Lu Ximing slowly withdrew his hand.
Kael continued looking at him with a strange expression.
"What?" Ximing asked.
Kael shook his head.
"Nothing."
"You were staring."
"I've never seen a human like you before."
Ximing raised an eyebrow.
"Is that supposed to be a compliment?"
Kael looked away.
"I don't know."
Ximing almost laughed.
This guy is strange.
He glanced around the forest.
"Since you know this place, can you tell me where I am?"
Kael's expression became serious.
"You are in the Blackwood Forest."
"Blackwood?"
"Yes. It's several hours from the nearest village."
Ximing sighed.
"So I'm really in the middle of nowhere."
"Pretty much."
"Wonderful."
Kael looked at him again.
"How did you get here?"
Ximing hesitated.
I can't exactly tell him I died in another world and was sent here by a goddess.
"I don't remember."
Kael frowned.
"You don't remember anything?"
"I remember my name."
Ximing tapped his head.
"But everything before waking up here is... unclear."
It wasn't exactly a lie.
At least, it was close enough.
Kael seemed to accept the explanation.
"You shouldn't stay here."
"Why?"
Kael pointed toward the trees.
"Night is approaching."
Ximing looked up.
The sunlight was already fading.
"Are you saying there are dangerous animals here?"
"Animals aren't the biggest problem."
"Then what is?"
Kael's eyes narrowed.
"Monsters."
Ximing became quiet.
"...Monsters?"
"Yes."
A distant roar echoed through the forest.
ROOOOAAAR!
Ximing froze.
Kael immediately stepped in front of him.
"Stay behind me."
Ximing blinked.
"I'm not helpless."
"I didn't say you were."
Kael glanced back.
"But you don't know this forest."
Ximing considered arguing.
Then another roar echoed.
Much closer.
"...Fine."
Kael reached for the weapon hanging at his side.
It was a large axe.
Ximing looked at it.
"You're a hunter?"
"Something like that."
Kael began walking.
"Come with me."
"Where?"
"My village."
Ximing stopped.
"Your village?"
Kael nodded.
"You need somewhere safe to stay tonight."
Ximing thought about his personal space.
Technically, he already had a safe place.
But he didn't know this world yet.
He needed information.
And Kael seemed like the perfect person to provide it.
"Okay."
Ximing followed him.