Chapter 10: The white giant

The sun's rays didn't even dim on us to welcome a new day when my instincts screamed of danger, and I jumped back while dragging Ann with me.

Something heavy landed on the place where we were sleeping.

"W-what the..."

I was half asleep since I only acted based on my impulses. Had it not been for my new body, I would have died by the thing that landed where I was sleeping. So I didn't see who the attacker was or what that thing that just killed us was.

"Ngg..." Ann also opened her eyes, distressed by the sudden shake. "Commoner, what was that?!"

"I... I don't know..." My tone had fear as I tried to look for the entity that came to welcome us.

Since it was still dark, I couldn't see who it was; no, what the hell was it!

It was only visible till its waist, but I could confirm it was far from human.

It was around 2.3 meters in height and was covered in white fur. However, red glowing eyes and a sinister smile on its vicious monster-like fangs answered my every question.

As someone who had the basic knowledge of the otome game where my soul was transmitted, I could confirm that we were in more trouble than expected.

"Watch out! It's a Yeti!"

Just as I called its name, the beast roared with a blood-curdling scream that woke the whole forest.

"Yeti?! Are you serious? It's impossible since they hardly attack humans...!" Ann shouted as she also stood and took a fighting stance. From her posture, she seemed to be ready to cast spells.

I was impressed by her knowledge since what she said was true.

Yetis are giant monsters covered in white or black fur and don't attack humans in standard cases.

They are Flareottems natives and only live in mountains or deep forests.

Even having gigantic built, they are docile monsters towards humans. In fact, they are just like dolphins on land. Stories like lost people being guided by a Yeti are popular among people of Flareottems.

As such, the Duke of Flareottems has been banned from hunting a Yeti. They are a sign of worship in this state.

However, what was standing in front of us was far from your friendly neighborhood Yeti. Blood wasn't even dried on its fur, meaning that this thing had just recently killed someone or something.

"It is a mutant."

"Mutant?!"

"Yes, this thing either escaped from somewhere he has been experimented on or ate something for his genetic mutation."

In the game, mutants used to appear randomly and attack the MC's team. Mutants can quickly be dealt with since they are like bonus monsters with handsome experience to offer, sometimes even dropping rare items.

However, we were neither the hero team nor professional fighters capable of taking this thing on.

"Watch out!"

Just as I yelled, the Mutant Yeti raised its hand and slammed it on Ann. Thankfully, she was agile enough to dodge the power slam.

I was impressed by this girl. She kept her mentality intact and had great reflexes to act upon orders. She did tell me that she was used to getting kidnap or assassinated but seeing her moving so maturely, I had to give her credit.

"AAAA!"

Frustrated from our agility, Mutant Yeti roared, so powerful that we were getting implanted on the wall behind us.

The place where we were fighting was narrow. The distance between the Mutant Yeti and us was only 2.5 meters. Luckily the Mutant Yeti could only reach above the waist before the surface ends. Since it was a slippery surface, it was hard for Mutant Yeti to get us properly.

We were already 7 meters above the surface, meaning that Mutant Yeti climbed to get here.

Anyway, my heart almost stopped beating from fear of the roar, but thanks to my trained body, I somehow was able to avoid the next hit. The outcry was mutant Yeti's skill that works like debuff, temporarily paralyzing the enemy.

"Common- I mean Ivan, we have a chance here. Use your bow or something! Hurry up!" Ann also managed to move, but unlike me, she was sweating.

She was wise to figure that out, and so I. I don't mind dying again, but after coming this far, I want to do all those things that ordinary isekai boys do, get overpowered and date some chicks. So, I didn't have any intention of dying now.

I raised my bow, aiming at Yeti's eye. My arrow was dipped with deathly poison, so I needed to hit the exact target. Missing was not an option.

Just he was about to land another hit on me; I released the arrow.

The arrow went like a bullet, straight to Mutant Yeti's eye when…

"No way…" Ann's words were precisely mine as we both were shocked at how fast it reacted and stopped the arrow with its claw when the arrow was about to hit its eye.

