If I Can’t Run Away, Then—

After collecting the magic stones from the horned rabbit and the goblins, Kikori pressed deeper in.

He knew well enough that wandering around and changing direction too much would only get him lost.

That was why Kikori basically kept moving straight ahead.

“…I shouldn’t go too far in. I don’t know what might come out.”

After moving on for a while and confirming there were no monsters around, Kikori turned on his heel.

He retraced his steps, and when the plains came back into view, he let out a small breath.

‘Maybe I played it a bit too safe? But getting lost wouldn’t help anything…’

This was something that could only be improved by gaining experience—but there might be some kind of solution.

The only person Kikori could think of to ask was Aria, but…

Just as he started thinking about trying War Cry one more time—

Rustle. A sound came from the right.

Goblin, or horned rabbit?

Kikori raised his axe and turned toward it—and there stood a goblin.

Something was wrapped around its neck… no, that was—

Fingers?

Watching carefully, Kikori realized immediately.

The thing lifting the goblin by the throat from the shadows of the trees.

A massive body. A head like a wild boar.

Yes—without a doubt, it was—

‘An orc…!? Why is one here?’

By the rules of the Contaminated Region, an orc shouldn’t be anywhere near this area.

And yet, here it was. Judging by the fact it was killing a goblin, perhaps the goblin had done something?

Either way, he had to run.

Kikori quietly tried to leave the spot—

But then… whoom, something came flying through the air.

“Wha—gah!”

It was the goblin’s corpse.

The orc had snapped its neck and hurled it like a stone.

The goblin’s body, with its considerable mass, slammed Kikori hard into a tree on the opposite side.

Thanks to his chest armor, the damage wasn’t severe—but Kikori still coughed violently.

Thud. Thud.

Kikori saw the orc’s face as it walked toward him.

A wide, sadistic grin.

The machete-like sword in its hand was terrifying to behold.

And now, there was no escape.

The orc’s eyes said it clearly.

I won’t let you run.

There was no choice but to fight.

No matter how he looked at it, he couldn’t win in raw physical ability.

Running would only get him cut down from behind.

Then—if that was the case—

If that was the case, he had to fight… and win.

“If I can’t run away… then I have no choice but to fight…!”

Kikori raised his axe and faced the orc.

He poured killing intent into his voice, shouting that he would kill it.

“UOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!”

“BUOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!”

His desperate War Cry was effortlessly blown away by the orc’s own roar.

In a burst—fearful sweat poured from Kikori’s entire body, and he couldn’t stop it.