Regressor, Possessor, Reincarnator

Gods were special beings.

They were different from the monsters you may have encountered on a venture into a nearby forest, but also significantly unlike any old invisible spirit.

They were quite literally spiritual beings—the embodiments of certain concepts, wishes, and miracles that could not physically exist in reality.

Therefore, they had special abilities that could not be used typically, as well as many abilities that couldn’t be rationalized using common sense.

Usually, they inspired natural phenomena to occur such as rain, or thunder and lightning… but the powers of this young god were slightly different.

「Trials and rewards.」

This god possessed the ability to grant that which a person desired, should they overcome a trial proportional in difficulty to the desired reward. 

「Julius recalls a certain incident Heinel goes through during the . When he travels to the Great Forest…」

Each person’s trial was different, and during one, the mind was moved to a different place.

Time flowed differently from reality, and the difficulty level varied by person.

「As the main character of the original work, he is able to overcome his trial and gains a new ability. Because the god’s wish-granting ability is reminiscent of a game, readers call him the “Hidden Boss”…」

Fwomp.

Allen closed the black book, repeating to himself what he’d read and reread about the god.

‘The power to grant that which a person may desire.’

That miraculous ability was the reason Allen decided to go to the Heavenly Forest.

In both his past life and in the present, there had been no rumor of any sort of god with an ability like that.

‘That must mean he’d been hiding it.’

Indeed, if word spread that he had this ability, then he would, naturally, be posed with new problems, and certainly more than just one or two.

Allen held the horse's reins firmly against the mountain’s bleak wind.

“Hang in there! We'll be there soon!”

“Yes, sir!”

“Don't lose sight of the person in front of you!”

“Yes!”

The knights shouted loudly at the Knight Commander's encouraging cry.

The destination of their journey, of course, was the forest wherein that young god resided—located west of Elle Round, at the midway point of the pass leading through the Michellant Mountains’ coniferous forests.

That very pass connected the Great Elf Forest to the Reinharts’ territory.

Legally, it was in a location that technically could be regarded as the family’s territory, but the area was closer to a neutral zone—far from the city and, thus, geographically ambiguous.

The party moved as quickly as possible, mindful of the urgency of the elves’ request.

Moving hastily, they were able to complete the two-week-long journey in only five days, but the soldiers appeared to be worse for wear as a result—perhaps due to the strain said haste caused.

As they approached their destination, they were met with the harsh winter winds and the dreary atmosphere, making the soldiers feel at unease.

Even though they had arrived quickly, it would be difficult to fight in this condition.

The Knight Commander, perhaps sensing this anxiety, shouted out shortly before their arrival.

“Everyone, let’s take a break here!”

“Break! Everyone, stop!”

With his announcement, the soldiers breathed out harsh breaths and opened their bottles. Even then, Allen didn’t forget to stay vigilant.

“Aren't you tired, brother?”

He smiled reflexively and began, “No, I'm more worried about soldiers than myself. What about you?”

In fact, Linbelle and Inellia attended him from time to time, so he had no difficulty riding a horse. The soldiers must have suffered far more in comparison.

“I'm fine, too.”

“You didn't look so happy when we left the house. Are you okay?”

Leading his horse, Julius turned his head in the direction of Allen’s voice.

"I… Yes, I am fine."

Julius's eyes quickly scanned the air in front of him before landing on Allen.

‘I don't see anything reflected in his pupils.’

He couldn’t find a physical trace of anything.

Allen continued the conversation, slightly regretful over that fact.

“How about everything else? Your horseback riding skills have improved beyond recognition, when did you find the time to practice so much?”

“It was a little hard to be unable to wash up, but I can endure that much. And about horseback riding…”

Julius answered proudly as if his feat were nothing.

“I practiced from time to time. Maybe my skills improved quickly because I have such a good memory.”

Allen was dumbfounded by his answer.

‘Is he saying it’s a… skill?’

Perhaps it was because Allen knew that he had received help from the [System]. Allen felt embarrassed for Julius, given his ignorance of Allen’s own awareness.

[Horseback (C)] was a concept that Allen found difficult to understand, but he knew that it was something that supported Julius's rapid growth.

Allen frowned as he turned his head in the direction of the Heavenly Forest.

“Julius, do you feel anything coming from that direction?”

The elf had arrived at the manor in a terrible state, yet they still hadn’t encountered any foe thus far.

‘It's not how I thought this would go.’

As they headed to the Heavenly Forest, they were meant to be interrupted by the undead or monsters from time to time.

