Author: TA☆KA	Original Source: Kakuyomu / Syosetu
Translator: Jiro	English Source: Re:Library

Project GB is an official initiative by Re:Library.

Howard’s hand instinctively went to the sword at his waist. It was a longsword he had used for years. Even without full armor, he felt confident he could handle most beasts from the middle layers with just this blade.

Still, the Two-Headed Boa was no ordinary opponent. Its two heads, each armed with ravenous fangs, could attack separately, working in perfect coordination. If someone was bitten by the Boa’s venomous fangs, they would be dead within half an hour.

And there was the poisonous stinger on its tail—while one focused on the heads, the stinger could strike from behind. The stinger’s poison wasn’t as lethal as the one from the heads, but it could still paralyze the victim, rendering them helpless. The beast was surely not to be underestimated.

Facing the Two-Headed Boa was like fighting three opponents at once. One would be foolish if they believed they could dodge all of its attacks. And given the Boa’s poison, protective gear was all but required.

Furthermore, with two of them, it was like Howard was fighting a six-on-one battle. The rational choice would be to flee, avoiding a direct confrontation. But Howard, determined and undeterred, took off his jacket and drew his longsword, ready to face the beasts head-on.

(It’s not like they’re going to let me go anyway…)

Howard thought as the other Two-Headed Boa made its way into the open area. The creatures spread their heads to the left and right, blocking Howard’s path, and preparing to attack.

There was no other choice now. He had to fight.

Holding his longsword slightly above his shoulder, Howard crouched slightly, preparing to move.

He knew he had to act before he was caught between the two creatures.

He kicked off the ground with all he had and dashed forward, first aiming for the Boa on the right.

With a swift, decisive strike, Howard brought his longsword down just in front of the right neck and then slashed across to the left. The blade bit deeply into the throat of the left head, and though it didn’t sever the neck entirely, the sheer weight of the creature’s head caused it to buckle backward, tearing it apart. Without losing momentum, Howard spun around the side of the wounded neck, positioning himself behind the beast.

In one fluid motion, he swung his sword and drove it into the base of the Boa’s tail, severing it cleanly. The remaining head twisted in pain and fury, turning toward Howard, enraged at the loss of its tail.

But Howard didn’t give it a chance to retaliate. With one swift, horizontal strike from the left, he swung his longsword with precision, decapitating the Boa’s remaining head.

Howard executed the whole sequence fluidly, almost in the blink of an eye.

The remaining Boa, reacting swiftly, attempted to attack him from behind but was unable to strike as Howard had positioned himself directly behind the first beast.

Now, the second Boa was alert and furious, baring its fangs and making threatening noises as it paced, matching Howard’s movements.

(We’re even now!)

He thought, determined to turn this desperate situation around. That being said, Howard’s breathing was rough, his fatigue on full display. Regardless, he circled the remaining Boa, carefully measuring the distance as he twirled the tip of his longsword left and right.

Then, something moved in his peripheral vision—a dark, hulking figure appeared from behind a tree on his left. It was a Grey Wolf. a large, dark-gray wolf-like Demonic Beast with long spines protruding from its back. This beast too was originally native to the middle layers of the forest, if not even deeper.

(What the?! I miscounted! So there were three of them!)

The Grey Wolf lunged straight at Howard’s neck. With its nearly two-meter-long frame, it would be able to deliver a killing blow as long as its attack landed. Howard quickly dropped to the ground to dodge, but not before the wolf’s claws raked his left bicep, tearing through the fabric of his shirt and gouging the flesh beneath. The wolf’s claws were as hard and vicious as their reputation.

Even as his body collapsed, Howard swung his longsword beneath the wolf, slicing it clean across the belly. Its innards spilled out in a gruesome mess just as Howard’s back hit the ground. Before he had a chance to react, he sensed something dangerously close to his feet. He tried to dodge but couldn’t move in time. He felt a sharp, agonizing pain as something gouged into the flesh above his left ankle.

“Argh!!!”

He groaned in pain as the Boa’s poisonous needle struck his leg.

