Yamiyo no Hotaru

Chapter 69

In the darkness, a young hunter is frustrated. As he desperately moves along the mountain path in the darkness, his face gradually turns into the color of despair.

　Desperation consumed him as he pondered on the matter at hand. It was true that there was a rumor that youkai had been increasing their number of victims in recent years. However, this does not mean that he should stay at home. Autumn has already begun. Peasants have to harvest the harvest of their fields. As for vendors, the sale of stored goods to those who hibernate for the winter is a valuable source of income, and for hunters, the fat beasts of autumn are the perfect prey.

　So, people have to work to survive. Moreover, it is autumn now, and winter is coming. People cannot cower timidly in their houses, no matter the dangers. Needless to say, even though the number of people attacked by youkai has increased, it is still a minority in the whole. That is why many of them work under the illusion that they will not be attacked, or under the false pretense of fear and insecurity. They believe that only the unlucky ones will be attacked or eaten.

　And in that sense, the young hunter was unlucky.

　He did not know how long he had been in the trap. Before he knew it, the hunter found himself lost. As if after all this time, he realizes that the charm he had been carrying in his pocket is broken. When he became aware of this, he was lost, not knowing which way he had come from or which way he was going.

　In a panic, he returns the way he came. He had left early in the morning and realized it before noon. Although it was not a deep mountain, he still could not reach the hut where he had been staying even as the sun was setting.

　Even after the sun had completely set, he desperately kept going. He has no choice but to go. He did not intend to look behind him. There was no room for that. No, he was more afraid than that. He felt that if he turned around, he would never be able to go back.

　"Ah, d*mn it...!!"

　On and on, he kept going... even though his feet hurt. After all, instinct and his sixth sense as a hunter warned him that if he stopped, it would be the end.

　However, it was nothing more than a desperate attempt.

　"Huh...!?"

　The hunter stops, breathless. He has no choice. Ahead of him is a cliff. Before he knew it, he had arrived at a place he would not normally set foot. A cliff so steep that even a hunter who has lived in the mountains for many years would find it difficult to climb over it... His escape was completely lost.

　"D*mn, d*mn it...!!"

　The hunter picks up his bow with a trembling voice. He fires his arrow. He does not intend to die here. Even if he does, he doesn't want to just be monster food. At least let him take the monster with him.

　"I'll do it... I'll do it!! Come at me, you monster! I'll beat you to death and skin you alive!!"

　The young hunter shouts with fear overpowering him. Still, he inspires himself. Motivates himself.