Written by oblivon2991

Thank you for reading my fanfic and for giving me a chance.

My mother language is not English, so please be patient about the grammatical issues.

I don't own the Jujutsu Kaisen (呪術廻戦, "Sorcery Fight") novel or anime series created by Gege Akutami, nor Mushoku Tensei: Isekai Ittara Honki Dasu (無職転生 〜異世界行ったら本気だす), written by Rifujin na Magonote.

Please review it. I know I will make mistakes, and I intend to correct them, as well as try to learn from them and improve myself.

Chapter 3: Threat on the Horizon

"Oi! Finish with that section already! We are behind the schedule! If others find this place, they will demand a share!"

"It is more likely they will try to kill us, and take these things for themselves."

"Nah! They will just think we killed them. I mean, who would dare to attack us if that's the case?"

"You may be right."

"Yup! Also, these things rotted here for a week at least, and no one found them. What is the chance a random group wanders here right now?"

"Okay! Okay! I get it! Sorry for asking!"

A company of men and women worked diligently, trying to cut to pieces what can be said of a mutilated corpse, or rather carcasses was a better word for them. Because several of them were around. Most were already stripped, their remains packed on the carts prepared for departure neatly and tightly.

"Phew! We will get freaking rich! Who knew we would stumble in this treasure trope in the middle of nowhere!?"

"See! I told you we should make a detour so we can avoid the border guards!"

"Yeah, you were absolutely right! Genius!

"Don't get ahead of yourself, we still need to finish this, and sell it. Without being ambushed and robbed first."

"You worry too much, that's why you never find a good husband."

"Finding a suitable buyer for such quantity will be even harder."

"Are you joking!? We just store them and sell them to many different buyers little by little! Alchemists, craftsmen, hell, even noble brats will pay hefty sums for their bones - so they can boast by their fake feat slaying one!"

"The meat will rot tough."

"I told you, they will buy it in no time. Do not worry about it, until then, we will preserve it somehow. We just hire a mage or something."

"I still wonder, what can kill and brutalize five Red Dragons?" Even looking at the still intact remains, and how they looked when they found them near the mountain's range, the man can tell they had a pretty gruesome death. Fighting to their last breath, but still killed mercilessly.

"Torn wings, smashed body parts, full of sliced down parts and stab wounds…" And it was a mild part of how some of these creatures looked in their death.

Who or whatever confronted these beasts, surely not someone they should face. It was even wise to steal their hunt? What if that person returns and simply guts them for trying to haul away their prize?

"A better question: What are they doing so far from the Red Mountain Range? Aren't Red Dragons nest there? Aren't they terrible flyers? Why would they come this close to the plains?"

"Indeed odd. I mean, there is always a huge commotion in the city when one straggler appears, whisked away by the turbulent winds and landing this far." In those times, the local lord always offered a huge bounty to whoever taking down the stray beast.

A mission, truly worthy for an S-class group. No! One group is usually never enough to take down one such beast, and there are five corpses there. All in a state, that shouldn't be mentioned or displayed in the pages of a heroic story.

Truly, five kings of beasts humiliated and defeated, lay down in the dust. A free meal for the vultures to pick up their rotting remains. An ironic, but also, sad picture, if all things considered. Or rather scary? It may vary by people who gazed at the tragic scene.

"Who cares! Move your ass instead of speaking! I want to get done with this until morning!"

"You slavedriver." Huffed the "smuggler", before going back to carefully shed the scales of the dragon, neatly collecting and packaging the hide.

"What are these things doing here?"

"Huh?"

A deep, manly voice resounded just near the site before they could truly resume the work, raising the attention of all onlookers.

"Ah…"

"Who?"

"It was you who killed them? No, that's unlikely. These dragons were never here before. And you rather unsuited for such task."

The tall figure spoke in himself, yet, no one questioned or even approached him yet.

Setting their gaze on this menacing form, meeting those small pupils of his was enough for all of them to freeze. In an instant, the people dropped whatever they held! Almost like they were caught in a spell. Under the influence of some curse!

"Clean cuts, smashed innards. Looks like the work of a swordsman, or something more? The blunt damage implies other factors. What an irregular, vile mana around these wounds?"

Not an inch of the people around moved when the silver-haired man strolled near the somewhat still intact corpse, inspecting the damage, then setting his gaze on the carts packed almost breaking point.

"An anomaly?" He muttered, furrowing his brows in confusion. "Happened before, better keep an open eye this time around."

With one last gaze, he inspected the men and women around. All just stood there, piercing him with their trembling eyes. Looks, filled with fear, hate and spite.

"Sorry for interrupting your work." After a big sight, which barely hid some manner of sorrow underneath, the silver-haired man, with scales around his eyes continued on his path.

Only a few minutes later, when he was far enough, the people around dared to move even a finger, sighting a sight of relief, all sweaty, some even falling on their butt or collapsing from the stress and exhaustion.

"Wha-What the hell was this?"

"I felt fear like never before! And hate… so much hate. I don't even know why."

"Just get the hell away from there! Screw that last corpse! We had enough already!"

All agreed, and after scrapping whatever they could, they left the scene in a hurry, leaving the last, half-dismantled corpse to the predators to feed. No one suspected, but this will cause quite a trouble later.

Scene Change: A few weeks later: Present Time:

"And then, he pulverized that monster without mercy! It only took a single moment!"

"This story becomes more and more wild each time you tell it."

"You are surely exaggerating."

"No human can do that."

"I don't know, Eric, Toji seems to be quite inhuman."

Hearing this, all the other people laughed. A rowdy inn, the heart of the community, as usual, filled to the brim with hearty folks.

This time it was no different, though, one man was still strangely silent while listening to the tale which may sounded more than farfetched to most. And each time it was told, it became more unbelievable. Alas, this is how legends and mythical tales were born.

"So, Toji, was it really true? Did you really…?"

"I told you already, ask those who came with me." Toji shrugged, stuffing down a slice of freshly roasted hunt. He had enough of these people asking the same thing over and over again for the last few days.

"Well?"

All attention turned to the present members of the party who were with him, awaiting them to tell the crowd more about the event that took place a few days ago - in this case, recall that hunt again, even if it was quite traumatic and unpleasant for them.

"Haven't you heard it enough time already?" Asked the female hunter annoyed. "Ferris already told you everything that happened. What's more to it?"

"Now then, gal, don't be so strict."

"Yeah, nothing happens in this dusty little village. Let us have some fun too. Such tales hard to come by."

"It is quite inspiring, you know. I mean, knowing someone with that skill being around. It gives us the feeling of safety."

"Grr! Fine then! We will tell you once again, but that's it!"

"This time please do so with some spirit! The last time was pretty flat."

"Do you really want to be hit?" The already drunk woman threw her half-empty mug towards the crowd, which might hit a man, and spilt its content on the people, but they still just laughed at such brash, drunk behaviour.

"Lively folk." Toji chuckled while watching them, recalling the hunt that took place a few days back, and the events played out while he accompanied the party.

Flashback:

"Damn! So many beasts." The hunter released a sight, wiping his forehead as he slit the throat of the creature — a beast, which at first look some may even consider something like an attack dog, but more feral in appearance.

"Yeah, I wonder what chased them here." Roughly two more weeks passed since we last left Toji, and ever since, the activity of the creatures increased considerably in the region.

Deciding to track down the source of the disturbance, and if possible, get rid of the nest of monsters that infected the region, a small, but effective group was formed.

It was led by Simon, the local knight, accompanied by the five most experienced hunters, and of course, Toji himself also tagged along.

Oddly enough, when Simon asked him to join, he agreed to help them out - even when it was only for his own sake to get some fresh air.

"It is not my style to help out people for free. But well, I had nothing else to do. Also, speaking with the adventurers who occasionally passed through the village, and confirming the intel through Simon and the locals, it came to light the parts of these monsters can be sold for quite a sum."

The locals were good people, and he started to feel cosy in this small settlement. A perfect place to retire, and live out the rest of his life here.

"No sorcerers to hunt. No curses around. The beasts around feel quite weak." A lovely peaceful place, perfect for settling down, finding a nice girl and retiring.

