The Ruined Temple

Todays the third days since Reiji awoke in this forest, or three days since he arrived in another world.

During that time, he’s been attacked multiple times by other horned rabbit, and even a three tailed hound.

Unlike the simplistic pattern of the horned rabbits, the three tailed hound was incredibly agile, moving all over the place in confusing patterns.

Unable to keep up with it, Reiji had no choice but to predict where it would be.

To defeat it, he had to let it attack him multiple times to risk countering it. Letting it bite him, he had been able to grab it when it no longer moved. Using a power bomb, he had been able to kill it by snapping its neck.

Thanks to all those attacks, Reiji had been able to survive on rabbit meat and water dews.

From the past three days, Reiji had been able to learn some important facts.

Firstly, his body is about three times stronger than it was back on Earth, able to dish out more damage, move faster, and even heal faster. That fact so far seems to be the main contributing factor in keeping him alive.

Unfortunately, he hasn’t figured out how to use magic yet, normally in Isekai tropes he’d have been blessed and gotten some uniquely op skills from the start. However, no matter what commands he used, he couldn’t summon a status window, or create any magic.

Luckily, he was able to cook the rabbit meat, using his pocket knife, and lighter that he carried with him. It wasn’t a great meal, but it was protein, and it gave him the strength to keep on going.

Finishing the rabbit meat in his hands, Reiji continued walking in a random direction. Turning left here, right there. Since it all looked the same to him, Reiji decided to give up walking in a straight line a long time ago.

When in doubt, follow your instincts. That was one of his main principles.

After wandering around aimlessly for three days, Reiji finally found what might be called a dirt path. It looked like someone had purposely made it to lead somewhere through the forest. Although the path seems to have been abandoned or forgotten a long time ago.

Reiji of course, decided to follow it regardless of what may lie at the end. If it's dangerous, he’ll cross that bridge when he gets to it.

Following the path for the next hour, he eventually started seeing signs of civilization. In the far distance was a regal stone structure.

Feeling hope rise up for the first time, Reiji sprinted forwards towards the sign of civilization.

His heart beating faster from anticipation rather than exertion. Each step closer brought him new found hope. As Reiji got closer the shape of the structure became clearer.

It was a single large building made entirely of stone. The stairs leading up the building were line with stone columns holding braziers on top. At the top of the stairs was a statue of some kind of goddess.

Only once it was close enough did he realize that this grand structure was some kind of abandoned temple.

"DAMMIT"

Reiji couldn’t help but let out a roar of frustration. It was the only way he could cope with the sudden disappearance of hope. It disappeared faster than a fart in the wind.

The ruins seem to be some kind of temple dedicated to a goddess. It was made from well cut stone blocks that were now weathered and overgrown. The outer walls and supporting pillars had begun to crumble, leaving gaping holes for animals and people to step into the temple easily.

Despite the obviously old and abandoned state of the outer walls, the main building seems to still be in perfect shape. As if the temple was a holy site, one which not even the sands of time may erode.

As he stepped through the walls into the temple grounds, even he could feel the sheer grandeur of what once was.

It's a shame that vines and moss now wrap the columns and arches of the sacred temple grounds. Walking around to the front of the temple he could see parts of the roof had collapsed in on itself letting sunrays shine through.

Inside the temple, the walls were decorated with great murals, depicting some kind of story to do with the religion of the goddess that this temple worshipped. Each mural showing a different aspect of the goddess, and how she helped the people of this world.

"Pardon me. My name is Reiji Hattori, and I am lost. Seeing as this is an abandoned temple I wish to steal… uh I mean borrow some supplies if possible.” Pausing for a breath second, he quickly continued. “I promise to return the favor in the future… I think."

After bowing to the statue of the goddess seated in the middle of the temple Reiji began exploring all the other rooms of the temple. Hoping to find any useful supplies for his adventure.

He knows that sounds blasphemous, but greater needs and all that. Besides he has never really been one for religion or gods. Justifying his actions to himself, Reiji thoroughly scavenged through the ruined temple.

Something he would have never done back on Earth.

Exploring the three side rooms from the main hall, each one in worse state than the last. He was unable to find anything of value. Nothing but motes of dust floating through empty air.

Dejectedly, he walked back up to the statue to pay his little respects one last time before leaving. That was when something caught his eye.

The statue seemed to be a in a posture similar to the creation of Adam with her finger pointed out.

He had assumed it was positioned to look like she was blessing who ever came to pray to her, yet her face and eyes were turned in another direction.

“Huh? That’s weird. Why would the creator pose the statue like this?”

Comparing the statue to the picture of the goddess on the murals, it was clear that when she was in her seated posture, her eyes and finger should be looking in the same direction.

Climbing up on to the statue he quickly found a line along the neck of the statue.

“Sorry.” Reiji apologized as he performed an even bigger blasphemous action towards the goddess of the temple.

Earlier when he was on the ground, the statue of the goddess had look like it was a single piece sculpted by an expert using magic. The scale and size of the goddess was something not possible on earth.

Now that he was up close, Reiji could clearly see that the statue was made of two pieces. One of the goddess’s bodies leading up to the neck, and then the head.

The seam line on the neck was covered in dust earlier making it unnoticeable from the ground. Now that he was close, he was certain that it was moveable.

However, with the lack of maintenance from the years, it was stuck fast. “If only I had some kind of grease to pour into it.” Reiji sighed to himself once again.

"ORAAAAH!"

Having no other choice, Reiji had clambered on to the goddess's shoulders locking his leg around her neck, and twisted her head using the force of his entire body.

The friction was terrible. Each time he pulled, it would only budge a few centimeters.

Despite his increased strength, it still took great effort. Each exertion causing his face to turn bright red from exhaustion.

When the head of the statue was finally aligned with the hand, a large clicking sound could be heard. A mechanism had been activated. One of the walls of the temple had slowly opened up to reveal a hidden room.

Jumping down, Reiji quickly ran to the room hoping to see what could be so important, that it could be hidden in a secret room.

Inside, the room is lit dimly by the gentle glow of white flaming braziers, casting soft shadows on worn, murals covered walls. In the center, stands an ornate altar elevated slightly from the floor, decorated by silk tapestry and ancient gold coins. Upon the altar was a shining gem, releasing a soft magical aura.

“Woah.”

Unable to resist the allure, his feet brought him to the altar, each step closer causing the gem to pulsate gently as if it was responding to his presence.

The moment his finger brushed against the gem, a bright light flashed out from the gem as warm energy surged from the gem into him.

Unable to react, Reiji could only shield his eyes as something from the gem transfered into him.