Chapter 2: The World One Hundred Years Ago

◆

Looking down, I felt relief at the sight of solid ground beneath my feet. Looking up, the sunlight was dazzling. It seems the world hasn’t been destroyed yet.

“Hey, a dungeon returner has appeared!”

“Someone cleared this dungeon!”

I turned toward the voices. There, a group of villager-like people were staring at me.

What did they mean by calling me a dungeon returner?

“Oh!”

I noticed I was standing on a pedestal meant for those who had conquered the dungeon. In my right hand, I held the <Blazing Sword>, the clear reward for the [Katarov Dungeon].

It seems I was transported here right after stepping into the dungeon’s teleportation circle.

But Ageha wasn’t by my side. It looks like I was the only one who made it out of the dungeon.

That realization brought a strange sense of loss.

“Hey, what’s your name?”

One of the villagers suddenly spoke to me.

“Huh?”

I was taken aback by the question about my name.

There shouldn’t be a single villager in Katarov Village who doesn’t know me. My cursed silver hair has made me a target of discrimination all my life.

“It’s Kiska.”

“Kiska, huh? Man, what an incredible adventurer!”

The villager said, casually slapping my shoulder. His expression was friendly, not at all like how people treat an Arcs, the target of discrimination.

Then, I recalled the Observer’s words: “Go back to one hundred years ago.”

“Could I really have been sent a hundred years into the past?”

“Hey, did you say something?”

If I’ve truly been sent to a world a hundred years ago, that means I hold the fate of this world in my hands. But even if I’m told to save the world, I have no idea what I’m supposed to do.

Alright, let’s set a more immediate goal.

“No, it’s nothing. Could you guide me to the Adventurer’s Guild?”

“Sure thing, no problem!”

“First, let’s go meet Ageha.”

If this is a hundred years ago, she shouldn’t be sealed yet.

To do that, I’ll head to the Adventurer’s Guild to gather information.

“Well, here’s the Adventurer’s Guild. See ya, hero!”

The villager who guided me to the guild said, waving as he left.

“Thanks for showing me the way.”

Calling me a hero is a bit much. I gave a wry smile but thanked him.

The Adventurer’s Guild was in the same location as it was a hundred years later. Though, the building’s appearance was different.

For now, I entered and approached the receptionist at the counter.

“What’s your business?”

“I have something I’d like to discuss.”

I came here hoping the guild’s receptionist might know something about Ageha.

“A consultation, I see. Understood. But first, may I see your adventurer card?”

An adventurer card, huh? I’ve heard every adventurer has one, but since I’ve barely operated as an adventurer, I don’t have one.

“I don’t have one.”

“So, you’re someone looking to start as an adventurer?”

“Well, something like that.”

“In that case, let’s create an adventurer card for you. Please fill out the necessary details here.”

The receptionist handed me a form.

I began filling out the required information. First, my name. Then, my class. I suppose I’d be a swordsman. Next, it asked for my rank.

“Um, how do I check my rank?”

“You can check it on your status screen. It’s displayed below your name. If nothing’s listed, you’re a Novice. Though, in rare cases, some beginners start at Bronze.”

Was that on my status screen? I pulled it up to check.

<Kiska>

Rank: Platinum

It’s true.

It says Platinum. I’m sure it didn’t say that before.

“It looks like Platinum.”

“What?! Platinum is impossible! Most beginners are Novice, or at best Iron!”

“Well, that’s what it says…”

It really does say Platinum.

“If you’re serious, show me your status screen!”

“Sure, I guess.”

I adjusted my status screen to show only my name and rank, then showed it to the receptionist.

“It… it really says Platinum…”

She muttered, looking as if she’d seen something unbelievable.

“Is being a beginner with Platinum rank that rare?”

“Rare doesn’t even begin to cover it! Excuse me, but are you really a beginner adventurer…?”

Well, I am a beginner as an adventurer, but I do have some experience.

“I’ve cleared the [Katarov Dungeon].”

“What?! You cleared the unconquered [Katarov Dungeon]? That explains the Platinum rank.”

It wasn’t like I cleared the dungeon on my own, so I don’t think it’s that impressive.

“What’s so great about Platinum, anyway?”

“What?! You don’t know?! Listen, ranks are…”

Overwhelmed by the receptionist’s enthusiastic explanation, I listened closely.

Apparently, adventurer ranks have eight tiers, from lowest to highest: Novice, Iron, Bronze, Silver, Gold, Platinum, Diamond, and Master.

Platinum is the third-highest rank.

“Novice refers to those without combat ability, so most of humanity is Novice. If you can defeat even a single monster, you’re promoted to Iron. Generally, you’re not considered an adventurer unless you’re at least Iron.”

I see. Before I was exiled to the depths of the dungeon, I was a farmer with no combat ability. My status screen was blank back then, so I must’ve been a Novice.

“Platinum rank means you’re in roughly the top 0.1% or higher. That’s based on the population from Iron to Master, excluding Novices. So, Platinum is incredibly impressive. You’re the first Platinum-rank adventurer I’ve ever met!”

Hearing it explained like that, it does sound pretty amazing.

“But there are still Diamond and Master ranks above it, right?”

Platinum’s only the third-highest rank. When you put it that way, it doesn’t seem like a big deal.

“No, no! Diamond is a rank only the top 0.01% can achieve—it’s the strongest rank. And Master is a legendary rank, reserved for the top ten individuals. Ordinary people can’t reach it.”

I see. That makes Platinum sound pretty impressive after all.

“Anyway, Platinum is insanely amazing! Got it?”

“Well, kinda.”

Honestly, even with all that, I don’t feel particularly strong.

“So, about that consultation…”

Having finished making my adventurer card, I spoke to the receptionist.

“Yes, what’s it about?”

“I’m looking for an adventurer named Ageha. Do you know anything about her?”

The whole reason I came to the Adventurer’s Guild was to find out about Ageha’s whereabouts.

“I’m sorry, I’ve never heard of her.”