Or at least, that was what was supposed to happen, and that was the future Julius had foreseen.

Therefore, Allen frequently checked the reports from the scouting party, while extending his sensing power to examine the surrounding area.

But what about now?

What about the surprise attacks?

What about the swarms of monsters?

Where were the traps, and what were the dark sorcerers doing?

“…Hmm, what are you talking about?”

Julius didn't even know what Allen was saying. Even so, Allen didn't show any sign of his rising frustration.

“Think about it. What have we encountered on our way here?”

“What? Well, nothing… Wait, why haven’t we come across anything…?”

With an expression showing that he finally realized, Julius, now suspicious, opened his mouth to speak, but then—

“Stop right there!”

“Humans!”

“No way, taking this opportunity to invade…!”

They could hear raucous cries rising from the direction of their scouts. Allen hurriedly sensed around and headed their way.

“Brother!”

Ignoring Julius's cry, he continued monitoring and moving toward the scouts.

They had encountered a race that possessed an unchanging appearance, long ears, and skin like white jade, as well as a youth that refused to yield against time.

“Speak! What are you doing here?!”

The elves were here.

* * *

* * * 

The situation was quickly resolved.

The soldiers knew that the only reason they had come in the first place was to provide aid to the elves. They posed no threat to the soldiers.

The elves were the ones who reacted so extremely.

Because of the situation, the elves didn’t let down their guard in spite of Allen’s claims that he and the others had come to offer their support. However, when Julius and the Knight Commander appeared and corroborated his testimony, they went back to report their encounter.

And so—

“…I really didn't expect you to come.”

The first Princess of the Elf Kingdom, the child of the queen who oversaw the Great Elf Forest, came to greet them with only a few elves by her side. Her full name was longer and more verbose, but she identified herself simply as Natasha Hermannov.

“First of all, I want to say that I'm sorry. I didn't think you would accept my call for help… I really didn't.”

She had a bitter look on her face as if she still could not believe it.

Keeping a certain distance from her weapon proved her confidence in them.

‘One of that bastard’s women.’

There were always countless women gathered around Julius, and she must have been one of them.

“So you asked for aid, but you didn't tell the other elves?”

“You’ve put it quite bluntly, but yes.”

With a surprisingly calm expression, she acknowledged Julius' words before explaining to the visitors the reason they were here.

“As a consequence of an important task currently being undertaken across the kingdom, it takes time to recruit troops… Thus, I, who was in the vicinity, decided to take action.”

‘What's going on?’

It was frustrating to know of Julius's plans but not of the important secrets related to it.

Even Julius didn't seem to know what was happening, though, so there was no way Allen could understand.

“I didn't expect the survivors who fled the forest to view our situation as a mission in any way, as it was not an official mission sent by the Great Forest… but thank you very much, regardless.”

Natasha bowed her head as she said this.

However, no one there thought she had expressed her sincere gratitude.

If a man who had long been an enemy declared himself today’s friend, how many people would accept that offer with an open heart?

“…Because you all said you would help, please follow me. We are waiting near the Heavenly Forest.”

Just then, Julius’s eyes sparkled for a moment as he looked at Natasha.

‘Orange?’

Julius hurriedly took a step closer and spoke to the newest orange talent he had discovered, long after first encountering Anya.

“How about we talk on the way there…?”

But the moment he took a few steps—

“Don’t come any closer, scoundrel. I know your reputation well. Stay away from me.”

She struggled to control her expression before spitting that out, bitter and venomous.

“…What?”

“I don't want you near me unless we’re in public.”

Julius was shocked into silence.

The knights were also stunned speechless for a moment, and Allen looked at Julius’s ridiculous figure like he was pathetic.

‘He never changes.’

Allen couldn’t believe he was always so swayed by that kind of guy.

But thinking about it, the [System] and the universe’s blessing were usually enough to mask Julius’s shortcomings.

The knights showed signs of discomfort, but they couldn’t express it openly. They couldn't ruin the work they had put in to improve relations. However, they could not remain silent at the insult to Julius.

Basil, the silent Knight Commander, took a step forward as the knights stood silently, unsure how to act.

“Princess Natasha, why were you waiting to enter the forest? Or rather, since you had arrived first, why was it not yet the right time to enter the forest… is what I’m trying to ask.”

Was she up to something?

Julius looked back at the Knight Commander with surprised eyes at his open questioning of her intentions, but the knights seemed to be somewhat relieved at Basil's dissatisfaction.

“I…”

She looked at him and answered the question with a strange smile.

“You'll know when you see it in person.”

