I was living on the caverns for more than a week already. Granma and Granpa were kind to me. The others were also friendly. Despite that, I was searching for something else.

The taste of the monster’s meat filled my mind. We have not encountered one since the first time I tasted it. I wanted to have a bit of it once more, and no more of the grain the Granpa foraged.

We were on our daily patrol again. I made sure to keep my ears and eyes open. I did not engage to any conversation with the others as I focused.

“There, I hear something there.” I pointed towards the east.

“Waluf?” Roc asked.

“There is some rustling but I am unsure if those are really enemies.” He scratched his head.

“I think it is worth checking out.” I suggested.

Roc stared at me for a while before he responded.

“Fine. Let’s go.”

We walked towards the location I pointed. After several paces, we were able to see them. Two monsters looked like they were harvesting berries from a bush.

They were significantly smaller than the last ones, yet their appearances were similar. Grey wrinkly skin, overgrown teeth, and black eyes. I was already imagining sinking my teeth on their flesh.

All of us intently looked at Roc, waiting for his signal.

“Now!” He commanded.

We all came at them while the others were shouting. They were scaring them on purpose. When the monsters saw us, they immediately started running.

I did not want my dinner to escape. I held my spear differently and switched to a throwing stance. I was about to let go of it when a force prevented me to do so. Roc stood behind me, holding my spear tightly.

“No.” He uttered as he glared at me.

“Why? They were going to escape.” I asked.

“Kill them if they fight. Let them go if they flee. That’s the rule.” He explained.

“But at this rate, we won’t be having any meat.” I laid down my arms.

“Those are the rules, Sven. We have to follow them or else Scalus will get angry.” Waluf scratched his head.

“I cannot comprehend why you will only kill them if they fight. There is no harm hunting down the ones who are unwilling to fight.” 

“The true monsters are not the wild. It is those who kill the ones with no will to fight,” Bartz monotonously said.

“That is what Scalus taught us. If you want to stay here, you should respect the rules, alright?” Waluf petted my head.

“Okay.” I responded.

They took me in despite being an outsider. They were kind enough to let me stay. I believe their rules are illogical yet it would be wrong to disobey them. What I could at least do is be patient.

Since the monsters escaped, I would have to endure the unpleasing food once again.