As I was getting up, I suddenly felt the air around me grow heavy. I opened my eyes—only to find myself in a completely different place. A completely different world, even.
Everything around me looked like it came from a different continent. It was even suddenly daytime, even though I'd just been lost in thought next to the river under the moonlight.
Snapping out of my daze, I saw myself standing in front of a big town. It was like I had been thrown into another world.
There were tall, beautiful green mountains surrounding the entire town, their tips capped with snow. Off in the distance, I could barely make out some wheat farms. It reminded me of Europe.
I muttered under my breath, "Where am I…"
I was in utter shock. The peaceful place I was just resting in had completely vanished without a trace.
I thought I might be hallucinating. I blinked, over and over, hoping I'd return to the riverbank. I even bit my tongue, but nothing changed. It felt… real.
"Wait… what if this is some kind of fantasy world? If it is, maybe I can use magic or something? But no… What if it's just a different part of my world? Or I'm just dreaming?" I kept muttering to myself. "Still… the atmosphere feels different here."
I tried a bunch of reality checks, but none of them worked. This was too real.
At that point, the only thing I could think of was talking to someone inside the town. The gates were open, and it looked like people were freely coming in and out. It seemed pretty lively too.
Even then, I was terrified. I've never been good with unknown places—and now I was in a place that made no sense. My heart was trembling.
What if I get into trouble the moment I step foot inside?
After a few minutes, I managed to calm myself down, even if just a little. I took a deep breath and stepped onto the cobblestone street. Standing still wouldn't do me any good.
The houses were tightly packed, and that only made me more confused. They looked abandoned, but they were somehow still clean and well-kept. The windows had strange, almost artistic designs I'd never seen before.
As I walked further in, I noticed the way people were dressed. It was… unique.
Some wore casual clothes, but with capes on their backs. Others wore long robes that made them look like they were from some academy or fantasy setting.
I stood out like a sore thumb. No one seemed to pay attention, but I still had no idea where I was.
Even though I was scared, seeing the people's happy smiles and hearing the laughter in the air helped calm me down a bit.
I kept walking and getting distracted by the surroundings. A lot of time passed, and I completely forgot my main goal: to speak to someone.
Eventually, I realized I didn't even know where I was going anymore.
"I'm lost," I muttered out loud by accident.
And just like that, someone tapped me on the back.
It was a gentle tap, but enough to make me jump.
I was terrified. I had been so caught up in looking around that I hadn't even prepared myself for someone to approach me.
I slowly turned my head—and saw a girl, who looked roughly my age.
She was short, with bright pink-reddish hair and big, colorful eyes. She wore a long black and white skirt with a strange symbol on it—it looked like some kind of school uniform.
"H-hello, sir…" she said, her voice low and shaky.
It took me a few seconds to respond. I was shocked for so many reasons.
How can I understand what she's saying? What does she want from me? Is it my outfit?
"Sir…?" she said again, snapping me out of my thoughts.
"Oh… yeah, sorry," I replied, then added, "Do you need something…?" I tried hiding my shaking hands behind my back. My heart was pounding like crazy.
"Well… I just happened to hear you clearly say you were lost, so I thought I'd help," she said with a smile that reached her eyes.
She seemed genuine. I needed to ask someone about this world, and she was the first person who approached me. I couldn't waste the chance.
"I'm just a… lost… adventurer!" I said, forcing a wide, nervous grin.
"Oh, I see! Let me help, then. I can at least show you around."
I was still scared out of my mind, but I didn't know how to refuse her. "I'll be right behind you," I said.
She started walking, and I followed. It felt weird. I don't usually walk around with girls, let alone ones in strange fantasy worlds. Everything about this place was still a mystery to me.
"Where are you from?" she suddenly asked.
I hesitated. "Why do you wanna know?"
I figured telling her I was from a different world would be… too much.
"Well, it's just the way you look. Your clothes are like nothing I've ever seen before. Maybe you're from the Eastern Domain?"
After a short pause, I said, "I'm from a very far place…"
She looked confused, but still seemed curious. "Well, alright. I won't ask more."
I stayed silent. She must've noticed I looked completely nervous and scared.
"Oh yeah!" she said suddenly. "You do have money on you, right? You'll need a place to stay, and things get pretty dangerous after sunset."
I gulped. I had nothing on me. She noticed how much I was sweating.
She sighed. "I'll lend you enough to rent a room, but I'll need you to do something for me—"
But just then, a loud sound rang out nearby, cutting her off.
Then a second sound—louder—like an alarm.
"Oh no," she said, her eyes wide with panic.
"W-what's going on?! What is this sound?!" I asked.
"No time to explain!" She grabbed my hand and started running toward the source of the noise.
"What—?!" I yelped. My face turned red from the sudden contact.
As we ran, she closed her eyes and whispered something, "Activate."
Suddenly, in a blink, we were standing in front of whatever had caused the commotion.
It was a giant beast. Like a grizzly bear—except far bigger, and far scarier. I froze.
She shouted at me, "Get a grip! This isn't the time to be spacing out!"
But I was paralyzed. I dropped to the ground like a coward. I think she thought I could fight back somehow, but I was useless.
I tried to run, but my legs wouldn't move. I collapsed again.
The beast let out a roar that shook the area. Then it turned its gaze to me.
I thought that was it. I braced for the end.
As it raised its massive arm to strike, the girl suddenly appeared in front of me—she must've used that ability again—and shoved me out of the way.
She got hit instead.
I was thrown into a piece of a collapsed building. She was knocked unconscious, covered in blood.
I screamed. My head was spinning. My wounds stung, especially the ones from before—from him. The beast roared again. She just lay there.
She got hurt because of me. Because I couldn't do anything.
It's always like this. I'm useless.
She risked her life, and I couldn't even stand.
I don't want this.
I won't let it happen again.
I'll kill that beast. Even with my bare hands.
Anger boiled inside me. Hatred. I looked at the beast, then at her. I got up, ignoring the pain. I clenched my fists, staring at it with fury in my eyes.
Even if I die, I'll make it pay.
I started running at the beast, yelling as loud as I could.
"You bastard—!"
The beast turned and roared again. It raised its fist, and I raised mine—even though mine was trembling and small in comparison.
Our fists were about to collide.
My heart thudded.
But before they could—
A voice rang out from above, powerful and calm:
"That's enough."
A flash of silver cut through the air. The beast's arm was severed in a single clean strike.
I froze.
The beast screamed in pain.
I tried to look at who had done it, but before I could turn around, I collapsed. Exhaustion hit me like a wave.
Just before I passed out, I heard a voice—soft, almost guilty.
"Forgive me."