The Great Filter

A full year had passed since my rebirth.

During that time, I had gradually come to understand the world I now called home.

This world existed in what could only be described as the medieval era-a time far more primitive than the age I once belonged to, the era of interstellar civilization.

However, there was one crucial difference between the Middle Ages recorded in my world's history and the one before my eyes.

This world possessed something my former world had never known.

Mana.

A mysterious medium that permeated the world itself.

Here, humans could wield magic, manipulate the elements, and reshape natural phenomena according to their own will.

How did I know?

Because I had seen it with my own eyes.

My mother cooked using fire magic.

My father healed his wounds with restorative magic and instant healing potions, then casually split massive boulders apart with a single swing empowered by enhancement magic.

It was exactly like the fantasy novels from my previous life.

The first time I witnessed magic...

I was genuinely amazed.

Unfortunately-

That sense of wonder did not last very long.

Because despite their ability to command magic, I soon realized that life in this world was anything but peaceful.

It was cruel.

Our village stood near the great frontier separating human territory from the lands ruled by monsters.

In simple terms...

We lived in one of the most dangerous places imaginable.

The monsters here were nothing like the anthropocentric creatures from the fantasy stories of my previous world.

They did not exist merely to become stepping stones for human heroes.

No.

These monsters were powerful.

Intelligent.

Their mastery of magic surpassed humanity's own.

And to them...

Humans were nothing more than prey.

...No wonder Father always comes home covered in wounds.

Although... why are we still living here?

If I could speak properly, I'd have filed a formal complaint long ago.

I sighed inwardly as Sophia spoon-fed me rich bone marrow.

"My love..."

Sophia spoke with an uneasy expression.

"I think we should return to the capital."

"This place isn't safe anymore."

Ohh? Mother read my mind!

Father-Lucas-shook his head while fastening the straps of his armor.

"I don't agree, Sophia."

"The capital isn't nearly as safe as it used to be."

Sophia frowned.

"What do you mean?"

Lucas let out a weary sigh.

"I heard it from the royal messengers yesterday."

"The monster armies have already reached the capital."

"They say the city has been under siege since last year..."

"And there hasn't been any new information since then."

Sophia's face turned pale.

"T-That's impossible..."

"My sister is there, Lucas!"

The spoon slipped from her fingers and clattered onto the table.

"I know."

Lucas stepped closer before gently brushing a hand through her hair and down to her cheek.

"Right now... all we can do is pray for your family's safety."

"..."

Sophia slowly lowered herself onto her chair.

Her hands trembled uncontrollably.

Fear.

Helplessness.

Despair.

It took several moments before her breathing finally steadied.

"How are we supposed to fight enemies like this?"

Her voice was barely above a whisper.

"They're becoming stronger every year..."

"They've already reached the capital..."

She lowered her head.

"Will we end up like cattle waiting to be slaughtered?"

...

This is the first time I've ever seen Mother this hopeless.

I always thought she was the cheerful type.

Seriously...

God, why did You send me to this world?

Don't tell me You expect me to clean up this mess.

Who exactly do You think I am?

I snorted in dissatisfaction while reaching for the spoon Mother had dropped.

At one year old, I had become surprisingly proficient at feeding myself.

Lucas smiled faintly.

"Don't say that, Sophia."

"As long as we're still alive..."

"As long as humanity still exists..."

"We must keep fighting."

"For ourselves..."

"And for our children."

"Our grandchildren."

His gaze shifted toward me.

Naturally, both of them ended up watching me struggle heroically against a piece of bone marrow.

Sophia's sorrowful expression slowly melted into a gentle smile.

Watching me enthusiastically smear food across half my face seemed to ease her anxiety.

"You're right..."

She smiled softly.

"We can't give up."

"For our son."

"And for the future of our family."

She looked at Lucas apologetically.

"I'm sorry..."

"I let my fear get the better of me."

Lucas chuckled before resting a reassuring hand on her shoulder.

"It's alright."

"There's nothing wrong with being afraid."

He picked up his sword before heading toward the door.

"I should get going."

"Take care of yourself, alright?"

Before leaving, he leaned down and gently kissed Sophia.

...

Seriously...?

Do you two have to flirt right in front of me?

Young couples...

I let out another exhausted mental sigh.

---

Several hours passed.

The afternoon sun now hung lazily above the village, bathing everything in a warm golden glow.

From my crib, I watched as Mother carefully folded a letter before sealing it with wax.

She stepped outside and handed it to a messenger bird perched on the windowsill.

The bird let out a sharp cry before taking flight, disappearing into the endless blue sky.

