《Unchanged Samurai In Another World》 CH 1 ¡°Where am I?¡± In the midst of a vast forest, a man murmurs to himself without anyone around to hear. Suddenly, he realizes he¡¯s in an unfamiliar place. While walking along a mountain pass, there weren¡¯t many people around, but he could still hear the lively voices of young women from the nearby town just a few moments ago. Now, all he can hear are the rustling of the trees and the chirping of birds. He was sure he could see a post town in the distance just a while ago, but¡­ Looking around, all he can see are old trees that are probably over a hundred years old. The road he had been walking on for half a day has completely disappeared. ¡°¡­¡± After standing there motionless for a brief moment, the man starts walking aimlessly. Well, it doesn¡¯t matter. He doesn¡¯t know where he is or where the path ahead leads. But that¡¯s nothing new. The man continues walking through the unfamiliar forest without hesitation. At his waist, he has two swords, a large one and a small one, both of Japanese make. *** Kuros Motochika is a frail 27-year-old born as the third son of a samurai family. Since childhood, he has been swinging wooden swords with the single-minded goal of becoming the greatest samurai in the land. He was taught the way of the samurai, which emphasizes the importance of becoming strong and unyielding in the face of death. His training in swordsmanship extended to other weapons such as spears, bows, staffs, sickles, and ropes, as well as various martial arts such as ninjutsu, grappling, swimming, and horsemanship. The training was grueling and relentless, and his younger siblings often teetered on the brink of death. His mother begged his father to stop the training that caused her children to come home bloodied every day, but the request was ignored. The children had already accepted this way of life as their daily routine. As he grew older, Kuros surpassed his brothers in martial ability, and by the age of fifteen, he had defeated all of his peers in the neighborhood. Feeling stagnated with his own swordsmanship, Kuros stationed himself on a mountain path that led to another territory, challenging any passing samurai to a fight with his two wooden swords. Kuros was the most ambitious of the Kuros siblings, and the family¡¯s small fiefdom was not enough to satisfy him. ¡°It is said that a fearsome tengu resides in those mountains. Any swordsman who enters will be attacked without exception.¡± By the time the rumors reached other territories, the brawler who spent his days fighting was summoned by his father. The maidservant led him not to the living room where the family usually spent time, but to the audience chamber. Understanding that this was not just a scolding from his father, but a rebuke as the head of the family, Motochika approached the cushion placed in the center of the room and bowed his head. As his son delivered a polite speech, his father watched from above and quickly cut in. ¡°Why do you rage so much, Motochika? The current trend of the world is towards peace. Surely you¡¯ve noticed that your brothers are spending more time with a pen than with a sword.¡± ¡°With all due respect, Father, peace is a fleeting dream. It is like a sandcastle that can easily crumble with the change of heart of a single warlord. If it is the duty of a samurai to protect their family, then regardless of the trend of the world, I know that I cannot stop my training.¡± His father frowned unhappily at Motochika¡¯s statement, which could be taken as arrogance. ¡°Do you think your brothers are wrong?¡± ¡°No, Father. A samurai is someone who lives according to their own belief in the way of the samurai. Although our paths may be different, we will all end up in the same place.¡± ¡°I wanted you all to walk the same path.¡± ¡°I understand your words, Father. I am living according to your guidance. If someone obstructs my path of the samurai, I will not compromise my beliefs. I would rather choose death than to bend my beliefs. If it is your desire¡­ I am willing to risk my life and engage in a parent-child quarrel.¡± ¡­In an instant. The gazes of the parent and child crossed, sparking. The rapidly escalating tension between them became so intense that the space between them seemed distorted, and the shoji screens in the hall began to tremble. ¡°¡­¡­¡± After a momentary stare-down, it was the father who broke the silence. ¡°Sigh¡­who on earth did you inherit that thick skull from?¡± As the father looked up at the sky and let out a big sigh, the men who had been hiding their presence until then spoke up. ¡°Heh heh, undoubtedly it¡¯s our father.¡± ¡°Indeed. Among the three brothers, we inherited the most strongly from Motochika. Although his thorny and cruel personality is a flaw.¡± The man with long hair hanging down and a loose kimono laughed, while the serious-looking man with a neatly tied topknot nodded in agreement. The hands of the brothers who had been quietly standing behind them were poised to cut the hilt of their swords, in case Motochika drew his sword and they needed to quickly dispose of their younger brother. ¡°Don¡¯t you all care? About leaving the essence of our school to the youngest brother.¡± ¡°As the eldest son, it is my duty to be merciful, but I have no natural talent for the sword. That is why I chose the path of swallowing my tears and taking up the brush instead. As someone who has inherited the family headship, I understand that protecting our land and people is not just about the sword.¡± ¡°I have no objections either. I have not abandoned the way of the sword, but I am aware of my own limitations. Although the saying goes that everything is impermanent, the Blackbeard sword must be inherited. If we are to choose a successor to the school that has been passed down from generation to generation, there is no one else but Motochika.¡± The swordsmanship of the Kurosu family was not inherited by the next successor, but by the best practitioner of the current generation. As the third son who often left the mansion, Motochika had no idea that the reason the siblings were summoned this time was to decide on the succession. The eldest brother showed humility, but the skills of all three were not inferior to their father¡¯s. Compared to the fierce warriors who served the family, there was an overwhelming difference in strength, but even among them, Motochika¡¯s talent was head and shoulders above the rest. The eldest and second brother, who were praised as Kirinji, could not help but acknowledge this fact. Father stared at the eyes of the two to discern their true intentions, then turned to Motochika with a serious expression. ¡°Motochika, do you have the determination to walk the path of Shura?¡± ¡°Without question. My path has always led to the way of Shura.¡± ¡°Good. I will teach you the secret technique, and then you must go on a journey of warrior training to receive full authorization.¡± ¡°As you wish.¡± ¡°Listen well, the Kurosu sword is entrusted to you. From now on, dying without purpose is not allowed! Until you become a prominent samurai, do not cross the threshold of this house! Make the name of Kurosu resound throughout the world!!¡± ¡°Hah!¡± CH 2 Father and his brothers couldn¡¯t see it, but Motochika¡¯s face had a smile on it as he humbly bowed his head to answer the patriarch¡¯s command. The successor of the Kurosu swordsmanship is obligated to undergo warrior training. This was not only a demonstration to let others know of the family¡¯s power, but also a tradition to convince the members of the family. However, for Motochika, who was chosen as the successor, he was simply delighted to be able to venture out into the outside world. Motochika knew that in these times, being solely focused on swordsmanship made him a strange and eccentric person in the eyes of his family members. Even when complaints were brought to him about defeating other samurai, his father and older brothers would bow their heads in apology. ¡°Hey, Motochika, I¡¯m worried about you. You¡¯re inflexible, stubborn, aggressive, and sometimes you seem a little crazy. The world is full of irrationality that you may not understand. I¡¯m worried about how far you can go without compromising yourself,¡± said his older brother. ¡°Using the sword to solve everything is your bad habit, Motochika. I never thought you would even show your fangs to Father¡­I¡¯m not saying you should be submissive, but at least consider the consequences. If you don¡¯t show mercy, all the paths you walk will be stained with blood. Don¡¯t forget that,¡± said another brother. Although his brothers were worried about his unconventional ways, Motochika remained nonchalant and replied, ¡°You don¡¯t have to worry about me, older brothers. I have become much more patient lately.¡± ¡°Wait, you weren¡¯t here for a few days last week. Where were you?¡± asked his brother. ¡°I heard that a samurai who had hit one of our peasants was heading to a village over the mountain, so I went to get his head. He was so pathetic begging for his life that I took his sword instead of his head. That¡¯s what we call samurai mercy, isn¡¯t it?