"F-Finally!"
Hector took each breath with difficulty after setting foot on the shore. Yet, he hadn't fully regained his own strength; he needed a moment of light relaxation.
A few seconds later.
Hector slowly glanced around, searching for any trace of the creature. He quickly noticed a small drop of blood on the ground. Although it was tiny enough for most people to miss, for him, it wasn't a big challenge to spot.
"Hmm... It certainly won't get far." Hector sighed tightly as he began to move his tired feet.
Step.Step.Step.
About 30 minutes later, he had still moved slowly, tracking the beast through these traces of blood. While his strength had almost fully recovered, it made him confident he could handle anything if the creature had survived. Of course, he was fairly certain it was already dead.
Yet, to be safer, he remained cautious—after all, his carelessness had been the reason he was attacked in the first place.
Before long, his thoughts proved to be correct when Hector noticed several large, viscous bloodstains scattered randomly near the edge of the oasis.
As expected, the creature finally gradually appeared in his vision, but its condition was pretty poor this time, which was fortunate for him.
Now, the beast had completely lost its life, leaving behind an empty, lifeless corpse. Surrounding it was rank blood seeping into the ground—certainly all these signs caused by Hector's knife piercing its right eye, making it bleed out and die.
Hector had already expected this outcome, so he only smiled slightly, amused, as he approached the carcass.
"Well, it's really, really so ugly."
After a couple of moments of staring at the creature, something caught his attention.
Hector slowly scratched his chin, sinking deep in thought.
"This horn of yours, I'll take it."
The beast had one short horn on its forehead, but it didn't do significant harm due to its size. Yet, there was poison at the tip.
He had unwillingly tested this toxin himself when the creature attacked him, which was why he knew just how terrible it was.
It would be a trump card for him in the challenge that he had to face shortly.
And most importantly, he would cook this beast right now. Although he wasn't hungry due to the effect of the Keith grass, he understood that it was only a fake sensation it produced.
This body was growing, so it needed nutrition badly.
Anyway, he also wanted to test the cuisine of this world, since that lunatic patient's book wrote that all kinds of meals here were very delicious.
Just like that, the monster turned into a delicious barbecue under Hector's hands. However, he lacked some necessary tools for cooking or firewood burning. But it didn't matter to him, as he could manage with his own knowledge.
In summary, he had already watched many movies related to survival skills, and thanks to that, he could enjoy this dish.
At this moment, Hector was sitting close to a small flame, looking at the roasted chunk in his hand. Afterward, he opened his mouth wide, deliciously chewing the meat with happiness.
"It's really delicious!"
Afterward, he again continued using the knife to partially cut off another piece from the beast hanging on the wooden, makeshift cooking rack over the fire.
As time passed, Hector had almost eaten all the roasted flesh, and his thoughts about this world underwent a huge change.
Fucking! This is like the most expensive kind of meat in my old world.
"I'll get addicted to it."
Hector smiled awkwardly while looking at the food in his hand. Yet, his emotions were still not settled, and something made him take notice.
He glanced around, focusing his eyes and ears.
"Sound?"
A few seconds later, the noise Hector heard grew louder. This made him realize the source of the disturbance.
"Probably the young girl?"
"Who is she calling?"
"'My baby?' Maybe she's calling her pet."
Hector scratched his head and thought.
His first thought was to leave here, yet he quickly dropped it.
"I haven't yet found the place where the challenge will happen, so I need a partner. Besides, I'm sure she's a kind young girl. Her voice seemingly sounds very sad. A young girl who loves animals can't possibly be a bad person."
Hector turned his head toward the campfire and nodded firmly.
"The blaze is big enough to attract her. If I call her, she won't come here. After all, only an idiot would do that."
"I'll set up a big piece of meat for her."
So, Hector again took other firewood, throwing it at the flames while waiting for her to arrive.
Just like that, each second passed, and the girl's voice gradually grew louder.
''My baby! Where are you?''
''My baby!''
…
Rustle
Rustle
Rustle
From within the large, dark, and dirty thickets, constant rustling sounds had echoed until a shadowy human figure emerged into Hector's view—and it completely surprised him.
Indeed, based on what he believed, this person truly appeared to be a girl around 11 or 12 years old.
Yet, what confused him was the overwhelming level of cuteness and charm she possessed—it was almost unbelievable.
She wore dark leather pants and a silver armor jacket, intricately carved with mysterious, complex runes.
Moreover, on the front left side of her silver armor was a small snowflake-shaped emblem—something he had seen once before, though he couldn't recall where.
"These breasts seem a bit inappropriate for someone her age," Hector thought, gulping as his gaze lingered. He immediately shook his head.
"What am I thinking? I don't want to go to prison. She's just a tween."
While he was lost in thought, the girl stepped closer to the campfire. She glanced at him with suspicion and said,
"Hey! Fool! Have you seen a dog nearby?"
Instantly, Hector's expression turned idiotic as he froze, trying to process what he'd just heard.
He stared at her with a hint of disbelief, unable to fathom that such a cute, radiant child could speak like that.
She inched even closer, and her features became clearer.
The girl had a flawless, snow-white complexion. Her beauty was almost surreal.
Her black hair flowed down to her slender shoulders, partly veiling her right eye, while her left, red as blood, remained exposed.
As time passed, her visible eye narrowed slightly, gazing at him with clear irritation.
"Hey! Uncle! Are you deaf?"
Immediately, Hector's face twisted in anger.
It was hard to believe someone so young could be this rude, and she had clearly touched a nerve.
Though he was still quite young in this world, back in his old life, he was already 25 years old.
He detested anyone who called him "old," even if it came from a pretty little brat.
Taking a deep breath to calm himself, Hector slowly shot her a cold glance.
"Why do I have to answer? Kid!" he said sarcastically, taking a large bite of roasted meat and chewing it with satisfaction.
Upon hearing that, her cheeks flushed red like a tomato. She was furious and shouted,
"I'm not a kid!"
Then she clenched her teeth, glaring at him with visible hostility, while Hector looked amused by her reaction.
A few seconds passed. She said nothing, just kept glaring—as if this was the first time someone had treated her this way, and she didn't know how to respond.
Then, her stomach let out a loud growl.
Her cheeks turned red again, but this time from embarrassment.
Hector observed her awkward state, shaking his head slightly.
She was probably in a similar condition to his, not having eaten for some time. And honestly, he doubted she could survive alone in a place like this.
Yet, she wasn't ordinary. What stood out was her identity.
He had just realized that based on her attire. The snowflake-shaped carving on her armor was the symbol of the Pauley Clan—one of the three most powerful clans in the world, making her extremely valuable.
Surely, she must have allies or tools to escape this desert.
Regrettably, he hadn't recognized it sooner, before behaving badly toward her.
But it wasn't too late to make a fresh start.
Hector gave a slight smile, took a piece of the meat in front of him, and said in a kind voice,
"You want to eat, don't you?"