When I Reincarnated, I Became Even More of a Gorilla - 10

I definitely noticed that something changed in me during my brawl with the bear.

It wasn’t that big of a change, it may just seem like only a small change, but it felt important to me.

Rather than trying to figure out what it was, I now have to deal with the bear in front of me. If not, the one falling here would be me. While fighting, I further learn how to use my body and deal with the bear’s attacks.

I always have the advantage in my daily fights with the bear, but the bear also becomes stronger by some means. Such fights had been repeated every single day.

However, I felt like this small change that had just occurred was something that shattered that stalemate. It’s a power that I surely couldn’t have obtained on my own. This may be the “power of connection” brought about by conversing with others.

II felt more and more relaxed, and as I fought off the bear’s attacks, I listened to the voice that flowed through me. That was definitely Elena’s voice of support.

Even though I didn’t hear it with my ears, this clear voice that I could distinctly hear must have come from the new connection formed between me and Elena.

The bear seemed to be puzzled by my sudden improved mobility and strength, but I was just as puzzled as it.

Putting this connection between me and Elena aside for a moment, I was determined to defeat this bear here. This wouldn’t be a draw just like usual.

My record with the bear was 0W-0L-41D so far. We’ve had two fights in one day, but none of our fights have been settled. Today would be the day I get my first win against him and the last one. Our battle will end with me getting this win.

I control this power that comes from within my body, a power that is different from my Mana Boost, to further strengthen my power. The bear senses this and starts to breathe fire, but my fur seems to be stronger than I thought, as it doesn’t burn. The fire does feel hot, but that’s all there is to it. Even though I got burnt by its flames before, how strange.

Well then, this settles it.

I approach the bear, clenching my fists together, and lifting them up, I swing them down. Given my height, the blow cleanly strikes the head of the quadrupedal bear, and that single hit unavoidably jolts its brain, robbing it of its freedom of movement.

My previous attacks hadn’t been able to impact the bear to that degree, but with this connection I have with Elena, I was able to do it.

[GRAAAAAHHH!]

The bear also makes frantic noises and tries to intimidate me, but I’m not afraid of it anymore.

[Oog. (Sorry.)]

However, this is the way nature works. It’s not that you were weak. It’s just that I, we were strong.

Goodbye.

I dealt the final blow to the bear. This makes me feel bad since the bear has already died, but just like the fur in my magic bag, I’ll have it become material.

With a cracking sound, the bear’s neck snapped. The bear should have died with that.

＊＊＊

After making sure the bear is dead and it’s safe, I move closer to Elena. I have to make sure she’s okay first.

[O- Ohh, it’s over? You were this strong huh, Gorimatsu.]

[Oog? (Really?)]

[Yeah, I knew Goldbacks are smart and strong, but I never expected you would be this formidable. Plus, I had no idea you were resistant to fire.]

[Oog, oogo ooga. Oogo. (Yeah, I was surprised too. I wonder why that was?)]

[It’s something both Gorimatsu and us humans don’t know about huh. Can’t be helped then.]

[Oog, oogo. Ooga!? Oogooga!? (Unn, you’re right. Wait, how can you understand what I’m saying!?)]

Elena and I were talking so normally that we kinda overlooked it for a moment, but then we were surprised when we realized it. I was surprised when I realized that my voice was clearly communicated to Elena. Since I hadn’t even written anything down, I could only assume that Elena had learned the gorilla language.

To the surprised and flustered me, Elena let out an astounded sigh and told me about a possibility she had in mind.

[Haahhh…… This is just my guess, but I think a contract has been formed between me and Gorimatsu. It doesn’t happen very often, but it seems that in cases where monsters and humans share similar purposes or goals and are cooperating with each other, this kind of thing happens. I’ve heard similar stories before, but didn’t you feel any sense of connection mid-battle?]

[Ooga. (I certainly did.)]

[That would be it then. I’m sure we were connected by magic at that time. Contracts are also a form of magic after all.]

I see. Isn’t that a big deal then?

[Oogo oogo ooga. (Elena came here in search of a familiar, right? Do you not mind me becoming that?)]

Elena denied my question with a laugh.

[Hahaha, that’s for sure. I would be happy if Gorimatsu would become my familiar. I like smart ones. Even this time, I couldn’t make a contract with any other monster because I couldn’t find a smart monster in this forest.]

