Chapter 262: The Origin of Everything

Chapter 262 - The Origin of Everything

A cloth bag that Espie passed to me. To be honest, I had a suspicious feeling about it, but I took out the contents to check it.

Then, what came out was something round that could fit in the palm of my hand...

"A..... pocket watch? The clock...... doesn't work... and inscribed with letters I've never seen before? What is this..."

It's a pocket watch... I think. The reason I just assumed that was because the letters engraved on the circle were something I had never seen before.

A normal watch would have numbers engraved on it.

Also, some pocket watches have a button or a screw to adjust the hands of the clock or measure the time.

This one has five of them. What's the use?

『...... tis no mere watch...』

At that moment, Tre'ainar was standing next to me, staring at the watch with a serious look.

『A magic item? No, I sense a more alien power... besides...... the structure of the watch, the material... what the hell is this? Hmm? These markings...』

Even Tre'ainar couldn't seem to figure out what it is.

That's even creepier.

And what worries me the most is...

"Why are you giving me this?"

Why would you give such a thing to me?

"Hold on to it... I want you to go to Shiznautmy with 'me' and 'Slayer'. I know it's selfish of me. But that's what we want."

"Young man, we wanted to meet you and travel to Shiznautmy with you... that's our wish. We don't know anything about it... please guide us."

As usual, their purpose was unclear, and they kept saying selfish things.

Everything they do is abrupt, overly familiar, and offensive, and yet they need my help? Let them join me? I have no idea what you're talking about... I would have screamed earlier.

But......

"Wha, what's going on?"

Then, for the first time, Espie gave me a heartbreakingly sad smile for the first time.

And Slayer, who was basically expressionless, smiled wistfully as well.

I don't get it anymore.

But I knew they wanted "something" with all their hearts.

And......

"Geez, what's the point...... of all this? The watch doesn't even work... it's broken... eh!?"

Then, when I casually pressed the button on the top of the pocket watch, a change occurred.

[Registered User Authentication, Confirmation Completed. 'Jump' Setting Has Been Activated]

"Huh!? Wh, at?"

『Child! what, sort... the watch...』

Suddenly, the watch emitted an intense light. And then, to my surprise, it spoke.

It was indescribably inorganic, but it definitely spoke.

"Wh-what? Th, this, doesn't make sense!"

"Yes. It's natural to be surprised. Here's your luggage. And your cloak."

"Here, the coffee too."

I was in a panic, not knowing what was going on, when Espie and Slayer, who seemed to understand the situation, suddenly handed me my luggage.

But more than that, this situation...

"Damn, I don't get it! This watch, here, oya, hmm, this."

""Aaaaaaaaaahh!!""

"Eh, wh, what's going on?"

Without understanding the meaning, I frantically tried to press all the buttons of the pocket watch and turn the screws.

Then, Espie and Slayer suddenly looked startled.

"Hey, what are you doing! You messed up the 'default settings'!"

"...... What's going to happen now?"

No, no, no, no!? Why are you guys panicking? What? No way, is this a bad situation?

Tre'ainar?

『This luminescence ... mana? No, tis not... this energy is ... like that of the Ancients...? I see, these makings!?』

Tre'ainar doesn't seem to understand either. This is bad, isn't it?

"What shall we do, Slayer?"

"No... wait, if we make a move here, then... hmm? Rather, we start from here...?"

"Ah~...... I see... so at that time... oh~, that's right... that's why I laughed and said, 'There's no point in setting it up'."

"Hmm. So that's what you meant..."

That time? But Espie and Slayer, who should have panicked, calmed down immediately and smiled wryly with an expression of "understanding"?

No, no, what...

[Adjustment Completed. All Coordinate Changes Implemented]

"Eehh!?"

Then, the watch flashed so brightly that I could not even keep my eyes open, and at the same time, a huge emblem appeared, enveloping me.

『This is... similar to a transfer formation... even I do not know! Child, unhand that watch at once!』

"No, I can't let go of it! What the heck..."

