Preconceptions

I look deep into the forest. At first, I couldn’t tell because of the gloom of the night, but I could see a large black mass slowly approaching me. I don’t know what it is yet. 

But one thing I know is, it is Huge! Its shadow is like a large boulder in the forest, and yet it is two feet!?

I said, “What is that?”

Enuma warns me to stay vigilant, "Oi, boy, cease your stupor. Prepare to move with haste."

I replied, “Osu”

Do not be careless. Be ready to activate the breakthrough at any time. As long as you enter the forest with the beast, you’re next to something dangerous. 

A beast of that size a bear. No, the shape of the shadow has finally come to light. There two sharp corners that extend from the head. 

It spoke! “Are you a human?”

I muttered, “Wh-What?”

The giant horned beast said, “It’s late, what’re you doing here?”

Is it human? No, it’s not. But it can talk to people. It was finally illuminated, with red-blackish skin over its whole body. It has a furry waist wrap, but everything else is naked.

The big mass is not obese but composed of huge bulging steel muscles all over. The two horns extending from the head are a sign of a deformity. A bag which is slung on its shoulder.

At Enuma’s words, tension rose all over my body. As he explained, "It’s an Ogre."

Among the demons, it is said that it is a ferocious race with high fighting ability.

Intelligence is not so high but possessed enough supernatural power to make up for it. I heard that they always stood on the front line during the war of tens of years ago, plagued the Human forces, and attacked a lot of towns and nations.

In a sense, for humanity, they are well known scary demons.

The ogre said, “I see, where’s yer home kid?”

Also, the other reason why they are most feared and hated. Its merciless cruelty. I’ve heard that non-combatants, such as women and children, are also brutally slaughtered and violated in the cities they have conquered. 

It looked a little surprised at my appearance, but it was approaching. Ogre asked “Could it be, you lost?”

What am I doing? Can’t lose my never here! I shout, “D-Don’t come any closer!”

Ogre confirmed, “Ah!”

I was stunned for a while, but when Enuma told me to move with haste. I braced myself right away. I said, “I might be a kid, but you’re not looking down on me.”

While taking a step, I assumed the stance of the Great Demon Flicker. Even if I do it, I am not certain the Flicker penetrate this guy’s bulging brawny muscle. No, then I’ll lead it around with my speed.

Against those with pointless gargantuan bodies, it is best to take them on with speed.

The ogre said with its deep voice, “Hey, calm yer spewing! Oh, I won’t do nothing!”

I gasped, “Eh?”

What the hell? Suddenly, the Ogre with an impatient expression. It is trying to calm me down. This is no joke! Is it trying to get me off guard? 

Either way, not even a filthy ogre with my Breakthrough abilities.

Enuma said, "Wait boy. This is a tad strange."

I ask Enuma, "What are you talking about?"

Enuma replied, "This ogre, I feel no evil intent.  Does it truly intend to fight?"

I retort, "Huh? Hey, the opponent is an ogre. it is violent by nature."

Enuma is holding his hand under his chin, lost in thought. Saying, "No. But this is…"

At this point, I couldn’t trust it. The existence of a demon other than Enuma that I’m meeting for the first time. It’s the infamous Ogre tribe. I don’t know why you’re in a place like this, but I don’t know if I can stay calm.

The ogre said, “Oh, that’s it. Well, yer hungry and frustrated, aren’t you? Then, I’ll let you stay in the house. Hmm, I’ll feed you even!”

I jeer at the demon, “Oh? Are you taking me lightly? I won’t fall for such honey words? Are you going to fatten me up?”

The ogre said, “Eat. Not that! You, human, yer eating! Oh, I don’t do nothing bad ta humans!”

Uncertain what to do. Strike preemptively for a swift victory crossed my mind. If I get caught, it’s over. Or escape with a breakthrough boost.

The intense angry words from Enuma, who was by my side, made me think he was scarier than the ogre in front of me. He said, "Hey, boy. Listen when I talk."

I gasped, “Eh?!”

Enuma said, "I told you. This ogre is it really has no will to fight. There are no evil intentions either. Boy, you worry me, being so purely lost."

I started to say “But-”

Enuma, "Or you never having seen it before with your own eyes. Do you judge the existence of this ogre purely on the prejudice of your people, by fearing what you don't know."

Don’t judge only by preconceptions. Sure, I’m meeting an ogre for the first time, and I’ve only heard about the dangers through rumors. 

Enuma stupefied said, "Just a few hours ago. A man who can only see himself under the title of son of a hero. Was insulted as a disqualified warrior with regards to the circumstances only for using the technique of the Demon King. Do you not know that there was such a sad man?"

The moment I heard those words, my face became hot and I was ashamed of myself.

Enuma continued, "And here is a person who can only be seen as a member of the Ogre race, though it shows concern for you and it is kind. Well, what do you think?"

I was fed up with everyone seeing me only with the title son of the hero and now I’m dealing with the guy who has no ill will or evil spirit that appeared in front of me only by the race of Ogre.

It’s not just my father, my mom, or the people of the Imperial City. Shamelessly, I had the same narrow heart as everyone.

If Enuma hadn’t told me, I wouldn’t have noticed. I could not help feeling annoyed with myself. I expressed my shame. “Lame, I’m so naive. Absolutely lame.”

I told Enuma, "Sorry. For sure I was wrong."

Enuma smirked, "Oh, having apologized, I will not think too much of it."

With that said, Enuma smiled gently at my apology and pointed to the ogre in front of me with his chin. To be honest, I don’t know what this guy is, why he’s here, or if he’s really worried about me.

First of all, without a strange preconception, it is the first demon I’m meeting for real. It might be impossible to connect with the other party on friendly terms so suddenly, and honestly, it’s scary.

Maybe if I get careless, he can crush me in an instant just by grabbing my head. Break my neck bone. He looks that strong. First, I go towards the ogre who’s worried about me.

I bowed to the ogre in front of me. I usually don’t bow to people very often, but at this point I knew that no matter how anyone sees me, I’m in the wrong.

I tell the ogre, “I-I’m sorry, I was yelling at you. You’re right, I’m lost, I’m hungry, I was simply a narrow-minded idiot. Forgive me.”

Then, the ogre in front of me said, “Yeah, but I’m not like that. Well, I’m an ogre, so people can’t not be afraid. It happens.”

That said, the ogre not only forgave me, but he’ll try to help me. He mentioned the late hour and showed me to his home. 

The ogre said, “Really, hehehe. Human, I was inviting you ta the house anyways. Well, I just got some meat a while ago, so let’s eat it.”

Looking at Enuma’s face next to me, he nodded without saying anything.

Ogre asked, “Well, what’s yer name, human.”

I replied, “Name? Terran.”

Ogre said, “Terran, yer a good guy.”

I asked, “What? Why?”

Ogre replied, “Oh, people I’ve met so far, they’re all scared. But I believed in Terran. Ah, I’m glad ta be friendly with a human!”

This ogre seems to be extremely nice guy. Is this really an ogre? 

Then the ogre identified himself, “Oh well, I’m called Aka. Nice to meet you, Terran.”

That was the first encounter between me and the strange ogre, Aka.