Episode 2: The pantherian
"..."
"..."
Two figures are slowly descending the mountain.
The first one walks in a straight and almost stiff manner while his tail behind is flowing calmly as if to hypnotize any onlooker.
The other one trots behind silently, seemingly bored with his tail restlessly moving about everywhere.
"..."
I follow behind the "ice-cold prince" for about half a meter silently.
It seems to me that this person won't talk at all unless it is something necessary and important, suitable for my "ice-cold prince" title for him.
"Sigh..."
This might just be the most boring moment I've ever been.
It was a bit more fun while I was traveling by myself since I was free to do whatever I wanted to after all.
This is bad. With a personality like mine, I won't feel at ease with this silence despite having an available person to talk to nearby.
Plus, it was a bit of time when I finally get to meet a person. I've been really itching to talk to him right now...
"..."
I watch his shiny short black hair and the pair of cat ears just so I could find something to put my mind to.
By the way, I have already taken down the house and cleared the mess we did earlier after deciding I will come along with him to his tribe.
Altho I'm still puzzled why, I just decided to get along with him since my initial goal was to get to a town... or any settlement at all.
It's just that, contrary to my plan, It is a pantherian village I get to go to this time.
Well, I could just visit the human town some other time.
"..."
This man always put his hands behind his back and walk in a very steady manner.
"Heh..."
This is so like him. His face, the tone of his voice, and the way he moves are all so stiff.
If he's wearing something white right now, anyone would mistake him as a ghost.
"Ahihi-...ah?!"
I made a smile and almost broke into laughter when his left ear suddenly moved and he took a side glance at me with his cold eyes.
"..."
"S-sorry..."
I look down and continued walking.
"..."
"..."
Is this what they call silent torture?
"..."
This is very hard for me. If I can't talk, I'll just put my mind elsewhere! But I can't even laugh?
This is hell!
"Sigh..."
I can just sigh then. Argh! so bored... Why is he even walking so slow?
When will we ever get there?
"...huh?"
While looking down, I see his pretty hands that I finally notice looking s different compared to when he attacked me earlier.
"..."
The "claw" from earlier must be a trait or some sort of transformation magic pantherians have.
"..."
My eyes moved down to his shiny, black tail that's rhythmically swaying left and right as he's walking.
Contrary to his stiff walking, at least his tail looks innocent.
I thought so when my feet caught a root and I fell on his back.
"Oooff!"
He stopped walking when he suddenly felt my face hitting his back.
H-he smells so good.
He's not wearing any perfume or even used a detergent on what he's wearing, but it was his natural scent I found smelling very good?!
I feel like I almost turned into some pervert so I hurriedly stand back up on my feet and ruffed my hair.
I gingerly look up to try and see his reaction and witness his ever so stiff handsome face and those cold emerald eyes looking down at me.
"Ummm, I'm sorry..."
"Be careful... watch your step..."
I apologized in a meek voice while he just said a few words in his cold voice.
He then returned facing the front and started walking at the same pace he did.
I also started walking while feeling my face heating up.
Thinking about what happened just now, just what did I do? What is going on with me?
I-I s-sniffed him?!
[The heat of youth probably...]
Shut up!
Uuuu... So embarrassing
"Arrrgh...!"
I made a squeaking sound and slowly trot behind him.
"..."
He then yet again took a side glare at me.
"S-sorry... Again...."
I said in a low voice.
"Humn..."
He only made a deep sound from his throat and looks in front again.
"..."
"..."
Walking for a while in the silence, I started amusing myself by imagining isekai things.
I can't help to entertain myself since it's a freaking long walk in silence you know?
"..."
Wait, now that I think of it, there's no problem communicating with others in this world huh?
[That's normal. You have already obtained "Language comprehension" after all. That skill works both ways as you comprehend other's language and they to yours. You are the one who misunderstood something and uselessly started complaining last night]
The monotonous announcement lady replied.
"Heeh"
Sorry for that. I said in my mind.
But won't the other party notice something wrong while talking with me?
[Negative. Because the ones hearing you will hear it on the language they understand just like how you hear their language to yours]
Now that I think of it, I've been hearing him talk in my language all this time.
I must have overlooked that because of what happened from the moment I met him.
"..."
But can I write in their language though?
[Udiolasian writing system. Researching. It will take a bit of time since you don't have anything resembling it from your memories]
Is that so? Well, thanks anyway.
"..."
"..."
Say, can you be my talking partner?
[... I can. What. do. you. wish. to. talk. about.]
O-on second thought... Nevermind that.
The monotone ticks me off.
Is it doing that on purpose?
After that, the announcement lady no longer made any sound.
"..."
"..."
Appraisal lady?
[...]
This b-?! It's ignoring me?!
"..."
"..."
I then continue the long walk in very painful silence.
"Sigh..."
The man in front of me shows no interest in anything whatsoever.
Is he not bored at all?
Because "I" am bored. Very bored, I could almost not bear it.
Now that I think of it, what's his name?
I forgot to look at his appraisal before since the announcement lady already briefly informed me about him.
Arriving at that thought, I decided to do just that.
He's not looking back and would only walk in his firm pose so I took the opportunity to use "appraisal" at his back.
"Humm..."
