After venting my frustration on the now brutally murdered tree, I continued walking through the forest.

“Haahh… No use mulling over spilt milk, I have to continue…”

Encouraging myself to press on the thick forest, I came upon a lake. The clear water seemed like it was good enough to drink so I came closer in hopes of drinking as I was exhausted and thirsty from fighting. That’s when I first realized.

I haven’t seen my appearance yet haven’t I?

I never did see how I looked like when I was reincarnated so I was curious to see what did the present me look like. When I reached the edge of the river, the clear water reflected my face and I froze on the spot.

What the…?

My face didn’t really change from how I looked like in my past life, but the main point of my shock was the color of my hair and pupils. I had white hair as pure as snow, and golden eyes that looks like it was made of gold.

Why did my hair and eye color change? I thought I requested that my looks will be the same as the past me…

While I was stuck in thought, I heard a rustling sound from the bushed behind me. As this was still inside a forest, the lake was surrounded by thick shrubbery and trees about a meter in diameter.

I opened my item box and pulled out Cordo, who I placed inside during my fight with Kuhaal.

‘Huwaahhhh… Oh? Partner? Did the fight end?’

When I pulled out Cordo from the item box, he let out a huge yawn, accompanied with a question about the result of the fight.

I killed Kuhaal, but the town was reduced to rubble. It would take decades for it to stand up again.

‘No wonder you had a grim looking face. Listen, wh---’

His voice was cut off as I swung Cordo in an arc. While Cordo was talking, the rustling in the bush ceased, and an animal that looks like a rabbit jumped out and lunged at me. The rabbit had a 3-inch long horn on its forehead. It was a horned rabbit, a G-rank monster.

My attack sliced through its body, cleanly cutting it in half. Its blood and innards scattered on the grass while the body fell to the ground with a thud. It was a relief that the blood or the body didn’t land inside the water. I can’t have it polluting the lake because I need some water to drink and store for the long journey ahead.

‘…That caught me off guard, anyway, let me continue. During a fight between two strong entities, there are bound to be casualties when the area is populated. Even if one were to protect the others, it is just impossible to protect all of them. Believe me I’ve experienced it with my former partner. What’s important is that you minimized the deaths that could happen if that organization where to clash with another and prevented more deaths if their organization was to continue in the far off future.’

I couldn’t refute his words because all of it was logical and based on reasoning.

But then, it’s my fault that happened the town was destroyed. Because of my powerlessness, I was unable to protect most of the citizens. The children, the elderly, countless of innocent deaths happened because of m--- Ouch!!!

While I was talking pessimistically and how it was my fault that a lot of citizens died, Cordo used his dull side of the blade to strike at my forehead.

‘Idiot!!! If you feel that you are weak then become stronger! If you feel that you are lacking, then work harder!! If you are cursing yourself because of your own powerlessness, then have a friend that could whack you on the head to get you back up!! I may be a sword, but I am not different from you. I also have my weaknesses. The time when I was unable to protect my previous partner made me despair, but now, I am facing the future and becoming stronger so that I could proudly say that my partner was the best!’

His words set my heart ablaze. My mind cleared and I felt like a huge weight on my shoulders disappeared.

… You’re right… I shouldn’t be looking at the past and blaming myself for my own errors. Instead, I should look at the past and learn from them to do better in the future.

‘That’s the spirit partner!! But, are you sure you should continue? I mean, the blood is flowing to the river…’

!? Ah!!!

While I was engrossed in my chat with Cordo, the blood of the fallen horned rabbit flowed towards the river, dying a part of it in red.

NOO!!!! I NEED TO STOP THE SPREADING!!!

‘Pffttt… Hahahaha!!!’

While I quickly prevented the spread of the blood through the water, Cordo laughed his mind out as I stumbled here and there during my prevention activity.

…

~ Third Person POV ~

In the Human continent, where countless of the human race lived, there stood a girl with raven black hair that could be said to be a rare type of hair color, along with others with the same hair color. The name of the girl is Endou Kayaka, a hero summoned by the King of the Kingdom of Elika, with the mission to vanquish the Demon Lord.

“Ryou, here is your sword. I’ve made the adjustments according to your preference. If there is anything wrong, please don’t hesitate to ask me.”

“Of course, Kayaka-san.”

Beside her was a man with short black hair. In his hands, he held a sword resembling a katana that was handed to him by Kayaka. His name was Hyoudo Ryou, another hero who was summoned together with her.

“Everybody listen up! We will now hold the strategy meeting before going into the dungeon. The strategy is the same as last time with Hyoudo and the others as the vanguards, and Kayaka with the mages as the rearguards. Archers and scouts are to survey the area for any traps or hidden monsters and quickly inform the group. During combat, they are to support with the fighting by laying cover fire on the attacking monsters, any questions?”

A young adult woman who had black hair and was wearing special eyeglasses for battle went in front of the group and announced their plan. She held a giant sword that was the same size, if not, bigger than her body in her right hand. She was Tani Tanura, another hero and was the acting principal of the school.

The group of 28 black haired people, excluding Tanura, became silent as they focused their gaze on Tanura.

“Then, without delay, let’s go!!!”

“““““OOOHHHH!!!”””””

The group cheered and went inside the dungeon. It was until two months later that the whole dungeon was captured by the group of heroes.

…

In the Demihuman continent where most of the demihumans lived, a giant tree that was as tall as the heavens towered about. If one were to look up when standing at its base, they would be able to marvel upon its beauty and tranquility.

