The Lord of the Forest
Why? Why had a monster suddenly appeared right in front of me?
Is it because of me?
With a growing sense of unease, I hurriedly opened my status window to check the status of Restia's Blessing. But the buff's duration still had about 20 minutes left.
That made the conclusion simple.
This is just a coincidence? That I just happened to run into a monster... That was the only way to think about it.
Tch.
I slowly poked my head out from behind the rock to check the situation once more. The deer-type monster had been pretty big, but it was nothing compared to the bear monster. Its height was at least 3 meters... no, over 4 meters, and its muscular body was swollen as hard as rock. With a single swing of its front paw, it snapped the massive deer-type monster's neck in an instant and crushed its face. It clearly proved who the apex predator of nature was, roughly tearing open the belly of its prey with its front paw before burying its head in and gulping down the steaming hot blood. The gruesome sound of flesh ripping, the fishy smell of blood and entrails spilling onto the ground and spreading—it all wafted over to where I was.
...I have to run now.
This was the chance while it was focused on eating. James seemed to reach the same conclusion; when our eyes met, he quietly nodded. Matching each other's breaths, we lowered our bodies, moving carefully without making a sound.
But then...
Rustle—
It was just the slightest crunch of leaves underfoot, but the bear monster, in the middle of its meal, suddenly froze. Its ears twitched, and its blood-soaked snout sniffed the air sharply...
"GRRRRRRROOOOAAARRR!!!"
A massive roar shook the forest. It was a scream mixed with the scent of blood and rage. Its gaze pierced straight through the rock and trees we were hiding behind.
We've been spotted!?
Its house-sized body kicked off the ground and charged toward us.
"!!"
And the exact direction it was heading wasn't toward me—it was where James was hiding.
"James, run!"
But James was frozen in terror... he couldn't move at all.
Damn it!
I quickly looked around. Spotting a nicely sized pebble perfect for throwing, I picked it up and hurled it at the monster with all my strength. It hit the monster square in the face.
"..."
Of course, it did no damage whatsoever, but the beast paused for a moment and looked down at the stone that had flown at it.
"James, snap out of it!"
I seized the moment and shouted at him.
"...Uh, huh?"
"This isn't the time to space out! I'll buy some time somehow, so you head back to the village right now and get help!"
"B-but... then what about you..."
"We don't have time for that! It's gonna target me from now on anyway. So go, hurry!"
"...O-okay... got it!"
As James hurriedly fled the scene, the beast's gaze turned toward me—the one who'd thrown the stone.
...What an ugly mug.
Its expression was like that of a kid who'd never been challenged by anyone in its life, now facing its first provocation... and from someone who looked infinitely puny. It was a mix of disbelief and rising fury.
"GRRRROOOOAR!!! ROOOOAAARRR!!!"
As if unleashing unprecedented rage... it let out a roar that felt like it would tear my eardrums and rip my body apart from the shock alone.
Then it charged at me like a mad bull. At the same time, I started moving too.
Being huge isn't always an advantage. The forest was full of rocks, trees, and other obstacles. If I used the terrain to drag this out, I could buy time.
...It's not impossible.
I spotted the largest tree nearby and swiftly climbed up.
With that bulk, it probably can't climb trees.
And sure enough, it stopped in front of the tree, looked up at me quietly, then backed off a few steps without climbing.
"Phew~"
But my relief was short-lived... The beast charged at the tree again.
"Huh!?"
It slammed its body straight into the trunk. BOOM!— The massive tree shook violently, and from below came a huge impact sound followed by the crack of splintering wood.
"You crazy bastard! Cut it out!"
It backed off once more.
"...F-fuck..."
Then it launched itself at the tree again. Instinctively, I knew the tree couldn't take another hit. BOOM!— And right on cue... with the same massive impact, the tree gave way and began to topple.
The giant trunk crashed to the ground, and the recoil sent my body flying into the air for a moment. Then I slammed back down, the impact hitting my entire body. Pain like all my bones cracking shot from my spine through my limbs.
Thud thud thud thud...— The sound of the monster charging shook the earth.
Fuck, this is too much.
I could feel my body regenerating, but I didn't have time to wait for full recovery—I had to move again. Desperately fleeing, I lured it toward the densest part of the forest to hinder its massive bulk. But the monster smashed through small trees and rocks like toys, charging at me without even stumbling. Fallen trees toppled in chains, boulders shattered into fragments flying everywhere. Its eyes were fixed only on me.
"Fuck... that's cheating!! What kind of monster is that!?"
I couldn't shake it off at all.
Isn't there some way?
Then, off to one side, I spotted a cliff about 10 meters high.
Perfect.
I climbed a tall tree next to the cliff and jumped to the top before the monster could knock it down. BOOM! From below came the sound of it ramming the tree again, and I rolled forward, landing safely on the cliff top. Perfect timing—the tree I'd jumped from toppled to the base.
Gulp— I swallowed hard and cautiously peered over the edge. Our eyes met, sending chills down my spine, but the distance gave me some comfort.
"Good."
Even that thing couldn't climb this. ...I can hold out until help arrives.
That's what I thought.
But once again, it exceeded my expectations. It lowered its body, then exploded forward with inhuman spring. The cliff edge cratered under its step, sending gravel flying, and its massive body soared into the sky.
"..."
Words failed me. It had leaped the full 10 meters... landing past me, cornering me against the cliff so I couldn't escape.
"GRRRROOOOAAARRR!!!"
It roared hugely at me and swung its front paw.
"!"
I tried to back away, but its attack was too fast. Riiip!— It grazed my left arm... which tore right off, and the impact sent my body flying off the cliff. Delayed agony like my muscles and skin ripping spread through me instantly. The squeezing sensation at the stump, sharp pain shooting to my fingertips—it stole my breath. My heart pounded wildly, hot blood surging through my veins in vivid torment.
Flailing through the air, my body hit the ground... the impact from 10 meters up crashed over me. Air burst from my chest like it was crushed, the crack of breaking ribs echoing in my ears. My vision flashed white as my body slammed into the earth, limbs going numb like they weren't mine. Amid the collapsing pain, I desperately clung to consciousness.
Moments later, a thud! shook the ground as it leaped down nearby. It was approaching. Through my blurring vision, I saw it raise its arm to finish me off.
My body was already healing, but I still couldn't move.
Fuck...
Instinct told me: that attack would smash me beyond recognition. What then? Could I regenerate even if pulverized? What about lingering effects? More than that... the pain wasn't something I could endure. What I'd felt so far had already shattered my mental limits.
Before its strike even landed, my mind was fading. Vision closing in, its paw descended toward me.
Thud—
That was when it happened. Just before its attack reached me... something dropped from my chest pocket to the ground, and light flashed around us.
Vivian...
The protective amulet I'd kept hidden in my clothes... a gift from someone.
My vision darkened, and from somewhere, a ding! sound repeated.
Consciousness faded into haze.