This is the fourth month since the Duchy of Forez fell.
I have been wandering the forest, surviving on mushrooms and fish.
I walked toward a cave, but before entering, I saw a massive black bear with white paws sleeping.
Its teeth were razor-sharp, and its claws looked like they could kill a child in one hit.
My heartbeat quickened, and I decided to abandon the cave.
Not three steps away, I felt an ominous presence behind me. Without looking back, I quickly rolled to the side.
The bear had awoken and appeared hungry, its red eyes and drool dripping from its mouth.
*groooowl
The bear growled and charged at me, swinging its razor-sharp claws.
Not having time to dodge, I quickly drew the silver spear I had carried from my knightly days and clashed with its claws. With the skill I had trained my body to possess, I deflected its white paw to the side.
"Awo?"
The bear looked confused by my parry.
Knowing I could no longer escape, I decided to hunt this beast.
Not missing the chance, I spun my silver spear to slash at the bear's belly.
*splash
Blood splattered from the wound in the bear's belly.
(Thick!)
I realized that the bear wasn't an easy foe; its hide was thick, and I barely managed to wound it.
I stepped back quickly and thrust my spear six to seven times.
The bear finally snapped out of its confusion; it looked at the silver spear and wildly thrashed its massive black arm.
With each thrust of my silver spear, scratches appeared on its arm.
The bear suddenly charged at me, and I found myself back to parrying its frenzied strikes.
*groooowl
The bear growled while attacking.
Finding the battle increasingly difficult, I decided to use my special move that I had developed during my fights against the demons that attacked the Duchy of Forez.
Stepping back, I channeled my mana into my spear and spun it before aiming at the bear's eyes, hoping to incapacitate it.
The bear sensed the danger and tried to block the spinning spear with its thick-skinned arms.
The silver spear, empowered by mana, slashed through its hide, piercing its flesh.
The bear groaned, and I stepped back, preparing to perform the same attack again.
But this time, I aimed at its belly from below.
The silver spear, strengthened with mana, struck its groin swiftly. With its arm incapacitated, the bear attempted to mimic my movement, stepping back and dodging the silver spear, leaving only a slight graze on its penis.
With another growl, the bear lunged at my throat with its sharp, jagged teeth.
Seeing the incoming bite, I lowered my silver spear and swept upward at the right moment, striking the bear's jaw and forcing its mouth closed as I stepped back, dodging its massive body.
The bear, with its stomach and arm bleeding from my attacks and jaw closed, simply glared at me with its red eyes, betraying a trace of fear.
Looking at the bear, I suddenly remembered how the demons killed my friends and boss, and I resolved to spare the black bear, unlike the demons.
I slowly walked backward, my stance showing no weakness. After reaching a far distance, I could barely see the bear, its gaze still fixed on me, now with a dumbfounded expression.
I turned around and ran from the area, silver spear in hand.
With a sigh, I continued my way through the forest, letting my feet guide me wherever they took me next.
-the end-