"Sigh…"
My name is Akumo. On the surface, I'm just a boy in the prime of his youth.
So why the heavy sigh, you ask?
—Grrrrr!!!
"Looking at these bastards in front of me… it's hard not to let one out."
In this world, monsters exist. They prioritize raw strength and ferocity, preying upon the weak.
Perhaps the heavens took pity on humanity, for the Gods descended to the lower world, bestowing a power known as 'Falna.' It was a miracle—a blessing meant to draw out a mortal's latent potential and allow them to surpass their biological limits.
'However…'
Power granted to all does not always function as intended.
The village where I lived was a hub where many adventurers settled. Among them were those who had received the Falna. It was an environment perfectly suited for the proverb: stagnant water eventually rots.
—"Are you actually trying to resist?"
—"I am a Level 2 Great Hero!"
"Bullshit…"
The villagers knelt before that power. Sacrifices were chosen at the whim of that man and his gang, their lives snuffed out before they could ever truly bloom. Even I, blessed with some degree of talent, was discarded in a monster-infested wasteland simply because I didn't suit their tastes.
And then, I realized something.
What the heavens bestowed wasn't a miracle. It was simply raw power. Just as an adventurer uses a blade, or a fire-tender uses kindling, or a woodsman uses an axe. It is merely a tool.
—ROAARRRRR!!!
Power ultimately belongs to those who wield it. In that regard, even the Gods who descended to this world are likely no different. They are simply powerful beings. But what is their nature, truly?
A flash of movement—!!
I was curious about that. And shortly after, I found my answer.
"I will live."
They are all the same.
'I will survive, by any means necessary, and pioneer my own world.'
The moment I made that vow, the wolf-like monster charging at me seemed to slow to a crawl. Was this talent? I didn't know. Whether it was a monumental gift or a trivial one mattered little.
The trial was here, and I would face it without retreating. I would survive.
That is the definition of the hero I have chosen to be.
Slash—!!!
Barely a month later, the village was decimated.
"Any last words before you die?"
"I… I was just chased out! From the place I used to be—"
Sever!
"Usually, an apology comes first. Is that not how it works for you adventurers?"
Splurt—
Using a sword seized from one of the fallen adventurers, I surgicaly decapitated the man and flicked the blood from the blade. I left the remaining villagers alone. They had merely used what power they had to protect themselves. Killing them held no significance to me.
"He mentioned the place he came from was some kind of Kingdom…"
Those residing there are likely far stronger than this trash. At the very least, they won't die without a fight after being caught off guard.
The journey to that place would not be easy. However, I had no intention of stopping. Whether it be monsters or men who blocked my path, I would become stronger.
"Well then, shall we go?"
Three months passed.
As expected, the journey was not smooth. Combat was frequent. The world was filled with unfamiliar elements: people trying to deceive me, those I had to deceive, monsters, and harsh environments. Yet, the gains were substantial.
How to use a sword, a spear, and my fists. Even the way I breathed changed. With my enemies as my masters, real combat as my training, and the sky as my parent, I continued to pioneer my own existence.
BOOM—!!!!
'Is this thing a Sandworm?!'
The unfamiliar monster was enough to momentarily disconcert me—a worthy trial.
Rip—!!
Crash—!!
As my blade and fists battered the creature, I finally plunged a spear into its eye.
Thud—
"Haa… Haa…"
'Bastard… it's damn big.'
Staring at the Sandworm collapsed before me, covered in countless lacerations, I gasped for air. My sword was dull and my spear was shattered, but in the end, I had achieved absolute subjugation.
"Is the hand axe my only weapon left…?"
Whish—!!!!
"!?"
Clang—!!!!
"More bottom-feeders lurking in the shadows?"
I was used to it by now. Just as beasts never ignore an exhausted predator, I cut down and broke the humans who targeted me. In that process, I felt myself growing stronger. At times, I even felt a sense of exhilaration.
How much time had passed? By the time I lost count of the battles fought, I reached my destination.
"So this is the city that man mentioned? It's massive."
Step, step—
'He said someone helped by an insanely beautiful woman drove him out, didn't he?'
I had no particular intention of blaming anyone. The person responsible hadn't intended for this outcome, and besides, I had become stronger because of it.
"Still, I'm curious as to who it was."
I wandered through the city, taking in the sights. People looking happy, people looking exhausted, warriors, merchants, and children. For the first time in a long while, I enjoyed a moment of leisure.
And eventually, I encountered him.
