It was 16 years ago that I was born into this new world. I was born an orphan in this life. My father died from the bite of a snake and my mother died after giving me birth. My aunt, who is my mother's sister, took care of me from my birth.
Fed up from the mundane life on Earth I originally thought it was the best chance for a fresh start. Once there was a desire to explore this new world when my intelligence recovered when I was 5.
But now here I am stuck in this small village in an unknown part of this new world. I know nothing about outside the mountains that surround us. Nobody from the outside of the village has ever visited this place, at least in my 16 years of life here. There is no map of the world nor any tales or rumors about the outside world. Everything is contained within this space of about 50 people where 8 of them are children.
All the villagers seem to be content with their life in this small area. There was no one who had ambitions beyond eating tasty food and having children. Perhaps this is how people felt before the modern age in my previous life, content with what little life has provided.
There was a time when I was naive and thought about leaving this village. But I quickly realized why the livable place present here was confined to what it was. Beyond some distance from the village boundaries there exists dangerous monsters which even 100 of adult humans couldn't compare to.
I realized this when I was six, this place was not earth or some planet similar to it. At that time a huge monstrous beast came down running towards the village. I still remember that beast was as big as a truck, had the body like of a boar and the head of a hippo. Even with its large mass it ran with the same agility as that of a small boar. To a village where everything was built with sticks and stones, such a monster was similar in threat to a hurricane. Everything would have been left devastated.
As the monster came closer I along with the other children were horrified but adults were calm and although slightly anxious weren't too worried. It didn't seem that they resigned themselves to death from their expressions. It was as if they were waiting for something to clear out this problem. Infected by their calm I also controlled myself and watched in anticipation for that 'something' that was going to occur.
Then, just as the beast was a kilometer away from the village it suddenly dropped dead on its head and came to a stop. For a brief moment I could capture a feminine figure standing on the head of the monster but before I could focus on her she disappeared into the air.
Later I asked all the adults around the village but no one would provide me with answers. Only recently my question was answered. The thing which kept the village safe was a bunny eared goddess. It was due to her that this place could safely grow into although a small but cozy village.
And today I was summoned to be sacrificed to that goddess.
"Piche, can I come in?" an old and tired voice came from outside the room which disturbed my reminiscence. It was the village chief who was asking me from outside. There were various reasons why he could be here at this time. Curious to know the reason for his visit I invited him in.
As I opened the door there stood the old chief in front of me. His face was slightly wrinkled and his eyes dropped down with tiredness but shone with wisdom. Although he was over 90 years old he had a robust figure where although slim the muscles were taught and full not weak and saggy. He was still full of energy with the only sign of age was him slimming down . Over the years his huge hulking figure was slimmed down to now normal size of a man.
I invited him into the room and he entered without uttering any word. It was him who told me the news of my role as a sacrifice. Him and I were sitting face to face against each other but we couldn't meet eye to eye. The atmosphere was very awkward.
"So why are you here at this time of day?" I inquire to break the ice. To my question he met my eyes. It was as if he was looking for something.
"You don't look too shaken from today's news." he said. I see, he was looking for fear, panic ,anxiety or other similar emotions on my face. He must have come here to pacify me so that I would not run away or put up any resistance tomorrow.
"Don't worry. I have no intention of going against the goddess's wishes. No please let me sleep." It was late at night and he had disturbed my rest. I was slightly irritated. He appeared shocked by my response as if I was a madman.
"You are not scared?"
"Why should I? Everyone has taken care of me and it's only right for me to repay them."
My response was the half truth. This life was also as mundane as my last life. There was initially the thrill of hunting but even the novelty of that has waned. It was boring for me to just exist. Meeting this new goddess seemed exciting even if it was for a moment.
"Everyone is grateful to you. I am the chief representing everyone in this village thank you." with relief in his eyes the chief gave me a deep bow as a show of respect. I just quietly accepted it as this bow also seemed to represent his guilt in sacrificing me.
"You father was a brave man and you have inherited the same braveness." he said and then exited the room.
Even with all that talk he didn't had the courtesy of apologizing for barging in at such late night.