Food Preparation Done!
Due to my efforts and Beatry's cooking, the shadow leopard that was once a proud and deadly stalker of the forest of shadows became nothing more than dinner the five of us.
'Ah... Heavenly~' Sniffing the smell wafting out of the cooked food, my stomach churned once more and I licked my lips.
I could've sworn I saw Beatry tremble after I licked my lips. Ignore her for now and focus on the food.
The gobs and Beatry each snacked on one of the leopard's legs and they were kind enough to give me the whole torso.
Carefully picking up the hot and steamy ribs seasoned with spices, I opened my mouth and dug in.
Delish!
Mnmh~ I groaned in satisfaction.
Everything. All the pent up fatigue from looking for Beatry and fighting along with not having a single bite to eat since the very first hour I was summed seemed to fade away into the air. Like dust being scattered away.
Preparing food and eating food truly is a sacred art. Maybe I should force Beatry to teach me how to cook.
Yeah, I would probably do that.
Things seem to be going great for me! I guess I don't have to be too vigilant anymore.
Stella was right, I shouldn't always take things to the extreme.
But now let us calm down. Enough emotions for one day.
My pleased expression hardened and became tranquil once more. And then I started thinking back to everything that had happened up until now.
Firstly the forest of shadows is really interesting. Even a mere bear has the strength to make me feel the least bit threatened.
But that thing despite having strength and durability that could stand up to me was slow.
If it was even just as fast as me I would not be here with the goblins camping and eating delicious food.
"Gobs do not go deep into the forest. Just stay somewhere in the forest's outer circle." They nodded and I finished my food.
The forest of shadows was divided into three circles. Inner, middle and outer circle.
The outer circle is where the generally weaker monsters like goblin bands stay. The middle circle was where we currently are in. This area was where dangerous monsters live. Just like that bear.
The inner-circle was what even fairly strong adventurer groups dreaded the most. Monsters are a cut above the rest but there was also a rumor circulating inside the Adventurer's Guild that I was able to catch wind off.
A juvenile dragon has made its nest in the inner circle.
Even if I was stupidly strong I am not stupid. I glanced at the goblins who yawned and soon fell asleep. Beatry disappeared.
"Hey!" She popped up behind me and I could feel two small and soft hands wrap around my waist.
This feels very uncomfortable. Yet I kept mum about it, still thinking about the food.
"So... What brings such a dashing man like you to my rescue?" She coyly whispered into my ears and she even tried to nibble on them. But I wasn't having any of it and I tilted my head sideways.
Mnmh~ Since she couldn't nibble on my ear she settled for rubbing her cheek against my head.
Petition to punch or not?
Lucky for her before my hand decided to tighten and target her she laid off me. Now that's a relief.
"I'm taking you back home." Casually replying to Beatry, something smelled off. And it was coming very far away.
"I uhm ahm..." She was tongue-tied upon hearing my brazen reply. Her mind spun as she kept on thinking about things I probably wouldn't bat an eye to.
I'm not interested in anyone. All I want to do is...
My eyes widened.
And then it struck me.
What do I really want to do in this bright and colorful new world fraught with endless possibilities?
I grunted uneasily.
What do I want to do? I kept on asking myself that question, hoping for some sort of answer to pop up but sadly there was nothing.
I just didn't know what I wanted to do.
I just feel so empty...
Shaking myself out of my thoughts, I looked at Beatry who was twiddling her fingers while blushing.
"No matter what, I'll take you back home tomorrow. You have no say in that matter as I really will take you home." I mentioned to her once more just to distract myself from the constant loop of existential questions forming in my head.
"T-T-This I... I'm not r-r-ready t-t-o..." She became a stuttering mess and it was amusing to watch her fumble with words.
Sensing something. No, a lot of things heading towards our direction, I stood up and gazed defensively at a certain direction.
The wind carrying the scent of wild beasts drafted forward and assailed my nose.
A lot of things were coming our way. They were still quite a distance away but they would come soon.
"Is something the matter?" Beatry asked and I shot her a worried glance.
"Monsters are coming towards us. A whole lot of them. Even if we run they would soon catch up." A look of realization dawned on her face.
No use thinking of what I would strive forwards for now! I have to make sure everyone else survives this ordeal!
They are my responsibility and I need to take care of them.
Leave them behind? I can't just do that...
KHUHAHH!!!!!!
Hundreds of goblin war cries sounded off in the distance and I gritted my teeth. I can deal with ten or maybe even thirty all at once but a hundred?
Roar!
Roars of shadow leopards and howling wolves announced their presence which made things worse. I could smell all sorts of monsters madly charging at our location.
Moonlight pierced the forest canopy, illuminating the dark surroundings of the forest of shadows. I could perfectly see things again within the distance of twenty meters.
"You..." A large lizard-like eye the size of a human's head glowed faintly from the edge of my vision. It was hiding behind the trees and overgrowth.
Monsters wouldn't just attack us like this for no reason.
Monsters usually follow the rule of stronger monsters.
The rumors were true after all. A dragon lies inside the forest of shadows. And it wants us dead to keep it's existence a secret.
"Hahaha..." I laughed.
[ [Mental Trauma Lv 6] shows signs of shaking off [Serene Mind (Max)]'s suppression. ]
Despite being in another world, everything really is still out to get me. I was too naive to think things would be different.
Just when the time I was having thoughts of things not really being that bad starts filling my conscious, something like this happens.
Fantastic! Well. Played...
I can easily survive by running away. Now that I think about it, yeah that sounds like a good idea.
Running away for the sake of my own life. Fine, I'll run.
I'll just make sure to avenge everyone once I get stronger.
"Wake up you little things! We need to prepare for battle!" Beatry shook the gobs awake and they immediately clambered unto their feet. Grabbing their respective weapons before rushing to me.
Khuuk Khuek!
Their eyes stared at me from below, indicating their trust in my judgment. I looked at Beatry and she looked towards me with hope.
I laughed sheepishly. I couldn't believe I was actually growing afraid at this moment.
What are all of you doing? Didn't you hear what I said that there are a lot of monsters rushing our way? We won't even be able to run. Well the four of you won't.
Silence filled the air and the goblins stared into my eyes, their faith in me shook my mind. I was at a loss.
If I stay I would suffer grievous injuries and the four would die anyway. My struggle will all be for naught. If I run away I will survive and live to see another day.
But that would bury the lives of these four. These four who clearly place their hope on me. I guiltily looked at the three little gobs that I had chose to take under my wing. Three little goblins that are weaklings right now but possess great potential.
There is no doubt that once I raise them well they will become strong monsters who will be the backbone of the monster army I want to create.
And there is also the little girl Beatry who Hado and Stella entrusted me to return safely with her. If I leave then I would be wouldn't just be letting myself down for showing weakness and fear. I would be letting down other people.
Despite being a stranger that recently had crossed paths with them, they put their trust in me.
I sighed before apologetically looking at the goblins and Beatry. I just remembered I had yet to name the gobs.
I...
I am weak...
"Forgive me..." I apologized one last time to the people and monsters that believed in me.