“Are you okay, Lua?”
“If it’s Lua-chan, she can handle Bears Forest just fine. So don’t worry, just wait!”
///
I dashed through the forest at full speed, searching for Mi. I called her name loudly, but there was no response. I scoured Bees Forest thoroughly, but she was nowhere to be found. This meant that, worst-case scenario, she had likely wandered into the adjacent Bears Forest. Unlike Bees Forest, Bears Forest was dense and foreboding. Towering trees with roots rising from the ground created a jungle-like atmosphere. I had passed through here before—yes, when I rushed from the Abyss Cave to Queemil. At that time, I had no idea this place had such a name. The forest felt more black than dark.
Why had Mi strayed from us? Why had I taken my eyes off her? No matter how much I regretted it, I had no choice but to search. I leaped from root to branch, scanning for any sign of her.
Suddenly, I stepped on something squishy. Looking down, I saw a long neck. A massive body rose up before me, shaking its head as if to swat away a fly.
【Poison Salamander appeared! HP 1520】
I recalled the time it had come from Bears Forest to the Strange Plains.
“Stay quiet in the forest this time.”
Not wanting to deal with it, I simply dashed away. The Poison Salamander roared mightily, crashing through the trees as it pursued me. What a tenacious monster, I thought, as memories of that time flooded back.
It was during my journey to Queemil. I remembered stepping on something back then too. Of course, I had also fled without a second thought. Gantetsu had mentioned that Poison Salamanders were relentless creatures that never forgot a grudge.
No way. That Poison Salamander is after me? No, it can’t be. I had certainly shaken it off, and even a giant lizard should have lost track of me by now. Surely, it would give up.
Just as I stood frozen in place, the Poison Salamander lifted its foot to crush me.
【Poison Salamander’s attack! Lua takes no damage!】
Before its foot could land, I swung my weapon and obliterated half of the Poison Salamander’s body in one strike.
【You defeated the Poison Salamander! HP 0/1520】
Did my actions lead to someone’s death?
No, that can’t be. Roel would believe me. Other adventurers would come too. They must.
I stumbled forward, but I still couldn’t find Mi. What could have happened to her? If something had befallen her, the two of us left behind would…
“Mi-chan!”
I shouted from the depths of my being. My throat was sore from calling out so much.
【Steel Bear appeared! HP 831】
“Shut up!”
I was irritated and swatted it away with one hand. The upper half of the bear exploded, its lower half collapsing forward.
【You defeated the Steel Bear! HP 0/831】
This wasn’t the time to be dealing with such creatures. I needed to pick up the pace and scour the entire forest.
“If you’re here, respond!”
///
Before I knew it, I had ventured deep into the forest. The atmosphere was entirely different from before. Thick trees seemed to reach the sky, and the entire forest was shrouded in dim light.
My beloved sisters had initially opposed my becoming an adventurer. They worried about the dangers of being alone at home, but eventually, they relented. For some reason, I had the innate ability to use healing magic, so I became a Healer.
Mi felt completely alienated. She couldn’t contribute like the rest of us, and her sisters were utterly captivated by Lua and Roel, which left her feeling resentful.
She hated the thought of her beloved sisters’ hearts being stolen by those two. Feeling a sudden aversion, she stepped away from the group and found herself in this forest.
In this forest, where terrifying monsters roamed, Mi finally understood her predicament. If she was discovered by the monsters of Bears Forest, her life would be forfeit. Fear surged within her, but she couldn’t even scream.
【Hell Bear appeared! HP 1430】
With the sound of branches snapping, a creature many times heavier than the girl stood in her way. Its drool dripped from the corners of its mouth, indicating it had no intention of letting her escape.
Just as the Hell Bear’s massive arm was about to come crashing down on the paralyzed girl, its movement suddenly halted. The Hell Bear quickly shifted its stance and fled into the depths of the forest, away from the girl.
Just as Mi thought she was saved, she heard a breath that vibrated the air behind her. Trembling, she turned around to find a shadow standing there. No, it wasn’t just a shadow; it was a creature covered in black fur, towering like a mountain from her perspective. Its golden eyes glinted as it quietly regarded Mi. She could tell it was no ordinary monster. It was the same black creature she had seen fleeing from the earlier monster. The sounds of the surrounding monsters had mysteriously ceased.
【Silent Forest Tyrant appeared! HP 5046】
The looming black tyrant seemed more like a dictator than a king of bears. Its claws were already stained red, bearing the marks of its hunts.
Overcome by terror, Mi had no plan to escape. Warmth trickled down her legs. Unable to stand, she collapsed to the ground.
“Help…”
She gathered her courage to call out.
—”Don’t worry, your big sister will always listen to you.”