They could have a kid, or two, or more. He occasionally takes up the mantle to roam the forest and bring back meat and material to sell. A peaceful, simple life.

"Who would say no to that?"

Only one thing stopped him. Or rather two. Settling down was never his style. It was evident after he lost his first wife. The chance to grow old and die in the bed he lost when he was born in that clan. With an irregular body of a freak.

"Maybe back then there was a miniscule chance for me. Living a normal life, raising my son in peace and growing old? Growing fat beside her while we make love with each other?" But after her? After losing his first wife?

"I guess, I gave up on that kind of blessing."

Back then he thought he had a chance. A path out from that life of eternal running. An escape from his family's curse. The misfortune that haunted the Zen'in clan. Yet, instead of escaping the wheel, he replaced one curse with another.

"I thought I left behind the curse haunting the Zen'in clan when I left them, but it seems, I just chose a different hex to bear."

A restless existence, the indulgence of his own desires and the lonely path of a hunter. Burning until nothing but ashes remain! And alas, thanks to Satoru Gojo his fire flickered and grew duller, it still had enough flicker to start a fire if needed.

"Toji, what do you think? Should we proceed?"

"Hmm…" The words of Simon dragged the man back from his thoughts. His senses dulled for a moment, but by no means did he turn careless. His senses were wide open, paying attention to any disturbance nearby. "I told you already, I can take care of this alone. You all can go back and rest." It was a long day already. The sun was already on to settle, and a forest this dark and deep was by no means safe for simple people.

He will be fine. He never had any companion under his missions. In fact, others just hinder him in this regard.

"Is he serious?"

"Toji, I know you are strong. But wandering alone in the woods, at night?"

"Not even an experienced adventurer group would do that."

"I am not an adventurer, remember?" With a small grin, which even made his companions recoil, he beamed forth his utter confidence.

"Nonetheless, we should…" The words of the knight stopped, when Toji raised his fist, looking around and sniffing in the air.

"We have company." The moment he said this, he pulled out a knife and launched it in the distance. Wearing a simple shirt and clothes despite others asking him to donn at least some leather gear his movements were not hindered in the slightest!

"What? Why would you waste a knife to…?"

"Better ready for your weapons. Soon they will be here. There are a lot of them."

Though the people with him were confused, Toji already proved to be a valuable asset. Thanks to him they managed to track these creatures this deep in the forest. The man even recognised traces even these experienced hunters would have ignored.

It was almost like he had some kind of sixth sense, seeing traces no human able to pick up. Hunting beasts, without they can even reacting!

"On our right."

Rustles heard from the nearby bushes, and soon what followed was a hail of stones and some arrows.

"Look out!" The sounds of deflection came from out of sudden, as Toji and Simon deflected the projectile with sheer agility, and the hunters positioned behind them, answered in kind with their arrows.

No question about that, caught off guard they would have received some serious injury getting hit by those primitive projectiles. Yet, thanks to the two fighters, they remained unscathed.

"Goblins!" Grotesque green creatures emerged from the bushes after their attack failed, holding crude weapons, badly made bows and primitive slings, accompanied by attack dogs, similar to those they had taken care of previously.

They sneered, infuriated by their failure. Foaming like their wild dogs, barked in a foul language no human can understand!

"Heh! How amusing creatures." They made him remember some of the curses at home. Ugly and stupid, just his kind of fodder.

"Goblins. Primitive monsters. Though they are easy to kill, they can be troublesome in great numbers. Just don't let them surround you." Simon granted him the intel about the beings. "But what are they doing this deep in the forest?" Good question the knight muttered.

These creatures usually inhabited the boundary between the plains and the forest. Their cowardly nature and weak physique hardly make them suitable to survive deep in the woods, where stronger predators usually roam.

"More importantly, how come they organized a raid by their own will? There is something behind this…"

"Does it matter? We just need to kill them." Toji announced coldly. From their posture, how they moved, and their build, he can judge their strength, and by it, depict their weakness. A practice coming from his experience hunting and assassinating high-profile targets, often Jujutsu Sorcerers.

No irregular energy moved around them, and no distortion in the air which may imply any special ability. All lacked in potency.

Both sorcerers and cursed spirits have visible traces of this residue, more so if they prepare for an attack and gather up their cursed energy.

These creatures and the inhabitants of this world seem not so different in this regard.

"I guess, you are right." Agreed on Simon, signing subtly the hunters to prepare their arrows.

"I don't like this, shouldn't we retreat instead?"

"I still have some arrows left, but not many thanks to our long trip."

"Whatever we will do, we need to decide it now. It is soon nighttime. I wouldn't want to spend the night this deep in the forest."

"You are right, better turn around and report our findings after we take care of this."

"I am afraid, it's already too late for that. They are closing around us. Wherever you go you will run into them." Notified the group Toji, with a dead calm, and loose posture. Almost like he didn't consider this all that dangerous. "Your only chance if we kill them all."

"Huh?"

"What are you speaking about?"

"Are you alright, Toji? I know it was a long trip, but still… for goblins to organize such an elaborate scheme?" Even if they attacked from the bushes, that's not warranted to give them that much credit. Of course, goblins were not entirely stupid, but could not be considered bright enough to plan that far ahead to cut the escape routes and sneak around their enemy.

"Whatever you think, does it really matter?" Toji gave a cold shoulder to the thought.

"Prepare yourselves. Many of them are around already. Or flee, I will draw their attention to me. I will take care of this." Under any normal circumstances, Toji would not consider the lives of others important. Yet now, strangely he did so.

Be it out of strange care he felt towards these people after spending a month in their village, or just because he felt they would be in the way of his hunt, he wanted them gone from the field of battle.

"Heh!" Simon chuckled, brandishing his sword once again. "We came this far together. We will finish it together. Or you want to take all the glory for yourself, eh, Toji?"

"Hmph…" That man and his infectious grin. The Sorcerer killer hated it, but also, he couldn't help but answer in kind, showing a subtle, sour smirk of acceptance.

"Fine then, but don't blame me if you die."

"I have kids and a beautiful wife, I have no intention to die in a dirty forest. Rather, I will die surrounded by my family, in my bed! Am I right?" His shout was contagious, and the unsteady and exhausted hunters nodded with renewed vigour.

"Come filthy beasts, taste my iron!"

As Simon once again changed his posture to more defensive, taking the stance of Water God style, the sneering growling and cursing held on for a few seconds more, before the first goblin started its foaming charge! Little care about their own safety, they trew themselves to the battle!

"Shoot!"

"Bullseye!" Chaos was the battle that ensued, after the first arrow released, reacting to the incoming charge, and the first goblin's blood stained the forest's floor in an instant! Alas, it was not the last! No! It was far from it!

Seven brave men and women stood against the horde surrounding them. A hopeless fight seemingly, but they stood their ground against the endless-looking onslaught regardless! Bravely, they fought back!

The creatures poured from all around, raining themselves without fear and care for their lives!

Quite odd behaviour from these usually cowardly beings, even Toji, who knows nothing about these green midgets recognized that it was not how they were supposed to act.

"Tha-Thanks…"

"Keep attention on your surroundings," Toji warned, catching one of the crude arrows in the air before it could penetrate the eyeball of the hunter.

"Waagh!" Meanwhile, Simon moved with elegance and followed up with his swift strikes! A lesser horde of goblins and their attack dogs already trampled and sliced under his feet! Supported by the archers, it was a real massacre!

More and more beasts arrived, and after some minutes, even a few bigger, stouter and bulkier goblinoids emerged from the forest, carrying brutish, but not less effective clubs and even some quality axe. Another oddity to add to the growing pile.

"They have hobgoblins with them?!"

"What the hell!"

"This is definitely not normal!"

"So there are bigger ones too." For Toji, it was all the same. A bigger target is easier to deal with. The more parts he can carve apart.

Without even thinking, he launched himself against the biggest one, toppling it with sheer force, dismantling it in a flash! An action, which intentionally drew the attention from all around and the creatures started to target him instead of the rest!

"Why would the goblins…?"

"It is unnatural."

A strange, odd behaviour, and now everyone recognised it. Why would the goblins act like this? Why would such craven beings charge to their imminent death? It was like they were controlled by something or someone.