The pattern spread all over my body, and the hand holding the watch was deprived of freedom.

And then the feeling of being "sucked in" by something hit me...

""Take care, and we'll definitely meet——""

"Oh, You Bastards!"

With those words, the only thing I could squeeze out, everything reflected in my field of vision went dark――――――――

"...... where am I?"

Before I knew it, the landscape reflected in my eyes had changed.

"It's a forest, but... where's the sea?"

When I thought that I was suddenly surrounded by light, the scenery was different from before.

I should have been in a forest by the sea, but where I am now was surrounded by forests.

『It cannot be... spatial transition?』

"Tre'ainar!"

『Child, is there anything wrong with your body?』

"Hmm? Ah, oh..."

I didn't know why, but I was a little relieved that Tre'ainar was by my side for the time being, and I checked my body as I was told. There doesn't seem to be anything out of the ordinary.

"Nothing."

『I see...』

"But still, what's going on? What the hell is this watch?"

I checked the watch clutched in my hand again. Now the light had faded, and there seemed to be nothing special about it.

『I do not know... I have never seen a magic item like this before.』

"Even you, Tre'ainar?"

『Indeed. But... I remembered the engravings on the watch. Tis ancient characters...... Yes, such characters were in the ruins of Shiznautmy... they are numbers.』

"Eh!? Then this..."

『Hmm. Without a doubt, tis most certainly one of the legacies of the Ancients... I never knew such a thing existed.』

"Wow..."

Seriously... I didn't think it was something so outrageous.

Sure, Tre'ainar would be surprised not to know about it.

"Seriously~...... But where are we?"

『The item seems to have the ability to transport the subject to another location. However, if that is the case... I'm curious about the words Espie said...』

"Hmm?"

『She mentioned something about a... Default Setting...?』

"Oh~......"

Oh no, that's what she said. What exactly does that mean...

"For now, should I tinker with this watch again?"

『Wait. First, let us check the location. I am curious to know where you transported to.』

"Got it."

For now, there seems to be no doubt that Tre'ainar and I were sent somewhere by this item.

Still, where in the world are we?

For now, I decided to walk into the forest.

"Heave-Ho! I'm glad I bought a backpack."

『Child, put on the cloak and hood. It will protect you from insects and dirt.』

"Oh, I see... o, ooooh! I hadn't equipped it on my trip so far, but now that I have... oh!"

I bought the cloak to protect myself from the cold when I sleep, but when I put it on when I travel like this, I look kind of cool, like a traveler or a bit like a Hunter.

Come to think of it, back in the day, I used to play the hero by letting my cape flap like this...

『Oi... stop frolicking about, O Brave Hero.』

"ts, stop, don't read people's fantasies. Geez! Hmm? Oh, that?"

『Hmm? Ah...... sunlight...』

I was a bit lost in embarrassing memories of the past, but surprisingly, I was able to get out of the forest faster than expected.

"Oh, ooooh..."

『Grassland... the fact that the sun is rising means ... is it so far away that there is a time difference from that fishing port where it was midnight?』

"Geez, is it that far away?"

Outside the forest, under the shining sun, there was a wide grassy plain.

I could see mountains ahead of us and a small village nearby.

"Hey, Tre'ainar... do you know where we are?"

『Hmm... that shape... on the other hand, it would be quicker to ask in that nearby village, would it not?』

"Oh, that's also true... Hmm?"

『Nu?』

Just when I was about to ask the people in the nearby village where this place was, Tre'ainar and I noticed something strange had happened in that village.

"Kyaaaahhhh!?

"R-run awaaaaaaaay! It's a monsteeeeeeer!"

"Hiii, It's going to eat us!"

I heard screams.

Buildings crumble into pieces and rise into the air, and the sound of destruction is heard relentlessly.

And.....

"GAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAHHH!!!"

A beast covered in black hair was rampaging through the village.

"Whoa, what the hell is that thing!?"

