Chapter 2: Isn’t Transmigration After Death a Routine?
Feeling a bit cold, although I had returned to being human, it was a good thing. But to be honest, it was not as convenient as before.
I could feel the cold, hunger, and fatigue, and my physical ability had its limits. The most critical aspect was that serious injuries could lead to death. Comparatively speaking, my body was much weaker than that of a zombie.
Moreover, I had grown accustomed to injuries in my previous life. I hardly paid attention to ordinary wounds; like when I cut my finger while cooking, it didn’t bother me at all.
But now, I had to quickly correct this habit; otherwise, it could be very deadly.
For instance, at this moment, I needed to quickly start a fire to warm myself up. The decision to jump into the water to wash up earlier was really foolish.
Fortunately, the tools for starting a fire were still around. I immediately began to ignite the fire. Although my physical ability was not as strong as before, my skills remained.
This time, the feel was particularly good; I managed to succeed on the first try.
I hung my clothes by the fire and sat on a wooden chair, rubbing my forehead while considering my next plan.
After thinking for a while, I began to feel a bit tired under the flickering firelight. I leaned back against the chair to take a short nap.
I thought it would be nice to dream and see Kuuga; maybe I could understand what had happened and why I could resurrect.
However, I didn’t dream.
I had a very good sleep and, upon waking, I found myself drenched in sweat, my mouth dry and parched.
Strange, it seemed like the temperature was a bit high?
My clothes had already dried, but the fire was about to go out. Looking outside, it was getting late, but the temperature showed no signs of dropping; in fact, it was rising!
The hot air seemed to be emanating from the depths of the cave. I quickly put on my clothes, but the bloodstains on them hadn’t completely washed out… Well, I had to make do for now.
After getting dressed in the blood-stained clothes, I ventured deeper into the cave.
I had explored it previously, and there was nothing inside—only a naturally formed rock wall at the end.
… Why does it feel like it’s getting hotter?
The temperature was no longer that of summer; if I had to compare it, it was… yes, like a sauna!
I could feel the heat radiating from my body!
Why was there such heat inside the cave? Could this mountain actually be a volcano? Am I heading towards the magma area?
Various thoughts flooded my mind, but my feet continued to walk forward. When I came back to my senses, I realized I had reached the end.
Of course, what lay before me wasn’t magma. Upon reflection, how could this island possibly have a volcano? The terrain just didn’t allow for it.
What I faced was an ordinary rock wall… but now there was an additional stone platform.
And at the end, it was still the same as last time, a neatly arranged area.
“… This is…”
On the platform lay a little girl, approximately three to four years old.
Her face was shiny white, with long, dense eyelashes, and thin, rosy lips. Even from a distance, I could clearly see her exquisitely cute porcelain-like face.
Her dazzling golden hair cascaded down to her waist, covering her small bottom, shining even in the darkness without any light. She lay calmly on the stone platform, completely unclothed.
And the temperature here was no joke!
Just staying here was suffocating, and the dizziness was increasingly overwhelming. I wanted to put my hand on the wall for support, but if I did, the high temperature would probably burn my skin instantly.
But there was no time to hesitate; the heat kept rising!
The air was swirling back and forth; it was a mirage phenomenon!
And that little girl was actually sleeping in such a… hellish place… she couldn’t possibly be dead, right?
I thought while the temperature was still within a human’s tolerable range, I should go check on that exquisite golden-haired child.
At first, I thought I heard a sound like electricity crackling, but upon closer inspection, I realized…
After stepping forward a few paces, I heard a sizzling sound. Something felt off.
How could there be anything electric here? Even my phone had broken due to the blood!
Then, that sound…
As confusion arose, flames suddenly ignited.
In the empty space right above the little girl, flames sparked to life out of nowhere!
Wait! Wait, wait, wait!
What the hell is this?
Is it about to spew fire?!
My eyelids twitched wildly, and I almost felt certain that if I didn’t run, I would be in trouble!
But! Before fleeing, I had to get her out!
With this thought, my body moved instinctively. I dashed forward and grabbed the arm of the golden-haired girl. The instant heat seared my skin, and I could hear my flesh sizzling.
Though the pain made me frown, I didn’t let go. Instead, gritting my teeth, I picked up the golden-haired girl and pivoted like a football running back, charging out.
However, I was just an ordinary person. Even with all my strength, I was only at a typical human level, while the scorching heat behind me felt ever closer! I could even sense flames licking at my back!
But I had no time to remove my clothes; the cave entrance was just ahead. At the last moment, I clenched my teeth and held the child close, then lunged forward!
In mid-air, I began to spin, and upon landing, I rolled to the side.
At that moment, flames erupted from the cave entrance like a flaming kirin charging forth. The searing fire ignited nearby bushes.
Wow! This is really going to create a big scene!
