Chapter 2: — “A Day in the Life of Lorenzo the Destroyer"

Lorenzo woke to the soft warmth of the morning sun on his face. The grass beneath him was cool, dewy, and… well, alive. He blinked and stretched, half-expecting to wake up in his old, lonely room, but no. This was the world of Lorenzo the Destroyer, world’s hottest video game character.

He swung his legs off the hill and looked around. The village lay below, cozy cottages dotting the landscape. Villagers were already starting their day, some sweeping, some carrying baskets of produce, others chatting animatedly. Birds flitted through the sky, and a light breeze carried the scent of fresh bread and flowers.

Lorenzo tried to blend in, walking down the hill toward the village. He didn’t want anyone to notice him too much… not yet. After all, he hadn’t picked a house to stay in, and the last thing he wanted was to make anyone feel left out, or worse, hated.

He slowed as he watched the villagers greet each other. “Morning, Mara! Did you get the eggs from the farm?”

“Yes, thanks, Lila! And I brought extra for the bakery.”

“Good morning!” Lorenzo muttered under his breath. Okay, blend in… just blend in…

“Excuse me! Lorenzo!”

He turned, and his heart skipped. A young woman about his age hurried toward him, holding her apron in both hands. She had soft brown hair tied in a messy braid, and her cheeks were already a little pink as she looked at him.

“You’re… you’re the new hero, right?” she asked, her voice carrying a mix of shyness and hope.

“Uh… I guess,” Lorenzo said, rubbing the back of his neck. “Depends what you mean by ‘hero.’”

She gave a nervous laugh. “I’m Mira. And, um… I hate to bother you, but one of my sheep ran off last night. I’ve looked everywhere, but… I can’t find her.” Mira bit her lip, clearly embarrassed. “She’s… really special to me.”

Lorenzo blinked. Of course it’s me they ask. Always me. 

He almost said no, but then he saw the way Mira’s eyes darted nervously to the ground, like she was desperate not to trouble him but had no one else to ask.

“Alright,” Lorenzo said, smiling faintly. “I’ll help. Where should I start?”

Her whole face lit up. “Really? Oh, thank you! Um, well, she usually wanders toward the meadow just outside the forest. But she’s stubborn, and she doesn’t come when called. Except—” Mira fumbled in her apron and pulled out a cloth-wrapped bundle. “She loves these.”

She unwrapped it, revealing fresh slices of bread, still warm. The smell was heavenly.

“She’ll follow if you show her this and call her name. It’s Luna,” Mira explained. “If you hold it out and say ‘Luna,’ she’ll come.”

Lorenzo raised an eyebrow. “Bread-loving sheep named Luna. Got it.”

Mira giggled softly. “I know it sounds silly… but she’s family to me.”

“Then let’s bring her back.”

The search took them out of the village and down a winding dirt path. Birds sang from the trees, and wildflowers dotted the grass. Lorenzo scanned the area, his sharp eyes catching every rustle, though Mira was quick to explain which noises were just rabbits or squirrels.

At one point, he thought he saw movement in the bushes and drew his sword instinctively, startling Mira.

“Wh-what is it?” she asked, clinging to his arm before she realized what she’d done. Her face turned scarlet, and she let go instantly.

“Sorry,” Lorenzo said quickly, lowering the blade. “False alarm. Just a rabbit.”

Mira gave a nervous laugh. “Guess you’re really strong even outside battle, huh?”

Lorenzo shrugged, embarrassed. “Strong, maybe. Smart… questionable.”

That made her laugh for real, the sound light and warm. Lorenzo found himself smiling despite his usual awkwardness.

After nearly an hour of searching, Mira sighed. “She’s probably gone too far… we’ll never—”

“Wait.” Lorenzo held up a hand. He pointed to a patch of flattened grass. “Tracks.”

Mira blinked. “You… know how to track?”

“Nope. Just… looks like sheep feet. I’m guessing.”

Mira stared at him, then burst out laughing again. “You’re… you’re ridiculous.”

Still, she followed his lead, and sure enough, a faint bleating echoed in the distance. Mira’s eyes lit up.

“Luna!” she cried, running ahead.

Lorenzo jogged after her. At the edge of the woods, they found the sheep, caught in a bush, tugging helplessly at its wool.

Mira knelt down, holding out the bread. “Luna! Look, it’s your favorite!”

The sheep baaa’d happily and wriggled free, Prancing straight into her arms. Mira hugged her tightly, tears pricking her eyes.

“Oh, thank goodness…”

Lorenzo leaned on his sword, relieved. “Well, mission accomplished.”

But Luna had other ideas. The moment Mira turned her back, the sheep spotted the bread in Lorenzo’s hand, bleated, and barreled into him.

“Wha—hey!” Lorenzo stumbled backward, nearly falling as Luna nuzzled against his chest, practically climbing him to get the food.

Mira gasped, then covered her mouth, trying not to laugh. “She… she likes you!”

“Yeah, I’m real flattered,” Lorenzo muttered, shoving the bread at Luna to stop her assault.

Once the sheep was content, Mira stood, brushing her braid back. “Thank you, Lorenzo. I… I don’t know what I would’ve done without you.”

