Chapter 2: The Place I Was Teleported To
Currently, I’m busy making myself at home.
As for food, I managed to catch some fish by setting up cylindrical baskets. I was pleasantly surprised to find crabs in the ones I submerged in the sea, adding a nice change of flavor. The trick is to toss the scraps of the fish I’ve already cleaned into the baskets as bait.
I made six baskets out of reeds and thin branches, sinking three in the sea and three in the river. So far, it’s been easier than fishing. To be honest, fishing is way too difficult for me and takes too much time.
I’ve been catching a lot of fish that resemble trout, both in the sea and the river. I don’t know what crabs are called, but after eating them, I panicked, remembering that both crabs and fish can be poisonous.
The next day, I was relieved to find that I hadn’t experienced any numbness or stomach issues, so I’ve been eating what I know is safe without worry. On the other hand, I’ve become too scared to touch anything else.
It would be great if I had knowledge about which foods and waters are safe. That way, I could expand my options for what I can eat.
There are a lot of mushrooms growing, but I have no idea if they’re poisonous or not.
The crabs and fish seem to be plentiful in areas where humans don’t venture, perhaps because they lack caution. It’s a bit ambiguous whether I should be happy about that or not.
Now that I’ve secured water and food, my mood has improved a bit. Whenever I have free time, I’m working on improving my sleeping area. The hastily made bed, cramped and full of holes, is gradually being expanded and patched up.
For instance, I’ve raised the floor. Water had seeped in on rainy days, so I dug a trench around it, but depending on the wind direction and the amount of rain, water still managed to seep in. So, I piled up dirt to elevate it.
Instead of just raising the floor, I’ve been transporting as many flat, large stones as I can to create a hollow space beneath the floor, allowing the warm smoke from the campfire to flow through.
Underneath the mud that I’ve leveled, stones are laid, and hot air passes beneath them, warming them up. It’s gotten a bit chilly, so I’m giving it my best shot. If it gets too hot, I can either seal the holes or move the campfire.
I’ve built a new wall outside the one made of stacked wood, using stones and mud. From the traces I saw during the day, I think it’s either boars, rabbits, or foxes around here, but at night, the presence of beasts becomes more pronounced. Since I’m not sure what’s lurking about, I’ve made my sleeping area sturdy to keep out drafts.
For the roof and part of the wall, I used plastic bags that were meant for trash at the Fireworks Festival. If I used only branches and leaves, it would be too dark with just the campfire for light.
I started out making something pot-like from tree bark, but now I’ve crafted my own earthenware pots. I also have a flat stone that works like a cutting board, which is handy for grilling crabs.
The great thing about fishing with baskets is that it frees up my time for other tasks. However, I have no intention of trying to catch land animals since I don’t feel capable of processing them.
Snow has fallen on the mountain tops.
I’m trying to prepare some dried fish and seaweed for winter, but I’m not very confident about it. It’s becoming harder to catch fish, perhaps because it’s getting colder. The sunlight, which was once strong and invigorating, is now waning.
I’ve been sprinkling seawater on the seaweed to dry it—well, more like leaving it alone after sprinkling it—and I’ve managed to create something resembling salt from the algae. To be honest, I don’t use it much since seafood is naturally salty. I’ve gotten used to a lighter flavor before the salt was ready.
I’ve even built a roofed platform to dry firewood, and I’m quite proud of that. It’s a hassle not having a change of clothes, but I’ve dug a hole by the river to draw in water and occasionally take baths by tossing in heated stones. I have to be careful when throwing in the stones, though, as they can explode and send shards flying, which is dangerous, but I still want to bathe.
If I don’t keep myself busy, I end up overthinking things, so I focus on immediate tasks. But how long can I keep this up?
The day when snow falls here is drawing near.
“Eek! I’m so sorry!”
Suddenly, a ball of light the size of a volleyball appears, accompanied by a high-pitched voice.
I freeze at this sudden, surreal phenomenon.
“I’m so sorry, I didn’t realize I was involving you!”
The ball of light flits around in a flurry.
“What… is it?”
Taking advantage of the fact that no one is around, I had been shouting and howling, but when I tried to speak, my voice came out hoarse.
“I accidentally summoned you during the Hero summoning! This isn’t the world you know!”
“Send me back!”
I respond reflexively, still unable to grasp the situation. I’ve wanted to go back for so long; it’s only natural, right?
“I-I’m sorry! I can’t do that! Besides, you were summoned just before you were about to die in that world—no, no, no! Your lifespan from that world still exists!!”
I’m furious over everything that’s happened, while the ball of light is in a panic. Since the conversation isn’t progressing, I force myself to suppress my overwhelming emotions and listen.
This noisy ball of light used to be a God, now a Spirit. It performed the Hero summoning, lost most of its power, and its spiritual rank dropped, resulting in this form. Apparently, it was so vague right after the summoning that it’s gradually returning to its original state.