¡± replied Motochika. ¡°¡­¡­¡± While they had always known that Motochika had an impressive sword, his brothers¡¯ anxieties only increased upon hearing that he had casually taken a sword that could be seen as a samurai¡¯s soul. *** After receiving his final guidance from his father, Motochika set out on a journey, bidding farewell to his family. With no specific destination in mind, he wandered from town to town in search of stronger opponents. Whenever he encountered fellow samurai on the same journey, he challenged them to a fight, and whenever he heard of a famous school boasting of being the best in the country, he would invade their dojo. Along the way, whenever he heard of a battle nearby, he would join in without knowing who was fighting for what, slashing his way through enemies who came at him, turning the battlefield into a hellish scene. While most of his opponents were just talk, there were also those who stunned him with their unique fighting styles or innate talent. He was intimidated by those who kicked up sand to blind him, or threw hidden needles in the middle of a clash. He lost an ear to a high-ranking student who specialized in thrusting attacks at lightning speed. He also fought against a group of suspected ninjas who attacked him in his sleep and shot him in the stomach with short guns, causing him to vomit blood. But he defeated them all. Despite facing death countless times, Motochika was convinced that his decision to embark on this journey was the right one. He felt the rush of his blood boiling as he pushed himself to the limit. Every time he fought, he learned new techniques, weapons, and tactics, and felt his skills improve day by day. It was a fulfilling and enjoyable journey. *** ¡°I left home, has it been almost ten years already? Even though my journey should have been enjoyable, lately I find myself less and less thrilled. It has become increasingly difficult to find opponents stronger than myself, and even when I do, their techniques and tactics are predictable. I can no longer feel surprise or joy. Is there any meaning left in this journey? Should I start considering returning home? Can I proudly proclaim that I have completed my warrior training? I keep questioning myself. I am not arrogant enough to claim that I have become invincible, but as an average swordsman, I cannot even find someone to play with. I have not had the chance to utilize the skills, trained body, acquired knowledge, and honed sword. The battles end too soon. Recently, an ominous nickname ¡°Black Demon¡± has been circulating, causing some people to run away just at the mention of my name. It¡¯s boring. I have started to feel pain in the days where I cannot fight with all my might. The excitement and sense of accomplishment during a fight were immense. The boredom after that is unbearable. I don¡¯t mind if someone uses dirty tricks against me. I welcome ambushes, deceptions, or even being surrounded by many enemies. I just want to feel that excitement, that crazy passion throughout my entire body, that feeling of being lifted high into the sky like I did at the beginning of my journey. I walk the mountain path to meet a self-proclaimed ¡°invincible warrior¡± I recently discovered. All that¡¯s on my mind during this journey is a strong prayer to the gods. Oh, please, let me meet a strong opponent this time. Please let them be a master who can threaten my life. I hope to meet an unheard-of enemy that I have never seen or heard of before¡­¡± CH 3 Chapter 3: The Samurai Notices the Changes ¡°¡­What a mysterious forest.¡± As Kurosu continued down the pathless path, he began to feel a slight sense of discomfort. He had been running through the fields and mountains since he was a child, and had walked through countless forests and mountains during his travels¡­ but there were too many unfamiliar things in this forest. Dazzlingly colorful flowers, huge spiders the size of human heads, and flocks of birds with abnormally long tail feathers¡­ It¡¯s common for vegetation to change dramatically as soon as one crosses the border from a mountainous region to a coastal one, but this was the first time he had encountered a forest filled with creatures he had never seen or heard of before. He didn¡¯t know when he had wandered into this place, but had he unknowingly crossed the border? As he pondered while dodging the bizarre insects that attacked silently, a large object suddenly fell from the trees above, landing right in front of him. ¡°¡­.!?¡± For a moment, he thought a broken tree branch had fallen, but upon closer inspection, it was a huge snake coiled around itself. Its size was far from ordinary, with a girth as thick as a person¡¯s thigh and a length that could span five adult men. It was ridiculous to think about how many times larger it was than the snakes he usually saw. Ignoring the dumbfounded Kurosu, the giant snake slowly uncoiled itself and directed its emotionless eyes towards him. ¡°¡­.¡± Kurosu decided that he should deal with the situation politely for now. ¡°I am Kurosu Motochika, a passing samurai. I presume you are the lord of this forest, am I correct?¡± Snakes are said to be the embodiment of the Benzaiten, a deity that brings wisdom and good fortune. He had heard that in some regions, they were revered as sacred beasts and worshipped with awe. Considering its docile appearance, it didn¡¯t seem like a monstrous transformation, and if it was a well-known local deity, they might be able to communicate. As he patiently awaited a response, the giant snake slowly raised its head and suddenly, as if propelled, bared its fangs towards Kurosu¡¯s face. ¡°What¡­ Just an ordinary snake, then?¡± Contrary to his expectation of a sacred being, its actions showed no signs of intelligence. Feeling somewhat disappointed, Kurosu quickly drew his short sword with a reverse grip and without hesitation, cut off the head of the giant snake. The snake, now missing its head, writhed about resentfully, but Kurosu paid no attention to it and instead stared at his own right hand. What¡­? It felt as if he had swung the sword unusually fast just now¡­ Kurosu felt that the speed of his sword swing earlier had increased even though he wasn¡¯t particularly in a hurry. Should he say that his body moved against his consciousness? He had been swinging a sword for many years, but this sensation was a first for him. Was it just his imagination? Kurosu tilted his head and crouched down beside the relaxed, massive body, taking a short sword from his pocket and slowly starting to cut the meat. He wasn¡¯t particularly hungry, but he didn¡¯t know when he would be able to leave this forest. There was nothing better than securing food in advance. Moreover, snakes were considered high-quality food to be found in the forest. With such a large size, it would surely provide a decent meal. As he diligently collected the meat and wiped the blood that had splattered on his face with his sleeve, he suddenly realized something. ¡°¡­Why do I have an ear?¡± Yes, his right ear, which should have been cut off during a challenge against the strongest school in a certain town, had completely returned to normal. Touching it, there was no pain, and it felt as if the loss itself had been a dream, completely natural. And now that he thought about it, it seemed as though there was a subtle sense of discomfort throughout his body. He had to thoroughly check this¡­ As a samurai, it was essential to always have a perfect understanding of one¡¯s own physical condition. Even if one realized a problem during a sword fight, the enemy would not show any mercy. On the contrary, as a martial artist, it was appropriate to actively attack if the opponent¡¯s weakness was noticed. A samurai who faced battle in an unfavorable condition would naturally be accused of negligence. Indeed, he had seen many times how samurai who called for a halt during a match were ridiculed by the spectators. It would be better to die than to expose oneself to such disgrace. He quickly searched for a place to rest and found a small stream where he decided to take a short break. He placed his sword within reach, took off his backpack, and pulled out a hand towel. He took off his kimono, wet the hand towel, and while cleansing himself, he checked every part of his body. ¡°Should I be happy about this?