Hmm. A hundred years later, the vampire Judith called Ageha the hero who defeated the Demon King, so I thought she’d be somewhat famous. Guess I was wrong.

“Well, do you know anything about the hero?”

Even if she doesn’t know about Ageha, she might know something about the hero.

“Are you perhaps hoping to join the war, Kiska-san? Having a Platinum-rank adventurer join would be incredibly reassuring, but…”

“War? What’s that about?”

“Um, it’s the war between the Hero’s Army and the Demon King’s Army in the western Arianne region.”

Oh, right, I’ve heard of that.

A hundred years ago, a massive war broke out between the Hero’s Army and the Demon King’s Army. I believe the Hero’s Army won a decisive victory, and the Demon King was forced to retreat. That war was called the “Battle of Arianne” after the region where it took place.

So that war is happening right now?

“How do I join that war?”

Since Ageha, as a hero, is likely participating in this war, joining it would be the quickest way to find her.

“Well, I believe they’re recruiting soldiers…”

The receptionist flipped through some documents to confirm.

It looked like it’d take a while, so I waited. Then—

Bang! The loud sound of a door swinging open echoed, followed by a voice.

“I heard there’s an adventurer here who cleared the [Katarov Dungeon]! Step forward!”

Turning around, I saw a female knight in armor standing there.

An adventurer who cleared the [Katarov Dungeon]? …That’s me.

“I know you’re here. Come forward honestly!”

Overwhelmed by the knight’s intense expression, I hesitated. Getting involved in something troublesome just for stepping forward didn’t sound appealing.

Maybe I should just stay out of it.

“Hey, the adventurer who cleared the [Katarov Dungeon] is this guy!”

The villager who guided me to the guild pointed at me.

“So it’s you. Why didn’t you step forward immediately?”

The female knight stood before me, glaring fiercely.

“Uh, I was in a hurry…”

I kicked myself for not coming up with a better excuse, but it was all I could think of.

“Fine. We’re in a critical situation. Come with me.”

With an uncompromising attitude, the knight grabbed my arm and pulled hard. I tried to resist, but she was too strong! I couldn’t fight back at all.

In the end, I was dragged out of the Adventurer’s Guild.

◆

I was taken to the entrance of the [Katarov Dungeon].

There, a group of four men and women stood. They varied in age, height, and appearance, but they had one thing in common.

Without exception, they all carried powerful-looking weapons. That must mean they’re adventurers.

“I’ve brought the adventurer who cleared the [Katarov Dungeon],” the female knight said, pushing me in front of the group.

“Hmm, this guy? He doesn’t look that strong,” one of them remarked.

“But having someone familiar with the dungeon is reassuring. Hey, what’s your name?” asked a tall, handsome man with kind eyes.

“It’s Kiska.”

“Kiska, huh? We have a request we absolutely need your help with.”

“Uh, what’s the request?”

I’ve got my own stuff to take care of, so I don’t really have time for their requests.

“Wait! Are we really going to tell our situation to a man we don’t even know if we can trust?” interrupted the female knight who dragged me here.

“Kanaria, calm down. If we want his cooperation, we need to earn his trust first,” the tall man replied.

“My apologies for overstepping,” the knight said, bowing and stepping back.

From their exchange, it seemed this man was the leader of the group.

“Alright, Kiska. What I’m about to tell you is strictly confidential.”

“Got it.”

Confidential, huh? Just how important is this?

“We’ve been tracking someone and ended up here. We know that person fled into the [Katarov Dungeon]. That’s why we were looking for someone like you, who knows the dungeon inside and out.”

I see. When it comes to the layout of the [Katarov Dungeon], I’m probably more knowledgeable than anyone.

“What kind of person is this ‘someone’?”

To go so far as to flee into a dungeon, they must be pretty confident in their skills, I thought as I asked.

An ordinary person would just get killed by monsters in a dungeon. To willingly enter such a dangerous place, even to escape, is something else. I waited for the answer.

Then, the tall man said calmly:

“The Demon King.”

“What—?”

The shocking word left me speechless.

“Uh, who are you people?”

I asked nervously. People chasing the Demon King all the way here—I had a hunch about who they might be.

“Would it make sense if I said we’re the hero and his companions?”

It seems I’ve gotten myself wrapped up in something incredibly troublesome.

◆

The man introduced himself as the Hero Eligion.

I knew the name. A hundred years later, he’s known as the hero who defeated the Demon King.

And now, he was standing right in front of me.

From what they told me, in the “Battle of Arianne,” a massive war between the Hero’s Army and the Demon King’s Army in the Arianne region, the Hero’s Army achieved a dramatic victory.

However, they failed to defeat the Demon King himself. The Demon King fled into the depths of the [Katarov Dungeon] to hide, but none of their allies knew the dungeon’s internal structure.

After all, the [Katarov Dungeon] is an S-rank dungeon, considered unconquered until now.

They were at a loss when they heard a rumor about an adventurer who had cleared the [Katarov Dungeon]. After searching, they found me.

“So, Kiska, can we count on you to guide us?” the hero Eligion asked, extending his hand.

“Can I ask one thing first?”

“Of course, ask anything you like.”

“Do you know anyone named Ageha?”

“No, doesn’t ring a bell. A friend of yours?”

Eligion answered immediately. He glanced at his companions to see if they knew anything, but no one responded.

“Well, I’m actually looking for someone.”

“Sorry we couldn’t help with that.”

“It’s fine if you don’t know.”

“So, I hate to rush you, but will you help us? I promise we’ll pay you appropriately.”

What should I do?

Should I help or refuse? My goal is to find Ageha and help her.

As I pondered, I recalled the vampire Judith’s words.

The Demon King was defeated by the hero Ageha. That means if I stick close to the Demon King, I’m likely to run into Ageha eventually.

“Alright, I’ll help.”

Since they’re chasing the Demon King, working with them will definitely get me closer to him.

Hoping this would lead me to Ageha, I decided to cooperate.

After that, we did brief introductions.

Since we’d be diving into a high-difficulty dungeon together, it made sense to know a bit about each other.

