Another World Reincarnation Chronicle

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As dawn broke, the surrounding darkness receded. Only when the dew drops gracefully slid off the large leaves and brushed against the edge of my cloak did I finally escape the forest.

I stood there, staring blankly at the landscape that unfolded outside the woods.

Before my eyes lay a gigantic canyon. A turbulent river with raging waters and sheer cliffs towering sky-high. Amidst the softly settled white clouds, a peculiar cry accompanied the brilliant sunlight.

I gently stroked the mane of my Nightmare while silently pulling out a compass. The compass that Lesh had given me pointed towards the canyon, indicating that I needed to cross it to reach Trevel.

– Kieeeek!

Just as I pulled on the reins of my Nightmare to head into the depths of the canyon, large-winged monsters appeared from amidst the clouds with a rough cry.

These creatures, with grayish skin, were using their long limbs to carry a monster far larger than themselves. Watching them closely, I recalled the name that suited these beings from my past life memories.

Gargoyle.

Yes, they looked very much like the gargoyles I remembered. With their winged bodies covered in a leathery membrane and protruding jaws, they were indeed unmistakable gargoyles.

It seemed that in this canyon, the predators were those gargoyle creatures. Although I couldn’t determine their exact size from a distance, just judging by the width of their wings, they had to be over three meters long.

I looked up at the sky and pushed forward. As I tugged at the reins of my Nightmare, it began to run without hesitation along the turbulent river.

The compass continually pointed straight ahead. The refreshing wind brushed against my cheeks as massive fish leaped from the river below. The cries of birds singing in the sky echoed behind the gargoyles’ cries.

Occasionally, I encountered monsters that came out to drink water, but thanks to the Nightmare’s quick movements, I managed to pass without engaging in battle.

While I was running along the gravel bed beside the river, I suddenly made eye contact with a girl who was drawing water nearby. Time seemed to freeze, and the entire scene flowed slowly. The girl jumped up in surprise, lifting a spear that was next to her, but I had no intention of stopping.

As our gazes shifted away, our bodies brushed past each other quickly. When time resumed its normal flow, the girl was just a small dot in the distance.

Thud-thud-thud!

The sound of the Nightmare’s hooves echoed in my ears. Silently, I turned my head and gazed forward. The speed of the Nightmare galloping seemed to stretch the surrounding scenery.

Though I unexpectedly encountered another human, I had no reason to stop. I pulled on the reins of my Nightmare and urged it to move faster.

Just as I was about to escape the winding turns of the canyon, I had no choice but to halt when I gripped the reins.

“Oh no…”

Woosh—

I could no longer run. The path was blocked. What lay ahead was nothing but a fierce river, with no visible ground for the Nightmare to tread.

If I had known the path would be blocked, I would have climbed along the cliff face between the canyon and galloped over the forest from the start…

But regretting it now was too late. I tugged at the reins of the Nightmare, heading toward the wall.

“Can you climb? If it’s hard, I can just ride my sword up.”

In reply to my question, the Nightmare exhaled heavily. It began to create crystal stones beneath its hooves, as if to say, “Just trust me.”

Swoosh—

The Nightmare started to shake its front legs around. The sharp crystal stone wobbled lightly, leaving white marks on the solid cliff above.

Ka-splunk—

As the Nightmare pressed down with strength, the sharp crystal dug into the cliff. It seemed ready to run like it did when it climbed the ice cliff at Monster Island that had a ninety-degree incline.

“Alright, let’s go.”

Nodding at my words and wagging its tail, the Nightmare then began to run diagonally up the cliff as sharp crystal stones sprouted from its other hooves.

Kra-zhik! Kra-zhik!

The pace was comparably slow to the flat ground, but I felt a steady sense of security. The Nightmare seemed happy to be galloping with me on its back. Since I had been frequently flying around on my sword lately, it seemed a bit anxious about the Ice Dragon Sword and the Fire Dragon Sword.

Hiiii-iiih, hiiii-iiih, just as the Nightmare joyfully cried while climbing halfway up the cliff, the entire cliff suddenly began to tremble, and something dark burst out where the Nightmare had been running.

Rumble—

Time seemed to slow down. The large boulder dislodged by the impact was flying through the air, along with the Nightmare, and behind it, a massive snake with smooth scales gleamed its eyes.

I sensed something approaching. However, since the presence was so faint, I mistook it for just a flying insect or a small beast.

It wasn’t that. This creature was just a monster exceptionally skilled at hiding its presence.

