“Chapter 299: Ralph is Alive”

    – This is some terrible timing.

    Just when I found two people that I could cooperate with to escape this hell.

    As if that wasn’t enough, this dark jerk is at least three times bigger than the one I took out.

    However, I realized during the last battle that the snakes have a weak spot. A nerve behind their discharge organ on their forehead.

    I don’t have the combat prowess to aim at its vital point while evading its attacks.

    I need help. Someone who can draw its attention while I finish it off.

    【G I !】

    Without waiting for me to act, the dark jerk sent a current of electricity towards me.

    I managed to dodge it in the nick of time. It gave me enough time to hide back in the grass.

    I looked behind the snake. Deko and Mira were keeping their distance.

    They must’ve realized how dangerous my situation was.

    Still, I need their help.

    【G G G ! !】

    – I’m gonna need you to stay down for a bit.

    As the dark jerk opened its mouth, I flung one of my flasks at it.

    【G ! ?】

    It was a sort of poison made to work as tear gas. It’s the best I could improvise in a rush, so it’ll only stop it for a few seconds.

    I dashed towards Deko and Mira, who were trying to escape themselves.

    – Deko-san! Mira-san!

    Their bodies tensed.

    So I was right. It’s them.

    The young man with glasses is Deko, and the woman with a long red-haired ponytail is Mira.

    – How do you…? Were you eavesdropping on us? (Deko)

    – I understand you’re in trouble, but… (Mira)

    They have no intention of helping me. They just want to run away.

    To them, I’m just a stranger. They’ve been living in here for a decade, so they must know how dangerous dark jerks are.

    They want to stay away from them.

    I have to get them involved. I have to catch their interest.

    【G I G U G ! !】

    – I’m sorry, we have to go. Even if you’re not a bad person, we don’t want to die.

    The dark jerk was clearly aiming for only one person.

    Just as they were about to start running away-

    – Ralph is alive!

    – …What!? (D/M)