I am currently inhabiting a small cave.

The land was more than plains and forests, it also has mountains and hills, although few.

I began to test my physical abilities and had captured small animals in the process. Surprisingly, this place looks like a normal forest than a dangerous dungeon.

The animals I caught was two rabbit-like creatures with horns on their forehead. I'll be cooking them for dinner. I'm not really sure how though.

“Uhm… I should drain the blood then skin it, I think. I also read that this is preferrably done near a water source.”

Draining blood could attract monsters, but I have my cheat strength, so I can fight with brute physical power. I got used to my body pretty easily, and my situation doesn't bother me that much anymore.

I need to adapt to survive! I thought as I make an imaginary pose. Umu. Focus on the present.

I trek the mysterious forest. There were countless unknown plants, some has the same shapes like those on earth, like flowers. Not all of them though. The animals on the other hand looked physically different. Rabbits don't have dangerous horns on their foreheads! Other than those, the places I've explored so far didn't have anything else. After doing the preparations for dinner, I head back to the cave.

“Muu… I need to light the fire next.”

I pondered over how to start a fire. I tried to use some rocks that I found as flintstones, but those end up being smashed in the process. What absurd strength! I need to properly control it.

“How about this?”

I spin one stick on top of a small branch with dry leaves, and luckily, I was able to make a small fire. Surround it with rocks... and the campfire is now made.

“Aah… Warm and cozy.”

I barbecued the rabbits over the fire. The cave is properly doing its job, sheltering me for the night.

“Small steps. I'll head out tomorrow...”

I hope I'll find someone else here. A friendly one.

I close my eyes and sleep.

*****

“Oooiii~ Wake up~”

Hnng… So noisy…

“If you don't wake up— This one will do bad things to youu~”

“…Ugh.. Who?”

When I woke up, I was in a white room. What the heck. I was sure I slept in the cave. What's more, it was a white room this time.

In the center, or if you can call it the center, is me and one other girl.

She had a small stature, with pale blond hair reaching just above her shoulders. Her eyes had the color of blood. And she has this aloof atmosphere that betrays her threatening gaze.

“Hello there, Saya~ Nice to meet you for the second time.”

….Pretty sure I've never met you.

“Oh how sad. Did you really forget this one? ”

“—?!”

….She can read my mind?

“Well~ This one is a bit special. But to think you'd forget. Let this one explain your situation once more!.”

“…I'll listen.”

“Ehem! Then…”

Long story short, I was supposed to be summoned here for some kind of purpose but then I died abruptly so she had to compromise. The end result is as you know.

“…How mean. You were supposed to sing praise to this one for explaining things to you. And yet, you remember what this one said last time.”

“Not really. It was a hypothesis based on my knowledge on reading novels. But to think that it was really the case…”

“Your death was untimely, but your transporting here is this one's responsibility. But to think you'd lost your memory of it during the process…”

“It must be your doing right? You… probably intentionally deleted it because I had some negative reaction to it. Well, I'll never know, but look… I don't mind at all... If anything else, I'd give my thanks for giving me a second life...”

“…This one is surprised. You are level-headed, kind and forgiving. Or maybe you trust others to the point of foolishness. But still, I must give you something for the trouble… Oh! This one has an idea!”

She clapped her hands and the chimes of bells echoed in the distance. White feathers softly drops from above, as if it was rain.

“This one will grant you my divine blessing. It will protect you in your journey. That will be this one's gift to you.”

She reached her hand to my head and bestowed me her divine protection. I don't feel anything new, though I'll still gratefully accept it.

“Thank you... One more thing…”

“What is it?~”

“You may have told me your name before… but I don't remember… so, can you please tell me again?”

The girl smiles widely. She hugs me close and whispers to my ear.

“This one's name is…”

*CLANG! CLANG! CLANG! CLANG!*

The church bells drowned all the sounds, and my consciousness drifted away.