Wish of a Lazy Otaku

165 165. “First Encounter in New World and Meeting with Chieftain”

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As she moved closer, the wolves surged forward, their teeth gleaming in the dappled light. “Grrrrrr…!” they growled, their bodies tense and ready to pounce.

With a swift, fluid motion, Aashi lashed out, her body moving in a blur as she delivered a series of lightning-fast strikes. The air was filled with the sound of flesh hitting flesh and the sharp yelps of wounded animals.

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“Howl….!!”

Erick watched from a safe distance, his eyes fixed on Aashi’s movements. He knew she was skilled in the art of combat, but he warned her to be mindful of the force she exerted on the animals.

As the last of the wolves retreated, Aashi stood tall, her body poised and ready for any further attacks. The clearing was filled with the sound of her breathing, the soft rustle of leaves, and the fading growls of the wounded animals.

With a nod to Erick, Aashi turned to face the shadowy figure lurking behind the trees. “Who are you?” she called out, her voice resonating through the dense forest. “Why are you hiding?”

As the figure stepped out from behind the trees, Aashi and Erick were taken aback. Wearing worn-out clothes, the figure had wolf-like features, complete with ears and a tail. They immediately deduced that he was an elder of the beastmen tribe.

“Hello, I apologize for any misunderstanding I have caused and thank you for showing mercy to the young pups!” The elder bowed deeply and expressed his gratitude for Aashi’s mercy towards the young wolf pack. “My name is Ryfang, and I am an elder of the Wolf Tribe. Forgive me, for I did not foresee that anyone would be present in the area. Today, I was accompanying the young ones for their training.”

Ryfang was an imposing figure, with thick, grey fur and piercing blue eyes. He wore a necklace made of bones and feathers, a symbol of his status as an elder of the wolf tribe. A drum made from a hollowed-out tree trunk hung from his shoulder.

“It’s all right,” Erick waved his hand, indicating that they bore no ill will towards the young pups. “My name is Erick Dahl, and this is Aashi. We don’t take offense at their behavior. It was our fault for coming here unannounced.”

As they spoke, Ryfang explained the reason behind the young pups’ aggression. He revealed that beastmen tribes, including the wolves, were frequently attacked by humans in this world. Upon seeing Erick and Aashi, who resembled humans and carried their scent, the young pups had lost their composure and attacked them.

Aashi and Erick listened intently, their hearts heavy with the realization of the unfairness and cruelty of the world.

Ryfang’s words had given them a glimpse of what kind of world this might be, a world where the struggle for survival was a daily battle. As they looked at the elder, they saw the wisdom in his eyes, the pain of a life lived in defiance of the odds.

And as the forest hummed with the sound of the wind rustling through the trees, Aashi and Erick felt a strange sense to explore this wild and untamed world.

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As they chatted and grew more comfortable with each other, Erick asked the elder if he and Aashi could visit their village. Ryfang hesitated at first, unsure of how the rest of the tribe might react to outsiders. But Erick reassured him that they were friendly and meant no harm, offering to help in any way they could.

With that settled, the elder led them to the village, accompanied by the young pups who had been healed by Erick’s spell. Ryfang was surprised to see the young man using magic, but not shocked, indicating that there may be others in the world with similar abilities.

The Wolf Tribe village was nestled near a small lake, where they gathered drinking water. Surrounded by dense forest on one side and the sparkling water on the other, the village seemed like a hidden oasis in the wilderness. In the distance, a series of rolling hills stretched out into the horizon, providing a stunning backdrop to the scene.

The huts and buildings of the village were made of rough-hewn logs and branches, expertly woven together to create sturdy, functional structures. The village was bustling with activity, with wolf tribesmen going about their daily business, tending to crops and livestock, and exchanging goods and services. Children played along with several small young pups and laughed in the village square, while the elders gathered in a circle to discuss matters of importance.

As Erick and Aashi entered the Wolf Tribe village, they couldn’t help but notice the unfriendly looks of the tribesmen. It was clear that these people had no love for humans. However, Elder Ryfang led them straight to the village chief’s hut, a structure made of wood and straw, but larger and more ornate than the others. The chief’s hut was decorated with skulls and other tribal artifacts, indicating that it belonged to the strongest person in the village.

“Sorry to intrude, Chief Ulric and Madame Ayla, we have guests that want to meet you!” Ryfang shouted from outside the thick leaf mat that served as the entrance to the hut.

“Let them in!” boomed a deep voice from inside.

“Please, follow me,” Ryfang gestured towards Erick and Aashi.

Upon entering, the pair saw two figures seated on a throne-like structure made of bones and wood. Erick’s presence leaked out for a split second, causing everyone present to feel an overwhelming force that they had never before experienced. The chieftain, his mate, and even Elder Ryfang’s senses screamed at them, causing them to break out in a sweat from head to toe.

“Sorry about that. It just happens sometimes. Are you all right?” Erick asked, feeling guilty for potentially scaring the chieftain and his companions. Erick sensed that these three were on the same level as a master practitioner or a 4-Star practitioner, so bearing his grandmaster level presence might have been overwhelming for them.

“It’s….it’s alright!” Chieftain hurriedly replied while hiding his fear and reverence coming from his heart.

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