"Who might you be?"
A young man with ash-grey hair and bright golden eyes. He was likely a person of influence in this city.
"I just came to offer my greetings. I'm Akumo."
"Akumo…?"
Naturally, he didn't know me. To him, I was merely a stranger who appeared out of nowhere to say hello.
"Would it be possible to hear your story?"
"My story?"
"Yes. About the beings you met, or perhaps your…"
Schwing—!
His sword was drawn in an instant, the tip leveled at my throat. Yet, despite his aggression, the man's eyes widened in shock.
Creak—!!
"That's a rather rough response."
"How… with just a hand axe?!"
He stared at me, stunned, as his sword was steadily forced back by the weight of my axe. Regaining his composure, he withdrew his blade and took a stance, as if there were things he absolutely could not divulge.
"I lost my home because of the people you drove away."
'I didn't really want to bring it up… but there's no need to fight.'
"!?"
Startled by my words, the man sheathed his sword and guided me to a nearby café. As I sat across from him, he couldn't hide the complex emotions swirling in his eyes, eventually looking away.
"I am sorry…"
"I didn't say it to blame you. I only said it to avoid an unnecessary fight."
"But, because of me…!"
"That's enough. I don't want an apology; I want to hear your story."
He looked at me with a mixture of confusion and relief rather than guilt. Introducing himself as 'Fabin,' he began to speak slowly.
"Five months ago, there were malicious adventurers in this city. Likely the same ones who harmed your village…"
"When the people grew tired of their tyranny, I joined a rebel group to oppose them."
"But their power was overwhelming. Ordinary adventurers were struck down in a matter of seconds."
"Just as the resistance was failing, Lady Freya appeared."
'Freya…?'
"And who is that?"
The hesitation Fabin showed moments ago vanished. He spoke with confidence, stating that Freya was a Goddess who had saved him.
He spoke with such reverence that it felt sublime, describing how her help allowed them to drive out the enemy, and how she left him with a beautiful smile.
"I see…"
'Well… it's not a story for me to worry about right now.'
"Indeed! Are you perhaps planning to go to Orario?"
"Orario… are you referring to the Labyrinth City?"
"Yes! Lady Freya said she came from there as well!"
"Hmm…"
'Still, now is not the time.'
"Consider this a fateful meeting. If there is anything I can do to help, I will!"
Fabin promised to provide supplies and convenience during my stay. I offered a faint smile at his generosity.
"Then, could I take some supplies and equipment?"
"Of course! I'll give you a map as well; it will be useful."
Leaving that brief encounter behind, I set out on my adventure once more. I wanted to grow even stronger as I roamed the vast world before me. I had met many who wielded power according to their desires, and I wanted to see with my own eyes how they lived.
Whether they were humans, other races, or monsters didn't matter.
"Let's go!"
One year, two years—time passed as I explored countless places. From ordinary villages and cities to white peaks covered in snow and mountain ranges radiating intense heat. One place that stood out in my memory was a canyon where monsters called Dragons periodically appeared.
"No matter how many times I see it, this place is magnificent."
Crack, snap—
"Is this the hundredth one already?"
I looked at the mountain of monster corpses piled behind me. Because of these Dragons, most nearby villages had been wiped out as they strayed from their habitats.
It was irritating, so I hunted them repeatedly. Eventually, they seemed to recognize this area as my territory and stopped attacking me.
"Though other ones keep coming."
—Grrrrr…!!
"Dragons? You've come in all colors today. But why are there no black ones?"
The sword in my hand trembled. I spoke with feigned nonchalance, but the creatures before me were Dragons. My experience was limited to a few one-on-one hunts.
'But…'
"I can't help but enjoy this."
Schwing—
Gripping my sword with both hands, I charged forward to break these new powerhouses.
BOOM—!!
CRUNCH—!!
SLICED—!!
EXPLOSION—!!
RUMBLE—!!!
After a grueling battle, I emerged victorious over five Dragons. Realizing I had grown significantly stronger, I ventured deeper into the canyon. Perhaps it was the confidence of victory, or perhaps curiosity to meet the master of this gorge.
Step, step—
"This place is…"
I stood before a rift. A chasm so dark its end was invisible. Instinctively, viscerally, I felt it.
'There is a monster inside.'
"Regrettably, you'll have to wait a month for me."
Rumble—!!
As if in response to my words, the ground shook. I grinned broadly and turned back. At the same time, I looked up at a Dragon soaring through the sky, my eyes gleaming.