“I’m Kiska. My class is swordsman. I have the <Taunt> skill, so I can draw enemy attention.”

“Nice. You could probably act as a dodge tank,” Eligion said.

A dodge tank, if I recall, is someone who draws enemy attacks while evading them.

I’ve never done it, but I should be able to manage.

“What’s your rank?” the female knight asked.

“Platinum.”

“Platinum, huh? Then you won’t drag us down.”

I breathed a sigh of relief at her words. Thanks to my Platinum rank, I avoided being underestimated.

“Alright, I’ll introduce myself next,” said the hero Eligion.

First, the party’s main force and humanity’s hope, the hero Eligion.

Full name: Eligion Rastarna. He’s the first prince of the Rastarna Kingdom.

Come to think of it, I’d heard Eligion was a prince. According to history, he later becomes king. Being in the presence of such a high-ranking person makes me a bit nervous.

By the way, the Rastarna Kingdom is a major nation that includes Katarov Village in its territory.

His class is, naturally, hero. He fights with a holy sword.

His rank is the highest, Master, and he’s seventh in the hierarchy.

Next to introduce herself was the female knight who dragged me from the Adventurer’s Guild.

Her full name is Kanaria Glysis.

Her class is paladin, skilled in swordsmanship and healing magic.

She also serves as a royal guard for the king.

Her rank is Diamond.

Next was a dwarf named Gorgano.

His weapon of choice is an axe. His class is warrior.

“Hey, nice to meet ya!” Gorgano said, slapping my shoulder. He seemed friendly.

His rank is Diamond.

Next was a tall man in a creepy robe, his face hard to make out due to a deep hood.

“Nok. Nice to meet you,” he said in a flat tone.

“He’s always like this, so don’t mind him!” Gorgano chimed in, covering for him. Maybe he’s just shy.

His class is assassin. I thought he was a mage because of the robe, but apparently not.

He didn’t share his rank.

And then, one more.

“Listen up, Nyau gets treated like a kid a lot because of how I look, but I’m way older than you! So don’t you dare treat me like a child!” said a girl who looked unmistakably young, starting her introduction. For some reason, she seemed angry.

“Hey, kiddo, we’re having an important talk here, so could you go over there? Oh, did you get separated from your mom?” I asked, wondering why a young girl was in a place like this. If she’s lost, we need to find her mother quickly.

“Waaah! This guy’s treating Nyau like a kid!” she cried, clinging to Eligion. Hey, don’t trouble the hero like that!

“She may look young, but she’s an elf older than all of us. So, please don’t tease her too much,” Eligion explained.

An elf, huh? I hadn’t noticed because of her hair, but looking closely, her ears were pointed.

I’d heard elves are long-lived and don’t age.

“Sorry, I didn’t know you were an elf.”

I apologized, just to be safe.

“See, he’s saying sorry. Forgive him,” Eligion said.

“If you treat me like a kid again, I won’t forgive you!” the girl said, still teary-eyed. Honestly, it’s hard to believe she’s older than me…

She’s an elf named Nyau.

She carried a staff taller than herself. Her class is sage, a rare class considered an advanced version of a mage.

Despite her appearance, her rank is Diamond.

And that wrapped up everyone’s introductions.

Hero Eligion.

Paladin Kanaria.

Dwarf warrior Gorgano.

Mysterious robed assassin Nok.

Elf sage Nyau.

And me, Kiska.

With this group, we’d be diving into the [Katarov Dungeon].

This would be my second time conquering the dungeon.

◆

“Hey, Kiska-kun. Are you going into the dungeon dressed like that?”

As we headed toward the entrance of the [Katarov Dungeon], Hero Eligion pointed at me and said that.

My outfit? Is there something wrong with how I’m dressed?

“It looks like plain villager clothes, doesn’t it?” he added.

He was right. But as someone exiled to the dungeon depths as a prisoner, I didn’t exactly have spare clothes lying around.

“Is that a problem?” I asked.

“Of course it is! We’re a hero’s party. What kind of hero’s party has someone dressed so shabbily?” Paladin Kanaria barked.

I see. So a hero’s party has to care about appearances too.

That said, I had a bit of a problem.

“Well, I’d love to change, but I don’t have any money…”

“…”

A brief silence followed. They were probably stunned by my unexpected answer.

I could probably get a decent amount of money by selling the <Blazing Sword>, the dungeon’s clear reward, but I didn’t want to part with a weapon I’d just earned.

“No choice then. Here, I’ll lend you some money. Go buy something now!” Kanaria said, handing me a not-so-small sum of money. Seriously? I can’t believe she’s lending me this much.

“Make sure you return the change,” she added.

“I know, I know…”

So, I hurriedly bought some adventurer’s clothes and changed on the spot. I was in such a rush not to keep the others waiting that I picked the simplest outfit, but it should at least make me presentable as part of a hero’s party.

“Alright, everyone’s ready,” Eligion said as I returned.

With that, Hero Eligion and his party headed toward the entrance of the [Katarov Dungeon].

“Oh, before we enter, there’s something I need to tell you,” I said, stopping as I remembered something.

“What is it?” Paladin Kanaria asked, fixing me with a sharp gaze.

I haven’t done anything wrong, so why is she glaring at me like that?

“Well, the [Katarov Dungeon] actually has two entrances. One is the main entrance in front of us, and the other is a teleportation circle that sends you to the dungeon’s depths…”

Truthfully, the vampire Judith had told me about a third teleportation circle that allowed free travel between the dungeon’s interior and exterior, but it was already destroyed by the time she mentioned it, so I never learned its location.

It’s possible that in this era, that teleportation circle hasn’t been destroyed yet, but there’s no need to confuse them with extra information.

“When I cleared this dungeon, I used the teleportation circle to enter, so I’m confident about the layout of the deeper levels. But I’m completely unfamiliar with the dungeon’s upper levels near the main entrance. So, guiding you through the upper levels would be difficult for me.”

I was hired as a guide because I’m supposed to know the [Katarov Dungeon] well.