For some reason, Roel’s words echoed in her mind. If she spoke, perhaps it would reach someone. Even though she wanted to say something, words eluded her, leading to frustrating days. She longed to chat with everyone. She didn’t want to die in a place like this. Mi opened her mouth wide and screamed.
“Big sister!”
Before the tyrant’s brutal strike could claim the girl’s life, its arm was severed and sent flying elsewhere.
With my sword raised, I faced the ruler of the forest. I had managed to protect the girl’s life. I didn’t want to see anyone die. I didn’t want to see anyone sad. If Mi was safe, those two would remain smiling.
“You’re safe now.”
I encouraged Mi, keeping my gaze forward. The tyrant let out no roar, merely beginning to move its massive body toward me with a menacing intent. Its movements and presence were on a different level than any monster I had faced before. It was likely a Floor Monster.
“We need to get out of this forest quickly.”
I swung my sword two or three times, cleaving the tyrant’s body into three parts: the upper chest, the abdomen, and the lower half. I decided to keep the fur, thinking it might be useful as material.
【Lua’s attack! You dealt 243319 damage to the Silent Forest Tyrant! You defeated the Silent Forest Tyrant! HP 0/5046】
Finally feeling a sense of relief, Mi clung to me, tears in her eyes.
“Th-thank you…”
“Even if you didn’t like me, I would protect you. I never want to see any of us sad.”
“I don’t… hate you…”
With a voice that trembled and choked with tears, Mi finally conveyed her true feelings. I gently wrapped my arms around her fragile form.
///
“Hmm, hmm~. Could it be that you’re here to discuss a loan?”
“It’s Gametz from Gametz Trading Company. There are people who have been wronged by your unjust lending practices, and I’ve come to put an end to it.”
“Oh ho, you mean to say the Guild has taken on such a dangerous request?”
“No, this is personal. The Guild is not involved.”
“Ah, so adventurers are just brawlers after all.”
Gametz sank deeply into a soft chair, laughing mockingly at the A-Rank adventurer before him.
“You know of A-Rank Dragon Hunter Seigel, right?”
【Seigel Level: 66 Class: Dragon Hunter Rank: A】
“Ah, the famous Dragon Hunter. I never expected to meet you here. But of course, returning borrowed money is only natural, isn’t it? What could possibly be unjust about that?”
“You’ve made families cry. That’s more than enough.”
“That’s not a conversation worth having. What evidence do you have?”
“I’ll find that out after I take you down.”
“How foolish. Why would you rush into something like that? You’re truly a fool. You can’t possibly think you can win against me… Zangiri!”
“…Can I cut him?”
The man standing next to Gametz swayed like a mirage. His unkempt hair gave off an impression of uncleanliness, and his clothing was carelessly open at the chest, showing a complete disregard for appearance.
“Are you his bodyguard? You certainly fit the bill.”
Zangiri slowly drew his sword.
“Quarter Moon Slash!”
A slash that could only be described as a blade of vacuum struck vertically at Seigel. I had heard of a weapon called the Crescent Ring from a foreign land.
An invisible ring, reminiscent of a Crescent Ring, rhythmically closed in on Seigel, pushing him against the wall. He bled from his chest, unable to evade the attack, but the wound was not severe.
—This guy is dangerous.
Only someone like Seigel, who had faced countless formidable foes, could recognize the true power of his opponent. That uncouth man was far too accustomed to killing humans. He had struck with precision, targeting Seigel’s vital points. This single blow had been so swift that even the slightest movement to dodge had been impossible. The blood flowing from his chest had even torn through his armor.
“Burst Braver!”
With a swing of his great sword, an explosion erupted in the confined space, powerful enough to obliterate everything in its path, heading straight for Zangiri. In fact, the spot where Gametz had fled was reduced to mere splinters. He seemed to be shouting something, but it was of no concern to me. This was not an opponent I could afford to hold back against. I had been foolish to think I could take on a villain so lightly.
As if to prove my naivety, the distance between us closed in an instant, as if he had teleported right before my eyes.
“Scattered Cherry Blossoms.”
My blade traced a crescent arc, slicing through Seigel’s torso. Blood erupted from him like a fountain, reminiscent of cherry blossoms in full bloom, falling gracefully as if they were scattering in the wind.
“Even the heroes of justice… can sometimes… lose…”
In the fading haze of his consciousness, what Seigel beheld was the expressionless figure of the killer looking down upon him.
Monster Compendium
Silent Forest Tyrant
A bear-like monster with a physique many times larger than that of a Hell Bear. It executes its judgment on forest creatures and intruders without uttering a sound, and the terror experienced in the moments before death is said to be exquisite.