The sudden reply made Layla pause and wipe her tears, turning curiously to the officer.

  “Someone else?” she asked, puzzled.

  Inwardly, she wondered: Does that mean all of this… was done by a single person?

  Before the officer could elaborate, a sharp reprimand cut through the air.

  “Jimmy! What nonsense are you spouting? Get back to maintaining order—stop idling about!”

  The voice belonged to a senior officer, his expression stern and disapproving. Clearly, he was unhappy with Jimmy’s loose tongue.

  Chastised, Jimmy lowered his head and quickly slipped away, not daring to protest.

  Layla watched him go, her tear-brimmed eyes glimmering with quiet curiosity.

  “I wonder who could be capable of such a feat,” she murmured. “Whoever it was… he must truly be a hero.”

  Mrs. Deli, having overheard the brief exchange, came to the same conclusion. She offered her unreserved praise to the mysterious savior.

  The town’s jubilation lasted nearly a full day and night.

  Dood bustled with celebration—it was as if the whole town had entered a festival. Some parents, hoping to comfort their frightened children, took them shopping and allowed them to choose anything they wished.

  They had expected an extravagant expense, yet to their surprise, every rescued child reacted in the same strange way.

  Those who had been abducted now recoiled from unfamiliar faces and objects, clinging silently to their parents’ arms. No matter how gently they were coaxed, they refused to speak, burying their faces deeper into the safety of familiar embraces.

  The parents’ hearts ached at the sight, though they told themselves it was simply the lingering shock—and that, with time, their children would recover.

  A new morning dawned over Bayek.

  After breakfast, Glen patiently explained the day’s tasks to Laville. This time, the curly-haired boy listened with remarkable attentiveness—the lesson of hunger had clearly done its job.

  Satisfied that the boy’s rebellious streak had been curbed, Glen hitched up the deer cart and set off toward Dood Town.

  There was still a door to replace at Mrs. Ryan’s house, and he wanted to finish early—perhaps even take a look around for a good location to open his own shop.

  With Deva’s testimony to back him, he felt cautiously confident about the venture’s prospects.

  Lost in thought, he hardly noticed when the cart entered the town. Regaining focus, he oriented himself and steered toward Mrs. Ryan’s residence.

  As he neared the familiar home, he spotted her in the distance, carrying a basket back from the market.

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  “Mrs. Ryan!” Glen called warmly, leaping from the cart and striding over with an easy smile.

  “Ah, Glen—you’re early today. I’m sorry to trouble you again.”

  She had always liked this young man—earnest, capable, yet humble. So unlike many his age. And he had once saved her husband’s life; gratitude only deepened her affection.

  If only I had a daughter, she thought wistfully. I’d make certain this fine boy became my son-in-law.

  “Earning money isn’t a burden, it’s motivation,” Glen shrugged lightly.

  “Well said! Haha…” she chuckled, taking two golden fruits from her basket and pressing them into his hand. “Here—egg yolk fruit. Sweet and rich. Try them.”

  “Thank you,” Glen said, accepting them without hesitation. The fruit was native to this world; he knew from memory it was indeed delicious.

  “I’ll replace the door first, ma’am—I’ve a few other things to handle afterward.”

  “Of course, but shouldn’t you measure it first?”

  “No need. I checked yesterday. All your doors are the same size.”

  As they chatted, Glen unloaded the door, hammer, nails, and hinges, setting to work with swift, practiced motions.

  Before long, he held up a lock. “Here, ma’am. I brought a new lock as well—consider it a small gift. No charge.”

  “Oh, but that won’t do—”

  Seeing she meant to refuse, Glen smiled. “If you insist on declining, that would make things awkward between us, wouldn’t it?”

  Mrs. Ryan hesitated, then nodded, feeling both grateful and a little embarrassed. He’d already done so much for them.

  But Glen never considered it a burden—he simply followed his conscience and did what felt right.

  Within moments, the new door stood firm and perfect in its frame.

  Just as Glen was about to take his leave, Sheriff Douglas hurried up the path, slightly breathless.

  Relief flashed across his face when he saw Glen still there.

  “What’s wrong, dear?” Mrs. Ryan asked, puzzled.

  “Nothing serious. I just need a word with Glen,” Douglas said, removing his hat and smoothing his thinning hair.

  Glen had already guessed the reason for his visit. “All right,” he said calmly. “Shall we talk here?”

  Glancing at his wife, Douglas hesitated, then spoke softly, “It’s work-related. Let’s walk a bit—over there.” He gestured toward the plaza.

  Glen nodded.

  Mrs. Ryan looked displeased at being kept in the dark but said nothing, only reminding them to return for lunch before going back to her chores.

  As they strolled through the nearly empty square, Douglas began, “About that incident—”

  “It was me,” Glen said evenly.

  The sheriff froze mid-step, staring at him for several seconds before letting out a breath of disbelief.

  “I didn’t expect you to be that strong. I used to worry about you living in Bayek, but clearly, that was unnecessary.”

  Seeing his self-deprecating smile, Glen replied, “You don’t need to worry. I won’t misuse this power—you can trust me on that.”

  “I do trust you,” Douglas said with conviction. “Years on the job have sharpened my instincts, and from the moment I met you, I knew you were a man of integrity.”

  He gave Glen a nod of affirmation, then his tone shifted. “We reported the incident truthfully, but the higher-ups reacted oddly—almost as if they were too interested. It might have something to do with that enormous insect.”

  Glen raised an eyebrow. “Are you sure it’s all right to tell me this, Sheriff? Sounds like internal police business.”

  Douglas waved a hand dismissively. “You answered my questions without hesitation. I can bend the rules once in return.”

  “…Fair enough.” Glen gave a half-smile. “So what are they planning to do?”

  Douglas sighed, his brow furrowing. “They’re sending investigators. They’ll take the creature’s remains—and they’ll come looking for you. You might be in some trouble.”

  “Then let them. Without evidence, what can they do?”

  “If only it were that simple,” the sheriff warned. “The people above us—they don’t always play fair.”

  “I see…” Glen murmured, falling into thought. It might cause complications, but he already had a few countermeasures in mind. The real question was how to minimize the fallout.

  Douglas spoke again, his tone cautious. “I’ll keep your secret, but too many at the station know the truth. They’ll trace it back to you sooner or later. My advice? Lay low for a while. Leave town until things settle.”

  Glen lifted his head, a calm smile playing at his lips.

  “It’s all right,” he said quietly. “I’ll handle it when the time comes. I have my own ways.”