When I Reincarnated, I Became Even More of a Gorilla - 8

Today is the day that Elena and Misha will come back to the forest. I don’t know the exact details, but if they can only come back once a week, this area’s probably pretty far away from human habitation.

I fought with the bear as usual today and then went around the scavenging points as much as I could to find the ring. Lately though, the bear has been acting strange. Today, just when I thought we’d finally be able to conclude this battle of ours, it suddenly spewed fire from its mouth. No, I knew this was a different world because of the strange things the people I saw in this forest do, but I hadn’t expected a bear to breathe fire.

And so, as today’s match ended up in a draw again, my day didn’t start on a very good note. After that, there wasn’t anything new during my patrol around the scavenging spots, and to be frank, there wasn’t even anything worth taking back. Haahhh…… At this rate, I wonder if Elena and Misha will get mad?

At any rate, it’s almost the same time of day as when I met them before, so I should start going there. Ah, I also shouldn’t forget to bring my bag with me. I didn’t find a ring, but maybe there’s something good in there.

Now then, let’s go.

＊＊＊

The way I went back to my crib was the usual monkey bars style. Thinking about it again though, for these branches to withstand my large body hanging on them, it would mean they’re actually amazing, isn’t it? Even if they do bend, for them to not snap, it might make them a strong shaft if it’s processed into a spear or something.

While thinking about this, I headed for the meeting place. Just in case a monster might attack the girls, I went there in a hurry.

As I proceeded while searching for the presence of mana, which I had only come to understand recently, I only found a single woman at the meeting place.

I didn’t notice any presence of mana back then because I wasn’t being mindful of it, but from what I feel, this should be Elena.

I could also sense from her a similar mana from the people doing strange things in the forest.

As I felt as if the branches I gripped were bending even more, increasing my travel rate, I hurried to the spot. It seems like someone else has found her apart from me after all.

＊＊＊

When I arrived at the meeting place, Elena noticed me and waved to me. I was worried that our relationship would revert to what they were during the time we hadn’t met, but I’m relieved.

[Oiiii, over here, Gorimatsu!]

Unnn, I’m glad she remembered my name (the name my memory could only give). As expected, it would be just sad if I’m the only one who remembers her name.

That kinda reminds me of a kouhai girl back in the office in my previous life. I remembered her name, but when she called me “Gorimatsu-san”, I was really disappointed. Did I really look like a gorilla that much?

Well, I’m now more like a gorilla though, so it’s fine. I’m apparently something called Goldback, to be precise though.

[Oog! (Ya!)]

With a small wave of my hand, I also approach Elena and hand her my magic bag with all sorts of things in it. Ah, I have to make this quick.

I use the wooden writing stick I made last time to write letters. I’m sure Elena will understand what I’m trying to say with that.

*scritch scritch*

[Gorimatsu? What’s this? Hmm? You want to tell me something huh.]

See, she immediately understood what I meant. Now, I just have to tell her what this is all about.

*scritch scritch*

[Errr, this one is “monster, come, hide” and this one’s “oneself, monster, beat”. You mean a monster is coming and you want me to hide until you beat it?]

[Ooga! (That!)]

I’m glad she got my message. I also want to ask if Misha isn’t around today or what she’s carrying, but for the time being, I’ll just convey this much and ask her to hide behind the trees.

[I understand you want me to hide, but why are the words you write the ones ladies use in their letters?¹Hard to translate to english, but just imagine this gorilla speaking like the noble ladies in anime Well, guess it’s enough that it gets the message across.]

[Ooo!? (Eh!?)]

What Elena said just now wasn’t something I was expecting, but I can just blame all that on the textbook. Anyhow, we need to hurry.

I pushed Elena into the shade of a tree as if I’m rushing her and asked her to hide. Things really are about to get dangerous.

The sound of that guy’s footsteps is gradually becoming audible to Elena, and she seems to have become a little frightened. Well, that guy’s one of the strong ones in the forest, so it’s no wonder she’s like that.

However, this is far away from its territory, and in fact, this is my territory. What’s it up to?

A few seconds later, it emerges, maneuvering through the trees my way. The meeting place is in an open area, making it feel like a battlefield.

[N- No way, a Murder Grizzly? No, with its inherent mana having a fire attribute, it’s not an attribute-less Murder Grizzly. Is it a Flare Grizzly?]

Elena was muttering to herself, but I heard her clearly. I thought this guy was just a bear, but it was actually a monster huh. Moreover, the name it got sounded dangerous. By “murder”, she isn’t talking about a murder of crows? I also got an idea why it got Flare in its name.

Well, in any case, this is the second time it attacked me today. Why now?

My question is answered in a surprising way. It’s because Elena muttered the answer.

[Could it be…… it followed my scent? They say that Murder Grizzlies will go to any length to devour a human. I’ve heard stories of them marching into dragon territory just to do so. Misha, it seems like this is as far as I go. Forgive this disappointing sister of yours.]

It’s just, I hope she’d stop having such sad resolutions. With this happening in front of me, does she think I’m just gonna leave her to die? For me, Elena isn’t just my sole conversation partner, but also a crucial gateway to interact with this world. She’s definitely worth protecting.

This seems like the moment to put my body on the line.

[Ooga! (It’s alright!)]

I stood in front, hiding Elena behind me, and glared at the bear.

Good grief. Even though I just dealt with you this morning, why don’t you just stay docile?

Even though I was looking forward to today, it feels like a wet blanket was just thrown my way. However, if I defeat this guy here, it might make up for me not being able to find their ring, so I’ll give it my all.

[O- Oi, Gorimatsu! You’re going to fight that bear? It’s dangerous. Just use me as bait……]

[Ooga! GUGAAAAHHH! (I can’t do that. I’ll be back in a minute!)]

I shout to interrupt Elena’s voice and start running towards the bear. Of course, I’m knuckle-walking, so I’m pseudo-quadruped, but that’s the same for the bear, so I don’t mind.

[GROOOAAAAHHHH!!!]

The bear also rushes towards me. If that’s what you want, I’m fine with that too.

While running, I circulate mana within my body, strengthening myself with a Mana Boost. The bear might be doing the same thing, but in raw strength, I’m stronger, so I shouldn’t lose.

With a loud thud, our heads collided. How should I say this…… It feels like sumo’s starting head collision, and our clash caused quite an impact, but since I’m stronger, the one sent flying is the bear.

Clenching my fists, I continuously drummed my chest and taunted it so that its attention wouldn’t go to Elena. I unintentionally sent a slight shock Elena’s way as well, but she’ll have to endure it for a little while.

I know from our daily fights that this has an extraordinary effect on the bear. When I do this, it gets infuriated, its attacks become monotonous and its attention turns to us.

[GAOOGRAAAHHH!]

Sure enough, the bear seemed to have set its sights on me and threatened me with its fangs bared. The both of us should have had injuries this morning, but it seems that both the bear and I have already healed and are both fully recovered.

Well then, let’s do this.

If you lose to me here, it doesn’t mean you were weak. It just means I’m strong.