Jei sucked in a small puff of air from his pipe. Even with the sun still out, the winter chill was not far away.
Leaning back against the tree, he scratched his scruffy beard, waiting patiently for prey.
"Oi, Chief… think anyone's gonna come today?"
He glanced at the speaker—a fire moth man with a small, jittery face.
Jei sneered. "Adventurers are all about making money and forging their legend. Who else would head toward the Badlands?"
"The ruins and dungeons in this region are close to a death zone. So they've got some nice trinkets," the fire moth man grinned, swinging his sword lazily.
"Hehe... and if some of them pass by here, we'll be here to take their stuff."
Raising his head to the trees, he called out, "Ain't that right, boys?"
"Ahhh yeah."
"Bring it on—hahah!"
Came the responses of several men hidden high among the branches.
