After deeply slashing the monster’s arm that was targeting me with its swinging tail, I continued the spinning momentum and cleaved the beast’s waist in half with my greatsword.
Even after being pierced accurately by Yuna’s steel arrow as it fled, trailing strange blue bl**d and glowing entrails, the creature still wouldn’t fall.
With three of its four arms severed and its spine nearly split in two, the thing dragged its barely hanging lower body along the ground. I smashed its head into pieces with the flat side of my greatsword.
After that one, there were no more vibrations signaling an approaching threat. So I told Myungho that it was over—for now.
I lost count after killing and slicing through thirty of them. While we were under attack, even more monsters kept coming, so we ended up forgetting to keep track.
Compared to the creatures from our original mountain, these were weaker. But they were strangely aggressive. Were they not afraid of humans or did they see us purely as prey?
It had been a relentless battle, even making my breathing heavy. There was no need to check on the others’ conditions. Yuna was standing somehow but clearly nearing her limit, and Myungho was swaying as if he needed to rest immediately.
“Haaak… Hek… Alterra, are you sure there’s really nothing? If not, can you at least create something like a rock to lean on or a shallow cave? We need to eat something…”
Looking around, every direction offered only wide-open spaces—perfect for ambushes. It seemed like we really needed to make a cave, just as he said.
Fortunately, there was a tall cliff behind us, so I focused and slightly carved into the wall to create a decent resting space.
Yuna dragged the unconscious Akashi over, and Myungho shuffled into the cave and collapsed as soon as he entered.
Since I still had some energy left, I shouldered one of the relatively intact and less smelly carcasses, gathered some firewood, and entered the cave.
Everyone leaned against the walls of the cave without uttering a word, trying to catch their breath.
I searched among the pebbles nearby for flint and tried sparking a fire by scraping it with my fingernails, but both the flint and the wood were damp, so the fire wouldn’t ignite easily.
Just as frustration started creeping into my gestures, the fire finally caught. However, it looked like it might go out soon, so I summoned some combustible metal fragments from the earth and added them to the small fire.
Now this is more satisfying. Even though I made some sizzling noises while preparing the meat, no one paid attention. With the flames casting light behind me, I began skinning the beast.
I peeled off the hide, slit open the belly, and removed the entrails. The front legs were too full of bone and not edible, so I discarded them boldly, chopped off the head and limbs, and carefully deboned the larger parts.
To get rid of the byproducts, I went outside and held the meat upside down to let the bl**d drain. Normally, I’d let the bl**d drip slowly for a long time, but since we were eating this right away, doing it briefly would suffice.
After squeezing the meat to remove the bl**d, it seemed ready to eat. Whatever remained could be skewered onto a rock stick and brought back inside.
After setting up supports to prevent the meat from burning, Akashi must have smelled it because he woke up and stared blankly at the fire.
“…Akashi, you said two weeks, right? Do you still think that’s possible?”
“This is…unexpected, admittedly. I don’t recall them usually charging in like this. There might be some delays…possibly.”
“Let’s eat first. I can’t think straight because I’m hungry…”
Apparently, doubts arose about whether we could complete the journey within the promised two weeks after enduring such harassment from the monsters. They had good reason to speak softly.
Akashi quietly rummaged through his belongings and pulled out some spices, sprinkling them silently on the meat I was roasting. The improved aroma made it seem far more edible.
Myungho also took something out of his backpack but drank it instead of sprinkling it. A slightly less vibrant red potion than the ones I carry.
He didn’t appear to have any visible wounds, yet after gulping it down, he seemed to recover somewhat. So it restores vitality as well.
After drinking appropriately, he handed the bottle to Yuna, then to Akashi. After they passed it around, there was none left for me…
Not necessary. Weaklings need potions and such. Although offered late, I appreciated Myungho’s concern but declined.
“…Sorry, I should’ve asked if you wanted some…”
“Seems like you guys will find it more useful. Save it. I have my own supply, and I’m not as fragile as you worry.”
