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Outside the Village
Author Note :
You’ve made it through the initial gore.
Congratulations!
Once I got out of the forest, I could see an open land. The stars are still twinkling above, but a dim light began to appear on the horizon. That only further fueled my feeling of impatience. www.ihavesinnedtranslation.com
The morning light illuminates the reality. Everything changes in one night. If only the night wouldn’t end. If only I could keep looking away from the incident.
The realization that I couldn’t just ignore it came through the unfamiliar world unfolding before my eyes. I can no longer stay in the village.
Until yesterday evening, I was just a toddler. I had to eat cockroaches in order to survive in the midst of starvation, even so, I still had normal parents. I was part of the village. If only we had managed to overcome this crisis, I would have gone back to living off my parents like before.
Only, I was drugged and almost killed. I awakened a mysterious power and snatched a man’s body. Returning to my house, I killed my father, next I violated my mother, and then killed her. I don’t understand the situation that led to that. It’s ridiculous. www.ihavesinnedtranslation.com
Right now, I am wearing the appearance of this man, Punos. So what did Punos do? He received a child to be killed. The child is still missing. The man then visited the house of the child’s parents. There he had a scuffle with the parents and murdered the father. Next, he violated the mother and murdered her.
They exchanged their child in order to eat, and at least in the village, they will not be persecuted for infanticide. But, then what about if a man visited another family's house on that bloodthirsty night and slaughtered the whole family?
Either way, I still haven’t fully mastered the language of this world. I don’t even have a memory or knowledge of this man. Consequently, it’s going to be impossible for me to live my life by taking over this man’s body.
Then, what about the original body, Fals? It’s the same.
Even though he was supposed to be killed and eaten, how could he still be alive? Isn’t that strange? Punos, who was supposed to have been killed, is missing, and the parents of the children who gave away their child were also killed, yet for some reason, only the child survived? It’s not surprising that the villagers’ eyes are on me.
And in the first place, I would only be chased around by this man’s family if I were to be found alive. And then what? Will I snatch another body and escape?
So, that’s why I’m running right now. I also don’t know the language. I don’t know what might happen outside the village. I have no food or money. Wearing bloody, tattered clothes and the equally bloody machete in hand.
I wonder if there are pursuers from the village? Do they have the time for that? We are all murderers, both they and I.
It might not be a problem in that part, surprisingly. Rather, they might have might even prepared for a barbecue after seeing the three corpse I left behind. In that case, trying to escape like this is a pointless effort.
No, I should have taken something valuable if I were going to run away. Even these clothes smell nothing but trouble. Blood plastered all over the clothes. No matter how you look at me, I look like a dangerous person. But, should I get changed?
No. That’s not it.
It’s inevitable I feel scared. Not just one, but I killed three people in one night. To acknowledge that reality.
When I took over this man’s body, it didn’t feel real yet. I didn’t even directly use violence on him when I killed the man, it just ended that way before I realized what happened. But, what happened after that was different. Although they attacked me, these hands killed two people. The feeling of that moment still remains in these hands.
So for whatever reason, I couldn’t bring myself to go back to that place.
The light of dawn begin to shine before my eyes. Then I finally realized the true nature of the rubbing sensation on my hands and feets. The surrounding area has become a vast wilderness. Wild grasses as tall as my waist completely covered the surrounding area. The withered grass - hardened as winter approached - left numerous small scratches on my skin.
And there are also dark red stains apart from the scars.
Aah. www.ihavesinnedtranslation.com
I come to my senses and stop moving.
I saw it. I already knew it, but still, what happened last night was real.
Reality finally caught up with me. I was grabbed from behind. I can no longer escape. A sense of resignation filled my chest.
The resignation is similar to the feeling of relief. Being released from the unnecessary tension, a sudden wave of fatigue washed over me. A deep sigh escapes me.
But still, nothing has changed. As expected, it’s dangerous to return to the village.