¡± As expected, the change wasn¡¯t limited to his right ear. The finger bone that had been broken and twisted since his childhood due to a bout with his eldest brother, the molar that was shattered by a spear-wielding monk¡¯s thrust, and the toe that should have rotted away after walking through the snow for days were all back. The large wound on his waist, caused by a careless attack from behind after he thought he had killed his opponent, had disappeared without a trace. The pain that he had felt every time he moved his side since being shot by a gun was now gone. Old scars from sword wounds and the like remained on his body, but all the areas that had been hindering his movement were completely healed. As he moved his body slightly, it felt as if he had regained the youth he had when he first started his journey. While drawing water into a makeshift bamboo tube he had made from green bamboo, he pondered his current situation. Could he be bewitched by a fox or a tanuki? There are countless ghost stories about walking on a mountain pass and finding a beautiful woman standing there. Being drawn to her beauty, one follows her absentmindedly, only for the woman to disappear and leave them alone deep in the forest. Or perhaps, he had died without realizing it and had crossed over to the underworld. No, that couldn¡¯t be the case. Although he hadn¡¯t had a proper meal recently, he shouldn¡¯t have been starving to death. He had once fought for three days and nights without sleep during a battle and was chased by bounty hunters for a week afterward. He knew the feeling of being on the verge of death from hunger all too well. It was unlikely that he, as a samurai, would overlook any discomfort in his body or internal organs, and it was difficult to believe that he had died from an illness. Could it be that he had been attacked unexpectedly without realizing it? No, he hadn¡¯t trained in a way that would leave him unable to react to sudden attacks. He could confidently say that he hadn¡¯t let his guard down for a moment, even during his private moments or while sleeping. After all, he hadn¡¯t traveled alone for ten years for nothing. Unless he was hit by a volley of gunfire from a distance, it was almost impossible for him to die from an unexpected attack. In that case¡­ ¡°Thinking about things I can¡¯t find an answer to is just a waste of time.¡± Kurosuzu muttered a single phrase and stopped his endless pondering. If he couldn¡¯t figure it out, he would simply continue to move forward, facing whatever was ahead of him. That was the basic principle of a samurai. No matter how hard he racked his brain, he couldn¡¯t believe that he could find the answer on his own. Having his body return to its original condition shouldn¡¯t be a bad thing. With a renewed determination, Kurosu focused on the path ahead, prepared to face whatever challenges might come his way, and continued his journey through the mysterious forest. If a shape-shifting youkai were to suddenly appear, it would also be an interesting encounter. Even if this place turns out to be the underworld, having the opportunity to cross spears with the jailers of hell would be something to be grateful for. Regaining his composure, Kurosu decided to check his belongings next. Since he couldn¡¯t tell whether this forest belonged to this world or the other world, it was necessary to be extra cautious. His once dark blue kimono, leggings, and gauntlets had turned pitch black after years of use. Rust was visible on his vambraces and shin guards. There were small swords, short swords, iron rods, sleeve chains, and several needles. A few meals¡¯ worth of brown rice was stored in a military rations bag, a small purse contained a few silver and copper coins, a tinder pouch with flint and tinder fungus, a container of choji oil for sword maintenance, several kumihimo cords for tying hair, a tasuki, a hand towel, a rope, a bamboo tube, and finally, the snake meat he had obtained earlier. He checked everything carefully, but there seemed to be no changes to his belongings. He had hoped that his worn armor might have been transformed into something brand new, considering the changes to his body¡­ Although he should have traveled quite a distance since entering this forest, he couldn¡¯t find any signs of human presence, let alone a highway or animal trail. He was familiar with the forest, so water and food wouldn¡¯t be a problem, but the lack of a hat or a sleeping mat for sleeping outdoors would be a bit of a pain. ¡°If you always live with scarcity, you¡¯ll never be without,¡± Kurosu recalled his father¡¯s words. His father used to say with a hearty laugh, in his loud and clear voice, ¡°If you constantly place yourself in harsh environments, you¡¯ll be able to remain calm and composed when suddenly thrown into a crisis!¡± ¡°Selective speech, selective actions.¡± Indeed, his father was always right. Kurosu decided to follow his father¡¯s wisdom and prepare himself for any challenges that might come his way, whether in this mysterious forest or in the realm of the supernatural. With a determined spirit, he continued his journey, ready to face whatever fate had in store for him. CH 4 Chapter 4: The Samurai Encounters Goblins ¡°Grghaa! Grghaaghaa!¡± Lost in this seemingly cursed forest, the samurai, Kurosu, stumbled upon the first signs of human life, but something was terribly amiss. Peering from the shadows, Kurosu intently observed the creatures in his path, attempting to deduce their true nature. A group of five child-sized figures huddled around a deer-like carcass, tearing into it with bare hands and consuming raw entrails. With blood-stained hands and faces, they gleefully slurped the dripping meat, resembling the hungry demons depicted in hellish paintings. Their pointed ears, hooked noses, crooked teeth, and muddy, earth-toned skin were accompanied by ragged loin cloths, and they appeared to be conversing in an indecipherable language. Could these be the impoverished forest dwellers ¨C the so-called ¡°mountain people¡± known as the San¡¯ka tribe, referred to as Tenba or Minaoshi? Kurosu had never encountered them before, but he had heard rumors of these nomadic people who farmed no land, established no settlements, and wandered the mountains speaking their own unique, secret language. Their culture was said to be vastly different from that of ordinary folk, as they seldom descended from the mountains and had little contact with the outside world. Judging by their gaunt frames, it seemed they didn¡¯t often have the opportunity for a proper meal. Perhaps a recent successful hunt, coupled with the reluctance to waste time building a fire, had led them to devour their prey with such fervor. Kurosu recalled a time when he himself had been famished in the rain-soaked wilderness, unable to start a fire due to a damp tinder pouch, and had resorted to consuming a raw snake. Under normal circumstances, he wouldn¡¯t have considered it, but at the time, the taste had seemed as delectable as a gourmet feast. Feeling a slightly misplaced sense of kinship, Kurosu decided to step out from the shadows and address the peculiar group. ¡°Pardon me, you there. I¡¯m sorry to interrupt your meal, but I was wondering if you could help me find my way.¡± ¡°Grghaa!?!¡± they cried in unison, seemingly startled from their feast. The men seemed to have noticed Kurosu¡¯s presence only after he had spoken. ¡­Perhaps he had startled them. To commoners such as farmers, a samurai was both an object of reverence and a source of fear. Rumors of hotheaded warriors assaulting people in the streets and executing them on the spot for the slightest perceived insult were frequently whispered among the townsfolk. Consequently, those unaccustomed to the sight of a warrior, particularly in rural areas, often reacted with excessive fear. Kurosu had experienced this before, as some had even collapsed in terror before him. In reality, even a samurai was not permitted to behave so recklessly without significant justification. As Kurosu pondered his next move, the group of five rose to their feet and approached him at a brisk pace. They clutched wooden clubs in their hands, perhaps intended as weapons. ¡°Hold on, I mean no harm. I¡¯m merely a wandering warrior, seeking guidance on my journey. Forgive my disheveled appearance, but I have no intention of stealing your food. I simply need directions.¡± Kurosu had tried his best to speak gently, so as not to frighten them further. But despite his efforts, the men raised their clubs and attacked. Their movements were uncoordinated and chaotic, with no semblance of teamwork. In their frenzy to rush Kurosu, they even collided with one another. ¡°Grghaa!!¡± Their wild swings were devoid of any skill or technique, and Kurosu easily evaded their attacks with nimble footwork. To any onlooker, it might have seemed like children playfully tussling. ¡°I have nothing of value, so there¡¯s no need for this.¡± Kurosu attempted to calmly dissuade them, but their assault showed no sign of relenting. Whether they understood his words or not was unclear, but one thing was certain: they were not listening. ¡°Enough!¡± he insisted. ¡°Brghaa!¡± ¡°Grghaa!? Grghaaghaaa!!¡± Seeing that words had no effect, Kurosu lightly kicked one of the attackers to the ground, hoping to demonstrate his point. Instead, it seemed to enrage the group further, and their assault grew more ferocious. Their eyes blazed like those of famished, rabid dogs, their shrill cries grating on his ears. He could easily continue to fend off their attacks, but their relentless hostility was beginning to provoke Kurosu¡¯s ire. ¡°Listen, you lot. Have you not noticed my twin swords? My patience isn¡¯t limitless. If you continue this folly, I¡¯ll have no choice but to cut you down.