After traveling a relatively short distance through the forest, I managed to find a cliff without trees in the immediate vicinity to rest.

While the forest surrounding the clearing still had black vines, no trees were growing near the cliff. Making the area relatively empty and safe.

I began throwing several stones to test whether there was actually anything suspicious there, but nothing happened. The fact that there weren’t any trees or black vines around the cliff is still slightly suspicious… but the level of risk is acceptable.

Walking over to the side of the cliff, I tossed my backpack on the ground and sat down to rest.

Pinching nose with eyes closed, I couldn’t help but sigh. I’m honestly completely and utter exhausted. My head is spinning in dizziness and everything is freezing cold from my damp clothing.

Basically, my body's aching everywhere.

I forced my eyes back open. I’m afraid that I’ll pass out if I kept them closed any longer.

The kid sat down several meters away.

“Why are you here, kid?” I asked, looking down at the stone floor beneath us. “Why’d you choose to follow a poacher into the wilderness?”

The kid picked up a nearby stone and tossed it a short distance. “I already told you. I want to get stronger.”

“Kid, you don’t get stronger by following an injured poacher into the wilderness.” I stated, leaning forward and staring at him. “In fact, it’s a good way to get yourself killed.”

The kid took several seconds to respond, “You wouldn’t understand... I’ll probably never have another chance.”

“Never have another chance to get yourself killed? Trust me, Kid. There are always plenty of ways to accomplish that.” I briefly chuckled, and leaned back into the stone cliff.

“I won’t be a burden.” The kid stated with clear and determined voice.

I snorted and shook my head dismissively, “You already are, Kid.”

Just by having him here, I had to consider the possibility of him making a mistake and catching me in it.

Additionally, my lack of trust in him means that I'll have trouble sleeping properly in this relatively safe area. Even if the kid isn’t a physical burden, he is certainly a mental one.

I sighed at his lack of response, “Whatever… So, why exactly are you determined to get stronger?”

“Revenge.”

“Ah, yes. The oldest reason in the book.” I laughed at the ridiculousness of it all. “Someone kill your parents or was it a close friend?”

The kid clenched his fists in anger.

Throwing around another random guess, I mockingly asked, “Or… both?”

“Shut up.” The teenager angrily muttered.

Ouch, judging by his reaction, seems I hit the nail on the head. How cliché… Then again the kid was too young for it to realistically be a wife or girlfriend.

“Don’t expect me to sympathize with you.” I shrugged, and pulled the bedsheets out the backpack, “People die. That’s just life.”

The kid muttered to himself, “You think I don’t know that already?”

Standing up, I spread out the bedsheets on the ground to dry.

I would remove my damp clothing and dry it off… but I don’t need to give someone a pleasant view. Even though I’m not actually a girl, it’s still my body.

“Kid, I don’t suppose you have a way to start a fire?” I inquired, without much hope.

“I can.” The kid nodded. “Also, my name is Leon. L-E-O-N.”

Ignoring the brat’s request to call him by his name, I directly ordered him around, “Perfect, go collect some dead firewood.”

The teenager glanced over toward me before nodding, “Fine.”

“Don’t leave the immediate vicinity.” I clarified, “If I can’t see you, you’ve gone too far.”

I cannot save him if he’s traveled too far and gets into trouble… also the kid might try to escape and inform others of my location.

... The second part might be the most important reason.

What can I say? Trust issues.

The kid stood up and left to collect kindling for the fire.

I thought about pulling out the notebook and reading it further for advice, but my exhaustion and tiredness removed any motivated I could conjure.

Instead, I simply kept track of the kid.

I merely watched as he collected firewood and kindling from the ground whilst avoiding touching any of living trees. He had picked up a dead branch and was using it to test other pieces of tinder before picking them up.

The entire process was painful slow.

If I get hypothermia, I’m definitely going to blame this kid.

My mind drifted to thoughts of God-hunter and Rin. I'd taken their presence for granted somewhere along the line. Since I met them, I’ve basically been around them semi-permanently. It's must’ve been around two years ago when I met them.

Wow… has it really been two years? Time has passed by extremely quickly.

If someone told that I’d survive two whole years when I arrive here, I don’t think I’d believe them.