Most often they just fled once the strongest amongst them were slain, or injured.

"This is crazy…" Muttered one of the hunters, watching the impossible exploits of the man, who barely a month ago was nothing, but a burnt corpse. Yet now, proved to be their only lifeline in this scenario.

Indeed, if not for Toji dealing with the horde, and not for Simon's constantly being near to fend them off, they would be overwhelmed a long time ago.

"Shit! I am running low on arrows!"

"Me too!"

"I am out!"

"Haah! Haah! Haah!" Tough, the battle was far from over, and after a whole day of trip through the dense forest, following the trail and battling through the greenery to reach this far, the group was exhausted. No wonder, even the most accustomed adventurer would have started to run low on their stamina after such a trip.

Slowly, the number of creatures started to dwindle, thinned dramatically, and even the hobgoblins started to fall one after the other, unable to resist Toji's fierce but rather lax assault - at least, according to his own accord.

However, there was one more being, that lurked in the surrounding. A true monster, on to reveal itself as the final challenge!

"From the east! Get out of the way!"

"Shit! Guh!" Unfortunately, it was too late! Trempling through a forest like a wild boar, a towering behemoth charged forth, knocking over several smaller trees that got in the way!

A monster of hulking stature, with four arms, standing bipedal, and with the face of a warthog of monstrous build!

"A terminate boar, here?"

"No! It is bigger! It is at least twice an adult's size! And those bone spikes across his body!? Almost like an armour… A new species? A mutant?!"

"Whatever! Shoot it down! Shoot it down! We can't let it close!"

In the chaos of the battle, despite sticking their last arrows in the being's usual weak spots to hinder its seemingly unstoppable charge, it slowed not a bit the being, more so, it only enraged it further!

"Guahhh!"

Its eyes blazing up, muscles bulging further than it seemed possible, almost looking like mere mass would push out the arrows stuck in it. The sheer power of flesh struggled to break apart the bone armour its sturdy body grew to protect itself!

Those hate-filled smoldering sockets ignored everything, but turned towards the man, who proved the most challenging! Aiming its fury-filled gaze, its hate aimed at Toji!

"It is aiming for Toji…" The knight realized right away. Despite being closer to it, and prepared to receive the attack with a defensive, yet challenging stance, the beast huffed, and ignored him, trampling over the corpses and heading towards the fighting Sorcerer Killer with ever-accelerating speed!

"Dammit! He will be caught off guard." Simon knew Toji was strong. The strongest man he ever met. Even surpassing him! But he was busy, almost single-handedly massacring those creatures, holding them back and defending the group! And although he seemed to be just playing around, the knight suspected even he couldn't defend himself against a sudden attack from the back!

"This is it, I guess! Hold out, Toji!" He concentrated every inch of his aura in his legs, surpassing even his limits! And in the next moment, like an overstretched spring, he shoot out, intercepting the already charging beast in a sudden boost of speed!

"I am your enemy, you monster!" He roared, charging into offensive! His spirit burning like the brightest sun, challenging even the gods!

"Longsword of Silence!" His strike was true, as he shouted out the name of the technique before his sword was left to loose to cut through the enemy!

"I can do this…"

His blade released no sound, it sliced through both air, bones and flesh like it was never there! And its bloody path was clear, to make the next move in the set! Unfortunately, there is always a but!

"Huf!"

This beast may seem like a single-minded berserk, but somehow it realised the intent of the knight, making the necessary adjustments to its posture to divert the next attack's trajectory. Not much, just enough to cause an injury instead of slicing its limb apart!

"What?!"

It sacrificed one arm, even almost the whole stump remained to divert the blade and slow it down, eventually finishing the job by grabbing the swordsman's arm, breaking it with a grand squeeze in the sudden moment of confusion!

'Crack!'

"Ahh!"

Indeed, against such ferocious brutality, may not even the best technique can help! Or rather, brutality mixed with cruel, feral intelligence was the key to overcoming a foe with lesser strength but superior technique? Maybe, an invisible string yanking the being in the right way to avoid the fatal strike? Whichever option was the case, things didn't look good for Simon.

"Simon! Get away from it!"

The beast went berserk seeing its success! Unaffected, ignoring even pain, almost gloating about its momentary triumph, it continued its wild trash, and Simon dazed by his pain caught in the middle of it!

"Guah!"

This intense assault, combined with the already immense speed broke through Simon's defence, catching him off guard!

Using its multiple arms, even the mutilated stump which was cut clean down by Simon's strike, the being wrecked forth! Ignoring arrows, any manner of damage, impaling the knight through the stomach by its multiple tusks covering its grotesque, foaming face! Not even the chainmail and leather padding can slow it down!

"I messed up, dammit…!" Simon coughed blood, raised high by the creature's mere neck strength, throwing him to the side with a swing of its head like an overused toy, which was not interesting anymore.

"Guahhh!" Only then did it stop for a moment, relishing its victory roar. An intimidating cry, reverberated through the forest, shaking the surroundings, and filling the subservient monsters around with renewed vigour!

"Toji! Do something!"

"Tch!" Toji clicked his tongue, slicing through at least five goblins and dogs with one strike, bringing down the last towering goblin.

The numbers thinned greatly, and he thought he could enjoy himself a little bit, but this momentary distraction allowed the rest to be cornered.

"I am losing my edge."

He doing it again. He allowed himself to be distracted. He was right, he lost his edge! His old self would have hardly allowed such a slip. He would have gotten done with this mess in a short time and gone gambling!

"I never had to take care of others. I always worked alone." With the exception of a few VIP escort missions, he was a lone wolf, always working alone.

Operating in groups and keeping attention on others in battle was never his forte. He was simply not accustomed to looking out for others amidst the chaos of a fight.

"But I guess, I played around long enough."

The monster started its charge again, and although multiple of those creatures stood between Toji and the being, with a sharp turn, he basically shot out like a bullet, leaving a small crater in his wake!

A great wall of muscle, closing on an unstoppable force! The result when the two collide was evident for those who knew what manner of man we speak about, less clear for others, who hardly knew his true potency!

"!"

Faster than the mere mortal eye can follow, in a flash, Toji's blade cut clean the creatures that stood in his way, only after seconds did the beings realise the blade slid through their bodies with ease!

Their different parts dropped on the side and collapsed on themselves in a gory splat! Their death was not even registered in their primitive brain before it happened!

"Guaah!"

And albeit, reaching the creature took only a mere moment, its reneved charge was already underway. Only with three arms, but spread wide to give a deathly hug to anyone who stands in its hoofed way, the hulking pig was prepared to gather another slay for the day!

"Toji, don't!"

Everyone can only blink, and realize how the strange newcomer just appeared before the towering monster in a moment of notice! Out of thin air, he was just there, facing off the bloodied snout of the assault, stopping it with a slap of a strike, and the beast rolled back in pain!

"!"

"Heh!" All that happened afterwards made the onlookers' eyes widen, not only because of the seemingly impossible scene but because of the utterly ridiculous conclusion of the battle which came down barely a few seconds time!

As the monstrous creature stunned, with a broken nose and tusks regained its posture, Toji moved and walked forth in dead silence. His relaxed stance released some manner of threat, which even the beast could only consider predatory!

"!" Seeing the ever-closing "monster", it wanted to flee, sensing the unequal gap between the two! But it was already too late! Even turning around to charge out of danger's grasp, Toji was before it once again.

"Want to run, little piglet?" Like a bully in the schoolyard, the man who was shorter than the towering monster still looked down on it, terrorizing it with his mere presence! "Squeal for me!"

The being can't even react, Toji's fists blurred, pulverizing the beast's front side in an instant!

Accompanied by the ear-shattering explosions of sound, which come to be when something crosses the sonic limit in great and sudden margin, the beast's armour shattered to many fragments in a moment's notice! The mere shockwaves of the strikes shook the very air, making the pressure violently blow around the two!

Rock-hard muscles pounded until they turned almost liquid! The being's own bony shell filled its flesh with splinters! Skeleton broken smithereens, stomach content and insides liquified burst forth like some geyser from all holes available!

"Like hitting tofu."

