The village was roughly the same size as a Japanese village (200-300 square kilometers), with a population of just over a hundred. After being shown around, Shoot concluded that this civilization was less advanced than Japan—the real world. There was no concept of electricity, and he imagined that living here would be difficult.

By the time the tour ended, night had fallen. Since it was late, Shoot stayed at Sunny’s house. In Shoot’s terms, it was a roughly 15-tatami mat (about 25 square meters) 1K apartment. The furniture and cooking utensils were of a medieval level of civilization, but this added a touch of novelty.

“So, Shoot-kun, where are you from? A village… or a big city?”

Sunny asked inquisitively from across the wooden table. Shoot hesitated, unsure how to answer.

“From a… city…”

That's all he could manage. He pictured the first place he’d seen in the other world—the city he’d emerged into.

“A city? Maybe the metropolis… ‘Colossan’!?”

Sunny leaned forward, her question full of curiosity. Shoot was taken aback. He realized that it was a metropolis.

“I really admire the big cities! So, I’d love to hear about them. And, is there anything in that backpack that’s only found in big cities!?”

Sunny’s eyes sparkled as she expressed her interest in Shoot's backpack.

“Ah… that reminds me.”

Shoot took out the Red Dog materials and stones from his backpack and placed them on the table.

“Eh… these are…?”

“I’m sorry. They’re not from a big city, but they’re monster materials and stones that might be worth something. Do you do any trading in this village?”

Sunny looked at the materials and stones for a while, her surprise taking a different turn.

“Shoot-kun, are you a mercenary!? You look like you’re only 12 or 13.”

“A mercenary? No, I’ve never been one…”

Shoot inwardly questioned the term "mercenary," which Sunny had used. Mercenaries were warriors who passed a test given by the mercenary guild. Registration at a guild in a major city allowed them to take various missions for pay.

“Hee~~ Shoot-kun, you’re quite the fighter for your appearance! People say Red Dogs are beginner-level monsters, but I hear that children your age struggle with them.”

“Ah, is that so?”

Shoot inwardly scoffed at his weak appearance. After some more questions, he learned that while the village didn’t trade in materials, they could make weapons and armor at the village blacksmith’s if he had the right materials.

After the discussion, Sunny offered him dinner.

“By the way, do you live alone, Sunny-san? Will your parents be home soon?”

Looking around the house, which still only contained the two of them, Shoot asked.

“Yes. My parents were killed by monsters a while ago. I live here alone.”

“Ah… I’m sorry, that was rude of me.”

“No, it’s alright. I’m okay now.”

Sunny’s face fell slightly. Monster attacks happened a few times a year in Todd Village, and her parents had been victims. Since then, the village had started hiring mercenaries. A mercenary group was supposed to arrive the next day.

After helping with the dishes, Sunny offered Shoot a place to stay for the night. Shoot was nervous and flustered at the prospect of staying overnight in a woman's house, especially since she lived alone. Sunny didn't seem to mind.

Shoot spent the night at Sunny's house.

The next morning, Shoot woke up to loud shouts outside.

“It’s terrible!! Monsters! Monsters are attacking the village!!”

Screams echoed through the village. Immediately realizing the seriousness of the situation, Shoot rushed outside. Sunny, still in her nightclothes, looked out fearfully. After a while, they sensed an ominous presence and saw a pack of Red Dogs – the monsters he had fought in the grassland the previous night. Among them were three larger, dark red monsters, about twice the size of a regular Red Dog.

“Th-those are Blood Wolves!? They even brought Red Dogs with them…!”

A villager whispered, pointing at the wolf-like monsters. Blood Wolves were higher-level monsters than Red Dogs. They traveled in packs with other Red Dogs, and they could track the scent of blood from up to ten kilometers away.

The Blood Wolves attacked because of the Red Dog blood on Shoot from the previous night. He hadn’t washed his clothes, causing them to react to the scent.

Villagers thought monster attacks were a normal occurrence, but this time, it was completely Shoot’s fault. Unaware of this, Shoot expressed his interest in the Blood Wolves.

“Are those wolves pretty strong?”

“Pretty strong? A single novice warrior can’t handle one. What should we do? The mercenaries haven’t arrived yet, and if this continues…”

While answering Shoot, Sunny showed clear signs of fear. She then warned him.

“They’re not monsters you can handle. You need to evacuate to a safe place until the village mercenaries arrive!”

Having lost her parents in a monster attack, Sunny fully understood the danger. Her words carried immense weight. However, Shoot had no intention of obeying her; he was ready to fight.

“Sunny-san, you should stay inside. I’ll take care of those dogs.”

“What are you saying!? Four or five novice warriors are barely a match for one Blood Wolf! And there are three… You can’t win! You have to evacuate with us!”

Shoot was annoyed by Sunny's refusal to believe in his strength.

“Just stay inside! I can handle those dogs alone!”

“Wha…!”

Sunny was speechless at his unexpected defiance. The other villagers glared at Shoot, seeing him as a boastful novice mercenary.

“Does anyone have a weapon? A sword or something would be great.”

A man handed Shoot a woodcutter’s axe. Another ran towards the blacksmith’s to fetch weapons. Having obtained an axe, Shoot tested it in a secluded spot. It may not be durable, but he decided it would do, and he set off to face the Blood Wolves.