Chapter 89
The conflict between the "People of Rich Body Hair" and the "People with Smooth Skin" began over how to manage the water source.
The "People of Rich Body Hair," who claimed territory near the water source, and the "People with Smooth Skin," who traditionally needed less water, had long lived peacefully without conflict.
That peace was broken when the water source flooded a few years ago. The "People of Rich Body Hair," having lost members in the flood, began to distance themselves from the water. Meanwhile, the "People with Smooth Skin" also moved slightly away from the water source. Though they didn't need much water, they couldn't survive without it. Naturally, their living spaces began to overlap excessively.
It started with disputes over hunting prey. The "People with Smooth Skin" were chasing prey that the "People of Rich Body Hair" ended up killing. Neither the chaser nor the killer would yield. Frustrations about their living spaces erupted alongside such disputes.
The "People with Smooth Skin" insisted on returning near the water, while the "People of Rich Body Hair" declared that if they did, they wouldn't be allowed to use the water anymore.
It didn't take long for both sides to become so enraged that they couldn't even tolerate each other's existence.
***
Nesheleka, a daughter of the "People with Smooth Skin," was close friends with Goltgo, a boy from the "People of Rich Body Hair."
Both races had moderates who kept discussing ways to coexist without fighting. When tensions escalated, Nesheleka's parents and Goltgo's father left their respective groups along with like-minded individuals. The moderates came together to live as one.
The "People with Smooth Skin" were resilient to dryness and skilled at hunting. The "People of Rich Body Hair" were strong and knowledgeable in farming. If they cooperated, both could lead better lives. However, to those who could no longer forgive the other side, such ideas seemed bizarre.
"Apparently, they're planning to attack us before they destroy each other."
"Are you sure?"
"Yeah. Galalan's younger brother came to warn us. Galalan's father wants to wipe you all out, but Galalan and his group are against it. It's troubling."
"Then maybe we should abandon this land after all."
It wasn't like this was the only inhabitable water source. If they were still seen as enemies even after distancing themselves, maybe they should move even farther away.
But Goltgo's father didn't agree with Nesheleka's father's words.
"We'll be fine. But can we really send the children on a journey without direction?"
"......Would that be reckless?"
"Yeah. At the very least, Goltgo and Nesheleka need to grow strong enough to endure the journey."
"What if they attack before that happens?"
Nesheleka's father had a point. Fighting wasn't impossible. They prided themselves on being among the strongest of their race. But the difference in numbers was insurmountable.
Even if they survived being attacked by many, it would be meaningless if their families and friends didn't survive.
"Should we strike first?"
"Can you kill your own kind? I can't."
"If it were the other way around... No, that wouldn't work either."
"Yeah. If you did that, I don't think I could forgive you. You feel the same, don't you?"
"I do."
They just wanted to live peacefully and quietly. Why wouldn't they be left alone? Should they flee before being attacked, or should they attack first?
The debate, without conclusion, seemed likely to continue for a while.
***
Even young ones could tell the adults were having serious discussions night after night. Children who couldn't help with hunting or farming would go out daily with expecting youths to gather food in a manageable way.
While picking berries and sprouts, they talked about the adults' discussions.
"Goltgo, I want us to grow up quickly."
"What are you talking about, Nesheleka? You won't grow up unless you eat a lot and sleep a lot."
Nesheleka thought Goltgo might grow up faster because he was so strong.
She plucked a naprika sprout at her feet. The burning sensation that numbed the tongue was delicious.
Then, in the distance, they heard a loud crashing sound. When she looked at Goltgo, he also had a puzzled expression.
"Is it Azargan's mating season?"
"But the rainy season is still far off. And... that sound is intense. Is Azargan going wild?"
"No way. No one around here would go near an Azargan."
With armor tough enough to repel spears and a body so massive you had to look up to see it. Even Nesheleka's father, an experienced hunter, wouldn't approach an Azargan.
Then, from the direction of the crashing sound, they saw an adult running toward them. Maybe it was a foolish hunter who had angered an Azargan.
That's what she thought, until she saw the adult. They looked strange. Just as she opened her mouth to ask who it was, the adult scooped up Nesheleka and turned to run.
"Huh?"
"Nesheleka!"
She didn't even have time to cry out in shock. Nesheleka was picked up and taken away.
***
"Hey, who are you?"
"〇×▽!"
She couldn't understand a word the person was saying.
They had body hair like the "People of Rich Body Hair," skin similar to the "People with Smooth Skin," and yet it was flabby. From the neck down, they wore something unlike any animal hide.
Nesheleka was at a loss. Not only was her neck being restrained, but she had no idea what the person wanted.
After running for a while, the adult shouted at someone who wasn't her.
"△×〇〇!"
"××......"
One of them looked a lot like the adult holding her. The other was as big as an Azargan, with what looked like even tougher armor.
Strangely, the adult holding her seemed to be hostile toward the similar-looking one. They looked at her and smiled. Somehow, she wasn't scared.
***
What Nesheleka saw was a battle straight out of a fantasy. The one as big as an Azargan was far stronger than her father. Yet the similar-looking adult was even stronger, not letting the big one get close at all.
When stones were thrown, the Azargan-like creature fled in panic. Even when it charged, it was blocked by some strange barrier.
Its armor, supposedly tougher than an Azargan's, was shredded, and its bodily fluids were leaking. Still, the Azargan-like creature didn't lose its will to fight.
"Who are you people?"
But no one answered Nesheleka's question.
The strongest adult occasionally looked her way. Her father had taught her never to take her eyes off the prey while fighting. But this adult didn't seem to care. Maybe when the power gap is that big, it doesn't matter. But again, no one answered her questions.
The battle ended abruptly.
A floating rock appeared in the sky. The Azargan-like creature and the adult holding her approached it.
"〇×〇"
"××!"
"〇〇△"
They exchanged incomprehensible words. Suddenly, the arm restraining her let go. When she looked back, the adult was glaring at her with a troubled, angry expression, but didn't try to catch her again.
She looked at the strongest adult. Their gaze was gentle, like her father's. She slowly backed away from the three. No one tried to follow.
She hid behind a tree and looked back.
To her surprise, when the rock glowed, the Azargan-like creature and the adult who had held her floated into the air.
The two were swallowed by the rock, which then ascended into the sky with a strange motion.
Nesheleka wondered if she might be dreaming and pinched under her chin.
It tickled. Apparently, it wasn't a dream.