¡± Kurosu spoke in a low, threatening tone, but the men showed no sign of changing their course. With inexplicable glee, they let out bizarre cries as they repeatedly swung their clubs. Did they not understand the stark disparity in their combat abilities, as Kurosu effortlessly dodged their five-pronged assault? He was reluctant to slay those unversed in the art of war, but given their refusal to heed his warnings, he saw no other choice. Kurosu steeled himself and drew his sword in one swift motion, decapitating the man in the lead. Immediately, he swung back around and performed a diagonal slash on the man beside him. ¡°Gyaaah!?¡± The sudden loss of their comrades must have stunned them. With expressions of shock and disbelief, the remaining three men froze in place, each in turn falling to a single stroke of Kurosu¡¯s blade. While meticulously wiping the blood off his sword with a hand towel, Kurosu considered the situation before him as he looked at the bodies of the men he had killed. Although it was unavoidable, he had slain five people. Villagers in such isolated locations often had a strong sense of camaraderie. Moreover, the men were likely part of a mysterious tribe. If he simply left now and the villagers retaliated out of a misunderstanding, it would leave a bitter taste in his mouth. As the one responsible for their deaths, Kurosu knew he was inviting trouble, but he decided that at the very least, he would explain the situation and inform them of the location of the bodies. With that in mind, Kurosu approached the disemboweled deer carcass. For the villagers, it must have been a valuable source of food after a long time. He couldn¡¯t carry the bodies, but once he reached the village, he would ask for help to retrieve them. Using the tasuki wrapped around his waist, he tightly bound the deer to his back. It would be easier to carry it, but as a samurai, he needed to keep both hands free and ready to draw his sword at all times. After making sure the deer wouldn¡¯t slide off as he moved, Kurosu found it to be not as heavy as it appeared, thanks to the removed organs. It seemed he would have no problem moving with it. ¡°Now, which way to the village?¡± Kurosu had learned various tracking techniques as part of his training in apprehending criminals, and he had plenty of experience chasing animals in the mountains since his childhood. Since the men had been moving in a large group, they had left plenty of traces behind, such as footprints and scattered leaves. It was difficult in a town, but in the forest, it was relatively easy to follow their trail. He quickly spotted a branch that had been unnaturally broken and headed in that direction. CH 5 On his way following the traces left by the men, Kurosu felt a bit hungry and decided to have a meal. He set down his load, gathered some firewood, and took out his tools from the fire-starting pouch hanging from his waist. Mugwort was often used for moxibustion, but it was also an excellent plant for starting a fire. Striking the flint with the fire steel, he showered sparks onto the mugwort and quickly created a small flame. He threw it into a pile of gathered sticks and fanned the flame by blowing on it. ¡°Now, I wonder how this will taste.¡± In Kurosu¡¯s hand was a skewered piece of the large serpent¡¯s meat. He no longer considered it a divine messenger, but it was hard to think of it as an ordinary snake either. If it turned out to be the flesh of a supernatural creature and he gained some divine powers from eating it, that would be quite interesting. While contemplating such trivial thoughts, he grilled the meat over the fire. He didn¡¯t have any salt with him, so there was no seasoning at all. He couldn¡¯t eat a large amount since there might be poison in it, but he was looking forward to tasting it. Once the meat was nicely cooked, he removed it from the fire and sniffed it. There was no particularly strong smell, and instead, it had a fragrant and appetizing aroma. Most natural poisons, such as pufferfish, mandrake flowers, aconite, and dogwood, usually cause a sharp pain in the back of the nose, which allows them to be identified by smell. This meat seemed to be fine. He cautiously took a small bite from the edge. This is¡­ ¡°Delicious¡­!¡± The meat had a pleasant texture, similar to a tender, boneless white fish. It was salty, but as he chewed, he could clearly taste the sweetness of the fat. All the snake meat he had eaten before was lean and dry, but this was entirely different. It tasted like succulent pork with the gamey smell removed¡ªa top-quality delicacy. It would be perfect if he could lightly flavor it with soy sauce or grill it with miso. He devoured the meat in no time, completely absorbed in its taste. ¡°¡­¡­¡­¡­¡± With his hunger satisfied, Kurosu continued to follow the trail left by the men, hoping to find the village and explain the situation to its residents. With more meat still remaining, Kurosu was tempted to grill another piece. No, he couldn¡¯t. If there was a delayed-acting poison, he could end up collapsing in this unfamiliar forest. Though his heart was still longing for the taste of the meat, Kurosu stomped out the fire, picked up his belongings, and resumed his search. He decided that if he encountered the large serpent again, he would definitely hunt it down, while occasionally glancing at the trees above. ???????? After a brief respite, it wasn¡¯t long before Kurosu discovered the settlement nestled amidst the wilderness. He pushed through the rustling tall grass, and emerged upon a clearing, a patch of land with fewer trees than its surroundings. It wasn¡¯t the work of human hands, but rather, it seemed as if the villagers had built their homes upon a naturally occurring open space. Kurosu pondered this, for the settlement before him was poorer and more wretched than any he had ever laid eyes on. Not a single proper structure was to be found; only makeshift hovels, cobbled together from branches and animal hides, with layers of dead leaves strewn across their surfaces. They hardly qualified as shelters; were it not for the small openings that served as entrances, they might easily be mistaken for simple mounds of decaying foliage. With no disrespect intended, these dwellings seemed more akin to the nests of wild beasts than human homes. The people who sparsely wandered through the settlement bore a striking resemblance to those Kurosu had encountered earlier ¨C or rather, they were so identical, it was nearly impossible to tell them apart. They all shared a similarly unkempt and barbaric appearance, with nary a proper garment to be seen. However, considering their striking similarity, there could be no doubt that this was their home. ¡°¡­Alright, I mustn¡¯t startle them again,¡± Kurosu muttered to himself. Heeding the lessons of his earlier encounter, Kurosu left the deer carcass and his belongings at a distance and hid his precious sword, a gift from his father on the day of his departure. As a wandering samurai, he hadn¡¯t shaved his head in the traditional manner, so at a glance, he would not be recognized as a warrior. Just in case, he concealed a short knife and an iron rod within his sleeves, but to an observer, he appeared completely unarmed. Though his kimono was somewhat soiled from his long travels, it was by no means tattered enough for him to be mistaken for a bandit or vagrant. Compared to the villagers he had glimpsed from afar, he was even rather well-dressed. A crude wooden fence encircled the settlement, but Kurosu couldn¡¯t discern any proper entrance. So, he decided to call out from beyond the barrier. ¡°Hello! I am but a traveler passing through! I have urgent matters to discuss with the village elder! If the elder is present, I humbly request an audience!¡± CH 6 As a member of a warrior family, it was somewhat shameful for Kurosu to hide his true identity. Though it might be unavoidable in this case, he still found it difficult to lie. Thus, as a last resort, he chose to introduce himself simply as a ¡°traveler.¡± Even if he appeared somewhat suspicious, Kurosu figured he wouldn¡¯t be met with outright fear this time. With that in mind, he awaited a response from the settlement. Soon enough, strange cries rang out from the dwellings, as though in unison. ¡°Wait a minute¡­ I¡¯m unarmed this time. Why do they all come running with weapons in hand?