The Most Satisfied Reincarnate

Leona and Bastian resided within the confines of a human-made cave, their dwelling hidden deep within the recesses of a vast forest. During times of scarcity, their meager sustenance relied upon feasting upon bats, the only source of sustenance they could find unless they chanced upon weaker prey.

Meanwhile, on the opposite side of the forest, a lone figure traversed the verdant foliage. With sword in hand, the man deftly maneuvered through the undergrowth, using his free hand to part the obstructive bushes that impeded his progress.

"Aha!" The man abruptly halted, his gaze shifting upwards as he squinted his eyes. It was evident that his irises glowed with a peculiar luminescence. "One... Two... Three... Four." The man's voice trailed off in a low mutter.

What caught his attention was a cluster of quadrupedal reptilian creatures sprawled upon a nearby hill. Their exterior resembled that of crocodiles, boasting a tough and rugged hide. A leaf-shaped fin extended from the base of their necks to the tips of their tails, possessing a texture as formidable as their scaly skin.

Additional smaller fins protruded from behind their limbs, bestowing upon these creatures a multitude of menacing appendages.

These reptiles, akin to the size of tigers, seemed to have an affinity for basking in the sun, evident from their dry and weathered exterior.

"Desert Lizards, accounted for and stationary in their current position. This path is impassable. I should explore alternate routes," the man mused quietly to himself, cautiously inching his way sideways.

Once he deemed the distance to be safely navigable, he resumed his stride, gradually transitioning from the dense forest into a vast expanse of open meadowland.

Bathed in the ethereal glow of the starlit sky, the meadow assumed an enchanting beauty during the nocturnal hours. Countless fireflies danced upon the blades of grass, casting a mesmerizing radiance.

A gentle, cool breeze swept across the meadow, causing the grass to sway rhythmically, seemingly in tune with the wind's gentle melody.

Amidst this picturesque scene, the man stood transfixed, his hair gently tousled by the whispering zephyrs. "How exquisite! If only I could bring Alice to this enchanting place," he murmured softly, his thoughts drifting toward his beloved daughter.

Just as he took his first step onto the carpet of grass, an ominous sensation prickled at the back of his neck. Instinctively, the man dropped to the ground, using the meadow's expanse to shield his gaze. Lifting his head, he noticed a radiant plant adorned with myriad shimmering leaves in the distance.

Thanks to the lingering enchantment, he could discern the intricate details of the plant's form with utmost clarity.

In the heart of the meadow, an open space devoid of grass surrounded the prominent plant, demanding attention not only for its strategic placement but also its striking form. Its leaves, akin to neon lights, reached upward, each one radiating a vibrant glow amidst the darkness of the night.

However, it was not the plant alone that sent shivers down the man's spine. Standing beside it was a colossal wolf, surpassing the size of an elephant, its watchful eyes scanning the surroundings. Thorn-like fur adorned its back, while its feathers shimmered with the same ethereal light blue hue as the plant it guarded.

The combined luminosity emanating from the plant and the wolf's fur illuminated the area, revealing the presence of other wolf companions.

The surrounding wolves, though numerous, exhibited no intention of aggression. In fact, they appeared subservient to the colossal wolf, their size merely reaching its chest, despite being five times larger than an ordinary wolf.

Their fur resembled that of regular wolves, save for their sheer size, but what truly set them apart were their piercing blue eyes that glimmered within the nocturnal darkness.

Upon closer observation, a profound connection seemed to bind the plants, the giant wolf, and the wolves that encircled it. The man abandoned his initial thought of inviting his daughter to witness this natural spectacle. "I had intended to showcase the beauty of nature, but..." he sighed, crawling back into the sheltering embrace of the forest.

Returning to the depths of the woods, the man ceased his search and made his way back to the cave where his wife awaited. "Honey, I'm home," he called out as he untied the leaves that camouflaged the entrance to their abode. Crafted by his own hands, these leafy disguises deceived the curious beasts, making the cave appear like an inconspicuous mound of earth.

To his surprise, his wife's voice did not greet him; instead, he discovered her fast asleep within the cave. "You gave me a fright," he whispered, planting a gentle kiss upon her cheek before placing his sword beside the bed.

