Chapter 2

### Reincarnation

Reincarnation is a fictional phenomenon that occurs with high probability when one is run over by a truck. Fiction, in other words, is a made-up story, and to put it bluntly, a lie.

Therefore, reincarnation is a lie and cannot happen in reality. Yes, it shouldn't be possible.

"This is a dream. Yes, it must be a dream. I'll surely wake up in a hospital bed, or the whole thing about being run over by a truck was a dream. Yes, it must be. Humans can't just die so easily."

I thought this to myself as I lay on the ground. The night sky was filled with countless stars and a huge moon. It's beautiful, even for a dream!

I closed my eyes, believing that when I wake up, it will all have been a dream.

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It was reality after all!

I confirmed my face in the water, illuminated by the morning sun, and felt despair. What the hell is this? What did I do to deserve this?

"But the face isn't bad," I looked at the boy's face in front of me—my face.

I was emaciated and dirty like a stray dog, but the features were quite good. My skin color was what is known as olive.

"Well, since I'm awake, there's no choice..." I had to start by establishing a foundation for my life. Then gather information, and if I can return to Japan, I'll go back. If not, I'll settle here.

I decided to proceed with this plan.

So, first...

"I need to get something to eat."

I stood up.

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I scoured the forest. Yesterday, I thought it was a forest of giant trees, but now I can see that it's just that I've shrunk, making them appear larger. They aren't actually that huge.

"Still, there's nothing here in this forest."

There were no fruits or nuts. Some plants looked like they might be edible, but I didn't want to die, so I held back.

From the temperature, it seemed to be around summer. There should be something edible in the summer. Probably, my search method is just bad. I don't have any knowledge of wild plants, and this is likely a different world from Earth. It's a mystery whether the flora is the same.

"Looks like I have to eat bugs..."

I looked at the line of ants in front of me.

Thanks to the centipede I ate last night, my strength had somewhat returned, so I didn't need to eat immediately. But my body was already lacking in nutrients. If I don't eat today, I might not be able to move tomorrow.

If only I knew how to make a fire. I could cook cicadas, centipedes, ants, or scorpions and eat them with peace of mind. Well, I did eat the centipede raw last night.

How do you make a fire? I know that rubbing wood together can create friction heat and start a fire, but I'm not sure if it will actually ignite, and I can't find the right kind of wood. Trying to do something I can't do would just waste my strength and time.

It would be better to look for a human settlement.

"Hey, kid. This is my territory. Leave now."

A voice called out from behind. It sounded authoritative, but it was definitely human. Heaven hadn't abandoned me!

"Actually, I'm lost..."

I turned around, and in front of me was a monster.

It had the face and upper body of an eagle, with huge wings, and the lower body of a four-legged beast—like a lion.

It was a griffin.

Heaven had abandoned me.

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"Hey, I'm not tasty! I'm just skin and bones. I ate a centipede yesterday. You should give it a pass!"

I backed away. Why do I have to be eaten after being reincarnated and getting a second chance at life!

"I also have preferences in my meals. Who would eat something as unappetizing as you? Are you mocking me?"

"No, no, I would never! Hahaha. Actually, I'm in the process of leaving. Goodbye~"

I ran at full speed. It seemed the griffin wanted to drive me away, not eat me. So, I just needed to escape. I had no intention of disturbing this person's (?) territory.

Flap, flap, flap

The sound of flapping wings reached my ears. Sand flew up, and I instinctively closed my eyes.

When I opened my eyes, the griffin was in front of me, with its fur standing on end and looking angry. Why!?

"I said, beyond here is my territory. The deep forest is my domain, and humans are not allowed to enter. This was a pact. You were planning to find food in my territory, weren't you?"

"I'm sorry. I just got a bit lost. I didn't realize this direction was your territory..."

"Don't lie! The pact between us has been passed down for two hundred years! Even a small child knows it!"

I can't know what I don't know. Despite his impressive appearance, he's a temperamental beast.

"Try to come up with a better excuse. Then I might let you live."

The griffin glared at me, sending a chill down my spine. This guy is going to kill me just because I'm in his way.

I had to defend myself.

"Well, the thing is, I was reincarnated."

"Huh? What nonsense is this?"

The griffin's expression changed. His eyes glowed. I might die.

"No, I mean, I woke up in an unfamiliar forest, and I found myself as a child I didn't know. It's true, please believe me."

I prostrated myself and begged. I didn't want to die on the second day of my new life.

"Hmm..."

My desperate prostration seemed to have some effect, as the griffin's killing intent weakened. His eyes glowed red.

"You... are a wanderer. I see. It's no wonder you didn't know. I apologize."

The griffin's killing intent suddenly disappeared. I didn't understand, but it seemed he believed me.

"Poor you. Transplanted from your familiar homeland to such a remote place. Well, there's no choice. If the children like you, it's your responsibility. If you have any complaints, blame your own life."

I didn't understand, but it seemed the griffin knew something about reincarnation.

"Um... what do you mean by 'wanderer'?"

"Someone who comes to this world from a different world."

"Not reincarnation?"

"Hmm?"

The griffin tilted his head, not understanding my question.

I explained what was happening to me. The griffin grunted.

"Hmm, I don't know. I've never heard of such a phenomenon. The wanderer I met a hundred years ago didn't mention being reincarnated... but maybe it can happen?"

"Ah..."

"Besides, the phenomenon of wanderers exists. Adding reincarnation to it isn't that strange."

I didn't understand, but the griffin seemed to be convinced on his own. I wasn't convinced at all.

Well, there's no point in worrying now. I just need to investigate step by step.

"By the way, you mentioned that you are mentally an adult?"

"Yes, well, I am now. What about it?"

The griffin smiled... or so it seemed.

"I'll let you go, but I have a job for you."