While we remained subtly on guard for whatever was lurking, the three of us listened as Yuta-san explained the property, seemingly oblivious to the hidden presence.
I didn't want to fight without reason, so I hoped it would just stay out of sight.
"This is the former site of the work hut I mentioned earlier. It apparently doubled as a tool shed and lodging; they say a building about twenty square meters once stood here."
"Twenty square meters... so roughly the size of two six-tatami rooms? That’s a fairly large building for this far out."
"Well, we’re deep in the mountains. It sounds like the work here was basically an overnight affair. They’d spend a whole day trekking up here with supplies, stay for several days to handle the thinning and logging, and then head back at sunrise with the timber they’d cut... though in reality, they likely split the labor between different groups for logging and transport."
"I see. If they were living up here for stretches, they would definitely need a building of that size just to maintain a baseline of comfort."
We nodded several times, wearing expressions of understanding. In our case, it had taken less than an hour to reach this spot from the car, but for ordinary people who weren't explorers—even those used to mountain trails—this was a place that would likely take an entire day just to reach. If a day trip wasn't an option, they’d need at least some minimal lodging, regardless of how many people were staying.
Still, if that was the case, I wish he’d called it a "lodging hut with storage" rather than a "work hut." When someone says "storage-like work hut," I imagine a tiny shack of only one or two mats. I’d expected it to be tucked away in the forest, but this clearing was far more spacious than I’d anticipated. It was probably about the size of a basketball court.
"Oh, and also—it’s been removed now, but there used to be a well dug nearby. It might take some effort, but I think it could be restored with proper maintenance. I heard it was decommissioned, but I haven't heard anything about the water running dry."
"A well... Come to think of it, aren't there any rivers or springs nearby?"
"There are some, apparently, but the confirmed ones are quite a distance away. Between the effort of fetching water repeatedly or running pipes from a distant source, it would be much easier to use the well if it can be restored. Especially when you consider the time and the maintenance pipes require."
"I see. But restoring a well..."
Yuji scratched his head, a grimace forming at Yuta-san’s suggestion. I couldn't remember the specifics, but I recalled a segment on a variety show about restoring old wells; it was a tedious cleaning process that took a considerable amount of time.
"I can introduce you to specialized contractors. It might cost a bit, but I don't think the restoration itself would be that difficult. Well, they’d have a hard time getting all the way out here, so travel fees might be steep..."
"It is deep in the mountains, after all. Oh, wait—if the restoration work is something we can do ourselves, we’ll handle it."
"Ah, I think you should probably avoid that. Old wells can accumulate toxic gases, or the oxygen levels can drop low enough to cause asphyxiation. It’s better to leave the maintenance to the professionals."
I’d certainly heard about those kinds of accidents on the news before. Given the risks involved, it was definitely better to leave it to the experts rather than amateurs with half-baked knowledge.
That said, in our case, digging a brand-new well while practicing Earth Magic skills seemed like a viable option. The fact that an old well existed meant there was a water vein nearby. We could probably manage it, though in the worst-case scenario, it would mean digging by hand with shovels.
"At the very least, if we can secure water, most living issues can be resolved. For building materials, we could resort to airlifting them by helicopter if we had to, but water is something you consume in large quantities constantly. You can't airlift it every day. If possible, we need to establish a way to source it locally."
"Yes, we are well aware of that. Securing water is a critical issue in dungeon exploration as well. When you live in an environment where potable water is just a tap turn away, it’s easy to forget, but once you step away from civilization, securing a sufficient supply is a massive hurdle."
"It sounds like you’ve learned that from experience. Well, if you understand that, I don't need to say any more. Honestly, if this were a place you could reach normally by car, it wouldn't be such a grave concern, but we're deep in the mountains with no proper roads. Thinking about it lightly would be genuinely dangerous."
"I understand your concern, Yuta-san. This place is far too remote to be treated like a casual campsite."
Yuta-san and his company likely didn't want to hear about a buyer getting lost and dying in the mountains less than a year after the sale. Even if they were just facilitating the deal, they’d want to offer a baseline of caution.
Just as the explanation of the clearing finished and we were about to start scouting the rest of the mountain, the hidden entity finally began to move, as if drawn out by our actions. Sigh. I really wish it had stayed hidden until we left.
Yuta-san, who hadn't noticed the lurking presence, looked puzzled when the three of us suddenly radiated an aura of disappointment. Then, catching on, his expression shifted to one of realization, and he began scanning the surrounding brush. Since a similar incident had happened not long ago, he’d probably put two and two together.
After observing the bushes for a while, Yuta-san asked the question he’d deduced with a shaky voice and an anxious expression.
"Is... is there something there?"
"Yes, unfortunately. It would have been nice if it had just stayed quiet and hidden..."
"..."
Hearing Yuji's response, Yuta-san gulped, the color draining from his face. He was likely reliving the encounter with the bear. To us, it hadn't been a big deal, but for him, it must have been a brush with death.
He was probably terrified that it was another bear.
"For now, Yuta-san, please stay behind us. I think it’ll be fine, but..."
"Eh, ah, right. Please."
Yuta-san hurried behind Yuji, positioning himself in the center of the triangular formation we took to protect him. This way, even if whatever was hiding attacked, we could keep him safe.
Of course, it would be best if it ended like the bear encounter, with no conflict at all.
"Well then, it seems our friend over there doesn't intend to let us pass quietly."
"Yeah, it's a shame."
"I wish it had just stayed hidden..."
After confirming Yuta-san was in position, the three of us fixed our gazes on a single point in the brush. The grass was swaying even though there was no wind, clearly indicating that something was approaching while staying concealed.
