Standing in front of the entrance of the village surrounded by sturdy log walls, Sharti exchanged glances with Ren.

‘It’ll be fine.’

In a reassurance not to be afraid, Sharti took a step ahead of Ren.

The entrance of the village, visible from the misty mountains, was grand, but Sharti walked forward without any sign of hesitation.

Though she felt the observing gaze, there was not a single human shadow in sight.

‘If they were going to drive me away, they would have thrown stones at the entrance like last time.’

Rather, the atmosphere seemed to invite her to enter the village.

Sharti walked into the village slowly.

“Master.”

Ren followed behind Sharti, addressing her with a respectful title.

Ren, following Sharti’s careful instructions, didn’t wander around the village or roll his eyes.

‘It feels strange after a long time.’

Sharti swallowed dry saliva.

As the surveillance gaze stuck to her, the robe felt heavier. The air still seemed to carry enmity towards outsiders.

With Ren behind her, it felt relatively bearable, knowing she wasn’t alone this time.

‘Ren must find it difficult.’

It could be a somewhat uncomfortable atmosphere for Ren, who suffered from amnesia.

What was familiar to her might be stifling and depressing for Ren.

Unable to suppress her sympathy, Sharti glanced back.

“Why are you like this?”

Ren seemed fine. He looked composed without any change in complexion, expression, or breath.

It seemed as if he was indifferent to others’ gazes and the surrounding atmosphere.

In fact, it appeared familiar, stable, and indifferent.

Thanks to this, Sharti also relaxed.

“Teacher.”

Not long after, Ashu appeared in front of the two.

Not only Ashu but also several rough-looking villagers were with him.

“We trusted and waited. Thank you so much for coming.”

Ashu smiled broadly, his eyes behind the glasses conveying anxiety and joy.

However, Sharti and Ren felt both uneasiness and delight in Ashu’s gaze.

However, Sharti couldn’t find the patient immediately.

“….”

Behind Ashu stood an old man with a strong presence.

It was due to this white-haired old man that Ren felt the impulse to block Sharti’s way.

Ren, tensing his muscles in response to the increasing tension, raised his head slightly as he felt the old man’s gaze.

Intentionally, he was showing his uncovered face without any special measures.
It was necessary to display an attitude that would not be intimidated by the sudden appearance of an unexpected assistant.

“Teacher.”

As if on cue, Ashu’s grandfather turned his gaze away from Ren and opened his mouth toward Sharti.

His weak voice unexpectedly sounded sharp.

“Can the teacher cure our village’s illness?”

In just one word, strong distrust and wariness were conveyed.

“If you can’t cure it, the teacher won’t be able to leave this village. If you do cure it, you might not be able to leave the village as you please.”

Ashu’s grandfather, sweeping his long beard, looked at Sharti.

“If you’re going to leave, it has to be now.”

Was this a threat?

Ren’s lips twisted.

To them, the existence of the village was more important than the patients in the village.

“Master.”

Ren called Sharti, who remained silent.

It meant they should just leave this village, no matter what happened.

But Sharti responded by tightly holding Ren’s hand.

Ren, who was taking a deep breath while staring straight ahead, stole a glance at Sharti.

It felt strange that she should believe only in herself, and an uncomfortable sensation ran from her spine to her chest.

While Ren, struggling with unknown symptoms, Sharti took out a note and handed it to Ashu.

“Over there!”

Ashu, who couldn’t bear the thought that Sharti might turn around immediately, stepped forward.

The white eyebrows of the white-haired old man flickered.

“You’re staying?”

Sharti stood tall, nodding confidently.

“Many naive people believe that occasional rudeness is a sign of goodwill. Do as you wish.”

With that, Ashu’s grandfather, supported by the villagers, left.

Ren, looking at the receding old man, clicked his tongue inwardly.

More than expected, they seemed to be individuals with more twisted humanity than what Sharti had heard from them.

Their behavior, indifferent beyond rudeness to someone who came a long way to save lives, was not just a threat.

“Teacher, let me apologize on his behalf.”

Ashu cautiously spoke, observing Sharti’s expression.

“Father was convinced, but Grandfather is very strict about village rules….”

To Ren, Ashu’s excuse sounded feeble.

Ren wanted to mock whether rules were more important than human lives, but Sharti was holding his hand, suppressing his temper.

Sharti shook the note again, unsurprised by the expected response.

Ashu quickly guided her to the patients.

“Yes. We suspect it’s some kind of infectious disease. Even though isolation seems futile, it doesn’t seem to be a contagious disease.”

Ashu explained that they had isolated the patients, including residents who had not interacted for a while.