But as someone falsely accused and sent to the dungeon’s depths via the teleportation circle, I had no way of knowing what the main entrance led to.

“What do you mean you can’t guide us?! What’s the point of hiring you then?!” Kanaria shouted.

She’s right—being unable to guide them makes me a failure as a guide. I shouldn’t have agreed so easily.

“Kanaria, calm down,” Eligion interjected.

“My apologies, Your Highness,” Kanaria said, backing off as she was reprimanded.

“Thanks for the information, Kiska-kun,” Eligion said.

“N-no, it’s not a big deal…” I replied.

Not only did Eligion not scowl, but he even thanked me. This guy’s got a big heart and good looks—probably why he was chosen as the hero.

“First, we need to figure out which route the Demon King took to enter the dungeon,” Eligion said, resting his chin in his hand.

“Kanaria, there weren’t any reports of the Demon King using the main entrance, right?” he asked.

Kanaria and Eligion began discussing.

“Yes, we gathered information from the villagers, but there were no such reports,” Kanaria replied.

“Then doesn’t that mean we should assume the Demon King used the teleportation circle to enter the dungeon?” Eligion suggested.

“That’s certainly a strong possibility,” Kanaria agreed.

“Alright, let’s use the teleportation circle to enter the dungeon. Kiska-kun, can you guide us to its location?”

It seems they decided to use the teleportation circle.

“If we use the teleportation circle, we won’t be able to leave the dungeon easily. Is that okay?”

“No worries. We may not look it, but we’re pretty strong,” Eligion said.

Fair enough. I was worrying too much. They’re a hero and his party—probably stronger than any adventurer out there.

“Then I’ll guide you,” I said.

With a nod, I led them to the teleportation circle’s location.

“So this teleportation circle will take us to the dungeon’s depths, right?” Eligion asked.

“Yes, exactly.”

“Alright, let’s all step into the teleportation circle together.”

At Eligion’s command, all six of us stepped into the circle at once. Instantly, a dazzling light enveloped us.

In the next moment, we vanished from the spot.

◆

“It looks like we made it inside the dungeon safely,” I muttered, observing my surroundings.

The dungeon’s distinctive walls came into view. It seems we were successfully transported to somewhere in the depths of the [Katarov Dungeon].

“Huh?”

There was a reason for my surprise.

We’d all stepped into the teleportation circle together, but there was no one around me.

It looks like I ended up alone.

◆

What happens when multiple people step into a teleportation circle?

I’d assumed that if multiple people used it, we’d all be sent to the same place.

The fact that even the experienced hero’s party didn’t consider the possibility of being scattered suggests that normally, stepping into a teleportation circle together sends everyone to the same location.

“This is bad…”

Being alone was unexpected.

What should I do now?

“Grrr!”

A growl echoed. Ahead, a drooling Bugbear stood.

“Right.”

Even if something unexpected happened, what I need to do hasn’t changed.

“Defeat the enemy in front of me and get out of here alive.”

Yes, that hasn’t changed at all.

Right now, I have level 3 <Swordsmanship>, level 3 <Taunt>, and the <Blazing Sword>.

With these, a Bugbear should be no problem.

“The issue is I don’t know where I am,” I muttered after defeating my third Bugbear.

When I first entered the [Katarov Dungeon], I fell through a trapdoor into a room swarming with Bugbears. Following that path led me to the dungeon’s deeper levels, but this time, the place I was sent to feels completely different. Everywhere I look, the scenery is unfamiliar.

“A fork in the road.”

As I walked, I reached a spot where the path split left and right.

Should I go right or left?

“Well, guess I’ll just go with my gut.”

So, I chose right. There’s no way to know which is correct, so I might as well pick one.

And so, I kept walking.

Along the way, I encountered a few more monsters, and then—

“Oh!”

I fell into a trapdoor. A familiar sight.

Below me were countless spears. Thanks to moving cautiously, I managed to twist my body mid-air and avoid them.

As I stood up, a hidden passage appeared in my line of sight.

“If I recall, this hidden passage leads to a room where you can get a skill.”

Right, a room where you can gain a skill but get attacked by a ton of Bugbears. Last time, I died nearly five hundred times before I finally made it through.

Feeling a bit nostalgic, I pressed forward.

“This is the room.”

In the center of the room was a treasure chest.

Opening it, a gem-like item appeared along with a message.

<Crystal of Wisdom> acquired. 

The effect will activate automatically.

If I remember, after a few seconds, the message should change. Sure enough, it did.

Please select one skill from the following:

S-Rank 

<Item Box> <Enhanced Recovery> <Enhanced Mana Recovery> <Chant Shortening> <Acceleration> <Stealth>

A-Rank 

<Healing Magic> <Barrier Magic> <Fire Magic> <Water Magic> <Wind Magic> <Earth Magic> <Alchemy> <Summoning Magic> <Memory Enhancement>

B-Rank 

<Swordsmanship> <Archery> <Axe Mastery> <Spear Mastery> <Shield Mastery> <Martial Arts> <Status Concealment>

C-Rank 

<Physical Enhancement> <Presence Detection> <Mana Generation> <Fire Resistance> <Water Resistance> <Wind Resistance> <Earth Resistance> <Poison Resistance> <Paralysis Resistance> <Curse Resistance>

D-Rank 

<Appraisal> <Taunt> <Strength Enhancement> <Endurance Enhancement> <Agility Boost> <Stamina Enhancement> <Vision Enhancement> <Hearing Enhancement>

Hmm, I thought maybe I wouldn’t get a skill the second time around, but it looks like I can still acquire one. In that case, I’ll take it.

“What should I pick…?”

An S-rank skill would be best, right?

Last time, I used <Taunt> to clear this room, but back then, I had no other skills and no weapon—a desperate situation. Compared to that, I’m in a much better spot now.

So, any skill should be fine, but…

“Alright, I’ll go with <Acceleration>.”

It seems like the one that’ll boost my combat ability the most.

Skill <Acceleration> acquired.

Right after the message appeared, the door moved, sealing me in.

“GRAAHHHHH!!!”

