Chapter 2: Gekokujou
I quenched my hunger by going after the small preys.
It was through this that I was able to pass the night.
The number of preys I had devoured total to four. 2 of which are rabbits, one is a frog, and another one is a lizard.
Having a meal like this, if I were still human, then I would have undoubtedly already thrown up. There’s no question to it. With this meal, and last night’s rest, there’s no more doubt left within me.
Monster.
I am a monster.
Seeing this hideous form of mine has already become somewhat normal. At the very least, I no longer quiver when I see myself.
Besides, it’s not all that bad. I noticed it when I had first hunted. This body is considerably more formidable than that of humans.
Eyes that see in the dark, nails that can tear apart its preys, and fangs strong enough to crunch with. Such power could not even be compared to a human’s puny strength.
Furthermore, there is no longer anything to fear when it comes to unclean water. This body’s resistance is exceptional, unclean water won’t graze it.
Humanity had shed many things through the course of evolution. And those things that humanity has lost, this body still possesses.
If I so desired, I could live the rest of my days like this, and I wouldn’t have the slightest bit of trouble. Because this body is actually more convenient than my human body.
Of course, I’d like to be excused from having to be reduced to living here as a monster.
Slumping down beneath the shade of a tree, I began to think.
Now, what should I do?
I definitely don’t want to become a monster.
I had once read something about a situation like this before. It was a story about a man who became a tiger. In that story, the man grew insane, and he became not only a tiger in mind, but even in body.
I don’t wish to end up like that.
Chances are, I am in a different world. And most likely, I am no longer human. Then in that case, I must find a way to go back.
Now, what should I do?
I pondered my course of action to myself as I toyed with the rabbit I’d caught just before daybreak.
Thinking back on it, didn’t that goblin talk?
“Get feeds”, he said.
He said, he certainly did. If so, then he is capable of speech.
△▼△
△▼△
Hearing those fragmented words, I had a fairly good guess at what these two’s relationship was.
The red one is their king, and these goblins are his servants. And so, this guy is making me have an audience with the king as someone who is even lower than him.
Then abruptly, the king looked at me.
“You, last. Slow bastard, give punishment.”
In other words, he wishes to punish me because I’m last?
Don’t fuck with me… who do you think you are?
As I thought that, the goblin beside the red bastard already had me pinned down.
“Me, gentle. Will not kill you.”
Looking up, my eyes intersected with the red goblin’s eyes.
When I saw that monster’s eyes, I thought to myself that I would never forget that sight.
Those eyes were muddied with a sense of superiority and contempt. The kind of condescending look that a parent, a teacher, or a shitty sibling would give you.
Then I felt my back get hit.
“Gugigi!”
Feeling that pain, I couldn’t help but let out a cry.
It was a world of difference from that desire to eat, that was leading me just a while ago.
I don’t mind even if you say it’s human.
Perhaps you could say that such an emotion shouldn’t have been born in a world like this that is upheld by the law of the jungle. In such a world where the strong is always strong, and the weak is always weak.
“Reply.”
As hate filled me, enough to the point where it could trickle, I replied.
“Gai”
I won’t defy.
As blue blood bled from my body, I swore, I’m going to kill this fucker.
As I swore a curse while the goblin boss was stepping over me, I heard a voice that was close to a scream from somewhere distant.
“En... emy!”
All of the sudden, I was kicked aside, and the red boss’ raised its voice.
While I was thrown away to the ground like trash, I absentmindedly stared at that scene.
Beside the red goblin were many goblins, and at the end of its sight were three orcs.
Those orcs mowed down several dozens of goblins as it drew near the red goblin.
But despite the overwhelming number of the goblins, the orcs that were 2 times their size, easily swept them with its club.
They aren’t a match.
That was my honest impression. With that big of a difference in body, there’s no way they could win an upfront fight.
With a swing, their heads were crushed, and their spinal fluids burst. The goblins attacked the orc one after another. But their bulky blades were stopped by the orc’s fat, and were unable to deliver a fatal wound.
During all of this, the red goblin only stared at the goblins without going out to help.
That red boss only looked on at those orcs as they were surround by a wall of green goblins. As it looked on, it even made the goblins beside it join the fight.
But such a thing was meaningless. Something like that could not possibly hope to stop the ever pushing orcs. And using their bodies, the orcs were able to break through the wall of goblins.
One goblin falling was all that was needed. As long as one fell, the wall, too, would follow. But it’s not like the orcs were without wounds. In fact, the orcs had wounds all over their body, so much so, that they were angered. You could see their eyes flicker with anger, with no trace of any reason left.
They must have been desperate to get out of that encirclement.
And then one of those orcs drew towards the red goblin, and it crashed with it.
“Gururu!”
But regardless, I am definitely intoxicated.