577 - I Was Genderswapped and Reincarnated as a Villainess, but I’m Making this My Personal Yuri Game

Chapter 577: "Awakening" "Aaaaahhhhhh!" I'm currently running through the mountains. It might sound confusing, and in fact, I'm not quite sure what I'm doing either. It's summer break, and I got whisked away by Shishou in his car for a training camp in the mountains. Now, I'm sprinting through the forest with a boar hot on my heels. "What are you doing? You can't defeat it by just running away!" "This is impossible!" Japanese people have become so complacent in their peaceful lives that they've forgotten the dangers of wild animals. Typically, people rarely venture into mountains or forests, and when they do, it's often just to stroll through well-maintained campgrounds or trekking paths. As a result, the threat posed by wild animals rarely crosses their minds. Many even pity the bears that attack humans or neglect the fact that boars are ferocious beasts. However, a bear that has once attacked a human and recognizes them as feeble, easily preyed-upon creatures becomes incredibly dangerous. Bears are inherently timid and will avoid approaching large groups of humans. Yet, if a bear somehow encounters a human in a heightened state of excitement and attacks, tasting human flesh, it loses its fear of people. Humans are only strong because they wield weapons and employ group tactics and strategies. Physically, they're weaker than most animals. A bear that has assaulted a human learns this vulnerability and might see humans as easy prey. Hence, a bear that has attacked once must be eradicated, or it will keep coming back to attack humans. Though some might suggest tranquilizing and releasing such bears into the forest, tranquilizer darts have a very limited range, and the animal takes quite a while to fall asleep. Those who claim this should try standing before a bear with a tranquilizer gun—if they can manage. Moreover, even if the bear is tranquilized and returned to the forest, as long as it knows that humans are weak and plentiful food sources, it will descend the mountains repeatedly. Eradication remains the only practical solution. Those who spout nonsense like "it's pitiful" should turn their own property into a cage and live with the bear. That way, the bear won't be eradicated, and the person can feed and care for it, thus solving everything. If someone does all that, they have the right to say it's pitiful. The notion that humans are encroaching on bears' territories or that we've deprived bears of their living space isn't accurate at all. Nowadays, rural depopulation has reduced human living areas, allowing wildlife territories to expand. Claims like "humans have taken bears' habitats" or "humans are encroaching into bears' living areas" are sheer ignorance. Mountains and forests thrive because humans have managed them, and they've become rich lands due to such interventions. Completely untouched forests aren't as bountiful. They present harsh environments for wildlife. Only by thinning overgrown trees and planting necessary flora can humans create rich forests. Rural depopulation has led to fewer managed forests and poorer ecosystems, prompting wildlife to venture into human territories. Thus, anyone who says "humans have taken animals' homes" or "humans are invading animal habitats" knows nothing of the world's realities. Modern people, who seldom encounter wildlife, tend to forget that boars are ferocious beasts capable of causing harm to many humans. And to think, I'm expected to defeat such a beast with bare hands as a middle school girl... "That's impossible!" "PUGIIII!" I increased my pace and somehow managed to shake off the boar's relentless pursuit. ～～～～～～～ Having safely escaped from the boar, I ponder while preparing dinner. This mountain training camp has become a regular event, but Shishou mentioned something peculiar before this year's camp began. He said something like, "The pre-summer break training was just a rough start, so we'll go to the mountains during summer break and finish it up properly." I'm not entirely sure what he meant by that, but it seems like this year's training involves a lot more waterfall meditation and seated meditation than usual. Normally, it's all about pushing to the limits, both physically and mentally, in a survival-like setting. This time, however, we're allowed to stay in a lodge, and instead of exhausting physical drills, it's more about meditating under waterfalls, sitting in zazen, and doing calligraphy, making me wonder if these tasks even warrant the mountain setting. But just when I think it's about relaxation, like today at noon, I'm suddenly chased by a boar. I must never forget that the tension where any misstep could be fatal always looms over me. Occasionally, Shishou throws shurikens at me... If I let my guard down, they'd pierce right through me. They're not toys, and their blades aren't dulled, so they literally do pierce if I'm not careful. "Sakuya, what will you do if you only keep running away? You remember the promise to defeat a boar by the time you're in middle school, right?" "Yes..." Though they call it a promise, it's actually a condition set by Shishou rather than something I initiated. Regardless, being suddenly reminded of it is quite daunting. What happens if I can't achieve it? Will I be expelled from the Momochi school if I don't manage to defeat a boar by the time I graduate middle school? Shishou unilaterally declared I must defeat a boar before middle school graduation, but what are the implications of success or failure? What happens if I can't manage it? It's likely not pleasant, but realistically, asking a middle school girl to take down a boar with her bare hands is absurd. Pushing too hard might end up with those upward-facing tusks piercing me. I can't just say there's still a whole year and a half until graduation. Meeting a boar can only happen during the summer mountain training camps. If I can't defeat one this time, next year's camp will be my final chance. If I'm serious about defeating a boar, I need to grasp something significant this year or risk facing the same outcomes next year without any strategy. While there's still time, I need to devise a plan... "Hmm... I'll give you a hint. Certainly, using weapons like spears or guns is prohibited. But I never said you must defeat it with your bare hands. Humans have the capability to devise strategies, do they not?" "Strategies..." I reflect on Shishou's words. I hadn't considered guns since I don't have any, but it seems I can't attach blades to a stick to use as a spear either. While he did say to fight without weapons, I wasn't instructed to catch the boar head-on or beat it down with my fists. The first thought that comes to mind