kscans

Chapter 24 - Monsters, Blood, and a Girl's Resolve

Leonhard-san was... sent flying. That ox-horned monster came charging with enough force to mow down the trees themselves.

My hand moved before I could think.

"--!"

I pulled a Sleep Orb from the pouch at my waist and threw it almost reflexively.

With a dosari, the giant body sank to the ground. ...It worked. It worked, but--!

"Leonhard-san!"

The moment I rushed over and opened the tent, my breath caught in my throat. It was pouring from his back. So much blood...

My mind went blank. What should I do?

I called his name, but he didn't respond.

Was it because of the Sleep Orb?

Or maybe--no, this wasn't the time to be thinking about that.

Stop the bleeding. First, I had to stop the bleeding.

An All-Purpose Bandage... no good. There was too much blood.

A Potion. A Potion would--but he was unconscious, so I couldn't make him drink it. Even if I put it in his mouth, it would just spill out.

"...What do I do... what do I do."

I frantically searched through my pouch, but there was nothing else.

Ah!! Next time, I'm definitely making 'the thing that seals wounds and stops bleeding just by applying it'. Definitely.

"Leonhard-san... I'm sorry."

My lips trembled. But there was no time to hesitate. I took a mouthful of the Potion and pressed my lips to his--.

Little by little. So he wouldn't choke, in time with his breaths.

I repeated this until the bottle was empty.

The bleeding... stopped. With trembling hands, I opened the recognition-inhibiting tent, dragged him inside, removed his clothes, and wrapped him in an All-Purpose Bandage.

His breathing was steady. Thank goodness.

...Thank goodness.

The moment relief washed over me, my face grew hot.

--What am I doing...?

It was too embarrassing.

As if to shake off the shame, I began to mindlessly butcher the ox monster.

Just so I wouldn't think about anything strange.

But as the sun began to set and darkness approached, fear started to tighten its grip on my chest. I mixed the ox monster's blood with the resin from the magic tree I'd gathered this morning and scattered the liquid around the area. The smell should act as a monster repellent.

I didn't want to be in complete darkness. So I built a stove with rocks and started a fire.

Next, I'll sort the materials from this monster--

Just as I was thinking that and starting to clean up,

"Mireille."

A familiar, gentle voice reached my ears.

--Leonhard-san!!

My heart instantly warmed, and I started to run toward him, but reality pulled me back.

I realized I was covered in blood, my hands and clothes caked with the monster's remains. And what's more, to make him drink the Potion, I... what on earth had I done.

Embarrassment crushed my chest.

--Leonhard-san was only involved because he was protecting me, yet I got him injured, knocked him unconscious, and even stole a kiss...

My tear ducts were loosening, but my face felt stiff.

I just kept talking about the Sleep Orb and the recognition-inhibiting tent, things Leonhard probably had no interest in.

"You should still be lying down. I'll roast some of this ox-like monster's meat after I finish butchering it."

I said something so uncute, and then,

"It seems my dagger is useful as long as the monster isn't moving. ...It's a bit embarrassing, though."

I ended up talking about butchering materials.

Ah, what am I saying. Really.

I had to change the subject. I subtly glanced at his clothes and diverted the conversation.

"Your clothes were torn, so... I'll mend them after I finish this."

Was it too late to say something girly?

Deep in my heart, the verdict had already been passed. I was disqualified as a woman.