Its muscled body trembled from the wave of force rippled through it, unable to decide yet what shape or form should it take under such a short time! All that pressure pulverised its insides which made it fly backwards, but only for a mere second, as Toji was already on to make his next move!

"!"

The monster had no time to squeal, to express its horror-filled cry of agony and terror in its last moments! All of it happened in less than a few seconds, all filled with the nightmarish scene of a pig sent before the butcher!

A flicker of movement followed! Too swift for the eye to trace!

Promptly, Toji was behind the behemoth, his blade clean from crimson ichor. The creature's remains from the excess pressure still carried by the strikes exploded out of a sudden momentum while leaving a depression underneath!

An explosion without powder, fire and smoke! Torn and unrecognizable meat chunks fell on the ground and all around! Cooked and charred from the heat generated, exploding by the power contained!

"Haah..."

After Toji breathed out what seemed like steam, the battlefield fell into an eerie silence, broken only by the ragged breaths of the surviving warriors and the whimper of monsters.

The assassin wiped his blade and sheathed it, his expression unchanged. He looked rather, unsatisfied by this show of force. The picture of a true monster, taken a human form. A man, who remained hungry for a worthy hunt.

"Who will be the next?" One look, one stare towards the few remained creatures was enough to make them falter and retreat in an almost organized manner. A strange way to retreat, after witnessing the fall of their better in a rather brutal fashion. "Odd."

"That's… crazy."

"Bluergh!" The female hunter even threw up, seeing the gruesome scene before them. No wonder. No one deserves such a brutal death, not even a monster like that. The stench of the cooked "pig" which filled the air was even worse!

"It is over now," he muttered, his gaze still fixed on the fallen monster, or, rather what remained of it.

The rest could only nod, their faces a mix of awe, but also, some lingering fear.

"What are you waiting for? Check on Simon, he is not looking good."

Laying against the thick trunk, the knight had indeed seen better days. His stomach pierced, bleeding profoundly, consciousness only lingering there on a hairbreadth. If they don't do something fast, he will die soon.

"Shit!"

"Simon! Don't dare to fall asleep!"

"He is bleeding out! Quick! Give me some bandages! The healing herbs in the bag! Fetch them quickly!"

"Wait! I can try some healing magic."

"You know some?"

"I asked the sister to teach me some, just to be sure. Who knows when we need some because of you reckless idiots playing the macho man in this forest." And now, she was right to ask the old nun to do so. "Now hush! Let me concentrate!" The female hunter chided her fellows, trying to concentrate on her mystical chant. "Let this divine power be as satisfying nourishment…"

While the hunters tried their best to stabilize Simon, Toji felt something was off.

And he was right, because checking one of the corpses, he discovered something rather strange.

"It is already rotting?" He knew there was something strange with how they smelt. The way his weapon cut them. But this? It felt it was oddly familiar. Something he had seen before.

"The way they moved. The fearless charge despite their dwindling numbers. Their almost organized retreat…"

Every living creature felt fear, or at least had the instinct of self-preservation, which may incite them to flee if the situation turned hopeless.

"It was already weird they barely flinched when they were struck by the arrows, or bisected by our swords." From time to time they even continued to crawl, ignoring their wounds. "It makes me remember that curse. Like a freaking zombie movie."

"Flesh puppets, huh?" He guessed, inspecting the state of the carcass around. Remembering that puppet master technique.

Back then, such cursed corpses usually had a core, something that fueled their artificial life, providing a connection between them and the one who moved the strings.

"When the core is destroyed, or they run out of energy, they simply collapse." But he even encountered a sorcerer who remote-controlled them, feeding them wireless with their cursed energy.

"Wonder which is the case…"

There was a small crystal embedded in the head or the chest of each creature. Barely visible, subdermally implanted, but sticking out enough for Toji to recognize.

"Let's see." And just like that, his fingers easily dug through the skin of a relatively intact goblin, recovering a crystal of purple colour.

"So this is the nucleus of things." It hummed gently, pulsating in a dying light. Not bigger than a nail in size. Yet, before he could inspect it more, it turned to dust, its particles carried away by the air. Leaving only an ethereal visage of an evil worm when it evaporated.

"A curse?" He raised his brow.

Yes, it almost felt the same, but was slightly different. Carrying the essence of the magic around.

"A self-destruct mechanism. Or did it already expel the energy it contained?"

He guessed.

Maybe whoever controlled these monsters implanted this curse into the crystals, using them as a medium to take control.

But if it is here, maybe, the puppet master is also around.

He knew well, it was unlikely. The users of the cursed corpse technique were a cowardly bunch, rarely if ever showing themselves near the vicinity of battle.

However, how far they can control their puppets was also dependent on their general skill, and cursed energy output. They can also be tracked down following the scent and residue left behind by their dolls.

"Hmm…"

His green eyes scanned the area, his nose sniffing deep in the air to find a scent, eventually discovering an oddity. The puppet master was not around it seems, but someone else is.

"One, two…" He counted the anomalies in the environment while his eyes skimmed the place, an almost sadistic grin sneaking on his face before heading towards a thick tree.

"Toji, where are you going? We need to stabilize Simon or…!"

"One moment, I will take a dump."

"Now?"

"Is he insane?"

"Do you want me to do it here?" He asked, looking back at the rest, almost annoyed.

"He couldn't help anyway. Dammit! Are you finished yet?"

"Guuh! The wound is too deep! Let me try again! Let this divine power be as satisfying nourishment…"

Meanwhile, the rest tried to stabilize the injured knight, Toji walked in a less open area, like a spider climbing up on the trunk of a tree, like a shadow, reaching the top in no time!

"Now, let's hunt." A sentence left his mouth, which suggested no peaceful intention, but the coming dread.

…

"Dammit! The goblin strike group, but even our modified Terminate Boar all but annihilated!" A masked figure muttered frustrated, surveying the scene amidst the branches.

His all-body covering cloak most likely meant no good intent. Hiding amongst the foliage made this fact more than clear.

"Should we just kill the remaining? They surely exhausted at this point." he pondered.

"Bad idea you say?"

A voice whispered in his mind.

Even if they could take out those hunters, and finish off the injured knight, there was still that man who all but pulverized their weapon of carnage with relative ease.

Alas, they still have more of them in store, replacing and nurturing a specimen to that strength was still a considerable hassle.

"You are right. We need to report this. This modifies the schedule." That man, that "creature" - he definitely did not consider "it" a human after what he just witnessed - was too much to deal with. The hiding figure hardly witnessed something like this before.

"What a monster like him doing here?" He questioned, almost like he mumbled to himself.

No such powerful fighters are supposed to be around these woods. This was a freaking countryside! Hell! The whole kingdom hardly has around stronger than B-class adventurers based here.

"A passerby? A transiting adventurer?" Or their plan has been discovered and the kingdom hired some big guns?

Pondering on this, it was almost like he whispered to himself, but if one inspected his hands close enough, then the onlooker could recognise this scout squeezed something akin to a medallion in his grasp. "Shit! Better retreat. Where is he now?"

The heart of the hiding figure started to thump rhythmically, his eyes frantically searching for the man.

He was there a moment ago! Only a few seconds passed, but he disappeared from their view!

"What do you mean you don't know? What do you mean you also lost him?"

The hell! Where has that monster gone?

"What is this? This is not funny, answer me!" Alas, no answer came after multiple queries, and the onlooker started to suspect the worst.

Cold started to run through his spine, fearing the dread as one by one his contacts went silent.

"Shit! Has he found us?" He suspected the worst and decided wisely it was time to leave. "No sense remaining here longer. This was not in the contract! I am getting out there!" Pocketing the item, he started his hasty retreat. Jumping branch by branch with great agility!

He was skilled, his speed unparalleled compared to any normal human, easily proceeding. unhindered by the thick forest, yet, even he couldn't avoid his fate.

He felt in his soul something hunted him, following him, almost like it breathed in his neck! Playing around like a predator with its prey!

"Freaking monster…"

He turned his head to check if anything was behind him, but only the vast woods were visible. He glanced around but saw nothing suspicious aside from the endless greenery and the beasts roaming below. Above him, nothing, but the occasionally appearing last rays of the sun greeted him!

Everything implied, his escape was a success! A great relief. By no means did he want to meet that thing.

