TN: This ch is the start of LN vol 2
32. Chapter 32
Carrying a basket, Walm was walking around in the woods while holding a handy stick. This was to maintain a good diet.
After all, it was difficult to completely fill a family’s stomach with fields alone. While his parents worked hard in the fields, Walm diligently gathered edible wild plants in the mountains.
It wasn’t just 12-year-old Walm. He was with his older brother, who was two years older. He climbed up the slope, squeezed the fallen leaves, and filled the basket.
It was a hard work for a child’s body, but strangely Walm didn’t feel it.
His brother ran through the forest as if inviting Walm to join him. Walm hesitated a little, but he understood that sometimes he needed to show appropriate behavior to his age.
While running, Walm became absorbed in chasing his brother’s back. And not long after, he struck the back of his brother, who was a slow runner.
“I’ve caught up”
Although Walm felt a slight embarrassment, he said this with a triumphant look. His lungs screamed and his legs shook, but a victory was still a victory.
“For someone short, you sure fast.”
His brother’s hand stroked Walm’s head.
“Look. Walm”
A berry tree full of fruit in the place where his brother pointed.
“You’re amazing”
Walm praised his brother. He had seen small berries several times before, but they had many competitors and were a source of conflict with the stupid brats in the neighborhood.
But here was the frontier. There were many slopes, and overall, the footing wasn’t good. This place, which was near the Demon Territory, had always been a sanctuary that didn’t tolerate intruders.
“It’s a secret to the other guys. Can’t help it, a growing child like you, requires more food.”
Walm stuffed berries into his mouth with his brother. His hands were stained red and his nails and mouth smelled sweet and sour.
It was a sanctuary where no beasts approached, but birds targeting the berries occasionally gathered. Seeing this, Walm said with shining eyes.
“There are even birds. It’s great that food comes by itself.”
“…Huff, really? What a cold guy. Have you never thought that birds were beautiful or cute? Your brother is really worried, you know? Even Dad and Mom are worried since you’ve never let them spoil you.”
To Walm, getting worried by a boy much younger than himself seemed very funny. But his brother’s good intentions itched and warmed him at the same time.
“Well, but it’s still a treat.”
His brother had a dark smile on his face as he agreed with Walm.
Walm and his brother, using berries as bait and making traps from ivy plants, twigs, and branches, secured enough protein and vitamins for their families and returned home triumphant.
『”Aa, U, EeeeeuuUU, AA, aaaAAAAA!!??”』
Suddenly the image of the world solidified. Walm held his head and clenched his teeth in pain that shook his brain. He couldn’t even open his eyes from the pain.
Walm couldn’t swallow the situation.
What am I doing? What am I doing?
Walm, who asked himself this over and over again, came up with the answer.
That’s it. I’m done with my work. I’ve to go home.
Slowly opened his eyes. What was in his vision was, a railway level crossing, with the warning light shining bright red.
The sound of railroad crossings echoed forever. It was a familiar road. The road that Takakura Raizou had taken over and over again, thousands of times.
A 10-car train passed by with a loud roar. It was going so fast that no one could see the figures inside.
I forgot something. What is it? What did I forget?
The warning light dimmed, and the barrier slowly rose.
That’s it. I’ve to go home.
Raizou continued on the way to his house.
Strangely, only the streetlights and houses on the way back shone dimly. Confused by the situation, Raizou looked back, there was only darkness. And it was slowly approaching, there was no doubt about it.
I can’t be swallowed by that.
Raizou instinctively realized that.
He turned right, went straight left at the intersection, and took a shortcut through the park.
Something passed Raizou’s ears. It was a sound that shouldn’t exist.
The swing, which was supposed to be empty, was moving slowly. There was a translucent figure. The sound of running up the slide echoed innocently.
I’ll arrive at the apartment soon.
Raizou saw the exterior that would soon show its age. But then he stopped his foot. He saw a person lying down in front of the building. It was Takakura Raizou.
Something is strange. Something is strange.
Walm’s thoughts were thrown into a chaotic crucible, but a ray of light came down.
Yeah, that’s right. Takakura Raizou is dead.
The wrinkles disappeared from his hands. As soon as he put his hand on his head, he felt the richness of the hair.
Walm sighed without trying to hide his tiredness.
There, a black hole appeared in the place where the body was.
The more I look at it, the weirder it gets.
Looking at the hole, Walm smiled bitterly.
Before he knew it, all-black midgets surrounded him and the black hole.
The world had gone all black except around the apartment.
“Do you want to go in?”
When Walm asked, one of the black midgets clapped his short hands. The others did the same in a chain.
“Are you seeing me off? Well, I don’t hate it.”
As Walm entered, he slowly sank down.
The black midgets applauded as if they were congratulating their child. Walm felt like he was being mocked, but the silly sight made him smile.
Now that Walm saw them once again, he found the black midgets somehow charming.
Thus, with a mysterious feeling as in a dream, Walm abandoned himself to drowsiness.
TN: Personally, I interpret this『”Aa, U, EeeeeuuUU, AA, aaaAAAAA!!??”』 , as the scream of Takakura Raizou, even though it’s Walm on the outside.
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Thanks for the chapter and keep up the good work!