episode_0018

Thud~

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They walked along the path between the farms.

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But slowly.

To be able to focus on walking.

And to match the pace for the little one so that Shaela, holding hands, could follow well.

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“If you feel like you’re going to fall, I’ll support you!!”

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“Okay.”

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Behind them, Tinea followed.

Originally, Illian was supposed to carry the supplies, but he seemed busy taking care of the elves, so Tinea, the second one, was sent instead to carry the supplies.

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Even though it was unnecessary….

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She just accepted it.

Because it was nice to have her by my side.

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Swoosh~

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Approaching a farm.

This is a farm tended by humans.

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“The fruits haven’t ripened yet.”

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“Yes! It seems like it will take a few more days. If the Nature God bestows grace, it might be different!”

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Tinea replied to herself.

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A proud expression.

Is she lively and affectionate by nature?

She smiled widely as she approached the plant cared for by humans and gently touched its leaves.

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“There’s a lack of love here. There’s no sincerity. I can feel that the crops are lonely. Ah… They must have been lonely. I understand now.”

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I feel it too.

The plants here seem lifeless.

People just tend to them for protection, not out of genuine care for farming.

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The results are already showing.

Eating them probably won’t boost any stats.

The difference between cared-for crops and neglected ones is too significant.

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Tap.

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I bent down and touched the plants with my hand.

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Should I say it connects.

Just by touching them, I can sense what the plants lack.

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Shalak~

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A green light envelops them.

Warm vitality disperses.

A tiny part of my strength seeps into the plants.

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Swoosh~!

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I caressed the leaves.

The plants grow rapidly.

Leaves swaying in the wind expressed joy.

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“What, what’s this? Did you see that just now?”

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“Did that elf make the plants grow?”

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Chatter from nearby humans resting was heard.

Their hearing is so sharp that everything is crystal clear.

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“Is that magic or something? A skill? I wonder what level they are.”

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“I found that the most fascinating. An elf being born from a huge fruit. Isn’t it supposed to be born through crossbreeding?”

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“Why do they make us farm if they have such abilities?”

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“Wow, that elf is really handsome. Should I talk to him? The elves here are all friendly. Wait, who’s the girl next to him? Does she have an owner?”

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There are various types.

Those purely expressing curiosity.

Those dissatisfied with working here.

Those watching with personal interest.

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And so on.

It doesn’t matter what they do…

There seem to be quite a few dissatisfied people.

Although I’ve given them plenty of free time, why are they so dissatisfied?

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I turned off my attention.

Except for Floren, I don’t plan on interacting much with humans. If they cause trouble, I’ll deal with it.

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Thunk!

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I slowly pulled out the fully grown plants.

Roots were exposed, and slightly yellowish, plump tubers dangled down.

They resembled Earth potatoes.

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“Tinea, clean off the dirt.”

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“Yes!!”

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Since one hand was holding Shaela’s, I had Tinea harvest the potatoes.

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Pluck pluck~

Swoosh.

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He skillfully detached healthy potatoes from the roots, cleaned off the dirt, and deftly peeled off the outer skin with delicate hands before offering them to me.

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“Do you need this?”

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“Thank you.”

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I accepted the potato and took a bite.

A savory and crisp texture.

Flavor is evident.

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“One more.”

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“Yes!”

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This time, I brought the potato to Shaela’s lips.

With a tap, her lips parted on their own.

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Crunch.

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She bit into it, teeth breaking through.

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“Shaela, can you taste it?”

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Chew.

Munch.

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Her expression barely changed. It seemed like her taste buds were still weak to perceive the savoriness.

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“Let’s eat while we walk.”

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Swoosh.

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I led Shaela again, holding her hand, moving forward.

Increased sensory activity will likely aid in her recovery.

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Therefore.

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“We’re going a bit further.”

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“Oh, then I’ll prepare for hunting and come back.”

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With Tinea, armed and guarding, holding hands and following behind, I headed towards the misty forest.

In a place where monsters may lurk.

When you smell blood, something is bound to stir.

*

Surrounded by trees.

Where monsters roam.

Vision restricted by mist.

Intermittent screams heard.

Thump, thud.

Through such a misty forest.

Vision is clear.

With a sight like a bracelet wrapped around her, Shaela can see vividly around her, and since she lacks sight herself, as long as she holds hands and follows, it’s fine.

Squeeze~

As we walked hand in hand slowly.

“I sense the presence of a monster over there.”

Tinia stepped forward and nocked an arrow.

She was right about feeling the monster’s presence, but it didn’t seem to be coming this way.

The monster swiftly passed by elsewhere.

Instead, I focused my gaze elsewhere.