Elena seems to be fine with me. However, I’m just a King of the Forest who never ventured outside this forest, a frog in the well. Or perhaps, should I just call myself a gorilla in the forest? Fufufu, let’s stop with the jokes. Well, in any case, I’m clueless about the world. I wonder if she’s fine even if I’m like that?

[Oogo? Oog oog oogo? (Are you really fine with me? Even if I’m born like this, aren’t I just more of a gorilla?)]

[I don’t know what you mean by more of a gorilla, but if it’s Gorimatsu, you’re more than welcome. You saved us sisters before, and our compatibility isn’t bad enough that we can form a contract.]

[Oog oog ooga? (Can I live a life with three meals plus bananas a day?)]

My primary goal is to understand why I’m here, but other than that, I also want a life where I get to eat three meals a day with bananas included.

I can live a similar life without bananas, but I would really like to be able to eat some.

[Hahaha, what’s with that? Well, I can assure you that. My family is one of the top nobles in this country. I can easily provide you something like that. In time, I’ll provide for you not relying on the power of my family, but solely on my own ability. And so, rest assured and come with me!]

Elena’s manly declaration moved my heart. Well, I was ready to follow her right from the start though. Besides, being a high-ranking noble, I should be able to gather as much information from them as possible. This works perfectly for my goal. I’ll gratefully make use of their power.

[Oogo oog. (In that case, I guess I’ll be in your care?)]

[I see! I’m also in your care.]

She answered my unreliable response with a smile. I will never forget the smile on Elena’s face that day.

Just like that, I became Elena’s familiar. Although we hadn’t performed any sort of ritual, I could feel a definite connection between us.

I no longer have anything left in my crib anyway, and the only things I’ll have to bring would be my magic bag and its contents. The bear too, I guess.

[This bear was Gorimatsu’s rival, wasn’t it? I heard that while you’re fighting. Are you going to make clothes out of this bear, Gorimatsu? It should make an excellent fire-resistant armor.]

Elena understands the significance of the bear to me and suggests. Even though I’ve just become her familiar, she’s already become a good master. I’ll gratefully accept her offer. However, we need to do something about the fact that all my thoughts are completely transparent to her.

[Oog (Thanks.)]

[No, don’t worry about it. I will be the one responsible for making your clothes in our frontier county. For that reason, we must go to the Capital and visit my father. We can leave searching for mother’s memento some other time.]

Ahh, that’s right. Let’s have her take a look at the contents of my magic bag. We can easily put them away anyway.

[Oog oog ooga. (Check out the contents of the magic bag.)]

[This? Magic bag, you’ve got something rare here. Let’s see.]

Elena rummages through the bag and takes out precious metals and accessories. Inside, there’s a pendant, earrings, a ring…… a ring!?

I don’t know when I got that, but I guess that would be it.

Elena, holding the ring in her hand, also seems somewhat surprised, so there’s no doubt about it. I don’t know why it’s in there, but we could say it’s a case closed here.

[This is my mother’s memento. You really found it, Gorimatsu. I’m grateful.]

[O- Oog. (Y- Yeah.)]

To be honest, I don’t know what the heck’s going on, but if she’s happy, that’s all that matters. With this, we can leave this forest without any worries.

[Thanks. Then, let’s get going. I still have to go to school after all. I can’t spend much time here. For the time being, there’s the Royal Capital about 3 hours west of here. Let’s head there.]

[Ooga? (How did you come here?)]

If she has to travel that far, we would need a means of transportation. However, I couldn’t sense the presence of horses outside the forest.

[Of course, by running. Even us mages need stamina. It’s no big deal.]

Elena says that casually, but even though I don’t know about Mages, it’s surprising that a noble had the stamina to run for 3 hours straight. I guess being from a frontier county requires strength huh.]

[However, Gorimatsu will give me a ride home today, right? We’ll get there faster then.]

[Oog. (Of course.)]

That’s right. If I carry Elena, it shouldn’t take that long. If the bear could be fitted into the magic bag, that is.

[Look, this magic bag is big, okay? The bear will fit in it. Come on, let’s go.]

Unnn, it seems like it does fit.

Well then, let’s get going.

Carrying Elena in my arm as she held my magic bag, we headed out of the forest.

[Whoa!]

[Ooga. (Hold on to me.)]

I suppose this would be the start of my isekai life, right?