Chapter 2

"Gruuuuuuh!!"

"Whoa"

The boy deftly evaded the four swinging arms as if he were handling a baby's hand.

As a result, the four arms became entangled in a way that was impossible to untangle easily.

"Gruu!?!"

The bear monster known as the Arm Grizzly screamed, its face expressing confusion at the situation. This creature is a fairly well-known individual in this world, popular as game meat due to its delicious flesh.

"Whoosh"

"～～～～～～～～ッ！?"

The boy lightly slapped the lower jaw of the Arm Grizzly.

This completely knocked it out, and the massive body fell with a thud.

He had precisely destroyed only the brain.

Since the autonomous nervous system was still functioning and spontaneous breathing was possible, the meat would not become tough, allowing him to carry it back home.

"Got tonight's dinner."

Carrying the body, which was several times larger than his own, the boy returned home with a satisfied smile.

He was once an infant who had nearly been attacked by a similar bear monster.

That infant had grown into the boy—Edel.

He was already twelve years old.

"I'll make a nutritious bear stew for grandpa."

Edel, who was determined to do so, had been raised by the old man who saved him back then.

Not only did the old man save his life, but he also gave him the strength to survive in this dangerous world. Edel admired him from the bottom of his heart.

...The training the old man gave him was incredibly strict, and he often wanted to run away.

However, the old man had recently been unwell and often bedridden.

It was unusual for the always energetic old man, but considering he was over a hundred years old, it was not surprising.

"I've been taken care of by grandpa all this time, so now it's my turn to take care of him. Hmm... this way, right?"

The forest in this area moves constantly.

Without deploying a wide-area exploration spell, one could easily get lost.

Sometimes the terrain itself would change.

Rivers and mountains that did not exist an hour ago would suddenly appear.

Therefore, his house was fixed in space using magic.

This way, even if the ground shifted or sank, there was no risk of the house being carried away.

"I'm home."

Edel returned home safely.

"Grandpa, I'll make dinner right away. I caught an Arm Grizzly today, so it's bear stew."

He called out to the old man, who was lying in bed.

"..."

"Grandpa?"

"Aah, Edel... welcome back. ...Can I talk to you for a moment?"

"Huh?"

Edel felt a bad premonition as the old man, with a serious face, began to speak.

"I... don't have much time left. Probably just a few days."

"Hey, don't say that, grandpa! That's not like you! You'll be fine for another ten years!"

"...I know my own body, so I have a sense of it."

"What are you saying! You can't be so pessimistic! It's all about spirit! Spirit will help you live longer!"

"Ho ho, unfortunately, I don't have that spirit anymore..."

"Bear stew! Eating bear stew will surely give you energy! It's your favorite!"

"I'm already content with my life... Besides, you've grown into a fine young man..."

"I'll make the bear stew right away, so wait for me! It will be the best one ever—"

"Shut uuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuup!!"

"～～～～～～～～ッ！?"

Edel was taken aback by the old man's sudden loud shout.

"You've been noisy, you idiot! Let me die when I want to!"

"But, grandpa..."

"But nothing! When an old man says he's going to die, he's going to die! I won't be forced to live longer, no way!"

"...No, grandpa, you're incredibly energetic."