『Tis... a wild grizzly! A monster that inhabits the grasslands of the Surface World... from what I gather, they were exterminated by Hunters a decade ago, and their numbers have dwindled... but they are not yet extinct...』

"Huh? Seriously? I've only seen it in picture books... but is that bad?"

『Tis a ferocious carnivore!』

No way, I was surprised by the appearance of a monster that had become quite rare, but this wasn't the time to be impressed.

It's going on a rampage, destroying the village, and at this rate people will...

Besides, there don't seem to be any Hunters or Warriors in the village.

"Tre'ainar, how strong is that thing?"

『Not worthy of the current child.』

"Got it!"

I dashed toward the village at that moment.

And then......

"Go away, monster!"

"Garuru?"

Hey!? Oh, come on!?

"Th, that kid, what is he doing!"

『...... Hmm?』

A small child held a branch like a sword, trembling halfheartedly, threatening the monster.

Wait, wait, it's dangerous!

"This village, I will protect it! I'll beat you up!"

"Garuru? Guru...... GRAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAHH!!!"

"Hiiiiii!?"

A brave child stood up to defend his home.

But, his opponent was an overwhelmingly powerful monster.

With a single roar, the child was silenced.

"Garrrrrr GAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAHH!!!"

The monster opened its huge jaws and was about to bite the child mercilessly.

But before it could ...... I got there in time!

"Uraaaaaaaaaaaaaaahh! [Great Demon Sonic Corkscrew Blow]!"

"Gaeehh !!??"

"......... Huh?"

The shockwave of my fist was faster and stronger.

"Geez, you're such a brave kid!"

"...... Huh?"

"Well, don't worry, everything's fine now."

The monster was violently blown away by my fist. Its body was a bit solid, but nothing compared to Mr. Machio's muscles.

Well, Rebal had already killed a dragon, so I should be able to do this much.

And then......

"What... that hooded man..."

"With one blow to the Wild Bear..."

"A... amazing!"

The villagers looked stunned at my appearance for a moment. But gradually, their expressions turned to tears, and then...

"'UOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOHHH!!!!!

There was a loud cheer, as if to praise me.

Somehow, I didn't really intend it, but I felt like a bit of a hero, so I didn't feel too bad.

"A-Amazing... amazing, you're, amazing! Awesome!"

"Hmm?"

Then, the kid who was sitting down looked up at me with a twinkle in his eye.

"Well, I didn't really understand what it was, I couldn't see it at all, but you beat that big monster with one shot... amazing! Awesome!"

"Oh, oh, yes."

"Thanks for saving me! I, I, I!"

"Oh, calm down, calm down."

As expected, he couldn't see my punch, but he understood that I was awesome, and to think that a kid could make his eyes shine so much... it was the same with Amae, but I don't feel bad.

『Oi, child...』

"Hmm?"

『This youngling... does he not resemble someone...?』

"Huh~?"

At that time, I felt a little happy, and Tre'ainar said something strange to me.

Resemble someone?

This...... kid? That 'red hair'............... Hmm?

"Uwaaaaaaahh!!

And then it happened.

A little girl came running from the other side, crying.

"This idioooooooot!!

"Hoge!?"

"Idiot, dummy! What are you doing, what are you doing, what are you doing! You were going to die!"

"I..."

"If this man didn't save you... uwaaaaahh!!!

A girl with orange hair in twintails, crying and hitting the boy... Hmm~?

"Ouch, don't cry anymore...'Mamu'."

"Shut up, idiot! 'Hiro', you dummy!"

...... Hohoho. This red-haired boy's name is Hiro... and the orange-haired girl's name is Mamu... hohoho......

「...... Hoho」

『Hohoho...』

「No way~, that's a great coincidence~, Tre'ainar. Kuhahahaha!」

『Mm hmm, quite the coincidence indeed. Fuhahahahaha!』

「Kuhahahahahahaha」

『Fuhaha... Haha...』

「Kuhaha... Haha...」

...... Nnnh?

『"Nnnh?"』

Nnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnhhhhhh?????

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