Chapter 33

The forest is not as lush and dense as it was when I first came to this world.

However, I worry that if we go too far in, we won't be able to return to the original spot easily.

Ultimately, we rely on Haru's sense of smell to get back to the original path.

It seems Haru has the skill of enhanced olfactory senses as a Beast Swordsman, so it should be easy to follow the scent of the carriage and reach the next town.

So, for now, I should focus on helping the person in front of me rather than worrying about the way back.

"Master, the smell of blood is getting stronger."

Haru's tail stiffened, and her skirt lifted slightly.

...

"Just a little more."

"Yes, just a little more."

Haru's tail, reacting to the smell of blood, stood even straighter, and her skirt gradually lifted.

"…I can see it! (The panties!)"

"Yes, I can see them!"

"…Huh?"

Looking ahead, I saw an adventurer-like man being punched by a giant bear.

It wasn't just the bear; there were wolves too. There were about ten bears and twenty wolves. While it's not uncommon for monsters of the same species to attack in a group, it's rare for multiple species to team up to attack a group of adventurers.

The adventurer who was punched wasn't the only one; there were five other adventurers lying on the ground, all of whom were likely dead.

There must be an item like a monster-attracting incense, similar to the monster-repelling incense, that could have caused this. If they were killed using such an item, it would be a grim sight.

"I will take care of the bears, Haru, please handle the wolves."

I said this and, before drawing my sword, used my two arms to release a slash.

An X-shaped wound was carved into the bear's torso, and it fell to the ground.

Unlike the monsters in the dungeon, monsters on the surface don't disappear when they die.

It will be difficult to confirm if they are truly dead.

I drew my sword and moved between the two bears.

"Spinning Slash!"

I tried to use the Spinning Slash to split the two bears' torsos in half, but the sword was heavy. After cutting through one bear's torso, the power decreased significantly, and the sword got stuck in the second bear's body, making it impossible to pull out. If I tried to force it, the sword might break.

At that moment, the bear, which should have been cut in half, tried to punch me with its left arm, and I quickly jumped back.

What are they doing? They seem more interested in digging the ground than in us or the fallen adventurers.

Is there something in there?

...No, it's not something, but someone.

My presence detection is reacting.

Upon closer inspection, the soil there had been dug up, and a shovel was placed nearby.

Did the adventurers dig it?

No, the fact that it was dug up means the adventurers buried someone, right?

A monster? Or a person?

And the monsters are trying to dig it up?

Not just the bears, but the wolves are also helping to dig.

Thanks to this, the number of monsters we have to deal with is reduced.

Well, that's enough playtime.

"Slash!"

I used a hand strike to release a slash, taking down another bear, and then I slipped into the bear's embrace, delivering a palm strike and a jumping knee kick to its jaw.

With five bears down, the remaining five bears, who were digging, seemed to realize they had no time to spare and charged at us.

But, clustering together is the end of your luck—no, encountering me means you are already dead!

"Fire!"

I switched my class to a magic specialist and cast the most powerful fire spell.

The attack enveloped four bears in flames... but one bear, which was outside the range of the fire, charged at me.

But Haru's two swords sliced through the bear's body.

"Master, I apologize for my presumptuous actions."

"No, you saved me."

Looking at the fallen bear, I said this sincerely.

[Your level in Ichinojou has increased.]

[Magician Skill: Water Magic has upgraded to Water Magic II.]

[Swordsman Skill: Dual Wield has been acquired.]

I fought while switching classes, and my level increased somewhat.

But I only acquired two new skills.

Then, I looked at the adventurer who had been punched.

...As expected, he was already dead. I checked his pulse to confirm.

"...In the end, we couldn't save anyone."

"No... there might still be one person we can save."

I said this, picked up the shovel, and started digging.

Haru, who hadn't noticed the smell of blood at first, seemed to understand my actions and helped me dig.

Then, we found a barrel in the soil.

A large wine barrel.

"...Hey, is anyone in there?"

"...Who? Is someone in there?"

The voice that came from inside the barrel belonged to a young girl.

At that moment, Haru stood up and her tail stiffened.

"Master, the monsters are coming this way."

"Quick! Get Caro out of there quickly!"

Hearing that the monsters were coming, the voice from inside the barrel became urgent.

Without being told, I opened the lid of the barrel.

Inside the barrel was a girl with purple hair and a black dress.

She looked about 12 years old... around the same age as Mili, perhaps?

And around her neck was a slave collar, just like Haru's.

Such a small child is a slave too.

More importantly, we need to get out of here quickly.

"...Master, the monsters have stopped moving... it seems they are leaving."

"Good... we're safe."

I sighed in relief and looked at the girl.

Even though she heard that the monsters had left, she kept her head down... Ah, I see.

Of course, she must have already understood that we dug up the barrel.

I don't know why the girl was buried under the soil, but since she is a slave, one of the dead adventurers must have been her master.

"Sorry, I couldn't protect your masters."

"That's right... That's why Caro said so."

Why did you say so?

Her words made me suspicious, as if she knew the men would die from the beginning.

Then, the girl, Caro, looked at me and pleaded.

"I don't know who you are, but please... kill Caro... kill me."