I stumbled upon a massive brown bear in the woods. When I got close to it, however, it didn't attack. It's not reacting hostilely at all in this world. It even let me pet its soft fur. After a few minutes, I decided to let him go.
The distinct difference between animals and monsters is now clear to me.
Kazu, out.
◇
I remembered a quote: "If you stare into the abyss, the abyss stares back at you". I didn't understand it before, but now… I sure did.
Let me tell you what happened.
I was just near the vicinity of the village, hiding my presence behind a tree. This was the first time I had seen a village in this world and they looked civilized enough. "Does this mean I'll be killing people?"
That was ridiculous, no matter how you looked at it, they were monsters.
The village was surrounded by a wall made of wood and a wooden gate with two guards, just sitting on both sides.
These monsters could use magic, so I should not use a frontal assault. Should I take them one by one?
But before I could think of a plan for a perfect massacre, I heard a sound inside the village.
Buhupp! Buhupp! Buhupp! Buhupp!
I climbed atop the tree to see what was happening. I saw the six-legged monster along with someone. Did it alert them?
I see them gathering. They are leaving their huts and walking to the center of the village, where a circular pool of water is situated. They are listening to someone who is standing beside it.
Suddenly, they all look in my direction. The heck. Damn it. They must have indeed been warned by the six-legged monster. Are they plotting against me?
Hmmm. They don't give me time to plan, so… I won't either.
I walk towards the gate, but the guards are gone. They probably joined the meeting.
I stroll calmly in the direction of the pool, keeping a neutral expression on my face.
Someone spots me.
One by one, they start to notice my presence. Even the speaker stops talking.
The silence is deafening.
I continue to walk without stopping or speeding up. I want them to remember this moment forever. The moment when they realized they were doomed and had no time to prepare.
Ughmp.
Did I just hear someone gulp? How amusing.
I reach the edge of the crowd. I'm still far away, but they're parting, making way for me. Fuh~ how funny.
If they all attacked me at once, I wouldn't stand a chance, you know.
Such ignorance.
I reach the center of the plaza. The stares, don't look at me too much, bastards, you'll make me blush.
I glare at the six-legged monster.
It leaps away. Oy, oy, are you going to run again? Coward!
I'll chase you after I'm done here.
I shift my gaze to the one who was holding this meeting. It seems to be the leader, a village chief?
Fuh~ This fellow is trembling like hell. No. It's not just it. Everyone is trembling. Look at what you have done, six-legged monster, you made them nervous.
The village chief is accompanied by a small one. A child? Oy, oy, why are you bringing a kid to an adult meeting?
Stupid monsters. I was so focused on the front that I didn't notice them at first, but there are indeed small monsters mingling with the crowd.
You'll pay for bringing a kid to this kind of gathering.
I glare at the monster child, making it shiver even more. I walk slowly towards it, holding my knife.
I stop and place my knife on the monster child, just below the chest. What a brave kid, shaking, but not running away. I can see tears dripping from its eyes. Go ahead, you can run you know... Hahaha.
The village chief doesn't even try to stop me. He just stands there, its eyes wet. Are you going to cry? Hahaha. Pathetic.
I thrust the knife into the monster child. It makes a groaning sound, yes, yes, stay still and be a good kid.
Plinkkk. Plinkkk.
Blood falls on the monster child as I search for the magic stone.
There it is! The knife hits something hard, I'm sure it's not a bone.
I slide my finger in, slowly. When I feel the magic stone, I grip it firmly inside the monster child's body.
I grin wickedly.
Fuwsshh! A spray of blood flies in the air when I yank it out. I make sure it splashes on the chief's face.
Ho~ Still alive?
The monster child sways but stays upright. What a brave kid.
I stab its chest, ending its misery. Rest in peace, kid. I respect your courage.
Thud!
The monster child's body falls to the ground, lifeless.
When I look at the village chief, tears are flowing from its eyes. I can also see a smear of blood on its face.
Perfect. This is perfect! I'm having a blast.
As I savor this moment, I see someone moving forward.
It takes two steps forward, a hero emerges. Too late for that, you know. It should have come forward before the kid died.
It plunges its hand below its chest, grabbing the magic stone inside. It holds out its hand, offering me the magic stone, blood dripping from it.
What the heck. Is it nuts? Why did it do that to itself?!
As if following its lead, one by one, others move forward. They all pierce their chests and beckon me to take their magic stones.
Insane. These monsters are crazy! Crazier than me.
Cold sweat breaks out on my skin.
I feel a chill run down my spine.
Is this a psychological tactic?
If it is, it's working on me.
Shit. What do I do? They scare the shit out of me. Even now, someone is still moving forward.
"Ha! Ha! Ha! Ha!" I burst out laughing. Fucking psychos.
Such madness. I feel like I'm looking in a mirror.
I walk slowly to the entrance of the village. I ignore what they're all doing.
They win. I lose.