"Now, let's test if my wife is truly as oblivious as she appears," he murmured. The man retraced his steps to the entrance of the cave, carefully examining the base of the door.

"Hmm, she's not what I expected." The man gingerly brushed aside the leaves concealing the entrance of the cave door, revealing an energy stone adorned with intricate magic circles.

Returning to bed, the man settled himself beside his wife, enveloping her in a warm embrace from behind. "Goodnight, my love," he whispered, playfully blowing a soft breath into her ear before succumbing to sleep.

As the man dozed off, his wife's eyes fluttered open. "You fool!" Her face flushed crimson, her body now consumed by a searing heat. Peeking over, she confirmed that her husband remained blissfully unaware in his slumber. "You must be exhausted," she murmured, gently caressing his face before drifting back into sleep herself.

The following morning, Leona awoke to find her husband absent from their shared bed. Rising to her feet, she heard his voice emanating from the kitchen. "Honey, what are you doing?"

Rubbing her eyes and invoking a spell to refresh herself, Leona made her way to the kitchen, where she discovered her husband cooking several charred portions of bat meat. "Ah, I'm sorry, my love. I was famished, and I couldn't resist when I laid eyes on these," Bastian chuckled awkwardly, noticing his wife's displeased expression.

"Today, I'll be checking on the Sky-Hunter's nest. Let me know when breakfast is ready, hahaha," he said, grabbing a burnt piece of bat meat and devouring it hastily before hurrying out of the house.

Once Bastian had departed, Leona sighed, watching him disappear. Her earlier sullen expression had transformed into one of weariness. "If only he could be a little more patient, perhaps this dish would have turned out better."

Observing the dwindling ingredients, Leona shook her head. "But it's also my fault for sleeping in." Recalling the events of the previous night, a faint blush tinted her cheeks. "Fool," she whispered softly before setting about preparing breakfast.

...

Meanwhile, Bastian strode purposefully toward the location where the Sky-Hunter was said to dwell. "I hope that beast is nowhere to be found..."

For days, in addition to exploring alternative exits, he had been scouting the Sky-Hunter's lair. This den, occupied by the formidable beasts, provided the most viable escape route from their territory.

Upon arrival, however, he found no trace of the Sky-Hunter, not even the carcass of the creature it had once used as transportation. "Is this a dream?" Bastian waited a few more minutes, but the Sky-Hunter failed to make an appearance.

His hopes had materialized! Excitement now animated his expression. "I don't know where that cursed beast has vanished to, but this is a golden opportunity." Before turning back, Bastian meticulously confirmed his chosen path, finding no sign of the elusive Sky-Hunter.

He quickened his pace, finally reaching his temporary home, but his expression froze in horror at the sight before him. "Honey!" Bastian shouted.

The scene was gruesome, with his wife encircled by a pack of Husk Wolves. Without hesitation, he activated his swordsmanship skills and lunged into action.

* swoosh * * swoosh *

Bastian relentlessly slashed at the wolves, creating a path towards his wife. With each strike, the wolves roared in pain, their fangs clamping down on Bastian's hand.

* crack *

A resounding crack echoed through the air as the wolf's teeth crumbled upon impact, failing to reach Bastian's hand. A protective barrier materialized, shielding his hand from all directions.

Not only his hands, but even his feet were enveloped in the same barrier whenever a wolf attempted to bite him, met with the same result.

"Honey, are you okay?" Bastian finally fought his way to her side, his concern evident as he checked her condition.

"I'm just a little tired," Leona replied weakly, offering a faint smile. But in that moment, a wolf leapt from above, aiming to engulf her head in its jaws.

"Ho-" Bastian barely had time to utter a warning before witnessing blood spurt around him.

* pop *

Simultaneously, Leona channeled her magic, conjuring a colossal ice needle from the ground that impaled the attacking wolf's abdomen.

"Wow," Bastian marveled at the untapped power of his wife, but his elation was short-lived as he felt a looming danger from behind.

Reacting swiftly due to his swordsmanship's passive skill, Bastian swiftly spun around, thrusting his blade into the mouth of a wolf that sought to sink its teeth into his hand.