I was about to scroll the screen in front of me when the man flinched and suddenly stopped walking.
I also stopped walking before bumping into him.
"...?"
I wonder what happened...
"...I can feel you using some type of skill to discern my strength. My mother has a "soul seeing eye" which is why I'm quite familiar with the feeling. Are you going to betray me now after you caught my trust? Humans..."
He looks at me with knitted eyebrows and disappointed eyes.
"I-I'm sorry. I don't mean anything by it. Honestly, I'm a bit bored right now. I also just want to feel reassured coming with you to your territory, a-and tried to get some information... I'm honestly not thinking anything bad okay? I'm very sorry for startling you..."
It's the truth, only that I'm more curious about your name.
I said deep in my mind.
"...Humn"
He then returned walking after hearing my explanation.
"..."
He accepted it just like that huh...
Gosh, his "truth discerning skill" saves me from a lot of trouble.
It clears all misunderstandings after all.
His uninterested personality also saves me a lot from giving long explanations.
I unconsciously smile while thinking that.
"..."
"..."
Altho, just barely, I was still able to catch some glimpse at his appraisal screen and caught some info about him.
His name seems to be Yuka and he's 19?!
He's younger than me?!
He looks so mature that I thought he was around 23!
I'm in shock while looking at his wide back.
Altho I did not see it but I'm almost certain he has an "Ice prince" or "Cold face" title or something like that.
"..."
"..."
We kept walking in silence till the bottom of the mountain.
We then suddenly started running for a while and jumped a dangerous-looking cliff before arriving at a clearing inside a very thick forest.
I can't believe I was able to keep up with him.
It almost felt like I was inside the anime n*r*t* while maneuvering from tree to tree earlier.
It must be because of some skills that I forgot about.
[Affirmative. It's the "unparalleled reaction speed", "high stamina", "sharp balance" and "body strengthening" skills that I activated for you]
Wow, so convenient! I can just leave all the troublesome work to the announcement lady!
Wait, she's an "artificial intelligence companion" isn't she?
Let me call you "A.I.C" from now on.
That's still long to say though.
Arriving near what seems to be the village's entrance, I felt several other's presences.
I look up at the two oddly big trees, each with something like a treehouse on top of them.
"Hmm..."
I can feel several people's gazes from them.
Is that their watchtowers?
Between them is a big wooden wall that has a small entrance that can only fit one person at the bottom center.
I just watch as some people came down from the watchtowers by jumping.
Wow, are they ninjas or something?
When they landed, they just keep some safe distance from us.
They all look in our direction while talking by themselves.
Some of them look at Yuka with a relieved face and then made a shocked face when they saw me.
We keep walking past them while they just stare at me with curious to weirded-out looks.
"Yo, Yuka! Our strongest fighter of the generation! what kind of thing did you bring back? I thought you were investigating the strange thing that appeared on our lookout spot?"
I thought that we would pass by and enter the entrance smoothly when a slightly bigger man blocked our way.
"..."
Yuka just stares silently at the man for a bit before saying something in a deep voice.
"Not your business..."
He coldly said so and lightly shoved the bigger man to the side and then continued walking inside the entrance.
"...?"
Wow, he's even cold towards his kind.
I unconsciously stopped walking and started pondering about what's going to happen next.
So he is usually like this huh... Will they fight?
"...woah"
"...hey it looked here"
"What is that?"
I heard some people whispering by themselves.
Woah... Why are they looking at me like that?
I was being pierced with gazes when Yuka looks back at me and said
"come..."
I then gingerly walked closer to him towards the entrance and into the village.
"H-hey?! What do you mean none of my business! What the hell?! He's not even listening?! Just because you're slightly stronger and the son of the chief, you can't treat someone older than you like this! Hey!"
"L-let it be, it's not like we can do anything with him"
I heard the man angrily shouting, while there's also another one who convinced him to calm down.
"What the hell's that thing he brought back this time?"
"I don't know"
"Well Yuka seems fine with it, so it must not be something dangerous"
"You're right, but, just what is it?"
"It looks strange..."
I also heard some of them wondering by themselves while looking at me.
Are they talking about me?
Wait, they kept referring to me as "that thing" and "it" tho?
I look at Yuka and his usual straight face seems not bothered at all.
"..."
"..."
Inside, there are a lot of houses lined up.
Some residents look at us with interested faces but mostly, they have quite a shock visibly shown on their faces.
"Ma, ma. That older brother look weird"
"No good my dear, it's bad to point at others"
I passed by a child that was playing when he suddenly stopped and something like a toy fell from his hands.
He looked with wide eyes and then pointed at me, rudely calling me "weird"
His mother warned him to stop rudely pointing, but even she showed a weirded-out face when she saw me.
"White, is that some other race? His ears and tails look pantherian tho"
"You're right, he must be a half? or a mutant?"
"Wow, really? that's the first time I've seen something like this!"
I heard some strange things coming from some adults.
Are they really talking about me?
While thinking about what is going on, I caught a glimpse of my tail that is swaying on the side.
"W-white?!"
I stop walking, causing Yuka to look at me in wonder.
Why the hell's my panther tail white? Don't tell me, my ears are also white?
Now that I think of it, when I saw my reflection in the mirror, I saw my hair turned while.