Swoosh—

After the glittering eyes scanned the surroundings, a thin tongue slipped out from within its large mouth. Just as I rested my hand on the Fire Dragon Sword at my waist in preparation for an attack…

Whoom—!

A strange presence shot up from the ground rapidly. Thinking it was another enemy, I quickly shifted my gaze, but I felt no hostility.

What had soared from the ground was a girl riding a giant bird. It was the same girl I had encountered at the river earlier. She flew up high on her enormous bird, carrying me and the Nightmare away into the sky.

Kwa-gah-gah-gah—

The massive gaping mouth of the snake brushed the air behind us. As it suffered a failed attack, it glanced one last time at us in the sky, then concealed itself back between the cliffs it had emerged from.

“Are you hurt anywhere?”

A question from the nameless girl flew in. I understood her inquiry perfectly, having learned the language of this place from Lesh.

“Ah, thanks for saving me.”

I hugged the Nightmare, who was sniffling on the bird’s back. Instantly, its large body shrank and burrowed into my arms.

There wasn’t even a scratch, yet it was acting all dramatic.

Squeeeak—

The bird soaring through the sky let out a rough cry while descending. At that moment, gray-skinned gargoyles burst from the clouds.

“Oh no…!”

After flying up to avoid the snake, now it was the gargoyles. The girl raised her spear and skillfully began to steer the bird.

As the bird folded its wings and rapidly descended, just before crashing into the river, it spread its wings again and took off at full speed.

The girl seemed accustomed to being chased by gargoyles. Glancing back slightly, she spread her legs shoulder-width apart and pulled the spear back behind her.

I stood up, observing her. Though the bird’s erratic movements made me sway for a moment, I quickly shifted my weight to stabilize my posture.

When I was attacked by the snake, it wasn’t a situation where I particularly needed help, but nonetheless, I was receiving assistance. So, I decided to help the girl in return.

“It’s dangerous, so stay seated!”

“I’m fine.”

Responding to the girl’s words, I drew two swords from my waist and threw them. As the Ice Dragon Sword and Fire Dragon Sword spun through the air, they were now under my control, slicing at the wings of the gargoyles.

Shaa-aaaaah!

– Kieeek!

I allowed no single one to approach. Although I couldn’t perfectly harness the power of the swords not held directly in my hands, it was more than enough to slice the wings of those gargoyle-like monsters.

“What in the world…”

As the two flashes painting the air caused all the gargoyles to lose their wings and fall, the girl stared in shock, murmuring softly as if spellbound.

Once the two swords finished their roles, they smoothly returned to their sheaths at my side. Placing my hand on the swords, I spoke to the girl.

“Thanks for helping me earlier. I’m Seris, and this is Nightmare. What’s your name?”

“Ah, um… I’m Yan. And this creature is Failu.”

– Peeeeeek!

It seemed that this bird understood human language as well. I put Nightmare inside my bag and spoke to Yan.

“By the way, is there a place nearby where we can rest for a bit? I have a feeling you would know…”

“A place to stay…? How about coming to our village?”

Just as I suspected, it seemed Yan lived in this canyon. After rushing through the woods without sleeping through the night, we had just arrived at the canyon. I was beginning to need a place to rest.

“Alright.”

“Um, um… may I ask how old you are?”

I tilted my head at Yan’s question. Having traveled all over the world, my sense of time was hazy. I was probably around fourteen or fifteen… leaning more towards fifteen.

“I’d say fifteen.”

“I’m, I’m fifteen too… I’ve never met anyone my age before.”

Hearing my response, Yan seemed overly excited, her eyes sparkling with a smile on her face. She clapped her hands lightly, and Failu began to soar higher, flying toward the forest atop the cliff.

By the way, she said she’s never met someone her age before. Could it be that Yan is the only child in the village?

I silently watched Yan’s back as we flew.

Failu flew swiftly. With massive wings flapping, we arrived at the top of a giant tree. On the tree were several tiny cabins, and similar-looking birds to Failu flitted around it.

I felt a familiar aura. It was the essence of spirits living with elves. The wind spirit swirling around me seemed to sense that aura too, creating tiny currents of air.

“Dad!”

Yan leaped off Failu and landed on a massive branch, shouting. At that moment, a male elf peeked out from one of the cabins.

“Yan!”

An elfin father is being called by a human child?

It seems there’s an interesting story behind this. Following Yan, I jumped down from Failu’s back.