I had confirmed the appearance features in the request form, so I could be sure of that at a glance.

　That was the Blaze Death size.

　A dangerous monster that could alert not only the area in question, but also the surrounding area, just by having information of a sighting.

　But wasn't that thing appearing in the area in charge of the next town?
　Why is it here?

　I already know the geography from what Marika taught me.
　This is still the area in charge of LUX village!

''Hiiiiiiuuuuuuuuuuuut?!''

　Moreover, the place where the giant snake was advancing, this was another familiar figure of a man.
　It's Gashita.

　Did he recklessly challenge them or did he just encounter misfortune?
　Either way, that guy right now was nothing more than a pathetic prey targeted by a giant snake.

''.........?　Are you injured?

　The more you think, the slower the Gashita's escape is.
　It would be impossible for that agile snake to shoot back at you.

"Oh, you stupid snake!　Over here!　Come over here!

　The snake loudly announces our presence, but it makes no pretense of paying attention.
　It's the only thing that keeps chasing its vulnerable prey.

I'm not going to be the only one.　You made the right decision!

　You can't praise a snake, though.

　I also ran out at a glance.
　I'm sure you'll be able to find a way to make the most out of your time with the help of a few of your friends.

Huh?

　Oh, Gashita's slipping?
　I can catch up with it now, but can the snake catch up with Gacita too?

　The giant snake crawls on the ground, making an eerie noise.

''Don't come!　It's not a good idea.

　It seems that Gasita's specialty weapon is the bow and arrow.

　I'm sure you'll be able to find a way to make the most out of this.
　Most of the arrows fly in the wrong direction.

''Kyaaaah!

　Even so, there was still a whiff of a single shot.
　The arrowhead that hit the surface of the snake's body was instantly flung off and did not mean anything.

"Scales are hard...?

　I observe them crushingly as I run as fast as I can.

　Gacita's arrows should have been strengthened with aura as well, but the snake's defense is so rigid that even that doesn't work.
　That's the reason why that snake is on maximum alert.

''Noah!　Help me eeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee?

　Having run out of options, Gacita could only curl up and shrink back.
　The giant snake attacked Gacita, who had turned into a frightened bird of prey, with its fangs bared.

　But...!

"Wait!

　I got there in time.
　I ran as hard as I could, and as a result, I was able to catch up with them before the snake's fangs poked out.

　The old me would have ended up there.
　I was in the Demon King's army and I couldn't even use magic, so there was no way to counter the monsters.

　But now I have a sword.
　I have an attack with aura.

　With the aura of a slash, I slashed the serpent's scales with my sword, which is firmly wrapped in the aura of a slash.

''Alright, I've slashed it!

　Gasita's aura wasn't enough, but my sword could get through.
　But it's shallow.
　It's still not enough to kill him instantly...!

''Shaaaaaaah!''

　The giant snake wriggled around while slurping.
　The counterattack came quickly.
　Its growling tail is closing in on me.
　Thick as a log.
　A direct hit.

　Is.

"It's not working...!

　I catch the tail with my right hand.
　On my arm, I have the armor that Malika prepared for me.
　If I see this as a minuscule shield, I can defend against it through the aura of the guard (protection).

　If it were true, it would be the power of instant death, but I was able to receive it completely.

　However, the opponent didn't back down either.

''Shaaaaah!''

　After the tail, the head strikes next.

　When the first blow stopped the movement, are you going to stab it with more powerful fangs?

　The right arm holding the sword can't move to prevent the tail.
　The only thing left is his left arm.
　The left hand held something.

''Anything can be used as a weapon........!

　Stone.
　I picked them up on the spur of the moment when I was chasing snakes and gashitas.

　A hard stone, when swung down, will become a blunt instrument.
　It increases in hardness through the aura of hit (strike). And mix in the aura of sting (thrust) that boosts the flying tool....
　I threw.

　The throw hits the head of the approaching snake.
　It broke through the left eye and entered the interior of the head.
　It didn't penetrate, but it was enough. It would have reached the brain.
　It was a fatal wound, and the giant snake immediately lost its strength and collapsed.

''Yes........!

　I can't loosen up yet.
　I run up to Gacita, who shrugs.

'Are you okay?　Are you hurt...?

　As expected, she has a wound on her leg.
　Looking at the shape of that wound........?

"Huh?　Was she bitten?
No.....?　I'm going to die now...?

　The Blazdesize is a giant snake as well as a viper.
　It's not just a matter of time before you'll be able to use it to kill your prey.

''The poison, the poison turns...?　I don't want to die, I don't want to die...?

　Where is his usual bravado? It's not a good idea to have a good time.

"I can't do it anymore........　We don't have the antidote, and we don't have time to go back to the village.　The poison will go around before that...!
Don't worry. I've got the antidote.
Heh?

　A small medicine box that Marika gave me when I left.
　It was a poisonous potion inside.

When I heard that they were snakes, I thought it was very clever of you.

　He shoves a pill into Gacita's mouth.

'Ugh ..., bitter ... can you help?　Thank God...?
This potion is made from herbs found in the woods. This potion is made from herbs I found in the woods. I picked them on a quest you refused to take.

　If Maleeka was here, she might say something like, 'There's no medicine for this guy to take.
　No, indeed, she wouldn't say it, or her life would be on the line.

'What you got from that quest you were underestimating saved your life. There's no such thing as a wasted job in this world, you know.

　....What?　You don't like it?
　I'm getting a preachy tone.
　Will they call me an old man or something else?　I was alarmed, though.

'Ugh...!　Uuuhhhhh...?

　Gacita, as expected, couldn't afford to cry either, or she was just crying.
　It's a good idea to be able to have a good time with them.
　Anyway, the young cocky man could only sob and moan.

◆

　Then a few days later.

'Good job, Anita!'

　He was missed by Gashita.

　She carried him back from the forest on her back, treated him and rested him.
　He's not completely cured yet, but I hear he'll be able to return to work soon if he focuses on his treatment.

'No, enough with the greetings. Rest and heal your wounds quickly, okay?
Yes!　My brother is a benefactor!　I can't wait to make a full recovery and work for Aniki as soon as possible!　It's nice to meet you, Aniki!

　What kind of change of heart?
　If you've experienced a life-threatening crisis, I suppose you'll have a few thoughts about it.

　After this turmoil, my reputation and everyone's trust in me rose as I converted the village's rowdy people.

　After being kicked out of the Demon King's Army, I wandered all the way to this village, but it's gradually becoming my new home.