The valley where I last saw my squad members is levelled, surrounding block mountains collapsed from destruction. Not giving up, I search the surrounding areas.

Fortunately, traces of an escape can be found outside a collapsed cave. Corpses of monsters mark a path.

I follow the trail until I see a spearhead jabbed into the rock, broken.

!

The handle protruding from the snow stops my heartbeat. A severed hand firmly grips the pole.

"No..."

Fuck...

Close scrutinization reveals the pole to be military property and the hand is highly Masoc's.

"Kegh..." I grit my teeth and gaze down.

Traces of battle spread across the area. The cracks and clashes stopped at some point before the party likely retreated deeper into the mountain range. Whatever was fighting them was big and it slammed all of nature as it gave chase. I follow all the traces rapidly, every second, my heart pounding in anxiety and fear.

At least be alive. Please.

No matter how much I travel, only haphazard mountains fill the horizon, but I'm sure I'm getting closer.

Or am I?

I descend to a slope and glance around.

Weird. Am I going in circles?

Is this illusion magic?

I punch the slope, breaking a hole. It feels real.

"Sir?" Issac's voice echoes from below.

!!!

He stands at the base of the slope.

"Issac? Is that you?"

"Sir!! You are alive!!" He exclaims. I slide down to Issac and grasp his shoulder.

"You...are really Issac?" I ask.

"Y-Yes sir..."

"You alright? Where is the rest?" I say as I frantically check his body.

"We and Sir Gary...are all alive. However, Sir Gary's squad was wiped out."

"Ah...I see...I see..." I gaze down and my heaves multiple sighs of relief. Truthfully, I don't care about the other knights as much as my own.

"Sir. Follow my steps or you will never reach the destination. We are in a trap formation," Issac points in one direction and says.

"Trap formation?"

He shrugs. "That's what the master living here said, Sir."

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I copy his movements behind him through the seemingly normal terrain.

"Sir...Are you okay?" Issac asks, hiding his expression.

"Somewhat. I can move and fight, albeit not my best."

...

"On the way, I saw Masoc's..." I say.

Issac stays silent, refusing to reply.

"Is he okay?"

Issac nods. "Alive."

After Issac moves one step forward, he suddenly disappears.

?!

I step forward and the surrounding scenery vanishes, revealing a small cabin perching on the edge of a rugged cliff, its weathered texture and aged wood blending with nature. Snow blankets the roof and gathers in thick herds around the base beneath glistening icicles hanging from the eaves. Smoke curls slowly from the stone chimney and the windows are fogged, signs of life.

Serene and isolated. The invigorating scent of pine and snow rests on the whispers of wind.

As I absorb the atmosphere, a few people leave the cabin and intake gasps.

"Boss! Y-You are okay!" Kaden exclaims.

Aeon stares with his eyes wide.

A strange man behind possessing a chiselled physique commands a striking presence. His hazel eyes, sharp and penetrating, seem to see through every intent. I immediately feel shivers from his gaze. Suiting a person living in the mountains, his attire only consists of a dark-coloured tunic and looser trousers, further highlighting his lean build.

Although his hair is streaked with silver, his skin reflects youthful reverence. At a short glimpse, I see calluses on his knuckles and palm. His overall calm and collected demeanour exudes an air of refinement and discipline; I instinctively recognise this stranger. He is an Outworlder and most likely an Orthodox Martial Artist.

Masoc reveals himself slowly from the cabin, gaze avoiding contact.

"C-Captain...I..." He turns his body to show the severed arm.

Profound relief and joy stuns my consciousness. The waves of anxiety and worry wash off and I exhale a deep breath.

"I-I'm sorry...my arm..."

"No, that doesn't matter."

I run to Masoc and hug him. "You are safe. That's good...That's good. That's all that matters," I say.

"Kegh...Captain..." Masoc furrows his brow, trying to hold back his tears.

"A new visitor?" A familiar but unknown voice says.

?

A young boy walks out of the cabin, dressed similarly to the martial artists.

!!!

Golden luscious hair and eyes with crosses as his pupils. Without a doubt, his eyes proved his identity. This boy is the world's hero from my previous life!

He sees me staring into his eyes and looks away, clearly sensitive about it. "I'm...not a monster."

I tilt my head. "Hm? I know," I reply.

The boy looks back at me and then walks into the cabin.

...

I turn to the Outworlder.

"You must be the captain of those men." He says. "They were in bad shape upon arrival, their luck brought them through the illusion and stumbled here."

"Ah, thank you very much for helping them! I'm Loi Krist. May I inquire about this kind soul's name?"

"Rapheal. A pleasure to meet you," The Martial Artist replies.

It's a fake name. I have a general grasp of their true name's structure.

Gary is nowhere to be seen. There's no way a master swordsman will die back there...right?

"Where is Gary?" I ask Issac.

Issac points in a direction. "We were carrying one of his squad's members, who died on his way here. He...is giving the dead a proper burial."

I nod.

...

I decided to check on Gary. Walking around a large boulder, I see Gary kneeling beside a cairn he built.

He stares down with his fist clenched. After a while, he gets up and jumps when he then notices me.

"Y-You! Since when..."

"Quite a while ago."

Gary slowly shifts his gaze away. "Hey commoner...you...what are you?"

"What do you mean?"

"You...are a peak master. No, your strength exceeds a peak master's. This isn't fair. How does your talent...a mere..."

He stops himself from insulting me any further, fearful of the repercussions.

Unfair? Does this man realise what he is saying?

I sigh and push him back.

"Ugh?!"

He stumbles and falls back. "How dare you-"

"That's right. Just keep hurling insults at me in the eyes. That mournful behaviour does not suit you. Besides, you are more talented than me. Don't doubt your noble bloodline."

!

Gary did not expect my remarks.

"It's just...effort and method. That's all,"

I turn my back and walk away.

"T-Then!" He shouts.

?

I look back.

"How...can I grow stronger?"

!

...

"Why is a noble asking a mere commoner for teaching?" I ask.

"S-Shut it!" Gary is visibly trembling.

Oh? He is throwing his pride away. This is a first.

"Don't ask me," I say and continue walking.

"What?! You! Wait! C-Come back!"

I gaze back. Gary stops abruptly.

"I have no reason to help you," I say.

Gary furrows his brow but says nothing.