"Ah..."
I'm supposed to be a panther right now!
All the people that are looking weirdly at me, all have dark-brown to black ears and tails.
"His eyes look strange"
I heard someone saying so and finally get to remember that my eyes are also now colored in red.
I must look like an albino panther for them right now.
But I doubt albinism is a thing for them though.
"Keep walking..."
I was thinking deeply about how the hell am I supposed to fix this error when I heard Yuka's cold voice.
That woke me up so I hurriedly trotted towards him.
"..."
"..."
We then continue walking while being basked with stares as well as the center of gossips.
This feels awkward...
I turned fidgety and I slowly look at Yuka to see what's his reaction to this.
"..."
He looks uninterested while walking firmly as usual.
"..."
It's amazing how he can just look straight at the path when his name gets occasionally called out among the murmurs around.
"..."
"Say, Y-yuka. What do you think about my hair and eye color?"
We returned to being silent so I bravely started asking a question.
I'm honestly curious why he doesn't seem bothered about them when everybody seems so.
Even now, the villagers keep muttering "white hair", "red eyes", "eerie", and "weird" while looking at me.
If only he said something about it from the beginning, I could have done something about it before coming here.
"..."
He just continues to walk without even taking a side glance at me before saying a word.
"... Odd"
That one word.
One word was enough to explain just how uninteresting I am to him.
What the hell's wrong with him?
"A-ah, why did you even bring me here? Based on your behavior earlier, it seems like you're not very welcoming to humans or even with someone new?"
Since he answered anyway, I asked him another one that's been bothering me all this time.
"...you're not a human right now"
He only answers one thing while disregarding the other matters huh?
But wait. Did he heard what I was saying?
"Wait. You know that I'm a human yet you're not even asking how did I manage to make myself look like this?... Anyway, you did not even answer me, why did you bring me here?"
"I can't let you go anywhere so you could tell our location. So I decided to bring you along"
"Is that so? But what would you have done if I did not come along?"
"you came along..."
"Yes, that's true, but what "if" I did not?"
"Like I said. I would not let you go unless you step over my dead body"
"You would even go to that extent..."
Seems like my brain cells would die from irritation just by talking to him.
We keep walking while talking until we arrived in front of the biggest house in the village.
Before I know it, a lot of people also followed us.
I look around at the people that slowly surrounded us after we stopped walking.
I gingerly ask Yuka in a small voice.
"A-anyway, now that I'm here, what should I do?"
"...It's up to you. As long as you don't go anywhere else..."
"I'm a prisoner?"
"You could probably go out anywhere if you kill all of us here..."
"H-hey!"
"But it seems like you won't do anything like that"
"Well..."
"I'm going inside.."
He slowly walks inside the house and left me while being surrounded by the pantherians.
"... Ah, umm..."
I can't help but gingerly smile at the people surrounding me while sweat is slowly dripping on my forehead.
They all stare at me with a freaked-out face while talking gossips about me openly.
"what the hell's that? A pantherian?"
"I have not heard anything about this kind of creature"
"Can it speak?"
"Must be, I saw it talking with Yuka earlier"
"What is it doing here?"
"Yuka suddenly brought it here and went to the chief's house"
"Is it perhaps gonna start living here?"
"Hey, don't joke around! I have my kid here. What are you gonna do if it eats him!"
"Dad, will that weird big brother eat me?"
"Hey, stop talking! It might hear you and get angry!"
I keep receiving various rude comments while being looked at as if I'm a unique animal in a zoo.
"Ahahaha...."
I made a forced laugh and unconsciously scratch the back of my head while hearing them.
I distracted myself by rudely thinking that none of them looks half as good as Yuka.
It seems like Yuka's beautiful face is something unique even in this world huh?
My sweat keeps dripping and I can't do anything except make a friendly face.
"I'm sorry for intruding. Don't worry I won't eat anyone"
I said while looking at the child that looks like he's about to cry.
"Look! He understands us!"
Some made a shocked face and all of them stopped openly gossiping about me.
"..."
But I can still hear some murmurs around.
"I'm sorry about that. Everyone here hasn't seen any new faces ever since we started hiding. But Yuka brought you here so I'm sure you're not someone that could bring any harm"
An old woman that's standing with a cane walked towards me and apologized.
"U-um it's okay. I understand"
[Wow, so kind of you. I wonder why did you not show me this kind of attitude before when you kept fighting every time you don't understand the skills I gave you...]
A.I.C suddenly said something.
And here I was wondering what happened to her that made her silent the whole time.
It seems like she would only make a sound to reprehend me.
"Oho? How kind of you. But is it okay to pry some questions out of you? Everyone here wants to know what are you doing here after all"
The old woman made a kind smile while her tail is swaying restlessly behind her back.
I look at her and was reminded by the neighbor's grandma who would find everything interesting since she's lacking in entertainment.
She would call out to me and ask some questions, and before I know it, she would start talking about her life experiences.
Because of that, I easily warmed up to this pantherian grandma and talked about how I ended up meeting Yuka.
Of course, I left out the whole summoning thing, especially the fact that I came from another world.
The grandma invited me to sit down near their well and asked me to get some in case I'm thirsty.