Actually, I might believe it. I definitely wouldn’t believe I’d become Rin’s boyfriend, though. If I can even be considered her boyfriend anymore. Rin seemed pretty insistent on abandoning me.

Ugh… Where did I mess up? I don’t remember doing anything that bad. That’s the problem with interacting with time travelers. You can never be sure if you’re the version of yourself that screwed up.

Who am I kidding? *Sigh…* Rin said that she wouldn’t reload anymore. I’m definitely the one that screwed up.

I should’ve just agreed to say out of the way.

Idiot.

I’m a complete and utter moron. For a self-proclaimed genius, I certainly don’t act it at times. I had completely neglected Rin’s feelings on the matter.

If only I was more powerful or equally powerful to her, then…

I shook my head and dismissed the thought.

My strength is nowhere close to Rin’s power. I’m too weak and prone to dying when compared to her. That’s what she was upset about to begin with.

Refocusing on the surroundings, I realize the kid had returned and had begun setting up the fire.

As the kid set up the firewood, he began inquired into my background, “What’s your name?”

“None of your business, Kid.” I refused to answer, mainly because I’d forgotten it.

How am I supposed to remember the bloody name on that passport? I’d only read it once and had been focused on other things at the time. I couldn’t exactly answer with Tobias.

“Are you related to Paradox?” The brat continued questioning me despite my refusal.

“Who?” I glanced at him with confusion.

Actually, isn’t that Rin’s last name? Why does he think I’m related to her?

“You have the same golden eyes as him.” The kid stated, whilst trying to create a fire by rubbing sticks together.

Him? The kid’s not talking about Rin, then. It might be past version of myself.

“If he’s still alive, I doubt there’s any relation.” I plainly said, “In fact, I’m pretty confident in that assertion.”

Unless the brat’s talking about a past version of myself, it’s impossible for there to any relation. Honestly, though, I doubt that it’s a past version of me. I wouldn’t use Rin’s last name.

Plus, I only stated in the notebook that golden eyes are a relatively rare trait. That means some native people on this planet should have them.

“Okay.” The kid let go of the topic and the sticks began to release smoke.

I stared at the smoke as it burst into fire with the utmost surprise.

Create fire isn’t actually as simple as rubbing two sticks together. Normally, utilizing the method of rubbing two sticks together means it takes hours to create smoke and fire.

Even for an expert, there’s no guarantee that the kindling will catch on fire.

That’s why I normally use magic or tools to create fire. Along with requiring optimal conditions, it’s too difficult and time consuming to without tools or magic.

In order to accomplish the feat that quickly, there has to be some sort of supernatural component at play. It seems I haven’t quite seen the limit of this world. Weapons of power aren’t the only way of growing powerful here.

The questions behind this kid’s existence grow larger by the hour.

“Good job, Kid.” I complemented, holding out my hand toward the fire.

While the kid has his own secrets, I’m not the type to pry. I have too many secrets myself to be that inconsiderate. We certainly don’t know each other well enough to be prying into each other secrets.

“It's Leon.” The kid corrected, before continuing. “Teacher, you definitely don’t want to me treat your soul injury?”

“I’m not your teacher, Kid.” I directly ignored the other parts of the sentence.

His name is irrelevant. Unless the twerp does something to make it worth remembering, I cannot be bothered to learn it.

As for the healing portion. His previous reaction was too suspicious. I don’t trust him enough to let him attempt healing my soul.

“What should I call you, then?” The kid inquired trying to probe at my name once again.

I didn’t really know how to respond to that. Nor can I be bothered to come up with a proper lie.

“Just call me whatever you want.” I said, whilst my body began to warm up from the fire.

“Okay, Teacher.” The kid responded cheerfully.

This brat…

My mouth twitched and I leaning back into the stone cliff before rolling my eyes.

I walked right into that response, didn’t I? Tsk. Whatever, I don’t care that much about what he calls me anyway.

Resting my eyes and tired body, I commanded. “Go to sleep, you little twerp.”

I propped my spear against the wall and kept my working hand wrapped God-hunter in my backpack.

