Chapter 18: Return to the city

As the first rays of dawn pierced the treetops, Nagomi emerged from the forest. His clothes were a little torn, and the scent of adventure still clung to his skin. The cool breeze brushed against his hair, while the rooftops in the distance shimmered under the rising sun.

“How many days has it been since I entered that forest? Two? Three?” he muttered, eyes fixed on the city gates ahead. “Ahh… I miss a real bed… real food… and a real toilet.”

His steps were heavier this time—not because he was exhausted, but because the weight of experience hung on him. The dungeon, the battles, the traps... they had left a mark, not only on his body, but deep in his soul.

But he wasn’t complaining. In fact, he was smiling.

“Just weeks ago, I was a salaryman packed in a crowded subway, and now? I’m dodging monsters, fighting aquatic beasts, and opening hidden treasure chests. Life has finally started smiling at me.”

At the city gate, an old guard with a thick mustache eyed him from head to toe.

“You... an adventurer?”

Nagomi smiled, trying to wipe off some dried mud on his cheek. “Sort of. Just got back from the northern forest.”

“The forest? Alone?” The guard raised a brow, then let out a short chuckle. “You’re lucky to be alive, boy. We've heard some strange activity out there.”

Nagomi tilted his head. “Strange how?”

“Monsters moving at night, shadows vanishing between the trees… Some say the old dungeon’s doors have begun to open again.”

“…A dungeon?” Nagomi blinked slowly. That explains the traps… and those beasts. I might’ve stumbled into a place no one’s rediscovered yet.

But he kept that thought to himself. Drawing attention was the last thing he needed right now.

The marketplace was alive as ever. Merchants shouted, children weaved between stalls, and the scent of fresh bread and spices hung thick in the air.

“Ahhh, this… this is the feeling,” Nagomi whispered. “Like finishing a tough side quest and returning to town for the reward.”

He stopped at a food cart selling sweet pastries.

“One of those, please.” He pointed, counting the silver coins he’d earned from the dungeon.

“Oh, new ring?” the vendor asked curiously.

“Huh? Oh… just a souvenir from a very sketchy picnic.” Nagomi answered while biting into the pastry.

…This life is better than any dream.

At the adventurer’s guild, the usual receptionist greeted him with a formal smile.

“Welcome back, Mr. Nagomi. I see you’ve returned from the northern forest task.”

“Yup, and brought back a report too... along with a few bruises and dark circles.” He chuckled.

While filling out the form, the receptionist asked, “Did you encounter anything unusual? We’ve been hearing reports of unnatural activity.”

“Unusual? Hmm…” Nagomi paused. “Maybe. Just a cave filled with traps and death. Nothing major.”

She smiled politely, though her eyes showed concern. “You should inform the guild captain. That kind of intel matters these days.”

Nagomi nodded. “Of course… but first, a long nap.”

Back at the Green Wisp Inn, his room was just as he’d left it.

“Finally...” he murmured, collapsing onto the bed with a half-smile.

But sleep didn’t come right away.

His mind replayed the dungeon, the creature, the random twist of fate that led him to its hidden entrance, and the battles fought with nothing but his own body—no magic, no shortcuts.

“I need to get stronger... not just magically.”

He stared at the wooden ceiling.

“Control over my body… balance, stamina, speed… Things I never cared about back in my old life. But here? They’re the difference between living and dying.”

Tomorrow, he would begin training his body—not because a great evil loomed, but because this was the kind of journey he had always dreamed of.

Not a hero. Not a savior. Just an adventurer enjoying the limitless world he finally found.