Chapter 14 - Overcoming Fear Isn’t An Easy Fit

Sorry for the 12 day break. Finally found the time to continue!
A short one, but hope you enjoy it!

I took a quick scout on path B, and found many lizards there.

Hunting the Starwing Bats should be the most effective, but this time we went to the path B, where lizards live.

It’s not like Kon can throw things to those bats anyway to be counted as participating in the battle.

“Now, Kon! Bite it!” I shouted as I pinned down the lizard.

“Kyawh!” Kon jumped and bit the lizard’s neck.

The Red Lizard HP Gauge hits 0 and it became both EXP for us. That’s our 3rd prey.

Red Lizard gives less than Starwing Bats, but a good amount for starting out.

“Huh…? Yuu-kun! Look at Kon-chan’s level!”

As I do what Yumemi said, I found out Kon’s level had reached 2.

“I see… monsters just level up automatically, huh. I think that also means monsters won’t have the bonus EXP like us [Irregulars].”

“So you’re saying… we have to beat way more monsters than we should?”

“... Yeah.”

Yumemi suddenly looked gloomy for an instant. I bet it’s because she still doesn’t really like the idea of killing monsters in the first place.

“Huff…” She let out a sigh. “It's for survival, after all. I should think like it’s how we eat meat every day without thinking much about it. Think of the monsters like all those cattles who will eventually become my food!”

That’s certainly an interesting way to cope. I guess that’s how people who grow up without video games, with the gimmick of defeating monsters.

Well, at least she’s not really getting angry like those vegans who actively tried to push their thoughts on others and guilt tripping omnivorous humans.

… That said, what did ‘vegans’ and ‘omnivorous’ mean again?

“Yuu-kun, can you let me kill one next?”

“Huh? You sure?”

“I… don’t want to be a burden forever. Our current goal after all, is to level up as fast as we can to defeat that ominous wolf… for Kon-chan’s sake…”

“Kyaun…” Kon snuggled his face to Yumemi’s feet, trying to comfort her.

Yumemi forces a smile. I can tell Yumemi is trying her best to overcome her fear.

She has decided it for herself.

“And also… I personally can’t forgive that monster…!”

Me too. Remembering the slaughter that happened before our eyes is sickening, but it’s the truth we have to face to get stronger.

I quickly grabbed down a nearby lizard, and pinned it down to the ground.

She pulled her knife… *cluck* and dropped it because she’s trembling so much.

She tried to grab the knife, but she’s having a hard time and couldn't get a good grip on it.

“Come on…! My hand… stop trembling!”

I reached out my free left hand on top of her hand, with the same timing as Kon putting his paw on top of my left hand.

I smiled a little at him, then looked at Yumemi who looked surprised.

“Yumemi, I… we know you can do it.”

“Kyaun!”

“You two…” I can feel her trembling start to subdue. “Thank you… I’m fine now.”

She took a deep breath “Here I go!” and decapitated the Red Lizard I pinned down.

She wasn’t breathing as heavy as the previous. It may take time, but she’s getting there.

“Good job, Yumemi.”

“Kyaun!”

“... Yuu-kun.”

“Hmm?”

“Pat my head…”

“Uhh…” I’m sweating now. Is this a trap? For me who probably pats my little sister whenever she does something good?

Is Yumemi testing me!?

“I don’t want to get used to this…!” She crouched down and started crying. “Please… hic! I need it right now…”

…

I quietly lightly tapped her head.

“You’ve done great,” I said.

Kon followed me, tapping her feet.

“Kyaun!”

“... yup.”

“We need to do this. You are not wrong.”

“Kyaun! Kyaun!”

“... yup.”

“Take your time processing it.”

“... yup.”