Certainly, I have a deadly ability. I still haven’t fully grasped the logic behind it or how it exactly it functions. But, maybe, I can defeat them in one blow, no matter how strong the opponent’s body is. I just wished for it. And the opponent had no way to block or avoid. But what if, for example, the entire village attacked me all at once? It is still unclear whether or not I could 「Cut」 everyone in an instant.
Suppose that there were not even a restriction on the ability to cast it, would simply massacring all the villagers solve it.....but that would be a worse idea if you consider the future. I still can’t even speak the language of this world. I still haven’t even grasped things such as the lifestyle or common sense of this world. Unless I had the opportunity to learn that from somewhere. But if I were to continue killing people like this, there would be a time when I would be seen as a dangerous monster and hunted.
So, despite having an absolute ability, now is unmistakably a difficult situation. Right now I have to use this man’s body - which is slightly stout - to prepare for my original body, Falus, living condition. I will plead with a wealthy family or something and say something like, ‘Please raise this child if possible’. Or a religious institution, like a church, would be a good target.
The problem now is, how do I get there? To begin with, it is difficult to determine whether the place is a good place to leave a child or not. After all, I don’t even speak the language and the only possession I have is a bloodstained machete and a jacket soaked in splattered blood. The question is whether I can avoid starving to death before achieving my goal. If the famine that struck Linga village is also wreaking havoc across this entire region, this journey will be an exceptionally difficult one.
As I was walking while thinking about such things, the scenery began to change. At the same time as the eastern sky became brighter, I could see something sparkling on the distant ground. That undulating thing must be water. It’s a gently flowing river.
And I can see a black group of something on the other side of the river. Something like a towering wall.....
It was a group of people.
In addition, it’s not just one or two people. The number is in the dozens. Their appearance is uniform.
Yes, those people are soldiers. They wear round metallic helmet, leather armor with metal rivets, holding a wooden shield and a spear in hand. They are standing upright in a line, without moving in the slightest. The group was standing in front of the bridge that spanned the river.
I can see several things like tents behind that group. This meant that these soldiers are guarding that bridge. It’s not like they originally prepared a checkpoint here or anything like that, rather they had a reason so they deliberately set up camp here and lay in wait.
……but for what?
Did they come to catch me? That’s absurd. I can’t imagine there a communication device such as a mobile phone in this world. I won’t deny that I’m not criminal, but no matter how you think about it, it’s too quick.
To begin with, the number of people is abnormal. Indeed, if it’s modern Japan with its safe public order, a search network of several thousand people might be deployed to track down a single fugitive. But, with this world’s level of civilization, there would be petty crimes happening all over the place, and there is no way the public security authorities' abilities to monitor and maintain security can keep up with the vast area. In fact, there were no people equivalent to the police in the village.
Does it mean that the situation has changed to the point where they have to deploy the military?
What to do?www.ihavesinnedtranslation.com
The soldiers should have been able to see me now. I would only make me even more suspicious if I were to turn around and run away. Fortunately, I am surrounded by tall grasses, so only my waist and above were visible, and they probably can’t see my hand holding a machete. There is still some distance between us. I quietly let the dangerous weapon slip from my hand.
So, what kind of attitude should I have when explaining myself? Firstly, there’s the matter not being able to speak the language can easily be covered up. I could say I have a speech disability or I got caught up in a terrifying incident and am in a state of mental shock. Yosh, let’s go with that.
If so, all that’s left are my attitude and expression. I’ve decided not to be afraid of the soldiers. If anything, I will cry out for help. To begin with, there are no witnesses to the matter regarding Fals’s parents' murder. This is not modern Japan and DNA testing probably doesn’t exist. Furthermore, even if there is some kind of technology that can identify criminals, I could just say it was a legitimate self-defense. If it’s only a minor punishment.....then I could go along with it even if it’s 2 or 3 years' penal servitude or forced labor.
I have organized my thoughts.
