Sheto put the rusted pot and sword away, and then left the scene behind him.
The Hero was frozen, looking into the shadows nervously.
‘I see. So this is the way of the bear hunter.’
“Bear, fight normally and people die. And so, we do different things.”
Sheto’s hideout was a short distance away from the forest where the Hero was. On top of a rocky mountain near the river.
A human could not climb it, and the area was concealed with bushes.
“First, find the nest and crush it. Put different scent there. Prowl the territory.”
‘Take its home and destroy the bear’s territory. On top of that, disturb it from afar with noises.’
“Yes. We use our voices to agitate it. Keep the bear from eating or drinking.”
‘I see. You said before that you hardly eat during a hunt. I now see why.’
“Only during bear hunt. It is more tiring. For the mind, mostly.”
Sheto crawled into the hut made from branches, and ate the tried meat and berries. Then he drank some water and wrapped himself in deer skin to sleep.
“Sleep a little. Will wake up, when north star is at top of the mountain.”
‘So I don’t even have to wake you up. I have little to do.’
“Will rely on you to watch, Nagayubi.”
It was not as if Salia was useless. She was able to watch the area without sleep or rest. And he was grateful for that.
This was the second day. He could not lower his guard until the very end.
That was how it always was during a hunt. Eat while you could, and rest while you could.
Sheto’s vision soon plummeted into the peaceful darkness of sleep.
It was morning in no time. Everything was pale and white, and the area around his eyes hurt.
Koji yawned and gripped his sword.
In the end, the kobold had continued to prowl around all night. Irritating Koji with noises.
When had he even slept? Perhaps the monster had not slept at all.
“Shit… I thought I was used to staying up all night.”
He walked while holding his sword as if dragging it. There was no mist today, so perhaps he would not be ambushed like yesterday.
In the past, he would sometimes play games for two days without sleeping. He played online games so much that he barely had a social life. However, it had made him famous within several games.
It was then that he heard the voice. The voice of that horrid god.
“This… This game is complete trash.”
Indeed, if he used his powers of invincibility, he could defeat the enemy. He was not afraid of great armies and giant monsters.
And yet now, he was at the mercy of a single kobold.
He felt like he was starving, but there was no food.
“Ah… I want some ramen. Shoyu tonkotsu with lots of garlic!”
He immediately regretted saying those words.
His mind was now full of images of ramen. Those steaming bowls. The gleaming broth and the thick slices of pork belly.
“God damn it! I want rice! I’m tired of hard bread!”
He wanted to stop, but the images kept coming to him. His hunger was making him angrier.
“Ah… I’m so thirsty…”
That was just as dire. He had heard somewhere that you could chew on grass. But he did not feel like doing that.
Also…it must be spying on him even now.
Perhaps he had poisoned the grass and trees in the area. He knew that it sounded ridiculous, but it still made him hesitate.
Koji found himself walking towards the foot of the mountain. Eventually he could hear the sounds of running water.
“Ah, shit…”
The cliff where he had lost sight of the kobold yesterday. There was nothing there but some traces of the fire. Perhaps he had not appeared now, because he was tired after last night.
“No, wait…”
Koji quickly looked around and then moved closer to the top of the cliff. And just like yesterday, he carefully descended while desperately keeping his balance. And then he stood in the same spot as yesterday and stared at the river.
Still, nothing. If he was looking, then he would probably pour the poison as soon as Koji squatted down towards the water.
The river looked quite clear. This was deep in the mountains, and there were no houses. There should not be any pollution.
Could he drink it then?
The river ran quick enough that surely any poison would be gone quickly. Besides, this armor would likely protect him anyway.
If it was just a sip…
“Yes. Even if it gives me a stomach ache. Just a little…”
He took off his gloves and thrust his hand into the current. It was very cold, and he felt wide awake after washing his face with it.
Then, like yesterday, he scooped some up and brought it to his mouth.
“…”
Cold. And somehow, smelled of metal. A bitter taste spread through his tongue.
Was it fine? No? He tried another scoop.
His body didn’t feel anything.
“Alright.”