"Nothing is here. Shit! I turn paranoid!"

In the end, he decided to stop, considering the distance more than enough to be safe and sound.

"I hope I lost him." Seemingly no one followed him. He suspected he was being tailed, but after several minutes of neck-breaking acrobatics amidst the foliage, he sighed a sigh of relief, stopping in the shadow of a tree. "Nothing… That was close. What a monster."

Be it was that man, or something else, if they followed him, they lost his trace by now.

"I wasted so much time going around, not to reveal our position." But it seems, he was too cautious. "But better be cautious than regret later. Right?"

It is not by accident their contractor hired them for this delicate task. No one, but them was qualified for such an operation.

But after this accident? He feared they might get chastised for their failure. No! Their mission is not to confront anyway, thus, the task cannot be considered a failure. Why would they be reprimanded for something that was not their fault? Once again, he overthinks things.

"Haah! I am getting too old for this. I will just return…"

"Return, where? Tired already?"

"Wha…!? Ugh!" The moment he was turned around and was on to move on, he was hit by a brick of a wall. Something terrifyingly strong grabbed his neck and raised him in the air without that much of an effort.

No presence, no sound implied the approach! That man was just there when he turned around!

"Haahh! Haaah! Wh-Who are you? Yo-You are…!?"

"Now then, let's speak." That grin! Those deep piercing green eyes. The scout turned even paler than he already was. That hardened face and sinister expression offered nothing good. Only pain, and a slow end.

"Fuck…"

…

Around twenty minutes passed since Toji left to satiate his biological needs, and the day started to gradually turn to night, and alas, the hunters did their best to stabilize Simon, with only a basic medkit, and some Beginner rank healing spells, they could only do so much.

"This is it. We can't do anything more."

"You know he will die soon without proper care."

"What more you expect from me?" Clicked her tongue the female hunter.

She felt powerless! Only if they had a proper healer around, they could do more.

"Beginner rank is by no means enough to treat a wound this deep."

"Where is Toji? Just how long he is taking a dump?"

"It doesn't matter anyway." Sneered the third, clenching his fits. "Selen, remain with Simon. The rest, let's clean up this mess and burn the bodies, or more monsters will come."

"Agreed."

Everyone saw what happened, but they just didn't want to speak about it.

The brutal efficiency Toji took care of those monster were inspiring, but it also scared them to the core. It was hard to stomach that was beyond you, even when that someone in your side.

Despite all of this, they will lose Simon. A great loss for their community, even greater for their friends.

"Haah! That was good!" With a satisfied sight, Toji returned from the woods, relieved to ease the pressure from his gullet.

"What's the situation?"

"Simon is dying. He is a sturdy guy but at this rate…

"He has at most a few hours left." The bleeding stopped, but the internal damage was still there. Even with magic, they were not skilled enough to completely heal him. If not for his training, he would be already dead.

"I see..." Toji squinted his eyes, glancing first at the man, then around.

Three of the hunters hoarded the bodies in a pile, one standing guard, and the fifth knelt before Simon. All diverted their gazes away, no one looked directly into his eyes.

"I got used to it." He knew too well those looks. But he just shrugged, heading towards Simon. It was not the first time people had given him that gaze. In fact, normally he would just grin back at them. Enjoying their fearful spite. Yet now, he somehow lacked the drive to do so.

"Toji. Heh… I messed up it seems." Coughed weakly the knight, blood dripping from his mouth.

"Why did you do that?" It was a stupid move. He was aware of the charging monster. He could have easily disposed of the thing. The fool should have known that. Then why?

"Why? Maybe, even I don't know." Simon laughed weakly. "Maybe because we are friends, right? Maybe I feared for your life. Hah! I know how stupid this sounds."

"Friends…" Toji muttered.

This concept was fairly unfamiliar to him. Maybe, the closest thing he had as a friend was his first wife. But even then, he suspected it was not like having a real friend.

"I want to thank you all. Please, take care of my family. My dear Giselle, little Lina, and my son, Felix. Tell them, I am sorry." Simon started to lose consciousness, his breathing slowly started to become erratic.

"He is still alive, but he will die soon if we don't do something."

"Can the granny heal him?"

"I am not sure?" Selen, as the female hunter called muttered.

"Possibly. She managed to heal you and you were like a corpse back then." The hunter who brought back Toji also stood here. He never saw more grotesque things than the man was back then. Yet, look at him now!

Toji more or less regained all his skin, with only minor scars from the heat left as a memento from his clash with Gojo Satoru.

"Still, I doubt you could cut through the forest, and return to the village before it is too late. He will die before that."

"True:" Everyone agreed. The man was monstrously fast if they consider what they witnessed now, but even that may not be enough to return in time.

"We never know if we don't try. Do we?" Why does he do this? Why does he even care? He is really going dull. Back then, he wouldn't have bothered rescuing someone. Less carrying them through a monster-infested forest. He went soft, and he despised it.

"Are you serious?"

"There is no monster around in the vicinity. But it will not remain like this for long. I go ahead, you can find your way back, don't you?"

"Ermm… I mean, sure. We just take care of the corpses and go after you." Even if they return quite late, they can recover enough arrows to cover their retreat if necessary, then head back as fast as they can.

"Good." Without saying anything more, Toji grabbed Simon and put him on his back, starting to sprint at neck-breaking speed towards the village without any further wasted words.

"He is crazy."

"But he is Simon's only hope."

"Don't waste time, hurry up and finish this mess. I don't want to spend the night in this creepy forest."

Meanwhile, Toji's speed increased with each step! Positioning Simon behind his back so the sheer resistance of the wind does not tear his face down!

In his reckless charge, he ignored the wind, the animals, and even the woods before him. Running even straight through the surface of the water without stopping!

He just avoided, or simply bounced off from all obstacles! His steps were soft despite his sheer speed, leaving no mark on the ground, and such, wasting no energy. The steps of a true stalker, carrying their package to the destination in secrecy!

Flashback end:

"Tough, I made it in time, a great detour inserted halfway through on the way back. By no means do I wanted to meet that something that closed on that site." He just had a really bad feeling while carrying Simon, and unlike before, this time he rather accepted what his screaming instinct whispered, and made that detour.

The strange distortion in the air, but even his guts screamed that a terrible beast on to approach, something even he rather avoid than confront directly.

"Tough, I am still curious what was that thing. Maybe the puppet master?"

"Ah! Toji! So heroic!" One of the busty, yet thin barmaid snuggled close to him, hugging his bulging biceps. "Such heroes really deserve a kiss. Or two! Or a peek?" Haughty, the girl pulled lower her cleavage, exposing some more skin from the already generous cut.

"Baah! Have some modesty, girl!" Shouted Patrick all flustered, the burly man tried to chide her and pull her away, but the girl resisted.

"I am not a little girl anymore, brother! Don't patronize me, please." She pulled her hand away, giving a defiant glare. "Besides, aren't you the one who always follows sister Lyrinia like some loyal hound?"

"Tha-That's different." His ears flustered, looking away meekly and embarrassed. A really comical scene, considering the sheer size of the man. "I just trying to help her."

"Surely. Then why don't you help Sister Dalia the same way too?"

"..." For this tease, no answer came from the thick but muscle-bound man, who earned a foxy grin from his sister.

"Hmph! Tough so. But you know, I don't mind, the two of you are cute together. You have my blessing."

After winking, she kissed the Toji's face out of sheer defiance of brotherly authority, before sticking out her tongue.

"That damn ruffian…" Muttered the woodsman, fearing for his dear sister's chastity. Exposing herself like that for a stranger who only arrived around a month ago? Where things had gone wrong with her?

"Well, Toji arrived back just in time. According to Sister Dalia, a few minutes later and even she couldn't save me."

Simon added his part, shaking his head at the comical act. The knight, who a few days ago was at death's door, now miraculously sat beside the townsfolk, almost like nothing happened.

"The healing techniques of this world are quite advanced." Amongst the Sorcerers of Toji's world, it was rare to find one who could heal themselves using a reversed curse technique, even rarer prey who can use their power to treat others. "Those people are quite annoying."

And by learning from the fight against Gojo Satorou, by no means he should leave their body on the ground without beheading them or destroying their brain completely.