when told to devise a strategy other than direct combat is trapping. If I can set up a trap to lure in the boar, immobilize it, and then finish it off, that would be ideal. However, constructing a trap capable of capturing a boar isn't a simple task. Without a metal cage or even bait with a scent strong enough to draw the boar in, I can't create a trap in this barren situation. Additionally, setting up a trap poorly risks catching prey other than the boar. If, by chance, a bear were to get caught, it would be even more troublesome than a boar. Without a hunting gun to handle anything I catch, a careless trap could endanger my life instead. "Ughhhh..." "Sakuya, it's burning." "Oh! Right!" While pondering, I allowed dinner to burn a little. Despite staying in something akin to a mountain lodge this year, proper cooking is beyond me. Compared to last year, being able to eat warm meals is appreciated, but... As I mulled over Shishou's words, the night wore on. ～～～～～～～ This morning, I endure the freezing waterfall again. Although I've done this kind of waterfall meditation before, Shishou's training plan seems unusually different this time. Recent years have seen a decline in the use of the term "global warming." This is because it has been exposed as a lie. Consequently, terms like "abnormal weather" and "climate change" have begun to circulate. However, humans have only been studying and recording weather patterns for a fleetingly short time. To call current weather "abnormal" based on this scant data is laughable. The Earth's climate is perpetually fluctuating, never constant. Even if humans were to vanish right now, halting all activities safely and entirely, Earth's climate would continue to shift. Human presence or absence is irrelevant—our planet's climate has been evolving continuously over billions of years even before humanity existed. The ice age has ended, and we are certainly heading toward a warming period. Thus, rising temperatures are the natural course. Even if humanity were to disappear at this very moment, ceasing all activities, the increase in temperature wouldn’t halt. Whether this is a glacial or interglacial period is debated, and whether we're moving toward an ice age is also in question—ultimately, only time will tell. Urban heat increases compared to the past are attributable to the heat island effect. Buildings congest urban areas, trapping heat, while concrete and asphalt retain heat that’s usually released overnight. Consequently, accumulated heat persists without discharge. Air conditioners, by cooling indoor spaces, expel heat outside through outdoor units, releasing even more heat than would naturally exist indoors. Thus, the more air conditioning units are used, the more heat is discharged outdoors. This accumulated heat saturates urban spaces without being released, causing rising temperatures—the phenomenon known as the heat island effect. Thus, venturing slightly into the countryside from urban areas reveals night-time coolness even in midsummer. Global warming isn't heating the Earth; rather, city environments trap heat, failing to release it, resulting in warming. Localized heat concentration shouldn't be construed as a rise in Earth's average temperature. Noticing one's urban area become hotter and proclaiming "global warming!" is overly simplistic. The unfortunate increase in gullibility toward such simplisms is lamentable. What this all amounts to is... it's freezing! Even in midsummer, enduring early morning waterfalls in the mountains is cold enough to bring on a runny nose! "Korya! Sakuya! Your focus is wavering!" "Yes!" If it were merely a scolding, it'd be fine, but Shishou throws stones too. Although my eyes are closed, I sense and dodge the stones. The stones that hit the waterfall bounce off, clattering against surrounding rocks and creating a soundscape. "Concentrate more! You can't attain enlightenment like this!" "Understood!" But enlightenment... isn't it akin to dying or surrendering to life's circumstances? Though, what do I know, really? ～～～～～～～ With few days left in the mountain training camp, I must devise a strategy against the boar this year or risk running out of time next year. Thus, I stroll slowly through the mountain. "............" "............" Shishou trails silently behind me, saying nothing. I focus intently on the ground, committing the terrain to memory as I wander. "This is..." "Hmm..." While examining tracks on the ground, Shishou peers alongside me. These tracks belong to the target. I've been chased by it annually for several years now, so I can tell. Following the tracks, I discover signs of feeding and droppings. Now I understand the boar's routes for movement, feeding grounds, and watering spots. I walk the mountain, seeking a suitable location for facing the boar in combat. An ideal spot would be close to the boar's habitat, aligning with my needs. Venturing too far might cause the boar to abandon pursuit. I hope for a terrain that accommodates my strategy while luring the boar... "This place..." "............" Previously, I merely ran frantically around the mountain. But thanks to this slow and careful survey, I've gained new insights. I found ideal terrain and routes for my strategy. Had I truly intended to defeat the boar, I should have recognized this much earlier. Despite Shishou's words, I had never considered it seriously. Shishou wasn't joking about defeating a boar. Yet I, taking it lightly, treated it as a jest. Consequently, I hadn't earnestly devised any strategy, leading to my present realization. Now that I've formed a plan and familiarized myself with the geography, I've done enough this year. The real challenge is next year. "Have you had enough for today?" "Yes!" "Hmm... I'm looking forward to next year." When I nod firmly, Shishou raises an eyebrow and smiles wryly. Surely, my strategy is transparent to him. Perhaps he wonders why I hadn't acted sooner. In any case, preparations are complete this year. The ultimate challenge is next year... Come next year, I will hunt down the boar, just as promised with Shishou! Support with a Like Currently Not Accepting Use points to support the author! Please log in to leave a rating. *Please log in to write a comment. ▲Back to top of the page Share via X (formerly Twitter) or LINE Share on Twitter Share on LINE +Notice+ Unless otherwise noted, all featured works are fictional and bear no relation to actual persons or organizations. Unless otherwise noted, the copyright of featured works belongs to the author (excluding some exceptions). Unauthorized reproduction beyond quotations by anyone other than the author is prohibited and constitutes a violation of copyright law. This work is free to link. 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