The sound of water crashing against rocks echoed steadily.
Shhh… shhh…
Kacha continued running along the stream.
Sweat trickled down his face,
but his eyes remained sharp—alert.
"…No joke… this place is way too big."
He let out a quiet laugh to himself.
"I've been moving for tens of minutes… and still no way out."
Then—
"…Huh?"
He slowed down.
Something ahead caught his attention.
"…What is that?"
Creatures resembling beavers—
but far larger than normal.
Some were as big as washing machines.
They splashed around in the stream, completely at ease.
SPLASH! SPLASH!
Boiling water scattered every time they moved.
"…Wait."
Kacha frowned.
"You guys can swim in boiling water!?"
He narrowed his eyes, disbelief written all over his face.
"…This world is seriously messed up."
He didn't get closer.
Instead, he kept his distance and moved along the edge.
"…Better not mess with them."
The deeper he went—
the louder the water became.
The air itself grew hotter.
"…Why is it getting hotter…?"
he muttered.
Then—
he froze.
"…Whoa…"
What stood before him made him stop in his tracks.
At the center of the stream—
was a massive nest.
Branches piled together into a gigantic structure—
almost like a fortress.
And at its core—
a single beaver lay resting.
Its fur glowed in a mix of orange and yellow.
Its size… nearly seven times larger than the others.
Flames burned constantly around its tail and feet.
Fwoosh… fwoosh…
Waves of heat radiated from its body.
On its back—
three or four smaller beavers lay sprawled out, basking comfortably.
"…You've gotta be kidding me."
Kacha whispered.
"What kind of beaver is that…?"
He swallowed.
"…It's literally on fire."
His gaze drifted back to the stream—
boiling water, rising heat… everything connected.
"…Don't tell me…"
He narrowed his eyes.
"That thing is the reason this entire stream is boiling?"
He slowed his breathing.
Careful. Silent.
"…If it's sleeping… good."
He took a step back.
"…Let's not get involved."
His voice grew more serious.
"…Just looking at it tells me I'm not ready."
He turned around,
ready to leave the area.
"Let's find another route—"
But suddenly—
WHOOSH!!!
A shadow burst out from the side.
"HEY—!!"
BOOOOM!!!
A massive impact slammed into Kacha's body.
He was sent flying.
CRASH!!!
His back hit a tree at full force.
"UGH—!!"
The air was knocked out of him.
Kacha collapsed to the ground.
"…What the hell was that…"
He forced himself to look up—
toward the thing that attacked him.
"… "
A massive wild boar.
Its body was dark green.
Its eyes glowed an eerie green light.
Long, sharp tusks curved forward.
Hot breath steamed from its snout.
"… "
Kacha went still for a second—
then let out a dry laugh.
"…Heh."
He slowly pushed himself up.
"Now this…"
He tightened his grip on the dagger.
Blood still seeped from his arm.
"…This is more like it."
His eyes sharpened.
"…One at a time is perfect."
The boar scraped the ground.
GRRR… GRRR…
Preparing to charge again.
A smirk formed on Kacha's lips.
"…Come on."
🔥 End of Chapter5