A great philosopher from the world of Obera once said:
"Do not judge my choices if you do not know my reasons, and do not judge my reasons, for you have not lived my life."
Words only those who suffer their consequences would ever understand.
I have lived all my lives the way I wanted—
And yet, at the same time, I haven't… because of the forced Wish.
I've tasted tragedies and caused them, endured life's bitterness and passed its tests…
But…
What truly is my Wish? I honestly have no idea.
Reaching virtue is my goal, not my Wish.
Teaching Maria and Kugssa what I've learned is my desire, not my Wish.
Even before I came to this world, my desire to die was just cowardice and escapism—not a true Wish.
I am… honestly afraid.
Afraid of my Black Wish.
.....
"Master! Breakfast is ready, come on~"
Three days have passed since we began sailing toward the Dark Continent.
That day, we found the man the Twin Elders had guided me to.
I struck a deal with him to sail us to the Dark Continent in exchange for protecting his life throughout the journey from Disaster monsters.
Though it took some persuasion—well, as they say: "What cannot be resolved with words, can be resolved with violence."
Ahem…
Anyway, Maria bought a medium-sized yacht with two decks, enchanted with magic spells to withstand even violent weather.
"Master! Hurry up!"
"Coming…"
Over these past three days, I've been gradually reinforcing my body's endurance while suppressing my Curse…
My body has grown stronger rapidly, but my Curse… it grows even faster, at a terrifying rate.
I must arrive before it's too late… before something happens I cannot accept.
I left my room on the upper deck to prepare for breakfast—
Only to be stunned by what my eyes saw!
"Happy Birthday, Master!!"
A modest feast was laid out on the upper deck of the yacht, prepared by Maria and Kugssa, along with a small cake with my age in this world written on it.
"We couldn't celebrate your birthday earlier because of the rough journey, so we thought this would be the perfect time!"
15 years…
They've passed in the blink of an eye.
"Thank you both… but I'm not really the type to care about this sort of thing."
They looked a bit disappointed, so I tried to lighten the mood somehow.
"But this is the first time—
The first time I've celebrated my birthday like this,
And with people I truly care about."
They smiled again.
"Well then, Master, let's eat! You too, sailor!"
"Don't mind me. I must keep monitoring our course to ensure we reach safely."
And so, we began eating…
A feeling I hadn't experienced in over a thousand years…
In this life, I'm still discovering things I never knew in any of my past lives.
.....
Three months have passed since we set sail.
Surprisingly, we haven't encountered any sea monsters of note—
Only a few low-grade S-rank creatures, far below what I had anticipated.
So I focused on training my body using ancient physical techniques I still remembered.
Though they resemble the "skills" of this world, they don't require mana to use—making them ideal.
Especially under the crushing pressure of my Sword Intent.
Finally, my body has reached a decent level, and I've adapted to my buoyancy ability, allowing for smoother movements.
We're almost there. But…
The absence of any Catastrophic-class monsters keeps me on edge—
Especially since I've never faced one in this world before.
Alright, let's continue with the tra—
*RUMBLE
I didn't even finish the sentence before they came.
The ship began swaying violently as the sea beneath us roared in rage.
I rushed out to prepare for battle.
"Master… I think it's that monster."
"Yes. I can feel its aura from here.
It's unlike anything else…"
Calling it a "monster" is too crude.
With such an overwhelming aura…
"Spirit" would be a more fitting name.
"Guide the sailor to safety and protect him. Then bring Kugssa."
"Understood."
Maria, visibly shaken by the beast's presence, fled to follow my orders.
Kugssa arrived soon after—
Unlike Maria, she looked excited for the fight.
"Are you ready? Don't move or use any skill unless I give the signal."
"Got it, Master Teel~"
Here it comes.
*A DEAFENING ROAR
A colossal monster emerged from the depths.
Only its head was visible, yet it towered like a skyscraper.
Its head resembled a turtle's,
But its unseen body under the sea was clearly something else—
Like a creature from the ancient myths of mankind.
"Now!"
〔Sword Aura – First Slash〕
Kugssa swung her sword, wrapped in her fluid aura, toward the Disaster Beast—
*SCREAM
Then… it died?
"Since when are Disaster Beasts… this weak?"
"Doesn't that mean I'm just that strong, Master Teel?"
True…
You're strong.
Ridiculously strong.
"Damn it, I was actually looking forward to a real fight… sigh."
I descended from the ship to the floating corpse and extracted its core with my sword.
Then returned to Kugssa and handed her the core.
"This is your reward, earned by your own hand. Be proud—you took down a Disaster Beast with a single swing."
"So, Master Teel… are you proud of me?"
"Yes, I am. Of course I am."
Then I returned to my room.
"Wow, Kugssa, you're amazing! Master didn't even need to step in!"
"Of course. I am his first Disciple."
.....
I returned to my room, frustrated by the anticlimactic battle, and sat down, reflecting on my body.
'The Curse grows stronger by the day… but it's still under control.'
It's time.
Time to start training my body the right way.
If I recall correctly, there's one physical technique perfect for my condition—
It requires no mana, no energy—
Only willpower strong enough to endure hellish pain.
〔Holy Body Technique〕
A technique I once modified into a skill.
It was originally designed for females,
But I remember a young man who mastered it his own way and obtained a unique body.
I couldn't use it myself back then, so I converted it into a skill.
The technique replaces internal organs with stronger versions,
Then reinforces muscles and skin until they rival mythril in toughness.
But…
Without the willpower to endure it, death is certain.
So let's begin.
My will is stronger than anyone's.
.....
A month passed…
But unfortunately, I failed to master the technique.
The pain is hellish—
Even worse than the agony from the Dryad's Curse.
Damn it.
.....
Five months passed…
We were nearing the Dark Continent.
Along the way, we encountered five Disaster Beasts—
All of which Kugssa handled on her own.
She keeps growing stronger at an insane rate,
And has nearly perfected her Sword Intent.
As for me…
At last, I mastered this damned technique!
It cost me willpower enough to flood oceans
And pain enough to drown me in despair for millennia.
But finally, I have a unique body—
One tough enough to withstand anything,
And resilient enough for my hopeless journey.
"Master! We've arrived!"
At last…
My Curse is reaching its limit.
"Let's go."
.....
In a distant place at the far northern edge of the Dark Continent…
Inside a tree that spans thousands of meters,
In a vast hall at its center…
"My dear… how long will you stay like this?"
"Master?"
Behind a massive throne high in the hall,
Someone stared out a window overlooking the entire tree.
"Tell me, how long will you keep waiting for someone who's dead?"
"He's not dead. I know he's not…"
She was a stunning young woman—
Long ears, soft green hair, and beauty that brightened the soul.
The one speaking was an elder,
Sharing the same features, except her hair was silver.
"The bond between you two has been severed.
That only happens if he's dead.
We Dryads only lose our connections when our partners die."
"Master, I'm sure of it.
He's unique… strong… no one could kill him."
"Then how do you explain the broken bond?"
"…That…"
She looked at the elder with sad eyes,
And tears began falling without end.
"…Fine. Don't cry.
If what you say is true,
Then he'll come back one day."
"Yes… I'll keep waiting… always…"
.....
In a kingdom at the heart of the Dark Continent—
"My lord! We've received a report from the border guard—
A man with a crushing Sword Intent entered the continent three days ago!"
A soldier had just entered the balcony of a massive castle, speaking to a powerful figure.
"So… he's arrived.
The Sword Saint."
"What are your orders, my lord?"
"Send the special unit at once.
Delay him until I get there myself."
"At once, sir!"
The soldier left.
"Sword Saint…
This will be the beginning of my revenge."