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Vol 01 Chapter 02: Griffon

Reincarnation.

It’s a phenomenon often encountered in fiction, which has a high probability of triggering when being hit by a truck.

Fiction, by definition, is a made-up story, plainly speaking, something that doesn’t occur.

Therefore, reincarnation is a falsehood, something that couldn’t possibly exist in reality. Yes, it shouldn’t be possible.

「This must be a dream. Yes, this is just a dream. Surely, when I wake up, I’ll be on a hospital bed, or perhaps the whole incident of being hit by the truck was also a dream. Yes, that must be it. Humans don’t die so easily.」

Thinking so, I lay sprawled on the ground. Above me, a star-filled night sky and a massive moon.

This dream has a very beautiful nightscape…

I closed my eyes, believing that when I woke up, it would all have been just a dream.

◇

As expected, it wasn’t a dream!

I despair as I confirm my own face reflected on the shimmering water surface under the morning sun.

What’s going on? What did I ever do to deserve this?!

「Although I must say that this new face is not bad at all.」

I look at the boy reflected before me—my own face.

Although the body is skinny and dirty like a stray dog, each feature is quite nice. The skin tone of this body is the so-called olive color.

「Well, there is nothing I can do about it, I’ll have to accept it…」

First, I have to establish a base for living. After that, I need to gather information. I also have to search if it is possible to return to Japan. If not, I will have to settle down in this world.

This will be the plan for the time being.

So, first things first…

「I need to find something to eat.」

I stood up.

◇

I searched through the forest. Yesterday, I thought it was a forest of giant trees, but now I understand. They only appeared so large because I had shrunk. They aren’t as huge as I thought.

「Even so, there’s nothing here in this forest.」

There are no fruits or nuts of any kind. Some grasses seemed vaguely edible, but I restrained myself; I don’t want to die again so soon.

Judging by the temperature, it seems to be around summer. In summer, there should be something to eat. Probably, the problem is with the way I’m searching. After all, I have no knowledge of wild plants. And this is probably another world. Whether the vegetation is the same as on Earth is a mystery.

「In the end, I have to eat insects again…?」

I look at a line of ants in front of me.

Thanks to the centipede from last night, my strength has somewhat returned, so I don’t urgently need to eat right away. However, my body is already lacking in nutrients. If I skip eating today, there is a chance I won’t be able to move tomorrow.

If only I knew how to start a fire… I could roast cicadas, centipedes, ants, even scorpions, and eat them with peace of mind. That would be a feast compared to the wriggling raw centipede I had yesterday.

How do you start a fire, anyway? I know that rubbing two sticks can create friction heat to start a fire, but… I’m not sure if it’d actually ignite, and I can’t find any suitable wood. Trying to do something impossible, wasting energy and time, doesn’t seem like a wise strategy.

It would be far better to look for a human settlement.

「Hey you, human child. This is my territory. Leave at once.」

I was addressed from behind. The voice sounds arrogant, but it is definitely human. Heaven hasn’t forsaken me yet!!

「Actually, I’m lost…」

When I turn around, there is a monster in front of me.

Its face and upper body resemble an eagle, complete with massive wings. And its lower half is that of a quadruped beast—like a lion.

It’s a Griffon.

It seems Heaven has indeed forsaken me.

◇

「Um, I taste terrible! I’m all bones and skin. I even ate a centipede yesterday. You, you really shouldn’t eat me!」

I back away, bewildered. Just when I’ve been given a second chance, even going as far as reincarnating, why am I about to become a meal for this monster?!

「I am very picky with the food I put in my beak. Why would I eat something as unappetizing as you? Are you mocking me?」

「N-Never! I wouldn’t think of doing something so disrespectful! Ahahaha. Actually, I was just on my way out. Goodbye〜」

I started running at full speed.

It seems this creature doesn’t want to eat me, just chase me away. Then fleeing is the answer. I have no intention of disturbing this person’s? territory.

Flap flap flap.

The sound of flapping wings reaches my ears. Sand whirled around, and I instinctively closed my eyes.

When I open them, there is Mr. Griffon right in front of me. And he seems very angry, bristling with fury. Why!?

「Did I not say that beyond here lies my territory? The deeper parts of this forest are mine, and humans are not permitted to enter. That was supposed to be the covenant. As expected, you are here to steal food from my territory, don’t you?」

「I’m sorry. I seem to have gone the wrong way. I had no idea this direction was your territory…」

「Do not lie! The covenant between me and your kind has been passed down for two hundred years! Even a small child should know this!」

Even if you tell me that, I can’t know what I don’t know. Despite its majestic appearance, this beast is very quick to anger. What a disappointing lion…

「Come up with a more plausible excuse. If you do, I might let you live.」

The Griffon glares at me, sending shivers down my spine. It wants to kill me. Like one kills a bug that enters their kitchen.

I have no choice but to try to explain myself.

「Well… you see, I’ve been reincarnated.」

「Hah? What nonsensical thing are you saying?」

The Griffon’s expression changed. Its eyes glittered menacingly.

This might be the end for me.

「No, what I mean is, when I came to, I found myself in an unfamiliar forest, transformed into an unknown child. Really, it’s the truth! Please believe me.」

I prostrate myself, begging. I’ve just been reincarnated, I really don’t want to die on the second day.

「Hmm…」

Perhaps my desperate begging had some effect, as the murderous intent of the Griffon seems to lessen slightly. Its eyes glow red.

「So, you are a Lost One… I see. Then it’s understandable that you wouldn’t know. My apologies.」

The killing intent from the Griffon vanishes suddenly. Though I don’t quite understand, it seems to have accepted my explanation.

「You really have bad luck. To be sent from your hometown to such a remote place. Well, it can’t be helped. It’s your own fault for attracting the attention of those brats. If you must resent something, resent your own fate.」

I don’t fully understand, but it seems this guy knows something about reincarnation.

「Excuse me… what do you mean by a Lost One?」

「It refers to those who come to this world from a different one.」

「Those reborn as well?」

「Hmm?」

The Griffon tilted its head as if it didn’t understand the meaning of my question.

I explained what happened to me and the change in my body appearance and age. The Griffon hummed thoughtfully.

「Hmm, I do not know. I have never heard of such a phenomenon. The lost one I met several hundred years ago did not say anything of being reborn… Well, perhaps such things can happen too?」

「I see.」

「To begin with, the phenomenon of the lost ones is already strange enough, something like reincarnation is not really different, is it?」

I don’t quite understand, but the Griffon seems to have convinced itself. I, on the other hand, am far from convinced.

Well, there’s no use worrying about it now. I’ll have to investigate when I have time.

「By the way, you mentioned earlier that your mind is that of an adult, right?」

「Yes, well, although I look like this now, I was considered an adult in my world. Why do you ask?」

The Griffon smiled at my question… As much as an eagle can smile.

「In exchange for turning a blind eye to your transgressions, I have a favor to ask of you.」