TLBP 22

CHAPTER 22……………………………….

For quite some time, we just stared each other down.

Like a bomb with a frayed fuse that could explode at any moment, Belzer and I silently locked eyes.

A desolate wind swept dust and fallen leaves across the ground.

‘This will be over in an instant.’

I mapped out the best way to fight him in my head.

First, attacking the belly or face—areas without spikes—would be optimal.

And if the distance widened, he’d gain the advantage since he could launch his spikes. Creating distance didn’t seem like a good idea.

‘Spiked armor up close, needles at long range… What an annoying bastard.’

The fact that he wasn’t rushing in might mean he was gauging my strength. If so, he was a cautious one.

‘Running away without fighting might be smart, but…’

That raised the question of whether I could safely bring back Raccoon Leaf.

He was still slumped on the ground, his legs seemingly giving out.

Maybe I should praise him just for not wetting himself.

‘The witch asked me to bring back both the Dawnstone and Leaf safely.’

I steeled my resolve, recalling the reward the witch had promised. In the end, there was no choice but to settle things with the porcupine in front of me.

‘Big body, looks like there’s a lot of meat. He’s probably worth plenty of experience points, too.’

If I had to fight anyway, it was better to set a positive goal. I decided I’d eat him.

When I smiled and bared my fangs, his black eyes narrowed. As if returning the smile, he stretched his mouth wide and revealed his own fangs.

It was a hair-trigger situation where a fight could erupt at any second.

Then, from behind the porcupine, Raccoon Leaf spoke with difficulty.

—Th-that white-furred guy is insanely strong! He’s the one who killed the Snake Queen! Even you, Belzer, wouldn’t beat him easily!

Leaf spoke proudly, as if it were his own achievement. The threat seemed to work; Belzer hid his fangs and slowly scanned me from head to toe.

—Kngh… sniff… The Snake Queen? Is that true?

—It’s not a lie.

At my answer, the murderous intent that felt like stabbing needles eased considerably. For a moment, I even hoped we might resolve this peacefully through conversation.

Belzer let out a small sigh, then made an unexpected proposal.

—Kngh… hey, how about we make a deal?

—A deal?

I immediately grew suspicious of whatever scheme he might be plotting.

Belzer relaxed his raised spikes and shrugged.

—Yeah. If we fight like this, neither of us will escape without fatal wounds. Kngh, let’s do this peacefully. Just grant me one request.

“Better for both of us,” he said with a sly grin.

—What kind of request?

—Kngh. Bring me something edible to replace the Dawnstone. Find me the kind of stone I want, and I’ll give you both the raccoon and the Dawnstone.

—Why should I trust you?

—I’m not like that raccoon. Kngh, kngh. I don’t want to sully my pride with lies. Believe me or not—it’s your choice.

Belzer raised his spikes sharply again.

I couldn’t trust him completely, but listening wouldn’t cost me anything.

—What kind of stone are you talking about?

—It’s simple. A stone that’s hard, but pleasantly soft to eat, and gives off a bright glow. But not too bright—my eyes might hurt. A subtle, gentle glow would be best. The surface should be smooth, yet rough. Try to find one like that.

He rattled off his explanation without even sniffing around.

—Th-that doesn’t exist!

Raccoon Leaf protested in my stead.

Belzer grabbed Leaf by the scruff of the neck and lifted him up, speaking confidently.

—You’ll find it. If you don’t, the deal’s off. Kngh.

Belzer bit down hard on Leaf’s neck.

—Kegh!

Leaf cried out like a puppy in pain.

‘A hostage.’

—Th-that’s way too hard…

Leaf groaned, enduring the pain while voicing his concern.

I answered briefly and lightly.

—Fine. I’ll get it. Solving a problem like that is easy.

Unlike these beasts, I was human on the inside—the pinnacle of all creatures.

If I used my wisdom and knowledge properly, I was sure I could solve even a riddle like this.

I looked around, then picked up a thick, flat piece of wood—heavy and solid, lying near some branches and a tree trunk.

—Perfect. Just what I needed. This is the answer.

Holding the wooden club, I strode toward him. Belzer frowned deeply and protested.

—Kngh, that’s not a stone. That’s wood, idiot.

—Of course it’s not a stone. But this is the right answer. For crazy bastards like you, the answer is always a beating!

I swung the club straight into his head.

Crack!

The sound of a skull breaking echoed off the rocky cliff.

—Gahk!

Belzer screamed and spewed blood from his nose, dropping the raccoon he’d been holding.

Once again, I reminded myself: I wasn’t a wild beast—I was a human who knew how to use intelligence. Tools were truly wonderful things.

Using tools meant I didn’t even have to touch his spikes. What an advantage.

I finally unleashed the anger I’d been holding back.

—What?! Hard and soft?! You lunatic!

I kept smashing him mercilessly. Watching him writhe and choke made my chest feel strangely refreshed.

—Kngh—y-you bastard!

Belzer raised his spikes to counterattack. Seeing that, I shouted at Leaf, who was still slumped on the ground.

—Hey! What are you doing? Throw rocks or something!

—Ah—o-okay!

Only then did Leaf grasp the situation and start hurling stones at the crouched Belzer. The stones struck his nose bridge repeatedly.

