In the late afternoon, after resting, Dash and Shel started walking through the forest toward the east because, according to Shel, the forest they were in led all the way out to the territory beyond the Grandias Kingdom. When night fell, they kept moving forward without wasting any time.
The difference now was that Dash was carrying Shel on his back and running, occasionally taking long leaps so they could quickly get out of the forest and leave the Grandias Kingdom's territory.
"Are you okay carrying me?" Shel yelled.
"It's fine, relax. You're light," Dash yelled back.
"Okay, thanks," Shel yelled.
Dash leaped high and ran through the air, landing lightly on top of a tree, then leaping again, and running through the air again at high speed without stopping. After doing the same thing repeatedly, they finally began to see the end of the extremely long, green-ocean-like forest right before their eyes in the morning. Dash and Shel smiled because they were about to exit the Grandias Kingdom's territory. Then Dash descended and walked back inside the forest. Shel asked to be put down so she could walk with Dash.
When they reached the edge of the forest and stepped out, Dash was utterly amazed to see the newly risen sun illuminating the vast, rolling green grassland stretched out before them.
"Whoaaah," Dash muttered in awe.
"What's wrong?" Shel asked, confused, turning to look at Dash's face.
"Nothing… the view is beautiful," Dash replied.
"You're right, we've officially left the Grandias Kingdom's territory," Shel responded.
"So, is the city you mentioned still far?" Dash asked.
"No… it's close. We just have to cross this grassland," Shel answered.
"Alright, what are we waiting for? Let's go," Dash replied.
Dash took Shel's hand and pulled her along. They started walking across the massive green grassland stretching out before them. All along the way, Dash kept looking left and right, admiring his surroundings. Occasionally, he took a long, deep breath and let it out to fully savor the pristine morning air. They saw a road cutting through the grassland, and right in front of them was an old, worn, but still readable signpost.
"Hmm… the city of Forshville—follow the right road," Dash muttered.
"Yeah, that's right. Come on," Shel replied, pulling Dash's arm as he stared at the sign.
Then he noticed the sign pointing left, which indicated the road leading to the Grandias Kingdom. Dash immediately turned right, following Shel who was walking ahead of him. They continued walking along the road, relaxed and carefree. But not long after, "SWOOOSH," a horse-drawn carriage sped past them toward the city. A knight escorting the carriage turned back to signal Dash and Shel to look behind them or run with him.
Curious, Dash and Shel looked back. Their eyes widened, seeing a cloud of dust approaching them. Dash squinted, and he saw a giant, massive brown boar charging toward them, looking incredibly angry.
"Whoaah… a giant boar," Shel exclaimed.
"Leave it to me," Dash replied.
Dash casually walked to the middle of the road. "KLETEK," he cracked his neck and his fists. Then he lowered his body, stepped one foot forward, and drew his fist back to his hip. He took a long breath, then exhaled.
"Hey… Dash," Shel said, worried.
"OINK,"
The giant boar finally got close. Dash immediately punched forward from his hip while stepping forward. "BOM," the boar, whose face was slammed by Dash's fist, instantly stopped and trembled backward. Dash immediately elbowed its head, and the boar's head dropped into the ground, but its body flipped over, falling toward Dash. Dash instantly lifted his leg, supporting the colossal boar's body with his foot. Then he moved his leg to the side, and "BOM," the giant boar's body immediately fell sideways. "PLOK… PLOK," Dash clapped his hands to clean them off, completely relaxed.
Shel immediately approached the giant boar and examined it. Then she turned to look at Dash behind her.
"Yup, he's dead. Let's take him to the city. His meat and tusks sell for a lot," Shel said.
"Ah, you're right, we need money. Okay… please tie him up with a strong rope," Dash replied.
"Done,"
Shel immediately raised her hands. Vines emerged from the ground mixed with plant roots, then braided themselves into a very strong rope. After that, Shel tied the rope around the giant boar's neck and handed the end of the rope to Dash. "SREEEK," Dash walked casually with Shel, dragging the lifeless giant boar toward the city to be sold.
After they had walked for quite a while, the knight who had passed them earlier returned with his horse. Dash and Shel could see his eyes widen behind his helmet. He immediately took off his helmet, revealing that the knight was a male Beastkin of the tiger type.
"Whoaah… you… you guys… killed the giant boar? Just the two of you?" the knight asked.
"Oh… I didn't do anything. He killed it," Shel replied, holding Dash's shoulder.
"W-what? Alone?" the knight asked.
"Yep, alone," Shel replied.
The knight immediately turned to look at Dash, who was still casually holding the rope over his shoulder. He examined Dash's body from top to bottom, then back up, stopping right at his face.
"You… what kind of creature are you?" the knight asked.
"Oh, he's a Dragonkin," Shel answered.
"Huh… a Dragonkin? Impossible… Dragonkin are extinct… are you remnants of the Dragonkin race?" the knight asked.
"Hmm… you could say that," Dash replied casually. "Yeah, just say yes, keep it moving," Dash thought.
"I-I see. Honestly, this is the first time I've seen a Dragonkin since I was born," the knight said.
"Good for you then. We'll be going now," Dash replied.
"Oh… right. I was actually just asked to check on you by the carriage passengers because we passed you earlier. Alright, I'll take my leave too. See you in the city," the knight said.
"Okay, thanks for checking on us," Dash replied.
The knight immediately turned his horse around and spurred it hard, leaving Dash and Shel alone with the giant boar that was soon to be dinner.
"Ask me something," Dash said.
"Ask what?" Shel asked.
"Why did he seem so shocked to hear I defeated that giant boar back there?" Dash asked, pointing behind him with his thumb.
"Ah… that. Usually, knights bring a whole squad to fight one… and even then they don't always win," Shel answered.
"Hmm… so that's why he was confused," Dash replied thoughtfully.
"Your strength is beyond reason, Dash, but it's okay. I'm actually proud to see it," Shel said, linking her arm through Dash's.
"Thanks," Dash replied curtly. "Hmm… is my strength really beyond reason?" Dash thought to himself.
They continued their journey, chatting casually and dragging the giant boar behind them, unaware that a female wolf-type Beastkin was observing them from a hilltop.
"Wow… incredible. He's dragging a giant boar just like that without a carriage… a Dragonkin?" the girl asked, watching Dash and Shel through binoculars. Then she lowered her binoculars. "I don't have time to mess around. I have to save those children before they get sold," the girl muttered, leaping down the hill.