I wouldn’t be able to use the spear easily if there was trouble when I awoke. Daggers, such as God-hunter, are far easier to wield with little setup time.

This area isn’t exactly the safest to sleep. Nor is this kid the safest companion to sleep next to. There aren’t many other choices, though… I need to some rest.

Upon closing my eyes and letting go of complicated thoughts, consciousness slipped away from me.

…

Shivering from the cold, I rubbed my arms before jerking awake. I tightened my grip on God-hunter instinctively and examined the surroundings for danger.

The fire had simmered into nothingness and vanished awhile ago. The kid was nowhere to be seen.

I did a double take to confirm the kid’s disappearance. He definitely wasn’t in the immediate vicinity.

Good riddance. I didn’t particularly like him that much anyway.

Although that means my location has probably been exposed and I need to get moving.

Damn, it’s cold.

Sleeping in damp clothing probably wasn’t the best idea. Fortunately, I shouldn’t have to do it again. The bedsheets should be dry by now. Although my clothes are still damp, I’ll just take them off before sleeping next time.

Glancing down toward where I left the bedsheets to dry, I quickly realized an important fact.

The bedsheets were gone.

The hell? Did the brat steal my bedsheets before leaving? What an asshole.

Whilst mentally complaining, I picked my backpack and wrapped it around my back. Then reached toward the spear I’d propped against the wall. Blinked repeatedly, I stared dumbfounded at the empty space where I’d left my spear.

It’s gone.

My spear… It-it was gone. My weapon of power had completely vanished. The spear was nowhere to be seen in the vicinity.

“Leon, you fucking brat.” I swore, realizing what had happened. I engraved his name into my memory. “Leonardo Yune, right?”

He had stolen my weapon of power. The brat had taken my bedsheets and my weapon of power.

Should’ve killed him when I had the chance.

According to my notebook, Leon shouldn’t be able to use my spear after I bound it to myself. So why did he even take it?

Pinching my temples, I felt overwhelmingly annoyed at this development.

What am I supposed to do now? I’ll admit, this is my fault. I should’ve been more careful. I never even considered Leon stealing my weapon of power. After all, there shouldn’t have been any point in doing it.

Chase after him? With my injuries, I’m not exactly in a position to be chasing after someone. The goal was to escape from civilization to provide myself time to heal.

Wait until I’m healed before searching for him? Who knows how long that would take and where Leon would be at that point.

Leave him be? The brat stole my ticket out of this place. I literally can’t leave him be.

Damn, annoying brat.

I have to follow him.

Examining the ground for more details on where he’d headed, I quickly managed to find his traces. The dirt footprints indicate Leon picked up the bedsheets, walked over toward the weapon of power before disappearing into the forest.

The notebook stated that touching another's weapon of power causes soul injuries. So, did Leon utilize the bedsheets to prevent himself from getting injured? That implies the kid has basic knowledge that he cannot use it.

While I’m not nearly as proficient at tracking as Rin, I’m still pretty decent. After all, I spent a decent portion of time learning how to hide my own traces and searching for other people's traces isn't that different.

I shouldn’t have too much trouble finding him (hopefully).

Thus, I began the painstaking process of following the brat’s tracks.

There wasn’t really any difficulty in following Leon’s tracks, he clearly had no experience in hiding them. Only abnormal people, such as Rin, would have experience with tracking and hiding their trails at such a young age.

The difficulty involved keeping an eye on the surroundings at the same time to avoid accidentally triggering the black vines or getting caught off guard by something equally stupid.

Seriously, though, where the hell is Leon going? This isn’t the path we took entering the forest. It isn’t even the same direction.

I couldn’t help but raise an eyebrow as I found the number of plant monsters on the trees decreasing.

Did he get lost or something? This direction is definitely deeper into the forest, although it’s out of the plant monster territory. It’s definitely not safer.

Sighing, I wasn’t sure what conclusions to draw from his actions. Leon seemed truthful when he spoke to me earlier.

Leon’s anger seemed real and so did his desire for strength. Stealing my weapon of power or heading deeper into the forest doesn’t seem helpful in accomplish his revenge, though. Nor should it improve his strength.

Was the kid just straight up lying? Is he that impressive an actor?