"Damn it! Damn it! Damn it!" Natsuki cursed furiously, "What the hell is going on with this damned monster!"
Originally, he had been in a great mood. His long-held wish to go on a date with Emilia had finally come true.
Though officially they were there to complete the task of getting the villagers to accept Emilia, with Rem accompanying them as well. Even so, just being able to see Emilia's smile had made him perfectly content.
But today, a series of unexpected events caught him completely off guard.
According to his plan, today was mainly about building relationships with the village children. Thanks to his playful, cheerful, and outgoing personality, the plan had worked perfectly — not only had he won over the children, but many adults as well.
Just a few more visits to the village, and Emilia's task would likely be complete.
But as they were preparing to return, they suddenly discovered that a little girl had gone missing. This seemed like the perfect opportunity to increase the villagers' goodwill, so of course Natsuki wouldn't pass it up.
He immediately offered to help search.
However, after searching the village for half a day, they hadn't found the little girl and had delayed their return journey.
It was now 5 PM, and Puck had coincidentally finished work. For Emilia's safety, Natsuki suggested that the two girls return first while he stayed behind to continue searching.
Just then, a villager came running to tell them that the barrier around the Beast Forest had been destroyed, and someone had seen the missing girl going through the breach into the depths of the forest.
The situation suddenly turned dire!
Despite Natsuki's repeated attempts to dissuade her, Emilia was determined to investigate the barrier's destruction and find the missing girl. Rem, being Emilia's combat maid protector, refused to leave as well.
He considered going back for reinforcements, but his instincts screamed at him:
Don't leave, absolutely don't leave!
In the end, he trusted his gut feeling.
Left with no alternative, the three of them ventured deep into the Beast Forest together.
Swarms of medium and small-sized Witchbeasts attacked them initially, but Emilia and Rem dispatched them all while he could only watch helplessly.
The women's combat prowess at least gave him some reassurance.
After searching deeper into the forest, they finally found the unconscious little girl in a clearing. The urgency of the situation left no time for deliberation — they quickly picked her up and attempted to retreat.
But they found themselves surrounded by too many Witchbeasts to break through.
Emilia and Rem decided to clear a path, allowing him to escape quickly with the little girl.
Knowing he'd only burden them if he stayed, Natsuki ran from the forest with the child.
Once outside, however, he became intensely worried about the women's safety.
His sense of foreboding grew stronger!
After sending someone to request aid from the Earl's mansion, he grabbed a sword and charged back into the Beast Forest!
Upon his return, he found both women still fighting the Witchbeasts, holding their ground.
With Natsuki joining the fray, some pressure eased off Rem and Emilia. The situation seemed to improve — if they could just endure a bit longer, they might break through the endless wave of beasts.
But suddenly, Rem collapsed, black mist seeping from her body. Before Emilia could even check on her, she too fell, managing only to whisper one word before losing consciousness: "curse"!
That word sent a chill down his spine.
Panic-stricken, Natsuki rushed forward without regard for his safety to check on the women.
Then, mysteriously, the surrounding Witchbeasts began to retreat, leaving only one large Wolgarm that fixed him with contemptuous eyes!
The large Witchbeast dog didn't devour him immediately. Instead, it raised its right front paw and beckoned provocatively.
Its animated eyes and human-like gestures made Natsuki shudder.
With unconscious Rem and Emilia behind him, he couldn't run! Without hesitation, he charged forward!
The Wolgarm's paw struck his chest, violently knocking him backward!
"Guh!" Natsuki coughed.
The impact sent waves of pain through his body, shifting his internal organs. He definitely had internal injuries.
But his ribs weren't broken. He could still fight!
He charged forward again, only to be knocked back by another blow!
Charge forward, get knocked back!
Charge forward, get knocked back.
The pattern repeated endlessly — same movement, same result, same force each time.
Even someone as stubborn as Natsuki realized the truth: this massive Wolgarm was treating him like a pre-dinner plaything, turning their fight into mere entertainment before its meal.
"Damn it!" he cursed, understanding his situation.
Yet hope wasn't lost.
He'd sent for help from the Earl's mansion — if he could endure long enough, Adam and Ram would surely arrive once they received the distress signal.
Just need to hold on a little longer!
Just need to hold on a little longer!
Just need to hold on a little longer!
This single thought consumed his mind, driving him forward.
But he'd forgotten — or refused to consider — whether the Wolgarm had any patience left.
With one bark from the beast, the black mist around Rem and Emilia thickened, their faces contorting in excruciating pain.
Natsuki's mind flashed to Emilia's last word before losing consciousness: "curse"!
Pain coursed through his nerves. He knew his body couldn't withstand much more.
Rem and Emilia's condition grew worse by the second.
Worse still, the Wolgarm's patience had run out — it was ready for its meal.
A truly desperate situation!
He had no options left.
"Rem, Emilia! Damn it——!!!" His roar echoed with helpless rage.
This crushing sense of powerlessness brought back memories of facing Elsa, the Bowel Hunter.
But then he'd had Adam's help. Now he was alone. He
had never loathed his weakness more, never despised his uselessness more, never hated his dependence more!
Am I going to die? Will I face that cursed Bowel Hunter again? Or perhaps this time... this time death will be final?
Fear welled up naturally.
Rage and defiance filled Natsuki's heart, consuming his mind.
He swore that if he survived, he would become stronger!
'I must become stronger!'
With this vow etched deep in his soul, Natsuki closed his eyes to await death.
But death never came!
A brilliant light pierced through his closed eyelids, dispelling the darkness that had gripped his heart.
◈ Sword Light Slash ◈
Natsuki's salvation had arrived!
As he opened his eyes, he saw a figure clad in white knight's armor standing before him, back turned.
"Hey kid, you're not looking so good."
The familiar voice and silhouette brought tears streaming down his face.
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