I stood there, frozen for a moment, trying to steady my breathing. The weight of the situation pressed down on me like a mountain. A Grade 2 beast—something that even Maito and Ryoji took seriously—was now hunting me.

  I exhaled and forced a smirk. “Hey, Maito… do you know that in my world, we also have black panthers?”

  Maito raised an eyebrow, still gripping his sword. “Oh?”

  I nodded. “Yeah, but they don’t go around attacking humans. They stay in the wild, and as long as we don’t bother them, they don’t bother us. So, we never really worry about them.”

  Kaito blinked. “Wait, really? That sounds way better than this situation.”

  I sighed. “Yeah, but now it’s different. This thing is actively hunting me.”

  Maito narrowed his eyes. “What are you getting at?”

  I clenched my fists, determination setting in. “I have a plan.”

  Kaito leaned in. “Oh? What’s your idea?”

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  I turned to Maito. “All we need to do is lead the Black Panther away from the village, right?”

  Maito hesitated before nodding. “Yes, but that’s easier said than done. If it’s already picked you as its target, it won’t just walk away.”

  I smirked. “Then leave that part to me.”

  Kaito immediately looked worried. “Wait, wait, wait—what do you mean, ‘leave that part to me’?! Hiroshi, don’t tell me you’re planning to use yourself as bait?!”

  I glanced at him and shrugged. “That’s exactly what I’m planning.”

  Kaito’s mouth fell open. “HAVE YOU LOST YOUR MIND?!”

  Maito sighed and pinched the bridge of his nose. “I should’ve known you’d say something reckless.”

  Ryoji, who had been listening quietly, finally spoke. “You want to lure it out?”

  I nodded. “That’s the best way. If it sees me running, it’ll chase me down, right? That’s what predators do.”

  Maito crossed his arms. “That’s true… but do you understand what you’re up against? This isn’t just some wild animal—it’s a Grade 2 beast. If it catches you, it won’t hesitate to tear you apart.”

  I gulped but stood my ground. “That’s why I won’t let it catch me.”

  Maito shook his head. “I get what you’re trying to do, but it’s too risky. If we mess up, you’ll be dead in seconds.”

  Ryoji nodded. “I agree. We need a backup plan.”

  I thought for a moment, then grinned. “Then how about this? I’ll lead it toward the river outside the village. If I can get it close enough, you guys ambush it.”

  Maito rubbed his chin. “The river, huh… That’s not a bad idea. The water will slow it down, making it harder for it to use its speed against us.”

  Ryoji smirked. “I see… and if we catch it off guard, we might be able to land a fatal blow.”

  Kaito still looked nervous. “But… are you sure you can outrun it?”

  I stretched my arms. “I don’t have to outrun it forever—just long enough to lead it to the river.”

  Maito sighed. “I can’t believe I’m saying this, but… fine. We’ll go with your plan.”

  I grinned. “That’s the spirit.”

  Ryoji placed a hand on my shoulder. “Just don’t die, kid. We don’t have time to mourn an idiot.”

  I laughed nervously. “Yeah, yeah. I’ll be fine.”

  Maito cracked his knuckles. “Then let’s get into position. We don’t have much time.”