Altho I used water magic all this time, I used the well out of consideration for grandma.
It is also not to alert the other pantherians that are gathered around.
I talk for a while up to the story where Yuka suddenly showed up and started attacking me.
"Oho, you mean to tell me you have no recollection as to how and why before you suddenly woke up somewhere strange?"
"S-something like that. When I came to, I was suddenly in a dark place after all"
I made a wry smile when I felt the grandma misunderstood something.
In the corner of my vision, I saw some of the gathered pantherians slowly turning their weirded-out gaze into a pity while listening to my story.
"Oho. And you also said that you used to have black hair like all the other pantherians normally should have. Such a poor child. Don't you remember how that happened at all?"
Grandam looks at me with a very worried face.
I heard people gasp.
I also heard some saying things along the lines.
"oh my! How unfortunate"
"poor guy"
"he must have been very disheartened"
"to think we were very rude and stared at him with such gazes!"
"Do you think he was kicked out of his village after that happened to him?!"
"We should let him stay here! This petite-looking young boy, something bad would happen once those vicious humans discover him!"
Some information missing from my explanation and their misunderstanding went out of control.
"Y-yes. I don't know how my hair and eyes turned out like this at all"
I said while having a complicated feeling.
I scratch my head while reasoning myself that I did not tell any lie at all. They misunderstood by themselves okay!
"Is that even true at all? Isn't it strange that thing only happened to him?! We never heard anything about this before! Even from humans, there's no such record about a pantherian that suddenly got white hair! Don't you think this is one of the evil schemes from humans?! What would you do if he was a spy?!"
"Hey!"
When I thought that they all have already lowered their guard, someone suddenly pointed that out.
Some look at him with disagreement and some started having speculations visible on their faces.
"He said nothing but the truth..."
These all ended after a cold voice suddenly called everyone's attention.
"It's Yuka. He can discern lies too like her mother. So everything he said must be true!"
"What an unfortunate thing to happen to someone. Humans must be behind it all! If it was the humans, it's only understandable! Those heartless savages!"
Whoa, it seems like they really hate humans.
I wonder what would happen after finding out that the one they keep worrying about is also a human.
I better keep this "transformation" and be a pantherian all the time. At least while I'm here.
"You can stay here..."
"O-okay"
Yuka walked towards me while saying that.
I did not know what to feel and just reluctantly said yes.
"As expected of Yuka. I'm glad I came with him after deciding everything with the chief. Hi there! I'm Jiji. I'm Yuka's childhood friend and also a disciple of his mother. I came to explain what you should do here from now on!"
When I started wondering what Yuka really mean by that, a high-spirited girl with long hair braided behind her back, started talking behind him.
"Come on! You can do anything that you want here. The village is still rebuilding after relocating here recently so there's a lot of space. The chief decided to give you a piece of land on the south"
"T-thank you um, Jiji"
She holds my hand and pulled me over to go somewhere.
I feel incredibly shy because of her bright energy and over-friendliness.
She seems not bothered to even for a bit about my appearance at all?
As we're heading somewhere, the houses keep getting lesser and lesser.
When I think that we finally arrived, she pointed out a cleared space and told me I could use it to build a place to stay.
Of course, she would also ask for some help from their specialist. She said.
"It's okay, I can't possibly bother anyone at this point. I just got here after all"
"I-is that so? But still, you can ask for help you know? I will definitely help you!"
"Okay, I will ask some help when I encounter something I can't handle"
"Good. let me go back, I still have a bit of work to do back home. But remember to ask for help okay? Once again, it was nice to meet you. Good luck! I hope you will find it comfortable while staying here!"
"Y-yeah"
She's very energetic till the end.
Seeing her bright energy makes me feel nice. And weird.
I'm sure she must have some questions about my origin but she just keeps smiling at me.
She already walked quite a distance but suddenly stopped and waved at me.
"I forgot! You can have lunch at my place today if you want!"
"A-ah!Thanks!"
She's already quite far that's why we both have to yell just to say those.
"..."
I'm already alone since there are only a few houses here.
It also seems like the pantherians have already gone to their businesses now that it's near lunchtime.
"Now then, is it okay to use earth magic and build a house here?"
After thinking for a while and looking around for any presence, I started gathering mana and used earth magic to make a house.
I made it match the sizes of the other buildings so as to not possibly cause any disputes with the others living near.
In the end, I made a one-story house. Complete with a living room, bathroom, and a few other rooms that I should decide what to use for later.
I'm still doubtful if I can stay here with all these misunderstandings but there are a lot of kind people here.
I also kinda felt Yuka already talked me out with their Chief.
Wait, can Yuka explain properly at all?
"It's smaller than your camp..."
I started doubting Yuka when I suddenly heard him behind me.
"Whoah! Y-you're here?"
He looks at me in an uninterested manner briefly and then looks at my house up and down.
"You can use earth magic pretty well..."
He keeps staring at it as if he finds something lacking despite saying that.
"The camp..."
He then mutters something that I don't understand in a small voice.
"Camp?..."
What does he mean by camp...
Oh, he must be disappointed at this house after seeing the two-story one earlier.
I called it a "camp" since I kept treating them like that, to just tear them down whenever I finish using them.
But the design was pretty "earthly" modern after all.