¡± One by one, the villagers emerged from their homes, brandishing weapons. The atmosphere was far from welcoming. Among them, a particularly burly and wild-looking man led the charge, his eyes bloodshot and frenzied. He bellowed incoherent words while saliva dripped from his mouth. While the others carried crude spears and clubs, this man alone held a conspicuously impressive sword. Could he be the leader of this place? More importantly, did these people even understand his words? It wasn¡¯t uncommon for people in remote mountain villages to be illiterate, but Kurosu had never heard of a settlement where none could speak. Even for an isolated community like this, he hadn¡¯t expected such a complete lack of communication. Still, he had finally found human habitation. He hoped to resolve this situation peacefully, at the very least to learn the way to the nearest town. ¡°Is there no one among you who understands my words? I have important information regarding your people, and I ¨C¡± As Kurosu tried to speak louder and persuade them, his voice trailed off as he noticed ¡°something¡± in the center of the settlement, and his jaw dropped. At a glance, it appeared to be an altar. Raised slightly above the surrounding ground, a long stake had been driven into the earth. Atop it, the large, fang-filled skull of a beast was displayed. Around the base of the stake, colorful flowers were scattered incongruously ¨C and among them lay several severed human heads. From ancient, bleached skulls to those that appeared freshly severed, there were more than twenty in total. A grave marker¡­? No, that¡¯s not it. For a moment, Kurosu wondered if this was the unique mourning custom of the settlement. However, upon observing the expressions on the severed heads, he dismissed that foolish thought. The faces were a mix of old and young, men and women, but all were contorted in agony. Such expressions could not result from mere sickness or injury. Undoubtedly, these were the faces of those who had suffered and died in torment. He had thought them to be unusually aggressive, but now it made sense ¨C this was a settlement of bandits. Kurosu silently acknowledged this realization and swiftly swung his arm. ¡°Yeeaaargh!¡± Following a sharp whooshing sound, a loud scream echoed through the forest. The burly man who had been in the lead now had a small blade protruding from his left eye. ¡°You wretches who can only survive by stealing from others ¨C you are a scourge. Die. Everyone in this settlement will be annihilated.¡± Kurosu¡¯s declaration, his face twisted in anger, was filled with murderous intent. An indescribable mixture of hatred and disgust surged from the depths of his gut. For those who protected the lands as a warrior family, bandits were an intolerable pest. They destroyed the carefully cultivated fields and brought harm to the people they were supposed to protect. They were the most repugnant of vermin, like maggots. Kurosu didn¡¯t know whose territory this forest belonged to, but he couldn¡¯t ignore what he saw. ¡°Aaaaargh¡­gah!¡± As the burly man clutched his face and crouched, Kurosu approached and drove a small blade into his skull. The specially crafted weapon had a sharpened tip, which shattered the man¡¯s brain with one strike. Kicking the man¡¯s body to turn him face-up, Kurosu picked up the sword that had fallen from the lifeless hand and scrutinized it. It was an unfamiliar design. A broad double-edged sword, slightly shorter and a bit heavier than his beloved weapon. ¡°What the¨C!?¡± Trying a test slash on a nearby frozen figure, the blade penetrated the shoulder, severed the collarbone, and stopped in the chest. ¡°It¡¯s a bit dull¡­ but the weight is nice. This will do.¡± Feeling a slight thrill at using a new weapon, Kurosu struck down the approaching enemies with swift cuts. Just like the first group he encountered, these villagers didn¡¯t seem to know the most basic battle strategy of surrounding and attacking their enemy. Instead, they charged forward with a foolish single-mindedness. There were no long-range attacks like arrows, and the few who had long spears were hindered by the crowd and couldn¡¯t use them effectively. They either lacked the intelligence to fight cooperatively or were so eager to overwhelm that they simply rushed in. However, they showed no sign of faltering, even after their leader had been killed. Whether it was due to their sheer tenacity or a belief in their numerical advantage, not a single one of them hesitated. With this much courage, they could have made something of themselves on the battlefield instead of resorting to banditry. They were truly a difficult bunch to understand. By the time Kurosu had killed about ten of them, his sword was so slick with blood and fat that it could no longer cut, but that wasn¡¯t a problem against these opponents. Even if it couldn¡¯t cut, it could still function as a blunt weapon to crack open skulls. Kurosu darted around the settlement, taking lives one after another until not a single scream could be heard. CH 7 Having annihilated the bandit village, Kurosu went to retrieve his hidden sword and returned to where he had slain the first five bandits. Though they were bandits, they deserved a proper send-off after death. Kurosu decided to give them a funeral with their comrades and went back and forth several times to bring their bodies to the village. Using deer antlers that had been used as building materials for the dwellings, he dug graves and carefully washed and arranged the severed heads of the victims with bamboo-supported water before cremating them. He gathered and burned the bodies of the bandits as well, creating simple memorial mounds for each of them. Though the mounds were just large rocks placed nearby, it was the best he could do under the circumstances. He didn¡¯t know their names, but he prayed for their peaceful rest by closing his eyes and putting his hands together in front of the lined-up rocks. ¡°Phew¡­¡± Kurosu exhaled his fatigue with a deep breath and patted the dirt off his soiled kimono with his hands. His disheveled hair stuck to his sweat-soaked forehead like seaweed, causing a slight frown to form between his eyebrows. He felt like taking a bath somewhere, but there were no water sources nearby, and he had used up all the water from the bamboo tubes. Resolving to visit a bathhouse once he left the forest, he put his hands on his hips and looked up at the reddening sky. ¡°It¡¯ll be dark soon.¡± Transporting the bodies had taken up a significant amount of time, and he noticed that the day was fading as the curtain of night began to descend. He wanted to find a place to rest and recover from his fatigue as soon as possible, but he couldn¡¯t do that in the village. As a result of his unrestrained rampage, the area was now a sea of blood. The smell might attract animals, and there was a chance that some villagers who had been away might return. Looking around, Kurosu spotted a magnificent tree that would be revered as a sacred tree in a shrine. Having had a terrible experience with a pack of wild dogs while sleeping outdoors in the mountains a few years ago, he preferred to sleep in high places in such locations. Although it wasn¡¯t the most comfortable place to sleep, it was much better than being rudely awakened by an attack. The tree also provided a good vantage point to keep an eye on the village, in case of any surprise attacks. He swiftly and skillfully climbed the tree, straddling a thick, stable branch with the trunk against his back. By securing himself to the trunk with a rope, he was able to sufficiently rest his body. ??? Kurosu¡¯s consciousness was awakened by the annoyingly loud chirping of birds, and he wordlessly lowered his gaze. Although he hadn¡¯t noticed it when he climbed the tree last night, there was a bird¡¯s nest on a branch just below Kurosu, and the mother bird was desperately trying to protect her chicks by threatening him. ¡°¡­¡± Feeling the irritation that was unique to being woken up by someone else, Kurosu considered scaring the birds away, but then he imagined himself yelling at them and thought better of it. Although he still felt drowsy, his desire to stretch out on the ground overcame his sleepiness, and he slowly climbed down the tree, squinting at the warm morning sun shining on his face. His back and buttocks were sore from spending the night on the hard tree. The previous night had been quiet without any attacks. He couldn¡¯t say he had slept well, but considering that he was in the forest, it was good enough. After reaching the ground, Kurosu stretched both arms towards the sky to loosen up his stiff muscles and then warmed up his sleepy body with his daily sword-swinging routine. As he swung his sword, he checked his body¡¯s condition and, finding nothing wrong, sheathed his sword with satisfaction. Although he knew he hadn¡¯t sustained even a scratch in yesterday¡¯s battle, he couldn¡¯t shake the habit ingrained since childhood, and he felt that his day hadn¡¯t begun unless he did this exercise. As the surroundings had grown brighter, Kurosu decided to search the dwellings in the village. The smell of leftover food attracting flies and scattered feces and urine made him want to wrinkle his nose, but he thought that there might still be some belongings of the victims left behind. Hoping to find something that could identify the victims so he could return it to their families, Kurosu rummaged through the dwellings for a while and discovered several items. Biting into a grilled serpent skewer that had proven harmless after a night, he carefully inspected each of the items he had found, one by one. First, there was a small leather pouch filled with what appeared to be coins. There were many clinking coins inside, and upon examining them, Kurosu noticed that they were divided into three different designs. Each coin featured a beautiful woman who seemed to be the same person, but each had a different facial orientation. One faced forward, another showed her profile, and the last had her back turned, hiding