Chapter 123 – Lost
While the direwolf and I stared at each other, it was the forest wolf who moved behind me that attacked first.
“Grauh!!”
As the sounds approached from behind, I twisted my torso and swung the sword that was being held at a low position.
“Graaaauh!”
And then the direwolf’s feet pounded on the dirt as it charged.
“Hyaah!”
The sword that was pulled back then swung upwards to catch the forest wolf, and then I twisted my body back to meet the direwolf’s attack.
“Gah!”
“Kya!”
Mine Breaker cut through the direwolf’s legs, but the forest wolf’s momentum had now slowed down, and its claws pierced into my back. And then the direwolf crashed into us, and we went flying back.
While we had all taken damage, I was the first to rise up. With this leg, I had already known that I would not be able to dodge its charge.
The direwolf stood up shakily on three legs, while the forest wolf stayed on the ground.
“Mei-lei-mote-sei Heal!”
I wanted to take advantage of the opening, but my leg would not allow me. And so I prioritized healing, and waited for the direwolf to make a move. The direwolf raised its wounded front legs while its hind legs bent back. Was it going to jump?
“Grrraaahh!”
It was impressive that it was quick to adjust with its injuries. Besides, having something of that size charge into me was bad. However, its leap was not that sharp.
“Oomph.”
I folded my knee and dropped forward while swinging up with my sword. While facing the ground, the sword pointed up, and pierced the throat of the direwolf who flew above me.
“Hya!”
Blood sprayed as I pulled the blade out of its neck, and it rained over me as I lay on the ground. The direwolf also fell, flattening me.
But it did not move after that. That was fine, but now I could not move either. I squirmed under its weight, but could not free myself. It would be bad if the remaining forest wolves attacked.
However, they scattered as soon as they saw that the direwolf was dead.
After some time, I managed to crawl out from under it, and then I washed the blood from my face. While I expected it, it really was difficult to fight with one leg. I had to have my prosthetic leg remade no matter what.
I gathered some dead leaves and branches, and then used the crystal shards I found in the cave as a flint to make a fire.
I was far enough from the cave, and the wind was blowing away from it, so it should be fine. More than anything, I could not bear the feeling of hunger anymore.
And so I went about carving the direwolf, and then skewered some pieces of the meat over the fire. Soon, the smell of cooked meat wafted around me. It wasn’t completely cooked through, but I didn’t care as I bit into it.
“Mmmm!”
The taste of meat spread through my mouth. Direwolf meat was not especially good. However, it was incredibly delicious for me now. I could feel the energy moving through my body after one bite. And so I continued to tear through it hungrily.
After eating a few pieces, I skinned the direwolf and made a simple sack. I filled it with some cooked meat and then extinguished the fire. If I let it burn for too long, then it might attract other monsters. And with the bag in hand, I continued my descent.
After my hunger was satiated, the next problem arose. I was unbelievably sleepy. I would sway from side to side while walking. If I lay on the ground, I would probably fall asleep immediately.
However, there were few safe places to sleep in the forest. And so I rubbed my eyes and walked on. Eventually, I found a hollowed out space under the roots of a large tree. It was hardly a safe place, but still preferable to the ground.
And so used fallen leaves and branches and scattered them around the tree. Hopefully, any sound that they would make would alert me.
Then I rolled up my body in the groove. It was not very comfortable, but I fell asleep as soon as I closed my eyes…
Snap.
“!!”
I twitched and opened my eyes. While clutching my sword, I held my breath. From my position under the roots, I could not see anything. I focused on my hearing and tried to grasp what was happening around me. A short distance away, something seemed to be breathing.
It was moving through the leaves and branches I had scattered. A fanged boar or orc perhaps? They had a good sense of smell. If they found me, I would have to fight. And while I could probably win, I would rather avoid any unnecessary fighting.
After sniffing about for a while, the creature went off somewhere. And so I slipped out from under the roots, stood up, and brushed off the dirt.
Then I chewed on the meat from yesterday, which had become very tough. Still, a night’s rest had helped with much of my fatigue. From today, I could really start my journey back to the village.
The only problem was, I had no idea where I was currently located. Still, I did know which direction to head in.
Regardless of where the cave connected to, the elf forest was in the north.
In that case, as long as I head east, I should reach a human settlement, even if it is not Nanaze village.
The rising sun gave me an idea of the direction. It was dangerous to walk in the forest at night, and I would have to fight monsters. In order to avoid a situation like yesterday, I would have to secure a place to sleep. And so I would likely only be able to walk for half of the day.
Not only that, but I had to walk with one leg while using a staff. I didn’t know how long it would take, but I would never reach my goal if I didn’t start walking.
And so with an unreliable tree branch as support, I took my first step to towards the south.
…
“Mr. Lozon, this is a difficult request.”
The receptionist at the Suelbur Adventurers Guild scowled at the request I had brought, as chief of the village. I understood that it would be difficult. After all, another five days had passed, and Ajifu had not returned.
“We can prepare the reward money. But please. We need help.”
The village had saved money over the years, mostly thanks to Ajifu completing jobs that we would have usually had to take to the guild. And so it was time to put that money to use.
“That is one thing. At the very least, Mr. Ajifu’s safe rescue would require an extra payment in order to arrange it.”
“Hmmm…”
Tomorrow, it will be a full week. If it was not likely that he survived, then no Adventurer would take the risk of accepting the quest.
“Then just an investigation request for the cave. Ajifu’s rescue does not have to be a requirement.”
I felt bad for him, but we couldn’t do anything until we knew more about the cave. If left alone, the same thing might be repeated.
“Very well then. I shall accept it and place it on the quest board. Still, Mr. Ajifu is a well-known Adventurer here. If he failed, then others will hesitate. I would not be too optimistic if I were you.”
She said with an apologetic expression. She clearly did not like to say such things. Still…
“Thank you.”
I said as I bowed my head. This was all we could do for now.
Bonus chapter courtesy of Photo! Thank you so much. Merry Christmas everyone!
Thank you too and you’re welcome
Merry belated Christmas and thanks for the chapter, Photo and Jawbrie!
Argh, I caught up! It’s a caught-up cliff, the cliffiest cliff of them all!