* * *

“Princess Natasha!”

“Your Highness, Princess Natasha!”

“Are you all right?”

As soon as Allen and his party approached the borders of the Heavenly Forest with their soldiers, the nearby elves ran toward them.

The elves formed a standing barrier, apparently wary of the humans’ appearance.

Looking at them, he could see how the Reinharts’ reputation had spread among the elves when he saw the mixture of hatred and disgust in their eyes.

‘Trying to restore our relationship with the elves…’

It would be ridiculous to assume that the matter could be resolved so quickly.

The emotions and tensions had built up over generations.

Faced with this, it seemed funny now, thinking back on their previous life when Julius had boasted that the elves would repay their kindness.

‘It’s all nonsense.’

Was it true that she searched for troops from nearby areas?

Natasha wouldn't turn down their support because she was running scarce on military might.

Except for the Knight Commander, the knights all expressed their displeasure at the elves’ poor reception of them.

With the atmosphere noticeably deteriorating, Julius quickly intervened.

“So, why are we waiting here?”

Natasha silently pointed her finger.

“There's something in there…”

Julius looked with trembling eyes in the direction her finger pointed.

“Huh? Huh? Is that…?”

“By the time we first came here, the forest had already been this way for a long while.”

A huge brown cliff— No, a huge tree entangled upon itself had become a huge wall, blocking their view. Even Allen looked quite surprised at its appearance.

‘I thought it was a cliff face…’

Was that originally the Heavenly Forest? Was it normally possible to force a forest to grow that much?

‘It’s completely…’

The content had changed.

He hadn’t been afraid of the future changing.

Many things were already different, so wouldn’t it be flawed to assume that the future would proceed as it had before?

The important thing was to use the new, changed future to one’s benefit.

‘For my younger brother.’

And for himself.

Allen's eyes unfocused, his mind sunk deep in thought.

At the same time, Julius opened his eyes wide to see what he found.

“…That?”

As he turned his eyes to follow Allen’s gaze, he saw dark red tentacles wrapped around the wooden wall. Julius unconsciously uttered what came to his mind.

“…Petrification.”

“Yes, that's right. The Heavenly Forest is being siphoned off—petrified.”

She nodded at him. Her words made those around her somber.

“Then the elves in there…”

“We came as quickly as we could after hearing the stories of those who escaped, but… It's probably too late.”

Eyes turning cold at her words, Allen asked, “Then the reason we’re here is because… of that?”

“Yes, to destroy the dark sorcerers who are attempting to corrupt the divine, as well as to rescue the god left within.”

“I see.”

“The forest was halfway petrified already, so we were divided on how to proceed.”

They weren’t discussing what to do; they were debating whether or not to retreat.

In truth, they were somewhat reluctant to enter with only the forces they had on hand.

Allen thought for a moment and looked at the wooden wall.

At that moment—

“Sir?”

He looked back at Linbelle.

She tilted her head. In the anxious wringing of her hands and the trembling of her eyes, Allen could see the emotion she was trying to hide.

Only this time, I saw it right.

Nerves. Doubt. Anxiety. Frustration. Despair. Obsession.

Allen held Vestla firmly. It may have been a little late to say this, but nevertheless—

‘This can’t go on any longer.’

Allen shook his head and called out to the Knight Commander.

“Sir Basil.”

Even if her future had changed, she herself had not.

“Yes.”

It doesn't take much for a person to change.

“Can you do it?”

An opportunity.

A turning point.

With just a word of advice, a person could change.

“I can do it.”

Allen hoped she could pass this trial and move past it.

The Knight Commander was not so tactless as to misunderstand what Allen had meant.

She stepped toward the thick, tall, cliff-like wooden wall.

“Then, please do.”

Rumble, rumble.

“Wait, what are you talking about—” Natasha hurried to ask a question as they stepped forward, concluding their cryptic conversation.

“…!!”

But as Basil began to emit waves of overflowing power from his body, the Princess summoned the spirit and hurriedly retreated.

"…Phew."

He had stopped at just the right place.

The status of a warrior was not standardized like that of a sorcerer. They were those who used mana, who used prana, who possessed rare and godly powers.

People of that sort could not be placed into one neat category like sorcerers.

However, even without necessarily sharing the same characteristics, there were some obvious commonalities between them.

‘There really is no match for him in the western part of the kingdom.’

No one could compare to the Top Eight, to be sure. However, even when judged against all of humanity, he would belong to the top ranks.

‘Linbelle needs to see this.’

A demonstration of power which she would someday surpass.

And another form of power for her to gain.