Episode 2
“Chuwak-Chuwak! The Baldak Attack”
Brr… it’s cold…
Guangguang shivered as he opened his eyes. He had definitely fallen asleep inside his sleeping bag, but somehow he had been pushed out of it.
He glanced to the side and saw that Mr. Rabbit had completely stolen his sleeping bag and crawled inside. Her peacefully sleeping face looked innocent enough, but the feelings of the sleeping bag’s rightful owner were complicated.
“ZZZ… mmngh~ hamnyam…”
Mr. Rabbit mumbled in her sleep and rolled over.
“…Sigh.”
Even if he tried to take it back, she probably wouldn’t budge. Guangguang let out a sigh and got up.
It was just before dawn. The sky was slowly changing from deep blue to a reddish hue. The desert at daybreak was silent. Only the sound of wind and someone snoring could be heard.
“One, two, three, four—”
Someone was exercising in the distance.
It was Grandpa Ken.
“Two, two, three, four—”
Despite his hunched back, he moved with steady rhythm. A man who never abandoned the habit of training his body even in old age. There was a reason he had survived so long.
Guangguang stretched and looked around the expedition camp.
People were sleeping scattered here and there. A drifter who had passed out drunk last night. A mercenary uncle tossing and snoring. Private Gagarin, a low-ranking soldier, lay sleeping directly on the sand.
“There’s still time before we leave… I should get a little more sleep—”
That was when it happened.
The ground shook.
At first, he thought it was an earthquake.
The sand rippled like waves. Guangguang tried to steady himself, but the ground beneath his feet kept trembling.
“W-what is this?!”
Screams erupted from all around. The sleeping people scrambled to their feet.
And then—
Puhwak—!
Something burst up through the sand.
It was huge.
Twice the height of a man. A body covered in a hard carapace. Razor-sharp pincers. A head packed with small eyes.
It was an insect.
No—far too large to be an insect. It was a monster.
“Ssssss—”
The creature made a chilling sound as it snapped its head around, as if searching for prey.
“It’s a Baldak!!”
Someone shouted.
A Baldak?
Because it goes “bal-dak” as it pops out of the ground?
“Everyone, grab your weapons!!”
Grandpa Ken shouted. But it was already too late.
Chuwak!
The monster’s pincer struck down like lightning.
It pierced straight through Grandpa Ken’s shoulder.
“Kiiyaaah—! That hurts!!”
Blood spurted like a fountain. Grandpa Ken dropped to his knees.
Chuwak!
A second strike flew toward his head.
It’s over.
Just as that thought crossed his mind—
Sgeng—!
With a sharp metallic sound, the monster’s head flew into the air.
“Hey, old man. Morning exercises are for warming up, not for a real duel.”
It was Mr. Rabbit.
No one knew when she had woken up or when she had drawn her sword. In her hand was a massive blade as large as her body. It was hard to believe she had been sleeping peacefully just moments ago, given her swift movements.
“Ahem… thank you…”
Grandpa Ken staggered, clutching his shoulder.
But it wasn’t over.
Puhwak—!
Puhwak—!
Puhwak—!
More monsters burst out from all directions in the sand. Three, four… five, six, seven.
“Damn it, we stepped on their nest!”
the mercenary uncle screamed.
The monsters attacked all at once.
It was utter chaos.
“It’s the Baldaks! Kill them!”
People charged in with weapons drawn. The sound of swords and spears clashing against carapace rang out.
Guangguang stood frozen.
What should I do?
He had a blade—the old dagger Uncle Duran had lent him. But his hands were shaking. Fight those monsters? Someone like me?
Then he saw one.
A Baldak was crawling toward him.
Ssssss—
“W-wah! Don’t come near me!!”
His body moved on instinct.
He turned and ran.
At full speed.
Without looking back.
But the monster was fast. Its shadow grew larger. He heard the air splitting behind him.
Chuwak!
He dodged.
He rolled to the side and barely avoided it. The pincer tore into the sand where he had been standing.
If that hits me, I die.
I’ll definitely die.
His heart pounded wildly. His hands trembled. But at the same time, his mind grew clear.
If I run, it’ll catch me.
I have to fight.
Gritting his teeth, Guangguang raised his blade.
Chuwak!
Another strike came. He lifted his dagger to block—but it didn’t fully stop it. It hit his arm guard and barely deflected.
Clang—!
His arm went numb. The impact felt like it could break his bones.
“You bastard—!”
Guangguang slashed back reflexively.
Slash—!
One of the monster’s legs was severed.
Got it!
“You’re finished now—”
Kieee—!! Chuwak!
The moment he let his guard down, another leg shot toward him.
It bit into his arm.
“Guaaah!! Let go—!!”
Sharp teeth dug into his flesh. Blood flowed. Pain shot through his entire body.
Guangguang swung his blade like a madman.
Thud thud thud thud thud thud thud!
He struck wildly. The monster’s head, its body—anything he could hit.
Kii… kieeek—!
The monster screamed in agony and released his arm.
“Hah—! How’s that!”
He had the upper hand. If he kept pushing—
Chuwak—!
An attack came.
Too fast.
Is this the end of my life?
It was poor, but maybe it was still a happy life…
No, happy? Only for a moment. After Father left, it had been nothing but hardship. Why did I live like this?
No, no.
There’s Nuangnuang.
I can’t die here and leave my little sister behind.
“Yaaahhhhhh!!”
He lifted his blade with all his strength.
