Chapter 73 · BMMAW

Chapter 73 

The Moment You Avoid Bedbugs, Rats Appear

Unlike Earth, where most land is covered with asphalt and human settlements, this world was made up mostly of mountains, forests, and open fields, with small pockets of human habitation scattered in between.

Even when the road wasn’t inside a forest, there were always trees lining the way—big ones, small ones. Occasionally, barren land or empty fields would appear.

Because of that, whenever they came across a village, even Juhwan felt a bit relieved. Lizzy and Dorothy’s eyes sparkled every time one appeared.

It really felt true—humans are social creatures.

They didn’t enter every village, but under the guidance of the Red Sword party, they stopped at one or two along the way to greet the village chiefs. These were places worth remembering—villages that didn’t overcharge too much, or at least had decent lodging and food.

As evening approached, another village came into view. That would be where they stayed for the night.

It looked similar to the others—surrounded by a weak fence that barely served a purpose, with farmland spread all around.

The gate was half open, likely left that way during the day. A few men came out to close it but spotted Juhwan and the Red Sword party, reopening it to let the wagon pass.

Juhwan was driving the wagon this time. As he guided it forward, he muttered,

“Is this really okay…? It’ll be a problem if there are bedbugs again.”

Lizzy giggled.

“Bedbugs are hard to avoid. Most places have them.”

Was she really okay with that?

Just thinking about last night made Juhwan scratch himself unconsciously. He could tolerate most things—but not bedbugs.

Earlier, during a break, he had asked the Red Sword party if it might be better to just sleep outside instead.

But they had insisted that, as adventurers, they needed to get used to villages. That was the only way to avoid being tricked in the future.

“No matter how well you dress, inexperience always shows.”

That was what Marie had said.

They had recommended better places, but even those could still overcharge someone who looked inexperienced.

This village, however, was supposed to be reliable. The Red Sword party stayed here occasionally. Apparently, they changed the straw bedding more often and kept things cleaner than most places.

Still… Juhwan wasn’t fully convinced.

Inside the village, the same familiar scene unfolded—the village chief and several men came out to greet them. Only the faces were different.

Juhwan and Lizzy exchanged a glance.

They both seemed to be thinking the same thing.

Lizzy shrank her shoulders slightly and smiled, and Juhwan smiled back.

For a brief moment, he felt strangely moved.

So this is what it feels like to understand each other without words…

The price was one small coin each for a house and a barn. It was slightly expensive, but since hay for the horses was included, it ended up being quite cheap overall.

Horse feed at city inns had been surprisingly expensive.

So this was actually a good deal.

Still—nothing in this world was free.

When Karin asked for hot water bottles, the chief said they would be provided later at night.

Karin turned to Juhwan and Lizzy.

“Alright, then let’s unpack—”

“Sorry, but we’ll sleep in the barn tonight.”

“…Are you sure?”

“It’s fine. This is all part of the experience.”

Karin, Jessie, and Marie looked at each other—then laughed.

“Seems like you really hated the bedbugs. This place should be better, though.”

Still smiling, Karin agreed.

The Red Sword party headed toward the house with worn blankets.

Lizzy glanced up at Juhwan, her expression slightly thoughtful.

“What is it?”

“…Nothing.”

It felt like she had wanted to say something but held back.

Juhwan didn’t press further.

The barn was fairly clean.

One side was piled high with hay, while the other had a goat and several chickens wandering around.

The village chief chuckled softly when he saw Dorothy and Oz sitting on her head.

“A horned rabbit… I’ve only seen one once when I was young. It’s rare to see a child carrying a magical beast like that.”

“It’s Oz! Dad found him when he was hurt!”

“Oh? Then you must be close.”

“Yes! Oz is my best friend. He’s my little brother!”

The chief laughed warmly.

It was the first time Juhwan had seen someone in this world treat a child with such affection.

It made him feel… unexpectedly good.

Night fell.

The barn was colder than expected.

Cold air seeped through the walls somehow, even though they were clearly there.

Juhwan sighed.

Did I make the wrong choice…?

But Lizzy and Dorothy looked happy, buried in the hay.

They ate a simple meal, and the chief later brought them some warm vegetable soup.

“It’s nothing special, but you have a child.”

He glanced at Dorothy with a gentle expression.

“My granddaughter passed away not long ago… She was about that age.”

Juhwan said nothing, but nodded quietly.

When it was time to sleep, they lay down on the hay.

At first, it seemed fine.

But deep into the night—

Something started moving near their feet.

Scratching. Scurrying. Fast.

Something was crawling beneath the hay.

The straw shifted slightly.

Juhwan froze.

Then suddenly shot up.

Lizzy hesitated before speaking.

“…They’re rats. There are always rats in barns. I thought maybe you just didn’t realize…”

“….”

Rats.

Sleeping with rats.

Juhwan felt a chill run down his spine.

Without another word, he picked up the sleeping Dorothy and left the barn with Lizzy.

Just like the previous night, they ended up sleeping in the wagon.

The next morning—

When Juhwan stepped out of the wagon, the Red Sword women burst into laughter.

“….”

At this point, he made a decision.

Next time, either sleep outside… or just stay in the wagon.

Villages were not worth it.

***

Before becoming a bandit, he had been an ordinary farmer.

But last year, he failed to pay his poll tax and had to flee his village.

The six men beside him had done the same.

All but one had been driven out for the same reason.

That one had lost his wife to the village chief, fought back, and was beaten and expelled.

If he had stayed, he would’ve been framed as a criminal anyway.

At first, they joined another bandit group.

But they couldn’t fit in.

That group killed travelers, assaulted women, even murdered children.

“….”

They ran away in the middle of the night.

Barely escaped.

And eventually—formed their own group.

They called themselves the Farmer Bandits.

He became their leader.

But they had never successfully robbed anyone.

Whenever they tried—

The targets were women.

Or children.

Or people too strong to fight.

Or armed adventurers.

They always hesitated.

But now—

They were starving.

Truly starving.

“If we fail again, let’s just die together.”

“We don’t even need to try. We’ll starve anyway.”

“This time, no holding back.”

“Yeah… no more hesitation.”

They hid among the trees.

This road forced travelers through it.

It was the perfect place for an ambush.

Then—

They saw them.

A wagon.

And another behind it.

“…That looks dangerous.”

“There are two…”

“…What should we do?”

“…Should we just block them?”

They had already prepared a shallow trap across the road.

It would force the wagon to stop.

But with two vehicles…

It could cause an accident.

Someone might get hurt.

Maybe even a child.

The leader clenched his fists.

His hands trembled.

But he made the decision.

“Alright. Let’s go.”

The seven men rushed out together.

Weapons raised.

They shouted in unison—

“Stop!”

“We are bandits!”

“Hand over your goods and we won’t kill you!”

The front wagon stopped abruptly.

The one behind it halted as well.

No one seemed hurt.

But then—

Something felt wrong.

The woman driving the front wagon shouted—

“You bastards!”

The women on the wagon jumped down.

Weapons drawn.

Not afraid at all.

The bandit leader felt it immediately.

Something was very, very wrong