I Was Reincarnated as the Weakest Monster, but I’ll Use My ‘Return from Death’ Skill to Become the Strongest! Even as the Weakest Monster, I Want to Get Stronger, Take Human Form, and Build a Harem… But Why Do Only Yandere Non-Human Girls Keep Showing Up? - Chapter 2.10

I hadn’t expected that many monsters.

The plan had been to reach the black shadow’s domain within a single day.

But now, we had no choice but to spend the night here.

“Alright. That should do it.”

This was where my survival skills came in handy.

With telekinesis, I hunted from a distance, securing enough food. Will-o’-the-Wisp provided a steady fire, and for water, I simply used telekinesis to draw it from a nearby river, bringing back a sufficient amount with minimal effort.

If survival was the goal, I had all the skills necessary to make it work.

“Here, eat.”

Next to the fire, where I was boiling water for purification, two skewers of roasted meat sizzled.

I held one out to Ren.

“I made sure to drain the bl00d properly with a blade. It’s not gourmet, but at least it’s edible.”

“…I don’t feel like eating.”

But Ren didn’t take it.

“You have to eat.”

“You won’t have the strength to keep going otherwise.”

“You’re already completely drained of magic, aren’t you?”

I firmly placed the skewer in her hand.

“…Even so.”

“Even so, the people in the village probably aren’t eating either.”

“They’re still suffering.”

“I have to do something. If I don’t act fast, the village—”

“Slow down.”

“If you rush in recklessly and get yourself killed, that would be the true end, wouldn’t it?”

Ren bit her lip at my words.

“Then… so be it.”

“Huh?”

Her voice trembled.

“If everyone else dies… If I’m the only one left… then I’d rather be dead too.”

…What?

“I don’t want to be alone again.”

Tears rolled down Ren’s cheeks.

“You won’t be.”

I reached out, gently wiping her tears away with my fingers.

“No matter what happens, I won’t abandon you.”

“Even in the worst-case scenario, I’ll stay by your side and take care of you.”

Now that I thought about it, I had never seen Ren’s parents.

Had she been alone all this time? Was that what she feared most?

If so…

“You won’t be alone, Ren.”

“R-Riel…”

“But you don’t have to worry about that, do you?”

“…Huh?”

“You want to protect them, don’t you? The villagers.”

“…Yeah.”

“They took care of me. They were always kind. They looked after me.”

“That’s why… this time, it’s my turn to protect them.”

“That’s right.”

“Then you can’t die, can you?”

“So first, you need to regain your strength.”

“Because if you die, there’s no protecting anyone.”

“…You’re right.”

Ren finally nodded.

She turned to look at the skewer in her hands.

“Thank you.”

“No big deal. I’d be doing this alone anyway if you weren’t here.”

This wasn’t some massive effort on my part.

At worst, I was just doubling the portions of what I’d already be doing alone.

“…Thanks.”

Murmuring her gratitude once again, Ren took a bite.

“Mmm. It’s good.”

“Oh? Glad to hear it.”

I hadn’t expected her to say that.

I figured it would be barely edible at best.

Was bl00d-draining really that effective?

Feeling slightly hopeful, I took a bite myself.

“…”

No.

This was not good.

The meat was completely flavorless. No seasoning, no natural umami—just bland, overcooked flesh.

How was she eating this with a straight face?

But seeing Ren eat it happily, I kept my complaints to myself and quietly finished my share.

…

………

Ren had already fallen asleep.

“Suuu… suuu…”

Her gentle breathing filled the cave.

I, on the other hand, remained awake.

Given the situation, someone had to keep watch.

Besides, as a monster, I didn’t need sleep.

“…Aah.”

Honestly, the Elven Village was probably already gone.

Even if we pressed forward, there wasn’t much we could do.

The one who sent that army of monsters—the true mastermind—was that black shadow looming in the distance.

There was no way Ren and I alone could take on something like that.

If we went, we’d just die.

Ren probably knew that too.

“What the hell am I even doing?”

I didn’t want to use Return by Death.

If I could avoid dying, that would be ideal.

I didn’t want to die.

Even if I knew I could come back…

And yet, here I was.

Walking straight toward our doom, just because I could.

“Hah.”

I didn’t want to die.

But part of me was pushing forward anyway, because I knew I could.

What a contradiction.

“…I can’t abandon her, though.”

I had never thought of myself as someone who would put others before myself.

And yet… here I was.

Even I was surprised.