Chapter 7:

Chapter 7 - My first Regret

I Refuse to be bored in another world

“Ouch!”

I wailed as I sat up.

The room was cold, a morning light settled in, dust floating all around. I was alone.

The bed was rough, not sense of comfort was part of its design, even the frame was chipped from use. The floor was of rock, hurting my exposed feet. I still wore my ragged cloths from the fight, stained in my blood.

I tried to peer through the window. Its height was just reachable on my tippy toes. I held onto the metal bars embedded into them, giving me enough to peer through them.

The town was waking up, residents were doing their usual routines, setting up stands and making their way to work.

“So, everyone is a reincarnate...”

I pondered my words, trying to make sense of the world now.

The people dressed as expected of medieval aesthetics rather than true poverish was interesting in its own right. It’s as if the town was made of cosplayers.

I let myself down gently on the ground, the transition caused pain in my cracked ribs. I clenched through the pain.

“Oh, you’re awake.”

A women opened a door peering in. Her attire was bewildering, more accustomed to a service worker then medieval.

“You. You’re that archer from that group.” I recalled the woman.

“Just one moment, Lard wanted to speak with you.”

As she closed the door, I grunted my distaste.

Even if I wanted to escape this encounter I couldn’t. Feeling the metal bars that caged me, I sighed.

They really put a patient in jail without medical care.

I grunted as my breathing caused a jagged pain.

I pondered my situation as I awaited Lards arrival.

I’m in a fantasy world with reincarnates with their own cheat abilities. Lard’s victory was unexpected but needed.

If I had encountered a more serious situation before learning how overpowered people can be, I’d be dead. I recalled my only saving grace from that archer and her group of adventures was the Goddess’s presence with me.

I am thankful of her status.

What has me is there a way to identify people's powers beforehand.

“Hello, degenerate.”

I was greeted immediately by Lard’s attitude. He insulted as he took a seat, I guess he teleported here but walked through the building judging by his sweat.

A fellow priestess accompanied him. There were no signs of disgust from her, rather she appeared to be pitying me. Her eyes were soft, not giving me looks of judgement but forgiveness, as if she understood my situation.

“Hey, I greeted you. So common respect.” Lard demanded, catching his breath.

“Sorry. I’m a little dazed from our fight. Is there a form of medicine or healing I could get?”

“Huh?” Lard was offended. “You can’t even start with an apology?”

I hid my distain with a bite of my tongue.

“I- I’m sorry priest Lard. My actions were uncalled for.” I halfheartedly apologized.

“What are you sorry for?” He gestured for more.

This little...

I calmed my composure.

“I’m sorry for my insults. To both you, and your work. I am truly sorry.” I bowed in earnest presentation, wanting to tear Lard’s limbs off.

“That’s better.” He was satisfied. “No, we cannot gift you with medical attention.

I kept my body composed, but my conscious states wished for blood.

“Instead, we have work for you to do.” He stated.

I perked my head up.

“I am badly hurt. Surely this can wait till I’m better?” I asked, asking for mercy.

“No.” He stated bluntly with a smile. “We need assistance for expansion. We have overestimated the livestock and plan to expand into agriculture.”

I felt the itch.

“W- Well your excellence surely can do this work with no problem. You have crafted this exquisite town, no?”

Lard went smug over my praises.

“The priest has a condition that makes him unable to expend his physical form.” The priestess stated, giving Lard a similar pitiful look while patting his greasy hair.

“He requires assistance in his endeavors. And with this project, he cannot till the dirt, plant the seed, and management of the crops.”

“Uh... And you’re wanting me to...” The itch was stabbing.

“We want you in the fields.”

My brain snapped. As they explained the plans and process my brain was on overload.

“We will provide food and shelter as you continue to work. If you choose to abandon your post, consider yourself an enemy of our people.” The priestess gave me those pitiful eyes, as if I were a lost dog.

“Your work starts tomorrow. We will grant you the day of rest for the Goddess after all.” Lard stood up.

“Wait. Where is the Goddess?” I asked cautiously.

“She is where she belongs. Blessing our lands as she has blessed our lives.” The priestess expressed with genuineness.

The itch was jarring.

Despite her pity, her words, and that neutral expression, there was an underline. My intrigue is growing.

