Overpowered Reincarnation Perks! - Chapter 2.1 - 2. A Man Whose Appearance Belies His True Nature
The thought that sleeping for one night would restore my strength was a miscalculation.
“Ju-in. Are you alright?”
“Yes, huff. I’m fi-, hoo. I’m fine. I can walk……”
The thought that sleeping for one night would restore my strength was a miscalculation.
“Ju-in. Are you alright?”
“Yes, huff. I’m fi-, hoo. I’m fine. I can walk……”
With every step I take, my whole body screams.
I was precariously descending a slope, suffering from untimely muscle pain.
I didn’t realize it while sitting after the treatment, but the after-effects of the healing skill seemed to be worse than I had expected.
It was bearable if I stayed still, but when I tried to move my body, it creaked as if it wasn’t mine, making it difficult to maintain balance.
I didn’t want to know how poor my physical condition was in this way.
“If you’re uncomfortable, shall we rest for a bit?”
“No. Let’s keep going.”
We should have arrived at the village last night, but yesterday we had to take shelter due to encountering a group of monsters, and today we couldn’t move much because of me.
‘I hope I don’t die from old age before we even reach the village.’
Even if this world is really inside a game, it’s reality for me. The monsters are real, and the healing skill is real.
Then, my remaining short lifespan must surely become reality too.
It was funny that I should worry more about immediate survival than the approaching death, given that I was terminally ill.
…No, actually, it’s not funny.
As I rubbed my eyes, letting out something between a laugh and a sigh, Callion continued with a troubled face.
“I’m ashamed. I wish I could carry you on my back, but the probability of monsters being nearby is high, so I need to keep watching our surroundings.”
“I know. It’s not something for Callion to apologize for. Rather, I should be the one apologizing.”
Callion felt sorry for not being able to carry me, but I was not shameless enough to be carried by Callion in this situation.
Besides, with the possibility of monsters appearing, it would be difficult to use both hands in an emergency if he were carrying me.
I’ve heard that bodyguards prioritize watching their surroundings over helping their charges, even if it’s inconvenient, to deal with emergency situations. I guess Callion is the same.
“Hold my hand, Ju-in.”
“Your hand?”
“It should be fine until we get down there.”
After looking around, Callion reached out his hand to me, seemingly judging it was safe. I thought he was going to hold me steady so I wouldn’t stagger, but my body was suddenly lifted up.
“Gasp, Callion!”
“Excuse me for a moment.”
Callion then leaped down from the large rock.
With the feeling of my body floating, the surrounding scenery changed rapidly. He was so strong that even while holding me with one arm, he moved lightly without showing any signs of struggle.
Amazing. Indeed, men should be strong.
“It’s fine up to here. I’ll scout the area again, so please follow me while keeping your distance.”
“Y-yes.”
Callion put me down on the ground and again pushed through the bushes.
But with so many obstacles around, I’m worried there might be monsters we overlook.
Rustle.
As soon as I worried, an ominous sound was heard.
They say ‘speak of the devil’, but I hope this isn’t another sudden quest popping up?
However, unlike me who tensed at the sound of rustling bushes, Callion didn’t assume any battle stance at all.
“Callion. Um, the bushes are rustling……”
“It’s not a monster.”
It was a concise answer, but insufficient to explain the situation.
If it’s not a monster, then what is it? A person?
Just as I thought that there was a thud sound, and then the large tree opposite us split with a crack.
“Eek!”
There was a monster standing behind the tree.
No, it had a human form, but the entrance effect was so terrifying that I momentarily froze and quickly hid behind Callion’s back.
Did it split the tree with its strength? Is it human?
“What’s this, Callion. You’re fine?”
A human voice was heard. It was the voice of a sturdy man.
“I thought you were badly injured when you sent the signal while nearly dying, but was it just an exaggeration?”
“……There were circumstances.”
Both of their speech became short. They seem to know each other.
‘Then, is it an ally?’
The man approached with large strides.
When he was in the shadow of the tree, he looked completely dark and I couldn’t see well, but as he came into the light, his dazzlingly brilliant red hair caught my eye.
‘Wow. He’s big……’
His height was similar to Callion’s, but his build was larger.
Unlike Callion, who was wrapped in silver armor, this one had his hair loose and clothes unbuttoned… it was an excessively defenseless attire for wandering in the dangerous mountains where monsters appear.
‘I guess his muscles are his armor.’
While Callion was like a winter mountain, this one was just like a blazing flame.
Maybe it was because of the red hair and golden eyes, but with his prominent brow bone and fierce eyes, I could believe it if someone said he was a fire spirit.
“Callion. What’s behind you?”
Isn’t it a bit rude to ask “What’s that?” about a person?
‘Anyway, since he seems to be Callion’s acquaintance, it probably won’t become dangerous.’
I peeked out slightly from behind Callion’s back.
“Uh……”
The man’s expression hardened when he saw me.
It was the expression of someone who had seen something they shouldn’t have.
‘Do I look that strange? Or is it the first time he’s seen Callion with a woman?’
Whatever it was, it wasn’t a friendly reaction. Because of this, I missed the timing to introduce myself.
As I was about to engage in an unintended staring contest, Callion stepped aside slightly to mediate.
“I encountered her during the mountain trek. She said she had lost her memory after having an accident and collapsing, so I was about to escort her to a nearby village.”
“……Lost her memory, you say?”
The man’s voice rose skeptically.
