Elder Chief's speed is truly incredible. I didn't even have time to find a tree hollow before I saw his tall and imposing figure appear in my line of sight.

"Just now, I saw from the mountain peak that a Magnetic Light Centipede Dragon Beast appeared in the pool. I thought you were in grave danger!"

Old Chief had just breathed a sigh of relief when he saw the stolen goods in my hand, and his face showed a look of shock. I had nowhere to hide them, so I could only hold onto a sliver of hope, giving a sheepish laugh and pretending not to care as I asked, "I was dodging that Magnetic Light Centipede Dragon Beast just now when I found this person. He looked so pitiful, so I thought I'd help collect his body..."

Old Chief strode over and carefully examined the corpse, his expression growing more and more grave. "This is bad. This person hasn't been dead for long—he must have come from the town. Harris and Little Grace must have run into danger, that's why they haven't returned after so long."

I had a good impression of Grace Walker, even though it was just hormones at work and not really about feelings, but I couldn't help but ask with concern, "How does Old Chief know there's danger in the town?"

Elder Chief said in a low voice, "I was just wondering why a Magnetic Light Centipede Dragon Beast would appear here. Turns out, it was this person's mount that got lost. The armor and weapons on this person are knight equipment from the southern coast of the Sea of Immortality, from the Great Red Empire. These knights from the Great Red Empire would never normally come near the Sea of Immortality's forest."

I weighed the spear and armor in my hands. The materials were special—looked like metal, but were extremely light. It seemed these were products of this planet's peak super-civilization technology. These two items finally gave me a sense of advanced civilization—at least, they were absolutely impossible to manufacture on Earth.

"So this planet does have developed regions after all!"

While listening to Old Chief, my mind kept wandering. I started thinking about how I could go to the Great Red Empire to see the prosperity of its cities.

Old Chief reached behind his back and took down his wheel-sized giant axe, then said to me, "I have to go to the town right away to check on Harris and Little Grace. The day you arrived, Grace Walker went to the town too. Turns out, she's been gone so long because something happened. You'll have to go back to the village by yourself, and also let the villagers know that it's best not to go near the town for the time being."

Watching Old Chief dash off in huge strides and disappear in the blink of an eye, I finally felt relieved. Looks like this old man has good character and didn't try to snatch my spoils.

"I'm such an idiot! How did I not think of such an easy method?" Just as I was about to head back to the village, a sudden flash of inspiration hit me, and I cursed myself for being so stupid.

Chapter Fourteen: The Otaku Saves the Beauty

"I can't believe I was dumb enough to want to go explore the Champa Ruins. After billions of years, who knows how many adventurers have died in the Sea of Immortality's primeval forest—their belongings must all be left behind in the forest. If I just make tens of thousands of bioengineered rats to search for these ownerless items, wouldn't I make a fortune? Besides, a forest of this scale should have some mineral deposits too. Once mined, that's a steady stream of endless wealth!"

I'd always been worried about how to earn this planet's general equivalent of currency, but today's accident immediately opened my mind. Since ancient times, the most profitable businesses are always those with no capital investment.

I split the set of armor into eight pieces and, along with other items, had thirteen Tibetan mastiffs swallow them. These mastiffs have some storage space inside their bodies, though not much—about equal to their appetite.

Only the spear was barely swallowed by the bioengineered Tibetan mastiff I assigned, with one end sticking out of the dog's rear, looking rather indecent.

The town is dangerous, and Riverdale Village might not be safe either, so it's best to hurry back to the Empress's base for safety. As for delivering the message, I just tore off a strip of cloth and had a bioengineered Tibetan mastiff with an empty stomach carry it and wander around Riverdale Village a few times. There's really no need for me to go in person.

"Once the Empress evolves to level four, I'll definitely start mass-producing combat bio-beasts. Then I won't have to fear anyone!"

The nearby holographic map from Escape Pod No. 15 had long been transmitted into my brain. I found a relatively easy path, brought the mastiffs, and summoned the bomb-carrying worker bees to my side before heading back to the base.

But after walking a few kilometers, I couldn't get Grace Walker's face out of my mind, making it impossible for me to take another step. "If I just slink back to the Empress's base like this, I'll be an otaku for life! She's in danger—how can I just leave without even having the courage to try to save her?"

I've read plenty of those stories where, when faced with danger, some spineless men abandon the ones they love and escape alone. I always looked down on that, but now that it's my turn, am I going to be like those guys with no guts?

Gritting my teeth hard, I resolutely turned back. A man's feelings are strange—often it's not a woman's personality, family background, or education that makes you like her. Sometimes, looks aren't even the main thing. It's just that first impression, that initial good feeling, that often determines the choice of love.