Getting the day of rest, trapped in the jail overnight. The archer from before opened the jail cell, waking me from a painful night sleep.

“Get up. We have a change of clothes for you.”

She placed down boots and proper farmer attire. I was glad there was effort put into the garments, but I felt out of place wearing something akin to cosplay.

“You seem to be right at home here.” I comment as the archer watched me undress. There seemed to be distrust in her eyes, does she think I had something to hide on me.

“You lied about being a God. Why?” She interrogated.

“Who said I lied.” I double downed. Meeting her gaze.

Her eyes twitched, a flame of anger brewed behind them.

“No God would lose to mortals. You didn’t even know about us being reincarnations.”

She continued to watch me, her points firm.

As I threw on my overalls I locked eyes with her. She was head strong, not willing to faulter to the situation.

Her service uniform suggested she had a job, I’m assuming it’s similar to customer service with the fact of her service voice. Her cold tone shows there’s more than a face value conversation between us, she has no desire for pleasantries or to put on airs.

This is a direct question from a personal standpoint. She was interacting with the Goddess in a way that suggested kinship. She wants to have a good standing with the Goddess.

Was the idea of a God accompanying her down to these lands a break in that goal? Or does it not even matter that it was a God, or more so the idea of someone else...

“I was curious to ask. What powers did the Goddess bestow upon you?” My intrigue questioned.

“I have no reason to tell you.” She defended.

“Oh, I’m sorry. It’s just that powers the Goddess give are based on her perception of you.”

“W- What?” She believed my lie. “I- In what way?”

I gave some thought.

“Well, with Lard’s ability to teleport, it was based of his current ailment. She took pity to his inability to exert himself.” I was amazed by my fib.

“He can teleport!?” The archer was taken aback.

“Did... Did you not know that?” I was also now taken aback.

“It’s rude to ask for someone’s power, and a bad idea to expose your own.” She stated.

The itch was unbearable.

The residents have a guideline.

“Hmm... I apologize if I have overstepped a boundary.”

“No- No you’re certainly alright, I’m sorry.” She was flustered.

Her cold demeanor was lifted. Her words were softer as she genuinely apologized.

I read her eyes, she was worried.

“If I may ask. Are you happy to have been reincarnated here? I know it can be easier to come here rather than being reborn” This question froze her.

“Well...” She squirmed. Her body showed she had her own thoughts on the matter.

“I do not wish to bring back memories of an old life with my questioning.” I preemptively took control.

“Y- You’re fine God sir.”

She was now convinced I wasn’t lying.

Where?

Where did I convince her? Was it my casual mention of Lard’s ability, my sense of familiarity with the Goddess and her role. I feel like I’m missing something.

Before I could really dive in, she opened the cell.

“H- Here God sir.” She squirmed, as if she was apologizing for my imprisonment.

“You’re fine... Uh...”

“Layla.” She prompted to my stutter.

“Layla. Thank you and pay no mind to these events. Consider me as human as anyone else here.”

“Uh... If that’s the case... Can I call you Tosh as the Goddess has?”

“No.”

My bluntness scared her.

“My name Is Toshiro Kage, it’s a pleasure to meet you.” I gave the same crafted smile as the Goddess.

Layla’s eyes widened, glee reflected in her eyes.

“A pleasure to meet you.”

She led me out of the room, a small storage section housing various barrels and bottle flowers. It was cold.

Before she opened the next door, I could already hear activity on the other side.

I was met with open space.

Wooden pillars held the roof, a second-floor balcony overlooked the first with tables and people sprawling all around. Under the balcony itself was a receptionist booth and to an adjusting wall was a billboard with plyers and papers.

“I’ve been jailed in an adventurer's guild this whole time?” I realized.

“Y- Yes. Lard had that space temporary set up for housing livestock.”

That explained the random chicken poop in my cell.

She guided me towards the ext. The adventures were giddy, drinking their alcohol. Their attires were still very much cosplay.

“I thought we didn’t have agriculture yet. How do you have beer to sell?” I questioned.

“Oh, we have an alchemist who provides the towns beer.”

Hm.

I found that interesting, I’m curious if it’s a cheat or...

Layla opened the door for me seeing I was still stagging from the pain.

“Thank you.” I appreciated her help.

“Let me know if you need any more help. And... Could I ask you for something?”

“For something?” I have no possessions.