I walked more calmly, and luckily, it seemed the mutants had gotten distracted by a ravine. Something completely outside my calculations—but who was I to complain or pass up an opportunity like that?
Another important thing to keep in mind was that I didn't need to eat. Or at least, not in the normal way. Sometimes I did it just so my stomach wouldn't feel weird—more out of habit than actual necessity. Even so, if food ever became scarce, I could always rely on a binding vow to sustain myself in exchange for something. It wasn't my first or last option, but it was there.
Either way, I wouldn't have to go that far. I still had some food in my backpack.
I was using this path as a learning route. I needed to understand this world. I wasn't omniscient or anything like that—I had just arrived with a template and memories from another world that didn't fully fit here. The information I had only came from the show I'd seen. I knew the basics and nothing more.
Simon Petrikov, his relationship with Marceline before she became a vampire… and that was it. Beyond that, I was completely in the dark. Still, I had to stay alert for the Lich. He was supposed to be around these areas already, gathering energy or preparing something worse. Negative energy would be the key to detecting him.
I walked calmly. From the outside, anyone would say I looked like a curious college student exploring her surroundings, observing every detail with genuine interest.
"There used to be a strip club here, right?" I thought, a bead of sweat running down my temple as I noticed vines covering what used to be a pole. The seats, once made of stone, were now completely reclaimed by nature.
"I should fix a place like this when I help humans," I thought lightly.
As I continued, a question started forming, heavier than expected.
Should I go with them?
I didn't want to. First, I needed to train. Second, if I was here, it was for a reason—and honestly, I didn't think this world was exactly the same as the show. I'd rather avoid a catastrophe caused by overconfidence.
I leaned against a wall covered in plants and roots, letting the green reclaim what was once concrete, and stayed there for a moment, silently observing the world I was slowly beginning to understand.
"Mnnn," I thought, glancing to the side as I noticed something slimy sliding along a crumbling wall. Thick green sludge, with a smell bad enough to leave no doubt.
"A mutant?" I wondered curiously.
It was a small rat, grotesquely deformed. At a glance, it was clearly a mutant—but a weak one, probably left behind when the horde passed through. I picked it up with one hand and confirmed my suspicion: its body was rotten, barely able to move, most likely crushed during the stampede.
I observed it for a few seconds, more out of interest than compassion.
"What would happen if I used reverse cursed technique on it?" I thought.
Without overthinking it, I channeled positive energy into the rat. For a fraction of a second, its body reacted…
And the next instant, it exploded.
Green sludge and unpleasant remains splattered across my face.
…
…
"Definitely not doing that again," I thought flatly.
I wiped my face with a cloth, shaking it off in disgust, and took the opportunity to search the surrounding ruins for anything useful—tools, scraps, anything.
Nothing.
With no other options, I continued on my way.
My goal remained the same: find more human life and listen to what they had to say about this place. Direct information was always more valuable than incomplete memories from another world.
"It's better to have multiple perspectives," I thought with a slight smile as I walked toward where I could sense familiar presences, leaving behind the ruins—and the lesson learned through green slime.
I walked for several hours, calmly observing my surroundings. For obvious reasons, the world had been completely reclaimed by nature. Trees, vines, and overgrowth covered almost everything, and only a few places remained somewhat intact despite time and abandonment.
I grabbed my spear and began clearing a path, cutting through the vegetation with ease. It wasn't just practical—it was personal. In my past life, I liked being at the front, leading, clearing the way for others. It was a habit that never left me, and doing it now felt strangely familiar… almost comforting.
After clearing a good amount of terrain, I noticed a shift in the atmosphere. It wasn't obvious—there was no clear boundary—but something felt different.
Heavier.
More charged.
I turned my gaze—and saw it.
In the distance stood a massive structure, far too large for ordinary humans.
A castle.
An imposing one, completely out of place.
I activated the same binding vow in my eyes, expanding my vision to observe it more clearly. Much of it was covered by a massive roof, and beneath it moved numerous presences.
