If you don't want to just drift through life, you have to go through time.

Truman is weak.

With his current strength, he could easily take down a few thugs, but if he were surrounded by hundreds of fully armed soldiers, he would be finished. Of course, if he paid some price, he might be able to escape or fight back.

But what can we do?

What if a nuclear bomb fell from the sky?

No matter how much you train your body, strengthen your mind, or hone your skills, if you're hit squarely by a nuclear bomb, you'll just be vaporized.

Therefore, we must push the limits.

Truman's goal is the same as the Shadow's: to be immune to nuclear vaporization and possess the power to wipe out the entire world single-handedly!

He has made preparations for this.

"Alright, let's go!"

Slide the door number on the door of truth toward 002, which represents an unknown new world behind the door. Then slowly place your right hand on the handle and press your left hand against your chest.

My heart is beating very fast.

The pace was rapid and forceful, as if telling him not to stop. This feeling was like returning to the time when he and his friends were working hard, with anticipation and anxiety about the future. Maybe he even enjoyed it.

What lies behind the door, and what kind of scene will unfold? Come on, this will be the most solid step for me to become stronger!

…………Um!!!?

Full of confidence, Truman stepped into the door only to find that he had missed a step.

The door was on the edge of a cliff, and because he wasn't paying attention to his footing, he didn't even stay in mid-air for a second when gravity hit him. Truman tumbled down the cliff, instinctively letting out terrified screams.

"Waaaaaahh ...

The loud voice startled flocks of birds, and the silent forest was briefly filled with a loud noise.

"Ouch, it hurts so much...!!"

Truman lay on the ground, grinning.

His clothes were tattered, and his face had several minor scratches. His arm seemed to be twisted and turned slightly outward, but his waist and legs appeared to be fine.

Fortunately, the cliff was not high and the slope was not steep, otherwise he would have definitely fallen to his death.

He had said that before.

Everything behind the door is unknown.

It's possible to suddenly appear on a cliff or underground, so each trip to another world requires immense courage, as you never know when you might die.

"Ouch, my clothes are torn..."

Truman had one elbow on the ground as he struggled to his feet. He had no idea where he was, and staying there might be dangerous.

Just then, the bushes not far away suddenly trembled slightly, as if there was some creature there.

No way.

Am I really that bad luck?

The adventurer card clearly shows extremely high luck, yet they're already facing danger right after crossing over to this world...

Truman inwardly complained, but secretly healed himself. He was thankful for the healing magic he had learned from the priests in the world of Konosuba; otherwise, he would be dead by now, though the monsters that appeared later might also take his life.

As the bushes trembled, something was about to appear. Truman instinctively held his breath, his hand concealing an attack spell, ready to strike at any moment. At that very instant—

"...Huh, it's Truman?"

"Um!?"

Truman's breath hitched.

Parting the bushes, a female elf came into view. She was called an elf because she had pointed ears, and strangely, in addition to a pair of red earrings, she also had gold earrings... Normally, shouldn't one pair of earrings be enough?

With her long silver hair tied in pigtails, green eyes, and fair skin, she is undoubtedly an elf, if I'm not mistaken.

In addition, he wore a white mage robe with gold trim and brown boots, with a black and white striped shirt underneath. In his right hand, he held a staff topped with a round ruby, and in his left hand, a suitcase.

Strange, she looks so familiar.

"I never expected to meet you here again, Truman. What are you doing?"

"...Wait a minute, who are you?"

Even though Truman knew who she was, anyone would be suspicious if she greeted him so familiarly and intimately.

However, the elf was even more surprised.

"What kind of new joke is this? This joke isn't funny, Truman. It's me, Frilline."

That's right.

This silver-haired, twin-tailed fairy is none other than the famous Freyland.

But Truman can guarantee it.

This was the first time he had met Frilian!

"What's wrong with you all of a sudden? You left without saying goodbye a year ago, making me think I'd done something wrong to upset you. I wanted to write to you but didn't know where to go. I never expected to meet you in the forest. Did you have the same thought as me and want to see me—?"

"Wait, wait! I don't know you!"

"So this joke isn't funny..."

"Let me reiterate, I really don't know you!"

Truman repeated it very seriously.

Frillie blinked, her bewildered expression looking rather adorable.

"real?"

"real."

"Hmm... Looking closely, you really don't resemble the Truman I know. You seem younger? Your skin is better, and the crow's feet around your eyes have disappeared... Sorry, you're covered in dirt and your clothes are all tattered, I really didn't notice."

That's going too far.

Also, since the beginning, Frillian has been circling around Truman, constantly observing him. If she had that much free time, I really wish she would pull me up from the ground.

"I'm sorry. Come on, get up."

Frillian seemed to sense Truman's resentment. She reached out her hand to Truman, and after a brief hesitation, Truman used her hand to stand up.

He shook his arms.

The healing magic had a remarkable effect.

Although there's still some tingling and soreness, I can move around now, and I think I'll be back to normal soon. I feel a little more at ease in the perilous wilderness.

Frillie stared at Truman in silence for a long time.

"Let me confirm again, Truman, you're not joking on purpose, or maybe you've suddenly lost your memory or something, are you?"

"No, although I don't know what happened, I assure you that I haven't lost my memory. My 20 years of memories are perfectly preserved in my mind. And this is the first time I've met you, I can be sure of that."

"...20 years, you know."

"I have a question too. Do you know me?"

"Of course... I'd like to say that too, but I'm not sure now. If you're one of my partners in defeating the Demon King alongside me, Simmel, Haita, and Aize, then I know you."

"Defeat the Demon King? Hero? Me?"

Truman pointed to himself.

To be honest, he was a little skeptical.

Hoo hoo hoo hoo——————————

Just then, a huge dragon roar suddenly came from the forest, the earth began to tremble, animals scattered in all directions, Truman's body began to sway unsteadily, and he and Frilian hugged each other to steady themselves.

Before they could react, a gigantic monster that blotted out the sky descended upon them.

—It's a dragon!

And it's an adult dragon!

It was entirely black with thick horns, and its head was covered with one large and four small horns, which, combined with its sharp teeth and beastly eyes, made it look particularly ferocious and terrifying.

Its thick limbs were planted firmly on the ground, and its broad wings flapped incessantly, each flap creating a gust of wind that slammed against the trees with a piercing sound. Its long, thick tail swept wildly, easily knocking down trees that would take two people to encircle.

Truman swallowed hard.

"Feed..."

"It's a Black Horned Dragon. I was looking for it. I guess your scream just now startled it, that's why it appeared."

"Was it my fault!?"

Frillie's expression and tone remained completely unchanged; she appeared extremely calm. Truman's tension was also greatly relieved; having a reliable elven mage present was indeed reassuring.

"Frilian, do you have a way to deal with it?"

"...No. I was going to say, 'Truman, go and kill the dragon.'"

"Huh? Me?"

Truman pointed to himself.

With his current strength, he was simply no match for the dragon. No, even standing in front of it made Truman's legs tremble.

"Frilian, do you really have no other ideas?"

"...No. Mages are extremely fragile. Without front-line protection, they cannot concentrate on chanting and are easily interrupted."

Isn't this a complete lack of options?!

At this point, Frillie even turned the tables and asked Truman, "What should we do now?"

I'm Silver, and you're asking me?!

Truman wanted to retaliate, but when he thought that it was his fault for disturbing the dragon, and that he couldn't fight now, there was only one way!

He scooped up Frilian and hoisted the elven mage, who was holding a magic wand and carrying a box, onto his shoulder.

"—Get some oil on the road!!"

Then, without looking back, he turned and ran.