How to Return
Neb raised her index finger as she explained the way back. A faint pink glow shimmered at the tip of her slender, elongated finger.
"The first method is simple, but it comes with its own risks."
Her fingertip pointed toward the sun peeking through the leaves.
"It involves seeking help from my little brother."
"…Your brother?"
Eden tilted his head slightly. Come to think of it, during her grandiose self-introduction earlier, she had mentioned being someone's sister.
'I don't remember the details all that well.' No one could possibly recall that long, rambling spiel in full. Eden had only half-listened.
"So, who's that?"
"Ahem."
Neb cleared her throat at his question.
"He is the second rising sun—"
Eden felt a familiar sense of déjà vu. Thanks to it, he was able to cut her off midway.
"Skip."
"—of dignity… Huh?"
"Skip the unnecessary details."
He had zero interest in whatever "of dignity" nonsense. It wasn't like he'd recognize the name anyway.
Neb pouted, muttering in a dissatisfied tone.
"This is the most important part…"
"……."
"Fine, I get it. Don't give this goddess that look…"
There was no way she could refuse the (coerced) request of this merciless barbarian. Looking a bit dejected, Neb continued.
"…I'm talking about the one named Rundel."
"Rundel."
"Yes. Surely you've heard the name before."
Neb nodded in response to Eden's murmur. Of course he had. It was a name no one in the world didn't know.
This world had a sole god. Or at least, that's what everyone believed.
And that god's name was Rundel.
'…Something feels off.'
Oblivious to Eden's growing suspicion, Neb pressed on.
"He's this goddess's cute and kind little brother. A bit of a rascal, that's his only flaw."
A rascal with the power of a god. That already sounded ominous. And if he was truly just "kind," then why hadn't this goddess in front of him—Neb—been revealed to the world yet? But Neb ended her explanation with a perfectly nonchalant expression, seemingly unaware of the inconsistency.
"If this goddess personally asks him, he'll gladly grant the request. So, this method opens the possibility of sending you back to your original world."
"…A possibility?"
It wasn't even guaranteed. Neb averted her gaze cautiously.
"W-well, my brother can be a bit clumsy."
"Hm."
"He might accidentally send you to an entirely different world…"
"For example?"
Neb thought for a moment before adding,
"A place with pyramids…"
"Tell me the second method."
He had no idea how one could even jump from a game world to another world, but the risk level was clear enough.
…He really didn't want to end up in ancient times instead of the medieval era.
If Eden didn't think of revenge upon hearing about the sun god, he'd be lying. If Neb—the one who'd dragged him to this world—wasn't the culprit, then the only other option was this other god.
But finding a way back to his original world took priority over that.
"The second method is for this goddess to reclaim her lost power."
"Didn't you call it some kind of seal?"
Neb nodded in agreement.
"Not entirely accurate, but close enough."
She pointed her fingertip at Eden—specifically, at his hand.
"Do you remember the relic you got from the old man yesterday?"
"You mean that weird statue."
What kind of relic crumbles if you squeeze it a little?
Neb affirmed his words.
"Though time had drained most of its power, leaving only scraps behind, a relic is still a relic."
She placed a hand over her chest, as if recalling something.
"I heard a voice. It sounded angry, maybe even crying."
Then she smiled brightly at Eden again.
"This goddess being able to manifest in a physical body in this world? That's all thanks to you."
Was it because he broke the statue? He hadn't done anything else.
As if reading his mind, Neb added,
"When this goddess first saw you, I honestly thought you were a descendant of another god."
"…?"
"I sensed a hero, or perhaps a demigod."
"No clue what you're talking about."
Dismissing his confusion, Neb patted his shoulder a couple of times.
"Simply put: someone worthy called this goddess, and I used every last bit of remaining power to descend into this world."
It kinda made sense.
…Or maybe it was total bullshit.
"So right now, this goddess's power is terribly faint. Most of it leaked out from that ancient relic, and…"
Her golden eyes fixed on Eden.
"…there are still relics containing this goddess's power scattered throughout the world."
That part, at least, clicked.
Mesmerized by her words, Eden replied,
"So if we gather all those 'other relics'…"
"Exactly."
Neb nodded.
"Then this goddess can personally send you back to your original world."
"……."
"Oh, and this goddess can sense the relics' locations, so no worries about getting lost."
Eden pondered for a moment. Was blindly following this goddess—Neb—really the right call?
Why had she lost her power?
Why was only one god known in this world?
Ignoring all those questions.
Was it truly okay to restore the power of this woman he barely knew?
"……."
The deliberation was brief.
"We'll go with the second method."