I made it with the minimalistic designs I saw in magazines and wished to live in someday.
Does he also find it looks interesting?
That must be why he just stood motionlessly outside before meeting me earlier.
It can't be... Right?
"Heh"
I almost laughed after thinking that.
Let me ask what he thinks about it then.
"You don't like it?"
"..."
He just stays silently staring at the house.
"..."
"Do you need something?"
"..."
"I-I'm heading inside. I still have to make some finishing touches after all"
He did not show any reaction so I enter the house and started making chairs, tables, a sink, a toilet, and a bed.
I can feel Yuka just watching me from behind but he was so silent that I almost forgot about him.
I went back to the living room and stare at the wall.
"Humn, this is a good spot. Okay, I've decided I'm gonna put it here"
I look at the wall through a square that I made using my fingers.
After nodding several times while contemplating, I finally came to decide how I'm going to imprint "that" here.
I then started using "image imprinting" and a part of the wall started glowing.
The glow filled the whole room with rainbow colors and slowly receded with the completion of the process.
"...wow"
What got revealed was the scenery of the sun setting below the horizon from a high perspective.
This isn't what I was expecting at all. I thought that it would look like a painting but, this image that I'm looking at on the wall looks like a huge high-quality picture that was taken by a high-spec DSLR camera.
It's like what I'm seeing is the real thing.
I can even feel the warm sun and cool atmosphere from that place while looking at this picture here.
"The lookout point..."
Yuka mutters while looking at the picture on the wall.
Yuka's face is staying in the same emotionless look as usual, but how should I say this?... He's somehow emitting a stunned and very amazed feeling?
Am I imagining it?
"...Yup... I-I decided to do this after I saw it yesterday. It was truly magnificent after all"
He looks at me with a look in his eyes somehow asking me how did I do it.
"Hmmn. I have a lot of skill set you won't be able to imagine at all..."
I reluctantly said.
I can't say exactly how I was able to get the skill after all.
Even I wonder just how, and what are the limits of the "Research and Creation" skill that I have.
Does anyone even have it in this world except me? Is it okay to say it out loud? What would happen if it's not something that could be accepted?
Will I get in trouble by having this?
I'm a lot stronger than the one who summoned me after just a week after all.
And she was a very strong and scary existence to humanity.
What would happen if someone discovers this ability?
"..."
No good, it seems like I keep breaking the vow about not to think deep and disturbing thoughts.
Thinking about these now is completely useless.
"Name..."
"Humn?"
I unconsciously keep staring at Yuka while thinking those things when he suddenly said something.
"Your name..."
"A-ah... Artemis. You can call me Artemis"
"Artemis..."
He repeated saying that name and look back at the picture on the wall.
His face still looks emotionless, but seeing him from this side, his tail is dancing happily.
For some reason, I just gave out the new name on my status screen as if it was the natural thing to do tho.
Well, it "is" my name.
It's only that, I don't know who gave them. Was it Scarlet dripping?
By the way, why is Yuka here right now? Doesn't he have something to do, like help prepare lunch or something?
"..."
"Umm, I still have things to do. Don't you have to go to do your work or something like that?"
"I'm doing it right now..."
"Humn? how?"
"I'm keeping eyes on you"
"I-is that an official duty?"
He nods.
It must be something they decided after settling what they ought to do with me earlier.
Wait, is he gonna stick with me while being silent all the time?
"Y-you can sit there you know? I still want to make some types of furniture outside. Don't worry I won't go anywhere else besides that"
"..."
He said nothing.
Whatever. I'll just go ahead and do my thing.
It's not like he's doing anything particular that bothers me. He's not even stopping me from going outside or from suddenly using unknown magic.
I went outside and brought in some sticks that I found lying around.
Then, using "plant manipulation", I started making some wooden pieces of furniture like a cabinet, bedside table, wooden chairs, and a big table in their respective rooms.
"..."
I take it back. Just him staring at me silently wherever I go is very bothersome.
"Um- Yuka, don't you have anything else to do? I think it's already lunchtime"
"Let's go"
"A-are you inviting me somewhere?"
"...Lunch at Jiji's"
"R-right..."
The talk just naturally flows towards lunch huh?
Wait. Did he wait for me to finish despite already feeling hungry?
If I never asked about it, would he have stayed silent the whole time?
It's rude but I have to say he's weird.
I can't believe someone like this exists outside the Japanese manga and anime.
"..."
He then led outside and walk towards somewhere I think Jiji's house is located.
"Um, I-is it truly okay for me to intrude and eat lunch there"
"..."
Yuka looks at me with a somewhat puzzled feeling on his emotionless face.
"Jiji invited you..."
I can almost hear him in my mind saying "that's normal, she invited you after all"
"I-is that so... I'm just a bit shy after all"
I can't believe that I think I can already read him.
It's just not too long ago that I feel nervous or irritated while trying to talk to him.
Now, I can even hold a proper conversation with him.
Well, it's still too soon to say that's even a "proper" conversation tho.
But this little improvement made me happy.
Why is that?
"..."
We finally arrived at a house just beside the biggest house Yuka entered earlier.
There, I saw Jiji that is waiting outside.
"I'm sorry for making you wait"
I felt apologetic after thinking that she must have waited quite a bit after kindly inviting me.
