Chapter 38: Life and Death
Life and death spun endlessly—like a wheel that never stops turning.
Somewhere on the island, by the riverbank, a massive red python—seven or eight meters long—was locked in a deadly struggle with a freshwater crocodile over six meters in length.
The crocodile had sunk its jaws into the python's middle, while the python coiled tightly around the crocodile's body, tearing into one of its hind legs with its powerful fangs.
Their battle was fierce and relentless. They wrestled in a vicious knot, a gruesome tug-of-war that dragged on for over an hour, neither side willing to yield.
Not far from the clash, three wild humans lay hidden in the bushes, holding their breath. They dared not move, knowing full well: the beasts would eventually destroy each other. Then, they'd swoop in and claim the spoils.
Unlike philosophers who ponder life and death as an endless cycle, these wild men had no such thoughts.
But the wild girl with them… her expression was strangely blank as she watched the fight, as if something deeper was stirring in her mind.
The way the python coiled, the way it bit the crocodile—it reminded her of something else.
A memory. From her tribe.
She'd seen similar movements between a man and a woman back in the Dragonback Tribe.
Yes—just like what the chieftain used to do with the women.
So… animals did it too?
And even wilder.
Could snakes and crocodiles… understand each other?
The girl tilted her head, curiosity flickering in her eyes.
Was this what the old chieftain once called… "philosophy"?
It was like a door was slowly creaking open in her mind.
Time passed.
Eventually, one side began to falter.
The crocodile's bulging eyes lost their light.
Dead—suffocated in the python's crushing embrace.
Though the red python was also wounded and bleeding, it ignored the pain. Instead, it immediately began swallowing its prey.
Uncoiling its body, it opened its jaws wide and began engulfing the crocodile's head.
Bit by bit, the crocodile's body slid into its mouth, helped by thick mucus and powerful, trained muscles.
Fifteen minutes passed. A third of the crocodile had already been consumed.
The wild men grew impatient.
It was time to act.
Their leader nudged the wild girl beside him, signaling her to approach and check if the python still posed a threat.
"Ula-ra…"
She frowned, clearly reluctant, but she didn't dare disobey.
Picking up a thin stick, she crept toward the snake.
The red python didn't notice her. It stayed focused on its meal, its body pulsing rhythmically as it swallowed—about six centimeters every five seconds.
"Ula! Ula!" she called out softly, waving a hand.
The coast might be clear.
Still, the leader wasn't convinced.
He pointed at her stick and barked, "Na-na!"
Poke it again. Just to be sure.
"Ugh…" The girl looked at the stick, then at the massive serpent, now wrapping up the rest of its meal.
Insane. That snake was huge. One tail swipe, and she'd be dead.
"Ku-na-na!" the chieftain barked louder, his voice cold and threatening.
The girl froze. Painful memories flashed through her mind.
She trembled, lowered her head, and gave a reluctant nod.
As the chieftain's eyes bored into her, she resumed her approach.
Suddenly—a thought.
I'll just throw it!
With a flick of her wrist, she hurled the stick at the snake's massive head.
Plak.
It hit.
Even before the stick landed, the girl turned and ran, eyes shut tight, sprinting away as fast as she could.
Plok.
The stick bounced off harmlessly.
Still, the python didn't react. It calmly continued its feast, completely unbothered.
"Ula-nara!"
The chieftain stood up and shouted.
This was it.
The snake was too worn out to fight back, he was sure of it.
"Go!"
Two of his men sprang from the bushes and charged the python.
Crude stone spears in hand, they rushed in, flanking the creature and aiming for its eyes.
But just then—disaster struck.
The red python suddenly writhed and reared back—then violently spat out the crocodile!
"Gwahhh!"
The heavy corpse shot through the air and slammed into the two attackers.
Their spears shattered on impact. The weight crushed them to the ground.
The thick stench of blood filled their nostrils.
"Ula! Ula!" the chieftain roared.
He hadn't expected the python to fight back so quickly.
Fools! Get up!
Cursing under his breath, he reached for his fang-tipped spear—but it wasn't there.
Damn it! Just a regular stone spear. Useless.
Fear began creeping in.
But he couldn't let his men die—not yet.
He grabbed his bow, nocked an arrow, and aimed for the python's eye.
Twang!
The arrow flew—only to bounce off the snake's thick scales.
But the python hissed in pain.
SsssHHHaaaa!!
It lunged.
The chieftain dropped his bow and ran, darting around a tree to escape the furious beast.
The wild girl, sensing danger long before, had already fled—and never looked back.
She didn't stop running.