her face. Kurosu had never seen coins with such designs before, but they seemed too intricately made to be something created by bandits for amusement. As Kurosu didn¡¯t care much about money, he wasn¡¯t even sure about the types of currency currently in circulation, so he simply assumed that they were either old coins from before his time or perhaps some new coins issued by the government without his knowledge. Next, he found five simple necklaces made of small iron plates with leather straps threaded through them. Although they all had the same cheap construction, the patterns engraved on the iron plates were different for each one. While they appeared to be an arrangement of meaningless symbols, the fact that they were made into decorative items suggested that they might be something like family crests or personal seals, indicating one¡¯s origin. Many family crests were incomprehensible to outsiders, and deciphering a personal seal at first glance was virtually impossible. Kurosu himself had inherited a complex personal seal from his ancestors, and even now, he occasionally made mistakes when writing it. When signing documents, he always made sure to include his real name as well. In any case, these items might be connected to the victims¡¯ identities. CH 8 After finishing his skewer, Kurosu packed up the belongings and fastened the sword he had taken from the large man to his waist. Then, he contemplated which direction to go next. ¡°Now, what to do?¡± There were no horses in this village. If the bandits had set up a base here, there should be a highway or a populated area within walking distance that served as their hunting ground. He decided to examine the footprints and head in the direction where the most people had come and gone. ?????????? ¡°©¤©¤ Ooohh©¤©¤ooh!!¡± ¡°©¤©¤You bastard!¡± ¡°©¤©¤Ugh! Retreat©¤©¤now!¡± After leaving the village and walking leisurely through the forest for a while, Kurosu heard the sound of people fighting in the distance. It was hard to hear clearly from this location, but it seemed that they were speaking in a proper language. Feeling hopeful that he might finally encounter some ordinary people, Kurosu quickened his pace while concealing his presence. ¡°Damn it, its skin is too thick for the arrows to penetrate!¡± ¡°Mauri, focus on creating a distraction! Bart and I will suppress its attacks! Pamela, fire your gun as soon as you¡¯re ready!¡± ¡°Your magic is our only hope! We¡¯re counting on you!¡± ¡°Y-yes! Understood!¡± As Kurosu hid among the dense foliage and peered out, he saw a group of four people desperately engaged in battle. However, the situation was confusing at first glance. There were women, elderly people, and even children mixed in the group. While they were all armed, it was impossible to tell what kind of group they were. No, more importantly¡­ ¡°What is that?¡± Kurosu¡¯s gaze was fixed on the opponent the group was attacking. It was gigantic. Clearly beyond the realm of ordinary humans. The swordsman confronting it was quite large, but the opponent was easily twice as tall. Its obese body, resembling that of a sumo wrestler, had pimple-like lumps scattered around, and it wore animal skins that seemed filthy enough to emit a foul odor from this distance. With a grotesque, inhuman face and a sinister grin, the creature effortlessly swung a log as tall as a person. A giant¡­? Could it be a Daidarabotchi, some kind of supernatural creature or monster? As Kurosu watched the battle intently, the swordsman who had been giving instructions to his companions was sent flying. It seemed he had managed to block a direct hit with the round shield on his left arm, but he hadn¡¯t been able to brace himself properly. He was still conscious, but it was clear he wouldn¡¯t be able to fight any longer. Now only the woman, child, and elderly person remained. Kurosu couldn¡¯t help but lean forward, inadvertently making a sound. The child holding a bow noticed him. ¡°Hey, you there! Are you an adventurer!?¡± ¡°I don¡¯t know what an adventurer is, but I¡¯m a wandering warrior in training.¡± ¡°Then you can fight, right!? Please, help us!¡± ¡­What should he do? To be honest, he really wanted to join the battle. In fact, he felt like asking them to switch places with him. However, as a warrior, it was not honorable to interfere in other people¡¯s battles. But wait. If that giant was indeed a supernatural creature as he had imagined, and these children were being attacked by it¡­ ¡°Let me ask you one thing. What exactly is that thing?¡± ¡°It¡¯s a troll¡ªa giant one at that! It¡¯s one of the most powerful monsters in this forest, and we don¡¯t have enough front-liners to take it on! Please, help us!¡± ¡°A monster,¡± he said. So, it was indeed a supernatural creature. ¡°I¡¯ll help you. Shield-bearer, fall back and switch with me.¡± ¡°Thanks, we owe you one!¡± Kurosu took the place of the elderly person holding the large shield and faced the giant. Up close, its immense size was overwhelming. As Kurosu thought back on all the opponents he had faced, not a single one measured up to this creature. ¡­Ah, it had been so long since he¡¯d faced an adversary that stirred his excitement before the battle even began¡­ This was going to be fun. Barely able to keep from grinning, Kurosu unsheathed not his beloved sword, but the one he had obtained in the village. This would be his first time fighting a supernatural creature. Moreover, it had been so long since he¡¯d faced an opponent with such an imposing presence. His blood boiled in anticipation, but he didn¡¯t want the battle to end too quickly. Kurosu didn¡¯t usually take pleasure in tormenting his enemies, but this time, he was hungry for a worthy opponent. Though the giant seemed to have no real martial arts skills and merely swung its massive log around, its raw strength was astonishing. As the giant raised the log overhead, Kurosu leaped into its reach, bringing his left hand to the blade and holding his sword above his head. ¡°Wha¡ª¡­ Hey, get out of there! It¡¯s gonna crush you!¡± The child archer yelled out in concern, but Kurosu had already blocked out everything else. All he wanted was to savor this exhilarating feeling for as long as he could. In the next instant, an earth-shattering crash echoed as a tremendous impact surged through Kurosu¡¯s raised arms. ¡°Hahaha, magnificent! I¡¯ve never experienced such strength before!¡± The blow was powerful enough to numb both of his arms and make his spine creak. He had fought opponents renowned for their powerful swordsmanship before, but none had ever delivered such a forceful impact. As expected of a supernatural creature, this strength was truly colossal. Incredible¡­! Kurosu felt a surge of excitement so intense it seemed as if blood might burst from every pore, and he couldn¡¯t help but smile. ¡°He managed to block the giant¡¯s attack¡­!?¡± The borrowed sword was bent from the impact, so Kurosu threw it at the giant¡¯s face. ¡°Arrgh¡­!¡± He was glad he had used this sword rather than his own. If his beloved blade had taken that attack, it would have easily snapped in two after ten years of devoted use. Next, he would test the creature¡¯s endurance. Kurosu had witnessed the giant¡¯s skin deflecting both swords and arrows like armor while observing from the shadows. Would his blade be able to withstand it? Please¡­ let it endure. The giant dropped the log it was holding and clutched its face with both hands, groaning in pain. This left its torso wide open. As he dashed past, Kurosu delivered a powerful, full-force slash to the giant¡¯s flank. CH 9 ¡°Kyain!¡± a high-pitched howl echoed through the quiet forest, where sunlight streamed through the gaps in the trees. A wolf with an arrow sticking out of its forehead stumbled a few steps, then flopped to the ground, motionless. Four men and women emerged from the bushes, confident that their enemy was now silent. ¡°Um, what number was this one?¡± asked Pamela. ¡°The fifth. We¡¯ve completed the request, but¡­¡± Franz trailed off with a somber expression. ¡°It¡¯s just too damn black. Are we cursed or something?¡± he muttered. ¡°Maury, didn¡¯t you skimp on the holy water during the ghost race quest last week? If anyone¡¯s cursed, it¡¯s just you,¡± retorted one of his party members. The adventuring party, known as the ¡°Wilderness Keepers,¡± had come to the enchanted forest to fulfill a request to hunt down forest wolves. As winter approached, wolves became an ideal target for low-level adventurers, as the demand for warm clothing increased, and the price for fur skyrocketed. Forest wolves come in a variety of colors and patterns, including black, white, brown, spotted, and striped. However, in the Pharas Kingdom, where the Luxtra religion is the state religion, white wolves are especially popular, as they resemble the pure white clothing worn by the goddess. As a result, white furs fetch high prices, and among the nobles, wearing the whitest coat is a status symbol. Some are willing to pay hundreds of gold coins for a single pelt. Every year, a few adventurers manage to strike it rich by acquiring a pure white fur. Forest wolves are relatively easy to find, even in shallow areas, and are easy to hunt for low-level adventurers. This year, many adventurers with dreams of striking it rich rushed into the forest. ¡°It¡¯s still early in the day. Should we hunt a few more?