“What kind of bow is that?”

“Oh, it’s a bow I carved! I usually shrink it with magic to carry around.”

“Magic? Did you learn it during your apprenticeship?”

“Yes. I naturally knew about it.”

“Everyone seems the same. Knowing language, magic, and weapon skills from birth.”

“It’s all thanks to the grace of the gods~”

“Yet I don’t know any magic.”

“No. The gods themselves are the greatest magic. What we can do, the gods can do too!”

“…Is that so.”

I strangely found it convincing.

It seemed entirely possible.

From making plants grow freely to creating elves and imbuing spirits, that’s already magic.

In fact, elven magic is just a trick.

So there’s no need to rush.

I still don’t know my body well.

I will gradually come to realize who I am.

“Let’s keep going. Towards where the monster went.”

“You’re planning to hunt.”

“Yes.”

By hunting, Shaela might feel something and focus more on her senses.

Be it auditory or olfactory.

She might awaken faster.

*

Whoosh!!!-

Clang!!-

“Kieeeek!!!”

A four-legged beast with horns screamed.

Its eye pierced by Tinia’s arrow, it collapsed due to the penetration.

“Kieeek!!! Kyaaa!!!!-”

Splurt!!!-

“Kit!!?…..”

The monster fell.

Its head precisely pierced.

“Remarkable archery skills.”

“Oh, it’s nothing! Hehe~”

Honestly, I was surprised.

The tough exterior that had only caused shock even with Alberto’s body was effortlessly pierced by Tinia’s blue light arrow.

That light is probably mana.

The arrow was enhanced with mana.

Thinking back, Shaela’s punches were similar.

The memory of her shining fist piercing through a sturdy ship’s inner wall is still vivid.

It’s not just about wielding mana.

There’s a principle hidden that I don’t know.

Could I follow that?

I should practice later just in case.

“Shaela, do you sense anything around?”

……

Grin.

Shaela’s head turns.

It seems she can’t even smell the blood.

It’s okay.

I’m satisfied with having taken a walk together.

She would prefer roaming outside rather than being left alone.

Until you’re complete.

I’ll take you for walks until then.

“Let’s go.”

Squeeze~

We walked without letting go of each other’s hands.

*

Encountered monsters several times.

Each time, Tinia took the lead in dispatching them, so I didn’t have to step in.

Second Tinia.

This guy is stronger than expected.

He skillfully toyed with the monsters while gallivanting around as an archer.

“I will definitely protect the gods!!”

“…Indeed. You’re reliable.”

“Hehehe!~ Thank you!!”

He is also bright and lively.

Being around him unknowingly brings energy.

Contrary to the cautious advisor Illyan, this guy sets a much better atmosphere.

Perhaps that’s why he enjoyed receiving praise and actively exterminated monsters.

I was merely absorbing through the stem.

How much has flowed through me like that?

“Squeeeak!!!”

Somewhere, the sound of a monster falling was heard.

There are no nearby elves. It means someone else brought down the monster.

Who could it be?

A discarded human?

Is it a strong one this time?

Is that a slave hunter?

Kuhaaah!!! The sound of monsters continued.

Not far away, someone was facing several monsters.

“Shinmok! Should I go check it out?”

“No, let’s go together.”

They headed towards the source of the sound.

Soon, a red aura-filled mist appeared, and the smell of blood filled the air.

And what appeared before them was…

“Oh? More discarded ones?”

Sseik~

A person with pale skin sat on top of a giant monster corpse. Upon seeing us, he grinned widely, but his expression didn’t seem friendly. His eyes narrowed at our blood-stained appearance.

And most importantly…

Thump thump thump thump.

“Ugh….”

Behind the man,

Six human women were visible.

It felt like they were reluctantly following the man to survive.

As expected,

“Oh? Quite impressive, huh? Are they elves? Such beauties. Healthy, pretty, oh~ I wonder how their blood tastes.”

He casually evaluated Tania.

Just from his tone, it was clear that he considered them valuable ‘items.’

He’s a slave hunter.

“Ugh… Shinmok, something about that person gives me chills.”

Tania, who usually had a lot of laughter, clenched her arms as if shivering.

Of course.

He sees you as a slave.

“Hmm? The human woman next to her is not ordinary either, right? Beautiful and sacred… Oh, my tastes! I desire her. I can’t resist the temptation!!!”

Thwack!!

The man suddenly rushed forward alone.

His target was me, sandwiched between the two women. He aimed to eliminate me and take them away.

Whoosh!!!-

However, he was quick.

He closed the distance in the blink of an eye.

“Shinmok!!!”

