In the middle of a dense forest, a boy who appears to be about seventeen lies on the ground.
-Hmm? Huh?!
-What!?
I bring my hand to my head.
-Ouch!
-My head…
I quickly get up and look around, unable to understand where I am or how I ended up here. But little by little, memories start to return. Remembering the recent events, my death, the Regents, the encounter with Eladreo, and this new world where I now live.
-Ah… I remember.
-So this is the new world, isn't it?
I look at my clothes and realize I only have a cloak covering my body, nothing underneath. On top of that, I'm barefoot.
-I can feel the earth between my toes.
-I should have asked for a proper set of clothes and closed shoes if I knew I'd end up in a forest.
-It seems I'll have to get used to it.
Even though I don't like the feeling of the ground under me or the discomfort of having nothing beneath the cloak, at least the cloak Eladreo gave me is large and closed. It covers me almost completely, leaving only my feet visible. The sleeves are long, revealing only my hands, and there's a hood that can protect my head.
Looking more carefully at the surroundings, I notice this forest is extremely dense. The trees are very tall, covering almost the entire sky. Even so, I can tell it's daytime.
I look around more attentively.
-It seems I really am in a forest.
-Now what? What should I do?
I walk back and forth until an idea comes to me. I snap my fingers.
-I've got it!
-Just like in the mangas I used to read, I need to focus first on the basic needs of any living being, water, food, and a safe shelter for the night.
With the first objectives defined, I set out on my search.
….
…
..
.
Nagaro sighs.
-I couldn't find anything to eat or drink.
He looks up and notices that the sun's rays aren't shining through like before.
-(It's already getting dark… and I still haven't found a safe place.)
Nagaro sighs again.
-I never imagined surviving in the wild would be this hard…
I barely finish speaking when I hear a loud sound coming through the forest. It seems to approach quickly. I turn toward the noise, ready to fight or run.
I see branches and bushes shaking.
Sweat drips down my forehead.
-…
The wind grows stronger.
-(Run!!!)
But before I realize it, I'm hit by a powerful gust of wind that lifts my cloak and blurs my vision. The wind keeps pushing me back. Suddenly, it stops completely, and nothing happens.
I remain alert, suspicious.
-(What was that? Was it really just a temporary gust of wind?)
Something feels wrong. My arm starts to burn. When I look at my left arm, I freeze. My arm is gone.
-Aaaaah!!!
-M-my arm!!!
The pain is immediate, brutal. My body shakes, blood pours in frightening amounts, and my thoughts scatter. My legs weaken, and I kneel on the ground.
Suddenly, right in front of me, a floating arm appears, I recognize it immediately.
-(That… my arm!)
-(What is happening?!)
I try to see who took my arm, but all I see is my arm floating in the air, then it simply disappears before my eyes.
I act quickly. The sleeve of my cloak is intact. I intend to tie it to stop the bleeding, but it's unnecessary. My severed arm begins to regenerate right before my eyes.
My eyes widen in shock, unable to comprehend how this is possible, but then I remember the most important conversation I had with Eladreo, the wish I had made.
Nagaro grins widely as he sees his arm fully regenerated and pain-free.
I stand up, filled with energy and vigor.
-Don't get distracted!
But soon, I frown, clenching my teeth, trying to assume a defensive stance.
-I have to do something!
-No!
-I… I have to run while I still can!
Suddenly, I hear that sound again. I turn toward it, but feel only the wind hitting my body. The wind grows stronger. I try to escape, moving toward a tree, but every time I try to leave the gusts, they push me back.
I'm slowly dragged backward.
-(There's definitely something controlling this wind.)
Out of nowhere, the wind intensifies violently. I cross my arms, try to plant my feet and resist, but it becomes so strong it lifts me off the ground.
Before I know it, I slam violently against a tree.
-Aaaah!
I hit the ground hard, my body aching all over. My spine must be broken. I try to focus, but realize my legs have disappeared. My eyes widen in terror. The situation worsens when I see no culprit.
Gradually, the pain in my body subsides, my spine realigns, and my legs begin to regenerate. Even as I watch them regrow, I'm still in despair.
I press my back against a tree and stand up.
-(What is this thing!?)
