It has been four days since Tino set off from the cave together with the food bringer Koko. During the four days, he learned many things. For example, that Koko's name is not actually Koko, but Kokona and that she squats down when she pees. Tino never squats down when he has to take care of the small side of the business, so he found it rather strange at first. However, what he found even stranger is that Kokona doesn't have a little companion like him and that she really doesn't like when he's looking when she's letting the stream flow.

That's when Kokona figured out that she might have been the first person Tino ever saw. She was curious about Tino's circumstances, she asked many things, but Tino wasn't able to answer them.

Naturally, during the four days, Tino came across many animals, insects, and monsters. The animals were chased off by Tino's curiosity, and both the insects and monsters got stomped by Kokona. Tino really admires Kokona who is only a little bigger than him. He just couldn't understand how someone who's so small could chase off monsters that were five times her size.

"Koko, yummy!"

Tino exclaimed as he slurped on the unripe coconut colored creature soup made from his secret stash. Kokona has cooked it for him over the fire, she added some vegetables and made a delicious soup. She also taught Tino that this coconut colored creature is called a turtle in the Beastfolk language. She also told him that he shouldn't eat raw meat. It took longer than she expected to teach Tino what raw means, though.

"Don't speak with a full mouth."

"Yesssh~"

Tino's vocabulary has considerably increased during his stay with Kokona. He also now tends to listen to everything Kokona says as if her words were the words of his body and soul.

Kokona also took quite a liking to Tino, but she still doesn't let him touch her tail. But, the more she refuses to let him touch it, the more he feels like touching it.

"Phaaaa~"

Tino showed his satisfaction with exaggerated actions as usual.

Seeing that Tino finished eating, Kokona extinguished the fire and prepared to leave.

"Let's go."

"Yesss."

Tino and Kokona set off once again. They, however, weren't walking straight north as Tino did before. For the four days, they walked to the northwest, and today, they set straight towards the west. Naturally, Kokona informed Tino on the first day where they are going, but Tino couldn't understand then.

That's why she decided to tell him once again when he understands her well enough.

"The Beastfolk settlement, New $)yŸu$."

"Hmm... Severus?"

"Cer. Be. Rus. Cerberus."

"Seve- Cerbevu- Cerberus? Cerberus! Koko!"

"That's right! You got it right!"

"Hehehe~"

Kokona praised Tino and rustled his hair.

"Why new? Where is old?" Tino asked.

"On the Old Continent. We have $)úlp8 across the sea and established the New Cerberus here."

"Old Continent? Don't understand $)... $)ú...?"

"Sa. I. Led. Sailed. It means to swim on a ship. The Old Continent is the place where the Beastfolk like me come from. A land far, far away."

"Ship? Spoke about before? Drear? Forgot... sorry."

"Drekar, they are the best ships we have ever built. Only thanks to them were we able to cross the sea."

"I see. Sea big! Tino can't swim!"

"Then, we better teach you one day."

"Yesss~"

Rustle, rustle.

Suddenly, Kokona stopped and ears perked up and slightly tilted towards the direction of rustling.

"What's wrong?" Tino tilted his head.

"Enemy."

Kokona unsheathed her sword and entered a battle stance. Tino copied her movements and brandished his coconut opener, the mighty horn of a white fluffy rabbit.

Soon, Kokona's hearing proved correct as a gross-looking green creature the size of Tino appeared before them.

Sheathing her sword back, Kokona turns her head towards Tino.

"Just a Goblin, huh. Tino."

"Got it~"

Tino steps forward with his mighty weapon directed towards the Goblin.

With just a piece of cloth wrapped around his waist, one could seriously mistake Tino for a Goblin if he had green skin.

Kokona has been teaching Tino self-defense. The strongest enemy Tino has defeated so far was a monster called Fire Imp. Fire Imps are just slightly weaker than Goblins, that's why Kokona is currently letting Tino deal with this one.

Goblins usually don't attack when in number disadvantage, but seeing that one of its enemies sheathed its weapon and only the frail looking one approach it, the Goblin prepared for battle.

The Goblin's weapon of choice is a rock tied to a wooden branch. Just like an axe from a stone age. Tino immediately judged that his weapon is superior in all aspects.

Confident that he will excel over the Goblin, Tino rushed forward.

"Hyaaa!"

"Shkohhh... keruk, keruruk..."

A nasty smile floated on the Goblin's face while watching the approaching tip of Tino's ultimate horn.

The Goblin quite easily avoided Tino's head on charge and swung its axe towards Tino's horn. The clash of the two weapons created a dull sound which leads Tino to drop his weapon because of the pressure of the Goblin's strength.

"Haah..."

Kokona who was watching all of that happen suddenly disappeared and reappeared with the Goblin's head in her hand. She dropped the Goblin's head, picked up the mighty weapon Tino dropped and gazed at him who was rubbing his painful hand with reproaching gaze.

"You recklessly charged in again."

"Huuu..."

Tino pouted. He was sure that he would get the Goblin this time. He, unfortunately, failed again, fifth time overall.

But, he was motivated to do better next time! His special tactics will work one day, right!?

"Haah, this child..."

Easily understanding what Tino was thinking, Kokona could only sigh again.