On the night I was thrown into the dangerous forest teeming with monsters by Rose.

I was resting atop a tree, clad only in my underwear.

Hours had passed since sunset, and judging by how hungry I felt, it must have been around 8 to 9 PM.

Darkness enveloped the surroundings, the only source of light being the moon, several times larger than in my original world. The cacophony of nocturnal monsters echoed through the night.

"...I can't light a fire."

Lighting a fire could attract monsters.

Though it might also deter them, the backpack contained only portable food, a water bottle, a knife about 20 cm long, a pen, and a notebook. There were no tools for starting a fire.

And to think the contents were mostly portable food... I understand not worrying about food, but is this really okay?

"No, it's not okay."

I muttered to myself.

The branch I was sitting on was thick enough to support the weight of me and my backpack.

After running and hiding for about three hours from the Grand and Blue Grizzlies, I realized they were tracking me by scent. I found a waterfall and jumped in to wash off the scent, successfully losing the bears but soaking my clothes in the process.

"What should I do now?"

The ultimate goal is to subdue a Grand Grizzly. But even with confidence in my physical abilities, I can't fully utilize them.

So, what's the plan?

"All I have to use are..."

The knife, notebook, and pen.

I put on my damp trousers and strapped the knife to my belt.

"To defeat an enemy, I need to know them first... 'The pen is mightier than the sword,' after all."

I decide to make this place my base for the time being.

Luckily, there's a river nearby. I'm concerned about parasites, but I can only hope there aren't any.

"This isn't a good start... but I'll overcome it no matter what."

I deploy a weak healing magic to rest my tired body. But first, I draw my knife and make a slash on the tree I'm sitting in.

"Day one..."

My solitary battle, thrown into the forest, begins.

●

The next morning, after gulping down some hard portable food with water from my bottle, I move through the forest in my T-shirt and trousers, water bottle and knife in hand, keeping low.

I'm ready with the notebook and pen in my pocket at any time.

"Where is it?"

I mark the trees with my knife while scanning my surroundings.

Having washed off in the river earlier, I shouldn't have to worry about my scent... unless I'm found, which would render it pointless.

The forest is home to many monsters besides the Grand and Blue Grizzlies.

But so far, I've only encountered those two types of bears. I'm sure I'll run into other monsters eventually, whether I like it or not.

"Wait... What's this?"

Three scratch marks on a tree.

It looks like a large creature used it as a scratching post. Given the size, it's likely from yesterday's Grand Grizzly.

I proceed cautiously...

Suddenly, the bushes ahead rustle.

"What's there?"

I slowly draw my knife and approach the source of the sound.

Wiping sweat from my brow, I prepare to flee if it's something ferocious.

Swallowing hard, I part the bushes with my hand not holding the knife and find...

"A bunny?"

A small black rabbit looks back at me.

It's a species not mentioned in the book Rose gave me.

With its ears perked up and its black fur, the rabbit stares back with its red eyes.

Those round... eyes... Its adorable appearance nearly sways my heart, but I resist and check on the seemingly immobilized rabbit.

"Are you hurt?"

"Kyu."

It nods, somehow understanding me. I decide not to question it since this is a different world and conventional logic doesn't apply here.

I approach the rabbit and notice a cut on its leg, possibly from a monster.

"Stay still."

I produce a soft green light from my hand and apply it to the rabbit's wounded leg. Within seconds, the injury heals completely.

This is the result of my training, which I've mostly used on myself up until now. Seeing its effectiveness on someone else makes me realize how powerful this magic is.

"You're healed. Be careful not to get hurt again."

I step back from the rabbit, resisting the urge to take it with me. My mission is to hunt a Grand Grizzly, and I can't afford to be distracted.

But the rabbit approaches me again. I step back; it comes closer... What's going on?

"Look, if you stick with me, you'll get attacked by a Grand Grizzly. Or do you know where it is?"

"Kyu."

It gestures for me to follow and starts running. Despite having no concrete reason, I feel I can trust this rabbit.

"Kyuー!"

Hopping silently through the forest, the rabbit's ears suddenly point in one direction, acting like a radar.

Following for about ten minutes, the rabbit suddenly stops.

"What's wrong?"

"Kyu kyu."

"Whoa! What?"

The rabbit climbs up my leg to my shoulder, its black fur tickling my neck.

"How come you're not heavy? You're too cute."

It points its ears toward something.

"Kyu."

"Look ahead?"

The rabbit seems to understand me. But it's cute, so I'll let it slide.

I push aside the bushes and see a dark cave and two Blue Grizzlies... Oh no.

I cover my mouth to avoid making noise. If I alert the bears, they'll know I'm here. That cave must be their den.

I whisper to the rabbit on my shoulder.

"Thanks, you saved me."

The rabbit starts grooming itself, seemingly bashful.

What a shy little thing.

Now that I know the location of the den, I take out my notebook and pen.

"Kyu?"

"What's this, you ask?"

Directly confronting the bears isn't feasible. I need to find their vulnerabilities.

So...

"Observation Diary"

Let's begin this life-or-death journaling...!!