With a magic circle, ten Bugbears appeared from thin air, roaring.

Ten of them. All as expected. Nothing surprising here.

“Guess the second time around makes everything easier.”

A few minutes later, the floor was littered with the corpses of the slain Bugbears. The battle was almost too easy. With <Acceleration>, the Bugbears were barely a threat.

It was so easy, it was almost boring.

◆

I escaped the room where ten Bugbears appeared.

Since I know the dungeon’s layout from here on out, I should be able to proceed without getting lost. So, I moved toward my destination steadily.

That’s when I heard the sound of combat from a distance. It seemed someone was fighting a monster.

Curious, I hurried toward the sound.

“Hey, Kiska-kun!” a voice called out.

“Oh, hey.”

It was Hero Eligion, who had just finished fighting a monster.

“I didn’t expect to get separated from everyone. I’m glad I ran into you,” he said.

It seems he got separated from the rest of the party too.

“So, what’s the plan now?” I asked.

“Well, I’m worried about the others, but finding the Demon King comes first. Can you guide me?”

“No problem.”

Guiding him through the dungeon is fine by me. But the dungeon is vast and complex. Since we have no idea where the Demon King is hiding, where should we even start looking?

“Well, this floor has three teleportation circles, each leading to a different place. If we knew which one would get us to the Demon King fastest, that’d be great, but searching them all randomly would take a lot of time…”

“I see,” Eligion said, placing a hand on his chin as he thought.

“Well, we’ll just have to explore the dungeon at our own pace,” he said with a carefree expression.

“Uh, is it okay to take our time? What if the Demon King escapes the dungeon while we’re searching?”

“No need to worry about that,” Eligion said confidently.

I had no idea why he was so sure.

“Do you know what a hero is, Kiska-kun?”

“…No, I don’t.”

I’d never even thought about what a hero is.

“Listen closely. A hero is someone who defeats the Demon King.”

“Okay…”

“Listen well. No matter how powerful the Demon King is, no matter how impossible it seems to win, a hero will eventually defeat the Demon King. There’s no logic to it. It’s simply fate. So, as a hero, I’m destined to face the Demon King in this dungeon.”

It wasn’t just overconfidence. Eligion’s words felt almost like blind faith. How could he be so certain a hero would always defeat the Demon King?

“But what if the hero loses to the Demon King?”

“That’s an impossible hypothetical. But if, by some chance, the Demon King wins, the world will be destroyed.”

The words “world will be destroyed” sent a chill down my spine.

I came from a hundred years in the future to save Ageha, and in doing so, to save the world.

“Is that because the Demon King’s goal is to destroy the world?”

“Exactly,” Eligion replied.

I think I understand what I need to do in this era. If I defeat the Demon King, the world will be saved.

“Oh, and there’s one more reason we don’t need to rush.”

“What’s that?”

“There’s an oracle.”

An oracle—a message from the gods. I’d heard there are facilities that specialize in handling them, where priests occasionally receive divine messages.

“The oracle said, ‘The [Katarov Dungeon] will be the site of the final battle.’”

“I see.”

That explained something I’d been wondering about. How did the hero’s party know the Demon King had fled to this dungeon? An oracle makes sense.

“Anyway, that’s how it is. Please guide us through the dungeon.”

“Got it.”

With that, we continued through the dungeon.

We debated which of the three teleportation circles to use, but I decided to start with the one that, in my original timeline, led to the floor where Ageha was sealed. I chose it because I thought there was a chance I might find her.

“As expected, she’s not here.”

In my original timeline, this was where the sealed Ageha was, but no one was here now.

Where could I find Ageha?

“Not here? What do you mean?” Eligion asked.

“Oh, uh…”

I was struggling to answer his question when it happened.

It appeared out of nowhere.

“You’re awfully quick,” it said in a low, gravelly voice.

Where there had been nothing, it now stood.

“I’m here to settle this,” Eligion said with a smile.

“I don’t like your bravado, Hero,” it replied with a wry grin.

It was massive, like a giant, with an inhuman face, muscular build, reddish-black skin, clad in rugged armor, and holding a greatsword larger than itself.

“Let’s finish this, Demon King Zoga.”

Yes, the being before us was unmistakably the Demon King.

◆

Demon King Zoga.

Regarded as a variant species of the man-eating ogre giant. A greatsword wielder whose power can bisect even dragons with a single stroke.

Rank is Master. Fifth in the sequence.

In the conflict known as the “Battle of Arianne,” he led the Demon King’s army but suffered a devastating defeat. As a result, he fled into the [Katarov Dungeon].

That was the information about the Demon King shared by Hero Eligion.

And just now, the hero and the Demon King had encountered each other.

Hero and Demon King.

This clash between the two has been repeated countless times since ancient days.

Of course, in each era, these two roles are succeeded by others. In my era, a hundred years later, the conflict between this era’s hero and Demon King is called the “Fourth Hero-Demon War.” Yes, wars between heroes and Demon Kings are always termed Hero-Demon Wars, and this is the fourth one.

“Then, here I go.”

Hero Eligion said that as he drew his greatsword.

It wasn’t just any greatsword. The sword wielded by a hero is a legendary blade said to be usable only by heroes.

Clang! The sound of swords clashing rang out. Looking over, the Demon King and the hero were exchanging blows with their swords.

“Huh?”

I was bewildered. Just moments ago, there had been a considerable distance between them. Had they closed the gap in an instant?

“I can’t even track it with my eyes.”

After that, the hero and Demon King continued clashing swords against each other.

But their movements were too fast to follow with the eyes.

I felt foolish for even thinking a short while ago that I could support the hero in some way. Intervening in this battle between the two was impossible.

“Yeah, it seems the wounds from the previous battle have healed. I’m relieved. I was worried about what to do if I couldn’t defeat a Demon King who wasn’t at full strength.”

“You’re a clever one, brat. The reason I lost the previous battle was because I wasn’t serious.”

“Hmm, is that so? Then, shall we end the warm-up soon? I’ll get serious from now on, so keep up.”

“I already know that without you telling me! Damn it!”

