Another World Reincarnation Chronicle

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The tentacle cluster crashing in like a wave couldn’t be fully blocked even with my sword swinging. My body was pushed back forcefully, and the ground I stood on was overturned.

Boom-!

The long, outstretched cluster of tentacles writhed grotesquely, wrapping around my arms and legs. Before my whole body was bound, I hurriedly retreated and swung the Fire Dragon Sword once more in my hand.

Swish-!

Dozens of tentacles were sliced through in the air. The severed ones jerked violently, perhaps still having nerves intact. The tentacles themselves weren’t particularly strong. The real problem lay within their properties—regeneration and division, as they kept pouring toward me, endlessly reconstructing their severed parts.

Rather than confronting the tentacles, it was better to aim for the original body of the deer.

Boom!

As I narrowly evaded another wave of tentacles, I darted to the side and began to sprint. The mana circulating through my entire body spread from the circle that had been spinning since the fight began.

Whee-!

The rotating sound, only audible to me, filled my entire being, and my physical abilities surged dramatically.

Bang-!

The moment I slammed my feet into the ground, a massive explosion echoed as if a bomb had gone off, kicking up a cloud of dust. I soared into the sky with the dirt and rotated my body while wielding the Fire Dragon Sword.

Whoosh-!

A red circle made of flames brushed past the enormous deer’s neck. The sensation at my fingertips felt shallow. It meant my strike didn’t land properly.

Just as I prepared for a second blow in urgency, the massive tentacle cluster struck my body.

Crash-!

The strong impact slammed me into the ground. However, I didn’t get pushed back any further. It was the moment the mana that spread throughout my body completed the transformation into a Dragon. I was confident that, barring any unusual circumstances, I wouldn’t be overpowered.

Grrooaaar-!

I grasped the tentacle cluster attempting to ensnare my body with its sharp claws and scales. As I applied pressure, the tentacle cluster burst under my fierce grip.

Boom-!

While I held onto the retreating tentacle cluster, I glanced at Su and Shu. Without the ability to use magic now, it was tough to fight while protecting the two kids. I worried they might get caught in the fray, but thankfully, they had retreated to safety under the protection of the Nightmare.

I was relieved they were quick-witted. It meant I could fight without needing to worry about my surroundings.

In that instant, my body began to move. I swung the sharpened claws while focusing on the long tail as the center and lunged forward with my sword. The form of the swordsmanship I usually practiced started to blur. The posture that would be impossible for a human became possible, and I began to display an improvised swordsmanship guided by instinct rather than predetermined forms.

Slice, cut, and strike. When the heart’s circle unleashed a rough rotating sound, the Ice Dragon Sword, which had been sheathed at my waist, flew out toward the deer’s original body.

As the Ice Dragon Sword raced through the air, a blue and white line stretched behind it, carving a deep wound into the massive deer’s body. I couldn’t attempt a powerful strike since I wasn’t wielding it directly, but for now, this was enough.

The massive deer’s body was tremendously huge, but it seemed its brain hadn’t grown in size. Perhaps aggravated by the tiny Ice Dragon Sword leaving a wound on its body, half of the tentacle cluster that had been attacking me began to tear apart and aimed for the Ice Dragon Sword.

Dividing my full power against an opponent I couldn’t assure victory against?

Clearly, a blunder, an impossible feat. But if the monster possessed the intelligence of a beast, it was entirely plausible. I seized the chance and tore through the tentacle cluster, charging forward.

Blood burst forth from the tentacle cluster, soaking my body. When my golden hair and cloak billowed behind me turned red like blood, a fierce flame surged over my body.

Whoosh-!

Kalbain’s flames are the flames of destruction that incinerate everything in this world. Yet, the fire I had under my control wasn’t aimed to burn everything down; it only scorched the things that posed a threat to me. That was what I wanted.

