(Where am I?)
The moment my eyes opened, I found myself in a vast, endless white space. There was no sky, no ground—just an infinite expanse of nothingness stretching in every direction.
(Wasn't I in the forest? Did I… die again?)
While I was lost in thought, I noticed a figure standing in the distance.
A middle-aged man with jet-black hair, resembling my own, stood with a calm expression. He had a gentle face, but something about him felt… overwhelming. As if he were beyond human comprehension.
He smiled. "How long has it been, Yuuya-kun?"
I tensed.
(Wait, does he know me?)
For a moment, I hoped he might be an angel, a god, or even the one who reincarnated me.
…But shouldn't divine beings be beautiful women?
My face fell into pure disappointment.
The man raised an eyebrow. "Why the long face? You can hear me, right?"
I sighed. "Yeah, I can hear you. So… is this the afterlife?"
The man chuckled, his voice strangely soothing. "How did you come to that conclusion?"
I frowned. "Well, I was in a dangerous forest, then everything went dark, and now I'm here. Seems pretty 'afterlife' to me."
Still smiling, he shook his head. "No, this isn't death. And I'm not here to take your soul. I simply want to help you."
I narrowed my eyes. My gut instinct told me that this guy was… dangerous. Not in a hostile way, but like someone whose presence shouldn't be ignored.
"For what reason do you want to help me?" I asked cautiously.
He gave me a knowing smile. "You don't need to be so guarded. Think of me as a… spirit."
A spirit? That made sense—if spirits existed in this world, then a powerful one like him could exist.
"So, what exactly do you want to help me with?"
The man's expression turned serious. "When you wake up, trust the man near you and let him help you. You'll need his guidance."
"Trust him?" I frowned. "Who is he?"
"You'll see soon enough. But for now, this is all I can tell you."
His form began to blur, his body dissolving into countless flickering lights.
"Wait a minute—!"
Before I could demand more answers, my vision faded into darkness.
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A dull ache spread through my body as I slowly regained consciousness.
The first thing I saw was an unfamiliar wooden ceiling.
For a moment, I felt a sense of déjà vu. It reminded me of the moment I was reborn in this world, opening my eyes as a baby.
(Where… am I now?)
Suddenly—
Creak.
The door at the corner of the room swung open.
A young man with gray hair stepped in, carrying a wooden cup filled with water. His sharp golden eyes scanned me before he smirked.
"Ho, finally awake, kid? You were unconscious for an entire day."
His casual tone caught me off guard.
"Did you… help me?" I asked cautiously.
"Yeah. Found you collapsed in the middle of the forest and figured I'd drag you back here. Drink this."
He handed me the cup. I hesitated for a second before accepting it.
"…Thanks for saving me," I said, taking a sip. The cool water soothed my parched throat. "My name is Yuuya."
"Regis," he replied, sitting down beside my bed. "Pleasure to meet you, kid."
Regis.
the spirit told me to trust him.
I studied him closely. Gray hair, sharp eyes, and a confident, almost lazy attitude. He didn't seem like a bad person, but there was something… off about him.
"Hey, kid," Regis said, resting his chin on his hand. "Mind telling me what you were doing in this forest?"
I hesitated.
(Should I tell him the truth?)
But since the spirit had told me to trust him, I decided to explain everything.
I told him about the hunting trip, the owlbear's attack, getting lost, fighting the goblin, and my battle with the horned wolf.
Regis listened carefully.
Then, after a long pause—
"…It's not that I don't believe you," he said finally, "but you must be insane to go hunting in this forest. Only high-ranked adventurers dare to enter this forest, and even they rarely return alive."
I blinked. "Huh?"
I was stunned. Just what is this guy saying.
Regis sighed deeply. "This isn't just any forest, kid. This is the Blood Root Forest—one of the most dangerous places around. Ordinary people wouldn't last a day here."
(Wait… what?)
My mind reeled. "That's impossible. My village has hunted in this forest for years!"