Huh? They weren’t serious yet? I couldn’t hide my shock at their conversation.

“Oh, Kiska-kun. It’s dangerous there. If you don’t want to die, get farther away.”

“Y-Yes.”

As instructed, I distanced myself with all my might.

The next instant, a gust of wind pressure knocked me back. The source of the wind pressure was the hero and Demon King’s sword exchanges. Why does just clashing swords produce wind pressure?

The mortal combat between the hero and Demon King continued after that.

◆

Hero Eligion.

First prince of the Rastarna Kingdom.

Born with talents in both civil and military arts, he overwhelmed those around him. Five years ago, Eligion acquired the skill <Hero> that defines a hero.

He has fought through the “Fourth Hero-Demon War” over those five years. And now, he battles to settle things with the Demon King.

Both the hero and Demon King are Master rank.

In terms of sequence, the Demon King is fifth while the hero is seventh. He’s behind in sequence, but that doesn’t change our side’s advantage. Because a hero is an existence that can absolutely defeat a Demon King.

“Take this!”

Shouting that, he swung the <Holy Sword Hagentia>.

Eligion possesses the skill <Brute Force Swordsmanship (Greatsword)>, evolved by synthesizing the skill <Swordsmanship> that improves sword proficiency and <Super Strength> that allows wielding a greatsword one-handed.

Furthermore, heroes have the ultimate skill called <Physical Ability Doubling> that doubles physical capabilities for a set time. The strike unleashed by Hero Eligion, combining these, is overwhelmingly heavy.

“Clever bastard!”

The full-powered blow was deflected by Demon King Zoga’s greatsword with a single swing. But that’s no cause for surprise. If a Demon King couldn’t block this much, it would lack challenge and be boring instead.

“Then how about this?”

For the next strike, the hero sharpened his mind.

“Holy Path Sword Art, Cross Pierce!!”

With that, Hero Eligion unleashed a sword technique.

Weapons known as technique-holders exist in this world. By contracting with them, one can learn techniques unique to that weapon. The <Holy Sword Hagentia> in Hero Eligion’s hand is one such technique-holder weapon.

From Hero Eligion unleashing the technique, a cross-shaped light was emitted. A cruel light that exterminates any life it envelops.

Truly an out-of-the-norm technique.

But the opposing Demon King Zoga was also out-of-the-norm.

“Unorthodox Sword Art: Annihilation”

The technique released from Demon King Zoga’s greatsword, <Evil Sword Nidhek>, intercepted Hero Eligion’s technique. The technique unleashed by Zoga was an abyss of darkness that swallows even light.

Demon King Zoga’s fierce assault didn’t stop.

“Herooo!! Take this!!”

Having warded off Hero Eligion’s attack, Demon King Zoga raised his greatsword, preparing to unleash a killing blow.

“Unorthodox Sword Art, Phantasmal Slash”

Demon King Zoga’s <Evil Sword Nidhek> enveloped in black darkness transformed into a gigantic sword. Due to its immense size, it scraped the dungeon walls as it aimed a finishing strike at Hero Eligion.

In contrast, Hero Eligion’s reaction was delayed, perhaps from the recoil of his earlier technique.

At this rate, the hero would be slain by the Demon King. At least, that’s what Kiska, watching their battle from afar, thought.

“<Save>”

Suddenly, Hero Eligion muttered that.

The voice was far too faint, at least not reaching the ears of the nearby Demon King. But Kiska, seeing the hero’s mouth movements, thought—though not certain—that he had said <Save>.

The next instant, an impossible phenomenon occurred.

“Wha…?”

Kiska was stunned by the unforeseen event.

To describe it succinctly, it was as if Hero Eligion had multiplied into several people.

But Kiska understood that wasn’t simply the case.

“He’s repeating time over and over.”

That was Kiska’s conclusion.

He could reach that conclusion because he possesses the skill <Save & Reset>.

This skill was given to him by Ageha, who called herself a hero.

Then, it wouldn’t be strange if Eligion, also a hero, had it too.

Hero Eligion is repeating time over and over to win against the Demon King. As a result, to Kiska’s eyes, Eligion appears to have split. The splitting appearance must be lingering afterimages from other timelines.

And likely, Demon King Zoga hasn’t noticed the repeated time loops.

After that, until he succeeded, Hero Eligion repeated time countless times.

And after hundreds of repetitions, finally, Hero Eligion deeply pierced Demon King Zoga’s chest with his greatsword.

“Impossible…!”

Those were the Demon King’s final words.

It was clear to anyone’s eyes that the Demon King had been felled by the hero’s hand.

◆

“He defeated him…”

Muttering that as I watched Demon King Zoga collapse amid a spray of blood.

“With this, it seems we’ve safely saved the world,” the hero said with a face full of accomplishment.

“Congratulations.”

“You don’t have to be so formal. Oh, right, I need to thank you, Kiska-kun. Because you guided us this far, I was able to defeat the Demon King.”

“No, it’s all Your Heroic Excellency’s achievement. I didn’t do anything.”

My spun words felt somehow mechanical.

The hero defeated the Demon King.

That’s something joyous.

Yet, why? I can’t shake this discomfort lodged in my throat since earlier.

In the end, I never got to meet Ageha. I thought she’d appear when the Demon King was defeated, but what’s going on?

Still, the fact remains that the Demon King, who was supposed to be the source of the world’s destruction, has been defeated.

So the world should be saved, no doubt.

◆

A while after the hero defeated the Demon King, the hero’s party members gathered one after another.

“Your Highness! I’m deeply sorry for not being by your side at such a crucial moment.”

The first to arrive was Paladin Kanaria.

Then, a few hours later,

“Oh! You were here! Finally found ya!”

“Fwaaah, finally met up! I thought I was gonna die!”

“…”

The dwarf warrior Gorgano, elf sage Nyau, and the hooded man, assassin Nok, arrived together.

Nyau seemed quite exhausted, her steps unsteady since earlier.

From what I heard, they were all scattered at first but managed to regroup while exploring the dungeon.