Clack!
The monster’s pincer and his blade collided.
Ghhhhh…
I can’t put strength into it. Because of the arm that got bitten earlier, my power’s fading. He was being pushed back. His arm trembled violently.
I’m going to die.
I’ll die like this.
Then, from behind, he heard a familiar voice.
“Hryaaaaaaaah—!”
Smash—!
The monster’s head split vertically. Yellow-green fluid splattered everywhere.
It was Mr. Rabbit.
Her silver hair whipped in the wind. Her red eyes gleamed in the sunlight. Standing there holding a massive sword in one hand, she looked like a warrior from legend.
“U-uh… Mr. Rabbit…”
“You’re hurt. Med kit.”
She pulled a small pouch from her chest and tossed it to him, then ran back into the battlefield.
Guangguang collapsed to the ground and opened the kit. His hands were shaking. But he had to do it.
“First disinfect… pour strong alcohol on it…”
Ah… it stings.
“Stop the bleeding, wrap it tight with bandages…”
By the time he finished first aid, the battle was already over.
Seven Baldaks.
Mr. Rabbit had slain four of them.
The remaining three were taken down by the expedition members working together. Of course, there were many injured. Grandpa Ken’s shoulder was wounded, and the mercenary uncle injured his leg. Private Gagarin was unharmed thanks to his thick armor.
“Grandpa, are you okay?”
Guangguang approached him.
“I… I think… my time… has come…”
Grandpa Ken said in a trembling voice.
“What?! No! I’ll make sure to treat you—”
“Ahem.”
Grandpa Ken coughed.
“No, not yet, it seems.”
“… ”
Without a word, Guangguang began treating him. The shoulder wound was deep, but it seemed to have missed any vital spot.
“Thank you.”
Grandpa Ken gave a bitter smile.
“When you get old, your reactions slow down. In my prime, I would’ve dodged that much.”
After finishing treatment, Mr. Rabbit approached.
“Guangguang.”
“Yes?”
“You fought well earlier.”
“…Huh?”
What do you mean, fought well? I almost died.
“It was your first time fighting, right? But you didn’t run away—you stood your ground. You even cut off one of its legs.”
Mr. Rabbit grinned.
“You’ve got good instincts. I’m looking forward to what’s next.”
“I-is that so…”
Being praised felt strange. Embarrassing, yet satisfying.
“Oh, right.”
Mr. Rabbit pulled something from her clothes. It was a chunk of red meat.
“Want to try this?”
“…What is that?”
“Baldak meat. If you grill it, it tastes like chicken.”
“… ”
Guangguang stared at her blankly.
This person is really…
“I’m not joking. It’s really good. Food’s scarce in the desert, so you eat whatever you can.”
Mr. Rabbit lit a campfire and began grilling the meat. With a sizzling sound, a savory smell spread.
“Here, it’s done.”
He took a bite.
…Huh?
It really tasted like chicken.
No, even chewier and cleaner than chicken. Maybe because he was eating it in the middle of the desert, it tasted even better.
“Tasty, right?”
“…Yes.”
Mr. Rabbit smiled brightly. Before he knew it, Guangguang found himself smiling too.
I almost died.
Why am I smiling?
It felt strange.
Some people returned to the city.
Seeing the Baldaks had broken their spirit. It wasn’t unreasonable. They hadn’t even reached the border region yet, and monsters like that were already popping out.
“Going back is the normal choice.”
the mercenary uncle said, limping.
“We’re the crazy ones.”
But only three out of ten turned back. The rest stayed.
Because they needed money.
Guangguang stayed too.
When he thought of Nuangnuang, he couldn’t go back.
“All right, we move.”
Grandpa Ken declared, rubbing his shoulder wrapped in thick bandages.
“We have to reach the border region by today. If we delay, we’ll run out of food.”
The expedition began moving again.
The desert was still scorching. But after the morning battle, something felt different. As he walked, Guangguang looked down at his hands.
They weren’t shaking.
They had trembled so badly earlier.
“What are you looking at?”
Mr. Rabbit asked beside him.
“No, it’s just…”
“Ah, I get it. First-battle aftereffects, right? I was the same. The first time I cut something with a sword, my hands wouldn’t stop. Not because I was scared—but because the sensation felt strange.”
Mr. Rabbit looked up at the sky.
“But you get used to it quickly. Whether that’s a good thing or a bad thing, I don’t know.”
“…When did you start using a sword, Mr. Rabbit?”
“Hmm, eight? Nine? After I lost my family to cannibals.”
Her voice was calm. As if she were talking about what she ate for dinner yesterday.
“At first, I wanted revenge. I wanted to kill every last one of those monsters. But after killing for a while, I forgot my purpose. I guess I just started swinging my sword to survive.”
She turned to Guangguang.
“But you know, watching you fight today made me think.”
“Think what?”
“I could see your will to live. That’s the most important thing. Skills can be learned later.”
Guangguang couldn’t answer.
I want to live.
Yes, I want to live.
For Nuangnuang. To find Father. And—
For myself.
“Hey, I see it.”
Someone shouted.
Guangguang lifted his head.
Beyond the horizon, he could see the outlines of collapsed buildings. Dust and smoke were rising.
It was the border region.
A battlefield.
“Now.”
Mr. Rabbit held out her hand.
“This is where the real thing begins. Ready, Guangguang?”
Guangguang took her hand.
It was cold and firm.
“…Yes.