Standing in the midst of the dark forest, Isaac surveyed the scene before him—a heap of smoldering corpses. Initially, he had contemplated ignoring them, but he had a change of heart and decided to dispose of the bodies.
It wasn't that he particularly wanted to, but he feared that the monsters in the area might be attracted to the taste of their flesh. In such instances, these creatures could become a menace to nearby residents.
Certain predatory monsters tend to avoid humans, but once they consume the flesh of their kind, they may turn their aggression towards humans.
'Two bandits managed to escape, but their presence no longer concerns me. They are powerless against me, and even if they harbor thoughts of revenge, they remain oblivious to my true identity.
As a young child like myself, they are unlikely to suspect my involvement. Nevertheless, I cannot afford to be complacent. I must grow stronger. The inhabitants of this world possess an uncanny endurance.
Had I not eliminated all the bandits, more than half of them would have survived. It seems that what would be fatal injuries in my world are not considered life-threatening here.
I am unsure if the same applies to me, but now is not the time to dwell on it. I must focus on the task at hand—seeking the loot I came for.'
After a period of exploration, Isaac stumbled upon a rocky peak enveloped by dense foliage. It was the exact location he had been searching for.
Prior to eliminating the bandits, Isaac had managed to extract information from some of them, revealing that their ill-gotten gains were stored in this very spot.
Clearing away the surrounding bushes, he unveiled a small cave teeming with treasures. Numerous pouches brimming with gold coins caught his eye, alongside valuable artifacts and shimmering jewelry.
The hoard was not extravagant in size, yet it was far from insignificant. A broad grin spread across Isaac's face upon beholding this newfound wealth.
"At last, one of the hurdles impeding my progress has been surmounted," he mused. "This money shall serve me well when the time comes to depart from this place.
Whether it will suffice to acquire a ship remains uncertain. If it falls short, I may need to consider an alternative, perhaps doing another one like this."
After pocketing a portion of the money, Isaac carefully buried the remaining loot, ensuring to mark its location on a crude map within his trusty notebook. As he concluded his task, the sun had already ascended in the sky.
A sense of unease washed over him, realizing the predicament he now faced. The entire night had slipped away during his escapades. Should Julia discover his absence, he anticipated a barrage of scolding upon his return.
However, lately, he had noticed a peculiar change in Julia's demeanor. Something seemed amiss, prompting him to contemplate arranging a visit from a doctor to examine her condition.
...
[ After one year ]
SLASH!!!!
With a resounding crash, a mighty tree toppled in the mountains, causing nearby birds to scatter in fear. The impact sent a cloud of dust billowing into the air. This particular region of the mountains had recently become a hotbed of rumors. Locals spoke of a colossal monster dwelling within its depths.
Intrigued by these tales, numerous hunters and adventurous individuals ventured forth, eager to unravel the truth. However, every person who dared to explore this enigmatic place returned disheveled, stripped of their belongings.
The mountains had transformed into a treacherous domain, shunned by all. Amidst the wreckage of fallen trees, Isaac stood, his breath heavy with exhaustion. He struggled to remain upright, leaning on his sword for support.
"Why doesn't it work, no matter how hard I try? I've dedicated this entire year to rigorous training. If that's the case, why hasn't my swordsmanship improved at all?" Despite acquiring several fine swords from the bandits, Isaac finds himself in a frustrating predicament.
He had set aside time to practice sword fighting, but to his dismay, he discovered that his technique remained unchanged.
After catching his breath, Isaac lifted his sword and began to examine it closely. The blade appeared worn and corroded, as if it had witnessed countless intense battles. However, that was far from the truth. Isaac had only wielded the sword on six occasions, and yet it had deteriorated to such an extent.
"I must be missing something crucial. The swordsmen in this world are capable of cutting through extraordinary objects while keeping their swords intact. Is it a matter of sword quality? No, I don't believe so. The skill of the swordsman is what truly matters.
A proficient swordsman can even use an ordinary kitchen knife to cut through rocks without damaging the blade." No matter how much Isaac pondered over his shortcomings, he couldn't find a solution.
He had spent the entire year diligently practicing 10,000 sword swings every day, but it only seemed to increase the strength in his arms without improving his fighting technique.
"Forget it, I should return home. Julia seems to have something to discuss with me."
...
After returning home and indulging in a refreshing bath to wash away the sweat and dirt from his training session, Isaac sat down with Julia to enjoy their breakfast together. Having spent four years in this place, these daily routines had become an integral part of his life.
Isaac couldn't help but appreciate the comfort and contentment he found in these moments. However, a growing desire for the sea and adventure had begun to stir within him. He yearned to set sail and explore the world, but he was aware of his own limitations.
Despite the progress he had made in strength during these four years, he knew that he was still far from a match for skilled pirates or seasoned naval officers.
He recognized that encountering such formidable opponents would likely result in defeat, provided they were not merely random individuals.
"I would like you to go to the city and fetch the medicine from John for me. It appears that he is unable to come to the village due to the current busy state of their restaurant."
A few months ago, Isaac became aware that Julia was afflicted with a condition known as pulmonary rust, which shares similarities with asthma.
However, after consulting a doctor, they discovered that it could be effectively managed with the use of specific medications. Previously, John would bring the medicine during his weekly visits, but unfortunately, he won't be able to do so this time.
"Alright, I'll go and get it for you." The truth was, Isaac had never ventured into any city before. His time was mainly spent in the village, and even when he did leave, it was to train in the mountains or engage in daring pursuits like pursuing monsters.
...
With the rhythmic sound of hooves on rocky ground, a group of donkeys pulled a small cart carrying curious passengers. As the cart entered the city, the villagers marveled at the size and cleanliness of the buildings. Among them, Isaac sat calmly, unfazed by the surroundings.
"Isaac, why aren't you surprised? Have you been to the city before?" The question came from a young boy with a simple face and a shaved head. He had accompanied Isaac at Julia's request, but now he was starting to regret it.
"Yeah, I've been to a similar place before," Isaac replied.
'This guy is really annoying. This town is nothing compared to the developed cities and tall buildings in my world. But it is clean and well-decorated. Is there a special occasion?' Isaac wondered to himself.
...
After Isaac and Kevin disembarked from the wagon, they made their way to an upscale restaurant situated in the heart of the city. As they approached, they were stopped by a guard, but upon explaining their purpose, they were granted entry and guided to find John.
Inside the restaurant, it was bustling with customers, all dressed in luxurious attire, clearly indicating their wealth. The meeting between John and Isaac was brief, and they arranged to reconvene in two hours.
"I have some time, why don't I explore and have a bit of fun?" Isaac thought to himself. He handed some silver to Kevin, instructing him to entertain himself and not disturb him.
The city seemed ordinary to Isaac. Having seen many peculiar worlds through anime, this place lacked any distinctive features or unique elements.
As Isaac roamed the city, he noticed a crowd of people moving in a specific direction. Intrigued, he decided to follow them, eventually arriving at the harbor where a large gathering had formed. It appeared to be a reception of some sort.
"Did you hear? It seems a Celestial Dragon is visiting this place," murmured a passerby.
"A Celestial Dragon? The rulers of this world? What would bring one of them to such a humble location?" another person wondered aloud.
The mention of the Celestial Dragon triggered memories in Isaac's mind. He associated that term with individuals who possessed unp
leasant personalities and displayed arrogant behavior.
___________________
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