Even after watching it vanish beyond the horizon...

Sophia remained standing there.

Her eyes lingered on the distant sky for several long moments.

She was still worried.

About her sister.

About the capital.

About the uncertain future awaiting all of us.

Yet despite everything...

She forced herself to smile before returning inside.

Mother was stronger than she gave herself credit for.

She headed into the kitchen to prepare dinner, humming softly as she searched through the wooden cabinets.

"Hmm..."

"Bone marrow..."

"Potatoes..."

She continued rummaging through several baskets before suddenly freezing.

"Oh no..."

She looked inside another basket.

Then another.

An awkward smile appeared on her face.

"We're almost out of ingredients..."

She scratched her cheek sheepishly.

"Lucas will come home hungry."

"He'll definitely be disappointed if dinner isn't ready."

She clapped her hands together as though arriving at an important conclusion.

"I should hurry to the market."

She immediately began preparing to leave.

Then-

She turned toward me.

A bright smile spread across her face.

"Come on, Arzad!"

"Let's go shopping together!"

Without waiting for my approval, she gently lifted me into the baby sling strapped across her chest.

"Ta!"

(Sure, why not?)

(Even I get tired of staring at the same ceiling every day.)

(A little fresh air sounds wonderful.)

---

The moment we stepped outside...

A gentle breeze brushed against my face.

I instinctively narrowed my eyes.

...

Beautiful.

Truly beautiful.

Endless fields of emerald grass stretched beneath the afternoon sun.

A crystal-clear river shimmered like liquid sapphire as sunlight danced across its surface.

Cattle peacefully grazed across wide meadows.

Beyond them stood dense forests that surrounded the village like natural walls.

The distant mountains pierced the clouds, completing a landscape so breathtaking it almost felt unreal.

"Ya! Ya!"

(Magnificent!)

(It's been... so long since I've seen scenery this beautiful.)

Back in my previous life...

Towering megastructures had replaced mountains.

Artificial skies had hidden the stars.

Steel had conquered forests.

Glass had buried rivers.

Progress had transformed humanity into masters of civilization...

Yet somewhere along the way...

We had forgotten how beautiful simplicity could be.

Perhaps...

Primitive wasn't always synonymous with inferior.

Sophia looked down after hearing my cheerful babbling.

"My little Arzad seems happy today."

She giggled.

"So you like going on walks too?"

"I do as well."

"You know..."

"I used to be an adventurer."

She smiled proudly.

"I hope you'll grow up and follow in Mommy's footsteps someday."

...

Absolutely not.

Considering the current monster situation, I'd much rather become a researcher again.

At least laboratories don't usually try to eat their employees.

Well...

They actually drain us to death...

Sophia continued walking toward the marketplace, gently humming the same lullaby she often sang before putting me to sleep.

---

As always...

I carefully observed everything around me.

Observation.

Analysis.

Understanding.

Those principles remained deeply rooted within me, regardless of age.

The villagers bustled about with their daily routines.

Some milked cows.

Some worked tirelessly in the fields beneath the afternoon sun.

Others guided sheep across grassy hills.

Several men chopped down towering trees near the forest's edge.

Children laughed as they chased one another through the dirt roads.

Simple lives.

Simple happiness.

...

Life here is strangely peaceful.

I almost envy them.

They lived without worrying about orbital infrastructure.

Without debating quantum engineering.

Without calculating stellar energy output.

Their concerns revolved around harvests...

Family...

And tomorrow's meal.

Perhaps...

That wasn't such a terrible way to live...

If there's no monsters in this world it is.

---

Before long, we arrived at the village marketplace.

Compared to the commercial districts of my previous life...

Calling this place a "market" felt rather generous.

There were no towering shopping complexes.

No automated logistics.

No holographic advertisements.

Only rows of wooden stalls lining a dirt road.

Fresh vegetables.

Bundles of herbs.

Smoked meat.

Simple tools.

Handmade clothing.

Everything was crafted by hand.

Sophia wandered from stall to stall, cheerfully greeting familiar faces while purchasing ingredients for tonight's dinner.

Meanwhile...

My attention remained fixed elsewhere.

People fascinated me far more than vegetables ever could.

I watched merchants skillfully negotiate prices.

Farmers exchanged news over baskets of fruit.

Blacksmiths displayed freshly forged tools.

Every smile.

Every conversation.

Every tiny interaction became another piece of information stored within my growing understanding of this world.

Then-

Someone called out to us.

"Hey, Mrs. Spes!"

Sophia turned around.

