Chapter 22: The Baby Encounters a Wolf

“Huh?”

“What’s wrong?”

“Don’t you hear it?”

“Hear what?”

“A human? Like… a groaning sound?”

“What did you say?”

There was no certainty. 

It just sounded that way to me.

It seemed my brother couldn’t hear it, as he kept looking around, left and right.

With just the two of us children, it wouldn’t do to push ourselves too far.

But if there really was someone injured, we couldn’t just leave them behind either.

“Which way?”

“Left… I think.”

“Let’s check it out, just a little.”

We strayed only slightly from our usual path.

Even so, it was still within an area we’d gone before.

However, it looked different than it had back then.

All the leaves had completely fallen from the trees, so we could see far into the distance.

A little ways off, I spotted a hill that seemed to be made of rock, and on its slope, there was a large hole.

“A Cave? Is the sound coming from over there?”

“Seems like it.”

“Ah… I can hear it too now.”

“That hole, right?”

“Yeah.”

As we drew closer, the voice became clearer.

It seemed to be coming from inside the Cave, strangely muffled and indistinct.

But there was no doubt in my mind it was the voice of a living creature.

My brother drew his sword, holding it ready.

Because of that, he set down the bag containing the Wild Rabbit on the ground in front of him.

“If it seems dangerous, we’ll run right away.”

“Okay.”

He probably considered putting me down there, too. 

But that would only be more dangerous.

If I was alone, even a single Wild Rabbit or Wild Mouse could easily take my life.

Unless Light made it in time, I was certain I’d lose in a contest of pure strength.

“Let’s go.”

“Mm.”

Sword at the ready, my brother crept forward into the Cave.

The way quickly grew dark.

There, I summoned a faint Light.

At the very least, we could see where we were stepping.

If nothing was there, we’d have just turned back, but before long, the voice came again.

“It’s close. Hey, is anyone there?”

My brother called out, but there was no answer.

Instead, the groaning quieted a little.

Step by step, my brother inched forward.

I shifted the Light to act as a searchlight.

A few rocks jutted out ahead, then it opened up beyond them.

In the shadow of a slightly larger rock near the opening, something lay there, smaller than I’d expected.

“What is that?”

It wasn’t a person.

What I saw was a pale fur coat.

“An animal?”

Cautiously, sword in front, my brother peered over.

‘Dog?’ Memory suggested. 

I’d never seen one in this world, but the shape triggered that association.

It didn’t seem like my brother had seen one before, either.

But from Dog, another resident of this forest came to mind.

“Could it be… a Wolf?”

“Maybe.”

However, from everything I’d heard, this Wolf seemed small.

Plus, it was lying down, with something red visible.

Looking closer, I saw it seemed to be injured on its foreleg.

We stayed on guard, but it didn’t look like it had the strength to attack us.

“What should we do…”

“Can you treat it?”

“I have some supplies, at least.”

Going into the forest, it was only natural to carry simple emergency rations and first-aid supplies.

My brother looked a little displeased, but he must have sensed my will.

He took some medicine out from the pouch at his waist.

I shifted the Light to shine down from above.

The animal twitched, its body trembling as it looked at us with weak eyes.

“Don’t thrash around. We’re not going to hurt you.”

My brother took out ointment and applied it to the wound.

One breath, two breaths.

The animal, who’d been groaning moments ago, seemed to be breathing more calmly.

Did the medicine work?

“No way, that can’t be right.”

“What do you mean?”

“There’s no way the medicine would work that fast.”

“True.”

Even so—

The fact remained that the animal before us was visibly more at ease.

“Well, either way, if it worked, that’s what matters.”

If it could regain its strength, that would be a good thing… right?

Or maybe, we should start worrying about our own safety again.

My brother glanced back and met my eyes.

What should we do now?

Just then.

With a snort, the Wolf (?) raised its head a little.

Sniffing the air, it stared at my brother’s left hand.

“Now that I think of it…”

“What?”

“I heard that Wolves almost never attack people.”

“Really?”

“If they do, it’s only when they’re really starving.”

“Eh…”

“And in those times, if you have a Wild Rabbit you caught, you should drop it and run.”

“Ah…”

In my brother’s left hand, he still carried the bag with our catch.

“Shall we follow the advice of our elders?”

“Yeah.”

He opened the bag and placed the still-unconscious Wild Rabbit right in front of the Wolf’s nose.

It gave us a quick, searching glance, then its jaws opened wide and snapped up the prey in an instant.

Watching animals eat other living animals isn’t exactly a pleasant thing.

But somehow, the way it ate was almost satisfying to behold.

It must have been truly starving.

In no time at all, the once-large Wild Rabbit—almost half the size of the small Wolf—was reduced to nothing but white bones.

“That was something to see.”

“Yeah.”

Neither of us had time to feel horror or revulsion. 

Instead, my brother and I were just impressed.

Apparently satisfied, the Wolf kept licking its upper lip.

Suddenly, my brother looked up ahead.

His eyes, now used to the dark, could see further into the Cave.

A little farther in, we could make out something like a large lake.

“Might as well,” my brother muttered, standing up.

“After eating that much, you must be thirsty.”

He went over to the edge of the lake, scooped up some water in both hands.

Carefully, so as not to spill any, he brought it back to the Wolf.

He offered the water in his cupped hands.

However, the Wolf shook its head and looked away, as if refusing.

“What’s this?”

My brother, a little miffed at having his goodwill rejected, tossed out the water and pursed his lips.

Then, almost excitedly, he wiped his mouth.

He let out a voice so absurd it was almost comical.