The Jungle Governing Body

Within the remains of Nile Village, the air was thick with the sound of rebuilding. The rhythmic hammering of wood, the murmurs of collaboration, and the occasional bursts of laughter painted a picture of resilience. Though the village had been reduced to ruins, its people had refused to crumble with it. They were working tirelessly, determined to shape something new from the ashes.

From the top of a small hill, Azuya stood motionless, his gaze sweeping across the village below. A soft breeze rustled against his face, carrying the scent of wet earth and charred wood. The view before him was one he knew he would never forget—etched deep into his memory, forever carved into his soul.

As he stood in quiet admiration of his people's perseverance, something in the distance caught his attention.

A group of three figures approached from the northeast, their silhouettes barely distinguishable against the bright morning light. Their movement was purposeful, steady. Azuya narrowed his eyes, trying to make out their identities.

The closer they got, the clearer their brown uniforms became.

His eyes darkened. Rangers.

Azuya knew their uniforms well—brown shirts and trousers, each bearing the emblem of the Ranger Society on the left side of their chest. Though he couldn't yet see the emblem clearly, he already knew what it depicted: a stretched bow, an arrow drawn, poised to strike.

His lips pressed into a thin line as he descended the hill, moving toward them.

The three rangers stepped into the village, their expressions unreadable as they scanned the ruins. Even though they had received reports beforehand, the reality of the devastation seemed to catch them off guard.

One of them—a woman—stepped forward, eyes sharp with calculated curiosity.

Azuya approached carefully, assessing them as they, too, took in his presence. He would have to be careful.

With a steady voice, he greeted them.

"Welcome to Nile Village. I am Azuya, the new chief."

The woman turned toward him, her posture composed yet commanding.

She was in her mid-thirties, strikingly well-built, her uniform fitting her as though it had been tailored specifically for her. A tightly fastened pair of boots grounded her presence, while a blue handkerchief was tied around her neck—an unmistakable mark of her rank.

A Lieutenant.

Azuya's gaze shifted toward the two men behind her.

The first carried a long brown rifle, its barrel resting against his shoulder with an air of practiced ease. Around his neck was a dark green handkerchief—a rank just above a foot soldier.

The second man also wore a dark green handkerchief, except his was wrapped tightly around his thigh. A pistol sat holstered at his side.

Corporals.

Azuya's fingers curled slightly.

The Jungle Governing Body.

The TJGB was the ruling power within the jungle, more influential than any individual settlement or faction. With their expansive territories and unwavering authority, they served as both the law and the enforcers of it.

Their rangers were the soldiers of order—either suppressing chaos or hunting down those who threatened the balance.

Azuya exhaled slowly. This was going to be a delicate conversation.

The lieutenant spoke first, her voice cool and unwavering.

"I am Lieutenant Yelena," she stated.

She gestured to the man with the rifle. "This is Corporal Grider."

The man flashed a casual grin. "At your service," he said, his voice carrying an almost lazy amusement.

"And this is Corporal Jickens," she continued, nodding toward the other man.

Jickens did not speak. He merely held Azuya in a hard stare, his presence rigid and intense.

Azuya quickly adjusted his demeanor.

"Nice to meet you all," he said, his tone polite yet firm. "Welcome to Nile Village."

Yelena's sharp eyes scanned him, then the village.

"You know why we're here," she said simply.

Azuya nodded. "You're here to investigate."

"By the order of the Jungle Governing Body, I have been tasked with assessing the situation. I trust that you will comply and answer all of my questions," she stated.

There was no room for negotiation in her tone.

Azuya sighed. "Of course. If you'd follow me, we can discuss things in private."

Yelena gave a nod before dismissing her men. "Grider, Jickens—gather information from the villagers."

Without a word, the two corporals set off.

Azuya led Yelena toward a makeshift hut—little more than a roof of dried grass, offering shelter but no walls. It was the only semi-intact structure left standing.

As they sat, Azuya carefully crafted his story.

He told her everything—except for the truth.

Instead of revealing the villagers' uprising against their chief, he painted Bon as the sole aggressor.

A dangerous rogue who had attacked Couger Village. A reckless criminal who had set the entire village ablaze. And most importantly—he told them that Bon had kidnapped one of the villagers.

Lieutenant Yelena listened in silence, absorbing every word.

Meanwhile, Corporals Grider and Jickens gathered their own reports.

As expected, every villager gave the same account. Bon Everhart. The boy who dreamed of being the King of the Jungle. The one who destroyed their village.

Jickens' expression darkened as he processed the information.

"This Bon kid has guts," he muttered. "Roaming around spouting his delusions of becoming king. Does he even realize where he is? This area falls under the strict restrictions of the TJGB."

His voice dripped with hostility.

Yelena placed a hand on his shoulder.

"Calm down, Jickens," she said evenly.

"You say that so easily," he growled. "This is TJGB territory. If people like him are allowed to run free, lawless predators will multiply."

"Well, if we had no criminals, we wouldn't have jobs, would we?" Grider said, smirking.

Jickens shot him a death glare. "You never take anything seriously, do you?"

Grider simply shrugged. "I take plenty of things seriously."

Raising a piece of parchment between his fingers, he smirked.

Jickens' eyes narrowed. "What is that?"

"A portrait," Grider said lightly. "Had one of the villagers draw it for me."

They all leaned in.

Even though the drawing was in black and white, there was something unmistakable about it.

Bon Everhart.

His presence radiated from the lines, as if the artist had captured not just his face but the intensity of his spirit.

"This is the kid who killed Chief Couger," Jickens murmured.

"And the one who burned the village," Grider added.

"Not to mention—he's a mythical dive holder," Yelena noted.

They turned to a second drawing.

Kartia.

Jickens scowled. "Most importantly, we need to recover the girl he kidnapped."

Yelena examined the portrait. "She looks lively," she remarked.

The rangers had made their decision. Bon was now officially a wanted criminal.

Miles away…

The road stretched endlessly before them, the cracking of wagon wheels filling the air. Bon sat at the reins, guiding the horse forward with a lazy grip, his gaze flickering to the treetops.

For now, the ride was peaceful.

But peace never lasted long.

"You bastard!"

A voice roared from behind.

Before Bon could react—an attack came hurtling toward him.