CHAPTER 03 - ENEMIES TO FACE AND COMPANIONS TO PROTECT

"This is tiring…" Alf snorted as he exited the cave.

Following beside him, I couldn't help but pat his back for a bit of comfort.

The ball of light was already right above our heads, which meant that quite a bit of time had passed while we discussed many things inside.

I was a little worried about the kids, would they be able to do well, huh?

I hope there weren't any organized attacks while we were outside.

"But is it really okay to just let them go? Won't they just forget everything once they get back to their territory?"

"There's Gampa there, he can do something about it. I've also conveyed some things about it to that rat named Opus."

Gampa, huh? He really did a lot while he was outside.

Even though we were both deputies, I don't think I could surpass what he did.

He had given us a lot of information since our arrival in this forest, the tasks given to him were always something very heavy to bear.

While I was just here and followed Alf wherever he was…

Am I really needed here?

"Besy, what are we going to eat tonight?" Alf raised his eyebrows, smiling softly.

"Delsa and Zoty caught some fish last night, it should be enough for everyone. There are also fruits that were collected, with some dried meat left over from the previous night's dinner that is still good."

"How about Oty?"

"He is still resting, his wound has not fully healed. I visited him last night and asked Epi to look after him, then changed the bandage on his wound after some time had passed." I pressed the side of my mouth, remembering how much I had told the little Cat I had given the task to.

Epi did like to joke around quite a bit but he really cared for his friends.

"The wound that Oty suffered, I think it will take time to heal."

"He got it from those Hyenas, considering the state of his condition the poison used must have been something strong, considering we have an abnormal recovery rate and it still kept him down for so long."

A picture of an arrow with a small fang tip entered my mind, sparking a little anger and disgust.

The fangs injected something when pressed, what was that poison? Did they have an antidote?

If only they didn't like to play around then this wouldn't have happened.

I'll really lecture him later.

"Ah yes, and one more thing—"

Alf started asking a lot of questions about the children and the conditions in all parts of the Tree we lived in. I answered them to the best of my ability and Alf nodded in return, then asked something not much different.

After going through dozens of those questions, I tried to throw the same thing.

"Alf, why are you asking all this?"

"Hm? There's no particular reason, it's because you really pay attention to everything. There are also some things that I missed, it really helps when you have the answers."

"Is that so?" I tilted my head, confused by what he was trying to say.

Alf seemed to enjoy it and smiled, making me feel a little… just a little annoyed.

"You're just teasing me, right?"

"Ahaha~ it looks like that? Anyway, I really am grateful for it. Thank you for being the vice-chairman so well." Alf chuckled, showing some of his sharp teeth.

I just snorted, returning the same laugh.

"What was that?"

We walked through the narrow forest path while talking about many light things. As we reached a point close to the Great Tree, several animals began to approach and watch us from a distance.

They didn't seem to have any intention of attacking, which meant that there hadn't been any attacks today.

With that conclusion, our steps back towards the house became a little easier.

"Ah, where have you two been? I've been walking around just looking for…"

As we started climbing the tree roots, above us was a white cat with small circular spots all over its body, its neck covered in a brown cloth, staring at us with an annoyed look.

It was Delsa.

"Is something wrong?" Alf asked as he jumped high towards Delsa.

"Oty is awake, he said he wanted to see your faces, where is Gampa? Oty wants to see him too."

Delsa started walking with us behind her, wagging her tail slowly to the right and left, indicating a good feeling.

Of course this wasn't the first time Oty had done this.

After all, the first thing she did every morning was meet us all and discuss a lot of random things. I didn't understand her a little.

But strangely enough, the quiet Epi was able to adjust to her, despite her personality they were not compatible.

"He's still outside, won't be back for a while."

"I see, that's a shame then."

"How's his condition?"

"He's getting better, Zoty has given him fish to eat, maybe tomorrow he can be active as usual."

"I'm really grateful that we were given such strong bodies." Alf smiled, looking straight at Delsa.

Responding to that, Delsa turned her body to face us while walking upside down.

"Yes, for that we should really be grateful to this big tree…" Delsa said, while giving a complicated expression on her face.

Of course it was something called sarcasm.

Continuing with the topic of trees, we started discussing many other things about the sides of the tree that could possibly be made into hiding spaces, or storing food for longer endurance.

Next was the topic of weapons and skills that we had honed, then the strategy that should be used for the fight that might happen again. Developing it was difficult, but as long as we stayed together it wasn't a problem.

It didn't take long until we arrived at the room where Oty was resting.

As soon as he saw us, he immediately jumped up happily and hugged us one by one.

Although he immediately lowered his long tail in disappointment because he knew that Gampa still hadn't come back to see him.

After comforting him, we started to gather and fill our stomachs, then did Energy simulation training.

This is a training that is done to make it easier for you to control every flow of Energy in your body and manifest it into many things.

After practicing a lot until the sun set, we started guarding the tree at four different points.

With sharp eyesight and a wide viewing angle, until now none of the Forest Animal Races have been able to reach this tree in a group. Although they can reach it with a small number of members, taking care of it will be easier.

After guarding for a few hours, I started taking turns with Delsa.

Unlike yesterday, I paired up with Delsa today and we guarded the west point.

While Alf will always guard the east point, because that is the most vulnerable part.

The other two spots were filled by Zoty and Epi.

Nothing happened tonight, it felt quite comfortable.

It didn't take long until the glowing ball that had submerged itself a while ago began to reappear at the edge of the forest trees.

With that marker, another new day began.

I really hope things will continue to go like this.