068. Restart
I did not mean to underestimate the threat of nature ― I was reminded of the fact that I had looked down on the "world" and overestimated my own existence to such an extent that I could not help but think of such words in my mind.
(Since then......How many days has it been?)
In the beginning, I counted on scratching the trunk of a nearby tree, but that luxury would soon be lost.
Environmental changes, adaptation problems, symptoms of poisoning or infection by mosquitoes and leeches, lack of food security due to the inability to move ― just when I thought I could barely cope, the demonic beasts attacked me one after another.
Both my body and mind were overworked to the limit, and no matter how much I cried and screamed, no one would help me.
In fact, I even wondered, "Why am I still alive?".....but I dismissed it as a trivial, unimportant matter soon after. Because
「...... It makes you laugh, isn't it.」
I began to laugh at my selfishness in not being able to choose my own death while living a life like a caveman, alone.
Painful, harsh, scary ― I understand that if I don't like it, I can just run away from everything and take my life and be done with it, but I just can't make that choice.
The reason is simple.
「I don't want to die.」
Even if I am suddenly transported to another world,...... even if I lose someone I love,...... Even after being injured in mind and body, and even after being thrown out into such a secluded forest and experiencing the pain of slogging around, the "truth" was clearly confronted.
Now I am simply "living because I don't want to die" ― nothing more, nothing less.
「......[Status]」
Suddenly, I was curious and checked my abilities for the first time in a while.
「My level has increased to 21, though there are no significant changes in my other abilities.」
If I had to say, I would say that some of my skills, especially 【Abnormal Resistance】, have increased in level. Physical ability and force have hardly changed at all, though.
「......Good grief. Really, what the hell am I doing?」
I ask myself for the umpteenth time as I put on my furry clothes and check the grill of the fish I've caught.
「I don't know what the hell Grieve is thinking, either. ...... Enough of this, let's move on to another place, shall we?」
I've finally gotten used to living in the forest, but until then I've been so busy adapting that I've rarely gone for walks or other such activities.
Also, there were no other reactions other than the occasional hint of a demonic beast that seemed to have noticed my presence in the [Sensing].
After filling my stomach and quenching my thirst, I crossed my arms and pondered for a while, then got up and put out the fire. Then,
「......If I can go home, I'll go home.」
I'm getting tired of living in the woods for good.
It was not the survival I wanted, and Grieve did not say anything about it, so there should be no reason for me to complain about where I was going or what I was doing now. However,
「I was brought here by "transfer".」
If I think about it, there is no guarantee that I am in Hanaria.
I may be in a completely different place, but if that is the case, I am fine with that.
「If I can find a being that I can communicate with, I can work out the rest.」
I won't waste time thinking about it ― I'll get ready and push forward on the road less traveled.
And then I will kill the demonic beasts that attack me from time to time, eat when I am hungry, and if I am tired, rest in a tree or in a cave, and so on. ......
「Muh」
The [Sensing], which until now has rarely reacted to unusual events, suddenly sensed a change.
(Is this――is someone being attacked!?)
I wasn't sure, but now was not the time to be thinking about it.
I used my [Physical Enhancement] and rushed to the scene at the speed of the wind...
「Whaaa!?」
I was startled to see a huge lizard-like monster in a slightly open area.
「N-No way――Dragon!?」
It was more than ten meters long. It was maybe a little over two meters tall?
A three-eyed monster with its entire body covered in black-gray scales ― it was attacking several men and women.
「Orrrraaaaaaaaaaaah!!!!」
I couldn't swallow the situation at all, but this was no time to watch.
I leaped onto the spot and kicked the ground forcefully, and the lizard, which seemed to have finally noticed my presence, reacted, but
「Too late!」
I grabbed a handmade stone axe in my right hand, and with all my might, I slammed it into its head, but...
(Ah!)
Perhaps because I put too much force into it, it shattered without a second thought. But
「Ha. It's not what it looks like.」
The surprise attack had succeeded, and the blow had struck a vital point, so the fight was settled in no time at all.
「But still ― that was a close call.」
I exhaled and turned my head to those who had been attacked.
「Y-You―What the hell are you!?」
「Don't tell me, Human!?」
「You came all this way!」
They shouted with a look of mixed fear and surprise on their faces.
I, on the other hand, finally realized, belatedly, that it wasn't a human being I was saving.
「You guys ― could it be elves?」
They had clear white skin and slender bodies, pointed ears. They had golden hair and blue or green eyes, all of which gave them a statuesque, perfectly formed appearance. However.
(? A normal elf mixed with a dark elf. Plus)
I somehow fell into my usual mood, because there was also a person who looked like a spirit person with light blue hair. Then...
「――Man~. I knew it was going to be like this.」
In no time at all, I was surrounded, and with eyes filled with murderous intent, each of them pointed at me the weapons they held in their hands.
「I am grateful to have been saved from a close call. But...」
「But it is unthinkable that a human being would visit this place at this time of year!」
「You must be a member of the military, right!? Or else you are a hired fixer!?」
「I'm sorry, but we can't let you return alive!」
It seems that they are ready to kill me.
(Oh, man...)
As one would expect, the odds were against me.
Not only is there a difference in numbers, but each one of them seems to be quite skilled in their own way.
(Their level ― probably the same or a little lower than mine. But...)
Assuming that they are living in a harsh forest, there must be a "secret way" or "means" to get around.
Maybe I can use powerful folia ― from the looks of it, my folia seems to be pretty high level, and I'm as naked as a bat.
(Well, what should I do?)
I'm not going to let them kill me without a fight, no matter how much it costs.
I don't mean to sound condescending, but I'm sure we will never be able to understand each other if they are the kind of people who attack the people who helped them.
The moment they put their hands on me, I will launch a counterattack,......, and with that intention in mind, I secretly gather force in my right hand.
「Stop, stop, stooooopppppppp! Everyone, calm dooooooown!」
Suddenly, there was a person who intervened between us, raising a loud voice.
Is she the same age as me? Her actual age is unknown as she is one of the elves famous for having the longest life expectancy, but she gives the impression of being quite lively.
Her golden hair was long and shining down to her shoulders, she wore silver plate armor, and a slender sword hung from her waist.
She is a beautiful girl who lives up to her name as an elf, a synonym for grace - she has the greatest force of all of them, and her every little movement is lean.
She must be a very strong person―I'm just trying to get a feel for what's going on.
「It's a situation that can't be helped, but if we attack him just because "he's human", you'll end up being the same as the humans we hate!?」
She said with one hand on her hip, and apparently, the other side decided to wait and see.
「I'm sorry. It's a complicated situation. Everyone here is a non-combatant,......, and I thank you for exterminating the ferocious "Forest Monitor Lizard"♪」
She approached me with a beaming smile.
「My name is Philly. I'm an elf ranger. What about you?」
「......It's Yuuto.」
As soon as I said my name, I didn't miss the slight movement in her cheeks. But...
「I see, Yuuto. In any case, thank you so much for saving us all! I can't thank you enough, but if you like, I can show you to our base!」
She said this and held both of my hands ― the moment I felt a slight cold, yet smooth sensation. *Shudder, shudder, shudder*――I felt an unexpected chill.
「H-Huh?」
Suddenly, I felt no strength in my legs―My vision went dark, and I collapsed to the ground.
「What!? Yu-Yuuto!? What's happened to you!?」
I thought I heard Philly's voice, but that's all I remember.
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Tftc
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