"It started with wild animals."

"Uncle Jack? What is that? A rabbit? Wow!"

"While I was chopping wood, a huge group of rabbits suddenly fled. I managed to hit some with my axe, but there were so many."

Dozens of rabbits had been killed by the woodcutter Jack's axe. And even more had escaped without being caught.

The village chief's daughter found the situation very fascinating.

"There were so many rabbits, but we haven't had meat in a while. Did the rabbits just hide well? Or are the hunters not very skilled?"

"Well, at least we can eat some meat now. Here, I'll give you a few. And some for the young guest staying with the chief as well."

"Thank you, Uncle Jack! You're as big-hearted as your muscles! By the way, that guest said he wants to learn how to chop wood. If you have time, could you teach him? Of course, I'm not asking you to do it for free! I'll deduct a bit from your tax payment later! That guest has helped me with a few side jobs, so it would be mutually beneficial. I won't force him, of course, if you're okay with it and have the time."

"Ah, yes, that's fine. If that young man ends up staying, he might even work as a woodcutter."

"I hope he does! For some reason, he seems hesitant. It would be great if he settled here! Plus, we're always short on wood. That's why Uncle Jack climbs the mountain almost every day, even though it's dangerous. We really need more people. And look at those muscles! With that amazing strength, you'd be great at woodcutting too! Ah, I hope he decides to settle down and tells us his name soon."

"Well, I'll be going now."

"Okay! I'll enjoy the rabbits!!"

The woodcutter Jack, who had handed over three rabbits, quickly disappeared, and the lively girl happily returned home, holding the three dead rabbits by their ears.

No one had noticed the unusual situation unfolding.

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

It started with rabbits.

Then it was various mountain birds and small squirrels.

After that, even larger animals like deer and wild boar.

It was not normal to see so many animals fleeing in the same direction, as they were not usually easy to spot even when actively sought out.

And then...

"Hurry! Come this way! The others have already fled, and we're the last ones! Quickly!"

The girl led the hero to the back of the village, where they entered a cleverly hidden cave.

"Phew. We should be safe here. This is a shelter prepared for emergencies. I've never actually seen it used before, but it's been well-maintained, so it should be fine. I think."

The hero looked at the girl and asked,

"What's going on?"

"I'm not sure. Suddenly, the animals have been going wild, and now even fierce beasts like wolves and bears..."

"Wolves?"

"Yes. The hunter Connor was badly injured by a wolf. Fortunately, he was treated in time, so his life is not in danger, but... The wolves were in a large pack, which is unusual. And even bears, which normally avoid human areas, have been approaching..."

"So there are too many animals?"

"Yes, exactly. And according to sir Connor, all the animals were fleeing in the same direction, all at once. It's very strange, don't you think? They're not racing, but all running in the same direction."

At the girl's words, the hero fell into deep thought.

"They're... running away, aren't they?"

"Huh? Running away? But they're fierce beasts. They're not afraid of humans."

"There are things in this world that can make even those fearsome beasts run away."

Realizing the implication, the girl's expression changed.

"Could it be... Monsters?"

"Yes. It's not an ordinary one if it can drive away that many fierce beasts... It must be a very strong monster."

At the hero's words, the girl nodded, as if finally understanding.

"Indeed, if it's a monster, that would make sense. I've heard that a dangerous one could really destroy the village. But it's strange. Monsters don't usually appear on this path that the pilgrims of the Temple of Life often use..."

"I don't know. Maybe it's strong enough not to fear the pilgrims."

"That's true, but you seem strangely familiar with monsters, don't you?"

"Huh? Ah, well... I've learned about them."

Hmm. I have taught you a lot about monsters.

For now, only monsters that have evolved from animals have appeared. But I don't know what will happen later.

"If it's a monster... We'll have to hide here for a while. I wonder if the preserved food supply is enough... And I hope my father hasn't secretly eaten it as a snack again."

"If it's a monster, I think it's better for me to go out alone to deal with it."

At the hero's words, the girl panicked and stopped him.

"What? It's dangerous! Really dangerous! I don't know if you've actually seen a monster, but a person's life can disappear in an instant! No way! Absolutely not!!!! I won't let you go!!!!"

"But..."

"No means no!!! I won't let you go!!! If you insist on going, then knock me out and go! And make sure you never come back to the village, because I'll hate you forever!!! I'm serious!!! I'm not lying!!!!"

At the girl's words, the hero looked troubled, but awkwardly patted her head.

"It's okay. I've been thoroughly trained. Monsters are nothing to me."

Un. I've trained him thoroughly. Even an ordinary monster wouldn't be able to scratch him.

"Nothing to you, you say... Just who are you...?"

The hero gently pushed the bewildered girl aside, then drew the sword slung on his back, a massive and magnificent silver blade. The unusual sight left the girl momentarily speechless.

"That sword... Could it be..."

The hero simply nodded slightly without a word.

"I'll be going now. Stay hidden well."

"Wait a moment!!!"

The girl hurriedly tried to grab the hero, but he had already disappeared from the spot.

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

The existence that had driven the animals to flee in terror was, indeed, a monster.

A gigantic snake.

A snake with a body so massive that each scale looked like a small shield. It could crush even small hills with ease.

It was a monster similar in size to the sandworm I had brought for the hero's training.

With its sharp fangs and deadly venom at the tips, and a powerful tail that could swing like a whole tree trunk, it was a monster so strong that even a human army might not be able to capture it.

Seeing the massive snake, the hero unhesitatingly gripped his sword.

The hero began the battle!

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

The snake charged furiously at the hero as soon as it saw him, as if the hero was a threat to its life.

No, in fact, that was the case. The hero had the power to kill that snake.

The massive snake's body charged like a battering ram, its venomous fangs bared.

The hero easily evaded the charge. It was fast for its size, but not fast enough for the hero to not be able to respond.

The hero dodged it with a slight jump to the side. But the snake was relentless.

Crack!!

The snake, breaking several thick trees, turned its head in the direction the hero had dodged and charged again. This time, the hero jumped up.

As if waiting for that, the snake's huge tail swung like a whip towards the spot where the hero had jumped.

Boom!!!

A thunderous sound, not like that of a snake's scales and skin, but as if a metal rod had been struck.

It was a blow that could have shattered even a large rock.

"Is that all?"

But it failed to inflict even a scratch on the hero.

Even in midair, the hero had deflected the tail with the broad side his greatsword.

As a result, there was only a deep dent left on the snake's tail.

"Keeeeeee!!!!"

"How noisy."

The snake, seemingly in pain, let out a scream. The hero, looking at the snake, gripped his greatsword again.

"I'd prefer if you just backed off, but it seems you have no such intention. This time, I'll cut you down."

And so, the hero and the giant snake charged at each other again, unaware of the faint shadow that was looming over them.