A Lying Adventurer (1/3)

Ren’s eyelids gradually opened, squinting instinctively at the sudden onslaught of afternoon sunlight. As his eye sensitivity decreased, he saw an unfamiliar ceiling above him. Underneath his body was a cushion—a very good, comfortable cushion that made him want to fall back asleep. But he abruptly sat up when his drowsiness vanished, looking around with wide, confused eyes.

Where am I?

The room was medium‑sized, about the same as ones in his world. The only difference, aside from the lack of garbage and technology, was how plain it was.

A closet with a full‑length mirror stood in one corner, a desk with a candleholder on top was beneath a window that nearly blinded the waking young man, and across from the foot of the bed stood the door, which he assumed was the exit.

He winced as a pain shot through his head, forcing him to close his eyes for a moment.

“Damn… my head is killing me. Those thugs really kicked my ass…”

Remembering that, he touched his body in a panic—and realized, to his surprise, that he was completely healed. He knew this world had some sort of magic, but it never ceased to be jaw‑dropping.

It was like seeing a magician pull a quarter from behind your ear—you’d just stare in befuddlement. (It’s a funny word that means you’re extremely confused about what just happened.)

I’m healed… My body is actually healed… So that nun really healed someone like me? Usually, a normal person would mind their own business unless someone screamed for help—but I guess I got lucky by trying to save her.

Based on my knowledge of novels, people involved in religion usually fall into one of two categories: pure, innocent, beautiful healers—or cult members, leaders, crazy folks calling on the dead or some Old God/Deity.

Seeing that I was on an altar… she’s definitely in the first category.

His shoulders slumped and he sighed at the thought of her.

“I hope she’s all right. Otherwise, I’d just gotten beat up for absolutely no reason… Though I guess that’s better than whatever else could’ve happened.”

His eyes widened in paranoia as he began to overthink the aftermath.

“How long have I been out? If I was out too long, those guys might’ve come back—and I wouldn’t be there to take the hit. They could do anything to a pacifist like me.”

Before Ren could continue, he heard the doorknob rattle. His heart pounded. He quickly covered himself with the blanket around his lower half, shut his eyes, and pretended to be asleep.

The door opened with a creak. Footsteps approached his bed. They stopped. A waft of something—like fresh bread and something else—hit his nose. Then footsteps receded, something was placed on the desk, then footsteps returned to the door, which clicked closed. That snap of noise prompted him to sit up and peek.

The thing he failed to realize was that the door closing could mean several things: someone entering, someone leaving, or simply the door being shut.

When Ren’s relieved gaze shifted to the light‑brown eyes full of innocence, he froze, blanket draped over his head before it slowly fell off.

“Oh, you’re awake? Are you feeling all right? I hope nothing still hurts. I did try my best—though my healing magecraft isn’t the best, so I apologize.”

She closed her eyes and lowered her head in an apologetic manner, making his heart melt and his stomach drop slightly. He raised his hands and waved them dismissively.

“N‑No, no! It’s fine! I feel great—more than great, actually!”

I hate the sound of my voice… I sound so stupid saying that.

“Oh, I’m fine! No need to worry!”

I could’ve just said everything was fine, but… I can’t say that to someone who quite literally saved my life, and I don’t want to come off rude to the first girl I’ve actually talked to since I had friends.

To his surprise, her head perked up and her eyes widened before she gave him a warm, friendly smile. That made his eyes widen, too, and his mouth go slightly agape.

“That’s good—I’m glad you’re feeling well. I brought you something to eat… I‑uh, I tried my best to make you a meal. I’m not the best cook, but the kitchen sisters were preparing supper, and you haven’t eaten anything in a while.”

A while? So I’ve been out for over an hour or so?

She sauntered over to the desk, picked up a tray of food, and set it in front of Ren, who lifted his head and stared at it curiously.

What the hell is that?!

He saw a clump of bread—fresh, but more like a bread ball than a slice or small loaf. Probably medieval fare, but maybe terrible by this world’s standards.

In the tray’s top-left was a glass of water—which would probably help with the dry bread. But the real problem was whatever murky brown sludge sat in the bowl at its center. It wasn’t gravy, but something he couldn’t describe. It had floating vegetables and grey chunks of meat.

He half-expected a bubble to pop like he’d seen on TV.

It reminded him of a meme: “The British ate like it was still World War II.” This must be how English food tasted. And from her accent, she did sound English.

Wait—if I'm Japanese and don’t speak fluent English, how can she understand me? Am I speaking Japanese but it’s getting translated to another language? And does she speak English that’s translated to Japanese for me?

These thoughts made his eyebrows narrow and left him distant, awkwardly silent.

Finally, the nun spoke hesitantly, looking at her food with a discouraged smile.

“Does… it really look that terrible? You don’t have to eat it if you don’t want to. I could ask the kitchen sisters to make you something else...”

