Chapter 18: Chapter 18: Even a Beetle Has Its Tricks

“Pipipipipipipi!”

Oh, for heaven's sake.

Rella’s chirping pierced through the stillness of the night air.

It wasn’t a scream or a sound made out of fear—it was simply a melody of joy.

She fluttered her wings as if she were the one flying.

It seemed that the faster-than-usual speed made her curious and excited.

Not being able to communicate has its drawbacks.

There was no way to tell her to keep quiet.

'Well, it’s not that big of a deal.'

After all, even if Rella hadn’t chirped, the one-eyed dog was called a dog for a reason—it had good hearing.

It would have noticed me approaching soon enough.

More than that, what was bothering me was that Rella’s tight grip on my hair was starting to hurt. It felt like my scalp was about to be torn off.

“Hey, if I go bald because of you, I’ll hold a grudge.”

As I muttered, Rella chirped again, as if she thought I was inviting her to play.

Perhaps startled by my swift approach, the one-eyed dog spun around in a rush.

Its long tail swung like a whip.

As its catfish-like, wide mouth turned to face me, a long tongue shot out toward me.

The creature’s tongue was far longer than its body.

Since I was also charging straight towards it, the tongue shot right at my face.

It seemed like it was trying to catch me.

'Seriously… who gave it the name "dog"? If anything, it’s more like a catfish lizard.'

I muttered to myself as I swung my axe lightly.

The tongue that had stretched out to wrap around my neck was severed in the dark, and a short yelp burst out from the one-eyed dog’s mouth.

“Woof!”

It was strange.

Even its yelp sounded like “woof.”

The one-eyed dog let out another long “woof” as it spun around.

It must have sensed the overwhelming difference in power.

It seemed to be trying to flee.

In the dark, its scrappy tail stiffened and swayed from side to side.

Its muscular legs pushed forward, carrying it away.

If you listen to its woofs for too long, you start feeling pity for it.

Whether it’s in pain, whether it’s crying out, or even threatening you—everything was just a “woof.” There was something sad about that.

That’s why, whenever I killed a one-eyed dog, I always tried to end its life in one swift strike.

To avoid prolonged suffering, so that it wouldn’t cry out in pain with another mournful “woof.”

This time was no different.

I kicked off from the ground, leaping into the air.

My massive body soared through the darkness with a swoosh.

Unlike usual, I was utilizing the wind, and it felt as though I defied gravity itself, easily gliding through the sky.

Above my head, Rella’s loud chirping echoed, as if she was the one in flight.

I was the one moving, but she seemed to think she was flying by herself.

The fluttering sound of her small wings rang in my ears.

Maybe she thought she was carrying me as she flew.

How amusing.

“Hold on tight.”

When I said that, she responded with a chirp that sounded like an acknowledgment.

My body took a few more strides through the air, finally landing on top of the one-eyed dog.

“Heave-ho.”

I let out a small grunt as I twisted my body.

With strength channeled into my arms, I brought my axe down.

The thick neck of the fleeing one-eyed dog separated with a clean sensation, falling to the ground.

The headless body, unable to halt its running momentum, continued forward for several more paces before collapsing.

"…"

What now?

I let out a small sigh as I stood there.

It seemed like Rella’s excitement had rubbed off on me, and I had gotten a bit carried away myself.

I’d put too much force into my arms, and my axe ended up embedding itself deep into the ground.

'I really need to be more careful.'

I don’t know who made this axe, but it’s incredibly sturdy—it was a gift from my mother.

Especially the blade.

The edge is almost a solid chunk of steel, roughly sharpened. It feels more like I’m swinging a chunk of iron rather than wielding an actual axe.

However, the handle is wooden.

It’s strong, yes, but it’s still wood. It’s not as resilient as steel, and the head of the axe is quite heavy.

When I was a child, swinging it around was just pure fun, but lately, I’ve begun to worry that the handle might snap under the weight of the steel.

If you discover this tale on Amazon, be aware that it has been stolen. Please report the violation.

To be more precise, that concern started a few days ago when I visited the marketplace.

During the tour with Jenny, I happened to pass by a weapons shop, and I overheard the prices of the weapons there—they were outrageously expensive.

Until I save up enough money, this axe cannot be allowed to break.

Without my tool for making a living, I’d truly be at risk of starving.

I picked up the torch I had discarded in pursuit of the one-eyed dog and crouched by the spot where my axe had embedded itself.

