Gosh dang it, I just got it back.

I opened my eyes to find myself in a forest.

"Yawwn, what time is it?"

I looked at the still blue sky and saw the sun.

"Ugh, I shouldn't have looked directly at the sun."

I covered my eyes with a hand and realized that they looked different.

'Oh, yeah is my body back to normal?'

I quickly looked at myself.

'Seems like it.'

I was back to my original body.

Although I was now about 20 cm smaller I accepted it.

Gender: Male

Height: 179 cm. /5.8 feet.

Weight: 169 lb. / 77 kg.

Age: 26

Appearance: Light grey eyes, black hair

'Oh, what are my stats?'

I was curious and pulled up my system window.

Character: Kazumi Quintius(2nd slot)/ Kazumi Quintius (Simplified)

Active title: [Weapon master(Legendary)]

Lv: 16

Class: Weapon master(Legendary)

Stats: [STR: E+] [VIT: E] [AGI: E+] [INT: F] 

Authority: [Slash that purifies(SSS+)] [Slash that protects people(SSS)] 

Skills: [Weapon mastery(?)] [Mana circulation(F)][Sealed]

Equipment: Broken constellation's sword(S-), Threaded sword(A+)

'Oh, these are the same stats...'

It felt unfortunate that I didn't get to keep my levels or even skills but it was fine.

'At least I got my body back.'

[Ding!]

A notification that timed well with my thoughts appeared in front of me.

I clicked on the message casually and something appeared.

[Message from the creators of avatar]

Congratulations on getting a second character slot!

With a second character slot you can increase both of your characters strength simultaneously with increased efficiency!

If you can reach the level of your real self you can gain special items from our store!

Note: Here is a gift from headquarters! [Open]

'Oh, how considerate....'

It was given as a note not originally with the message. 

'They even gave me a gift.'

I clicked on the open message with a tense face.

[Opening...]

[You have obtained an avatar exclusive item!]

"Huh?"

A small pocket watch appeared out of thin air.

I quickly caught the pocket watch and examined it.

[Broken watch(EX)(Inactive)]

Description: "Even a broken clock is right twice a day." 

Effect: At 12 A.M and 12 P.M both of your avatar slots will sync their stats and skills.

Cooldown: 48 hours after two uses

'Oh, this seems useful.'

It wouldn't directly increase my growth but it would equalize it.

I nodded to myself and looked at the dead boars.

'I guess I should move them somehow.'

I briefly checked my inventory.

[Inventory (Rank: E)]

Equipment: [Broken clock(EX)(Inactive) 2], [Broken constellation's sword(S-) 5]

Items: [Wolf core(E+)4x 2] [Suspicious mushrooms(?)] [medicinal herbs (F+) 29x] [Berries(F) 32x] 

Slots: 77/100

It seemed that the wolf cores, sword and broken clock took a little more inventory space.

'How do I do this?'

I had to move at least one boar back to the village but how?

'I guess I have to wait and get help?'

I thought about it for a while and looked at my cores.

'I have four cores. It should be enough?'

From personal experience this was the most reasonable way.

'They need a reason to help. It can't just be free labor.'

I decided to wait and eventually someone appeared.

He had red hair, red eyes and two swords on his waist.

I waved my hand to get his attention and he looked moderately confused.

"Hi, can you help me? I'm kinda in a predicament."

The man took a step forward and flinched but quickly asked a question.

"What's your name?"

"It's, Kazumi. What about you?"

The man nodded and answered.

"Raijin Kyrillos."

"So, wanna help me move these boar corpses? I don't have a lot but I have a few wolf cores."

I asked while pointing at the boar corpses.

Raijin nodded slowly.

'He seems like a naturally cautious person.'

"Ah, thanks alright then. Let's get to work right away."

We worked together to put the corpses on top of each first.

"You're alright doing it like this right?"

I asked just in case.

"Yeah, I'm strong enough don't worry. But, what about you?"

I closed my eyes without hearing that last part.

[Activating skill: Mana circulation(E-)]

'Mana is basically an extra stamina meter.'

"I should be fine. Just warn me if I'm about to do something stupid."

I said my eyes half closed.

"...Alright. One two three now!"

Then we lifted it together.

We walked for an unknown amount of time before I got a message.

[The skill: Mana circulation(E-) has been upgraded!]

[Re-awakened skill: physical enhancement(D-)]

'Ah, how long have we been walking?'

I briefly looked around and saw the village.

"There it is. Wait a se-"

'I didn't tell him where we were going.'

I looked back at Raijin and flinched slightly.

"You, what's your identity?"

Raijin was looking at me very seriously.

'He's suspecting me?'

I found it ridiculous but he was certainly stronger than me.

"I don't know what you're thinking about but it's probably not that."

*Thud!*

We both let go of the boars and looked at each other.

"You, did you make a deal with corruption?" 

He asked taking out a sword.

'He knows what corruption is.'

"No, but if you want to fight. I doubt I'd go down easy."

It was all or nothing.

[Equipping: Broken constellation's sword(S-)]

A sword materialized out of thin air radiating a faint light.

Raijin's eyes shook slightly and he took a stance.

"I'm not gonna kill you."

His mana leaked out slightly and a menacing aura was released.

[Authority: Slash that purifies(SSS+) is reacting!]

[Title: Saviour of corruption(EX+) is reacting!]

'This guy!? He has traces of corruption on him!'

I didn't know why but I didn't sense anything from him.

But, my authority and title were reacting.

"You have traces of corruption on you. How?"

Raijin flinched but then sighed.

"Let's just fight."

I nodded and initiated the first attack.

'Line.'

I stabbed forward towards his stomach.

*Step.*

He sidestepped and swung his sword.

*Swish!*

'That's fast.'