Ren quickly shook his head and accepted the tray with both hands, smiling with his eyes half‑closed.

“No, it’s fine—as I said! I’m hungry, and eating this is the least I can do for someone who saved my life!”

Just… gotta pick up the spoon… It’s not hard.

His shaking hesitation made the nun concerned, so she grabbed a chair from under the desk and pulled it to his side.

“Are you sure you’re not still hurt? Here, let me help you—”

“Nooooooo… I’m just shaking from anticipation!”

He snatched the spoon, dipped it into the sludge, scooped a bite, and tasted it.

He cycled through five stages: processing, confusion, registering, realization—and then… taste.

He chewed, confused by its squishy texture and lack of immediate flavor, which made him assume it wasn’t bad. He was wrong. After a few moments, the taste blossomed—and withered.

Why… why is it sour, sweet, tangy, salty, mushy, fishy, and vinegary all at once?!

His face scrunched, eyes crinkling as he tried not to gag—but all he could do was control his expression.

The nun watched him closely, waiting for his reaction.

“Mmm…”

That ‘mmm’ wasn’t from deliciousness—it was the sound of someone struggling to hold back criticism.

“W‑What… mmm… what kind of meat is here?” Ren asked, squinting.

The nun tilted her head and raised an eyebrow.

“Meat? What meat? There’s no meat—it’s forbidden for us.”

Uuuuugh—then what did I just eat…

Ren swallowed and gasped, shaking his head to clear his tastebuds before handing her the tray.

She should never cook. Especially for someone who's healing. But I can’t tell her—it'd be rude. She saved me after all…

He smiled, holding his stomach.

“S‑Sorry—my stomach probably still hurts from the beating. I’ll… finish it later, or you can just take it away!”

The nun frowned with concern.

“Is your stomach really that upset? Would you like me to tend to it? Maybe more—”

“No! No, no! It’s fine! H‑How about we move off the subject of food? I’m not that hungry.”

“Oh, alright then.”

She nodded and placed the tray back on her lap, looking a bit sad.

Crap… Did I say something wrong? Now I feel bad.

“Your food was great! A ten out of ten!” Ren lifted both hands, showing five fingers on each—

“Ten out of ten? What does that mean?”

Jeez, how far behind are these people if they don’t know that phrase?

Ren lowered his hands, stroking his chin.

“It’s like saying something is amazing—perfect. Imagine collecting apples. You’d be upset with one apple, happier as you get more, and when you get all ten, you’re like ‘Yes! Ten out of ten!’”

That wasn’t the best example—I didn’t even follow it—and she looked even more confused.

“That wasn’t helpful, but simply put: when something is perfect or amazing, you rate it ten out of ten!”

Her eyebrow was raised, then she nodded.

“Then the beating you took was—” She smiled and held up the number ten—“a ten out of ten!”

Why did she sound so excited?!

“Right, speaking of which, are you all right? I’m not sure how long I was out, but I hope they didn’t cause any problems…”

Ren spoke seriously, but the nun tilted her head, smiled, shook her head, and replied:

“I haven’t gone out alone since then... I’ve just been taking care of you. It was the least I could do.”

What is she talking about? She acts like I saved her—even though I looked like an idiot. If anyone saved anyone, it was her.

“Thanks for the healing, by the way.”

Ren smiled and gave a thumbs‑up.

“You saved my life!”

Her eyes widened and shone, cheeks flushed, as she cupped her face in embarrassment.

“Saved you? You… you saved me—and the donation money for the church. I just repaid you.”

Holy crap! Did I do that? I never thought I was charismatic, but I guess that means she likes me, right?

“S‑So…” The nun stammered, looking at Ren.

Right—I didn’t even ask her name. Should I? Asking someone’s name is always kind of awkward… at least for me.

“I have a question… your clothing, the way you carry yourself, how you talk… are you perhaps...”

For some reason, his heart began pounding. Not because he’d talked so openly—but because he was overthinking.

Huh? Is she… Does she know I’m from another world? I thought I did a good job hiding it? Was helping her a mistake?

“…from an…” She’s gonna say it—she’s gonna ask if I’m—

《END OF CHAPTER 4 (1/3)》

Note from the Author: “This chapter took longer than expected, and I know! I know it ended abruptly! But it’s already around 1700+ words as is! It was around 2600+ in the draft! I thought people wouldn’t want to read that much in one sitting, so I’m splitting it into three or so parts. I’ve also decided to make this story around 7 or 8 arcs, each with either 8 or 10 chapters. I might change that though. No fun facts today, sadly… It already took me a while to write this chapter. Sorry for the wait and the unnecessary slice of life, but I needed some variety. Don’t worry! The first peak will happen in the next arc! That’s all from me! Bye-bye!”