"It's okay, I did not even wait at all. I already finished eating just a bit after we parted ways"
"I-is that so"
"..."
"Yuka, why do you look excited? Do you get along with this new one here? Now that's rare!"
Huh? It seems like Jiji can tell "that" just by looking at the unchanged face of Yuka?
"Um, Artemis right? I heard from grandma Luna about what happened to you earlier. Don't worry, we will treat you kindly here. We are lacking in manpower after all. Once we determined you're someone who won't bring any harm, everyone decided to accept you in the tribe! Come inside, don't be shy and eat because we made a small feast for you. Now, go on inside now. Actually, someone is already waiting for you after hearing you will come over for lunch..."
Jiji must have felt that I'm shy after seeing me acting all fidgety, so she energetically welcomed me and playfully pushed me inside the house.
Jiji is very kind after all. I also want to thank everyone who accepted a suspicious person like me.
"Thank you very much, excuse me for intruding then..."
But, I wonder who's waiting for me?
Both Yuka and I entered while Jiji followed behind.
Arriving at their dining room, I found a beautiful woman who looks almost Identical to Yuka.
Her long hair on her left shoulder looks so shiny that made me wonder what kind of conditioner she uses.
I also thought that this should be how Yuka would look if he was a woman.
So pretty.
I got lost while thinking those things but then, she looks at me and felt that her gaze pierced me... Like, everything that I am got exposed... like I'm being seen naked?...
I look at her and see that her eyes are gleaming in a golden-yellow color.
She did so for a brief moment and then suddenly made a surprised expression.
"Ma..."
I heard Yuka's voice beside me calling out to the woman.
"Your mother?"
"Umn"
Yuka nodded after I try asking for confirmation in a low voice.
"It seems like you're a very peculiar existence. But as Yuka said, you don't have any dangerous aura on you. I am now convinced after looking at you myself. I'm Morticia, the village chief's wife and also Yuka's mother. Come and sit down, you are very much welcome to eat. Everyone participated a portion of their hunts for this feast so you have nothing to worry about finishing them"
"T-Thank you..."
Yuka and I sit beside each other and instantly, the smell of the foods that are laid out on the table entered my nostrils.
Wow, I don't know of any of these dishes but they just look so good.
Ahhh, so good. This must be the smell of seasonings.
I started imagining their tastes and a tear almost fell from my left eye.
Thinking about those times. I kept eating that almost tasteless meat for the sake of "taking in proteins and nutrients"
I'm starting to get a bit emotional.
I did search for any herbs that can be used to season my meats but unfortunately failed!
I used a skill called "specific item search" to help me in finding ingredients but it seems like the thick trees in "that" creepy forest took all the energy and did not let any herbs get the chance to grow!
I also tried making a salt but failed!
I know that salt is made from any compound from any neutralization of an acid by a base.
(NaCl), Sodium Chloride consists the positive ion (cation) of a base and the negative ion (anion) of an acid.
I know the basic chemistry, but it seems like I already failed big time when I forgot to keep tabs on what skills or magic that I could use in that situation.
When I thought my "photographic memory" could do something about that, I realized it can't help me at all! When it literally photographed the long and unending status screen and kept it in my memory.
Scrolling through that is no different than scrolling the real thing!
There's also the fact that I don't actually have any experience in compounding and can't grasp the feeling at all.
Woah, but maybe... I could make salts now that I have the handy lady A.I.C!?
"I noticed you felt me using a skill to gouge your nature just now, I'm sorry about that..."
While I'm busy getting lost in my thoughts by myself, Morticia suddenly apologized.
She used a skill huh? It must be the "soul seeing eyes" that Yuka was talking about earlier.
It actually feels weird being appraised huh?
"I-its okay, I understand"
"Ho. How understanding. I also can see Yuka somehow attached to you. This is very rare as he usually can't make any friends. As her mother, I'm happy and wish you two would get along..."
"Y-yes"
"..."
I nod shyly at yuka's mother. Yuka still looks uninterested tho.
I was about to think about gobbing the food down when Yuka's mother continued talking.
"You have a very vast amount of mana, something I see for the first time in my life and you are also compatible with any elements. Now, I'm not surprised when Yuka said you had built and effortlessly took down a house fully made of earth. You should have used an advanced technique while using earth magic right? I wish to see you do it some other time as well"
Morticia created an amused expression when she noticed my disappointed face and gestured me to just go eat while talking.
"Ahh, Y-Yes"
Was my reply to her request.
I can't take the hunger anymore and started eating.
Besides me, Yuka already started eating some time ago.
"But honestly, even I, someone who was called the specialist in our tribe can't believe that someone like you exists. I'm starting to lose my confidence here. And looking at you, I wonder how you managed to make yourself a pantherian? Just how can a human achieve this kind of feat? If you really want to, you could level this whole place and kill all of us you know?"
I almost throw up the food in my mouth while hearing some dark-sounding things coming from her mouth.
She just said things like me massacring everyone so casually that a cold sweat started running down my spine.
Now I see her somehow resembling Yuka.
"Y-you know that I'm a human. You're not bothered by it?"
