Soon the whimpering sounds stopped, I do not know whether it died or passed out from pain

I cautiously got closer, touched it a bit forcefully with my finger couple of times, checking if it can still move or not

And then I watched it from up close, this huge beast truly fell under my knees

I felt fulfilled, I wanted to dance around in happiness but I suppressed the urge and cautiously tried taking out the gladius from its mouth, I was ready to jump back at any time, bear was also lying harmlessly, it could not really attack me in that fallen position, so I grew even courageous

- Ugh, why is it... not coming out, damn, move!

It was stuck very hard, I tried lifting the bear's jaws but it was stuck

Ah no, I am not going to give up, my precious sword, where can I find better? No,no,no, Noooooo~

Come out~

- Huff, huff, why is it not BUDGING?!

I watched the sword in resentment

POV change

We, female goblins have no saying in the tribe, it's unfair, why should I do what they tell me? Why should I comply when they do not even bother to glance and say thanks? I also wanted to have an opportunity, the chance to get stronger like them, I wanted to prove that I am not any lesser than them, but the reality was harsh

In total, females were barely twenty while males should be couple of hundred, still, they do not even bother to glance at us, after raiding nearby villages they bring humans and the goblins who are interested in us is lesser than few

I found it difficult to understand, why is the child of goblin and a human goblin? And the chance is 100% Was it to bully us?

I have not given up for a long time, but harsh reality is not something we can change, something we can stand against

So we obeyed, I obeyed along with others and days passed in boredom and resentment, I hated every single one of them, I felt nothing but disgust towards their selfish desires

Then he appeared, he asked the question I wanted someone to ask, I really wanted someone to understand our pain, but such was none, so after he asked about me I did not believe my ears, it would not make a difference I thought, what could he change? He is the same as others, hateful!

He pestered me and finally I could not hold it anymore, all my resentment, I told him in questions, but the meaning was clear

I was expecting something, I wanted to find someone who could hear my pleas, but as expected, after hearing all that, he walked away

My heart sank, but I steeled myself, I saw it coming, there is no way they would understand, that's right, they are all the same!

And then I heard clanking sound, I could not believe my eyes when I saw a sword to my side

- You wanted to fight right? Come, show me what you've got

It went in my ears like thunder, I was given an opportunity? I looked at the sword, how I wanted to have one, how I wanted to be like them, to fight

I watched him in bewilderment, how was this possible? I thought everyone was the same, so how did this happen?

With this I can fight, I thought of fleeing couple of times but I was afraid, I knew that I was very weak, with this... I could fight

It's either now or never

I grabbed the sword and fled, it's over if I get caught, I heard his cursing sounds, which forced me to run even faster, but then... I froze, there was a monster in front of me, instinctively I knew that I was no match for it, I did not notice how he approached

I heard a roar that shook my heart, I was too close to the monster, it was going to eat me, my life would end here, I felt resentment, I should not die yet, not until I have proved myself!

I grabbed the sword and barely managed to dodge, I was wounded by its claws in the process, the next attack was fast, I could not dodge, I did not have choice but to block, it was also instinctual, I have never held a sword in my life

I was thrown back, I was in excruciating pain, my elbow was dislocated, I wanted to scream, but I endured, I tried to fix it but I was in so much pain, that I almost passed out

I wanted to scream but no sound came out of my mouth, it was a weird feeling, was it because of fear? My eyes were closing, but I saw what I expected the least, he grabbed the sword that I dropped and I struggled to pick and he fought

Even though the difference of strength was so big, why? Was it to save me? He could have run away, as expected, he is different

And then I passed out, when I came back to sense I felt the pain that I have never felt before, I started screaming in low voice, but it was ignored, I looked at him, he was trying to take out his sword from the dead monster, that was stuck in its mouth, I was amazed for a split second, but pain was reminding me itself, my attention changed into pain once again

Finally he did, grabbed his bloodied sword and he looked happy

- ...elp

I tried speaking but voice would not come out

And then I passed out again

Once I woke up the excruciating pain was gone, it still remained but it was much weaker, I looked down at my hand, it was bandaged by leaves,thin vines and what looked like a crushed herbs, I looked around, I almost screamed in fright once I realized that I was on a branch of a huge tree, then I glimpsed at him, he was sleeping soundly

He treated my wound? Why? Why is he so different?

I felt grateful, but then it came back, the hatred I felt towards them and powerlessness

I watched him sleeping defenselessly, his sword was lying close to him

I grabbed it

I wanted to avenge my pitiful self, I wanted to get stronger, I wanted to kill him... but I could not

I did not put down the sword despite giving up on killing him and I went down as soundlessly as possible, then disappeared in night, only the moon lit my path, it was dangerous, I knew it, but I could not help but be excited, because I had a weapon, I was no longer weak

POV change

Jeez, why am I doing this?

I grumbled at myself as I was wrapping her hand in healing herbs after putting her dislocated elbow in the socket

I even spent my precious time on her, right, she should be fine, it won't be as effective as healing potions but the amount of herbs I crushed was many, it should be enough for her left hand to heal in a day or two

I was searching for high quality herbs and I had to left her alone for a longer time then expected, I spent a whole day to her, what am I even doing? I should be getting stronger, meh, whatever

After properly treating her wound with my miniscule knowledge I was tired, I wanted to sleep, so I did, my exhausted mind drifted in nothingness called sleep soon enough

I did not have a single dream after coming in this world, but I did not really care either, once I woke up I wanted to check on her, but she was no longer here

- Where the hell did she go in this condition?

I was worried and wanted to go down, but first I wanted to grab my sword

- Eh? Where is it, I'm sure I put it here

...

And then realization struck me

MOTHERFUCKER!