Episode: 2 - Where I Transferred to

Currently, I'm diligently working on improving my living conditions. As for meals, I've been able to catch fish by setting up cylindrical traps. When I sink them in the sea, sometimes crabs get caught too, which adds a nice change in taste. The key is to put the fish scraps as bait in the traps.

I made six traps using vines and thin branches, and I've sunk three of them in the sea and three in the river. So far, it's easier than fishing. Actually, fishing is quite challenging for me and takes a lot of time.

I often catch fish that resemble trout in both the sea and the river. I don't know what the crabs are called, but I panicked when I realized both crabs and fish can be poisonous after eating them.

The next day, I was fine without any numbness or stomach troubles, so I'm eating whatever I can without worrying about it. On the other hand, I'm afraid to touch anything else.

It would be great if I had knowledge about what is safe and what is dangerous in terms of water and food. If I had that, maybe I could have more options for what to eat.

There are many mushrooms growing, but I have no idea whether they are poisonous or not.

Crabs and fish don't seem to be cautious in places where humans don't go, or maybe their population is just abundant. It's a bit ambiguous whether it's a good thing or not that they inhabit places where humans don't go.

Now that I have secured water and food, I feel a little better. Whenever I have free time, I work on improving my sleeping area. The hastily made, cramped, hole-ridden and uneven sleeping area is gradually being widened and filled in.

For example, I raised the bottom of the floor. Since water seeped in on rainy days, I dug trenches around it, but depending on the wind direction and the amount of rain, water would seep through, so I piled up soil to make it higher.

Not only did I raise the floor, but I also brought flat, large stones and created hollow spaces underneath, allowing the warm smoke from the fire to pass through.

Under the leveled mud, there are stones laid down, and the hot air passes through the stones, warming them up. It's a bit cold, so I'm doing my best. If it gets too hot, I can either seal the hole or change the location of the fire.

I added another layer of stones and mud to the outside of the wall made by stacking wood. During the day, I think it's mostly inhabited by boars, rabbits, and foxes, but at night, the presence of animals becomes more pronounced. I'm not sure what is where, so I make the sleeping area sturdy to prevent any gaps.

As for the roof and part of the walls, I used plastic bags that were supposed to be used for trash at the fireworks festival. When everything was made of wood and leaves, it became too dark with only the light from the fire, so I used them as makeshift windows.

I also started with makeshift pots made from tree bark, but now I've made pottery by firing clay. I also found a flat stone that works well as a kind of griddle for cooking crabs.

The good thing about fishing with traps is that it frees up time for other things. On the other hand, I don't feel like I can handle or process land animals that I catch, so I haven't tried.

Snow fell on the upper part of the mountain.

To prepare for winter, I'm making dried fish and seaweed just in case. But I'm not so confident about it. As it gets colder, it becomes more difficult to catch fish. The once powerful sunlight,

even though it's cool, is weakening.

I've been sprinkling seawater on seaweed and letting it dry—or rather, leaving it alone—and repeating the process, so I also made something like seaweed salt. Well, seafood already has its own saltiness, so I don't use it much. I got used to a lighter taste before the salt was ready.

I also made a covered stand to dry firewood, so I feel fulfilled and give myself some praise. It's inconvenient not to have spare clothes, but I sometimes take baths by digging a hole in the riverbank, channeling water into it, and throwing in heated stones. When I throw in the heated stones, I have to be careful because they can explode and send fragments flying, which is dangerous, but I want to take a bath.

If I'm not doing something, I start thinking about unnecessary things, so I keep myself occupied with immediate tasks. But I wonder how long I can keep going?

The day when snow falls here is approaching.

"Kyaa! I'm sorry!" Suddenly, a ball of light about the size of a volleyball appeared, accompanied by a high-pitched voice.

I was frozen in place by this sudden and surreal phenomenon.

"I'm so sorry, I didn't realize I dragged you into this!" The ball of light moved around in a busy manner.

"What... is this?" Taking advantage of the fact that there were no other people around, I yelled and barked loudly, but my voice came out hoarse when I tried to speak.

"I accidentally involved you in the hero summoning! This isn't the world you're familiar with."

"Send me back!"

Without fully comprehending the situation, I reflexively responded. I've been wanting to go back for so long, it can't be helped, right?

"I-I'm sorry! I can't do that. In the first place, the person from that world who was about to die... uh, no, noooo! That world has its own lifespan!"

Me, who had reached my limit with the previous harshness, and the panicked ball of light. The conversation wasn't progressing at all, so I forcefully suppressed my overflowing emotions and listened to what it had to say.

This noisy ball of light used to be a deity known as a spirit. After performing the hero summoning, it lost a large part of its power and its spiritual rank dropped, resulting in its current form. It seems that it was even uncertain of its existence immediately after the summoning, but it is gradually returning to normal.