"Oh?"

A man wearing a well-tailored tunic approached us with a friendly wave.

Unlike the average villager, his clothing was noticeably more refined.

Not extravagant.

But respectable.

The kind of attire that naturally commanded authority.

"Mr. Romelo?"

Sophia smiled politely.

"How have you been?"

"Hahaha!"

The man laughed heartily.

"What kind of question is that?"

"You're asking the village chief what he's doing in his own village?"

He spread his arms dramatically.

"Naturally, I'm inspecting the area!"

His laughter echoed across the marketplace before gradually fading.

His expression soon became more serious.

"Besides..."

"The monster attacks have become more frequent lately."

"And every raid seems worse than the last."

"I have to keep an eye on everything."

He let out a tired sigh.

"You've heard about the capital's situation... haven't you, Mrs. Spes?"

Sophia's smile disappeared.

"...Yes."

"My older sister is stationed there."

"She's one of the Royal Elite Knights."

Her voice became noticeably quieter.

"I'm... very worried."

Romelo nodded solemnly.

"In that case..."

"Let's pray they succeed in driving those monsters away."

Sophia silently lowered her head.

She couldn't even force herself to answer this time.

"Don't lose hope, Mrs. Spes."

Romelo offered her a reassuring smile.

"God has never abandoned humanity."

"Not once."

His cheerful expression returned as though trying to chase away the heavy atmosphere.

"So..."

"What brings you here today?"

"Buying groceries?"

Sophia nodded.

"Yes."

"I'm preparing dinner."

"My husband will be home tonight, so I'd better hurry."

"I see!"

Romelo laughed.

"Then I won't keep you any longer."

He placed a hand over his chest before bowing politely.

"My apologies for taking up your time."

Sophia hurriedly waved both hands.

"N-No, not at all, Mr. Romelo."

"You weren't bothering me."

"Hahaha!"

"I'm relieved to hear that."

He turned around.

"Well then..."

"I'll continue my patrol-"

"Kyaaaaa!!"

A piercing scream shattered the peaceful afternoon.

Everyone instinctively turned toward its source.

A young woman came sprinting down the road leading into the village.

She wasn't one of the villagers.

That much was obvious at first glance.

Her silver hair flowed wildly behind her as she ran.

Her once-elegant clothes had been torn in several places, stained with dirt and blood.

Terror filled her beautiful face.

She wasn't simply running.

She was fleeing for her life.

And behind her...

Thunder echoed across the earth.

Doom.

Doom.

Doom.

Ten armored riders burst from the forest.

Mounted atop enormous wolves clad in crude iron armor, they charged forward with terrifying speed.

Their riders...

Were goblins.

Each one wore battered plate armor dyed crimson by countless battles.

Weapons glimmered beneath the afternoon sunlight.

Their eyes burned with savage excitement.

"G-Goblins!!"

The marketplace instantly descended into chaos.

Villagers abandoned their stalls.

Children screamed.

Merchants scattered in every direction.

The peaceful atmosphere from only moments ago vanished completely.

---

Romelo reacted immediately.

With a swift motion, he seized the spear strapped to his back.

His entire demeanor transformed.

The warm village chief disappeared.

In his place stood a warrior.

"Someone call the village guards!"

His voice thundered across the marketplace.

"I'll hold them here!"

He pointed his spear toward the charging monsters.

"Anyone who can wield a weapon..."

"Follow me!"

Several villagers hesitated.

Then...

One after another...

Men grabbed axes.

Pitchforks.

Hunting bows.

Woodcutting hatchets.

Anything that could be used as a weapon.

Without another word, they rushed toward Romelo.

Together, they formed a defensive line in front of the fleeing woman.

The armored goblins slowed their mounts.

Eventually...

They came to a complete stop.

Silence.

The only sound remaining was the heavy breathing of frightened villagers.

One goblin slowly rode forward.

Unlike the others, his armor was drenched in far more blood.

Old blood.

Fresh blood.

Layers upon layers of it.

He tilted his head.

Then...

He smiled.

A smile filled with naked contempt.

"You..."

His coarse voice echoed across the square.

"Are trying to stop us?"

...

It spoke.

My eyes widened.

A goblin... spoke.

During my entire year in this world...

Every goblin I had heard about was described as little more than an unintelligent monster.

Savage.

Violent.

Animalistic.

Yet this one...

Not only wore full armor...

It possessed intelligence.

Language.

Discipline.

...

These aren't ordinary goblins.

Not even close.

Tsk...This is terrifying.

---

The goblin leisurely rested its axe across one shoulder.