The blood soaking my body rapidly evaporated. Even the impurities left after moisture disappeared were scattered like black ash due to the intense heat. The incoming tentacle cluster as if to impede my charge couldn’t withstand the hot temperature and burned away.

It was the moment the flames, which had a one-way offensive property, became the ultimate shield to protect my body. However, I shouldn’t forget my original purpose. I began to concentrate the hot flames into the form of a single sword.

The flames that had been wrapping around my body were focusing into one spot. I wouldn’t let the mana leak out. The moment that mana detached from my body, it would lose control.

The shape of the flames enveloping the sword blade twisted, and the Ice Dragon Sword, receiving mana beyond its limits, trembled roughly and let out a roar like a dragon.

Grrroar-!

As the orange flames that had obscured my vision dissipated, a cool breeze brushed against my cheek, and a red flash erupted from the heated blade of the Fire Dragon Sword.

Shwaaa-!

There was no one to block this strike. The flames of destruction concentrated into a line split through everything in its path, soaring into the sky.

A late remnant surged along the path where the sword had swung. The moment a rough storm erupted, the ground and forest split, scattering the clouds above.

Sunlight poured down from the gap in the clouds that had covered the sky. The instant the enormous deer’s body was split in two, it turned to black ash and scattered away.

“Phew…”

Panting heavily, I dulled my gaze downward at the Fire Dragon Sword. The blazing sword born from concentrated heat began to scatter.

This wasn’t what I had intended. The accidental blow I had felt in Janghon was a lot more subdued. It hadn’t spewed out heat so violently.

I shook my head and brushed off the flames, sheathing the Fire Dragon Sword. Right after that, the Ice Dragon Sword, which had been floating in the air, also returned to its position.

“Emily!”

The twins with watery blue hair began to run towards me alongside the Nightmare. Before they approached, I unwrapped my cape and tied it around my waist. The long cape adequately covered my body, replacing my torn pants.

“That look is…”

“Wow…”

It would be their first time seeing a Dragon’s form up close. I awkwardly smiled as I patted the horns that Su and Shu were staring at. There’s a big difference between hearing about it and seeing it firsthand. The kids were wide-eyed, as if they were seeing something incredible.

I was worried they might find me gross and avoid me, but it seemed it wasn’t to that extent. The hefty tail that reacted sensitively to emotions thudded against the ground.

“Is everyone alright? No injuries?”

“Of course… More importantly, we’re the ones that want to ask. Are you hurt, Emily?”

Aside from my clothes being a little torn, I hadn’t been hurt. I nodded lightly, chuckling.

“Emily, you’re amazing…”

It seemed Shu felt something from the blow I had shown. He was gazing at the place where the enormous deer had stood. Embers were rising in the cool breeze as the black ash drifted away.

Just when I was trying to gather today’s firewood, a multitude of presences began to approach quickly from the direction of the village.

I turned my head while holding a bundle of firewood, seeing villagers armed with swords and spears running towards me. It was a fight with a massive monster. It appeared the aftermath of the battle was even felt by the village that was located far away.

“Hey! What in the world has happened here?!”

Leading the villagers was Reth. He dashed over, donned with a sword instead of his usual staff, breathless.

It was surprising to see the people worry so much for strangers I had only just met. I responded to Reth with an awkward smile.

“A monster appeared.”

“A monster, you say…? Here…? No way…”

“It was a giant deer-like monster. It had horns on its head and was sprouting tentacles from its translucent body.”

“Are you saying that ‘Longgau’ appeared?”

It seemed the name of that deer monster was Longgau. I nodded and answered.

“Yes.”

“You… weren’t you a magician? I thought celestials couldn’t use their powers here…?”

I lightly tapped the two swords hanging at my waist in response to Reth’s question. He seemed to gradually understand the situation and nodded blankly.

“Y-you mean you drove Longgau away with a sword…? That’s quite impressive.”

I silently gazed at the place where Longgau had stood. The guy who hadn’t even left a corpse had turned to ash and vanished, riding on the wind.