I examined the buried axe.

"…"

What should I do?

It was truly an impressive feat.

The axe was wedged into the ground as though it belonged there, like it had been born into this earth.

The handle was buried well over halfway.

'How did it even go in that deep?'

I did it myself, but I still didn’t understand.

I tried to wiggle it to see if I could pull it out, but it wouldn’t budge.

I really am monstrously strong.

How did I manage to get it in there so cleanly and deeply?

“Hmm.”

Maybe I should just force it out.

But what if the handle breaks?

While I was deliberating, Rella approached where the axe blade was buried and began pecking at the ground.

“…Are you telling me to dig it out by hand?”

“Pipi?”

Rella tilted her head, looking at me as if to say, "What else can you do?"

Sigh.

I guess I have no choice.

I took out the knife I used for skinning animals and began digging around the axe.

Dig.

Dig.

Dig.

"… It’s lodged in there really deep."

I let out a long sigh.

This is why I tend to avoid using wind magic too much.

I’m already strong, but if I add wind to it, it’s less of a synergy and more of a disaster.

Rella seemed to have gotten bored.

While I worked to dig out the axe, she wandered around the area.

She climbed up on the one-eyed dog’s head, then on its body, tugged at its tail, and nibbled on it.

She seemed to be having fun.

I, too, was nearly finished.

The blade was beginning to show itself.

Once I could see the blade, I figured it would be okay to pull it out.

That’s when I heard a strange noise and turned my head.

There was Rella, battling a large bug.

"!"

But right behind her, a snake with its mouth wide open was lurking.

I always thought snakes coiled around their prey to crush it before eating, but for some reason, this one was trying to swallow Rella whole while she was still alive.

I jumped up in shock, but it was too late.

Rella disappeared into the snake’s mouth in an instant.

Oh no!

I conjured wind at my fingertips.

Although I could wield wind with just my bare hands, I wasn’t good at controlling it that way, possibly because of my overwhelming strength.

If I wasn't careful, I could end up tearing the snake apart entirely.

If Rella were still alive inside, she’d die too.

'Stay calm. There’s still time before she gets digested.'

Right, I’d just seen her get swallowed, so I should still be able to save her.

I infused my knife with wind.

Directing the wind through a weapon made for much better accuracy.

I aimed at the snake's tail, just as I was about to release the wind—

Suddenly, the snake twisted violently, opening its mouth wide.

With a cough, Rella was spat out.

Then the snake slithered away, as if it had been shocked.

“Rella!”

Panicked, I rushed over, and Rella, who had been sitting there dazed, suddenly sprang to her feet.

“Pipipipipipi!”

Thank goodness.

She wasn’t dead.

It didn’t look like she was hurt either.

As I approached and picked her up, I noticed an odd burnt smell coming from her.

"…Hmm?"

I took her over to the torch to examine her, and I noticed her feathers were slightly singed in places, curled up and burnt.

Surely the snake hadn’t breathed fire, had it?

It wasn't a dragon.

“You…”

You were the phoenix chick, weren’t you?

“Do you emit flames when you’re in danger? Or maybe your whole body heats up?”

I’d never seen her set herself on fire, even when she’d nearly been eaten before.

Maybe her abilities only activated instinctively when she was in serious danger—when she was actually being swallowed whole.

I didn’t know where she generated such heat, but thank goodness she had.

“Even a beetle has its tricks, and here you are—a tiny, seemingly helpless chick—with a way to protect yourself.”

Maybe that’s why she’d managed to survive in that dangerous forest without her mother.

Feeling proud of her, I stroked her gently with my finger, and she puffed out her chest, chirping happily.

“Pipi! Pipipi!”

“Are you boasting? Haha. Anyway, well done. I’m glad you’re okay.”

As I petted her again, she suddenly began pecking my finger sharply.

Perhaps it wasn’t boasting after all—maybe she was simply angry about having nearly been caught by the snake.

Perhaps she was blaming me for not catching the snake.

"…"

Could she have actually been trying to catch that snake?

“Was it going to be food?”

Murmuring to myself, Rella puffed her chest out again and chirped loudly.

“Pipipit!”

Yeah, I don’t understand.

We’re definitely not communicating with each other, are we?

“Anyway, it’s a bit dangerous at night, isn’t it?”

When I placed Rella on my head, she seemed exhausted and nestled into my hair.