I’d held a faint hope that it would run away, but it seemed it had no such intention.
"I-Is it going to be okay? It’s getting closer... Is it another bear?"
Just as Yuta-san asked in an anxious voice, peeking over Yuji's shoulder, the creature revealed itself.
It wasn't a bear. Definitely not a bear...
"A-A boar? Wait, it’s huge!?"
What emerged from the bushes was a wild boar—and a massive one at that, boasting a physique even larger than the bear we’d encountered. As expected of a mountain left untouched for decades, it was home to some truly monstrous inhabitants.
Perhaps because of the previous encounter, Yuta-san maintained slightly more composure than before, but he still wore a look of utter shock at the sight of a boar larger than anything he’d ever seen.
"Hmm, quite the big one we have here."
"The Lord of the mountain, maybe?"
"I suspect so. You rarely see a boar this size. Even if it fought that bear from earlier, I think this boar would win."
It easily weighed over 150 kilograms—maybe closer to 160. It was likely among the largest of its kind. If a beast like that tackled a human with full momentum, they wouldn't stand a chance.
The three of us didn't avert our eyes, instead offering friendly smiles to signal that we had no hostile intent. Wait, why did the boar’s guard just go up?
"So, what's the plan? Daiki, Hiiragi-san? Personally, I’d be happy to just let it go home..."
"Same here. There's no need to be hostile at this stage."
"I agree. And if this boar really is the Lord of this mountain, then all the more reason not to kill it recklessly. It would be a hassle if a territorial dispute broke out after its death, or if the defeated beasts ended up driven down to human settlements. If we were planning to buy and own this mountain, extermination would be on the table, but right now, it’s better to just let it leave."
The three of us were in agreement—let the boar go home—but I wondered how the boar, which was still glaring at us warily, would react.
Meanwhile, Yuta-san was speechless, staring at the boar’s imposing form with a pale face, while the beast remained vigilant, intently observing our next move.
"For now, I'll try negotiating like I did with Mr. Bear."
"Negotiating, huh... I hope it works."
"We're just here to look around; we aren't enemies. We aren't trying to steal its territory, so it should be fine."
"Do you think so...?"
Yuji took a light step forward and spoke gently to the boar, which momentarily intensified its alertness, just as he had with the bear.
"Hey there, Mr. Boar. Let's talk for a—"
"Pugii!"
With a sharp snort as if to psych itself up, the boar launched into a full charge toward Yuji. Apparently, talking things out wasn't an option with this particular mountain Lord.
Yuji looked at the charging beast with a saddened gaze and then gave us our orders.
"Daiki, look after Yuta-san. Hiiragi-san, keep an eye on the surroundings. I'll handle this."
"Got it. Yuta-san, sorry, but I’m going to carry you. Just stay still."
"Eh, ah, okay."
"Understood, leave it to me."
I quickly scooped Yuta-san up in a princess carry and retreated from the boar’s charging path. Hiiragi-san also sidestepped the charge while scanning the perimeter to ensure no other animals were joining in.
As for Yuji...
"Now then... it's probably better not to hurt you unnecessarily. There!"
Once he confirmed we were clear, Yuji stood his ground directly in front of the charging boar and extended his right hand.
And then...
"Pugiiii!?"
"Oh? You’ve got some power behind you."
Even though the distance was short and it hadn't had much room to accelerate, Yuji placed his right hand against the boar's forehead, absorbing the impact and halting the charge as he backed up slightly. If Yuji had stood his ground and taken it head-on, the entire impact would have been concentrated on the boar's neck, potentially breaking its bones. He could have killed it just by stopping it.
In my arms, Yuta-san was speechless at the sheer absurdity of the sight, but that was the only way to resolve this without both parties getting hurt. It looked like a completely nonsensical scene, though.
"Now, please calm down, Mr. Boar. We didn't come here to mess with your territory; we just want to look around for a bit."
"Bumo!?"
Yuji spoke as if gently reasoning with it, while the boar repeatedly kicked and gouged the ground, trying to push past him. The reactions were polar opposites, but at this point, it was vividly clear which one was superior.
The boar was resisting with all its might, letting out fierce cries, while Yuji remained motionless, wearing a calm smile... Wait. From an outsider's perspective, the phrase "a hero standing against a demon king" comes to mind.
"It looks like you're finally in the mood to listen."
"Bumo..."
After the mock stalemate continued for a while, the boar finally released the strength in its legs and stopped resisting, faced with the smiling figure of Yuji, who wouldn't budge no matter how much force it applied. The light vanished from eyes that had been filled with hostility and competitive spirit only a moment ago, replaced by a dull gaze full of despair and resignation.
Then, the boar backed away a few steps, pulled its forehead away from Yuji's hand, closed its eyes, and rolled onto its back on the ground without a single cry, exposing its belly. It was a gesture of total, absolute surrender.
"..."
An awkward, heavy silence settled over us.
Yeah, that boar's spirit is completely shattered. I'm actually worried about whether it can go back to its normal life after we leave.
"Ah, look, like I said before, we have no intention of fighting you. We don't want your territory; we just want to be allowed to look around this mountain."
"...Bumo."
"Yeah, I mean it."
For some reason, it seemed a conversation was actually taking place, just like with the bear earlier. Did Yuji have a skill that let him communicate with animals? I'll have to check later.
But if he did have one, I wish he’d used it to talk to it before things turned out like this. Unlike the bear, who remained dignified to the end, seeing a massive boar in a total surrender posture, looking at us with pleading eyes, was honestly too much to watch. It wasn't just hard to look at; the scene was genuinely painful.