"Go for the head. Always the head."

Alas, even despite the healing magic utilized, the deep scars which the tusks caused remained on Simon. But as he could see it, the knight could bear with that much. In fact, his wife liked those new markings very much, his kids also found it cool - mostly his son.

"Which women don't like scars, eh?" Just pulling his finger through the scar that ran across the side of his mouth, it was obvious such remnants of an injury were tempting to the other sex. Many times Toji gained the interest of women because of this slight beauty mark.

"Some kind of fetish? The hell I know."

"Sir Toji! Sir Simon! Sire!" Suddenly, a boy rushed through the door, running to the merry band who gathered in this inn.

"I am not knight, boy." Toji shrugged. "What do you need?"

"Ermm… The chief wants to see the two of you, he said it is important." After hesitating for a moment, the kid blinked, relaying the message.

"Did he mention what he need?" Questioned Simon. It was odd their chief called them this late. Neither of them knew him as the type of a man who did that without reason.

"I-I am sorry, I don't know." The boy started to panic, his eyes meeting Toji's seemingly triggered such a reaction. "H-He said it is important, at once!"

"Nooh! Toji, don't scare the poor boy." Simon playfully hissed his "friend", turning back to the boy with a reassuring smile. "Don't worry, he might seem scary, but he is a good goy."

"Ye-Yeah. He just glared at me that way."

Glared? Toji does not even comment on such an accusation. He just stared back at him. Maybe his face had such an effect on others.

"Not blaming the boy. Tougher figures backed away from a simple look."

"Don't worry, he might seem scary, but he is a good guy. Right?" For Simon's call, everyone cheered, raising their mugs at once.

"Poor fools, if they would just know my past deeds." He suspected even Simon wouldn't be so cheerful about the matter.

"Come Toji, don't let the chief wait!"

"Sure…"

Leaving the inn, it only took a few minutes of walking to reach the chief's place. A house that was only slightly bigger than the rest, but served as the home as well as the office for the chief of this village.

"Yo, Chief!"

"Once again you enter without knocking." Huffed the grizzled man, giving a glare to the newcomers. His slightly pudgy posture implied he spent rather a lot of time sitting nowadays, but his thick arms were also the clear giveaway it was not always the case.

"What's the matter, old man? Old witch, what are you doing here?"

Toji didn't even bother to give the needed honorifics, but seeing the other two in the same room, maybe they already got used to it.

"Oh! Playful as ever. Ufufu…"

"Hmph! Brat…" Gustav and Sister Dalia were also present, each giving their usual playful, or in the sister's case berating gaze.

"Enough! We have an important matter to discuss."

"Why do you even need me? I have been here for a month or so." Toji had a suspicion, which would prove to be true after the next two sentences.

"Yes, that's true, but under that month you proved yourself a useful member of our small community. Also, because you were there when those mutant monsters attacked."

Now he understands. So that's why.

"What about them, just monsters."

"Hardly normal ones according to the description your group passed along. And with such numbers? I fear this has grown too big for us to handle." The chief shook his head with a deep sight, continuing his explanation about the deteriorating situation that recently resurfaced. It was the case not only around their village, but according to the news, around the whole region.

"I should just track the source and get rid of it." That was Toji's original intention. And with how much of a mess these things leave behind, it wouldn't be that hard.

The question was, should he do it for free? For the safety of others and for his own peace?

"It was clear those monsters were not naturally born due to the excess mana in the environment, but created by someone."

That much even that guy told him. Of course, before he was disintegrated, like the rest of his fellows when he tried to interrogate them.

"Some kind of self-destruct curse? A binding vow that prevented information leak?" A possibility. Whatever the case, he did not share this information, as even the medallion destroyed itself when he got his hand on it - along with the corpse.

"Without tangible evidence, it would be foolish to say anything certain."

For now, let them think it is just some mutated monsters that roam around, and no plot was behind this whole thing.

"Besides, once a bounty is offered, I can even profit from this." Never work without adequate payment. Also, never reveal all your cards, that's how he worked.

"Monopolizing information is a good way to gain an advantage in the hunt." Many successful bounties he collected thanks to this mindset.

All the while such thoughts ran through his mind, the chief closed the end of his explanation.

"Concluding things, we need to alert the local lord about our situation and ask more knights and soldiers for protection, as well, as an adventurer team to investigate the matter."

"Eh? I don't think the local lord has enough spare knights to station here." Simon sweatdropped.

This village was lucky the local lord sent him here to monitor and police the village if needed.

"It is not unheard of a village to have a knight stationed in their vicinity, but not every settlement has one."

Sometimes Simon even had to visit the nearby settlements to take care of things. That's because knights don't grow on trees - literally speaking.

"Most knights are noble born, or did something exceptional to earn the title."

It was clear, that most young nobles who take the mantle are usually not firstborn of their respective family, and thus strive to earn titles, fight in chivalrous duels and prove themselves in the field of battle.

Concluding from this, most of them don't often request to be sent to the dusty countryside, where nothing interesting happens - Simon is one of the few after years of service.

Even if they are assigned there, they are rather people who are an eyesore for some noble, or someone the mighty "players" want to stuff away so as not to be in the way.

"I understand your concern. And you are right, the kingdom most likely doesn't have many spare knights to send here to help police our dusty settlement - less the nearby region. But I am sure, this plea will help the Lord to have a change of heart - at least for now." The chief raised a scroll, neatly sealed with vax and the signet issued to this village.

Almost every settlement possessed such seal, passed from one chief to another, and served as a way to send official pleas and documents to the local or regional lord.

"I can't leave the village in this situation, thus, I entrust this task to Father Gustav. Please make sure it will reach "him" intact."

"Ah! How nice of you, dear Ferdinand. To throw this old man before the mad dog? You are really cruel." Chuckled the elderly priest with a sour smirk.

"What? Isn't he a friend of yours? I thought you would be glad to see him again. After so many years…"

"Ah! You see, we did not part on the best terms." And from his expression, it was a mild term.

"You have known him for a long time. You are a clever man, I am sure you will figure something out. Just convince and charm your way to his crusty heart. Just like you usually do under your sermons."

"Easier said than done." Pulled his collar the bald man sweating. "I rather try to convert a Superd to our Holy Lord's way, than try to convince that stubborn oaf."

"It is not an order, of course. But that stubborn man would hardly accept my plea. We had a slight misunderstanding during our last meeting."

"Ah! It can't be helped then." Huffed the priest exhausted, the Sorcerer Killer even heard him subtly gulp.

"Toji, would you please escort this old man to the city? I remember you told me you would like to visit it one day."

"Gladly." Joy! And when he wanted to visit that place anyway. This journey will prove to be interesting.

"Hmm! Good! Bring along Patrick, he had a cart, and some wares we would like to sell anyway. We also need these items."

The chief recovered a list with several goods listed, handing it over to the priest. It was like some contract, a receipt about items that were already paid for.

"I already sent a message last time, but they have not yet arrived. Please, ask around where the hell the wares are delayed. We need them before winter hits."

"Packing burdens on us one after other. Eh?"

"Just as much your heart can bear, old friend." Chuckled the grizzled man, turning to the local knight afterwards.

"Simon, until Toji and the rest return, we expect your continuous support. Do your best, for the sake of our village. We count on you."

"Just as usual chief." He grinned back. "We will continue to monitor the perimeter with the hunters and the local militia, and get rid of any pest."

"Good! Thank you! In that case. Please depart as soon as possible. In one or two days, possibly."

Agreeing on the terms, the people left the lodge, starting to prepare for their coming departure.

Scene Change: In a bustling city: In a different perspective:

Good morning! Ladies and gentlemen! You may ask! Who am I? And the question would be great!

Being we never met, let me introduce myself! My humble name is Rudeus Greyrat. That's right! Absorb this great name at your heart's content! But don't worry, I do not bite, or do anything nasty. Tough, if you are a lady, be aware, for my charms are otherworldly!

Hahaha! No! Really. Don't worry, just kidding! Still, if you make the effort to know me regardless, you may even consider me a decent fellow. A cute boy, and an aspiring magician!

But ah! I once again stray from the path! Please forgive me for this small interruption!

