailing slightly behind her with the wagon in tow.
"My lady," said one of the women, her hand resting lightly on the hilt of her sword, "we're nearing the monster village."
"Is that so?" the merchant replied without slowing her pace. "Prepare yourselves, but remember—we're here to trade, not to fight."
"Yes, ma'am!" the other four responded in unison, though their wary glances at the shadows around them showed they didn't entirely believe peace was guaranteed.
The merchant adjusted her hat, her face calm but unreadable. Her focus was clear: reach the village and maintain the delicate relationship she'd built with its residents.
As for why? That's a story for later...
---
In the heart of the monster village, tension was brewing.
Scarface, the co-leader of the village, stood at the center of a gathering, including Gorn, Grumpy, Boulder, and Tink. Around them, imps, lizardmen, and other creatures whispered anxiously.
"The humans are back!" the lizardman scout announced, its tail flicking nervously. "There's still only five of them, but they're close!"
Gorn frowned, his hands clenching together. "What are they doing here so early? This isn't the time we agreed on!"
Scarface let out a low growl, his massive arms crossed over his chest.
"Doesn't matter. Stick to the plan. We meet them, hear them out, and if anything goes wrong—" He swung his heavy club over his shoulder. "We defend the village."
The crowd of monsters murmured in agreement, though some looked uneasy.
Boulder leaned against a nearby hut, his massive form relaxed but his eyes watchful. "Better hope they're here to trade like last time," he rumbled.
Grumpy shifted uncomfortably, his usual scowl deepening. "Boss isn't here to back us up if this goes bad," he muttered. "She'd know what to say to keep this from turning ugly."
"We don't need her for this," Scarface snapped. "We've handled worse."
Tink, crouched near a pile of shiny scraps, waved a small gadget in the air. "If they try anything funny, I've got this!" he piped up.
Scarface rolled his eyes. "Just don't blow yourself up, Tink."
---
The merchant party reached the edge of the village and stopped. The merchant herself stepped forward, tilting her hat back slightly to get a better view of the clearing ahead.
"Scarface! Gorn!" she called out, her voice steady and confident. "It's me. We're here to trade."
The monsters gathered nervously as Scarface and Gorn stepped into view. Scarface's towering frame was as intimidating as ever, but he didn't reach for his weapon. Gorn, however, looked suspicious, his sharp eyes darting to the merchant's companions.
"You're early," Scarface said gruffly. "What's the rush?"
"We found some items I thought you might like," the merchant replied smoothly. She gestured to the wagon. "Rare spices and fabrics from the eastern cities. Thought you'd want first pick before they're gone."
Scarface raised an eyebrow but didn't respond immediately. Gorn, however, narrowed his eyes. "And you just happened to think of us? You humans aren't exactly known for your generosity for us."
"Business is business," the merchant said with a shrug. "I get a better deal from you than I do from the city markets. Besides, you promised something in equal exchange, no? That's already 100 times better than back in the city!"
Gorn still suspicous, murmured. "That may be true, but still, why?"
Scarface sighed and stepped aside. "Fine. Show us what you've got."
The merchant nodded and motioned for her companions to follow. They moved cautiously, setting down packs filled with goods in the center of the clearing. The monsters began to gather, curiosity slowly replacing their wariness.
But just as the merchant opened the blanket covering the wagon, a deep, guttural roar echoed through the forest.
Everyone froze.
"What was that?" one of the merchant's companions asked, her hand instinctively going to her sword.
The answer came in the form of a massive, spiked beast crashing through the trees. Its glowing red eyes locked onto the clearing, and it let out another deafening roar before charging.
"That's not one of ours!" Gorn shouted, his voice high with panic.
Scarface didn't hesitate. "Lizardmen, flank it! Imps, distract it from a distance! Boulder, keep it away from the humans!"
The monsters leapt into action, their previous tension forgotten as they worked together to defend their home.
The merchant's party quickly joined the fray. While the merchant stayed back, her companions drew their weapons and fought alongside the monsters. If others heard this, they'd think it was absurd, after all, humans and monsters fought side by side, united against a common threat? Hardly believable.
Tink scrambled around the edges of the chaos, frantically setting up his gadget. "Almost done! Just keep it busy!"
Grumpy, however, stood frozen at the edge of the clearing. His usual gruff demeanor was replaced by a look of fear.
"This is bad... real bad..." he muttered, his eyes darting to the forest where their leader had disappeared days ago and the side of the forest where monsters kept coming from.
Scarface noticed his hesitation and barked, "Grumpy! Get it together! We need you!"
But Grumpy didn't move. His fists clenched as he looked toward the sky, his voice trembling as he shouted,
"Boss, come back soon!"
---
The battle continued, chaos erupting in every corner of the village. But Grumpy's voice hung in the air, a reminder of the one they were all waiting for—the one who had promised to guide them through moments like this.
And down south, the "Boss" felt worried, which made her want to return faster!