"Hand over the woman."

It looked down upon everyone before raising its chin arrogantly.

"You all know we're not uncivilised goblins like what you usually fought,right?"

Its grin widened.

"Or..."

"Do you wish to offend the New Kingdom?"

...

"...The New Kingdom?"

The words rippled through the crowd.

Confused murmurs spread among the villagers.

Romelo narrowed his eyes.

The goblin chuckled.

"Hehehe..."

"You don't know?"

Its laughter gradually became louder.

Then-

It roared proudly.

"The Kingdom of Elpis has fallen!"

Every face froze.

"You humans..."

"Now belong to the domain of our great king!"

The goblin spread both arms dramatically.

"Remember his name well!"

"King Nivgorod the Great!"

His booming voice echoed throughout the marketplace.

Silence followed.

Utter silence.

It felt as though time itself had stopped.

Then...

The villagers' expressions crumbled.

Faces turned pale.

Weapons trembled.

Hope...

Vanished.

"N-No..."

Sophia's lips quivered.

"My sister..."

Her knees gave way beneath her.

She collapsed onto the ground, staring blankly into nothingness.

Her face became completely devoid of color.

...

...Damn.

This just became infinitely worse.

I swallowed nervously.

"M-Ma!"

(Mother!)

(Get up!)

(We have to leave!)

I slapped her shoulder repeatedly with all the strength my tiny body could muster.

She didn't react.

Not even slightly.

She remained frozen.

Her mind had already been consumed by despair.

Damn it!

Not now!

---

The goblin smirked as it admired the hopeless expressions before it.

"Now then..."

"Hand over the woman."

It lazily pointed toward the terrified traveler.

"And we guarantee your safety."

The offer hung heavily in the air.

Slowly...

Almost instinctively...

The villagers turned toward the woman.

She stood there trembling.

Completely alone.

"...Chief."

One man lowered his weapon.

"We should hand her over."

"We can't risk the entire village for one stranger."

"He's right!"

Another villager nodded.

"This is for everyone's safety!"

"We have families!"

"Our children!"

One after another...

More voices joined in.

The atmosphere shifted.

Fear slowly eroded conviction.

Survival began outweighing morality.

Only Romelo remained silent.

He looked at the frightened woman.

She was human.

She was terrified.

She wanted to live.

Just like everyone else.

...

Without saying a single word...

Romelo walked forward.

Spear in hand.

The goblin smiled mockingly.

"So..."

"You've finally made the right choi-"

SHHK!!

A silver arc flashed through the air.

For a brief instant...

Nobody understood what had happened.

Then-

The goblin's head slid cleanly from its shoulders.

Thud.

Its severed head rolled across the dirt.

Its body remained standing for a heartbeat...

Before collapsing lifelessly onto the ground.

Blood erupted like a crimson fountain.

The entire marketplace fell deathly silent.

Romelo calmly planted his spear into the severed head.

His eyes blazed with unwavering resolve.

"Accepting your offer..."

He declared, his voice carrying across the square,

"...would be nothing less than betraying humanity itself."

He tightened his grip around the spear.

"No matter what happens..."

"Never."

His gaze swept across every villager.

"Never side with the enemy."

"Remember those words!"

Not a single soul spoke.

Some stared in horror.

Others...

Felt something inside them awaken.

Courage.

Conviction.

Honor.

...

...Oh, for heaven's sake.

This is NOT the time to hold a morality lecture!

We're all going to die at this rate!

I resumed frantically smacking Mother's shoulder.

Still...

She refused to move.

---

For several long seconds...

No one moved.

The remaining goblins stared at the headless corpse of their commander.

Disbelief.

Shock.

Fear.

All of it was written plainly across their faces.

Then-

One of them stumbled backward atop his armored wolf.

"H-He..."

"He killed the Captain!"

Panic erupted among their ranks.

"Y-You humans..."

His voice cracked with rage.

"You're asking to die!!"

He immediately reached for the horn hanging from his waist.

BWOOOOOOOO-!!

A deep, deafening blast echoed across the valley.

The sound rolled through the forests like distant thunder.

...

Silence followed.

Then-

The trees began to shake.

Leaves rustled violently.

The earth trembled beneath countless pounding footsteps.

Doom.

Doom.

Doom.

My pupils shrank.

From every direction...

Armored Goblin Riders burst out of the forest.

One squad.

Then another.

And another.

Within moments-

Twenty additional riders had surrounded the entire village.

Including the nine survivors...

There were now...

Twenty-nine.

...

...We're finished.

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