Episode 4

"Uncle Martin, what will we do next?"

"Hmm, I've been pondering that too, Riese. Do you have any suggestions? I'm unfamiliar with this area."

To be honest, I don't know what to do. I have no understanding of how this world operates.

"How about we head to Vine City? It's the governmental center of Baron Vine."

"Would that be alright? Frankly, I don't have any sort of identity card; can I just walk into the city?"

Identification is critically important here. It's like being undocumented without a passport or ID to enter a place.

"Don't worry, Uncle. Before entering the city, you just need to touch the crystal orb at the guard post. As long as it doesn't turn black, you're allowed in. Then we can go to the adventurer's or merchant's guild to register for an ID. I lost mine too when I fled earlier, so we can sign up together."

"Alright, sounds like our best option. Let's set out for Vine City, then."

"Let's go to the city!" Alice exclaimed enthusiastically.

"That... Alice, Uncle, there's one major problem..."

"What's the matter?" I asked, puzzled.

"I've lost direction since we entered the forest. I don't know the way."

"Ah, I see... Hmm..."

Choosing the wrong direction would lead us deeper rather than out of the forest. Is there a solution to this?

Indeed, I hadn't considered that.

"Riese, do you know the direction from your village to the forest and from there to Vine City?"

"Yes, Uncle. From the village to the forest is west, and from the village to Vine City is south."

"Great, that makes things easier."

I pulled a compass from my backpack and used it to determine our southeast path.

"Let's get ready, Riese, Alice."

"Ooohhh..." Riese and Alice chimed together.

After we packed up, I stowed all our items in the item box, which was extremely convenient. Before we set off, I needed to prepare something essential - weapons. Riese mentioned that this 'Forest of Death' was full of monsters and wild animals, making weapons a pressing need.

"Checking it yesterday, I confirmed it's the real deal."

In my online shop, weapons were for sale along with ammo. This should ensure my journey is safe.

I purchased two Ruger GP100 revolvers along with two dozen bullets and holsters, spending 20 million. Costly, yes, but an essential need. I entrusted Riese with a trekking pole for rear defense and planned for Alice to stay protected in the middle.

I thought about buying a vehicle like a motorcycle, but given we were still in the forest, it seemed impractical and would make us an easy target.

We walked for about three hours and rested for one. At night, we rested completely.

During a rest, we were ambushed by two orcs. Orcs are humanoid monsters, looking somewhat like sumo wrestlers with pig heads. They circled us, attracted by Riese and Alice - orcs have a fondness for women.

"Riese, Alice, stay behind me," I yelled.

As an orc charged, I drew my Ruger and shot it in the head. It died instantly. The other, panicking, tried to flee. I shot its leg, then its heart as it fell.

I was adept with a firearm, having joined a shooting club back when I was a salesperson, looking for any way to secure clients.

"Uncle, what is that? That was terrifying... the orc died instantly."

"Ah, that's a revolver, a weapon from my homeland. It's like an arrow but more powerful."

"Really? Uncle, that's so cool, Alice wants a revolver too!"

"Hahaha... not yet, Alice. How about Uncle buys you something else instead?"

"Ooh, what is it, Uncle?"

"You'll see. I'll give it to you during our night rest."

"Yaaaayyy!"

Alice was clearly thrilled. This is how she should be, not silent from shock.

"Let's continue our journey..."

"Uncle, aren't we going to take the orc meat?" Riese asked hesitantly.

"Eh, is orc meat edible?"

Looking at the sumo-like creature, I felt disgust.

"Orc meat is very tasty, Uncle," Alice said eagerly.

"That's right, Uncle. Orc meat is considered premium here," Riese added.

Maybe it's like A5 Wagyu beef, I wondered internally.

"Alright, but I can't butcher this orc. I have no experience doing that."

"Leave it to me, Uncle. I'm pretty skilled at it," Riese offered.

"Okay then..."

I bought Riese a machete for the task, a survival knife would dull too quickly against the fat and thickness of orc meat.

After 30 minutes, Riese efficiently cut all the meat.

"You're quite skilled, Riese. That was fast."

"Really? My father used to be even quicker."

It seems like a hereditary skill. Both Riese's parents were gone, I recalled from previous conversations.

I stored all the meat in the item box, and we resumed our journey. I then bought some spices for cooking. Alright, let's make curry today. I set up the camping table and chairs, stove, and pot, and started cooking.

Soon, the scent of curry wafted in all directions, drawing Riese and Alice closer.

"What's this, Uncle? It smells amazing," Alice said, excited.

"I'm curious too, hehe," Alice added.

"This is curry. I made it with the orc meat we gathered. Try it with this rice."

"Rice?" Alice looked confused.

"It's similar to the noodles and bread you've had before, except it's plainer in taste."

Seems Riese was clueless too.

We then began our lunch.

"Mmm... Delicious!"

They seemed genuinely delighted. Curry was perfect for warming us up.

"Eat up; we still have a long journey ahead, hehe..."

Watching them eat joyfully, I felt a shared happiness. Having been with them only a few days, they felt as close as family. The last time I felt this was in junior high, before my parents died in a work-related accident. Actually, there are still good people close to me now, like my neighbors. I wonder how they are doing.

And so, after a three-day journey through the forest, using my revolver, we overcame orcs, goblins, boars, deer, and kobolds, escaping the forest's clutches. Even the traumatic encounter with kobolds didn't deter Riese and Alice — they were no longer fearful, or perhaps just braver.

Using my appraisal skill, I also harvested mushrooms and herbs along the way.

"We finally made it out!"

With exuberant shouts, we celebrated our freedom. Truly, it was survival of the fittest. Thanks to the revolver, the Forest of Death was just another leg of our journey.

Now, as far as the eye could see, there was nothing but open pasture – wait, a road was visible too. I peered through my binoculars, carried from my camping gear.

I gestured for Riese and Alice to follow the road I spotted, signaling the end of our forest trek.

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