I’d noticed before—this raccoon had excellent aim.

Maybe it was a side effect of the 《Dexterity》 skill.

—Y-you cowards! Fight fair! Kngh!

Belzer curled himself into a ball, defending his body. I beat him all over like I was smashing a gourd.

Crack, crack!
Spikes shattered, revealing raw flesh beneath.

—You’re covered head to toe in spikes and you’re talking about “fair”? Just die!

—Gahk! Kieeek!

He screamed and launched his spikes. Thick needles embedded themselves into my body, sending searing pain through me.

Using the opening, he rolled violently and slammed into me.

A massive spiked ball, easily weighing a ton, crashed onto me. Hundreds of needles stabbed into my body, and I screamed and struggled.

Spikes riddled my proud fur coat—the one the pretty witch had complimented.

I couldn’t control my rage anymore.

Excitement surged to my head. The pain from the spikes barely registered.

—You bastard! I’ll kill you!

I threw away the club, extended my claws, and lunged at him.

Ignoring the spikes piercing me, I raked his body viciously with my claws.

‘This is easier than peeling a snake’s scales!’

Purple spikes rained down onto the ground.

Belzer bared his claws and teeth, refusing to lose. A brutal melee began—neither of us caring about our wounds.

I bit into the back of his neck and slammed his belly with all my strength using my forepaws.

Writhing in agony, Belzer turned the spikes on his back toward me.

To attack me with spikes, he had no choice but to expose his back.

But that left him vulnerable to Leaf, who kept throwing stones from the other side.

No matter which way he turned, Belzer’s face or belly was exposed to either me or Leaf.

—Kngh! You annoying little bitch! I’ll tear you apart!

Belzer turned his back on me and chose to chase Leaf instead. Targeting the weaker one first made sense when surrounded.

But Leaf had already fled far enough to maintain distance.

Due to his size, Belzer wasn’t very fast. Unable to catch Leaf, and repeatedly struck in the nose and face by stones, he staggered in pain.

It looked like a concussion.

I didn’t miss the opening. Silently closing the distance from behind, I lunged.

Before he even realized it, I bit down on his neck and shook him violently.

Swaying left and right like a drunk, Belzer eventually collapsed backward. His ragged breathing suggested he wasn’t dead or unconscious yet.

—You little…!

Blood poured from his nose and mouth as he growled. He no longer seemed capable of moving.

I picked up the club I’d dropped and approached him.

Standing before his head, I raised it high with both hands, like lifting a bamboo sword.

—Become my flesh and blood.

Those were words Kubilai had once said to me. I’d thought they sounded kind of cool, so I tried copying him.

For some reason, the fur on my back stood on end—it gave me goosebumps.

‘Guess you shouldn’t imitate just anyone.’

To erase that embarrassing black history, I swung down with all my strength.

Crack!

Belzer’s body convulsed violently.

He screamed his death throes again and again, but with each blow, the sound grew weaker—until he finally fell silent.

—Tough bastard.

I spat on the ground.

Panting, my shoulders rose and fell. As my excitement faded, the pain I’d been holding off came rushing back.

—Look at me.

I spread my arms toward Leaf. My body was so full of spikes you couldn’t even tell who the porcupine was anymore.

—Ugh… that must hurt like hell.

Leaf shook his head at the sight. I grabbed a handful of spikes with my forepaw and yanked them out.

Riiip.

The sound of flesh tearing rang out. Blood coated the tips of the pulled-out needles.

Looking closely, I saw tiny barbs like hooks along the ends.

—Y-you shouldn’t pull them out forcefully. The wounds could get infected.

—Once I eat him and level up, this kind of injury will heal fast.

—Level up? What are you talking about?! D-don’t pull them out! Let’s hurry back to the witch’s house! Lady Eve will have medicine that works really well!

Leaf grabbed my forepaw in a panic. I shook him off and walked toward the porcupine.

Opening my mouth wide, I tore into his body.

Since he’d wounded me and drawn my blood, I’d wash it away with his flesh and blood.

Without even knowing what it tasted like, I devoured his meat with all my strength. The coarse fur and remaining spikes were unpleasant, but all I could think about was gaining experience and leveling up.

【You have gained experience points.】

The familiar message appeared.

But no level-up message followed. Ever since reaching level 7, leveling up hadn’t come easily.

Just like in games, maybe higher levels required more experience.

‘So I have to live with these wounds for a while.’

I smacked my lips bitterly, the taste of blood lingering.

That’s when I noticed Leaf watching me with concern.

He twitched the corner of his mouth, looking a bit shy.

—Th-thank you for saving me. You’re the first one who ever said I was important.

—Ah.

It seemed he’d misunderstood something. Or maybe he was improvising after reading the situation.

He was a smart one—either was possible.

But either way, his thanks didn’t feel bad.

Whether it was because I felt good, or because I was enduring the pain, a low rumbling sound escaped my throat.

Grrr… grrr…

At the sound, Leaf’s ears perked up.

—That’s an amazing sound. How do you make it?

—You don’t have to flatter me. I already noticed.

—No, really. It’s great. Is that one of your talents too?

Instead of answering, I just kept making the rumbling sound, over and over.

Before I knew it, the sun was dipping low in the sky.

—Let’s hurry back to the witch’s house.