*Ha... I'm tired of running.* I thought holding onto a tree.
I was doing my early morning physical training since the old man was away.
"H-help!" I heard someone call as I ran towards the voice.
"Hey!! Stop there!!" I shouted as the boar turned towards me, breathing heavily.
The little boy stood immediately and ran off while screaming his lungs out.
The boar dashed forward as I stepped on the tree twice, making the boar hit the tree(cause it was too fast). I then used my wooden sword to try hitting it.
"Oh boy," I said as the wooden sword broke.
The boar looked at me angrily as blood kept flowing out of its mouth.
*I better run for some time.* I thought while running as fast as I could, jumping on trees.
As I crouched behind the underbrush, the boar burst into the clearing, its tusks glinting in the dappled sunlight. My heart racing, I gripped my small knife, its blade barely longer than my hand. The boar charged, its eyes fixed on me with fierce intent. I dodged to the side, avoiding its initial attack by mere inches.
The boar wheeled around, its hooves churning the earth. I seized the moment, dashing forward to strike at its exposed flank. My knife was a bit deep, but the boar's hide was thick, and it barely flinched. It counterattacked, its tusk slashing toward me like a scythe.
I leapt back, avoiding the blow by a hair's breadth. My breath came in ragged gasps as I circled the boar, seeking an opening. Its eyes seemed to burn with a feral fury, and I knew I had to end this fight quickly. I feinted to the left, then darted right, striking at the boar's hamstrings. The knife sliced through muscle and tendon, and the boar's leg buckled. It crashed to the ground, giving me the chance to deliver the final blow.
I kept stabbing it continuously until it stopped kicking.
"Ha! God Dammit," I said lying beside its body, covered in its blood.
*I guess it'll be good for dinner.* I thought, looking at the boar and back at my broken sword.
"Yeah, the swords are not gonna do," I said.
*Tora, I need you in the Bush now.*
That was a skill I learnt newly, Tora taught me that, though.
*Huh? I'm trying to sleep.*
*There's meat here. I need to come here with a big kn...*
"Huh?" I asked, looking at Tora staring at me with a knife in his mouth while salivating.
"Here's the knife." He said.
"You are something, Tora," I said, smiling before grabbing the knife.
I got home a little late, had my bath, and began washing the meat.
*Hmm... I think Stake will be good for tonight.* I thought humming and smiling as I sliced the meat into thin bits.
The next day, I went to the forest again to find weaker animals. Luckily, I caught two rabbits and went back home.
"You got more," Ai said, smiling.
"Yes, how was last night's meal?" I asked, smiling.
"I loved it, the most delicious thing I've tasted all my life." She said.
Emi walked out of the house and looked down at me and the rabbits.
"You stink, bleh." She said, sticking out her tongue before running off.
*What did I do wrong?* I thought, looking down.
"Don't mind her. She's just playing around." Ai said, smiling as I nodded.
*I hope so.*
I and Emi haven't spoken well since I got into their house. It felt like I was intruding on her privacy. And she always avoids me.
"Well, I'll be going to prepare something," I said, smiling before walking into the house.
It was already two weeks since the old man left for the capital. It already felt like he was in danger.
"Would Grandpa be okay?" Emi asked Ai as she patted her head.
"Don't worry, I'm sure he's okay," Ai said, smiling.
I knew deep down she was also worried sick. I also was. I didn't want any tragedy befalling his family.
*There's danger ahead.* Tora said as I looked back.
*What's going on?* I asked.
*I don't know, but I feel killing intent.*
*Now that you mentioned it, I've been feeling kinda uneasy since this morning.*
*Get ready.* Tora said as we heard a knock on the door.
*Here they come.*
"I'm coming," Ai said, walking towards the door.
"No, I'll get it," I said almost immediately.
"O-oh okay."
I walked towards the door, gulping hard. I didn't know what kind of danger awaited us but I made up my mind to protect them.
"Ai, Emi... I'm home." The voice said as Emi ran towards the door.
"Grandpa!" She shouted as the door began opening slowly.
*No, that's not right, something's not right.* I thought as the headache started again, my eyes bleeding and all.
Right before my bloody eyes, Emi and Ai were on the floor... dead!
"Emi! Don't!!" I shouted while diving and pushing her out of the way just before the door opened forcefully.
*Magical power.* I thought as a gust of wind pushed me back.
"Seriously, I'm tired of the babysitting tasks." A man said, standing outside the door, the old man's face wearing off.
*He changed his appearance.* I thought standing up immediately.
"Hmm... you're still alive?" He asked as I moved back slowly.
"A-A-Ai-nee!!!" I shouted before covering my mouth.
Her head was already out of her body, must be the magic he used earlier.
*E-Emi...* I thought looking around.
Emi was lying on the floor beside me, she looked distraught. She kept looking at Ai as tears began flowing down her cheeks.
"Nee-chan!!!" She shouted before bursting into tears.
"Hahaha!! Hahaha!!" The man kept laughing as I kicked him out of the house.
"Emi! Leave through the back door, now!!" I shouted as she looked at me immediately.
"Shut up! My sister is dead!" She shouted as I looked away.
*I know, and it hurts me too.* I thought biting my lips.
"But he'll be back soon!" I shouted as a sword went through my chest.
*I... didn't see him.* I thought as I coughed up a mouthful of blood.
"A-argh!!!" Emi shouted while standing up immediately.
"I won't let you escape!" The man said about to run after her as I grabbed his leg.
"Huh?! Let me go bastard!!" He shouted while kicking me.
"R-run... Emi..."
"Tch, bastard!" He cursed while drawing the sword from my chest and stabbing me again.
*I wasn't strong enough, Ai is dead now.* I thought as tears flowed through my eyes.
*The least I can do is make sure Emi leaves safely.* I thought.
"F-frost..." I said as he began to freeze.
"Wh-what the hell is this evil mag..."
"Fire..." I said immediately melting the ice together with his body.
"Arghhhhh!!!" He screamed.
"Ha... ha... ha..." I tried catching my breath as the blood flowed freely.
*I'm going to die again... what will happen if I die now?* I thought crying.
*Mom... I couldn't even save you. I'm sorry... for being such a weak son.*
"And he's back!" I heard a voice say as I stood up immediately.
"Seriously, don't play with your life that way."
"The childish adults!!" I shouted.
"Hey!!" They shouted.
"What's going on?" I asked.
"You died."
"Yeah, I'm aware, but why am I here?"
"Because you will be going back to your world."
"Huh? Huh?!"