-(My arm was here a second ago and then vanished… Now a powerful wind throws me away and my legs vanish too… just like my arm!)
I turn my head frantically.
-(Is it invisible? Too fast?)
I hear the wind again, this time from behind.
The strong gust knocks down trees, drags stones, and lifts dust.
-!!!
I can't react. I feel like I'm flying. I can't even scream. The tree I was leaning on is destroyed. I don't know what to say. I can't express anything. A sudden, immense pain hits me, then disappears instantly. I slowly lose consciousness, my vision fading.
I fall backward. Under the cloak, my body is practically destroyed. I don't move a single muscle. My mouth is open, and my wide blue eyes stare blankly with dilated pupils.
Gradually, my fingertips twitch. My mouth trembles and closes. My eyes blink a few times, coming back to life. My body remembers how to breathe, and I slowly regain consciousness.
But I still can't move, my body is severely damaged. Footsteps approach.
I remain on the ground, in immense pain.
-(What happened?!)
A huge shadow covers me. My eyes widen in fear. I struggle to move as a colossal figure appears above me, resembling a tiger, but far larger than an ordinary tiger. Its fur is completely green, like the forest leaves, and its eyes are green too. But none of that matters.
Our eyes meet for a moment. The green tiger opens its mouth, revealing horrifying teeth. A strong wind pushes it into the forest. I watch it fly away, disappearing from view. My mind goes blank, so much is happening, I don't know what to do. Leaves rustle where the wind came from. I turn my head. A new tiger appears, smaller, very thin, but equally imposing.
The new tiger looks at me and charges. Without hesitation, I see it open its mouth. Its teeth cannot pierce the cloak. Then it pulls back the sleeve of my previously regenerated arm and starts devouring it.
I can't express the pain on my face, but my eyes tear up.
-…
Before the tiger can bite further, a loud roar echoes through the forest, the first tiger. Its roar is a clear signal that it's approaching, furious. The smaller tiger is startled and begins to fade until it disappears completely.
I am shocked.
-(!?!?!?)
At the same moment, the first green tiger, filled with rage, appears. It senses the smaller tiger fleeing. Its instinct will not let this tiny tiger escape unpunished. Locking its eyes on where the other vanished, it charges after it.
I cry but watch everything.
-…
-…
-…
-(This is my chance!)
I hear the wind again, but now it's moving away. The tigers, it seems, are fighting. Knowing this, I cannot waste time. Even with my body in pieces, I force myself to stand.
I see my body has regenerated most of itself.
I begin walking, limping. Gradually, I manage to run while limping.
Soon, I can run normally, putting distance between myself and the chaos.
.…
…
..
.
It was night, and Nagaro hadn't found a safe place to spend it.
He decided to climb a tree, but who said he could manage it? Nagaro had no experience in climbing, especially not trees as thick and tall as these.
He tried to hug the tree trunk, but kept slipping. He even tried to carve the wood with a stone to create footholds, but the tree was too hard, not even a scratch.
He tried again, leaping toward the trunk. Even with his best jump, he didn't reach the lowest branch. The trees were so close together, and the leaves so thick, almost covering the entire forest, that darkness came quickly, preventing Nagaro from seeing a foot ahead.
His sadness grew in the darkness.
-…
Without shelter, food, or water, all he could do was lean against the tree he had tried to climb. At that moment, he reorganized his thoughts, trying to stay positive.
-(Look at the situation I've been through.)
-(I was almost devoured by tigers, but I'm here, alive.)
Gaining a bit of encouragement, he lay his head on the ground. Unable to see anything, he lightly hit a stone.
-…
He sighed heavily but decided to use the stone as a pillow. He grabbed a partially green leaf he had seen earlier and covered himself a little.
He closed his eyes.
-(Tomorrow I'll have a lot to do, so I have to save energy.)
He began thinking about the future, imagining leaving this dangerous place. He pictured finding a village and staying there for a while. Later, when he gained experience, he planned to travel the world. But for that to happen, he had to survive today.
Nagaro smiled slightly.
-(I wonder if there's technology in this world? Like cell phones and TVs?)
-(That's a topic for another time.)
-(Well… good night!)
-…
-…
-…
He turned to one side, trying to sleep.
