“Focus, girlie! I come now!” the chief warned as he gripped his training stick.

It's a downward slash, I realize. I dodge to the side and back up to avoid the following side slash. I hurry forward while the chief is recovering and position my club for a thrusting attack, which he blocks.

Instead of being blown back like before, I turn my body and divert the blow, then jab the back of my club into the chief’s exposed side.

My first hit! I rejoice, and prepare to push ahead.

However, the chief unexpectedly lifts his leg and kicks me. As always, the exchange ends with me on the ground. However…

“Mm! Girlie, you make good progress. You ready to hunt now!”

Eh? Am I?

I'm feeling excited at the thought.

Seems like tomorrow, I will head out with the hunting unit to perform the ceremony. For now, let's go let mom know. And, let's ask about the details of the hunting ceremony while I'm at it.

***

I'm standing with my bone club at the ready. On either side of me are fully grown orc males, with various spears, clubs, and even a sword or two. Most of them have some form of armor, but none besides the chief are fully equipped.

When we encounter any magical beasts, I get to decide whether I want to use it for my ceremony or not. As long as I choose reasonably, the adults will weaken it for me while I deal the final blow. I can also choose to fight alone.

If all goes well, I will return as a named adult.

“You come back with a name, baby~” momma calls encouragingly.

“Mm!”

I've been working hard this past week. Besides the chief’s training, I've been practicing my killer blow in secret. It's a technique that resonates with bones. One strike from my bone mace will start the vibration and allow me to do the rest with what little magic power I possess. I practiced on the animal carcasses the hunters brought back. I'll lose my weapon, but it's worth it if I can turn the enemy’s skull to powder or wreck their spinal column. With my killer move and my stealth skill, I bet I could take out a magic beast alone.

It feels almost like a parade as we march out of town. But as the village is left behind me, I feel the reality of the forest set in.

The light is dim, and the temperature has dropped. The foliage is so thick I can hardly see a few feet in any direction. Also, there are sounds everywhere. It's disorienting, and somewhat frightening. I feel extremely jumpy.

My chubby fingers close tightly around my bone mace and I make sure to stick close to the group. I can't tell if we’re going in a specific direction or just wandering, but I only have them to depend on right now.

…

It may have been half an hour by now. We haven't run into any large game or magical beasts yet. My tension has only grown and my fingers hurt from gripping so much. I'm embarrassed for being this nervous, but it's too tense!

A bush beside me gives a sudden twitch and something white pops out. All of my tension explodes as I scream and swing my club. I accidentally go all out and use my finishing move. My club shatters and the small creature lies on the ground, dead.

It's still sinking in for me. The other orcs were extremely surprised by my sudden scream. One of the hunters notices that I broke my weapon in the exchange and starts to scold me. He stops in the middle of his lecture, and I'm feeling ashamed.

“I… I'm sorry. Do we have to go back?”

...Hm?

I look up to see several of the orcs wearing extremely surprised faces.

“W-what…?” I turn to see what they're looking at and notice the small creature I'd killed.

It looked like a small white fox. In fact, it was so small, I would say it's probably a baby. It has a sparkling coat with a silver-tipped tail and ears.

H-hey! What kind of fox is this?!

Not good. I'm getting a very bad premonition.

I'm sure it's not though. After all, there was no voice from the spirits.

… But then, I see the beautiful fox’s chest slowly sink, apparently for the last time, and my blood runs cold.

[[Conditions met.]]