2-10. Unexpected Beast

The creature that emitted a high-pitched cry is a dangerous being called Bechinu.

With four legs, its claws merge into one, and it moves by digging them into the ground.

Its body is similar to that of a dog, but it lacks a tail, and its flesh looks dried up like a mummy.

Its sharp mouth is shaped like a straw, indicating that it sustains itself on blood.

Although its body is only the size of a large dog, its weight seems heavier than it appears.

With each step, a single claw sinks slowly into the ground.

Despite its thin body, how is it supporting itself?

There is no sign of staggering; it walks with a firm will, seemingly glaring at the two of us, its prey.

By the way, it doesn’t have eyeballs.

It continuously emits sounds that are inaudible to humans, using the returning echoes to determine the location of its prey.

It’s a kind of echolocation using ultrasonic waves.

It catches all of this with its long ears.

“Kyuaaa…”

“Yu, Yuuzen-kun. Just asking, but can’t you take off that blindfold?”

“Mm… impossible.”

“Sorry, I’m not strong enough to deal with this guy…”

Bechinu uses sound to accurately determine the surrounding terrain and the position of its prey.

It looks back and forth between the two of us, seemingly pondering from which direction to attack.

If we act quickly, we might still be able to escape.

“Yuuzen-kun… can you trace my presence?”

“I… can.”

“Okay then. I’ll run first, so chase after me. I’ll try to run on as flat a path as possible.”

“Understood…”

“Good. Three, two, one… Go!!”

“Alright!”

“Kyuaaa!!”

Tracing Amariaz’s presence, I ran at full speed.

Amariaz is also moving his legs diligently to avoid being caught, but he’s just a five-year-old.

He doesn’t show fatigue, but he’s a bit slow.

So, I caught up with him quickly.

“Hey!? You’re fast!!”

“Amariaz is slow! By the way, what are we going to do!?”

“That monster should be in the Devil Territory! It’s strange for it to be here! So tell Uchikage about it later! And absolutely don’t shed any blood! It has the ability to manipulate its own blood and the enemy’s blood!”

“Eh!? There’s a monster like that!?”

“The world is vast! But more importantly, where is it now!?”

At that moment, I felt a strong killing intent.

Swiftly holding Amariaz and leaping away, I heard the sound of a heavy claw slamming into the place we were just at.

Apparently, it has a very high destructive power; the ground is deeply dented, raising a cloud of dust.

Small particles of dust float in the air.

After landing and putting Amariaz down, I look towards Bechinu, who seems to be still considering something while looking at us.

It doesn’t seem to attack right away if we don’t run.

“Uh, what is it doing?”

“It’s considering whether to finish us off using its blood. Even though its techniques are powerful, the cost is high. Judging from its appearance, it shouldn’t be able to use much blood.”

“But I can’t see it.”

“Feel it.”

“That’s impossible!”

If I could do that, I wouldn’t be struggling!

But because it keeps emitting a strong killing intent, I can somehow sense its location.

But…!

I can’t move at all because I don’t know the terrain!

I’m sturdy, so I probably can endure all of Bechinu’s attacks.

Actually, that seems like the best way to fight.

Amariaz may not be an ordinary child, but he looks like one, and he’s undoubtedly weak.

He seems to have some magic skills, but can Amariaz defeat it with his magic?

Well, first, it seems better to ask for a solution.

They must know something!

“So! What should I do!?”

“There’s no choice but to defeat it. Even if we run, I seem to be a hindrance, and for now, it seems more likely that we’ll survive if we fight together. Mainly me.”

“Probably, I can endure all of its attacks!”

“…You can confront it well… yeah, that’s right. This kid doesn’t know pain.”

“Did you say something?”

“It’s nothing.”

Saying that, Amariaz directs his hands towards Bechinu.

“The victory condition is for me not to get injured. Minor scratches are fine, but it’s bad if I get injured enough for blood to fall on the ground.”

“As long as no blood falls?”

“No… the moment a little blood spills, it’ll use its technique to make the blood explode.”

“…I get it…!”

Even I know that if the blood explodes… it won’t be enough.

I understand that the victory condition is for Amariaz not to get injured.

“A-alright! Let’s go!”

“I’ll support you from the rear! Yuuzen-kun, attract its attention!”

“Got it!!”