Startled, Tania swung her bow towards him.

But it was futile.

“You deal with him for now!!”

Thud!

Swoosh!~

“Ugh!!?”

The man easily deflected the blow and grabbed Tania’s wrist, pulling her back.

Then, he reached out towards me.

“Well then, farewell.”

His fist blocked my view by a hair’s breadth.

In the end, I had to let go of Shaela’s hand.

Crack!!!

“Oh?”

I grabbed his fist with both hands. My physique, much stronger than Alberto’s, made it possible.

If I unleashed my full strength…

“Your stance is sloppy!!!”

Crunch!!-

“Ugh!!….”

A powerful feint.

Not destructive force, but disorienting power.

A secondary shock spread throughout my body.

The impact amplified momentarily, sending me flying without being able to land a blow.

Whoom!!!-

Crash!

I pierced through two trees and stopped at the third.

Thunk.

Bark fell off.

I cautiously descended in front of him.

Quite disconcerting.

It wasn’t as simple as last time.

I thought just blocking would be enough, but I hadn’t anticipated the force pushing back.

This was the level of all the hunters here.

I really…

Don’t know how to fight.

“Oh? You’re tougher than you look. Probably not even level 300. Since I blocked with my bare body, did I break any bones?”

As he said.

My rib was dislocated.

Even a slight movement caused pain.

Would it have been different if I had properly used mana?

I need to learn the proper techniques.

“I won’t stand still and watch you harm Shinmok!!!”

Swish!!!

Tania swiftly shot multiple arrows.

Thud!

Thwack!

However, a red barrier appeared behind the man, effortlessly blocking the arrows.

“Annoying. I’ll deal with you since you’re here.”

“How…?”

Even the arrows that pierced through the monster’s exterior couldn’t threaten the man.

Just feeling his aura, he was at least three times stronger than the previous slave hunter I encountered. It’s impossible for Tania to defeat him.

I’m in the same boat.

I possess great strength, but I don’t know how to fight.

The only thing I trust is utilizing the hidden stem inside me to bind and dissolve with poison… I must find a way to exploit that opening.

“Hiya~ It’s even more beautiful up close.”

He grabbed Shaela’s chin, who was left alone without paying any attention to us.

“…!?”

A slightly surprised expression.

Shaela flinched at the rough handling.

“I’ve decided on you. When you return, I’ll personally train you into a fine livestock.”

“Stop right now!!!”

Twick!~

Tinia shot an arrow in anger, but once again, it was blocked by a red shield.

I can’t just stand and watch.

Crack.

Fixed the ribs.

Supplied nutrients from the stem to heal the body and quickly mixed a healing potion.

While preparing like that.

Tick, tick-tock.

“Hmm?……”

Something unexpected happened.

Shaela seemed to be trying to figure out the man’s identity as she tapped around his chest area as if gauging.

Huh?

She tilted her head in confusion.

“Oh? What a cute gesture. Do you like this body? No, there seems to be something wrong. But even that isn’t so bad. Haha!”

Swoosh~

Shaela’s hand went up to stroke the hunter’s face.

Soon, her expression turned sour.

Because she realized it wasn’t me.

“But… this is a bit out of line. As your owner, I can’t let this go!!”

Crunch!!

“……….!!?”

The man grabbed Shaela’s head and pushed it down.

A rough touch devoid of consideration.

Thud.

Instantly, anger surged.

Injected mana into my legs.

Muscles strengthened.

Even if my body were to die, it would end in one blow-

“…Let go.”

At Shaela’s sudden words of warning, I immediately stopped my leap, halted by the surging sense of danger.

For some reason, I shouldn’t approach.

It’s dangerous.

“Hmm?”

And just as the man expressed doubt.

Thwack!

Shaela’s fist hit the man’s chest.

A slightly stronger impact than a mere tap.

It seemed insignificant, but-

“What are you doing-”

Kwaaah!!!

Paaaaaah!!!!!-

A sudden shockwave shot straight ahead.

The man’s words were forcibly cut off.

A fierce wind swept through.

Whoooooosh!!!!

“Ugh!?”

“Aaahhhh!!-”

Even Tinia bent her body to avoid being blown away, and the women behind fell backward like dominoes, rolling on the ground.

Upon realization.

The man’s upper body had disappeared, and mist swirled away, revealing the sunlight.

‘What….’

The sunlight warmly embraced her.

There, only Shaela stood alone.

‘No….’

Her mind went blank.

She forgot what she was about to do.

With just one punch, he had obliterated the upper body of the slave hunter.

Even though it was incomprehensible upon seeing it.

She simply accepted it nonchalantly.

She was a goddess.