Ah, the great battle of man versus nature. Instinct vs logic. Myth vs legend.
Though I don't know if all the pain that came with it was worth the ringing screech of that high-pitched cube voice yelling in my ear right now...
[MONSIEUR, MONSIEUR! WHAT HAPPENED?! BY THE GODS, ARE YOU ALRIGHT?!]
The floating cube finally reappeared, hovering beside me with the system window.
"Good as new~"
I grinned, bloodied teeth and all. Lies, obviously. I was in pain, but there was no way I'd pass on the opportunity to mess with the cube's nerves.
[THIS ISN'T A JOKE, MONSIEUR! YOU NEED TO HEAL QUICKLY! If these wounds get infected, the consequences could be dire!]
As much as I loved teasing the poor divine cube, I couldn't deny that the pain was creeping in deeper now. Every inch of my body was screaming.
"Sure… cough sure… well, you're my guide, right? Then guide me. Where do I go to not die?"
Spitting out the mix of fur, blood, and wolf meat still in my mouth, I waited. The cube zipped around for a moment, then finally floated back with urgency.
[South! There's a village nearby. I'll guide you. Just follow me!]
Growling through clenched teeth, I pushed myself off the ground.
Everything hurt. But lying down meant becoming dinner for the next oversized beast. Not an option.
With my good arm, I heaved the dead wolf's massive carcass over my shoulder. It wasn't light. But maybe, just maybe, it could pay for treatment.
No use trusting goodwill alone.
"Alright, lead the way, cube."
The cube didn't question my choice. It flew forward, leaving behind a faint glowing trail like a video game quest marker. I limped after it, each step a reminder of the fight that could've easily killed me.
Honestly? I didn't hate it.
Fighting for my life against a fantasy monster in a magical forest? Felt like a damn fairytale.
---
It was a day like any other. I woke up, kissed my wife on the cheek, and put on my standard guard armor.
When I was younger, I protected her from a horned bunny. That's what inspired me to join the guard and protect our village.
I thought I knew everything this forest could throw at us.
Then I looked up- and saw him.
Tall. Bloodied. Carrying a dead brit wolf over his shoulder. A beastman.
Green eyes with inhuman irises, fur-covered ears, and barely any clothing.
"Hey, can I enter?"
His voice was calm. Too calm.
"A-ah…"
I froze. I didn't know what to say. The blood, the smell- it was overwhelming.
"Do I need to pay a fee? Does this wolf count?"
He gestured casually to the massive corpse on his shoulder.
"N-No, no fee. You're wounded, sir."
Damn it, what are you even saying? Of course he's wounded!
He tilted his head.
"So no fee? Great. Where can I get patched up? As you can see... things aren't great."
I gulped and nodded toward the temple in the village square.
"Up there. That's our temple. The priest can heal you."
"Thanks! I owe you one."
He walked past. I didn't know whether to help him or call the militia.
I just hoped... karma was on our side.
---
Whistling to myself, I could feel all eyes turning. A towering beastman dragging a horned wolf corpse tends to draw attention.
'Heh. Clearly, no one else managed a hunt this big. Jealousy, I bet.'
[Demi-humans aren't very welcome, Monsieur. And your appearance isn't exactly… soothing.]
That high-pitched voice again.
'Thanks for killing my fun.'
{Your ego is unnecessary. Focus on your mission.}
Another voice. Robotic. Calm. Who the hell was that?
'Is my brain a group chat now?!'
People recoiled even more. Blood, size, beast-race, and now a scowl to top it off.
Eventually, I reached the temple.
A solid wooden gate, just barely smaller than me.
I pushed it open with one hand, still carrying my prize on the other.
Whistle.
Charming place, actually. Stone and wood, simple and elegant. Better than the soulless cathedrals back home.
At the far end, an old man prayed in silence.
When the gate creaked open, he turned toward me.
"Welcome to- BY THE GODS!"
Shadowed by backlight, covered in blood, grinning like a lunatic.
I probably did look like a monster.
"Sorry, sorry, didn't mean to scare you. I just… need help."
He squinted, noticed my wounds, and quickly composed himself.
"Of course! Come, sit. Beast attack, yes? I'll begin the healing."
I dropped the wolf beside the bench and slumped down. The priest began chanting, hands clasped in prayer.
I didn't understand a word. But my body felt... lighter. Warmth spread across my limbs. Slowly, the wounds began to seal. Skin knitted itself back together under glowing light.
By the end of it, I could move again- no pain. I stretched.
And the trails of blood where cleaned too!
"Good as new. Thanks, priest."
"Don't thank me. It's my duty. That wolf... was it the one?"
"Yeah. Thought I might need to pay for treatment, so I brought proof."
The priest examined the corpse.
"A brit wolf. And cracked the horn? You fought it bare-handed?"
"Yup."
He studied me closer. My ears, tail-beastman traits. That explained my strength. But… he didn't sense any mana coming off me.
"It's a fine catch. The cracked horn will lower its value, but still enough to afford shelter and clothes."
He paused.
"Your kind isn't seen kindly around here. You probably only passed because of your injuries. But you seem like a good young man. There's an inn to the right, down the city path. You can sell your kill there."
"Really? You're saving my ass again, old man. Kinda feel bad I can't give you anything back."
Total lie. I didn't feel bad. But I had to keep up appearances.
'Please don't ask for a favor. Please be a good, selfless priest.'
He chuckled.
"No need. Just follow our laws, and karma will keep you safe here."
[I thought the gods would've chosen someone with more virtue…]
{Virtue is irrelevant. Efficiency ensures victory.}
'Shut up! And who's this other guy already?!'
[Just get to the inn. It'll register as a safe area. Then we can proceed.]
'My head's a damn radio station.'
With renewed strength, I hoisted the wolf over my shoulder again, waved to the priest, and left.
---
"Slywood's Inn," the sign read. Nice name. Probably the name of the village too.
I opened the door. Behind the counter stood a young woman in standard medieval attire.
"Welco- AH?!"
PAM
I dropped the brit wolf carcass on her table with a smile full of sharp teeth.
"Hey~ sweetheart~ I need a room and a meal. This enough to pay?"
She blinked, stunned by my size, my race, and apparently my confidence.
"Y-Yes? That'll get you… four days, I think. The horn's damaged, but yeah. You can take the room by the stairs on the upper floor... did he just call me sweetheart...?"
"Perfect! Thanks!"
I didn't waste time. Took the key, headed up.
Room was basic: bed, table, window. No bathroom. Meh, nature exists.
[Gross.]
"Alright! Safe area reached! Now, system time. And also-who the hell is that other voice?"
{That would be me, Master Rex.}
A glowing system window appeared.
{I am your system. Programmed with an AI by the Outer Gods. I will guide you.}
The little divine cube showed itself beside the window.
[And I shall assist as well-your guide, translator, and representative of the gods, Monsieur!]
Fair enough. Made sense. Still… that AI voice didn't sound too friendly.
"Well then, time to explain. What's this system?"
The interface shifted. Letters formed in front of me:
{Power System, System}
I blinked.
"…Isn't that a little redundant?"
[Sigh…]