As soon as his body hit the ground, Howard rolled to create distance between himself and the Boa.

(Even my a̲s̲s̲! I’m such a fool! I got way too ahead of myself!!!)

Howard chastised himself for not staying alert. He already couldn’t feel his left leg from the shin down.

(I guess I won’t be able to retreat like this. Besides, I can’t just let it off like this. I still have strength for one more strike in me. Might as well try and take it down! I won’t let it get outside of the forest!)

Determined, Howard planted himself on the ground, positioning his longsword so its tip rested against the ground. Gathering all the strength he could muster, he focused intensely, though his left arm was starting to lose sensation. He sharpened his focus, preparing to strike with all his might.

The Two-Headed Boa, sensing its prey had stopped moving, closed in for the kill.
Its two mouths opened wide, ready to sink their venomous fangs into Howard as it closed the distance in an instant.

Howard’s muscles tensed, and he sank deeper into his stance, waiting for the precise moment to unleash his strike. But his numbing left leg caused his posture to falter slightly, and he felt his body waver.

The Boa lunged, sensing its chance, and Howard was just a beat too slow.

But just before the Boa’s fangs could reach him, something unexpected happened. A spear flew between him and the charging Boa, startling the beast. The creature recoiled, momentarily frightened by the object piercing the tip of its nose.

(A spear? No, a branch! A freaking branch?!)

What Howard initially thought was a spear was a tall tree branch, almost as tall as himself. It had suddenly appeared from god knows where, starting both him and the Boa.

The brief moment of hesitation in the Boa was all Howard needed. Without wasting a second, he channeled all his strength into a powerful strike, aiming for the base of the creature’s necks, right where its heart was. The blade cleaved horizontally with immense force, slicing deeply into the Boa, and the wooden stick, severing them in half.

The body of the Two-Headed Boa, now split in two, convulsed and thrashed in agony. But it didn’t take long before the heartless corpse lost its vigor.

Howard, having exhausted all his strength, collapsed where he stood. His beloved sword slipped from his hand, falling beside him, its hilt aligned with his motionless body.

(I can’t stay here; I still need to comfort Sonia. I can’t let myself fall asleep here. Though I guess I already don’t feel the bottom part of my body.)

Flat on his back, Howard lay under the warm sun, staring at the brilliant blue sky.

Suddenly, he sensed movement above his head. He grew alarmed for a brief second, thinking it might be another threat, but calmed down as he saw that it was in fact a person. The figure kneeled beside him, bringing their face close to Howard’s and calling out softly.

“Are… okay?¹”

The moment the voice echoed out, Howard’s breathing stopped for a moment.

In that fleeting moment, he thought he recognized someone in that person.

(…! It can’t be! Lavi?! H-How is this possible?!!)

But just as quickly as the illusion appeared, it faded. In its place, Howard saw a young girl standing above him.

A girl with bright, shiny ruby-red hair and cobalt-green eyes, shimmering like crystals, peered down at Howard with concern.

Her voice was soft and clear, filled with gentle kindness.

Her clothes, foreign to this area, were torn and stained as if she had wandered through the woods for some time. Her arms, legs, and face were smudged with dirt.

(What a waste of her beauty. Is she lost perhaps?)

The girl gently placed her hand behind Howard’s head, murmuring.

“I pick… you… up.” The girl said, bringing her body close and beginning to lift Howard, causing him to panic.

“W-Wait! You shouldn’t do this alone!”

Howard stood at 195 cm, a man of considerable size and strength, even at 62. His daily workouts had kept his muscular frame intact, making it unthinkable for a small girl to lift him so easily.

But the girl ignored his concerns. To Howard’s shock, she picked him up effortlessly, without a hint of strain, as though he were weightless. His eyes widened in disbelief, and he found himself speechless. Sensing Howard’s astonishment, the girl tilted her head curiously, meeting his gaze with an innocent, puzzled expression.

With light steps, she carried him with ease and gently laid him down in the shade of a nearby tree.

“I.. bring.. sword.”

After saying this, the girl left Howard and went to pick up his sword.

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