By the time his thoughts settled, his answer was already set.
For Eden, the top priority was returning to his original world.
Escaping monsters and demons that threatened his life, medieval slop for food, flea-infested bedding, and scheming humans who always stabbed you in the back.
To bask in cool air conditioning, sip ice-cold cola.
And see his living parents' faces again.
That was all he wanted.
"You're not lying when you say you can send me back, right?"
"Of course. Once this goddess sheds this frail human body and regains my true form, I can accomplish anything."
Eden stared at her without responding. Catching the implication in his gaze, Neb elaborated briefly.
"I swear it on this goddess's name as well. Once I reclaim my true form, I will send you back to your original world."
"…Alright."
It could all be a lie.
But the spark of even faint hope felt purely joyful. He'd thought he'd be stuck here forever, enduring racial discrimination for life.
'Hey, a possibility is better than nothing.'
Eden extended his hand to Neb.
"It's a promise."
"Understood."
The promise was sealed with a handshake. Their eyes met.
Neb had always been beautiful, but now she seemed even more radiant than before. Truly…
"Makes me wanna give you a kiss."
"…What."
"Nothing."
Eden stood from the rock he'd been sitting on. Startled by the sudden confession, Neb looked up at him with wide eyes.
"Wh-what does that mean…"
She looked a bit pale, as if it wasn't something she wanted to hear from a ferocious barbarian.
'…No need to look that disgusted.' I'm not even a real barbarian. I use fancy shampoo and soap—I'm civilized. Crush my pure heart like that, and even I'll turn into a mindless savage…
Seemed he was getting a bit carried away. Eden turned his head away, indulging in pointless inner jokes.
"Someone's coming."
"No, this goddess is asking about what you just said."
"Three of them."
"…Tch."
Neb stomped her foot in frustration. But Eden's gaze had already shifted toward the sound of footsteps.
'This direction means villagers.'
Eden instinctively reached for his axe but paused. The footsteps were too light for the distance.
"…H-hey, is this the right way?"
"I told you it is. What can you do if you don't believe me?"
"The elders said not to come this far…"
Children's voices mixed in. Eden stared piercingly through the bushes, spotting three small silhouettes approaching while glancing around.
"…Huh?"
One of them met his eyes. A familiar face.
'The kid who guided me at the village entrance.'
With their height difference nearly double, they looked like dwarves. The other kids following him noticed too, poking each other's sides in panic.
"……Sigh."
Neb's glare sharpened again. As she stepped forward, Eden raised a hand to stop her. If she unleashed the same vicious tirade on the village chief, the kids might burst into tears and flee on the spot.
Besides, there had to be a reason they'd sought him out like this.
"Um, excuse me…"
The familiar-faced kid led the way toward him. Their faces were already ghostly pale. Regret was written all over the other two.
"D-damn, we should've just stayed back."
Thinking Eden couldn't hear, one of the other kids muttered to himself. But the barbarian uncle heard everything.
'What's this about all of a sudden?'
The three kids stopped in front of him.
"…Th-th…" Th?
"Thank you for saving our village…!"
They bowed in unison. Neb looked mildly surprised. Eden was too.
At a loss for words, he kept staring at the kids, but the guide—the one named Damian—fumbled in his pocket.
Out came coins: the single silver Eden had tipped him yesterday, plus several coppers that looked like his own savings.
"We truly, truly thank you…"
He'd clearly overheard Neb's scolding of the chief.
"I-I'm Damian. Could we know your name, warrior…?"
Stunned by the unexpected situation, Eden felt a warm sensation rising from his gut. A chuckle escaped him unbidden, a smile forming.
Eden lumbered toward the kid, Damian. Despite the intimidating presence, the children didn't back away. Like at the inn entrance, he ruffled Damian's hair, then the others'.
"Name's Eden."
Kids are better than adults, huh.
With that, he turned toward the outskirts of the village. No luggage to pack anyway. A day's room fee was a minor loss; he had places to be.
'To hunt down relics whose locations we don't even know, we'd better move fast starting now.'
He trudged along the filthy forest path. He could feel the kids' gazes on his back.
"Th-thank you!"
"Thanks!"
Emboldened by Damian, the others chimed in late.
Eden waved without looking back. Neb caught up soon after with quick steps, smiling faintly as she asked,
"You seem in a good mood."
"Hm."
"But the nearest relic isn't that way—it's in the opposite direction…!"
"……."
Eden ignored her, marching onward. Turning back now would feel too awkward…
* * *
"Y-you sure you know the way?"
"……."
"I think we passed that tree already…"
"……."