"Looking at you, I can't even feel any desire that the humans usually emit, so you don't feel like one to me. Altho I honestly doubted Yuka while talking about it earlier, but now I'm already fully convinced. But I also feel that if you really want it, you can do everything you wanted if you really mean us harm. Even if all of us gathered, you could probably kill us all in one go, so it's not like I can do anything even after knowing you're a human"
Again with the killing talk.
I can't help but smile wryly.
"I won't do anything like that"
"I know..."
She said with two tones as if singing.
She is so aplomb about everything which amazes me.
She then let me continue eating by just silently watching amusedly.
She looked at me and then to Yuka, and for some reason, her eyes naturally relaxed and her mouth formed a smile.
After eating, she gave us water using her "water magic"
"Oh, tell me if you need my help. It may not be my specialty but I can use earth magic too. All the houses you can see here are actually owed to me and my magic!"
She shows a confident face and touched her curled-up arm while saying so.
"He already made the house..."
The one who replied this time is Yuka with the usual look on his face.
But for some reason, I can somehow see his eyes... sparkling?...
"What?! B-but didn't he just came here not too long ago?!"
Morticia stood up.
"He did. In an instant. Although it's a bit smaller this time..."
Yuka with an expressionless face.
"I-I just made it smaller this time so it would match the other houses..."
I, gingerly and fidgety.
I know I Must've hurt Morticia's feelings by thoughtlessly replying to Yuka but it's already too late.
"Smaller... I made one house in one whole day and yet-"
"The one at the lookout point looked interesting... "
She was saying something with her confident voice slowly receding but then Yuka suddenly cut her off.
Because of that, Morticia made a shocked expression.
"Wow, it's the first time I'm seeing Yuka regret something. Did you like what you saw at the lookout point that much?"
"I should've looked inside instead of smashing things..."
Yuka still in his expressionless face.
Both I and Morticia wowed.
He was actually thinking about that?
"It's the first time Yuka says something from his heart... Usually, there's no problem figuring him since I can already read his emotions... but seeing him like this is very refreshing! Does your house really look that interesting?"
Morticia's curiosity also sparked after seeing her son lake that.
"I-I guess so"
Was my reluctant reply.
"Looks interesting ma..."
Yuka said so while giving out a feeling as if urging her mother to see it too.
"..."
Morticia nodded.
The three of us agreed to do just that and started heading out towards my house.
We saw Jiji on the way and said that she's going to take care of the used wares that we left on the table.
"Is it okay to leave that to her like that?"
I asked.
The two of them showed somewhat, the same feeling, and almost heard them saying on my mind "why not? She's the one who offered to take care of it in the first place?"
"It's okay"
"..."
Morticia laughed as if she heard something odd while Yuka still looks emotionless.
"O-okay"
I reluctantly said while taking a second glance at Jiji's house.
We used the same route and arrived at the "south" where there are significantly fewer houses.
Morticia's eyes lit up while standing in front of my door.
"What's this?"
"Ah.... A doorknob. It can be easily locked inside "like this" while I use this key to unlock it from the outside..."
"What's this over here? How does this one work?"
"A window that can be opened and closed if you pull this handle. The thin planks will stand vertical, filling the frame up if you pull this up and it will lay horizontal if you pull down, opening it up"
"Wow, I see... there are two sticks on each side of the frame holding these "planks" and this "handle" altogether. There's this circle thing that makes them easy to move"
"Y-yes"
It's a surprise how Morticia can already figure that out after seeing it for the first time.
We arrived in the living room.
"What's this one over here?
"It's a cabinet I plan to keep some stuff in"
We moved to the kitchen.
"And this one over here? It's a small tub? But it's fixed here and there's a hole... there's also this pole under it... Hummn... This would make sense if you can use water magic! You can easily wash the tableware and drain the dirty water here! Am I right? Is this what it's used for?!"
"Y-yes, it's a sink. I also put a space where I can cook and also put the utensils and tableware near it"
We moved from room to room.
Each time, Morticia would point at the things she found strange and excitedly ask about them.
Honestly, she looks like a curious child.
Yuka beside me that had seen me made all of them just silently listen to me with sparkling eyes.
This matter somehow made both of them look a lot alike.
"Wow, I learned so much today! This house truly is amazing! It even has a bath and that bowl thing where you don't have to squat down while doing the business! I want them for my house too! Honestly, humans are very amazing! It looks like this knowledge
and technologies came from outside this world!"
I flinch after hearing that last remark.
Morticia is a very sharp person.
She was able to conclude and imagine things from what I showed her.
I originally did not want anyone to know about where I really come from but after meeting her, I think I'm going to change my mind...
If it's her, I think it's safe to tell everything.
Yuka is here but he has a truth-discerning skill that can clear any misunderstanding.
They won't be able to brand me a liar with him here.
I took a deep breath and look at them in the eyes.
"Actually, I doubt any humans in "this world" would have most of this knowledge and technologies"
I emphasize the words "this world" which made Morticia and Yuka wonder.
"What does that mean?"
"..."
I then started telling a story about another world.
A world where magic and any other races did not exist.
A place where "science" is fully developed to explain the origin of things and help improve mankind's livelihoods.
Both of them look at me with a flabbergast.
"..."