The chieftain, drenched in sweat and panting, kept circling the tree, buying time.
Meanwhile, his two men crawled free from beneath the crocodile's body.
Now, it was three wild humans versus one exhausted python.
The red snake tried lunging again—but the men struck from behind, keeping their distance.
Back and forth they fought in a tense standoff.
Finally, the snake gave up.
Its eyes flashed with hate—then it slithered away into the jungle.
"Ulaaaaa!!" the men cheered in triumph.
Victory!
The crocodile was theirs.
So much meat!
Drooling, the two approached the carcass.
But—
"Ula?!" The chieftain's head whipped around. His eyes widened.
The savage girl—from the Dragonback Tribe—they'd traded for her.
Gone.
"That ugly girl! Where is she?!"
He roared with rage.
The two men looked at each other and shrugged.
"Don't know… Maybe the snake ate her?"
"Idiot! She ran!"
The chieftain's fury boiled over.
The thrill of victory was gone. His face darkened.
"You two—carry the meat. I'm going after her."
He pointed to the carcass, then stormed off into the jungle.
— — —
Later that night...
"Utaha-senpai, do you play any instruments?"
Night had fallen.
Beside a small campfire, Jun quietly asked the question as he watched Utaha arranging some grass for a bed.
But his thoughts drifted elsewhere.
Her figure, her fair legs just visible under her short skirt...
Why were school uniforms so short? he wondered.
If they were even a little shorter—
"Instruments...? Me?" Utaha turned, surprised.
"Yeah," Jun nodded casually.
"Well… I was in the wind instrument club in elementary school. So… I know how to play the recorder. A little."
She turned back to her task, trying to sound modest.
She barely remembered how—but she didn't want to look useless.
"A recorder, huh..." Jun nodded thoughtfully.
"Why the sudden question?" Utaha asked, scooting closer until their shoulders touched.
"No reason. Just curious."
Jun instinctively shifted a bit away.
A recorder... but they hadn't found any bamboo here yet...
He picked up a wide leaf, pressed it between his lips, and blew.
A soft melody from Laputa: Castle in the Sky floated in the air.
Utaha's eyes widened.
"You're amazing... Jun-kun can play music too...?"
Writing novels, playing shogi... and now this?
What kind of guy is he?
"I only know this one. Learned it when I was little," Jun said, gazing into the fire.
Back in the orphanage, he'd practiced in secret.
A bittersweet memory—but he didn't speak of it.
"Still, it's impressive..." Utaha said softly.
"Want to learn?"
"I do!" Her eyes lit up. On a boring island like this, anything fun was precious.
"Okay. First, hold the leaf like this..." Jun explained, showing her how to stretch it across her lips.
Then he picked another leaf and offered it to her.
But she shook her head.
"This one's fine..." she said, pointing to the one he'd used.
"Huh?"
Jun blinked, looking at her pink lips.
"That one...?"
"Is it... not allowed?" she whispered, cheeks flushed.
She looked up shyly, hopeful.
She's not disgusted… thank goodness.
Utaha gripped the leaf, mentally cheering herself on.
But—
"Senpai! I want to learn too!"
Ginko's voice rang out as she rushed over, grabbing Jun's arm.
"Gin-chan... and Yukino too..." Jun muttered as the others arrived.
The melody had drawn everyone in.
Even Yukino stood nearby.
"Seems fun. Might help pass the time," she said coolly.
"Can I learn too?"
Yui appeared, smiling shyly.
Jun scratched his head.
"Yeah… sure. Everyone's welcome."
He quickly tossed the leaf he'd played and gathered fresh ones to pass out.
Teaching one or four—same difference, right?
He tried to stay calm.
But the girls' polite, quietly competitive glances made him sweat.
Eventually, the impromptu "music class" came to a close.
— — —
"Why is Utaha-senpai so good at it..." Ginko grumbled. Her leaf still squeaked like a dying mouse.
Utaha and Yukino had already managed a few decent notes.
Yui? Fast asleep.
"Am I really that hopeless...?" Ginko muttered.
Frustration boiled inside her.
Will I just sit and watch Senpai fall for someone else?
No. I won't lose!
Gritting her teeth, Ginko sat up straight.
She'd keep trying.
No matter what.
---
I apologize for the poor quality of this chapter's English translation. I've tried many times to improve it, but I haven't been successful. So, I decided to just finish this chapter.
I will try to make the next chapter match the previous translation.
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Thank you to Hunter Waldo, Vantas, Nawaf Rashed Damian Vallejo and Mason docksey for supporting my Patreon.
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