Though it calls me a Hero, it seems any living being will do. The purpose of the summoning is to connect this world with that one, if only for a moment.
In that world, the power of one of the Gods from here is poured in, preventing destruction from extreme materialization. —Connecting the worlds requires power, so the amount poured in is very small.
This world avoids collapse from extreme spiritualization by gaining beings from that world.
By allowing something material and something spiritual—whatever that means—to pass through the thinly connected path, it’s supposed to expand.
I don’t quite understand the concepts of materialization and spiritualization, but it seems that by connecting both worlds and exchanging a bit, both can stabilize.
And the reason they deliberately choose humans, even if they’re nearing the end of their lifespan, is simply the Gods’ desire.
This world grants a lifespan, and with the remaining lifespan from that world, it can create abilities and tools known as skills. Each time these are used, the power of the God who created them increases.
The God who creates the path to that world and pours in power is supposed to grant skills or abilities, providing protection or guardianship.
Here, the term “God” refers to the stronger Spirits. The criteria seem vague, like being able to influence weather over an area larger than a nation.
However, there are dangers involved in creating this path, and if things go wrong, one’s existence could vanish. It’s a complicated task that requires precise adjustments, making it impossible for everyone to cooperate.
And if successful, there are rewards.
However, a power disparity that is too great is not welcomed, so there are restrictions on the conditions for summoning a Hero. The number is limited to three, and they must be humans on the brink of death.
That matches the number of my sister and her friends. Was I supposed to die too? No, this thing just said I have a lifespan. Besides, there can only be three Heroes.
“If the human realm is noisy…”
A tall man with black hair appears.
“V-Van. D-Don’t tell anyone.”
“Too late.”
The man replies curtly to the ball of light.
An elderly man in a robe. A child with a doll-like appearance. A beautiful man with a cold demeanor. An old woman with a large nose, wearing a shawl pulled low over her face. A cute girl with a fluffy impression. A gorgeous blonde beauty. And a blind puppy.
One after another, they appear.
I’m a bit dazed by the sudden influx of company after being alone for so long. Should I be happy? Should I be surprised that they don’t look human? Should I be angry about being dragged into this? My thoughts and emotions swirl, leaving me unable to act.
“Let’s deal with this later and listen to this one’s wishes.”
“Wait, please! It was an accident!”
The elderly man in the robe speaks, and the ball of light seems flustered. Are they going to dispose of it?
“…!”
The ball of light lets out a small cry, as if trying to appeal to the others.
“That’s right! Rishu messed up, and the power from this one remained on the path, causing the area to expand beyond what was planned! It’s not my fault!”
No, it’s definitely your fault.
Maybe it’s desperate, but I’m really starting to dislike this ball of light.
“Let’s discuss this later.”
The cold-looking man cuts into the conversation.
“Indeed, being from another world, who will you choose?”
“Me…?”
I hesitate at the old woman’s question.
“Since returning is impossible, you will need to choose a guardian deity for this world. Normally, the summoned one grants power and protection. I am Van, with attributes of power and fire, also capable of destruction and rebirth.”
The tall man introduces himself.
“I am Rudil. Earth and tranquility, magic.”
A beautiful man with long hair and a pale face.
“I am Kadal. Green and magic, governing order.”
An elderly man with a well-groomed long beard.
“I’m Ish. Water and healing.”
A child whose expression is as motionless as porcelain.
“I am Pal. Earth and harvest.”
A plump middle-aged woman.
“I am Mishto. Light and wind, as well as love and whimsy.”
A cute girl with a fluffy appearance.
“I am Haralfa. Light, love, and beauty. — Rishu has nearly lost all his power, consumed by ice and darkness. You likely lack the strength to offer anything.”
The beautiful woman spoke while gazing at the puppy.
“He’s on the verge of disappearing, isn’t he? He was so full of confidence before!”
The Ball of Light fell silent.
“Power… is overlapping?”
The tightness in my throat began to fade. It really is different between shouting and speaking.
“Many things are born and then vanish. We are merely the ones who arrived here, but there are others with great power as well.”
“It’s rare for someone to gain enough strength to be called a god, though,” Kadal and Mishto informed me.
“Who will you choose?”
Van asked again.
“Everyone, right?”
“Considering their long lifespans, even if you were to receive power from everyone, it would be more than enough, but it would also cancel each other out and weaken you. If you were close and could share freely, it would be different, but honestly, we hardly ever meet. It wouldn’t benefit you.”
“Isn’t it bad for one person to become too strong…? What kind of wishes will you grant?”
I switched to a more polite tone midway.
It’s not like this is for my sake, but I felt happy to be able to talk to someone, happy that they came to me. I hold unconditional affection for everyone, regardless of good or evil. Except for the cause of this Ball of Light, of course.
It’s completely the bridge effect. I’ve been feeling distrustful of people, thinking I’d rather live alone in the mountains, but that’s only if I have a stable lifeline and can step out to find people afterward.
The state of this island is just too much!