Chapter 3 - Musou Attack 1
I don't know how long I've been walking, but the sun is about to set. The stalking crows behind me return to their nest, except the little guy on my head.
I name him Cow-Cow.
Not that I'm a fan of the Romance of the Three Kingdoms, but it's easier to remember that way.
We rest in the middle of a burned meadow, under a dead tree. The burned grass appears to have been caused by a war or battle in the area.
My body cries out for water. Unfortunately, I am unable to locate a source of water in the area. Exhausted, I fall asleep as soon as I lay my head on a tree root.
I had a bad dream that night. I saw my funeral on Earth, where none of my friends attended. My parents and siblings were there, but they fought about my possessions since I hadn't made a will.
I wake up in a bad mood. Upon lifting my head, I found Cow-Cow dozing off on my stomach. Because I moved, he opens his eyes and opens his mouth.
"CAAA!"
"G'Morning, buddy."
"CAAA! MORNING!"
His voice cleanses the foul mood and erases the bad dream memory from my mind. I get up and survey the area.
Yesterday, I didn't get to survey this place because it got dark when we arrived here. This time, I will make sure to figure out where we are, so I climb the dead tree to get a better look at my surroundings.
Based on the position of the sun, the battlefield I came from is southwest of here. To the south, there's a separation line between the burned field and the wasteland. The west is no different from my current position. The north and the east, however, look fresher and greener than here.
Especially the northeast. I see white smoke.
Is that civilization?
Part of me desires social interaction, but my instinct warns me of the dangers of this world. Based on the evidence in that mass grave and the weaponry that the soldiers used, this world's technological level is no different from the medieval era.
I might get robbed and enslaved if I run into a bandit camp.
I might get arrested and executed if I wander into the wrong town.
Even if I head to the right town, they will question my identity. Trouble would follow.
Meh, I'll just find a stupid vase somewhere to get food. Or rather, can I make clay vases, destroy them, and spawn the turkey infinitely?
Am I a genius?
But does that even work?
I'll put that fantasy goal and experiment aside. For now, I need to find a water source. I turn to little Cow-Cow, who has adjusted its position to my head.
"Cow-Cow, where do you usually find water?"
"CAAA! WATER!"
"Yes, water."
"CAAA!"
He flaps his wings and flies east.
Oh, shit. I have to follow him. He's freaking fast.
"WAIT, COW-COW!!"
I climb down the tree and dash east, following my guide.
Before long, I hear the rush of a stream. My legs somehow regain energy as I stride at a quicker pace.
A small stream is right in front of me. The water is so clear that I can see the grains of rock and small fish swimming below. As I'm dying of thirst, I plunge my face into the refreshing water. After gulping several mouthfuls of water, I'm alive again.
Cow-Cow lands on top of my head and pecks my hair.
I raise my head to look up.
"Hey! What's your problem?! I'm busy!"
"CAAA! APE!"
"What?"
I raise my eyebrows and look ahead.
In front of me, a guy in a yellow uniform and a yellow scarf approaches. He sneers at me while he carries a bamboo spear.
"Hey! Look what I've found. There's an Invidia scum over here!"
Two more wild men in yellow clothes walk out of the thickets. They all carry rusty knives.
The men are short. Based on my estimation, they are merely 5'5 or 165 cm, as short as the average woman on Earth. As they smile, I can see their broken black teeth, dark yellow cavities, and dark gums.
I guess they have never brushed their teeth since birth. We are 50 meters apart, but I can smell their bad breath from here.
I grab the short iron spear that I've been carrying, but the bamboo spear guy already raises his weapon. He throws it as though he were shooting a javelin.
GONK
The bamboo speartip hits the center of my chest. However, my leather armor tanks it well. The spear falls into the stream.
Instead of panicking, the spear-throwing guy smacks his lips.
"Shit, stupid armor!"
His friends laugh at him.
"You idiot! You are supposed to aim at his unprotected limbs."
"Yeah, see his pants? Those are wolf-bear leather. You've gotta aim for his arms to cripple him first."
"I tried! I know!"
The spear-throwing guy grumbles and pulls out a knife.
Meanwhile, I pick up the bamboo spear. Since they are 50 meters away across the stream, they leave me room to recuperate and think of a strategy.
But this is intimidating.
I've never fought anybody before.
My hands and feet are getting colder. My knees are shaking.
Can I really fight them?
"CAAA! KILL! EAT!"
Cow-Cow's words encourage me. I can't possibly die to these pushovers, can I?
My mind is clear. I pick up the bamboo spear and wind up like a javelin thrower. I don't know why, but my body suddenly heats up. I can feel hot air exuding through my skin pores.
I glance at the spear and the enemies as I release the bamboo spear from my hand. For some reason, the bamboo spear is glowing in iridescent light. The time flow decelerates, and my body grows sluggish, especially after I release the projectile.
The men are still sneering at me for no reason, but nobody is paying attention to the bamboo spear. I watch as the speartip finds the spear-thrower's stomach, piercing into his flesh and exiting through his lower back.
My perception of time begins to flow as it should. The spear thrower freezes on the spot and looks at his belly.
"AHH!!"