I start approaching the group while raising both of my hands, showing I don’t have any intention of resisting.
I saw a man who looked like the commander on the bridge. Only a single man was not wearing a helmet, wearing a bright red cloak. Even though he looked slim even from a distance, he had a well-trained and supple body. He didn’t carry a spear but a broad, long sword hung at his waist.
But, what was most distinctive was his face. At first, I thought it was the lighting, but that wasn’t the case. The man had black hair. He has stiff-looking bangs, around 5 cm at most, standing straight up. Also, his skin was dark.
The man gave me a sharp look. I know it at a glance. Although he may still be in his mid-twenties, I’m sure he’s a veteran warrior. Even an amateur like me can tell that he has an aura that makes people feel that way.
I makes me want to back away, but I have to endure it. I once again raised my hands and pretend to be a victim of an incident. I continue approaching the bridge, clearly showing an attitude of asking for help.
I nervously step onto the sturdy stone bridge. The commander’s expression suddenly softened. That relieved me of tension. It looks like he’s willing to listen to what I have to say. I might be detained after this, but let's just try to talk things out somehow. In any case, right now the Linga village is in the middle of insanity. Although they are experiencing famine, people are killing each other and eating them. I don’t know where this troop came from, but if they are under the lord, then they probably have the duty to prevent the destruction of the village under their control.
The commander beckoned to me and gave me instructions. It’s like he’s saying ‘Cross the bridge quick’. I guess I can’t avoid some questioning, but while sighing softly in my mind, I quickly pass the bridge in one go to the other side of the bridge.
I took a step onto the soil on the other bank of the river. At that moment.
.
「Pfftt.....?」
It took about one second for me to realize what just happened. I feel pain in two, no, three places in my body. It’s a staggering pain that resonates deep inside. The sudden pressure makes my whole body go numb. That’s right. Three wooden sticks were sprouting from my torso and left shoulder.
I try to step back while staggering, but my heel catches on the stone steps bridge and I fall on my backside. There was an unpleasant, slimy sensation as the spears were pulled out. There was a soft kopo sound, and bright red blood began to soak my jacket.
Why.....?
No matter what, for now - although it is ‘for now’ - there shouldn’t be any reason I should be killed. What does that commander think about these violent acts? Thinking so, I mustered all my strength to look back. www.ihavesinnedtranslation.com
The dark skinned man had a thin smile on his face. So it’s like that. He was planning to kill me from the start, no matter who I was.
Like hell I’m just gonna sit here and take it. I pressed my left arm - which had lost its strength - against the guard rail at about knee-high and somehow managed to stand up. Then I pushed my remaining right arm toward the commander and tried to wish for it.
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Aneros Kukuban (アネロス・ククバン) （27）
・Material Human Form
（Rank , Male, 27 years old）
・Material Mana Core Fire Magic
（Rank 3）
・Skill Fores language Level 5
・Skill Saharia language Level 6
・Skill Swordsmanship Level 7
・Skill Fire Magic Level 6
・Skill Close Combat Technique Level 5
・Skill Throwing Level 6
・Skill Stealth Level 6
Empty (20)
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What the, what is this person!?
He looks strong, much stronger than this body. Just who on earth could he be?
There’s no time to think about it. The target this time is also in Human Form, in other words, the body. Perhaps I could steal other Materials or Skills as well, but.....I don’t have the luxury to do that right now. My body is full of holes already. Regardless of logic, I need a replacement.
I concentrate my mind and try to hit this Human Form Aneros.....huh?
I was frozen, with nothing happening while my hand was pushed out. Why? Why doesn’t that guy lose his physical body?
Aneros looked at me with cold eyes. But, perhaps he lost interest since he realized there was nothing happening and he suddenly looked down. The next moment, my right arm was flying through the air.
The pain came late. The swordsmanship just now was completely invisible. In truly an instant, my right arm was cleanly chopped off from the tip of the shoulder.