Regis raised an eyebrow. "There are no villages near this forest. The closest town is at least a full day's travel from here."
"I see, but I also tell you the truth, our village has been hunting in this forest for a long time."
I try to convince Regis about my story.
"I'm not sure whether it's the truth or not but there is no reason for you to lie to me. I will ask for my friend to confirm about it."
I need to go back to my parent I'm sure they're worry sick about me right now.
"But I need to get back to my home, my parent will be worried if I'm not back. Can't you just send me home?"
Regis smile.
I felt my chest tighten.
(Then… where am I?)
I studied his expression, searching for any hint of deception. But there was none.
"I see," I muttered. "But I swear, my village exists. I wouldn't lie about that."
Regis leaned back. "Well, I'll get my friend to check it out. She's good at finding people and places. If your village is real, she'll locate it."
I nodded, trying to process everything.
(If he's telling the truth… this is a big problem.)
I needed to get home. My parents were probably worried sick.
"But can't you just take me back?" I asked.
Regis smiled apologetically. "Told you, kid—I don't know where your parents are. We need my friend's help. Until then, you'll have to stay here."
I hesitated. But… since I was completely lost, I had no other choice.
"…Fine," I said. "I'll trust you. But if you try to trick me, I won't hesitate to kill you."
To intimidate him, I released a burst of aura.
Most people would have flinched. Regis didn't even blink.
Instead, he smirked.
"I wonder how can a little kid like you can release this much mana and won't even hesitate to kill someone."
I froze.
(Mana?)
"Anyways, how old are you? You look more matured than your appearance."
"hmm? I'm five years old."
I told him bluntly.
Regis's jaw drops open when I told him how old I was.
"Wa- wait a minute. Are you serious?"
Look like he doesn't believe me
"Is there a reason for me to lie about it."
"How can a five years old brat like you can have such a large amount of mana. I thought you only have a slow growth spurt."
It keeps bothering me, what is mana?
Looks like he almost lost his mind and suddenly gone deep in thought. I can only sigh at that scene. After a few minutes, Regis back to normal and we decide to continue our conversation.
"Are you calm down now?"
"Ahem, yes. Anyways since you will be living here for a while let's get along brat."
Regis offer his hand. the way he talks has changed and I accepted his hand
"Yes, let's get along from now on."
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Later that evening, we sat in the dining room, waiting for food.
From what I can see this house is quite similar to my house, it's just a bit bigger. Regis eventually walked in, carrying a dish with a proud grin.
"Dinner is ready. I present to you my special grilled rock lizard."
I stared at the plate. (Did this guy just say that dish was a lizard.)
My face change into a disgusting face.
"Why your face like that? It's delicious you know."
Regis protest.
"If you don't like it, then cook for your own food."
Look like he angry with me.
"Well, I guess its better than goblin meat."
I muttered to myself but it could be heard by Regis.
"Wait a second brat, did you just say you ate goblin before?"
"Yeah," I admitted. "Didn't have any other choice when I was lost."
Regis was utterly shock and go into deep thought again. Look like he might go insane this time.
I just ignore him and start eat the dinner.
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After we finish the dinner. Regis led me to the room that I will be using while I was here. After that, Regis tell me that he wants to go to sleep and told me to sleep to.
Since I don't feel sleepy yet, I decide to cultivate my aura a bit more.
(I manage to use advanced spirit arts but all my aura completely used. I also die this time)
I feel it's better for me to increase my aura. If what Regis said is true, the monsters that are in this forest are probably stronger than the wolf from before.
There also a thing with the guy that appear in my dream.
(I already miss mother and father.)
I keep pondering for a few minutes while cultivate my aura.
I started to feel that my body is tired and decide to sleep.
Meanwhile in Regis's room.
Regis lay on his bed, staring at the ceiling.
"That brat…" he muttered.
"He's only five… but his power is on par with adults."
A smirk crossed his lips..
"That brat really weird."