When genius strikes when you least expect it.
Pochi’s Point of View
Now, let’s hear from Pochi, our lonely little protagonist.
Separated from Jend’s father and the others, I was doing my best to move stealthily, but at this rate, I’d end up as monster food. Thankfully, my species’ keen sense of smell was a blessing. Despite the darkness and poor visibility, I could detect enemies by their scent and avoid them before they noticed me.
Still, if I encountered one directly, that would be the end. Think! What can I do to survive? Desperately brainstorming, I remembered something I’d left tucked away in my pouch—the “Wolfanea Boy No. 6” suit.
“Whoa, this is amazing…”
The Wolfanea Boy No. 6 suit. I’d only ever used it for mundane tasks like picking up trash, but now I could see clearly even in the dark. Running felt faster than ever.
Thanks to the improved visibility, I managed to find a hidden room by sheer luck. Someone had apparently stayed here recently, and to my great fortune, the monster-repelling barrier was still intact. I decided to check my belongings.
Since I often holed up in my workshop, I had a fair amount of food and water. If I rationed it, I could last about a week.
But the real issue was weapons. A pair of gloves or a pen wouldn’t cut it. I had a fruit knife, but that was better than nothing, I guess.
(That’s not true! A pen is mightier than a sword!)
“… What?”
I froze. Did I just hear voices? Was I starting to hallucinate? The phrase “a pen is mightier than a sword” might be poetic, but it didn’t apply here. In terms of physical attack power, the sword would win, no question. Sure, there might be scenarios where strategy made the pen superior, but in this case, it was useless.
(Don’t give up! As Kaasama always says, “it’s game over if you quit trying!”)
“That’s… not what ‘a pen is mightier than a sword’ means! No matter how much effort I put in, a pen can’t win in a direct physical fight against a sword…”
At that moment, I noticed something glowing and floating nearby. Had I been pushed to the point of seeing hallucinations now?
“Wait, you’re not even a pen—you’re a brush!”
I couldn’t help but retort. Honestly, a brush had even less offensive capability than a pen.
(You’re right. Teehee!)
Also, it didn’t even have a tongue.
(Correct, I am a brush.)
“(...…)”
“A TALKING BRUSH?! And it’s glowing like Aldin!”
*Note: As a child, I used to call him by name without honorifics, and it stuck outside formal settings.*
(Haha! Master, we’ve spoken before, haven’t we?)
“… Well, now that you mention it. You’re the brush Rosarin Oneechan gave me, right?”
(Indeed. My name is Tsuyoshi, short for “The Brush is Mightier than the Sword.”)
“But you’re not even a pen…”
(I am Tsuyoshi.)
This brush was as incomprehensible as Jend’s father.
(Yes, Tsuyoshi, at your service.)
“Wait, are you responding to my thoughts?”
(I am Tsuyoshi, your personal brush. Reading your thoughts is a simple matter. Haven’t I always produced the colors you desired?)
“Oh…”
Now that I think about it, Tsuyoshi (tentative name) was a convenient tool that always painted in the exact colors I wanted, even though I never understood how it worked. Rosarin Oneechan had given it to me as a weapon, though its purpose was unclear.
(Glad you remember me!)
“Yeah, but… why start talking now?”
(It’s because your bond with me has grown, thanks to your magic power and the Wolfanea Boy suit. Also, I wanted to help you in your time of need.)
“Um, thanks?”
Why is everything Rosarin Oneechan makes so eccentric? Even Tsuyoshi (tentative name) was more expressive than Nex.
(Now, Master! It’s time to use Tsuyoshi’s power!)
Excited, Tsuyoshi pushed closer. Use it… how?
I painted a rock on an extra sheet I had and used it as camouflage. Thanks to Tsuyoshi, it blended in so well that it looked like an actual rock. A monster passed by without noticing me.
(Amazing, right? Tsuyoshi is amazing, right?!)
“… Yeah.”
It seemed I was the only one who could hear Tsuyoshi’s voice. Despite all its noise, the monsters didn’t notice.
“...!!”
I quickly threw the sheet over myself again. The monster walked past without stopping. I waited, using my sense of smell to confirm it was gone, then moved.
As I continued this pattern, I caught the scent of blood. I knew I shouldn’t go, but… could I really ignore it?
Could I live with myself, knowing I’d done nothing—like the adults who had always ignored me? Even if it was a stranger, could I abandon them?
No. I couldn’t.
I ran toward the smell of blood.
And Tsuyoshi (tentative name) responded to my determination.
(Master, I feel your fiery resolve! Now is the time to unleash Tsuyoshi’s true power! Paint the strongest being in existence!)
I grabbed Tsuyoshi and painted. The strongest thing I could imagine. To my surprise, Tsuyoshi’s paint floated mid-air, allowing me to draw freely.
When the painting was complete, I shouted:
“Wings of creation, take flight!!”
The image came to life, roaring fiercely.
“ROSARIIIIIIIIN!!”
As I watched what I’d created, one thought crossed my mind:
“Dirk-san is going to kill me.”
What do you think about this chapter?
