The journey to the Ogre village had been quite the adventure—one Shiro knew he wouldn't forget anytime soon. When Hakuro first suggested they visit his village deep in the Great Forest of Jura, Shiro had mixed feelings. Although the dangers of the Great Forest of Jura weren't emphasized much in the anime, manga, web novel, or light novel due to how overpowered Rimuru was, Shiro, who was only human despite possessing powerful abilities, knew from experience and his skills how perilous the forest truly was. The fact that his *Danger Precognition* and *Divine Clairvoyance* were tingling meant that danger lurked everywhere. The forest was a wild, untamed place, full of dangerous creatures, and the idea of navigating through it made him both uneasy and excited. If it had been before, Shiro would have needed to be extremely careful and cautious, but now that he had Hakuro and two Ogre warriors by his side, his confidence had risen a little. He could afford to let loose a bit. Nevertheless, he remained constantly alert. Still, Hakuro's calm attitude and the promise of a warm welcome convinced him to take the plunge.
The path was no picnic. Thick underbrush and towering trees seemed to stretch endlessly skyward, and the air was heavy with the scent of earth and greenery. Strange, distant noises echoed through the forest, sending a slight chill down Shiro's spine. Despite his rapid development and newfound abilities, he couldn't shake the feeling of vulnerability. He'd spent most of his life in more familiar surroundings, and this foreign land and wild terrain kept him on edge. Nevertheless, it was better this way than to risk ending his journey abruptly due to overconfidence.
As they moved deeper into the forest, Hakuro chatted about the place's many wonders and dangers. His voice was steady and reassuring, and Shiro hung on every word. This forest was a realm of mystery, home to powerful monsters, magical beasts, undead, majin, etc. It was both thrilling and intimidating, and Shiro felt a mix of excitement and wariness.
Their journey took an unexpected turn when they encountered a Knight Spider. This wasn't just any spider—it was massive, with an armored exoskeleton that made it look like a walking fortress. Its eight eyes gleamed menacingly as it prepared to strike. Shiro's heart raced as he stared up at the beast, trying to think of a plan.
But before he could even react, Hakuro sprang into action. The older ogre, who had been so calm and collected until now, moved with incredible speed. His katana glinted in the dim light as he sliced through the spider's tough armor with ease. Within moments, the creature was defeated, its massive body crashing to the forest floor.
Shiro could only watch in awe as Hakuro sheathed his sword, his expression as serene as ever. The way Hakuro had taken down the spider was nothing short of amazing. Shiro had known Hakuro was strong, but seeing him in action was eye-opening.
"Wow, you're incredible," Shiro managed to say, still stunned.
Hakuro chuckled, a rare smile tugging at his lips. "The forest is no place for the faint of heart," he said simply. "You always have to be ready."
As they continued, Shiro reflected on what he had just witnessed. He'd picked up many skills in this world, but Hakuro's swordsmanship was something else entirely. His inner otaku was thrilled at the thought of learning swordplay. Shiro activated his *Analytical Appraisal* and *Divine Clairvoyance*, hoping to pick up some pointers.
To his surprise, the skills seemed to transfer to him almost instantly. It was like the knowledge had been there all along. Hakuro's fluid movements and precise strikes made perfect sense now. It felt like Shiro had been practicing these techniques for years. His *Divine Clairvoyance*, which allowed him to perceive and understand cause and effect, including fate and destiny, made this realization even more remarkable. He couldn't wait to put his newfound skills to the test.
That chance came sooner than expected. They stumbled upon a Tempest Serpent—a massive beast with steel-hard scales and a poisonous breath. Its hiss echoed through the trees, sending a shiver down Shiro's spine. The serpent lunged at them with terrifying speed. Hakuro was about to act, but Shiro beat him to it.
"Stop!" Shiro's voice, powered by *Voice Cannon*—a skill he'd picked up from the Blade Tiger—was like a shockwave. The serpent was thrown back several meters. Shiro then activated *Steel Strength*, a skill he'd acquired from the Giant Bear's corpse. Using the swordsmanship he'd just learned from Hakuro, Shiro launched a series of attacks with his bare hands. He moved with a grace and precision that surprised even himself.
Despite its formidable strength surpassing that of the Blade Tiger, the serpent didn't stand a chance. Shiro's strikes were swift and relentless, and within moments, the beast lay defeated at his feet. The whole fight felt like a one-sided beat down.
Hakuro and the other ogres were stunned. Hakuro recognized his technique. They had expected Shiro to struggle, maybe even ask for help. Instead, he faced the serpent head-on and won, showing off his skills just like the Blade Tiger had.
Hakuro's eyes sparkled with approval as he approached Shiro, who was panting from the effort. Though his stamina was strained, his magicules helped him recover, even if his body was still human.
"You've got some serious potential, Shiro," Hakuro said, offering Shiro a hand. "I'd be honored if you became my disciple."
Shiro's eyes widened. Training under someone like Hakuro was an opportunity he couldn't pass up. "I'd be honored, Master Hakuro," Shiro replied eagerly, bowing deeply. The thought of learning more from Hakuro had him excited—his inner otaku was celebrating.
When they finally reached the Ogre village, Shiro felt a mix of anticipation and nervousness. The village was nestled in a natural clearing, surrounded by dense forest. The ogres had built their homes from sturdy timber, and while the structures were simple, they exuded strength and resilience. The village buzzed with activity, with ogres preparing for the feast to come.