I didn't need to analyze much.
Vampires. A lot of them.
"Some kind of boss-level civilization," I thought cautiously.
When the effect faded, I turned away and focused in another direction—where I sensed more… friendly presences.
Without hesitation, I ignored the castle.
Not my objective.
I realized I was in a mountainous area. Without thinking much, I used anti-gravity and descended from a considerable height, floating down like a feather until I landed safely.
Then I kept walking like nothing happened.
"It's interesting being like this," I thought, observing the trees while cutting some along the way. I also made sure to leave false trails and misleading paths, just in case someone tried to follow me.
"Smart as always, Kenjaku," I thought with mild irony.
Still, something felt off.
Like I was missing something.
"Fabricio," I thought, glancing down.
I knew I could switch templates at some point, but I didn't want to yet. I preferred to fully adapt to this one first—this would be my base form. My true starting point in this world.
I shook my head and kept walking, now much closer to what I could call human civilization.
Though calling it that was generous.
There were only three people.
But still—something.
Carefully observing, I saw two girls and one guy.
They wore improvised animal hats—the guy had a bear, the girls had wolf hats, worn down by time. They sat around a small fire, cooking what looked like a sheep. Upon closer inspection, it had minor mutations—not grotesque, just slight deformities.
Still edible.
Good.
I stayed hidden, listening carefully. Before approaching, I needed to know if they were trustworthy—or just desperate survivors.
"Hey, Fred," one of the girls said. "Do you think we'll find the others?"
"Maybe," he replied, without much hope.
The other girl stayed silent, focused on cooking.
"We were lucky to find this," Valeria said, storing raw meat in foil.
Both women looked malnourished. The man looked worse physically—but somehow stronger.
Apparently, he had fought off weak vampires.
That said enough.
Maybe this was my first step into society.
And maybe… just maybe… it was worth not messing it up.
…
"Hello," I said calmly, stepping out.
They tensed immediately.
Weapons drawn.
…yeah, not the reception I wanted.
"Who are you?"
"My name is Kenjaku."
"Isn't that a man's name?"
"…That's what I was given," I replied, slightly annoyed.
Awkward silence.
"You can come with us," Fred said. "But you'll walk ahead."
"That works."
I nodded.
We moved.
I walked in front, cutting through everything with my spear like it was nothing.
Behind me—
Silence.
"…Well, she didn't survive by luck," Valeria muttered.
"Obviously," Fred replied.
After a few moments, he spoke again.
"Have you been alone this whole time?"
"Yes," I said, cutting down a large tree effortlessly.
"…How?"
"I had a life before this. I adapted fast."
Not a lie.
Just incomplete.
"When you have no one waiting for you… you do whatever it takes to keep moving."
Silence again.
They didn't trust me.
But they couldn't let me go either.
That gave me the advantage.
"Stick with me," I said. "I'll clear the path."
We moved faster.
"Are you mute?" I asked, glancing at the quiet girl.
She nodded.
"Good. Less noise."
Night fell.
"We need shelter."
I pointed to a cave.
We entered and covered the entrance.
Then I placed my hand on the ground.
"Emerge from darkness… purify what is impure."
A small veil formed around us.
Hidden.
Undetectable.
"What did you do?" Valeria asked.
"Just a little help."
They accepted it… more or less.
The mute girl signed something.
"I understand," I said. "It's a barrier."
"You're a mage?" Valeria laughed.
Fred smirked.
"Sure."
I shrugged.
"Believe it or not—it doesn't matter."
"Then show us something."
I tilted my head.
"Something horrible… and useful?"
"Go ahead."
I grabbed my spear, infused it—
And cut my hand.
Blood spilled instantly.
Valeria fainted.
Fred froze.
Frida stared in shock.
Then—
My hand regenerated.
Bone.
Tendons.
Blood vessels.
Muscle.
Skin.
Like nothing happened.
"Good as new," I said calmly.
…
…
And they both fainted.
End of Chapter 2.