Chapter 6

"…That's what it means."

Kai told me about the fifth hero.

The fifth hero was also from Japan.

His name was Hanai Shigeto.

Meeting this person greatly changed my life,

Kai said with a smile.

"Anyway, this is the main point.

Do you have a bracelet on your right arm?"

As he said this, Kai glanced at my right arm.

"That bracelet is a magical artifact that emits your location and vital signs."

"…So, no matter where I run, you can find me, and you can tell if I'm alive or dead, right?"

"Exactly. As long as you have that bracelet on, running away is pointless.

If you take it off yourself, you'll die."

Kai let out a sigh.

"In essence, it's the same as a slave's collar.

It can only be removed by the one who put it on, or if you die.

Those who are summoned are always made to wear it….

It's also called the Hero's Proof."

With a look of disgust, Kai continued while looking at the bracelet.

"Even if you lose your arm, it's useless. If your right arm becomes unusable, it moves to your left arm.

I was also made to wear that bracelet. Every day, I had to fight monsters and carry out the king's orders to survive….

I was tired of that kind of life when I met the fifth hero, Hanai."

"Did Hanai not have a bracelet?"

"No… Hanai was also summoned as a hero and was made to wear a bracelet. However, due to its unstable performance at the time,

the magical artifact judged Hanai to be dead when he fell into a state of apparent death during a battle with a monster.

When Hanai regained consciousness, the bracelet was gone from his arm."

"Such a serious injury… to be judged dead…"

"Amazing that he survived, right?"

"Really…"

"Then… Hanai told me this.

Seeing that the bracelet was gone, he decided to start his life over.

Hanai didn't hesitate to kill monsters, but he found it painful to live a life where his will was suppressed…."

"…"

Kai paused for a moment.

I think he must have thought and felt the same way as Hanai.

I silently waited for Kai to continue.

Kai looked at me and smiled lightly, changing the topic a bit.

"Hanai's name is in the history books of this country from 5000 years ago, you know?"

"Impossible, right? If Hanai's name is in the history books from 5000 years ago,

it would be impossible for Kai and Hanai to meet, wouldn't it?"

Surprised, I answered, and Kai showed a face that looked like he was plotting something.

"Shun, try to guess my age."

"You look about 25, but after hearing Hanai's story… I don't think you're 25."

"Take that into account and guess."

"Hmm… If Hanai used some kind of magic,

you might be around 35?"

"Wrong. I've been alive for about 2500 years."

"…"

I looked at Kai with wide eyes.

Kai then told me about the lifespan in this world.

Apparently, the more magic power you have, the longer your lifespan.

The average lifespan in the country is about 200 to 250 years.

The average lifespan of royalty and nobility is around 350 years.

However, this is just an average.

Mages, for example, often live much longer.

There are also races without magic power, and they have different lifespans.

Even if the average lifespan of royalty is 350 years,

2500 years for Kai seems excessive…

"Like Hanai, I don't have that much magic power.

That's why I'm almost immortal, I think."

After saying this, Kai looked at me seriously.

"I received this vast amount of magic power and the knowledge, skills, and abilities that Hanai had cultivated.

I met Hanai when he had lived enough in this world and wanted to die.

When he saw my Hero's Proof, which couldn't be removed until death, he said this to me."

Kai continued with a nostalgic look in his eyes.

"What would you do in this world if the bracelet came off? That's what he asked."

This question was very similar to the one Kai asked me.

"So I said I wanted to live freely….

Not bound and restricted, but free."

"…"

"When I answered that, Hanai said… he had enjoyed his life enough

and that he would give me freedom."

Kai spoke as if recalling the conversation with Hanai.

"Then… Hanai gave me a third life.

That's why I'm here. If I hadn't met Hanai… I would have died cursing this world."

I listened to Kai in silence.

Even though I half-expected what Kai would say next,

I didn't interrupt him…

"So, this time, I'll give you a third life.

You'll have to abandon your body and put your soul into mine.

In simple terms, it means our souls will mix….

Of course, Hanai's soul is also in there.

Even though our souls will mix, mine and Hanai's will just be converted into information, so it won't affect your personality.

You'll gain all our vast magic power, skills, knowledge, and abilities.

Since both Hanai and I were strong, you'll be the strongest after the fusion."

Kai smiled, and I whispered softly.

"I don't want to…"

Finally, I met someone who talked to me other than my family.

I thought I had found a friend who understood me in this world.

A close friend… But… my heart grew dark and heavy.

"Shun, I've lived for 2500 years.

You haven't done anything in Japan or here, have you?

You should live, see many things, and experience life.

Of course, it won't all be fun,

and there will be many hardships. This isn't Earth, and the values are different.

I don't think it's easy to live here. But you should still live."

Kai spoke as if trying to persuade me.

"I… don't want to."

"Even if you refuse this offer, I intend to disappear from this world."

To my stubborn refusal, Kai threw a shocking statement at me.

I froze at his words.

"Shun… If you use this body,

my self will disappear, but I can be with you.

You can travel this world freely.

You can walk in the world you desire.

Take a step forward, Shun."

Kai pressed me relentlessly, even though I couldn't say anything.

"I want you to live.

We've only known each other for a few hours,

but I want my friend to be happy."

Tears rolled down my cheeks and onto the futon.

"Both Hanai and I are perfect in swordsmanship and martial arts.

Our magical abilities are unmatched.

All of that, including the knowledge and skills we've gained in this world, will be yours. However, to protect yourself,

I'll make the knowledge searchable for you."

Kai smiled, and I looked at him. He made a slightly troubled expression.

"You've never gone outside in Japan, right?

Having all the knowledge from the start is convenient, but….

I'll make it so that information is only provided when you want to search for it.

It will be more fun that way, right? You seem to like reading books.

A world where everything is known from the start isn't fresh, is it?

You can experience this world at your own pace."

"…"

"Think of it like doing a search on a computer.

It's convenient, but also a bit inconvenient, right?"

Kai spoke with a determined voice to me, who was lost in thought.

"Shun, try your best."

Hearing those words, the feeling of wanting to refuse faded,

and I made up my mind.

"Okay. Kai… I'll try my best.

Thank… you."

Kai nodded in satisfaction and spoke excitedly about my future.

"Shun, world domination isn't just a dream.

Once you fuse, you'll understand the abilities of Hanai and me.

The abilities of two heroes combined with yours.

I don't know what your ability is yet, but you'll find out eventually.

When you get tired of traveling, you can become a demon king or protect a country, or do whatever you like.

You can travel for life, but try to interact with people, Shun."

When Kai told me to interact with people, I asked,

"What about Kai? How did you spend 2500 years?"

"That's a secret. I'll put two keys in the information.

If you find those keys, you can see my past….

Since I've seen your memories."

Kai looked at me with a slightly sad expression, closed his eyes, and slowly opened them again.

"Are you ready, Shun?"

There's no way I could be ready.

Various emotions were swirling in my heart….

I wanted to shout that I didn't want to, but something prevented me.

Kai pushed me forward….

Suppressing various emotions, I nodded to Kai.

Thank you for reading.