Still, it was nice of him to care despite the delay. I silently flipped the meat.
It looks ready to eat now. I broke off a broad rock, flattened one side, sterilized it with a flaming branch, and placed the meat on top.
“Let’s dig in.”
Saying things like that before eating, the names, and even fried rice—it seems like…for some unknown reason, you’re probably someone who was dragged into this world like me.
If I ask, it might lead to something stranger. I chewed the meat silently, questioning inwardly. Though I didn’t expect much, surprisingly, it tasted good. This is the power of spices.
“…Guys, we may need to adjust our strategy moving forward. Let’s try avoiding fights as much as possible. We’re just at the beginning, and if we keep fighting like this, our stamina won’t last.”
“Agreed. It seems the scent of bl**d attracts other beasts. Once bl**d is spilled, it feels like we end up facing all nearby creatures.”
“Yuna makes a good point. I agree. Even if it takes longer, I don’t want to d*e here like a rag. Now, what about our barbarian princess?”
When talk turned to avoiding battles, everyone seemed to agree and glanced at me.
The chances of laying the egg unnoticed by others or wild animals…
are too low. Though I’d prefer to handle everything myself and hurry, they don’t seem capable of enduring such a forced march.
d*mn, teamwork can be inconvenient sometimes. There’s a part of me I never want anyone to see.
“…Haa. Got it. I’ll avoid fights moderately. But I promised to cross the mountain range within two weeks.”
“I can’t guarantee it, but if possible, I’ll do it. Sorry.”
Though I don’t know if we can cross while avoiding fights…well, we’ll try anyway.
The reason I want to avoid laying eggs in this mountain range is simple: I become completely defenseless during the day of laying. My strength weakens, abilities falter, magical defenses disappear, and my detection drops.
In short, I become the perfect prey.
Even though I consider them party members, I don’t fully trust them yet, and I trust Myungho only because he seems reliable. If they suddenly attacked me while I’m weak…
If they can’t protect me from beasts…
Laying eggs here means entrusting myself entirely to people I can’t fully trust.
It’s a terrifying thought.
“…You’d better keep that promise.”
I lightly pressed my stomach to check the egg. Ridiculous as it sounds for a man to lay eggs, it’s my fate, and there’s nothing I can do about it.
“If the worm understands, good. At least we won’t have to endure another six consecutive battles. d*mn, I thought I was going to d*e back there.”
I ate the bones crunching them down to the marrow. Either way, I need plenty of energy for whatever comes next—crossing, fighting, or fleeing.
“…By the way, this is pretty tasty. Alterra, what kind of beast was this?”
“Huh? Oh, those horned boar-like creatures. Probably the seasoning. It didn’t smell like this when roasted plain.”
“That makes sense…seasonings really are the best. People aren’t wrong to go crazy over pepper…”
“People dying over pepper? That’s a new one to me.”
“No, just…pepper is an excellent spice. Wasn’t it pepper you used?”
“If you know so much about taste, why didn’t you say anything earlier, ignoramus? You got it right this time. So, what else don’t you know?”
“…No idea. That.”
“Haha, take back what you just said. You’re still an ignoramus.”
“What about you fixing that noodle-like swollen arm of yours? Can you even hold a weapon with that arm?”
“Why would a mage need a weapon?”
The tense atmosphere melted away as the men joked around. Yuna chimed in jokingly and seemed to have received a blow…or something like that.
Since I don’t understand the language, I felt a bit left out, but Myungho naturally included me in the conversation, dispelling that feeling.
Though I lack a knack for jokes, quietly eating the meat and occasionally interjecting a word or two was enough to feel like I was together with them.
Despite doubting their reliability earlier, they are precious comrades nonetheless.
“…Puh, did you really say that? What is that supposed to mean?”
After warming our hearts as well as our stomachs with conversation, we resumed our climb.
