<<<---Lukas Pov--->>>
"Wait, where are we going!?"
I asked the woman who was holding my hand and running ahead of me.
"Away from the forest. Can't you hear the fighting going on inside?"
To back up her words, a loud explosion echoed from inside the forest, illuminating the entire dark landscape. The fleeting source of light revealed several creatures running toward the forest. Several were running toward us, so I let go of the elf and got into a fighting stance.
"None of them will pay attention to you. It's not in their best interest to notice creatures of the same rank,"
the elf said, grabbing my arm and running in the opposite direction of the tide of monsters. Several explosions similar to the previous one were repeated, revealing the increase in the number and size of the creatures. Few were my size or smaller, being crushed by the larger ones.
"What the hell is going on? Why are the creatures acting this way?"
I shouted the question with all my might, avoiding being swept away by the tide.
"The situation in the First Forest has become complicated. There are only two years left until the opening of the spirit world, and everyone is strengthening themselves for that moment."
We made several attempts, but we managed to escape the tide of creatures, leaving us facing the red landscape from before. The elf wasted no time and ran forward, soon revealing a large city. A thick, high wall covered its exterior with several roads leading in certain directions.
We slowed down and began to walk, catching our breath a little.
"By the way, where are we supposed to be?"
The woman looked at me with clear concern.
"Did you hit your head on something? Or were you exposed to a hypnosis spell? You've been asking silly questions ever since I saw you."
You think I don't know? I have to ask these questions because the goddess didn't explain anything to me!
"I don't remember anything except waking up in the middle of the forest."
"You lost your memory? At least you remember your name, right?"
I shook my head, rejecting her idea. Seeing me, the woman let out a tired sigh before guiding me to the city.
"So... where am I?"
"On the continent of Aetherium, in the region of the First Forest of the World."
Oh... It's this place. The entire area containing the 'First Forest of the World' is infested with creatures of the highest rank. According to Tharion, small towns had been founded a short distance from the forest, their function being to monitor the creatures entering and leaving it.
Of all the places, I fell into the second most dangerous dungeon in the world, behind the spirit world. But even though it is the second most dangerous, it is the most dangerous place in the world. There are four towns surrounding the forest, but it is extremely common for creatures to leave the forest and destroy entire kingdoms. People such as guild leaders, sect leaders, and elders were tasked with entering the forest and exterminating as many creatures as possible.
"Isn't it a bit exaggerated for the creatures to act like this? There are two years to go before the spirit world opens, and they are acting as if it were tomorrow."
It is common knowledge that creatures old enough are preparing for that moment, and even sect leaders are undergoing closed-door training. But it always seemed exaggerated to me.
Well, I never had any interest in visiting those places. Preparing to enter those places is incredibly expensive and time-consuming. I shook my head and cleared my mind of those thoughts, focusing on following the woman.
"Now that I think about it, what's your name?"
I asked her. I hadn't thought about it, but neither of us had introduced ourselves in all the time we'd been together.
"My name is Aestra."
Aestra... I always found the names of elves strange. I'm generally unaccustomed to the names of people in this world.
As I lost myself in my thoughts, we arrived at the entrance to the city. A single guard stood watch, covered in thick armor that made his imposing figure clear. It was only one guard, but he was more impressive than several people.
"Aestra, was there only one person on the outskirts?"
The elf nodded, pulling my hand.
"I only found one. I hope there aren't any more people."
Hearing her, the guard moved and opened the large gate behind him. We both entered the city before the doors closed behind us.
"Do you remember which guild you were affiliated with?"
I shook my head at Aestra's question. We had been moving so much that I hadn't had a chance to explore the memories of this body.
Aestra let out another tired sigh, guiding me along with her. In a few minutes, we arrived at a large building, with several screams coming from inside.
"Since you were in the forest, you can explain the situation inside to the guild."
Do you want information about the inside of the forest? I don't think I can help much. I swallowed my words and followed her inside, encountering a scene rarely seen in a guild. Several dwarves, elves, and demi-humans were forming a large circle around a table with papers and scrolls on it.
"Hey everyone, I found someone who was inside the forest!"
As soon as Aestra spoke, all the shouting ceased and attention turned to me.
"An oni? I haven't seen one in 50 years,"
said a long-bearded dwarf with a furrowed brow.
"And it seems to be a pureblood. I thought the remaining succubi had hidden in the underground cities. Did you run away from home?"
asked an elf, looking even more puzzled than the others.
"I lost my memory. I don't remember anything except waking up in the forest."
As I spoke, everyone present let out annoyed sighs. Today I heard more sighs than in my entire two lifetimes. This third life is going to be difficult.
"Well, right now we're not interested in your life. Explain to us, what did you see in the forest? The creatures are more agitated than usual."
"I woke up and saw a black dragon being eaten piece by piece by an amalgam of mouths, eyes, and arms."
Following my words, everyone frowned, clenching their teeth in annoyance. They looked at each other, and the elf brought his hands to his face with a loud thud.
"Great, Lady Kalaandra will be furious if she finds out that the leader of the dark dragon faction is dead."
Said the dwarf, punching the table. Several papers fell to the floor, leaving one at my feet.
I bent down to pick it up, surprised to see the headline: The champion of nature had appeared a week ago and disappeared from the map. This news was from the 27th of this month, the day I had died. Does that mean I've been dead for a whole week?
Goddess!
[I didn't know it would take so long while we were talking. I have to make a note of this.]
Stop talking, how is it possible that I've been dead for a week? Wait, did you tell Hernesto to resurrect me?
[My assistant is taking care of that.]
You told your assistant?
[... No... I have to do something, I won't be long]
Damn it!
"You, oni! Continue telling us about the forest, and you, Aestra, take your hands off him!"
"Hmm?"
Out of curiosity, I turned toward where the elf was speaking, noticing how Aestra had her hands inside my shirt and was touching my body exploratively.
"Don't mind me, keep talking,"
said Aestra, her face flushed as she clung to me.
I let out a squeal and pushed her away, making a great effort, as she had stuck to me like gum.
What's wrong with her? Are the pheromones from my body affecting her? But usually people avoid me at all costs, like them. My gaze focused on the circle of people in front of me, who were slowly moving away.
[The elves in this world are different from the ones you know. The women have a strong taste for muscular warriors. It is not uncommon to see elf women being wives of Orcs or similar races].
What kind of weirdo created this world? Anyway, I have to focus on this.
"I saw the champion of nature and a descendant of the titans. Apart from some colossal Slimes and Trents."
I said, explaining in the best and most detailed way everything I saw in the forest.
Everyone's reactions were varied, surprised and frustrated as they listened to me.
"If a champion is there, then the chances for scavenging beasts to get a big haul are high,"
said the elf, taking a scroll from the table.
"Notify the other cities, give the highest priority to the champion and the Titan centipede. Under no circumstances can it be allowed to grow to maturity,"
ordered a semi-human man, of the species of... peacocks? I didn't expect to meet someone of that species.