Although it's referred to as a hero, it seems that any living being will do. The purpose of the summoning is to momentarily connect the world over there with this world.

In that world, the power of one of the deities from this world is poured in, preventing extreme materialization and destruction. On the other hand, this world avoids collapse due to extreme spiritualization by obtaining living beings from that world.

They expand the narrow path for something—material and something spiritual—to pass through.

I don't really understand this materialization and spiritualization stuff, but by connecting and exchanging both worlds for a short time, both worlds stabilize.

And rather than summoning small creatures, it's clearly the desire of the gods to specifically choose a human near the end of their life.

The lifespan of this world is granted, and in return for the remaining lifespan of the world over there, skills, abilities, and tools called "Skills" can be created. Each time they are used, the power of the god who created them increases.

Creating a path with the world over there, the god pours in power and creates Skills, bestowing blessings or protection.

In this world, gods refer to the stronger spirits as "gods." The criteria are vague, such as being able to influence the weather over an area the size of at least one country.

Creating a path is a difficult task with associated risks, and if done poorly, one's existence can disappear. It requires delicate adjustments, making it impossible for everyone to cooperate.

And there are benefits if they succeed.

However, a power gap that is too large is not welcomed, and the conditions for summoning heroes here are restricted. Only up to three people, humans who are about to die.

It matches the number of my older sister and her friends. Was I supposed to die too? No, earlier this being said I have a lifespan. Besides, there are three heroes.

"If you think the human realm is noisy..."

A man with black hair appeared.

"Va-Van. Let's keep this a secret."

"You're late."

A robed old man.

A child with features as perfect as a doll.

A more beautiful man than a woman with a cold impression.

An old woman with a large nose wearing a shawl that covers her eyes.

A fluffy and cute little girl with a gentle impression.

A gorgeous blonde beauty.

And a blind puppy.

One after another, they appear.

I have been alone all along, so I'm a bit stunned by the sudden increase in numbers. Should I be happy? Should I be surprised by the fact that they don't seem to be human at all? Should I be angry about being involved in this? Various emotions and thoughts whirl around, and I can't do anything.

"Let's deal with this later and listen to this person's wish."

"Wait, it was an accident!"

The glowing sphere seems to be in a hurry, responding to the words of the robed old man. Will it be disposed of?

"…!"

A small whimpering sound, as if appealing to the others.

"That's right! Rish made a mistake, and the power of this thing remained in the road, so the range expanded more than planned! It's not my fault!"

No, it's your fault.

She may be desperate, but I can't seem to like this glowing sphere.

"Leave it for later."

The man with a cold impression cuts off the conversation.

"Well then, traveler from another world. Who will you choose?"

"Me...?"

I'm confused when the old woman asks.

"Since you cannot return, you will choose a guardian deity in this world. Normally, the one who summoned you would give you power and protect you. I'm Van, with the power and attribute of fire, destruction, and regeneration."

The first strong-looking man introduces himself.

"I am Lurdir, with the earth, silence, and magic."

A handsome man with long white hair.

"I am Kadar, with green, magic, and the governance of order."

An old man with a long, well-groomed beard.

"I am Ish, with water and healing."

A child with an expressionless face like porcelain.

"I am Paru, with the earth and abundance."

A plump middle-aged woman.

"I am Misuto, with light, wind, and also love and caprice."

A fluffy and cute little girl.

"I am Hararufa, with light, love, and beauty. -Rish has lost most of its power now, not ice and darkness. It probably has no power to offer you anything."

The beautiful woman says as she looks at the puppy.

"It's about to disappear, huh? You were so confident before!"

The glowing sphere falls silent.

"The powers... are overlapping?"

The feeling of being choked in my throat has faded. Speaking and yelling are indeed different.

"Many things are born and disappear. We are just the ones who came here, but there are other powerful beings as well."

"It's rare for someone to gain power until they are called gods by humans."

Kadar and Misuto inform me.

"Who will you choose?"

Van asks again.

"Everyone...?"

"Considering the length of their lifespans, even if you receive power from everyone, it will be more than enough, but it will weaken each other. If you have a close relationship and are willing to share, it's a different story, but honestly, we don't usually meet each other. It won't be beneficial to you."

"It's also not good if one person becomes too strong... What kind of wish can you grant?"

I switch to polite speech midway.

It's not for my sake, but I'm happy to be able to talk to someone and I'm happy that they came. I have unconditional goodwill towards everyone, regardless of good or evil. However, the glowing sphere that caused all this is an exception.

It's a complete suspension bridge effect. I was starting to lean towards being skeptical of humanity and thinking of living alone in the mountains, but that was under the condition that the lifeline was in place, and it was assuming that there would be people around when I left.

The situation on this island is impossible, indeed!