The flames continued to spread, quickly engulfing the forest, illuminating the night sky.
I stared in disbelief at the uncontrollable forest fire and then glanced down at the still-sleeping girl. Suddenly, I felt like I had been caught up in yet another extraordinary event…
Things would definitely be burned down. And the forest fire had almost completely incinerated the fruit trees. How was I supposed to survive on this island now…?
“Is this…?”
Did this child cause it?
The high temperatures and flames appeared from nowhere, and in such a hellish environment, this girl showed no signs of distress. It seemed that the fire was somehow linked to her sudden appearance in the cave.
Perhaps she released her own power while sleeping!
A remarkable ability to influence the surrounding environment was far from simple… I should find out exactly who this girl is.
I couldn’t see her title!
The name and title that should have appeared above her head were nowhere to be found.
The power of the Yata no Kagami was absolute; regardless of the subject, it should have revealed their title—even for a god.
Even Miss Shirley couldn’t hide her title (though she could change its content), yet I couldn’t see this girl’s title.
The only ones whose titles I couldn’t see were Zi’ai and myself—probably because Zi’ai is also me, which is why I couldn’t see her title.
In any case, bringing her back would reveal her origins.
The researchers in the organization would definitely love to spend nights studying this child’s abnormalities.
Seeing no sign of the flames diminishing, I could only carry the golden-haired girl toward the creek.
At least the fire shouldn’t reach there. I also needed to treat my burnt hand.
At this moment, I noticed that the golden-haired girl was not as hot as before.
She seemed to be waking up, making soft sounds.
No matter what, I rushed to the creek to rinse my scorched hand. Looking at my hand that had been burned so red it resembled a pig’s foot, my mood became very complicated.
Ah, my dear hand, you really are quite the victim…
At that moment, the girl in my arms finally awoke, rubbing her eyes with little hands before opening them.
Her pupils were golden.
When the golden-haired girl saw me, she blinked without a hint of fear and sweetly called out.
“Mm!”
Then she hugged my neck.
I took off my clothes to wrap around her body and asked her, “Sweetheart, what’s your name?”
“Mm?”
“Your name.”
“Mm!”
Great, it seemed she couldn’t speak.
She looked to be over three years old, yet didn’t know how to talk?
Now my task had become to take care of this little child… on an island that appeared to be burning down. What kind of ridiculous nightmare survival game was this!?
Although the golden-haired girl couldn’t speak, she seemed to sense my mood and rubbed her little face against my cheek and pinched my nose, as if trying to cheer me up.
Even in this dire situation, I can’t give up! Since I had a child to take care of now, I needed to work even harder!
Just then, I heard a buzzing sound coming from a distance, like a large lawnmower or a giant fly buzzing through the air.
I looked up to see a helicopter flying nearby.
Probably the fire attracted their attention.
If they noticed, it meant I could escape this island!
I quickly ran to the beach, jumping and waving to catch their attention while the golden-haired girl excitedly waved her little arms.
I figured she was just curious about the new sights, which was why she was so excited.
My shouts successfully caught the helicopter’s attention, and after hovering in the air for a while, it opened its cabin door and lowered a ladder.
…Thank God, it seemed I wouldn’t have to struggle to survive while managing the child anymore.
A bald uncle climbed down the ladder and spoke to me in English. My English skills were evidently not good enough for coherent communication.
So, I simply explained that I was from another country, that I was stranded, and that this child was my sister (a made-up story). The stranger didn’t seem to care to clarify in such a situation, especially after seeing the golden-haired girl—with his astonished expression, he was clearly enchanted by her overwhelming cuteness—he nodded and used a rope to secure us before taking us aboard the helicopter.
Phew, if all goes smoothly, I’ll contact the organization and I can go back…
Feeling much relieved, I smiled and thanked the uncles.
However, before I could say a word, I froze.
I couldn’t see the titles of the three foreign uncles on the helicopter.
Could it be that these uncles were not ordinary people?
No, that’s impossible. Then what could it be…?
As the helicopter landed, the view left me completely stunned.
I wasn’t surprised by what I saw but rather by the absence of sight.
The titles and names that had filled my vision until now had all disappeared, and the people before me bore no signs of colorful writing above their heads.
I couldn’t see a single word.
Various guesses flashed through my mind.
I had always thought that “because Zi’ai is me, I can’t see her title,” but in reality, there were many contradictions to this view.
The reason I couldn’t see my own title was that the Yata no Kagami couldn’t peer through the mirror or that I couldn’t see her title in front of me.
In other words, there must be another reason why I couldn’t see Zi’ai’s title.
Now, perhaps that reason could be clarified.
“Because she is from another world, that is why I cannot see her title.”
The most likely answer was this, so I couldn’t see anyone’s title on-site.
Because…
This is another world…
—I have transmigrated into Zi’ai’s world…