He used both hands and took a big gulp. It was just water.
“Ah…”
The cold liquid went down his throat, and he sighed with relief. And then he drank some more.
“Ahahahah! Take that! I can drink it!”
He was finally free from the enemy’s eyes. The thought made him smile.
In any case, he had water now. It would not be a problem for a while.
“Uh…”
The change came swiftly. Faster than the kobold’s attack. Something moving in his stomach, and the sharp pain.
“Ah…you have got to be kidding me…”
His chest felt hot. A sense of nausea overwhelmed him.
“Ugh…gaah!”
If it was poison, the armor would have blocked it. So it could not be that…
“Uggghh…”
He felt sick. More sick than he had ever been before.
“Gah…gaahhh…”
He vomited back into the river and all over his boots.
But still, the feeling did not stop. Even when he was empty, his muscles tensed, and his stomach tried to force something out.
“Wh-what the… If it’s…not…poison…gahhh!”
“What is the meaning of this!?”
As the Hero weakened right in front of her brother’s eyes, Salia just watched calmly.
‘The Hero. Went to the river?’
When she confirmed this, Sheto nodded and said,
‘Drink if he wants. But after, hell is waiting.’
“But my armor should be able to stop the poison!”
“Yes. However, that is not poison.”
As for what was happening, even Sheto did not have a full understanding of it. But he did know what would happen.
‘Water with metal stink. Upsets stomach when drunk. We never drink, even when it looks clean.’
“I suppose that water is too high in minerals.”
“Minerals!?”
“Drinking it directly does not make it poisonous. However, once it enters the stomach, it either combines with stomach acid or the mineral itself irritates the stomach, causing severe pain.”
‘That is not all.’
Said the dragon god, who had been watching everything.
‘Inside of that water, there must be microorganisms like bacteria. They are harmless for the most part. However, when their environment is changed suddenly, they can emit a poison in order to protect themselves.’
“Then surely the armor’s effect would…!”
‘Yes, the poison would vanish. However, the stomach acids will continue to secrete, and the microorganisms will continue to resist. What do you think will happen then?’
The Hero was on the ground, emptying his stomach. At this point, no one saw him as a victor, much less a Hero. His face was sticky, and he cried about his stomach pains.
“Yesta. Do something about it.”
“I cannot.”
“My power still remains. Surely it is possible.”
“Have you forgotten the agreement?”
The brother’s eyes widened and then he looked at his sister.
As if he finally understood everything.
But…he had not.
“Sheto. The Hero drank the water.”
‘I, see. Then, my hunt is nearly over.’
The kobold’s voice was calm and confident. He was standing in a deeper part of the forest, where the Hero had not yet stepped foot in.
In this place surrounded by rocks and moss, he stood on top of a boulder, and stuck a thin branch into the crack of a mossy trunk.
A transparent liquid began to trickle out, and he held a leather bag below to catch it.
“Water from such a place…”
“Forests of broadleaf trees have the power to store water. And it can be extracted in any season.”
The goddess knew that this is where the hunter quenched his thirst.
“Water from trees is sweet and delicious. And it does no harm to living creatures.”
But those who only cared about fighting, and of achieving fame and glory… Those who relied entirely on the power of gods, they did not realize such secrets of nature.
In the end, Sheto filled a cup made of leaves, and then he drank from it.
‘Good.’
The preparations were done.
There was just the final, finishing touch.
“Almost there.”
‘Aye. Will wring out the Hero, just a little more.’
The brother groaned at those words.
“Tomorrow is the decisive battle. Don’t be reckless.”
‘I’m fine. I, can make the Hero dance, so easily.’
He said, while carrying a fat hare on his shoulder. He shrugged and grinned.
‘I, will let him smell, as much as he want.’
“You’re terrible. That is the worst thing you could do to him now.”
‘Indeed. I, am a bad monster.’
Sheto laughed and then walked away.
The hall of the gods was silent. Even Zephalis gripped his throne tightly. And had no words.
What they saw in the mirror was a vomiting Hero, and a Hunter who walked in the forest.
The invisible trap was already around his neck.