I couldn't dodge.

[Equipping: Threaded sword(A+)]

*Clank!*

*Thud.*

"Ugh."

I was knocked down with one swing.

I quickly got back up holding a sword in each hand.

Raijin looked at me silently and then swung his sword.

*Swish!*

The motion was smooth and swift.

'I'm too slow!'

[Activating skill: Physical enhancement(D-)]

*clank!*

I barely blocked using my physical enhancement.

*Thud.*

"Huh, you're pretty good."

Raijin looked moderately surprised and started talking to himself.

"What did he choose? I don't remember skill to be an option. Did he just have natural talent? Alright, Kazumi. What a waste of talent."

"Cough! I already said I didn't make a deal!"

Unfortunately my plea fell on deaf ears.

*Swish!*

I tried to block with my swords but was to slow.

'Shit.'

[You have died!]

"Ah, shit I-"

I heard him say something but it was cut off by my consciousness getting cut off.

[Your avatar will enter an unavailable state temporarily!]

[You will change to your second character slot!]

[Kazumi Quintius(Lv 16)] ([Sira Katsumi(Lv16)])

[Equipping title: Saviour of corruption(EX+)]

[Skill: swordsmanship(D+) has been upgraded!]

I saw these messages in rapid succession.

I didn't have time to think about it and my consciousness came back.

I opened my eyes and saw Raijin looking at me shocked.

It was an understandable reaction. 

'Gosh dang it, I just got my body back and it just died.'

"What the hell? Who are you?"

'At least he doesn't seem like he'll kill me.'

*Sigh.*

I sighed and answered his question.

"Still Kazumi. I guess this body is called Sira Katsumi though."

He nodded and pointed his sword at me.

"Sorry, I wasn't thinking properly."

'You say that pointing a sword at me?'

"So, what do you know about corruption?"

He asked, silently looking at me.

"It's a thing or being that people can make deals with for incredible power, but the price is often human sacrifices or their own sanity."

I put my swords into my inventory and continued.

"And in rarer cases it even enhances monsters."

He nodded.

"Alright, we're talking about the same thing. One last question."

I felt a little tense and involuntarily held my breath.

"What is your personal experience with the corruption?"

"Death, betrayal, disappointment and loss."

I answered immediately without much thought.

He looked at me for a while and nodded.

"Alright, it seems I can trust you. Do you want to know a secret?"

'Uh?'

My thought process was was eliminated and I simply looked at him for a while.

"I guess? Oh, can you remove the sword?"

I realized that he had been pointing his sword at me for a good while and asked.

"Yes or no? I'll tell you in advance, if you hear this there's no going back."

He didn't answer and simply warned me.

'Is this some sort of infohazard?'

It could honestly be one. In this world of magic anything could be possible.

"Yes, I'd like to know. But, please remove your sword."

He didn't remove his sword and his sword flickered in a red light for a while.

'Sword aura? This guy could've killed me if he wanted to!'

I tensed up and stared into his eyes.

He nodded and finally said the secret.

"I'm a regressor. I plan to stop the incoming disaster before it happens."

'What?!'

I remembered Alius talking about regressors.

"Lastly, we have the super genius' among humans. They either break the contract somehow or never formed one. I heard there are also a few regressors."

I was amazed at the time but didn't ask question.

'I wish I asked for details.'

"That's great and all but. Uh, how can I help? Do you even need my help? Why did you reveal this to me?"

Raijin flinched slightly and asked.

"You're not a regressor?"

Now I was confused. What made him assume I was a regressor?

"Nope, I know about corruption b-"

'Oh, I also have my own secrets. Fudge~ this is annoying.'

Raijin looked confused and finally sheathed his sword, holding his head.

"You also have secrets? I already told you mine so can you tell yours? Of course it's not required."

I shook my head and got up.

"Ugh, I guess I'm a traveler from a different world?"

Raijin's ears perked up and he looked at me curiously.

"What kind of world is it?"

I flinched slightly and backed off.

"Oh. I guess you can explain later. Anyway, you were bringing in these corpses right?"

I nodded slightly and realized something.

"How did you know I was going there?"

It was suspicious but I fought him before I could ask.

Raijin sighed lightly and with a confident smile said.

"I'm a regressor remember?"

*Gulp.*

I inadvertently gulped and sighed in embarrassment quickly after.

"So there is something there right?"

Raijin nodded and we carried the boar corpses to the village.

"Oh, you're back."

The guard greeted me while looking at the boar corpses then Raijin.

"A friend?" 

I nodded and walked into the village.

We quickly got to the butcher and he was quite amazed.

"What the hell? You actually got it? And in less than a day?"

"Yup, it wasn't easy but I managed."

Raijin looked around with nostalgic look.

'Has he been here before?'

To a regressor what would this place look like?

"Alright! I can finally get to work after so long!"

The butcher smiled and went to get tools.

I watched him get tools and threw a knife up.

'I really don't know what to do right now.'

"A-"

Before I could say anything Raijin stopped me and shook his head.

He caught the knife and started cutting.

'Oh, I almost just interrupted him.'

I looked at Raijin and he signaled to get going.

"Let's kill some time."

Like that we started going around the village.

Before anything special could happen I remembered that I had sensed corruption from him.

'It wasn't my imagination but why?'

I decided to avoid questioning for now.

"Ah, where are you staying right now?"

Raijin asked seemingly curious.

"Uh, with someone called Laura and Jacob. Do you know them?"

I was curious of what a regressor thought. After all being a regressor is a blessing and a curse.

'Now that I think about it. I haven't slept in the same house as them.'

"Yup, in my last round I also stayed with them."

'Ah, there was one other person. I wonder how they're doing?'

"Let's pay them a visit."