The Unaware Harem Adventure Tale of the Strongest Enchanter ~~I Don’t Know My Companions’ Faces or Identities, but I’m Pretty Sure They’re All Guys~~ - 49. I want to release it but can’t — this frustrating feeling

49. 49. I want to release it but can’t — this frustrating feeling

A roar shook the forest.

Cold sweat ran down my back at the sight of that overwhelming presence.

The Rock Eater from earlier wasn’t the real one. This was the *true* Rock Eater — the ruler of the territory.

In Gluttony Bears, the females tend to be larger.

In other words, these two were a mating pair. The one we defeated was the male.

Judging by the size, this one was without a doubt S-class level. Maybe it was trying to intimidate us, as it was releasing a huge amount of magical power. The magic amount was on another level entirely.

“I guess we’ve got no choice but to do it.”

“Not lacking as an opponent at all. Let’s go, Raku-cchi.”

Grannaughts gripped an axe in each hand and readied them.

In the meantime, I also cast buffs on myself.

As the beast charged, it shook the ground. Grannaughts took it head-on.

“Hunnguh!”

Grannaughts took the fierce headbutt in a defensive stance. It slid back slightly.

A normal human would’ve been instantly crushed.

From close range, the Gluttony Bear’s claws came slashing. But Grannaughts deflected them with an axe.

“Mega Slash!!”

“!!”

The Gluttony Bear sensed danger with agility unthinkable for its size. It backed off slightly.

It dodged the axe just in time and kept its distance. It was alert and ready.

On the other hand, Grannaughts looked frustrated for missing the opportunity.

“Big but scurrying around. If only we could restrict its movement—”

“Already doing it.”

Status debuffs and abnormal conditions were applied.

The Gluttony Bear’s weakness is ‘Sleep’.

It took effect right away; the bear began to stagger.

“Gugaaah!”

It bit into its own front leg and tore the flesh off.

Spitting out the chunk of meat with a *ptoo*, its eyes started gleaming again.

No way. It bit itself awake from sleepiness with pain?

That was a sleep spell so strong it should’ve been impossible to resist.

“Uwaaaahh!”

A child’s cry echoed from somewhere.

The Gluttony Bear stopped and turned its gaze toward the village.

Then suddenly, it ignored us and rushed toward the village.

(Prioritizing hunger over the enemy in front of it? No — this thing is smart. It might be trying to take hostages to gain the upper hand. Either way, it’s the worst-case scenario.)

Looking toward the village, I saw Kuroa running while holding a small boy.

She was trying to calm the wailing child as she ran toward the shelter.

“Damn it, why is Kuroa there? I told her to evacuate.”

“We’ve gotta hurry back. At this rate, Kuroa’s gonna get eaten.”

Grannaughts and I ran at full speed toward the village.

＊＊＊

The girl continued running while holding a young child.

She couldn’t even look back.

She felt like turning around would confirm her own death.

Though she had taken shelter in the village’s underground refuge, she noticed one child was missing from the group and ran out without thinking.

She managed to find the child safely. But the toddler sensed the strange atmosphere. They started crying.

“It’s okay. I’m here with you. There’s nothing to be afraid of.”

“Biaaaaaan!”

A chilling growl rang out from behind her.

“Lux-oniichan, help us. If this keeps up, both of us—”

Tears welled up in her eyes.

Her breathing became ragged. And her heart pounded painfully in her chest.

If she could make it to the cave behind the village, they might survive.

Thinking that, she was trying to pass through the central square of the village.

“Eeek!?”

A nearby building was smashed. The enormous Rock Eater appeared in front of her. It cut off her path.

Kuroa and the child froze. They were unable to scream or move.

They’d been caught. It was over.

I’m sorry. Lux-oniichan. This happened because I acted on my own.

Regret flooded Kuroa’s chest.

“I thought no one was here, but there’s such a grand event going on?”

Hilda casually approached her.

“Hilda-san!?”

“Stay still. This will be over quickly.”

Hilda pulled a short staff from between her br3asts.

In a flash, she drew runes with it. And brilliant white light glowed at its tip.

She drew a magic symbol glowing white with the staff.

“Stop.”

With a snap, the Gluttony Bear froze completely.

◇◇◇

I returned to the village slightly ahead of Grannaughts.

There, I saw Master, Kuroa, and the unmoving, petrified Gluttony Bear.

“Why is Master here?”

“I came looking since you hadn’t returned from your fishing trip. But this is quite the massive Gluttony Bear. This size is rare. *Cough*.”

“Master?”

“It’s nothing. *Cough cough*, *gaggh*.”

“!?”

Master coughed and spat bl00d.

Her eyes were vacant. The life had drained from her face.

“Master!?”

“Hilda-san!?”

I rushed to hold my collapsed master.

“Looks like I’ve been found out. I wanted to hide it until we parted ways.”

“But you looked totally fine. Don’t tell me… your old illness has worsened—”

“Don’t worry, I won’t go down that easily. I still have unfinished business in this world.”

*Twitch, twitch twitch.*

The Gluttony Bear’s arm twitched slightly.

It was easy to tell it’d be moving again any second now.

“Take care of Master.”

I entrusted Master to Kuroa and faced the Gluttony Bear.

I returned the short staff to my waist, took a deep breath, and gripped my sword’s hilt.

A wave of nausea hit me. And my hands trembled.

“Gwoooooooooh!!”

The Gluttony Bear moved. It raised its thick, sharp claw to slash down at me.

But the sword still wouldn’t come out. Even with all my strength.

Please, Sword Saint within me, wake up.

I need that power.

*Clink.* The blade slid out of the sheath just a little.

“Oni Juuump!!”

“Huh?”

Right as Nonon shouted, Grannaughts blasted into the air like an explosion.

Flying through the sky, it sliced the wind. It drew an arc like walking on air.

Blocking the sun, the most reliable tank landed in front of me.

The impact shook the ground. And with an axe strike as it landed, the Gluttony Bear was split in two.

“Ah, crap.”

That impact caused the barely unsheathed sword to slide back into the scabbard.

When I tried to draw it again, nausea hit me again.

Looks like it got cancelled.

It can’t be helped. I’ll get another chance. I had to think that way or I wouldn’t be able to cope.

“Hunt complete, yo.”

“By the way, what was that just now…?”

“Obviously, Oni Jump! If you thought Grannaughts was just a moving suit of armor, big mistake. Gal gear is always *oni-stacked*, ya know?”

Grannaughts flashed a V-sign with both hands. I involuntarily took a step back.

Please stop doing gyaru poses in that appearance. It completely ruins my manly image of Grannaughts.

“Right, Master!”

“Don’t worry about this side. I’m here, after all.”

The one holding Master was Kusaya-san.

His appearance was so well-timed it made me wonder where he’d been all this time.

As usual, he had that shady smile on his face.

Next to him, Kuroa started to sob.

“I’m sorry, Lux-oniichan. I caused you so much trouble. Uwaaaahh!”

“I’m not mad, so don’t cry. I’m not good with this kind of thing.”

I scratched my head and frowned.

I’m bad with girls crying. I never know what to do.