¡± Pamela suggested. ¡°Yes, let¡¯s do that. We need to catch some grey ones if we want to pay this month¡¯s rent,¡± replied another party member. ¡°Bart, wasn¡¯t it one gold coin for five black ones?¡± asked Franz. ¡°Even if we combine that with the completion reward, it won¡¯t be enough to cover more than two days of food expenses,¡± Bart replied. Although hunting forest wolves was more challenging than finding them, the Wilderness Keepers had encountered a pack of wolves soon after entering the forest and had already completed their request. However, all the wolves they had killed so far had been black, low-value furs. They felt as though they were being played by the goddess of luck. To be frank, the Wilderness Keepers were struggling financially. This was a common story for low-level adventurer parties. They were caught in a vicious cycle of destroying their equipment, running out of money, and taking on risky jobs to earn more. They believed that someday they would become high-level adventurers, able to undertake higher-paying quests. They weren¡¯t starving, but bankruptcy was looming. The Wilderness Keepers meticulously dismantled the wolves they had killed in the hopes of getting a higher price for their furs. As they worked, they discussed the possibility of exploring further into the forest. ???????? ¡°Hey, look over here,¡± Maury said as they searched the forest for forest wolves. He had found the footprints of several goblin-like creatures. ¡°¡­Franz, can you tell which ones are the footprints?¡± Pamela asked. ¡°Honestly, I have no idea,¡± Franz replied. As a halfling, Maury had sharper eyesight than the human members like Franz and Pamela, so he also served as a scout and archer. Although Franz didn¡¯t quite understand how one could tell the type and number of monsters from looking at the ground, he trusted Maury¡¯s judgment. Goblins were weak individually, and even children could defeat them with a weapon. However, they had an extremely high reproductive rate and a troublesome tendency to form settlements and kidnap humans and livestock when their numbers grew. Therefore, among adventurers, an unwritten rule existed that ¡°if you find goblins, actively hunt them down.¡± ¡°Should we chase them?¡± Franz asked. ¡°Yeah, we have plenty of time, so let¡¯s chase them while searching for forest wolves,¡± he replied. After following the footprints for a while, Maury suddenly stopped and raised his right fist beside his face in a hand signal that meant ¡°everyone stop.¡± Franz and the others came to a halt, and Maury slowly began to back away, his expression tense as he pointed to the right diagonal direction. At first, due to the distance, all Franz could see was what looked like several objects moving in the same direction through the gaps in the trees. He thought it might be a group of goblins or boar-like orcs from their color. But upon closer inspection, he realized that only one giant monster was moving. Franz gasped and held his breath as he recognized the creature. There¡¯s no way that could be it¡­ It was supposed to be a much more powerful monster that lived much deeper in the forest. ¡°Hih!¡± Pamela finally noticed the true identity of the monster a little later and let out a hoarse cry. At that moment, a deafening roar echoed through the forest. ¡°Ruoohhhh!!¡± ¡°Damn it! Pamela, you idiot!¡± Franz shouted. ¡°I-I¡¯m sorry!¡± ¡°Stupid¡­! A giant troll in a place like this!?¡± ¡°Tsk! What are we going to do, Franz?¡± Franz suppressed his emotions by clenching his fists tightly enough to dig his nails into his palms and quickly assessed their situation. Giants were formidable foes. In addition to tremendous strength, they had endless stamina and extremely high physical resistance. Although magic was considered their weakness, only Pamela could use decent magic in their party. The Guild had designated the giant troll as a C-rank threat, which was still far beyond the abilities of their E-rank party. CH 10 Despite reaching this conclusion in an instant, the giant troll was now only 20 meters away, already in a combat stance. Even if they were to run with all their might, it was clear that they wouldn¡¯t be able to escape. ¡°Let¡¯s do this! Maury, distract it! Bart and I will be the wall, and Pamela, prepare your magic! We¡¯re not trying to defeat it, just to retreat and escape when we get the chance!¡± Franz ordered. As Maury fired an arrow to draw the troll¡¯s attention, the monster charged at them with agility that belied its massive size. ¡°©¤©¤Kuh! Maury, aim for its legs!¡± As the giant charged towards them, the swordsman tried to dodge and slash at the giant¡¯s leg with his one-handed sword, but it felt like he was striking a solid rock. ¡°Damn it, how hard is this thing!¡± he cursed. The giant picked up a nearby log and swung it around with its strong arm, its movements slow but deadly. Even one hit from it would mean certain death. However, since only Pamela¡¯s magic was effective against the giant, they couldn¡¯t afford to redirect its attention to the backline. ¡°Bart, fall back and protect Pamela! I¡¯ll draw its attention! Maury, keep shooting your bow!¡± Franz commanded. Despite knowing that his attacks were futile, Franz continued to strike his sword against the giant¡¯s body, trying to buy time until they could use magic. He managed to dodge the attacks for a while, but then suddenly tripped on a protruding tree root from the ground. ¡°Shit! Ugh!¡± he groaned in pain. ¡°Hey, are you okay?¡± Bart asked. ¡°Ah! It¡¯s Franz!¡± Pamela shouted. ¡°Pamela, don¡¯t lose focus!¡± Franz reminded her. Franz raised his shield to block a direct hit, but he was still knocked back and slammed into a large tree, hitting his head and back hard. He could feel the air being knocked out of his lungs. His bones were intact, but he couldn¡¯t move his legs and was unable to speak. This is bad, Bart can¡¯t hold the front line alone¡­! Even though dwarves were much sturdier than humans, it was impossible for one person to withstand a giant¡¯s relentless attacks. While Franz was struggling to stand up, Bart was hit by the giant¡¯s log and was about to collapse. Damn it, is this it¡­? If only his comrades could escape while the giant was eating him¡­ ¡°Hey, you there! Are you an adventurer!?¡± Maury suddenly yelled. Franz, overwhelmed by despair, lifted his head to see a strange man standing in the bushes, whom he hadn¡¯t noticed before. The man had a face that he had never seen in this area. He wore three swords but no armor, only simple gauntlets and greaves. It seemed like a somewhat light equipment for venturing into the Demon Forest, but he didn¡¯t have the flippant attitude of a novice adventurer. The man had rare black hair tied up at the back of his head, and his unusual black eyes were fixed intently on the giant. However, his eyes seemed to hold a hint of curiosity. He appeared to be in his mid-twenties and looked quite young, yet he didn¡¯t show any signs of fear in the face of the giant. In fact, a faint smile graced his handsome face. After a brief exchange, the man leaped forward towards the giant. It seemed like he was going to help them. Thank goodness¡­! As long as the front line can hold out, there is still hope. Once Pamela¡¯s magic lands, the giant should flinch for sure. Then they can make a run for it and hide somewhere. Franz felt grateful to the God of Harmony for this unexpected help, but he froze in shock when he saw the man¡¯s next move. What was he thinking? The man deliberately jumped right under the log that the giant was swinging. What an idiot. What is he trying to do¡­? ¡°Hey! Get out of there! You¡¯ll be crushed!!¡± Maury yelled at the top of his lungs, but the man didn¡¯t budge. To Franz¡¯s horror, the man raised his sword above his head and took a defensive posture. What the hell, is he an amateur!? Please, please move out of the way! Despite Franz¡¯s prayers, the log came crashing down with a deafening sound. Aah¡­I¡¯m dead¡­ Just as he thought that all was lost, he heard a voice cheering excitedly. ¡°Hahaha! Amazing! I¡¯ve never felt such strength before!!¡± The man was laughing after taking a hit from the giant¡­? Is he intentionally letting the giant attack him? This guy is insane¡­ As Franz shuddered at the man¡¯s actions, the man threw the sword he was holding at the giant and reached for the hilt of the thin sword at his waist, lowering his stance. No, that won¡¯t work! That thin sword, like a thrusting rapier, won¡¯t be able to block the giant¡¯s attacks! But then, something strange happened. The man darted past the giant at lightning speed, then suddenly the giant froze in place. Seconds later, a large amount of blood gushed out from the giant¡¯s side. ¡°Ha? What!?