Unchanged Samurai In Another World

Chapter 3: The Samurai Encounters Goblins

“Gkyaa! Gkyaa!”

This was the first time since wandering into this forest that I had encountered people, but something was definitely off about them. Kurosu stood in the shadows of the trees, carefully observing the creatures ahead on the path, pondering their true nature.

There were five small figures, seemingly the size of children, sitting in a circle and feasting on what appeared to be the carcass of a deer. They were tearing into its raw flesh with their bare hands, relishing the innards. Covered in red from their hands to their mouths, their expressions gleamed with joy as they hungrily consumed the bloody meat, resembling the starving ghosts depicted in hellish Buddhist paintings. Their pointed ears, sharp beaks, and jagged teeth were exposed, and their skin was a dull gray like soil. Each of them wore nothing but simple loincloths and communicated in an unintelligible language.

Were these impoverished forest dwellers—perhaps mountain nomads known as Transient Wanderers or Basket Hunters?

I had never come across them before, but rumor had it that they were a people of the mountains who neither practiced agriculture nor settled in one place. They wandered through the hills, speaking their own unique dialects and possessing cultures vastly different from our own. They rarely descended into the lowlands and had little interaction with the secular world.

Had famine befallen them? Judging by their slight frames, it was clear that they did not have regular access to proper food. It seemed that after a successful hunt, they had been so famished that they couldn’t even wait to start a fire and instead dove directly into their kill.

Kurosu himself had experienced something similar. In the rain-drenched mountains, when his fire-striking pouch had been dampened and unable to ignite properly, he had resorted to eating a snake raw in his hunger. Under normal circumstances, he would have never considered such a thing, but at that moment, it had tasted better than any fine meal.

Despite these thoughts, he decided to step out from the shadows and address them.

“Excuse me, good people. I apologize for interrupting your meal. I merely wish to ask for directions.”

“““““Gkyaa!?”””””

The group, too absorbed in their meal, had not noticed his presence until he spoke.

…Troublesome. Did I startle them?

To peasants, someone with two swords was both an object of respect and of fear. Tales of hotheaded warriors clashing with townsfolk and striking them down unchallenged were common. As such, in places unused to the presence of warriors, overly cautious reactions were not uncommon. Kurosu himself had seen more than a few peasants faint upon encountering him. In reality, even the most unruly of samurai would not act so recklessly without good cause.

As he pondered what to do, the five stood and rushed towards him, gripping what appeared to be makeshift wooden clubs.

“Wait! I mean no harm. I’m on a journey of martial training, and though I may appear disheveled, I have no intention to take your food. I only wish to ask for directions.”

Though he tried to speak as calmly as possible to avoid alarming them further, the group only raised their clubs and attacked. Their movements showed no coordination, stumbling into each other as they lunged.

“Gkyaa!!”

Their primitive swings lacked any technique, and his agility alone was enough to evade their attacks. From the outside, it might have looked like a group of children playing.

“Now, now. I assure you, I have no valuables worth stealing.”

Kurosu attempted to reason with them as calmly as possible, but it was clear that they weren’t listening. Whether or not they understood his words, their attacks did not cease.

“Let me explain—”

“Bgyaa!”

“Gkya! Gkyaaa!!”

When words failed, Kurosu lightly kicked one of them to the ground. Instead of deterring the others, it only seemed to enrage them further, their eyes wild like those of famished dogs as they screamed and swung their clubs with abandon.

While it would be trivial to deal with them casually, their unbridled hostility began to irritate him.

“Hear me, fools! Can you not see these two swords? My patience is not endless. If you persist, I will cut you down.”

His low growl aimed to intimidate them, but it had no effect. With gleeful cries, they continued to swing their clubs again and again.

Have they any grasp of the disparity in our combat strength? Normally, I avoid taking the life of someone ignorant of the ways of the battlefield… but this is beyond reason.

Kurosu paused, then made his decision. In a single, swift motion, he drew his blade and severed the head of the first attacker. With the returning blade, he slashed the second.

“““Gyyyyaa!!?”””

The remaining three froze in shock at their comrades’ sudden deaths, but before they could react, they too were swiftly cut down.

With a careful handkerchief, Kurosu methodically wiped the blood from his sword as he contemplated the situation ahead.

Though unavoidable, I have slain five. Those who live in such isolated villages often hold strong bonds with one another. And if these were indeed the mysterious mountain dwellers, retaliation could be a real possibility. It’s clear this incident could bring trouble—though explaining myself and informing them where the bodies lie might at least mitigate any misunderstandings.

Kurosu approached the eviscerated deer carcass.

This must surely be a rare and precious provision for their village. Though I cannot transport all the bodies, I can at least arrange for the deer to be retrieved with some help upon my arrival.

He tied the deer tightly to his back using the sash from his waist. Though carrying it would have been easier, as a samurai, he must always keep his hands free to draw his blade in case of any sudden attack.

After shaking his body to ensure the deer wouldn’t slip, he confirmed it was secure. To his relief, the weight wasn’t as heavy as it looked, likely due to its being partially eviscerated. Carrying it would not hinder him.

“Well then, which way to the village?”

Having mastered the art of tracking through his pursuit training, Kurosu had spent countless hours as a child pursuing animals deep in the mountains. Here in the forest, the signs of their group’s passage were abundant—broken branches, displaced leaves. It was child’s play to follow the trail.

Spotting a bent branch nearby, he moved in that direction, determined to find answers.