Of Course I Had An Ulterior Motive.

He woke up.

The place, thick with the scent of greenery, was absolutely not a bed.

When Kikori jolted upright, someone went, “Oh.”

“You’re awake? Be grateful—potions aren’t free, you know.”

“Um… thank you very much.”

“Yeah, gratitude matters. I’d be even happier if you showed it with money.”

The one saying that was… something like a fluffy cat wearing gear and walking on two legs.

And sure enough, the pain in his body had eased to some extent. It seemed true that a potion had been used.

“I’m Kikori. And you are… what should I call you?”

“Hm? I’m Kuon. Just call me that.”

As he said that, Kuon pointed to Kikori’s axe and buckler set in front of him, as well as the hobgoblin’s axe and the magic stones.

“See? They’re yours. The smaller stuff scattered around got picked up by some goblin in the area, though.”

“Seriously, thank you again.”

“It’s fine.”

Staring at Kuon as he waved his hand with a pat-pat motion, Kikori slung two axes over his back and strapped on the buckler… then, after thinking a moment, he took out one more hobgoblin magic stone and offered Kuon two in total.

“I don’t know if this is enough, but it’s for the potion.”

“Yep.”

Kuon accepted the magic stones and looked Kikori over.

“Is this your first time seeing a beastman?”

“Um… yes.”

Kuon had tawny-brown fur, and his face was very catlike.

His gear was similar to Kikori’s, but it seemed built around making it easier to move his arms and legs.

And more than anything… that iron rod—no, maybe it was an iron staff?

That weapon stood out.

“I see. And, well—I did save you, but you don’t need to be polite. I’m probably about your age.”

Saying that, Kuon stood up and grinned.

“I’m heading back. What will you do?”

“I’m going back too. My body still hurts.”

“Yeah, I figured. What I gave you was just a 1,000-yen potion, after all.”

“…Why did you help me?”

“You mean why I saved you? Of course I had an ulterior motive.”

Yeah, Kikori thought. That made sense.

He’d used a potion on Kikori while he was on death’s door, watched over the items until he woke up, and even collected the magic stones.

No one would do that purely out of kindness.

“It’s not something you need to be that wary of.”

When they left the forest together, Kikori realized the sun was already starting to set.

Hero Gate still wasn’t closed yet, but… should they hurry?

“Well, you can think it over for the night if you want.”

“Yeah.”

“Will you team up with me? It’s been getting tough on my own lately.”