¡± The giant¡¯s side had been slashed open, and it was clear that its spine had been severed. It was a fatal blow. What was that just now¡­? Wind magic? No, did he use the miracle of body reinforcement? Looking at the wound, it seemed like he had used that slender sword to finish off the giant, but Franz couldn¡¯t even follow the motion of drawing the sword. With a heavy sound, the giant troll collapsed. Franz and his comrades were struggling to understand what had just happened before their eyes. Who on earth was this man¡­? CH 11 ¡°I consider myself quite attentive, but I completely failed to notice Cross¡¯s presence,¡± lamented Franz. ¡°I was too focused on defending myself from the attacks, I didn¡¯t have the luxury to be aware,¡± replied the samurai. During their exchange, Franz¡¯s sense of feeling gradually returned to his legs. He wobbled to his feet and, as if checking his condition, took a few steps while casting a sidelong glance at the giant carcass, where his companions were engaged in conversation. Although they had not found the forest wolves they initially set out to hunt, they were now battle-worn, their shields and armor in tatters. Considering the injuries sustained by the two frontline fighters, it was far too dangerous to camp within the bewitched forest. Even if they hurriedly turned back now, it was doubtful whether they would make it in time for the final departure of the shared carriage. However, they at least wanted to reach the grassy plains beyond the forest before nightfall. In haste to retreat, Franz promptly took out his knife and began the process of severing the giant¡¯s fingers. As he struggled with the obstinately tough skin, he suddenly realized that Cross was standing behind him. ¡°Franz, what are you doing?¡± questioned Cross with a hint of anger laced in his voice. With a tinge of regret, Franz became aware of his own mistake. He had intended to be helpful and take care of the menial task, but it seemed as though he was perceived as stealing the spoils. ¡°I-I apologize. Since I wasn¡¯t of much use in the battle, I thought I could at least assist in collecting the remains. Of course, I don¡¯t mind if you claim all the rewards for the subjugation,¡± Franz explained. Although he conveyed his lack of ill intentions, Cross still wore a perplexed expression on his face, unsatisfied with the explanation. ¡­Damn it. He had intended to be considerate and help with the miscellaneous tasks, but it seemed as if he was perceived as snatching away the prey. ¡°What are you talking about? I am asking why you are trying to sever the finger of this corpse,¡± Cross questioned. ¡°And what do you mean by ¡®rewards for the subjugation¡¯?¡± ¡°¡­? Ah, I see! Cross, you¡¯re not an adventurer!¡± Franz exclaimed. Dumbfounded by the battle with the giant, he had forgotten that Cross had indeed mentioned not being familiar with adventurers. It was only natural that the term ¡°rewards for the subjugation¡± did not resonate with him. Fully abandoning their chances of catching the shared carriage, Franz decided to settle down with his companions and engage in a conversation with Cross. It turned out that Cross was indeed a foreigner from a place called ¡°Nihon.¡± He had been traveling through this land when he somehow found himself standing in the midst of this forest. Although the vast Bewitched Forest spanned several countries, Franz had never heard of a country called Nihon. Thus, it meant that Cross had wandered into this forest from a distant land. Cross himself seemed unfamiliar with the name ¡°Pharas Kingdom,¡± and he appeared greatly astonished upon being informed that this was the remote western border of the kingdom. How shall I put it¡­ He¡¯s quite a remarkable lost soul. ¡°I couldn¡¯t find a single highway. I was searching for human settlements. Sorry to bother you, but could you guide me to the nearest town?¡± Cross requested. ¡°Of course. We¡¯re heading back to town as well, so let¡¯s go together,¡± Franz replied. ¡°With Franz and Bart in this state, we could really use your help,¡± another companion chimed in. ¡°Although it may not be enough to express our gratitude for saving us,¡± Franz added. As Franz inquired about the country Cross came from, another shocking revelation surfaced. It appeared that there were no monsters in that country. This revelation left everyone dumbfounded to the point that they involuntarily gasped. Monsters were the natural enemies of humanity, no matter where in the world one found themselves. It was believed that the threat of monsters remained unchanged, regardless of the location. ¡°To think such a country exists¡­¡± ¡°A land without monsters. I never even imagined such a thing¡­ It¡¯s like a paradise.¡± ¡°If you lived in such a country, it¡¯s only natural that you wouldn¡¯t know about adventurers¡­¡± ¡°Wait, does that mean you fought the giants without knowing their true nature?¡± ¡°Are they considered monsters too? I assumed they were a kind of supernatural being, based on your use of the term ¡®monstrosity.''¡± In the land of Cross, it was considered taboo to toy with the corpses of even hostile adversaries. Although they understood that the Titans were not human, Franz found it disturbing to think that he was playfully damaging the remains for his own amusement. When he explained that they needed to submit proof of subjugating monsters in order to receive rewards from the Adventurers¡¯ Guild, he promptly understood, though he couldn¡¯t quite grasp the concept. ¡°Proof of subjugation varies depending on the monster. For Titans, it¡¯s their right thumb, while for imps and forest wolves, it¡¯s their right ear,¡± Franz explained. ¡°So, the reward is a form of gratitude for defeating the monster?¡± he inquired. ¡°It¡¯s not exactly a reward. We¡¯re not exactly serving the Adventurers¡¯ Guild¡­ How do I explain it?¡± Franz pondered. ¡°Let¡¯s say when a village¡¯s fields are ravaged by monsters and the villagers can¡¯t handle it themselves, they pay a fee to the Adventurers¡¯ Guild to request subjugation. We adventurers hunt down the monsters as part of that request and receive a subjugation reward. So, it¡¯s more like compensation than a reward¡­ Well, the guild does take a percentage as an intermediary fee from the original request fee,¡± Franz clarified. ¡°I see, it¡¯s quite different from being a servant. You accept a request, fight, and receive compensation in return, similar to the duties of a ninja or a mercenary,¡± Cross deduced. ¡°I¡¯m not familiar with the term ¡®ninja,¡¯ but in terms of the system, it¡¯s similar to mercenaries. The difference is that mercenaries generally fight against humans, while adventurers fight against monsters. Moreover, we also take on requests other than combat. It can range from collecting herbs and minerals, finding missing people, delivering letters, cleaning sewers, or even carrying the belongings of elderly women. Mercenaries may refer to adventurers as ¡®convenience workers,¡¯ but unlike warmongers, we don¡¯t get bored,¡± Franz explained. Bart, his magnificent braided white beard swaying, chuckled heartily. ¡°You could call us a ¡®jack-of-all-trades¡¯ or something of the sort¡­ It seems like quite a demanding job. So, were you in the forest for the purpose of subduing the Titans this time?¡± he asked. ¡°We came to subdue forest wolves, not Titans. Meeting the Titans was simply unfortunate,¡± Franz replied. ¡°Ah, so it wasn¡¯t part of a request. In that case, the battle against the Titans was in vain,¡± Cross remarked. ¡°Well, not exactly. Even without accepting a request, the guild occasionally provides special rewards for subjugating dangerous monsters. And this Titan is undoubtedly a ¡®dangerous monster.¡¯ I believe it will fetch a considerable sum. Besides, I¡¯ve heard that Titan skin and magic stones sell for a high price¡­¡± I shared. Maury looked at the lifeless Titan with a complex expression. His gaze focused on the right thumb that Franz had been desperately trying to sever but had only managed to cut halfway, even with a knife meant for dismemberment. ¡°So, how would one go about skinning a monster with impenetrable hide? It¡¯s a pity, but we¡¯ll have to give up on salvaging the materials,¡± Maury lamented. If they had a Mithril knife, they might have been able to skin it. However, Franz and his penniless party naturally didn¡¯t possess such an expensive item. Cross¡¯s sword was capable of cleaving through Titans, most likely an extraordinarily high-class weapon. If it were made entirely of enchanted silver, they might even need platinum coins to purchase it. They couldn¡¯t even bring themselves to ask for assistance in skinning. As Franz and his companions looked disappointed, Cross stood up and retrieved a beautifully adorned knife from his pocket. With purposeful strides, he approached the giant¡¯s corpse and lightly swung the knife towards its arm. ¡°Huh?¡± ¡°Is this for real?¡± ¡°Wow, that¡¯s incredible.¡± Upon closer inspection, the skin on the Titan¡¯s arm had been neatly severed. ¡°With this dagger, I might be able to skin it¡­ However, I don¡¯t have the confidence to do it properly. What do you say? If you take care of the skinning for me, I¡¯ll split the money we get from selling it as the guide fee to the town,¡± Cross proposed. ¡°Please, we¡¯d be grateful!¡± they all exclaimed with beaming smiles.