-…
-…
-…
Then he turned to the other side, and again, then another.
-…
-…
-(Huh? Where's my sleep? I'm not tired?)
-(I walked all day, almost died from tigers, and tried to climb trees all afternoon, but I'm not even a little tired or sleepy.)
Nagaro opened his eyes and stood up.
-(Thinking about it, I didn't feel hungry or thirsty all day either. That's not normal.)
-(Why is that?)
-(Wait.)
-(Could it… maybe have something to do with my regeneration?)
Nagaro laughed, a glimmer of certainty in his eyes.
-It must be that… it can only be that.
-Ah, ah, ah, ah!
-This is good.
If I don't need to sleep, I have more time for other things. Eight extra hours in a day is extremely useful. And if I don't need to eat or drink, my biggest concerns are gone. Every time I think about it, my spirits lift.
Nagaro looked at the horizon, seeing only darkness.
-It means I'll be more efficient at escaping this forest.
But soon, his thoughts returned. If I truly don't need food, sleep, or water, it can only be because of my regeneration. It's the only plausible explanation. But that raises another question.
Nagaro placed his hand on the tree trunk.
-What sustains my regeneration then?
-Usually, this kind of power has a cost.
-So what could the cost be?
He searched his memory for conversations with Eladreo, but his mind was still foggy. He tried to remember for a long time, but couldn't recall his talks with Eladreo, not even about his wish.
-(Thinking about it…)
-(It seems I'm losing memories related to him!)
A chill ran through him. He worried that he might not only lose memories of Eladreo but also of his family. Not wanting that, he searched his mind carefully. The memories of his family remained intact.
He breathed a sigh of relief.
-(I'm not losing their memories.)
-(Thank goodness.)
But his relief wasn't complete. Despite remembering his family, he couldn't recall his conversations with Eladreo clearly. Even in this short period, his memories of him seemed to be fading.
-I don't want to lose these memories!
-Who sent me to the Other World and granted me a wish?
-It was Eladreo!
-Who is Eladreo?
-A Regent of the Cosmos!
-Better yet… a Regent in training!
-Where is his office?
-Somewhere in the cosmos! His office looks like a study room!
-What does he do?
-He's a jack-of-all-trades!
-What does he look like? What did he wear?
-…
-…
-…
-I forgot?!?!?!
I tried searching my mind for his appearance and clothes when suddenly I heard a loud howl, cutting through my thoughts.
Another howl seemed to respond, followed by the rustling of bushes and more howls in the distance.
Nagaro froze instantly. He trembled in fear.
-No way!
-They're not coming here, are they!?
But they were. The howls grew stronger, closer, more numerous, moving straight toward him.
He ran, desperately, faster than ever, because his life was in extreme danger. Whatever was approaching was undoubtedly a wolf pack.
Unfortunately, his escape was severely hindered. Unable to see ahead, he ran into trees, tripped on stones, fell repeatedly, accumulating numerous wounds while trying to flee.
Nagaro kept running, trying to maintain his pace, when he realized.
-(What is this?)
-(My body is scratched!)
He didn't stop, pressing forward. The more he ran, the more injuries he got. He had to keep his arms forward to protect his face. Even with regeneration, new wounds opened as the old ones healed.
-Aaah!
Nagaro felt thorns piercing his feet.
-(Damn it!)
-(It feels like a hundred blades are cutting and stabbing me!)
His muscles ached intensely. He began losing strength, slowing down rapidly. In his last steps, he walked slowly to avoid more cuts. He stopped running completely, catching his breath and letting his body heal. Fatigue faded first, and the deepest wounds closed. Even without seeing regeneration, he could feel his body improving.
Nagaro stepped forward but paused when something grazed him. The cut healed instantly.
-(Good…)
-(Thank goodness I wished for regeneration.)
He considered staying here for a while. This place was dangerous, full of things that could cut and pierce him easily. Wolves wouldn't rush in here recklessly. Like humans, animals avoid pain.
Nagaro felt relieved, thinking he had escaped.
-(Wolves have excellent night vision. They'll probably realize this place is dangerous and won't follow me.)
But, to his misfortune, the wolves howled.
-!!!
Nagaro ran again.
….
…
..
.