"Sir, would you believe me if I said I found your wife lying here on the ground when I entered?" Immediately after uttering those words, the seven-foot-tall bear charged straight at me headfirst. I got out of the way. I could not escape since it was blocking the entrance of the cave. I had no choice but to fight. As it charged forward a second time, I realized I needed to attack or else this might be my grave. I charged forward, and we clashed. I received a heavy blow to the stomach and flew back, hitting the wall. I started coughing blood. Internal injuries? I would have died if I had not cast [Steelification] on my stomach before the blow. This is bad. I am running out of healing potions too. Three bottles of poison left, huh. My body felt lighter now, and I realized my sword could penetrate its skin. I must have leveled up after killing that other bear. I poured the poison over my sword. If this attack does not work, I guess I will turn into fertilizer here.

I charged towards the bear as it charged towards me. This one attack would decide the fight, and I was also running out of mana. A loud bang rang out as the cave shook violently. "I tried my best, mother, please forgive me," I thought as I fell into a deep sleep.

"Are you awake?"

"Who are you?"

This story is posted elsewhere by the author. Help them out by reading the authentic version.

Wait, am I still alive? Anyways, who is this chick?

"You can call me Ellen for now and—"

"Yeah, yeah, whatever. I need to leave the cave. Mother must be worried about me."

"How dare you interrupt me while I am talking? I am the goddess of the elves, the one who summoned your soul into this world."

"Yeah, yeah, whatever. I need to go and... wait? Say what now?"

What the heck did this chick say?

"I do not know how long we can talk, but let me get straight to the point. A big storm is coming, so please protect the elves for me."

"Not interested. Please go ask your chosen ones for that."

"Chosen ones?"

"I mean the ones with golden hair like yours. According to my information, you created us to serve and be under them, right?"

"Information?"

"Are you trying to deny it now?"

"I did not make such a rule, and I do not know what you are talking about. Anyway, my time is almost up."

"Wait, wait. Where is my system or cheat ability?"

"System? Cheat? I do not understand. Well, it was nice meeting you, so please take care of the elves. I made sure to keep you from dying. Once you save them, you no longer owe me."

"Wait, what about the system?!"

What a weird dream. I stood up, and behind me, the bear was lying lifeless on the floor. So the match was a draw, huh. I sat down properly and started eating and drinking my water. I realized I had run out of water. After eating, I checked my supplies:

* 1 healing potion

* 2 poison potions

* 0 scent-hiding potions

* Cracked sword

This is bad. What was that woman talking about again? But it does not matter. Let's survive here first, and we will think later. I wonder how much time has passed. Let me just rest for today. When I wake up, I will go deeper.