Surrounding this tree was a huge, abundant forest. This forest is the homeland of the elves known as the Elven Forest, and the giant tree that stood at the center of the forest is called the Sacred Tree. Inside the tree was where the superior species of the elves, known as High Elves resided.

“Haahhh… What should I do…?”

Inside a certain room, a blond haired high elf could be seen mumbling to herself. The room was decorated with expensive furniture, but most of the furniture was made of wood. An example would be the bed frame, cabinets, desk, etc.

While sitting in front of her desk with a feather pen in hand, she let out a sigh as she put it down and leaned on the chair.

“Why did you suddenly disappear, Hero-sama?”

While she was contemplating on what to do about the destroyed town, a knock could be heard from the door.

“Princess, the meeting will start now.”

“Ah! Please wait for a moment.”

The elf stood up from her chair and stood in front of a mirror that can reflect her whole body. She was Luna Lumisiera, the fifth elf princess of the elves.

Seeing that her dress was okay and her hair was fixed, she headed for the door and opened it. Behind the door stood an elf dressed in what you could call a maid’s clothing.

“Let me escort you princess.”

“Please.”

The two then left for the conference meeting that could change the fate of the whole elf race.

…

In the Beast Continent, there stood a lone person wearing what seemed to be a cloak. The cloak covered his whole body, along with his face. He was standing in a middle of a wasteland, with corpses of monsters around him. The smell of blood wafted through the air as he nonchalantly left the area, seeming pleased at the result.

“If I am not mistaken, the fortuneteller said that the war with the Demon race will start soon, and that only one person will be able to fight against him.”

While he was talking to himself, a monster that played dead lunged at him with a speed that even a combat veteran would not be able to react. The monster looked like a dog with three heads, and was the boss of this wasteland. Its name was Cerberus, the watchdog of hell, an S-rank monster. It stood for about three meters while blood was dripping from its body.

“Oh! As expected of an S-rank monster!” The cloaked man exclaimed.

Cerberus attacked with the claws on its paws. The swipe was dodged with minimal movement, but the claw snagged on the cloak, causing it to rip, revealing the cloaked figure. He had ears like a tiger on the top of his head and the color of his hair was a golden brown. His eyes had a color of brown with vertical slits that looked on Cerberus like it was hunting for prey while his mouth was smiling with the canines peeking out. His face was overall a human, if the features that could be found on beasts were excluded.

“Hahaha!!! That’s more like it!!! Come!!!”

The tiger man dodged another swipe from Cerberus paws and lunged at it. While he was charging, Cerberus quickly retracted its paw and used one of its head to bite at the charging tiger man.

“Hahaha!!! To slow!!!”

The tiger man, while in air, changed his direction to the side, dodging the bite from one of Cerberus’ head. He grabbed his sword that was hanging on his waist and sliced at the neck of the head, beheading it. Cerberus’ remaining two heads cried in pain and in anguish at the loss of one of its heads’.

Cerberus launched another attack as the tiger man was still in midair.

“Don’t you ever learn?”

The tiger man once again changed direction in midair and beheaded another one of its head.

“GRAHHH!!!”

Cerberus lost strength in its legs and collapsed while bleeding at an alarming rate. Even if it was left alone, it will still bleed to death so there was no way for it to survive.

“Sorry about this, but become experience points for me so that I can kill the Demon Lord.”

The tiger man swung his sword at the neck of the remaining head and beheaded head, ending its life.

“Now then, I hope I won’t get found out.”

With a mischievous, the tiger man headed back to the place where he was born, the Hartman Capital.

…

In the Demon Continent where demons resided, a figure with a 5-meter long tail and horns that are twice as long as that of a rhino’s on his head, was seated on the throne. He was Kutzeros Lamphiba, the present king of the demons, also known as Demon Lord.

“How long until the demons have gathered and are ready to move out?”

“In about a week, the demons will be ready to invade the beast continent. But are you sure that you got your power back?”

“Yesss... Kukuku… Thanks to a certain someone I found at the demihuman continent, my power is greater than the past. Impersonating a receptionist was a good choice in hopes of finding a strong individual.”

The demon that Kutz was talking to froze up the moment he heard that a certain someone was able to fuel the Demon Lord’s power to this extent.

“I see… My condolences for that certain someone.”

That demon had the head of a mantis, four human arms, and insect legs. He was Veda, one of the Demon Generals in command of Demon Lord’s Army. He whispered under his breath condolences for the poor victim that fueled his pervert master.

“Soon… It won’t be long now… Kukukuku… Kouta-chan, let’s meet again…”

The demon lord had flushed cheeks as he remembered the person that had tugged at his heartstrings the moment he laid his eyes on him

…

~ Kouta POV ~

We should get ready now Cordo, we’ll leave first thing in the morning and head towards the north while following the road path.

‘Of course partner! If we want to head towards the Human continent, we need to find a town or village and ask directions while heading north to shorten the distance. Also, if things get too dicey, turn into a dragon and you know what to do.’

I know.

We were discussing our plans inside a makeshift shelter I made by using sticks and wood. Since I didn’t know how to do it, I made a survival guide book using [Creation] and followed the steps and successfully made a temporary shelter.

While travelling, I should probably focus on leveling up my [Dota 2 Skill Set] so on every cooldown, I’ll keep on selecting [Dragon Knight] to make sure that I keep my appearance.

‘Hmm… Did you say something partner?’

No, it’s nothing. It’s just a way to level up my skill.

‘Okay then.’

I laid Cordo beside me and lied down on the patch of grass under the makeshift shelter.

Kayaka, I’m coming back soon so wait for me.

As I kept on thinking about my little sister, my consciousness faded as I fell into a deep slumber.