One of my acquaintances, a famous singer and songwriter, once said this to me: "Kazu, people think we live in one world. They are unaware that there are two worlds, one on the outer and one on the inside. The thing is, they both have to live in balance. I'm saying this to you as a friend; don't choose one that will cause you to forget the other, as I did." I met him in college, where he was already popular for his talent and charisma.
However, after a few years, when we graduated, he gained more fame and money than he did in school. He became a global sensation, with millions of fans and awards. He seemed to have everything he ever wanted.
Then, one day, I received a letter from him, which was unusual because hardly anyone used mail anymore. In the letter, he indicated that he had given me his regards, properties, and some money. He also stated that he generously gave everything to all of his pals. It was a farewell letter.
He died.
Though I never considered him a friend, what he said has stayed with me forever.
Kazu, out.
◇
I perch on a thick branch, high above the ground. A weird deer roams below me, unaware of my presence. I'm ready to pounce on it if it comes near.
Come on, little one, come closer.
I've killed many monsters before, but they were too easy. Pathetic. Sure, they killed me too, but only for a moment. When I restart, came back to life, I caught them off guard and finished them off.
Oh, I call my resurrection "restart". Cool, right?
Suddenly, the deer looks up at me.
Wow, it noticed me.
Then something hits my forehead. I fall from the tree and die. Then I restart.
What was that? I didn't even see it.
I flip in the air as I fall and land in a crouch, barely holding on. A jolt of pain shoots up my hips.
Damn, I stab my heart with a crude knife I made from a monster tiger's tooth.
I sprint towards the deer as soon as I restart.
What the hell!
Something smacks me in the face.
I restart, duck my head to the ground, almost kissing the dirt, dodging something. The deer looks startled and backs away.
It's too far; I can't throw the knife that far.
I zigzag to the side, dodging some of the projectiles. But one hits my shoulder, slowing me down.
A thorn? It looks like an icicle but it's made of dirt. How does it do that?
Crap! Another one pierces my leg, tearing off a chunk of flesh. I tumble forward, but I catch myself with my hand, trying to do a backflip but failing. Damn, I need more practice with this kind of stunt.
The deer doesn't miss this chance, as its horn is about to skewer my face.
I grin.
"Big mistake, deer," I say, as it comes closer and pierces my throat.
I restart and see its eyes widen in shock; it must be rare for it to have its horn chopped off like that. I grin widely and stab it deep in the heart.
Hahahaha, it's already dead, but I keep stabbing it, feeling the flesh being sliced, fuh~ how fun…
I stop, feeling something different; what is this? My knife hits something hard; it's not a bone.
Ho~ I slide my hand in and feel the warm flesh that reminding me it was alive moments ago.
Fuh~ amazing. I pull out the hard thing, leaving a trail of blood in the air.
It's like a crystal and as small as a baby's fist. Is it red or just because of the blood?
I put it in my mouth to clean it with my saliva. After a while, I take out the crystal and spit out the blood. Pssssst~ it tastes awful.
It's really red.
I wonder if this is some kind of magic stone, like the ones in RPG games. Maybe the earth thorn is a magic spell too.
What would happen if I ate this?
But then I notice the deer's horn and I get an idea. I look at the ground and pick up the tip of the horn that was chopped off when the deer stabbed me in the neck and I restarted. A few inches of it went through the back of my neck, causing the horn tip to fell.
I hold the horn and the magic stone together in my hand. "Earth thorn!" I yell.
Nothing happens. Hmm, I guess that didn't work. I really thought it would work.
I'm about to swallow the magic stone to see what happens, but then I look at the bloody deer and I think maybe words are not the trigger for the magic.
It's not like the deer said "Earth thorn!" So, how did it do it? With its mind?
It doesn't work! I feel stupid.
I keep staring at the deer, wondering. Should I put the horn and the magic stone back inside the deer?
I carefully push the horn and the magic stone into the dead deer's chest.
Huh? I restart. How did I die?
Oh! I get it. That's interesting.
The deer looks like a porcupine, with earth spikes sticking out of its chest. I didn't expect it to happen so fast.
Hard. It's very tough; it takes me minutes to dig and reach the flesh.
Where? What happened to it? It's gone. Does that mean it reached its limit? Exhausted?
Tsk, What a waste.
But it's not all bad; I learned something new. Finding a magic stone shouldn't be too hard.
◇
Days have gone by, but I haven't found any more magic stones. I've killed many monsters, but none of them had a magic stone inside them. Are they rare? That's too bad.
Meanwhile, I've tried various ways to improve my combat skills.
I've realized that I can't do any muscle training, which I expected. When I restart, all the muscles I've gained go back to normal. The only thing that gets better is familiarity, as I can now do some backflips.
I've also attempted some magic training, but I have no clue how to start.
In anime, you have to feel it, right? That doesn't work; if I keep trying, I feel like I'll poop myself.
I guess the only way to get stronger is through fighting; I can't even copy the martial arts that I remember.