Chapter 2 - vs Gwen
The next day, as usual, we spread out around Gwen.
To prevent getting ambushed, we operated in pairs. My partner was a young man named Eric and was three years older than me.
He was the son of a farmer. He was kidnapped while selling vegetables in town. Others were enslaved in a similar way, but none were as clueless as me.
Today, we haven't encountered any monsters yet as we searched in the direction towards the town. Gwen seems unperturbed, as this was anticipated.
I stole a glance at Gwen. Despite his terrible personality, he's an exceptional warrior even to the untrained eye. His physical abilities are obvious, and the sword technique that cleaved a black tiger was clearly honed through practice. In fact, he's killed black tigers without a scratch until now.
Facing him head-on, there's almost no chance of winning. The only opportunity is catching him off guard, perhaps when he's attacked by a monster.
My plan is simple: let the black tiger attack Gwen, and then strike when he's vulnerable. It's a risky plan with a success rate of less than 10%.
However, since I can't think of any other options, I have no choice but to rely on this plan. While I had been desperately praying to avoid encountering black tigers until yesterday, today I'm praying for the opposite, which is quite absurd and elicits a self-deprecating smile.
"Hey, are you okay?"
"…Sorry, I spaced out for a moment."
Eric spoke with concern. Even though I spaced out, he didn't blame me. He's truly a good and impressive guy.
Eric is the emotional pillar for both me and everyone else. He was the first to rush to the aid if our comrades were attacked, not just once but multiple times. If it weren't for Eric, I'd either be dead or broken.
"Just a little more. Let's do this."
Eric tried to boost my spirits with a cheerful tone, but even he didn't look too good. Our meals consisted of rock-hard bread and we worked tirelessly from morning till night. His optimism was odd; he's likely pushing himself forcibly.
I glanced at Eric's face and hesitated.
I decided not to inform our comrades about the surprise attack plan last night. Gwen is perceptive. Increasing our numbers would raise the risk of exposure, and unfortunately, they don't seem likely to be useful in combat.
Yet, it feels wrong to execute this plan without telling anyone. Lives of our comrades are at stake.
"…Hey, do you really think Gwen will truly set us free?"
Whether Eric sensed or guessed my inner conflict, he suddenly asks. Although I initially believed in Gwen's promise of freedom, last night I realized it's unlikely.
Struggling for an answer, I suppose Eric also sensed my lack of belief and continued.
"I can't imagine Gwen having that kind of mercy. How about you and I take down Gwen?"
The way he phrased it as "you and I" is very Eric-like.
Although Eric's physical abilities are superior to mine, they are only slightly above the average for adult men. The gap between him and Gwen is massive. Eric's role would likely be a decoy at best.
Whether we win or lose, death is almost certain.
"No, I don't want to die. Tonight, I'll escape."
As I answered, Eric looked at me with surprise. He's probably more surprised by my smiling than my answer.
We've lived together and we'll die together. Eric suggested this plan, and thanks to his plan being inferior to mine, I feel relieved.
I decide to proceed with the plan silently. If it fails, I can apologize in the afterlife. It's fine that way.
While I grinned, Eric gazed at me puzzled.
"It's here! The black tiger!"
A voice somewhere between a shout and a scream echoed through the forest.
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Rushing toward the source of the voice, we found two others have already arrived besides us. Less than 10 seconds later, everyone gathered.
We began the usual intimidating shouts and sword swings. This time, we managed to gather before any major injuries. Everyone screamed and brandished their weapons with all their might.
About 30 seconds later, we spot Gwen moving closer behind the black tiger. Given today's encounter pace, this might be our last chance.
I have to kill him now.
I focused all my senses on Gwen, seeking the right moment. Maybe because I slept soundly last night or because talking with Eric made me feel relieved, I can perceive things with unusual clarity.
I can see Gwen's gaze, his footwork avoiding dried branches, the sweat on his cheek, even the breathing that should be masked by our shouts.
Gwen has positioned himself perfectly behind the black tiger. Close enough for a single strike. And then, my most awaited moment has arrived.
As Gwen lunges forward, I flung a small stone towards him.
Caught off guard by the sudden attack, Gwen couldn't react in time, and the stone hit his forehead. Though it was aimed for his eye, it still had a significant effect.
Simultaneously flinging the stone, I charged toward Gwen.
Reacting to the surprise attack, Gwen froze momentarily in pain and shock. The black tiger noticed Gwen's distress and shifted its focus from us to Gwen.
A poorly calculated gamble.
Had Gwen's attention been on me for even a moment, he would have dodged the stone.
If the black tiger had been late in noticing Gwen's presence, the latter would have been able to reposition and recuperate.
If the black tiger had chosen to prioritize me, and if it took the option to retreat deep into the forest, I would be dead.
However, the gamble succeeded. The black tiger sank its teeth into Gwen's left shoulder, and Gwen struggled to fend it off.
Before Gwen can redirect his focus, I charged forward with my sword poised like a pickaxe.
"Dieeeee!"
I screamed with all the anger accumulated until now. The anger fueled even more rage, surging beyond my limits, infusing every inch of my body with overwhelming strength.
"You bastaaard! I'll kill you!"
Gwen tried to retort in anger, but his words didn't fully form. My all-out blow, empowered by all my strength and weight, pierced his abdomen.
Eric's joyful shout echoed in the air. The others became frozen, unable to comprehend what just happened.
However, it's not over. Gwen's physical prowess surpasses mine by far. Since acquiring the body strengthening skill, I've been able to heal small cuts in less than an hour. Considering Gwen's abilities, he likely has a recovery speed proportional to his physical prowess.
I took the spare sword from Gwen's waist and slashed his throat. It's a remarkable weapon, slicing through his Adam's apple and embedding halfway into his neck before stopping.
"Gak…"
Gwen gurgled and collapsed, blood spurting from his neck. Life drained from his eyes, and as I pulled out the sword, even more blood gushed out, and he collapsed onto the ground.
The blood splattered on my body made me feel sick. It should be comfortable, like taking a shower at the right temperature, but the lukewarm sensation wraps around my skin, sending shivers down my spine.
"Haruki!"
Eric's voice snapped me from my daze, perhaps due to the realization of having taken a life. As I snatched the sword from Gwen, I hurriedly shifted my attention to the black tiger.
For the black tiger as well, this must have been a series of unexpected events. The black tiger had assumed a passive stance about 8 meters away from me.
I expected Gwen to injure me, but I remained unscathed. An impasse continues between me, immobilized, and the wary black tiger.
I have the sword I took from Gwen. This won't be the usual one-sided domination; it's a real battle.
Just as I was ready to strike with the resolve to go down together, the black tiger retreated cautiously. It seems to have judged me as a fellow predator who defeated Gwen, as a threat.
We glared at each other for a while, but eventually, the black tiger disappeared into the depths of the forest.