"H-how can a world exist? I can't imagine such a way of living... The people in can communicate anywhere? They have even started exploring the wonders outside the world and landed on the m-moon?! And this knowledge! I can't imagine that a "world" is something round like what we see in the sun and moons! Those tiny sparkling stars are actually big fiery things outside this world?!"
Morticia flashed her even more curious and amazed look while hearing my story.
I explained to them how I was living in that world up until I suddenly found myself here.
I omitted the part of the summoning since I'm afraid of how they'll treat me after hearing I have some sort of connection with a witch, and possibly with demons.
I don't want to lose these new friends I made after all.
But, I still plan to tell them later on after getting close enough.
"How?..."
Morticia is almost speechless at the end of my story while Yuka muttered in a low voice.
"Another world..."
What are they going to think about me?
Are they going to treat me differently?
But I told them that there are many laws that we strictly have to follow and every single person has "human rights" so that no one will ever be abused without the culprits getting punished by the law.
I even pointed out that animals even have their rights. They should not find me as someone dangerous right?
But after hearing those, if I were in their shoes, I would also doubt my ears even if I have a truth-discerning skill.
I look at Yuka gingerly.
"What do you think?"
"Everything seems to be the truth..."
"Right, as Yuka said. Yuka also inherited my lie-detecting ability and both of us see that you said not a single lie"
"You're not scared about me?"
"Well, you don't give any dangerous aura at all and you even honestly told us about your origin. If anything, I'm thankful and glad that you don't have any connection with those savage humans in "this world". You also said that the world you were living in until just recently is very peaceful to the point that you did not even need to kill an animal yourself just to eat meat. There's no way we can think that you're someone that can do ruthless things"
I'm very glad that Morticia is a very sharp woman and understood everything I was pointing out.
I look at Yuka and he just looks at me with his usual emotionless face while muttering something.
"Another world..."
He must be pretty shocked huh...
"Thank you very much for hearing me out"
I said my sincere thanks from the bottom of my heart.
Honestly, altho I kept burying everything by thinking about the "isekai stuff", but sometimes I would also wonder what I should do in this world? this is already my new reality after all... right?
Even after I vowed by myself just to enjoy this "isekai" life I would sometimes get a wake-up call to reality.
This is real. People here must have their personal views. What if I get viewed as something dangerous.
Even if I'm strong should I just do what I want?
Isekai stories have a lot of those characters and I loath the idea of becoming one.
I'm easy going but I always consider other's feelings...
But there might be some scenarios that are going to destroy that part about me.
There's a long road ahead after all. We never know what is waiting for us there.
I'm scared that I might change later on.
There's also "that" question of why was I summoned.
Just what the hell Scarlet Dripping's purpose for bringing me here?
As I thought, do I have some relation to the "lord" she once called me?
Honestly, I'm very afraid of my purpose in this world.
Based on the isekai stories, am I supposed to rebuild the demon race or something like that?
That would not be so bad at all if only "demons" in this world are reasonable creatures.
Altho, I doubt that.
I watch Morticia contemplate.
"..."
I wait for her to say something while my hands unconsciously fidgeting on my tail.
"Ehem...I would definitely love to hear more stories about your world, but I'm sorry I need to discuss these things with my husband. Don't worry, I'm sure he would understand after hearing about your situation. We have to rethink how to treat you after hearing that, and his opinion is the most important one as he's the village Chief after all... You don't have to worry, I already determined you are not someone dangerous and I will surely word you out the best that I can. As his wife telling him that, he would definitely listen"
"I understand. He already permitted me to live here so he's already like the Chief for me too"
If something bad were to happens, I think I can manage it, especially now that I have A.I.C to assist me in fully utilizing my power.
[You should be thankful then]
But it seems like I don't have to worry about that with Morticia here supporting me.
And this thing is acting high and mighty?!
"Then, I will take my leave first"
Morticia was about to leave when she took a side glance at Yuka.
"Ah, actually everyone settled in the decision of making Yuka watch on you. Everyone trusts his skills and I'm sorry to say this but everyone thought that they should leave it to Yuka to suppress you when you'd do something bad. Everyone is still cautious after all. Everyone here just experienced something horrible from about a week ago that's why we have to relocate. Also, Yuka would probably want to hear more of your story... Looking at him like this, I'm very happy he finally has something he's interested in. I know! How about you stay together? Yuka can easily do his job and you can even become closer as friends! I was surprised by how you got so close after meeting earlier and even fought each other. It must be true what they say about friends should fight to get closer, you already look like brothers to me!"
"H-huh?!"
How did she suddenly come up with that decision?
"What's wrong? Don't you like the idea? I thought you quite like each other?"
"L-like..."
I blush after hearing that.
Nevertheless, it's coming from the mother.
"It's the first time Yuka got quite attached to someone. Even Jiji took a while to befriend him. You also look like you don't have any problem figuring out his emotions. But, am I wrong?"
The mother's intuition is amazing!
Or is it perhaps because it's Morticia?
[Haha, you misunderstood something just now]
Shut up!
The monotonous voice suddenly came out again to reprehend me.
"I-it's okay I guess. Only if Yuka agrees to it"
I took a side glance and saw Yuka nodding.
"Umn..."
It seems like I'll be living with Yuka from now on.
-End-