Khm! Let's clarify one thing, this is not my first ride. And by ride, I did not mean riding a horse or anything. But living my life. And by living a life I did not mean I started a new life after the previous one had a horrible turn, and I had to rebuild my viability - alas, something similar in that regard. What I meant I literally died, waking up as a baby in a different body and world!

You don't believe it? Quite unbelievable, I know. Don't worry, I reacted the same at first. Also, thank you for your condolences, I accept it graciously of course.

But, don't bury me yet, and don't pity what already passed. In fact, if all things considered, I came out with more, than I lost.

How so? Good question indeed. To clarify and find an answer to this great question, let's see how was my previous life. Or existence? Yeah, pitiful it was, but what I pursued before cannot be really called a life.

I was really a trash. And I don't say it because I am the type who finds joy in self-pity and masochism, but remembering my past self, I really messed things up.

Alas, what led to such existence all began with what can be called a really bad day. A tragic mockery, which spiralled into self-destructive behaviour that persisted from then on through the years and decades. And after that? I lived secluded until my eventual, painful death.

How I died back then? Well, if you ever read any isekai novel - which, if you are not familiar with the concept is all about some average joy/loser transported or reborn to some other world and having adventures - then you know what I am experiencing just now!

Typical and boring, isn't it?

But how it even happen if I sat all day in my room, never really moving out? Living the life of a true NEET! Of course, it happened after my parents died in a terrible accident. And I being my usual self back then, I was not even decent enough to show up at their funeral.

Naturally, after one such occasion, and bearing with my behaviour for years, my dear siblings got fed all of this and threw me out without even a shoe on my feet. Smashed my dear "beast" of a PC and dumped me on the rainy street!

Real mean bunch! And before you ask, yeah, I was hit by a truck! Yeah, getting hit by Truck-kun was really painful. Even remembering it, my body shakes in a phantom pain even after all those years. But ah! At least I saved a beautiful girl, who as I remember her, quarrelled with her boyfriend.

How I envied them back then, and even now! To have a normal relationship… Ah! I knew a girl way back then, and maybe, if I were courageous enough to ask, there should be something between us. But I was not gutsy enough, and even when I stood up for something, I was beaten and hung before the school naked.

After such trauma, you may understand why I became that kind of person.

But alas, in the end, at least the girl I snatched from Truck-kun's cold bumper survived, right? Please don't take this small sedation of hope from me. My death was stupid enough as it was, at least all that pain I felt when the cold, and wet metal plastered me to mincemeat should not be in vain.

More so, I made my stubby leg run first since more than a decade, and with more than a quintal weight, it was more than an accomplishment!

"Rudeus! Come! You are once again spacing out!"

Ah! But once again, I space out, while I should take attention! I do this more and more often.

"Sorry." I followed the red beast before me, and I did so graciously, putting my now thin legs one after the other! I was really proud of them! My fierce Tindalos and Baskerville! Unlike the other two before, they did not let me in the dust!

"Hmph! You and your daydreaming. Don't stray away."

I apologized again. As for whom? Well, I might have been a lowlife in my previous life, but I still strive to be at least a decent person in this one.

And I really did my best this time around! No shortcuts anymore! No half-measures! I vowed that unlike before, I finish what I started!

To confirm my determination, let's just take into account while we are here what I earned since I came to be again!

Firstly! Thanks to my lovely master - my new goddess of Wisdom - I once again gained the courage to move out and explore this world! And alas, I am sad she left too early, going on her way long years ago, I am grateful for her help in both teaching me the way of magic and of course, dragging me out of my shell!

Secondly! I am proud to say I learned magic! And though by no means do I consider myself a great magic caster yet - less so a decent swordsman despite my father, Paul's best effort - I would still say I learned my fair share, and am confident in my current skills. Surely, these skills are leagues above most of the useless knowledge hoarded in my previous life.

Albeit, there is always room for improvement, and no way I will stop pushing myself until I am satisfied.

Listing all of these, we already reached the third thing I gained since I was reborn!

I had a job! Don't laugh! I had none previously! And yeah, as a mere eight years old I am already a working man. Closing to nine, and I have already dropped into the harsh world of working society, leaving the boy behind!

An unimaginable thing considering my past life. But alas, mentally I am already over my forties, so, it can be said it was about time for me to get a proper job!

My parents of my past life, I hope you are proud of your son. I have a job!

Mentally I even shed a tear, and for good reason. Even though, my current father, Paul should have been milder in how he sent me on my way. Being knocked out, and tucked into a cart, accompanied by a beastwoman was not how imagined our tearful parting.

Alas, it was all my fault maybe. Yeah, I was the one who nagged them to find me a job no end. All in order to earn some money to enrol myself and my lovely friend to a magic academy.

And one and a half years later, here I am! And my job is more than dangerous! What it was? What can be dangerous for a mere eight-year-old boy - almost nine? Well, ladies and gentlemen! My task is no lesser than to break a beast and teach her basic subjects - even if she is not interested. Try to form her a proper lady no less!

Yeah! Laugh all you want! But you don't know what I had to bear with day after day! She might look like a lovely girl, but that lovely face hides a true beast! A fiery red creature like her hair! Actually, during our first meeting, I got beaten up pretty badly!

Shameful I know, a girl beating a boy… But you were not here, so please, don't judge. You can't imagine what I had to bear with! What kind of girl we are speaking about?

Haah! But despite all, I can proudly say, that under one and half years of constant try and service as her private tutor, I managed to tame her - the best of my ability at least. Tough, I had to reach for unruly methods to reach this far - you may even despise and judge me if I would tell you.

As of now… She eats with cutlery. She even started to make an effort in her studies - alas, some compromises had to be made, such as free days from her studies to relieve her constant stress and anger - because she had a lot of anger issues.

But I guess, my faithful co-teacher, Ghislaine, the musclehead beastwoman on our side was an adequate consultant and help in our harsh journey to reach this far.

"We buy this! Rudeus! How much it cost?"

"Now, now! Eris. Don't you want to read it? Just like we practiced?"

"Ermm…" And she even considered reading it! Indeed great progress. I am proud of you, Eris! "Two, one silver, fifteen bronze…?"

"Almost." I smiled bitterly. Despite all my efforts, she is still far from perfect. Now, don't think I will give up that easily. But still, better give my other student a chance. "Ghislaine, want to try?" I turned to our tanned-skinned, abs-packed swordswoman for the change. My second diligent student, who gave me swordsmanship lessons in exchange - and helped me in other matters if needed.

"Umm…" The tall woman squinted her eye, which was not covered by an eyepatch. Why she wore it? I never asked to be honest. Maybe she lost her eye? Or because it was her cosplay?

"Three silver, two big bronze coins."

"That's a three?" Eris squinted her eyes.

"Yeah, it is a little hard to read." Maybe the shopkeeper wrote those numbers that way to deceive the onlooker. Useful tactic, considering you rather not put back stuff you already grabbed, but pay for it.

"So, how much copper you will get back if we pay four silver?" Even on her days off, I had to be cruel and exercise her bits, or she would forget what I taught her. I had to drill the basic stuff in her thoroughly, and later will be easier. I am speaking from experience, ladies and gentlemen! I wouldn't dare to experiment on her that way.

"Erm…" She concentrated hard, even furrowing her brows in effort. Good Eris! Good! Let the numbers flow into your mind. Oh! She even used her hands! She is so cute! "Two…"

"Kid! Do you want to buy it or not? I am trying to do business here." The old shopkeeper scoffed, and indeed, several other people also browsed his wares.

"Don't rush me! I am trying to count!"

While both Eris as well Ghislaine tried their best to calculate the result, many people passed us, some giving us a strange stare. Although, I don't blame them. We may indeed offered a strange sight.

But alas, that is how this city was! The capital of this region! The Citadel of Roa!

With its mighty walls, this expansive fortress city, and the citadel in the centre gave the feeling of protection for anyone around. No wonder thousands upon thousands of souls called it their home, and even more came and went daily!

Its streets were always filled with people, and tough as was expected of a city of medieval style, the roads were usually dirty, and most often only the main road was cobbled - where many different merchants offered their different goods - it was still a good place to live.