As soon as Shiro stepped into the village, he was struck by the sense of community. The ogres gave him curious glances, but there was no hostility—only quiet respect. Hakuro led him through the village, introducing him to various villagers who were eager to meet the hero who'd saved their princess. Everyone's eyes were drawn to the four massive beasts—the Blade Tiger, Giant Bear, Knight Spider, and Tempest Serpent—that Hakuro and Shiro had brought along. These powerful creatures were now mere delicacies awaiting their turn to be cooked.
Soon enough, they arrived at the village chief's home, a large, imposing structure at the center of the village. The chief, a towering figure with broad shoulders and a commanding presence, awaited them. His sharp eyes assessed Shiro with a mix of curiosity and approval.
"This is Shiro, the one who saved the princess," Hakuro introduced him.
"Welcome to our village, Shiro," the chief's deep voice rumbled. "I'm the village chief, and it's an honor to have you here."
Overwhelmed by the day's events, Shiro bowed respectfully. "Thank you for having me," he said, trying to keep his voice steady.
The chief studied him for a moment before nodding in satisfaction. "You've done us a great service by saving my daughter, and for that, you have our eternal gratitude."
Suddenly, the chief's tone shifted as he grabbed Shiro by the collar. Shiro didn't resist; he sensed there was no real threat. "But know this—my daughter is the most precious thing in the world. I won't let any man claim her heart. Over my dead body."
Shiro blinked, taken aback. He'd heard of overprotective fathers, but this was next level. The chief's intense gaze left no room for argument, and Shiro was left speechless.
Before things could escalate, Hakuro intervened. "Chief, let's not jump to conclusions," he said calmly. "Shiro has shown nothing but respect and honor. There's no need to worry."
Just then, a small figure emerged from behind the chief—it was the young Shuna. She looked at Shiro with sparkling eyes before turning to her father and giving him a pinch and a kick for embarrassing her.
"My precious daughter, why!" The chief, now on his knees and crying, could only watch as Shuna ran back inside the house.
Once Shuna was gone, the chief returned to his stoic self and addressed Shiro in a loud voice that carried across the village. "We'll have a feast to welcome our hero."
With that, the chief huffed but seemed to relax a bit. He led them into his home, where preparations for the evening's feast were already in full swing. The smell of delicious food soon filled the air, making Shiro's mouth water. The villagers had pulled out all the stops to honor the hero who'd saved their princess.
As night fell and the feast began, Shiro was swept up in the festivities. The ogres were lively and welcoming, and their joy was contagious. The food was fantastic, the music was upbeat, and for the first time in a long while, Shiro allowed himself to just enjoy the moment.
Despite his shyness, Shiro got caught up in the celebration. He even joined in the dance, showcasing a graceful and elegant performance from his high school days before he became a NEET. His ethereal beauty and the dance impressed everyone, especially the ogre women.
His Unique Skills—[Genius One] and [Author]—made recreating and enhancing dance moves based on his memories as easy as breathing. It was a power he wished he'd had back on Earth.
Late into the night, Shiro was surrounded by kids, including nameless Shuna, Shion, Benimaru, Souei, and Hiro. They bombarded him with questions, especially about his fights against the Blade Tiger and the Tempest Serpent. They'd heard from Hakuro that Shiro was a genius and had become his disciple. Shiro had exaggerated the details to make Shiro sound like a real hero, leaving the kids in awe.
After the party, the drunk village chief approached Shiro again, thanking him for saving his precious daughter and reiterating that he wouldn't let anyone have her. The chief was escorted back to his house while Shiro was escorted to his new living quarters.
Shiro's new quarters were cozy, though simple. The room was furnished with a sturdy wooden bed covered in a warm fur blanket, a small table, and a couple of chairs. A faint aroma of cedar lingered in the air, adding a calming touch to the space. As Shiro settled in, he couldn't help but reflect on the whirlwind of the day.
The village had been a whirlwind of new experiences—from the intense battles with the monstrous creatures to the unexpected and somewhat dramatic welcome from the chief. He could still feel the adrenaline from the fights and the warmth from the feast. The ogres' hospitality had been generous, and their genuine gratitude made him feel both honored and somewhat humbled.
...
Name: Shiro Ainsworth
Species: Human
Age: 23 years old
Gender: Male
Eye Color: Golden Amber
Hair Color: Platinum Silver
Type: Stray Otherworlder
...
Unique Skills:
• Author
Sub-Skills:
• Ideal Outcome
• Divine Clairvoyance
• Danger Precognition
...
• Genius One
Sub-Skills:
• Thought Acceleration
• Analytical Appraisal
• Predictive Calculation
• Parallel Operation
• All Of Creation
• Perfect Memory
...
Extra Skills:
• Magic Sense
• Danger Sense (Lone Wolf) → Danger Precognition
• Hyper Speed (Lone Wolf)
• Steel Strength (Giant Bear)
• Sense Heat Source (Tempest Serpent)
...
Common Skills:
• Regeneration
• Voice Cannon (Blade Tiger)
• Paralyzing Breath (Tempest Serpent)
...
Tolerance:
• Pain Nullification
• Thermal Fluctuation Resistance
• Abnormal Condition Resistance
...
Trait:
• Anti Skill
...
Other Skills:
• Swordsmanship