It was then the sunlight correctly landed on the face of the mutant Yeti, and we were able to see a cunning smile on his face.

It was then I realized what mutants in the game were known for. It is their intelligence. Unlike regular monsters, mutants are easy to deal with at the initial level, but soon they would give run for your money as you face them at a high level. The reason was their intelligence. They freaking eat human brains to gain some intelligence.

"You idiot, don't stop and aim for its other vital parts!" Ann yelled.

It was getting annoying. If a mutant popping first thing in the morning wasn't enough, I had to listen to her babble.

"Shut the hell up! Do you think I don't know that? The fur mimic like a shield!" I shouted.

Ann stopped yelling and then spoke with rosy cheeks, embarrassed by her previous statement, "S-still… we have to come up with something…!"

I knew she was right, but I was still pissed. I sighed while keeping an eye on Mutant Yeti.

'Oh, I know….'

I realized I had to use the little girl if I had to fight against this monster. It was pretty much impossible to protect Ann and fight Mutant Yeti simultaneously. Fighting in close combat was out of option, and I had only three arrows left, so aiming for vitals was our only option.

"Oi little girl, search in my bag and take out a red orb! Hurry up!" I ordered while also dodging Yeti's claw.

It was the least she could do since she was closer to my bag.

"Don't call me little girl, you moron!" Ann retaliated, but her voice was softer than before, "How the hell can I get there?"

"I will give you a signal," I smirked and raised my bow.

She nodded and took her stance.

"Grr!" Yeti growled and raised its arm, ready for the attack, but my arrow had already escaped from the bow and directly hit the front (ventral side) of Yeti's elbow.

"GRRRR!" Yeti growled again, but then time, it was a painful moan.

"Now!" Ann leapt towards my bag and took out a crimson orb with a metallic pin erected out of it as I yelled. "Pull the pin and throw it on that thing's face!"

"Okay!" She nodded and acted as I said.

She pulled the pin of the cracker and threw it towards the Yeti.

The Yeti also acted and swung its arm to reflect the cracker, but a crimson cloud already engulfed its head.

I planned to use a chilly power cracker and bind the monster. I then pulled another arrow and shot it in the next second.

This time it hit the target. It was not his eyes or forehead but the center of its chest, the heart.

"Groooorrr!" Mutant Yeti growled with pain as it felt a sudden surge of pain on its chest where the arrow had just been hit. Of all of its body, its chest was the only area least covered in fur. However, the arrow didn't get to Yeti's heart as Yeti was still moving, trying to pull out the arrow but couldn't because of the blind effect of the chilli cracker.

I knew I had to act now and push the arrow further in its heart.

So I threw the bow and ran towards the Yeti.

'I know I could do this. Just a little more!' As I ran, a smile appeared on my face. My blood started to boil, and a gust of adrenaline gnashed my body.

I knew I could kill this Yeti.

It was then I heard Ann's scream, "Ivan, watch out!!!"

Not a scream but a warning. I was so occupied with confidence that I didn't see Yeti's arm until it was too close and too late to avoid.

I was slammed into the back wall before slowly falling like a helpless corpse the next thing I knew.

I didn't know what had happened. I stopped hearing anything. Ann had tears in her eyes and was screaming, calling my name, and had a worried look.

What the hell is happing? Where am I? Who is that giant gorilla-like monster? Who is that cute girl with… white hair and crimson eyes?

I was asking whatever was coming to my mind. I just hit the reset button and was reprocessing the situation.

"…van, Ivan!"

Yes, my name was Ivan, just like the girl called me. I somehow stood up and was about to respond when I heard her voice again.

"Watch out!"

Watch out? From what? I felt something chucked me until I saw a dark claw penetrating my rib and a trail of blood leading from my body.

Jolted with quiet pain and energy leaving my body, I turned my head and finally saw the entity's face, responsible for killing me.

It seems like I was fighting with Yeti and was about to end the monster, but it looks like even I can make mistakes, or it was just my bad luck?

"Argg fu…k me…."

I drifted in darkness. Please, no more dying.