SWER 91

chapter 91

Splash. The man’s footsteps echoed as he walked along the cliff, stepping into a damp puddle.

It was an unusually quiet space, so still that even breathing seemed to reverberate. Occasionally, the sound of water droplets falling from the cave walls reached his ears.

Perhaps it was just his imagination, but he thought he could hear the distant cry of a beast.

“There’s no sign of life, but the cave’s structure is intact.”

Not even a bat, as common as they were in caves, could be seen.

The exit was nowhere in sight; only sporadic gusts of wind and puddles of water collected here and there.

“…It doesn’t even break.”

Glancing back, he noticed that the cliff walls and floor were roughly carved as if scratched by a blade.

Yet it was merely the marks of erosion—the cave still maintained its shape.

Ordinary rock able to withstand the aura of a Sword Master?

It wasn’t something he could find amusing, considering he could, if he wished, carve a hole straight through a mountain.

’To think there’s a cavity like this beneath the Forest of Monsters… I need to find her quickly…’

Blake had leapt into the black earth where Priscilla had been sucked in to save her. He reached out to grab her falling hand but missed.

She must have jumped right after him.

Yet she was nowhere to be seen in the falling passage. Soon after, she had fallen with him, so she should at least have been within sight.

The black passage revealed no bottom, merely endlessly descending into the forest’s underground.

After some time, the passage seemed to widen, and he landed in the current cave. As he touched down, he quickly looked up.

A breathtaking sight met his eyes.

The exit of the black passage that had swallowed him was slowly narrowing, as if a wound were healing, until it disappeared entirely.

Almost like it were alive.

Soon after, the cave ceiling, as if nothing had ever happened, filled the space entirely. If Blake had fallen unconscious, he might have suspected he’d teleported to some other cave.

“So, this isn’t an ordinary cave.”

Even after filling his aura into his sword and striking the rock, it didn’t break.

After concentrating on finding an exit for some time, he gave up and decided to search for the missing Priscilla first.

He could only worry about the girl who must have fallen alone.

He placed his hand over his chest, feeling the steady beat.

’The “Oath” is still intact.’

The vow to protect her remained. That meant Priscilla’s safety had not been compromised so far.

Despite a growing impatience, he followed the trail of black sap crawling along the cliff as a guide, hurrying forward.

─He froze.

“…….”

It was then.

From the far side of the cave’s darkness, a presence tainted with demonic energy approached in a pack.

Countless red eyes appeared in the air.

Fury and hatred emanated from the monsters. Gritting his teeth, he clenched his sword tightly.

“…Insignificant pests.”

Monsters lived in the cave. That meant Priscilla might again be in danger.

Before losing her to the monsters, he had to find her.

Steeling his resolve, he slashed his sword at the rushing monsters and plunged boldly into their midst.

A meadow spread out in his mind.

On the field, he and the Grimbear laughed heartily as they ran together.

“Ahahaha! Here, Grimbear!”

“Grrr, grrrrrr!”

Behind him, the four-legged Grimbear chased fiercely, closing the distance until it reached his back and then pounced with a “Kuwaaang!”

“Eek! Uhuhu, I’ve been caught~”

“Grrr, krrr!”

He laughed, closing the creature’s open mouth with his hands and rubbing its cheek.

During this joyful moment with the Grimbear, a cool breeze blew.

“Grimbear, isn’t it a little chilly here…?”

“Grrk…?”

Though not strong, the wind seemed to pierce him to the bone. The Grimbear looked at him quietly as he shivered.

“Grimbear…?”

Then, it suddenly wrapped him in its warm embrace.

Its deep eyes met his.

“You…”

“Grrk…!”

“Grimbear…!”

The warmth spreading from its back melted his tension.

The Grimbear held him, silently promising to give everything to him…

“…Huh!”

He snapped back to reality.

He whirled around. He was still in the cool cave.

In front of him sat a steaming hot pot.

He remembered.

Just a moment ago, he had tasted the freshly made stew. The very first bite…

“…To think I’d even hallucinate becoming best friends with Grimbear—what terrifying food…!”

The image of Grimbear waving at him in the illusion refused to leave his mind.

This stew could only be described as infused with the very essence of Grimbear.

Overwhelmed by the astonishing power of the food, he swallowed hard.

Determined not to lose his composure this time, he lifted his spoon again. A bite brought the deep savory flavor of miso and richness that pressed against his tongue.

“…!”

Soon after, the heavy aroma of the meat, followed by the deep umami of long-simmered green onions and shiitake mushrooms, slowly reached him.

The broth was thick, rich, and deliciously satisfying.

Closing his eyes, he savored the warmth spreading inside. Then, he hurriedly scooped up the black meat of Grimbear from the stew.

One bite, and the sound of chewing meat echoed sharply in his ears.

’It’s hard to believe this meat has been simmered for so long—it’s so springy! How is this possible?!’

Normally, long-simmered meat releases all its flavor into the broth, leaving only tough fibers behind.

Yet Grimbear’s black meat wasn’t tough; it was delightfully chewy.

Not only that, when he scooped out the marrow from the dark bones added to the stew, some remained intact instead of melting entirely into the broth.

He carefully scraped it with his spoon. A spoonful of marrow was collected.

Admiring its luscious form, he opened his mouth wide and swallowed it in one gulp.

“…! Wow, so tender!!”

The softness, reminiscent of Grimbear’s fur, enveloped his tongue.

It was butter in the guise of meat.

Moist, rich, and deeply flavorful, it was as if a creation born between bear and butter existed before him.

Swallowing it with the salty broth, the rich umami traveled down his throat, warming him thoroughly.

“Ahhhh…”

The warm broth, springy meat, and melting marrow relaxed his entire body. The tension from cold and vigilance melted away.

Once again, the illusion of Grimbear on the meadow appeared before him.

This time, it smiled gently, giving a thumbs-up and nodding.

You. You really give everything. Tears welled in his eyes.

“Generous Grimbear, thank you…!”

“Kyuu…!”

Sitting beside him, the ferret (Dambi) joined them, and they gave their final farewell to the creature…

“…Huh?”

Suddenly, he turned toward the voice.

A ferret sat on the right cave floor, staring at him as if it had been there the entire time.

“Kyu?”

Could this be… the ferret that had been transformed into a monster by Veronica during Artwal in spring?