With that, I grabbed my axe and the body of the one-eyed dog and began walking back toward the village.

Since it was a bit of a distance from the village, the gate wasn’t open.

It was quiet even when I got close, so perhaps there was no lookout.

If there had been someone on watch, they would’ve seen the torchlight approaching.

At night, it’s easy to notice moving flames.

That’s how I’d found the village too.

In any case, I felt bad waking them up in the middle of the night, but I had to hurry if I wanted to leave early in the morning.

I banged on the village gate.

“Eek!”

"…"

It was the sound of someone screaming.

‘So, someone was inside after all.’

Then why hadn’t they left the gate open?

As I wondered, a voice shrieked from inside.

“H-H-H-Hurry up! The-the-there’s a barbarian thief at the gate! What are you all doing?!”

In the distance, I heard the sound of people rushing towards the gate.

There were also sounds of weapons clashing.

Ah, this was a pattern I had encountered before.

"…"

I definitely need to buy new clothes soon.

It’s because of the clothes.

'Although being mistaken for a thief is a first.'

I glanced down at myself and saw that in one hand, I held the bloody, headless body of the one-eyed dog, while in the other, I held its large, blood-soaked head, with its one eye wide open.

"…"

It was pretty grotesque, even to me.

With my appearance combined with the animal carcass, I guess I could see why they’d think I was a thief.

Feeling disheartened, I called out.

“I’m from the guild! I’ve come here for the one-eyed dog extermination request. I encountered it outside and took care of it, which is why I’m covered in blood.”

"…"

"…"

The once-clamorous voices quieted down.

“If you’re not a thief, t-then p-prove it!”

It was a young man’s voice.

And then someone scolded him, as if they found his words too disrespectful.

“What if you make him mad talking like that?!”

“Idiot, bravery and being reckless aren’t the same!”

No, no, it’s fine. I understand that my current appearance is a bit frightening.

Covered in blood, even I might find myself unsettling.

There was a square hole in the gate.

I pulled the token I had placed in my belt pouch and held it close to the opening.

“Here it is. The guild’s token.”

"…"

After a moment, I heard the sound of someone moving near the hole, then someone let out a groan.

“My deepest apologies, adventurer!”

I heard the latch on the other side of the gate lifting, and soon, the gate swung open wide.

Standing at the front was an elderly man with snow-white hair.

He bowed almost at a right angle.

“Please forgive my rudeness. I am the chief of this village. Please, forgive this most discourteous act.”

“No, it’s fine. There’s no harm done.”

Even as I assured him, the chief kept bowing, repeating his apologies.

I suppose adventurers aren’t usually treated this deferentially. It must’ve been because I’m an Enorthos, a big, imposing one at that.

A sense of gloom washed over me.

It’s definitely the clothes. It’s the clothes.

It wasn’t just my mother—I had my father’s blood as well. If I dressed properly, I’d just look like an exceptionally large Arenon.

As I walked further into the village, I spoke to the chief, who still maintained his deferential posture.

“Sorry for waking you up in the middle of the night, but since I’ve completed the request, I’d appreciate it if you could prepare the token and the payment.”

“Well… a-at this hour?”

“Yes, sorry about that. I want to leave early tomorrow morning.”

“...W-Wouldn’t it be alright to not be in such a rush…?”

For some reason, the chief seemed even more flustered as he spoke.

“W-Well… Adventurer… As a token of our gratitude, we’ve also prepared food and drink for you. Since the original plan was five days, why don’t you stay with us a few more days?”

“No, I’m sorry, but I need to leave tomorrow.”

I need to take on a new job and earn more money.

As I spoke firmly, the chief subtly signalled to someone else with his eyes.

"..."

Something felt off.

Could it be that this village was about to turn on me, just like the others?

‘No, that can't be it.’

This was a place I had come to based on a guild request.

No village would dare suddenly turn rogue, would it?

Besides, I didn’t have anything valuable on me.

Right, I shouldn’t be so quick to doubt people.

Since leaving the forest, having encountered so much cruelty, my view of the world had soured.

I reflected on that thought as I followed the chief.

He said that I could stay in his house tonight, and I’d receive the token there as well.

Surely, the man who rushed off into the darkness after the chief's signal wasn’t preparing a weapon or a sleeping agent to ambush me later.

"..."

Right?

The doubt still lingered, and I tightened my grip on the axe in my hand.