The [Torchu Mountain Range] was a hangout for monsters.
Hiiro had to pass through there to get to his destination [Surge] and thus was…
“UWAAAH!”
…in the middle of running away with all his might.
As for the reason, an annoying number of monsters was chasing after him.
“D- Damn! Who would’ve thought that this was the [Torchu Disaster Plant]!”
He slipped into a gap in the cliff, letting the monsters go past him.
How did it come to this? He had finally arrived at the mountain range, but noticed that his food was running out.
While he roamed around, he found a plant growing on the roadside. That plant bore fruits, which emitted a sweet fragrance like strawberries. Moreover, the fruits were rather large, so he plucked the plant, thinking it could serve as food.
However, the plant didn’t have roots underneath, but rather was shaped in a creepy humanoid form out of wood. He thought his heart was going to jump out of his chest when it suddenly started screaming.
And then he remembered that the woman at the counter in the Guild taught him about the monster called [Torchu Disaster Plant] before coming here.
She had told me that if I pulled it out, it will scream so loud that it would attract every monster in the vicinity.
Not knowing that it was the [Torchu Disaster Plant], he froze up on the spot without understanding what was going on, whereupon a swarm of monsters rushes towards him.
Haa, this really is an interesting world.
Even while thinking so, he held his breath and checked the surroundings. It looked like the monsters were gone.
“Phew. I think I could’ve beaten them, but so many showed up so suddenly…”
There were easily over ten of them. For now, it was the right decision to hide.
He walked on, reminding himself to be careful about the [Torchu Disaster Plant] from now on.
“Still, I’m starving.”
Even more so after running. He restlessly looked around for something edible and sniffed out an aromatic smell from somewhere.
He headed towards the smell. After a while, he found a small stream, and some fishes were being grilled nearby on skewers at a fire. The appetizing aroma stirred up his hunger.
Gulping down, he surveyed the area, looking for the one responsible for this. But as far as he could tell, no one was around.
“Hmmm…”
No one is around. Delicious grilled fish right in front of him. An empty stomach. And again, no one is around.
“…Time to dig in.”
He couldn’t hold himself back. Just at the moment he tried to take the fish
“I won’t let youuuuuuu!”
A terrible killing intent came from behind him, so he took a big leap to the side. At the spot where he had been at before, now stood a man thrusting a wooden pole into the ground.
“Get away! I won’t give you any! That’s my food!”
While saying so, he pointed the pole at him.
The man had short ruffled hair in blue color. He looked to be in his 30s.
Even when covered by armor, it was noticeable that he had quite a muscular build.
He carried a broadsword on his back, which made Hiiro think that things would get troublesome if he drew it.
Still…
Glancing at the fish, his stomach growled again.
“Oi, lad! Name yourself! Trying to snatch food from me, the great Arnold, is inexcusable! State your name!”
What a bothersome fellow is what Hiiro thought with half-open eyes.
It seems he was called Arnold.
“I’ve nothing to give to the likes of you! State your name and begone!”
It seemed he had to state his name no matter what, but he considered what to do.
“……..Fuu, first, hear me out.”
“What’re you acting all composed for, you thief! I’ll never be fooled! This is my food! I caught it after all!”
“…is the fish yours?”
“Yes! What about it?!”
“All right. Hand it over.”
“Don’t fool around!”
“I’m starving here, so hand it over.”
“G- Grrrrrrr! “hand it over! hand it over!” So demanding! How did your parents raise you, you damn brat!”
“Who cares about that. First of all, hand it over, grumpy old man.”
“Nuh-uh-uh! Who are you calling grumpy!?!?”
He flew into a fit of rage, making you think he would explode if angered any more. Just when Hiiro thought the man might actually transform, someone came out of the bushes with a rustle.
“U- Uncle…?”
It was a girl around the age of ten. She had silver hair that reached till her waist, but wore a headgear like a cute woolen hat that concealed it.
Her big eyes had clear sky-blue pupils. But right now, these eyes were filled with anxiety, and her small body trembled lightly as she stared at Hiiro.
“O- Oh, Muir~! Give me a moment! I’ll educate this ruffian with my fist of love now!”
For some reason, the man was running his mouth about him, but Hiiro glanced at the little girl, whereupon she hid herself, startled.
He didn’t know why she was so frightened. It’s not like he was showing any hostility towards them.
“……..Hah. I understand.”
“Hmm? What did you understand, brat?”
“I’m giving it all up. So just share some of it.”
“Were you never taught how to ask for a favor, you bastard!”
“What? I won’t concede any further, okay?”
“You’re in no position to say that!”
Tightly grasping his pole, the man became inflated with hostility. Then he leaped at Hiiro with quite a speed. Hiiro stepped back right away, dodging the pole attack from his opponent.
So fast… And he isn’t even serious yet.
While dodging, Hiiro measured his opponent’s strength by observing him.
–
Mhm, this brat has some good moves (Arnold)
Arnold was just testing him, but having his attack so easily evaded from seeing it the first time, he concluded that Hiiro was quite capable.
Then the two of them glared at each other from a distance.
With a click, Hiiro grabbed the hilt of his sword.
Arnold also seized the broadsword on his back. Tension reigned in the air and silence spread, whereupon a scream resounded.
“Kyaaaah!”
It was the voice of the girl that Arnold loved so much that he wouldn’t let out of his sight – the girl called Muir.
Three Barbarous Kong – oversized gorilla monster – had appeared behind the girl. They were probably lured in by the smell of the grilled fish and were ready to attack the girl at any moment.
“MUIIIIIIIIIR!”
The man drew his broadsword and went straight for the Barbarous Kong. His speed was in a whole different league than before. The monsters were startled as if they were were dazzled.
Arnold succeeded in cutting off the arm that tried to seize Muir by applying the momentum of his charge into his sword swing.
“GYAAAAH!?”
The arm fell directly to the ground with a thud, but even while it twists its face in pain, the Barbarous Kong swung its other arm towards Arnold.
Arnold catches it with the flat side of his sword with a *Gash* sound and places Muir behind him, desperately protecting her.
“U- Uncle……..”
“It’s okay! Leave this to me and tak-.”
It looked like he was about to tell her to take shelter, but another Barbarous Kong appeared behind him.
“What the?!”
At this rate, Muir will be in danger!
But Arnold had his hands full with the three monsters in front of him right now.
(Kuh! What now! Do I use it… No, it would endanger Muir too…!)
Arnold was clearly confused by the situation, but then he hears a voice in the distance.
“Oii, can I have some fish now?”
In a completely inappropriate mood, the unperturbed red-robed man gazed upon the grilled fishes in front of him.
EiengnirTranslation 
Thnx for the chapter!
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You’re Welcome~
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