「Gu……haa……」
The successive shocks that came made my legs get tangled. I lose my balance and fall diagonally downward. I was falling into the river flowing silently instead of the bridge.
The grey water surface looms before me. There was the sound of hitting the water surface, and I felt the cold and - strangely - almost warmth seep into my entire body.
I exert some strength. I tried to paddle with my right hand, but then I realized it was not there. Using my only remaining arm, I somehow manage to face up. All I could see was Aneros looking down on me from the bridge, and the soldiers who were still maintaining their straight posture as before. And they start to become more distant. I am currently being swept away by the river.
There was no way out of this. The river water was actually quite cold. Winter is approaching, so that’s natural. Only, this body had lost a lot of blood, and it had become even colder. At this point, it was no longer just about the pain or the wound, it was beyond that. I simply feel myself drifting away.
This, is not good. This body, is already dead. My god. The ability that I gained, something I can only use just once? If so, that is so useless. www.ihavesinnedtranslation.com
No, that’s not it. Perhaps the ability would have activated if I were in better circumstances. If I had properly learned the language and acquired common sense first. Or, for example, I could have lived a better life if I stole the body of someone of a royal family or nobility.
I was unlucky. It all simply comes down to that. I had no other choice but to steal this Punos-guy’s body in order to survive. And yet, right now, this very body is trying to erase my life.
I raised my shaking left arm and brought it up in front of me.
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(Self) (2)
・Ultimate Ability
Piercing Hand
・Material Human Form
(Rank 6, Male, 2 years old）
・Material Human Form
(Rank 5, Male, 26 years old Active)
Empty (0)
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I want to cut this body off. This unnecessary body, I no longer needed. So I wish and pointed.
Suddenly, my consciousness became clear. The pain disappeared.
I’m not really sure what just happened. I suddenly feel the cold river water. I couldn’t help but flail about, but I suddenly realized with a start that I have a right arm. Moreover, there is not a single wound on my skin. Wait, bare skin?
I was completely naked. In addition, my body has returned to the body of a child.
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(Self) (2)
・Ultimate Ability
Piercing Hand
・Material Human Form
(Rank 6, Male, 2 years old)
Empty (1)
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What does this mean? www.ihavesinnedtranslation.com
First, I have to maintain my balance so I won’t drown. I suddenly became curious about what happened upstream. If a child were to suddenly appear in the middle of the river, I wonder if the soldiers from beforewould notice me?
Something hit the tip of my nose when I turned around. It was the completely cold body of Punos. I quickly grabbed Punos’s shoulder and looked upstream while maintaining my buoyancy.
The distance was greater than I had thought. The figure that had become far and small was no longer paying any attention to me.
But, the crisis was not over yet.
My body has returned to the body of a weak 2-year-old child. Furthermore, the last thing I ate was a porridge laced with an anesthetic. I start losing my strength quickly in this cold river water.
It will be bad if things stay like this. I have to get out of the river somehow. I have to warm up. That’s what I thought, but I don’t think I could really swim all the way to the riverbank.
It seems that water had entered Punos’ barely floating body. The body is gradually sinking. Now that it has come to this, there’s nothing to cling to. I started to sink.
Am I going to die here?
I guess this is the only way I can say.
In the midst of despair, I was filled with a dark, resentment-like feeling. I found something just when my vision grew blurry.
A wooden plank floating in water. It’s surprisingly big. If it’s an adult’s body, it will only be able to allow their upper body to stay afloat, but I’m a 2-year-old kid. I mustered the last of my strength and climbed up.
I lie down powerlessly on the plank. My wet body was still cold. Nevertheless, I felt like I could feel a slight warmth from the blue sky that spread out above me.
The sky was blue. It was perfectly clear and blue as far as the eye could see.
It was the exact same color as the sky when I first looked up at the sky in this world.
It’s blue as far as I could see.
Then my consciousness faded away. www.ihavesinnedtranslation.com
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