“This is strange… Why would a monster come all the way here…?”

Reth murmured quietly as he surveyed his surroundings. I tilted my head and questioned him.

“Isn’t it strange for a monster to appear?”

“Of course. There’s a spirit barrier made by the elves around here. So, monsters shouldn’t have been able to perceive us or our village…”

At that moment. The wary villagers approached me as if confirming there were no danger. They looked around my body, their worried faces stating they were probably checking to see if I had been hurt.

I still couldn’t engage in complex conversations due to my lack of language skills, but I could feel their emotions.

I silently gazed up at the sky. A village that had never faced monster attacks suddenly came under siege as soon as we visited. Well, not exactly the village—it was me. I felt I had to leave this village as quickly as possible.

Eventually, today’s incident concluded like that.

Time quickly flowed. It had been about a week since I started staying in this village, and I had finally become fluent in their language.

It was almost time to leave. That day, I went to find Reth to tell him I would be leaving. He looked a little surprised but nodded and then took out a small compass from his drawer.

“What’s this…?”

“It’s a compass pointing toward Trevel. No matter where you are, it will only show you the path to Trevel.”

“Isn’t there a map or something?”

“A map? The Lower Realm is a place where giant monsters roam. Since their movements frequently change the natural environment, what good would a map do?”

“Ah…”

“Since you have the strength to chase away Longgau, at least I can feel more assured… When do you plan to leave?”

“I need to leave right away.”

“The villagers will be sad to see you go…”

“I can’t stay in one place forever. I need to find a way to go back to my original world… the Celestial Realm, and I need to reclaim the magic I’ve lost.”

“You won’t go too far then.”

With that, Reth walked over to the fireplace and sat down. The farewells of adventurers are always light. I silently turned and left Reth’s cabin.

It was a beautiful evening where the moon hung in the sky, shining beautifully. Most of the villagers were asleep, making it a good time to leave.

Just as I approached my usual dwelling to gather my belongings, I found Su and Shu waiting for me outside a small cabin.

“What are you two doing here?”

“Emily.”

Before heading to Reth’s cabin, I had told the kids to pack up. However, I couldn’t see any luggage from the two.

“We’ve decided to stay here.”

“What…?”

I dumbly repeated Su’s words. Stay here? What does that mean? I glanced back and forth at the two kids, expecting an explanation, and it was Su who answered.

“We’re too weak. We’d be a burden to you.”

“I’ve never thought of you as a burden.”

“So we decided to stay here and train our swordsmanship.”

Su and Shu’s resolve seemed firm. I looked at the two kids and licked my dry lips. My mouth felt parched.

“Did you get permission from Reth?”

I asked hesitantly. Reth was the village chief. If he didn’t allow it, they wouldn’t be able to stay here. But the answer that slipped from Su’s mouth shattered my little hopes.

“Yep. We got his permission. Reth said it was okay to stay.”

“When exactly…?”

“That day, when Longgau appeared.”

The blue-eyed gaze resembling their watery blue hair sparkled in the moonlight. I stared at Su and Shu for a long while.

“You really want to stay here, huh?”

“Yep.”

“I’ll catch up when I get stronger.”

Who knows when that would be? Besides, it was questionable if those two could even find me where I would be.

I let out a long sigh.

“Are you really going to stay here? I might not be able to come back, you know?”

“Yep.”

“We’ll stay here.”

It seemed I couldn’t change Su and Shu’s resolve. I couldn’t really drag them along against their will. I passed by both kids and pulled out the bag I had stored inside.

Swish-!

At that moment, a small Nightmare that had been lying on the bed jumped up and rubbed its head against my leg. I left the cabin with the Nightmare and said,

“I won’t say goodbye. We’ll meet again.”

When the cool night breeze brushed my cheek, the Nightmare’s body grew bigger. Riding silently on top of it, I pulled on the bridle.

Slowly, but swiftly.

I cut through the moonlight, leaving the small forest village behind me.