Chapter 4
“Who’s there!? Come out!”
I was found!? The big man whose back was turned towards me stood up noiselessly, grabbing the great sword beside him.
I couldn’t see the man’s face clearly due to the backlight, but the sharpness of his eyes made me think he was no ordinary person.
“Is it a monster…? If you don’t come out, I’ll smoke you out myself.”
The man said in a low voice, drawing his great sword, and the “something” that emanated from him made my body grow cold, limbs trembling.
Could this be what was known as “killing intent”? I blundered!. Even though I should have left immediately upon being questioned, my mind was momentarily paralysed by the first strong presence I felt despite the “knowledge” I had.
“…—”
Slamming my fists into my still trembling legs, I immediately turned around and started running.
There was still a chance of escape. Unlike me, who had been lurking in the dark for a long time, he was by the fire, so his eyes must not be used to the dark yet.
Crossing my arms so as not to hurt my eyes with the bushes, I kept myself low and ran through the forest at night.
“—!”
I heard the sound of snapping branches from the scattered bushes behind me. That man was chasing after me. Contrary to his strong presence, I couldn’t hear his footsteps.