When I informed them the Demon King was already defeated, they were shocked at first, then praised Hero Eligion.

“Alright, now everyone’s here,” Hero Eligion said.

Honestly, reuniting safely in such a complex [Katarov Dungeon] was nothing short of a miracle.

“Do we need to conquer the dungeon to get out from here?”

Keeping in mind that reaching this depth means we can’t exit without clearing the dungeon, I voiced that.

“No, there’s a better way,” Eligion said, giving a thumbs up.

“Hehe, be grateful to the genius sage Nyau!”

For some reason, sage Nyau puffed out her chest.

“Annoying.”

“Waaah, this guy said something mean while looking at Nyau!?”

Oh, seems I unconsciously blurted a rude remark.

“Hey, don’t cry over that!”

“Gahaha, that’s rich coming from a sage!”

Paladin Kanaria scolded, warrior Gorgano laughed boisterously.

In response, sage Nyau sniffled “Uuu.”

Is this really the genius sage everyone talks about?

“Sorry, Kiska-kun. When her mood sours, it’s troublesome, so if you apologize, it’d help,” Eligion whispered to me apologetically.

“If that’s the case…”

Nodding, I looked at Nyau and apologized.

“Sorry about that.”

“N-next time you mock Nyau, I won’t forgive you.”

“Yeah, I’ll keep it etched in my mind.”

“Well, I’ll forgive you. Nyau is kind, after all!”

Despite her young girl appearance, her somewhat superior tone irritated me, but I held back from speaking this time. Sour her mood again, and it’d be annoying.

“So, what can Nyau-san do?”

“Hehe, prepare to be amazed!”

Saying that, she raised her rod, taller than her height, overhead.

“In Nyau’s name, I command. Order born from chaos. Absence of good and evil. Radiance beyond the earth. The world is not yet fulfilled. Desire lies in gestation. All things turn to dust in time. I command thee. Teleportation magic, first step, <Return Regreso>.”

Instantly, a large magic circle appeared centered on Nyau.

By the time I realized that was a teleportation circle, our group was outside the dungeon.

“Teleportation magic…”

I’ve heard of it. There exists transfer magic in the world that instantly moves to distant locations. But only a handful of mages can accomplish it.

Perhaps this kid Nyau is an even more incredible sage than imagined.

“Hehe, how’s that!? Now you see how amazing sage Nyau is!”

Nyau was smugly triumphant beside me. As expected, the feeling of “amazing” was preceded by the feeling of “annoying.”

For now, perhaps pinch her cheek in petty revenge.

“Fugya! This guy pinched Nyau’s cheek!”

Sage Nyau sought help from those around, but no one paid any attention to sage Nyau. Probably thinking she’s troublesome inside.

“Oh! Hero-sama has slain the Demon KING!”

“That’s the Demon King’s corpse.”

“Woooah! It’s hero-sama!”

Upon exiting the dungeon, villagers noticed the hero and swarmed over as a crowd.

They spotted the Demon King’s corpse lying nearby.

Apparently, the Demon King’s body was also transported outside the dungeon via the circle.

Indeed, with the Demon King’s corpse laid out like that, it was only natural they’d realize we were the hero’s party that defeated him.

And so, we were welcomed by the excited villagers.

◆

“You’re leaving already?”

Afterward, a feast celebrating the Demon King’s defeat began in the village.

While everyone drank and made merry, I was preparing to depart alone when someone spoke to me.

It was Hero Eligion.

“Yes, I have something I must do.”

“I see. I’m grateful to you. So if anything troubles you, come rely on me.”

“No, I couldn’t possibly trouble Hero-sama.”

As someone from farmer origins, I can’t rely on the hero who’s also this country’s prince. So I gently refused.

“I see. I hope whatever you must do succeeds.”

It might be my imagination, but Hero Eligion looked a bit sad.

Anyway, with those as the final words, I departed Katarov Village.

My purpose was singular: to search for Ageha.

 

 

 

◆

To search for Ageha, I left Katarov Village and thought to gather information in a large city.

Somehow scraping together money, I traveled far by carriage.

The royal capital Laana.

As indicated by “capital,” it’s the city where His Majesty the King of Rastarna Kingdom resides. The most prosperous city in Rastarna Kingdom, also a transportation hub with many people coming and going.

So I figured it was ideal for information gathering, but

“The city’s atmosphere is odd.”

I’d never left Katarov Village in my life. So this was my first time in a large city, but even so, I could tell the atmosphere was strange.

Everyone was in high spirits.

Eating and drinking outdoors was commonplace, some playing instruments and dancing. Truly a festival uproar.

“Hey, bro! Grab some grub too!”

Someone called out. A man taller and burlier than me casually slung an arm around my shoulder.

“Thanks.”

Swept along, food was passed to me, then ale poured into a mug. “Cheers!” he said, clinking mugs. It overflowed generously, but no one cared.

“Man, what a joyous occasion!”

Saying that, the man chugged his drink without reservation.

“Um… what’s all this fuss about?”

“What, you don’t know!? Hero-sama finally defeated the Demon King. So we’re celebrating by making merry.”

Ah, I see, that’s it. Indeed, if the Demon King was defeated, a grand celebration makes sense.

Still, with the entire city in this state, information gathering might be difficult.

“I saw it. The battle between the hero and Demon King.”

“What!?”

Everyone around turned to me at once. A good opportunity, maybe cut loose a little.

“Afters all, I served as guide for Hero-sama──”

My expression as I said that must’ve been utterly smug.

Then I recounted the battle like a heroic tale. The more I spoke, the more people gathered around me, everyone cheering as they listened raptly.

When I finished up to the moment the hero defeated the Demon King, everyone roared “Woooah!” and late arrivals begged “ “Tell it from the beginning again!”

Riding the wave, I retold the same story from the start.

In the end, I ended up recounting the hero and Demon King’s battle to audiences multiple times.

The more I told it, the better I grasped what got reactions, so my delivery evolved, incorporating gestures and exaggerating content.

