Aiming for a Cozy Life in a Dangerous Forest in Another World! - Chapter 4
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- Aiming for a Cozy Life in a Dangerous Forest in Another World!
- Chapter 4 - Saving the Children
Chapter 4: Saving the Children
In the clearing, a large tiger was menacing two children. The tiger was about the size of a car. Huge.
The growl I had heard earlier seemed to be from this tiger.
The two children faced the tiger, one seemingly shielding the other. However, even the child in front had an expression of despair as they stared at the beast. The child behind seemed paralyzed with fear, unable to move.
The tiger, while wary of the children, was cautiously closing the distance between them. It was probably trying to determine whether these unfamiliar creatures were enemies or prey. Animals tended to be wary of the unknown.
…Now, what should I do?
Honestly, I wasn’t sure I was in any position to help those children. I didn’t understand anything about myself, my surroundings, or this world. I knew I was a member of this mysterious “Dragon Demon Tribe,” but I didn’t know how strong they were. And even if they were inherently powerful, I was only on my second day of life. Naturally, I had never fought anything before.
Even as I thought this, I couldn’t just ignore the children in danger of being killed. Besides, they were the first people I had met since being reborn. Above all, I wanted to help the child who, despite being terrified, was trying to protect the other.
With that thought, I tried using 『Appraisal』 on the tiger.
♢ ♢ ♢
『Forest Tiger』
A large, tiger-type magical beast that inhabits forests. Possesses sharp fangs and claws and can use magic.
♢ ♢ ♢
…Yep, a tiger.
And it could use magic?! Well, I guess it made sense for animals in another world to have magic…
I didn’t stand a chance in a direct fight against this tiger. If I stepped in front of those children, I would either be ripped apart by claws or blasted away by magic.
My only option was to somehow drive the tiger away.
But how?
“…Magic… perhaps?”
I muttered, deep in thought. I recalled a scene from an anime or movie where a mage had created a wall of fire erupting from the ground to distract their enemies.
Maybe that would work!
Thinking this, I decided to use 『Fire Magic』 to create a wall of fire between the tiger and the children.
However, as I was about to activate the magic, my legs froze.
What if the wall of fire wasn’t effective? What if the tiger noticed me and charged?
Fear threatened to overwhelm me.
…But this was no time for fear!
With every passing moment, the tiger was closing in on the children. I had to make up my mind! I mentally scolded myself and focused.
Magic was all about imagination. A wall of fire, like the ones I had seen in movies, capable of blocking the tiger’s view.
Solidifying my image, I aimed between the tiger and the children,
“Wall of Fire!!!!”
I shouted.
In that instant, a wall of fire, taller than even the surrounding trees, erupted between the tiger and the children.
The tiger, seemingly startled, leaped backward and stared at the wall of fire.
Seeing this, I, while also taken aback by the wall of fire I had created, but
“This way!! Run!!”
I shouted towards the children.
The children, who had been staring at the wall of fire in a daze, reacted to my voice. The child who had been standing in front pulled the other child up and they ran towards me.
The tiger, perhaps hearing my voice, turned its gaze on me and roared,
“Graw!!”
Seeing this, I immediately created another wall of fire, this time between the tiger and me.
As this was happening, the children reached me. I confirmed they were safe and said,
“Come on! Follow me!”
I scooped up the child that was limp. They were so light. They looked about five years old, but even so, they were incredibly light. Weren’t they eating properly?
As I thought this, I started running towards the cave.
When we reached the base of the cliff where the cave was located, I quickly created a staircase and urged them to climb.
The other child, who had been running alongside us, stared at the suddenly appearing stairs with wonder but followed my instructions and started climbing.
The child in my arms seemed to have lost consciousness.
Once we were all safely up the stairs, I made them disappear and also dispelled the earthen wall blocking the cave entrance.
With the entrance open, we went inside the cave.
Just in case, I sealed the entrance again with 『Earth Magic』 and created a light with 『Light Magic』 to illuminate our way.
Reaching the back of the cave, I laid the unconscious child down on the bedding I had made last night.
I initially considered calling it a “bed,” but even though I had softened the ground, it was still essentially just dirt. It wasn’t very comfortable. Therefore, I couldn’t bring myself to call it a proper bed and instead, in a rather uncivilized manner, referred to it as “bedding.”
As I laid the child down, the other child spoke up.
“Th-thank you! For saving my little sister and me. I thought we were done for…”
With those words of gratitude, the boy, his tension finally easing, sat down on the ground.
I, too, felt a wave of exhaustion wash over me, and I slumped down onto the ground.
I conjured water into a cup I had made earlier with 『Water Magic』 and drank it down in one gulp.
Since the boy was watching, I made another cup with 『Earth Magic』, filled it with water, and offered it to him. He drank it all in one go.
Once we had both caught our breath, I decided to ask what had happened.