As expected, the houses became bigger and bigger, and more fancy as one closed to the heart of the place, the citadel, where Eris and her family lived. Amongst all, it was the most splendorous place. There, I had gained a modest, but still respectable lodging while my stay lasted.

"Kid. I speak to you. Do the little lady want this, or not."

"Ah! Please, forgive me. It is better to ask… Ugh!" I was yanked back from my daydreaming again by the merchant, and I even stepped back to give a traditional Japanese bow of apology. Tough, before I could do it, something pushed me. No, rather said, it felt like a moving wall knocked me to the ground with little to no effort.

"You are in the way." A baritone tone hit my ears, and it was an oddly familiar tone if I had to be honest. But where did I hear it?

"Oi! Just what do you think you are doing?" Before I could make amends for my blunder, Eris, the dear, lunged into action, trying to protect me in a very unladylike manner.

She was still brash in this regard, needing much polish. But with her etiquette teacher, we worked hard to cobble out the imperfections. Still, we had a long way to go. "Apologize from Rudeus in an instant, or I will…!? Oi! I speaking to you!" Seeing the man not even took the effort to at least give a look, but continued on his way, Eris grabbed a rock from the ground. Quite sizable tool, fitting perfectly her palm. A dangerous weapon in her hands!

"Don't dare to ignore me, you punk!" She threw a rock with as much force as she could. I hope it will not kill that man. But she really used the word, punk?

Regardless, the stranger tilted his head only slightly, catching the rock between two fingers no less. It was an accomplishment, considering how fast and strong Eris can throw things. Yet, he caught it without effort.

Yes, I experienced firsthand, ladies and gentleman. If she would have lived in my old world, the girl would have been scouted by some Baseball Scout as an aspiring talent.

"Hmm?" The strange moving "wall" stopped, and Eris froze meeting his green eyes when he glanced back at her. The glare of a dismissing predator, who could have devoured her in an instant, stared down at her like a worthless bit of meat that was not even enough for an appetizer.

"I…"

The always fiery Eris, who hardly backed away from challenging others even bigger than her stuck the words on her throat! A stunning scene of silence, even I could hardly fathom.

"What do you want, shrimp?"

"Tch… You! Ruffian! Just what do you think just wading through Rudeus!? Apol…" Alas, Eris was gutsier than any other, and even trembling in the shadows of the stranger, she still gritted her teeth, defiant until the last. Despite all, she still looked helpless against that man!

Maybe it was out of self-defence, or panic she still persisted. Yes, I saw it once in one of those documentary films. When an animal is cornered, it tries to show itself bigger, more dominant. Hoping the predator leaves them alone.

Still, Ghislaine grabbed her collar regardless. Befit to a sword king, faster than our eye could follow, she pulled Eris back to safety wordless, pushing her behind her taily back.

"Ghi-Ghislaine!?"

"!"

Usually, the swordswoman pulled her away so to keep her out of trouble when we were out for her usual shopping sprees - yeah, her grandfather spoiled her rotten, but who can say no to that face?

Anyway, in those times, the beastwoman's face was rather lax, sometimes I even saw her smiling, yet, now, her musclebrain expression was rather serious. "Want to pick a fight?" asked the man uncaring, meeting Ghislaine's visible eye with little care. Strangely, each word he said made me remember something, I can't yet fully form in my mind.

It was annoying. Almost like you want to say a word but still fail because it slips out of your mind.

You know what word it was. It's meaning. But it just doesn't come to your tongue in the right situation! It just tickled my brain, irritating it no end!

"It is okay Eris." No! It doesn't matter. I finally regained my footing, and stood up, dusting my clothes a little bit. It was probably my fault. Stepping back I might just stood in the way of this man. I need to resolve the situation myself! No way I want this small blunder turn something serious!

According to Japanese custom, the fault was mine, thus, I had to apologize. "Let me…" My breath stopped! The first time I truly inspected him from head to toe, something clicked in me!

This man! No! Those qualities! Those eyes! Those facial features! Those unmistakable characteristics! Could it be? Could it be he is from Japan? And how buffed he was?! He was comparable, no, he was even more muscled than Ghislaine! Almost like the David of Michelangelo on steroids!

"I-I am really sorry… Di-Dio-sama?"

I muttered meekly in Japanese. My mouth and tongue moved by itself.

Dammit! He probably doesn't understand. Of course, why would he understand a language that is nonexistent here?

Right, he is not from Japan! What am I thinking? True, until now I did not see any people around who carry Asian characteristics, still, there might be other places where such people are commonplace - less than the locals who rather carry caucasian features.

This world was big, and with my barely eight years, I had much to learn and see!

"Dio-sama?" The man raised his brow almost confused as to how I called him.

Of course! That voice of his! That baritone tone! Now I remember! It is almost… no! It is exactly the same as that of Dio Brando's from JoJo's Bizarre Adventure!

"Heh! Whatever. Interesting. To think I hear Japanese words here. Say kid, do you understand me?"

H-He just spoke Japanese? Again! Wait!? He answered in kind in Japanese! My mind blanked… could it be? A buff man with Dio's voice? Could it be? No! Stupid brain, stop! But I can't help it! I just imagined him tearing down his face like some mask, and saying: KONO DIO DA! (It was I, Dio!)

I don't know how long I just stood there, frozen in my thoughts, probably looking like an idiot, but after some time, his expression changed.

"But maybe I was wrong. Nandemo (Whatever)…" He spoke Japanese again, before changing back to the human tongue. "Keep your brats in line. Or others will do so." He told Ghislaine without giving much heed to her glare, answering with a raised chin and challenging grin. All the while he while squeezed slightly the stone he caught.

It was crushed to dust between his fingers mercilessly, and the crunching sound made the defiant Eris flinch.

The way he spoke. His tone… It was not a threat, it was a promise! And the way the peeble crushed, it was terrifying!

"I see..."

Slowly his eyes moved towards Ghislaine's sword, which the woman already touched with her thumb, displaying her readiness if it comes to fight.

Oddly enough, no fear, neither concern is displayed by him - nothing similar people usually show when facing this woman. No! Instead, he cocked his head, almost challenging. A face that said: Come, try it!

"Heh!"

Before I could recover from my stunned state and could bring forth the question I formulated, he gave one last mocking laugh, turning his back to us, going his way and disappearing into the crowd!

"That voice. Dio? Japanese…" I muttered. This was too much at once to process. I was completely frozen! Come on brain! Reboot!

"Rudeus! Are you alright? Damn that man! Ghislaine!? Why don't you let me to…!? Why don't you just…!?"

"So much bloodlust…" The swordswoman in rather skimpy attire muttered, squinting her eyes cautiously, a bead of sweat running down on her forehead. Only a few seconds later she returned her gaze back to the minors with her.

It was the second time, I saw her genuinely serious about something - the first time when she annihilated those bandits who tried to kill us. Yet, this encounter felt different! More threatening!

"Better return to the citadel."

"Bu-But, we still did not…!"

"Now." Alas, Eris grumbled under her nose, she still followed Ghislaine's strict order.

What a strange encounter! Is my mind just playing with me? Or was it real? Whatever the case is, it can't be stranger than that red orb in the sky. Right? Because it is like the old man said: Nothing bad.

Regardless, I had a bad feeling about this. I need to think about this further. Ladies and Gentlemen, Rudeus Greyrat signing out! For now…

A/N:

Well! Ladies and gentlemen, I hope it was an enjoyable chapter!

The third chapter of the infamous Sorcerer Killer's adventure in this brave new world!

Hope it was satisfactory enough!

In the next chapter:

Journey towards the grand Citadel!

A familiar tone?

How the Sorcerer Killer and his companion fare in the city of Roa?

Leeches on to gain a favour!

The Sorcerer Killer and The Musclebrain Sword King!

Who moves the strings in the game?

What motives did the puppet master have?

When they will strike?

All of this and more gain answers in the following chapters! (or not XD)

The next chapter comes when it comes! As usual, please be patient dearest readers and commenters! ?

Until then!

RnR!

Read and Review!

If you have questions, send a PM or leave a review!

Good luck! Good night! Good day! Good sail! Peace! And take care!

Until we meet again!

Oblivon2991 out!