The Black Wolfern

Motar Village was no longer in sight, and we were already halfway to Mikaor Village. The sun shone brightly above us, but luckily the road we took was lined with many trees. I just realized that Rin had been holding a small wooden stick in her hand.

"Rin, what are you holding?"

"This is a sword."

"A sword?"

"Yes! I found this sword earlier on the road."

Well… it seemed like nothing more than a child’s imagination. I didn’t expect her to be interested in a sword.

"I see. And what are you going to use that sword for?"

Rin’s expression turned gloomy.

"Until now, I’ve only been a burden to Rei."

"That’s not true! Why would you think that?"

"At Uncle Garban’s shop… Rei promised to protect me, but yesterday… Rei left me with Meno instead."

Ah… that’s right. Was she afraid I would abandon her?

"I know Rei only wanted to keep me safe, but I don’t want to be a burden forever. I’ll use this sword to become stronger, so I can stand by Rei’s side."

Rin raised the wooden stick and smiled. Hearing her words made me happy, and I patted her head.

"Thank you, Rin."

Suddenly, we heard a loud roar. It came from up ahead, not too far away.

"Rin, stay behind me."

Rin understood and hid behind me.

The creature itself hadn’t shown up yet, but again we heard that roar — it sounded like a wolf, but also resembled a lion.

Since the sound didn’t get closer, it meant the creature hadn’t noticed us yet. I carefully moved behind a large tree, with Rin clutching the back of my clothes tightly.

From behind the tree, I saw several creatures shaped like wolves, but their bodies were larger than any lion I’d ever seen. Each had a single horn on its forehead, like the unicorns I’d heard about as a child. They looked hostile. All of them were gray, except for one — a black wolf with glowing red eyes, surrounded and attacked by the others.

They lunged at the black wolf one after another. Though wounded, it didn’t go down easily; it counterattacked each strike fiercely. Still, with so many deep wounds, it was clear it wouldn’t last long. What should I do? Should I help it, or just leave it be?

"Rei…"

"What is it, Rin?"

"Can you help that black Wolfern? I don’t know why, but I can feel its loneliness and pain."

Wolfern, huh? So that’s what this monster is called.

"Alright, you stay here and don’t come out until I call you."

Rin nodded and hid behind the tree.

I stepped toward the group of Wolfern. As soon as I approached, they immediately turned to face me cautiously. It seemed their senses were sharp enough to detect me. What now?

*Grrr…*

"Hush… hush… go away."

They clearly didn’t like that.

*Rawr!*

Suddenly, they leapt at me with their sharp claws. They were fast, but I could dodge them easily. They surrounded me, leaving the injured black Wolfern behind. Now, it seemed I had become their target.

They attacked again — some with fangs, some with claws, and some trying to gore me with their horns. Even so, their movements were easy to read. I dodged again, and they returned to circling me.

Then they roared, and from their horns, swirling gusts of wind began to gather and grow larger. That didn’t look good. They hurled the blasts at me.

*Boom!*

Phew… good thing I jumped in time. What was that attack just now? I landed safely, but they didn’t give me any chance to rest. They attacked again and again. Enough playing around. I drew my katana and struck back.

*Clang!*

They blocked with their horns. Tougher than I thought. Each time I struck one, the others tried to attack me from behind. These monsters were clever, using their numbers to their advantage. But…

I swung my katana with all my strength.

"Hyaaat!"

*Slash!*

One of their horns was severed. Yet they showed no sign of pain, continuing their assault. So their horns weren’t their core, just weapons. Very well, I’ll end this.

As they leapt at me all at once, I set my stance — feet apart, knees bent, grip firm on my katana. With a single breath, I spun around, and their bodies were cleaved in two. Blood rained down as the black Wolfern stared at me sharply. It was at its limit, stumbling as it tried to walk.

It looked at me again, as if urging me to follow.

"Rin!"

Rin peeked from behind the tree, then ran toward me with her small legs. She grabbed my hand, her eyes filled with confusion.

"The black Wolfern seems to want to show us something."

"Alright."

Rin and I followed the wounded Wolfern. Blood poured from its injuries, but it didn’t seem to care anymore. I wondered what it wanted us to see.

Soon, we came upon a large tree. At its base was a hollow, and from inside came the sound of barking.

"Woof!"

A small black Wolfern ran to the larger one. So this wounded black Wolfern was a mother. She lay down, glancing at me with sharp eyes one last time, then closed them and exhaled her final breath.

The pup whimpered, licking its mother’s face. But she was gone.

"Sigh… did this black Wolfern want us to take care of her child?"

Rin looked at me with wide, sparkling eyes, silently asking for my approval.

"Eh… fine, it’s up to you."

"Yay!"

Rin ran to the little Wolfern and hugged it.

"It’s okay, your mother is in a peaceful place now."

Strangely, the little Wolfern seemed to understand her words and didn’t resist her embrace.

"What’s your name?"

"Woof!"

"Wufy! I see, that’s your name."

"Woof!"

How could Rin befriend a monster pup so quickly? I just couldn’t understand anymore. Guess I’ll need extra money to take care of it.

Before leaving, I covered the mother Wolfern’s body with leaves. Only then did we continue our journey toward Mikaor Village.