Chapter 55

After about 30 minutes of bloodletting, the three of us, who were acting as shields, carried the wooden poles tied with the Runesheep one by one and began to head back the way we came.

They must be after the leftovers.

In the sky, two large bald eagles were circling.

Unfortunately, in this world, there are no magical storage bags that can hold anything in a four-dimensional space.

The little ones, who can't even use body strengthening magic, seemed to be carrying quite a heavy load. I wanted to take over for them, but the old man's instructions were for us, who were carrying weapons, to be prepared for any sudden monster attacks.

Well, I guess it's necessary to get them used to tough jobs.

While thinking about this, we had advanced about 300 meters across the grassland when we heard something running from the east, making a thudding sound.

The sound was clearly heading towards us.

Straining my eyes, I saw about 20 rat-like monsters, each weighing around 20 kilograms, called Meadow Molars, running straight towards us from about 500 meters away.

...What is this?

I thought they were timid creatures that would run away at the sight of humans...

As I was wondering, the old man shouted.

"It's the worst!

They're being chased by Grithes Snakes!

They're trying to push us into a corner!"

Grithes Snakes have the nature of chasing moving prey.

We had planned to either avoid them or let the old man take care of them if we encountered them, but if we freeze in this situation, we'll be hit head-on by the Meadow Molars and then be pursued by the Grithes Snakes.

The Grithes Snakes are enormous, nearly 10 meters long, and are swallowing the Meadow Molars one by one as they head towards us.

They look capable of swallowing humans easily, and even if I can handle it, the little ones won't be able to escape even if they run at full speed.

"Chi!

It's a stroke of luck that they're attribute-less!"

They are normally black snakes, but if they have attributes, they should have brightly colored scales corresponding to those attributes.

Can he really confirm that from this distance...

The old man glanced at me for a moment, hesitating about something.

I immediately understood what he was thinking.

"There's no time to hesitate.

I'll hold down the front rats, so you take care of the big one at the back!"

The old man probably doesn't want to risk the Grithes Snakes targeting me if I handle the Meadow Molars, but this is undoubtedly the best course of action we can take now.

Without waiting for a response, I moved a little away from the group, drew my bow, and placed my hand on the quiver, ready for battle.

"Focus on the attribute-holding individuals at the front!

No need to push yourself after that!

Before the Grithes Snakes get within 50 meters, Ren, put down your weapon and stay still!

You guys, if you get hit by the Meadow Molars, don't make a sound and don't move!

If you're scared, close your eyes!

You won't die even if your bones break!"

With that, the old man ran straight towards the Grithes Snakes.

Suddenly faced with a real-life danger, I could hear my heart pounding.

I wanted to relax, but I could feel my hand muscles tensing up, just like when I took down that Horned Rabbit.

...I can only believe in myself.

How many arrows have I shot over the past two weeks?

I recalled the training where I drew my bow until my arms couldn't lift anymore and counted the number of Meadow Molars.

The Meadow Molars, having been swallowed by the Grithes Snakes, were down to 16.

...The old man intends to take out two of them, including the attribute-holding one in the middle, as they pass by...

That leaves 14.

Among them, the attribute-holding one is the one with red eyes at the front.

From the effective range of 100 meters to the 50 meters the old man mentioned, it would take about 5 seconds.

In 5 seconds, I can shoot at most 8 arrows.

I prioritized my targets.

"Ren-nii..."

Poh called my name in a prayer-like voice.

I smiled to reassure Poh and gestured for him to stay quiet.

The Meadow Molars entered my range at the same time the old man engaged the Grithes Snakes.

◆

...I'm a fool.

Despite my father repeatedly warning me not to underestimate monsters and that even in the capital area, it's not always safe, I didn't understand.

Just because I was taken on a couple of meat-gathering trips and nothing happened, I got cocky...

I thought that with my father around, there was no way we'd be in real danger.

Today, I was in a field trip mood, thinking I'd avoid the tough and boring jobs within the capital...

I wanted to hold a spear, not just be a shield.

"It's the worst!

They're being chased by Grithes Snakes!

They're trying to push us into a corner!"

My father, who usually speaks calmly, shouted in a voice filled with panic.

The Grithes Snakes, visible in the distance, were chasing the Meadow Molars at an incredible speed, swallowing them one by one as they headed straight towards us.

Just seeing them from a distance made our knees weak, our hands tremble, and we dropped the poles tied with the Runesheep and collapsed on the spot.

We were in no state to use body strengthening magic to carry the poles.

Everyone, except my father, was frozen in place, unable to move a step.

Even Amour and Roy, who were holding spears, were barely standing, using their spears as crutches.

At that moment, Ren-nii spoke up clearly.

"There's no time to hesitate.

I'll hold down the front rats, so you take care of the big one at the back!"

Without waiting for a response, Ren-nii moved a little away from us, drew his bow, and placed his right hand on the quiver.

My father nodded, quickly gave instructions to Ren-nii and us, and ran straight towards the Grithes Snakes.

I watched his back with a prayer-like feeling.

The rats, which were as big as dogs, were heading straight towards us.

Though their numbers had decreased due to being swallowed by the terrifying snake, the ground-shaking sound of their feet was still incredibly intimidating.

The rats were getting quite close, but Ren-nii remained still, bow drawn.

What's wrong, Ren-nii?

He said it was his first time using a bow in a real battle, so did he freeze?

I tried to call out to Ren-nii with all my might, but my voice came out weak and pitiful.

"Ren-nii..."

Ren-nii, hearing my voice, glanced at me and smiled confidently.

He then placed his hand, which was on the quiver, to his mouth, gesturing for us to be quiet, and immediately returned his gaze to the front.

In less than 10 seconds, the Meadow Molars would reach us.

My father was about to collide with the Grithes Snakes.

At that moment, Ren-nii, who had been quietly drawing his bow, suddenly pulled an arrow from the quiver with lightning speed, nocked it, and fired.

It was a fluid, rapid motion.

I watched the arrow's path intently.

The arrow perfectly struck the lead Meadow Molar with red eyes, which was running straight towards us.

But before I could cheer, I was stunned.

Ren-nii's second and third arrows hit the Meadow Molars one after another.

The scene I saw when I turned back to Ren-nii in shock is something I will never forget.

Ren-nii was firing arrows at an incredible speed, so beautiful it defied description.

The speed of his movements was incomparable to the first shot.

Every arrow he fired hit its target, and within 10 seconds, he had wiped out all the Meadow Molars.

Then, Ren-nii immediately hugged his bow and began running in a circle to the right, centered on the Grithes Snakes.