“The Demon King effortlessly blocked the extravagantly named killing technique. The hero’s defeat was sealed! I gave up, all that remained was to pray to the gods. But the hero alone didn’t give up. That conviction birthed a miracle!!”

Declaring that drew cheers and screams from the listeners. A massive crowd surrounded me. Everyone was enthralled by my tale.

Moreover, excited people generously tossed coins my way. Thanks to that, I earned quite a sum.

Ah, this feels unexpectedly good.

“Hey, we got a report of a fool here fabricating rumors about the hero!”

Looking over, armored soldiers were approaching.

“Crap…”

I don’t feel I did anything wrong, but overdoing it draws eyes, that’s the way of the world.

“Um, it’s not like that, this is…”

Talking while desperately wringing out an excuse in my head.

“Hey, isn’t that Kiska?”

Suddenly called by name, I looked up to see a familiar face. The arriving soldier was Paladin Kanaria.

Wait, weren’t you all staying back in Katarov Village? Seems they arrived in the capital before me, who departed first. Well, switching carriages multiple times en route wasted extra time. Should’ve asked Hero Eligion to take me to the capital.

“What are you doing in a place like this?”

“I was engaged in activities to spread Hero-sama’s legend to everyone.”

Yes, this was done for the hero’s sake, essentially a charitable act. So it shouldn’t be something anyone can fault.

“Well, it’s true you witnessed His Highness’s battle. Doesn’t seem like you’re spreading falsehoods.”

“Um, then there’s no issue with continuing the activities?”

“Yes. Spreading the hero’s legend benefits the nation. I’ll approve your activities.”

“Thank you!”

Now my activities are nationally endorsed. From here, I can conduct them on a grander scale──no, wait.

Don’t lose sight of your objective.

My objective is to search for Ageha. This isn’t the time to waste on such things.

“By the way, what is Hero Eligion-sama doing now?”

Casual conversation. Since Kanaria is here in the capital, I figured Hero Eligion had returned similarly.

“Kanaria-san?”

But she averted her eyes from me, gazing into the distance. As if my words weren’t reaching her ears.

“…Dragons.”

And then, she muttered softly.

Dragons…? What is she talking──

“GOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOH!!!!!!”

A earth-shaking roar echoed.

I turned instinctively.

“──Huh?”

I was dumbfounded by the sight before me.

Dragons were there.

Dragons are known as the most vicious monsters among many. Rated S-rank in danger, notoriously difficult to defeat.

That strongest monster, dragons were there.

Not just one in the sky would’ve shocked me less. A single dragon invading a city is rare but not absolutely impossible.

Yes, the dragons that appeared in the sky weren’t just one.

How many were there?

The answer: too many to count. Enough dragons to blanket the sky.

The sky, clear moments ago, darkened like overcast clouds from the swarm blocking the sunlight.

“Hey, what the hell is that!?”

“Dragons are swarming us!”

Panicked voices from the citizens echoed.

Normally, dragons are proud monsters known to dislike grouping. Yet they moved in unison like a formed army.

“Kanaria-san!?”

I instinctively shouted her name.

She’s a paladin and royal guard. Surely she has a way to escape this situation?

“…Huh Huh? She’s gone.”

Looking where Kanaria-san had been moments ago, her figure was no longer there.

“Run for it!”

“Hey, don’t push!”

“Screw you! You’re the one pushing!”

“Mama! Where are you!?”

The streets, festive moments ago, transformed in an instant. Everyone ran to escape the invading dragons. The mad rush to flee sparked shoving matches.

Then, one dragon landed on the ground.

The impact alone shook the earth, collapsing buildings and crushing people.

One after another, dragons landed successively.

Each time, people died.

One dragon spewed black flames, incinerating crowds; another scooped fleeing people with claws and chewed them in its massive jaws.

People were slaughtered brutally everywhere. Screams and agonized wails echoed from all directions.

Some armed themselves to fight back. But those were the first to die.

The city gate was blocked by dragons, crunching people one by one in their jaws.

Ah, another person killed right before my eyes.

The city where people lived turned into a battlefield. No, closer to an execution ground perhaps. People were massacred mercilessly without any resistance.

Crunch crunch crunch crunch crunch crunch crunch crunch crunch crunch crunch crunch crunch crunch crunch crunch crunch, the sounds of people being trampled played like a melody.

Before I knew it, mountains of corpses piled up.

“Ah… ahh.”

Amid it all, all I could do was crouch there. Even if I did something now, it wouldn’t change the situation.

The violence unfolding before my eyes was that overwhelming.

The world is being destroyed.

I came from a hundred years later to change that. I wasn wasn’t fully aware of it, but anyway, the Observer said so and sent me.

Because of that, I never truly grasped what the world’s destruction meant.

But now, I was forced to realize it.

“Is this what I’m supposed to change…?”

How exactly? Can someone like me alone alter this future?

“Impossible.”

This isn’t a problem I can handle. When I reached that conclusion, I heard the sound of my heart shattering.

“This is impossible, dammit…!!”

Shouting that, I ran blindly. Get killed by a dragon anytime now. Hell, just kill me already!

Running and running──I crashed into someone with a thud.

At first, I thought I’d hit a pillar. It was that solid and massive in mass. But looking closely, it had a face, and its mouth was moving.

“Hmm, seems things are progressing smoothly.”

“Ah…?”

What’s going on?

Why is the supposedly dead Demon King Zoga standing before me? Yes, what I thought was a pillar was Demon King Zoga.

“Why are you here…?”

I asked the Demon King that.

“Huh?”

The turning Demon King paid me no heed, swinging down his greatsword like squashing an ant underfoot.

“Ah──”

I instinctively blocked with my arm, but my body was sliced along with it.

Before I knew it, I was dead.

 

 

◆

“Ha!”

The awakened me exhaled.

Where is this?

First, I need to grasp where I am. Looking around, rough walls enclosed me. Inside the [Katarov Dungeon].

Ah, I remember.

Right after stepping into the teleportation circle with the heroes, I ended up alone inside the dungeon.

Seems like I’ve looped back to that point.