Lorenzo smiled faintly. “Anytime. Glad we found her.”

As they walked back to the village together, Mira was unusually quiet. Lorenzo noticed her glancing at him, then quickly looking away whenever their eyes met.

Finally, just as they reached the village gate, she stopped. Her hands trembled slightly as she clutched her apron.

“Lorenzo…” she began softly. “I… I know this is strange. And it’s way too soon. But…” She swallowed hard, her face burning red. “I think… I think I like you. A lot.”

Lorenzo froze. Oh no. Here we go.

Mira looked down, ashamed. “I know it doesn’t make sense. We barely met. But when I see you, when you helped me so easily, when you smile… I just… can’t help it. You’re different. Special.”

The silence that followed felt heavy. Lorenzo took a deep breath.

“Mira,” he said gently. “I… really respect your feelings. And I’m grateful you’d even think that way about me. But… it’s too soon. You deserve someone who doesn’t make you wait or wonder. I can’t accept, not right now. I’m sorry.”

Mira’s shoulders slumped, but she nodded quickly, forcing a small smile. “I… I figured you’d say that. Still, I had to tell you. Otherwise, I’d regret it forever.”

She dug into her apron and pressed a small loaf of bread into his hands. “For your help. Thank you.”

Lorenzo looked down at the warm bread, then back at her. She was smiling bravely, but her eyes shone faintly with disappointment.

“…You’re strong,” he said softly. “Stronger than me, even.”

Mira laughed weakly. “You’re sweet. But don’t flatter me.”

With that, she guided Luna back toward her cottage, leaving Lorenzo alone with the bread in his hands and a storm of thoughts in his head.

The village streets were lively that morning. Merchants shouted about their wares, children darted past with sticks pretending to be swords, and the smell of fresh bread wafted from the bakery.

Lorenzo walked through quietly, sword slung at his side, trying his best to look… normal. Just another villager. Totally not a reincarnated video game character. Nothing to see here.

“Lorenzo!”

A group of older men by the well waved. One of them tipped his hat, smiling proudly. “Good to see you, lad! Fine work helping Mira yesterday.”

Another added, “If you need tools, my shop’s always open to you. No charge.”

“Uh... thanks,” Lorenzo said, scratching his cheek. The warmth in their voices felt genuine, and he bowed his head politely.

But then came the women.

“L-Lorenzo!” A young girl carrying laundry nearly tripped when she saw him. She blushed furiously, clutching her basket to her chest. “Y-you look so handsome today!”

“Oh my gosh, his eyes are so dreamy up close!” another whispered to her friend, who immediately squealed and hid behind her hands.

One woman selling fruit leaned across her stall, batting her lashes. “Care for an apple, Lorenzo? Sweet as me.” She actually winked.

Lorenzo froze. Sweet as…? Did she really just—

Before he could respond, another girl walked by with her grandmother and whispered loudly enough for the whole street to hear, “Grandma, is it normal for a man to be THAT good-looking?”

The old woman laughed, patting her granddaughter’s hand. “No, child, it isn’t.”

Lorenzo’s face burned. He raised both hands in surrender, walking faster. “Uh, th-thank you. Really. I, uh, appreciate it. All of it. But, um… have a nice day, everyone!”

The women giggled, waved, and whispered excitedly to each other as he passed. A couple even swooned dramatically, and Lorenzo swore he saw someone sketching him in a notebook.

This is insane. I can’t even walk ten steps without someone treating me like a celebrity. Back home, no one even noticed me… Now it’s like I’m some… some model on a runway.

He glanced at a shop window, catching his reflection in the glass. The man staring back was tall, broad-shouldered, sharp-jawed. His rusted armor did nothing to hide the sheer presence he carried now.

Lorenzo exhaled, forcing a polite smile as he waved to yet another blushing villager. “Just… keep it together. Don’t freak out. Be normal.”

But when three girls huddled together behind him, squealing and whispering his name like he was some forbidden crush, Lorenzo groaned inwardly.

…God, why me?

The village had finally quieted down. Windows glowed with warm candlelight, families gathered inside for supper, and the air was filled with the distant chirping of crickets.

Lorenzo sat on the edge of the grassy hill outside the village, watching the night sky. The stars here were brighter than any he’d seen back in his old world, like diamonds scattered across an endless canvas. The moon hung heavy and silver, casting a soft glow over the fields.

He leaned back on his hands, closing his eyes. What a day… helping Mira, awkward confessions, and then the whole village treating me like some… celebrity. It’s too much.

A deep breath steadied him. For the first time in a long while, he felt… at peace. Alone, yes, but in a strangely comforting way.

“…I don’t know why you gave me this second chance, God,” he muttered softly, glancing skyward. “But… thank you. I’ll try not to waste it this time.”

With that, Lorenzo rose to his feet, deciding to take a short walk. The landscape was breathtaking at night, rolling fields bathed in silver light, trees swaying gently in the breeze, fireflies blinking like tiny lanterns. For a moment, it felt like a dream.

Unbeknownst to him, a shadow slipped silently through the nearby trees. A girl, clad in dark leather armor with twin daggers strapped to her thighs, crept closer. Her hood partially hid her face, but her dark eyes glinted sharply in the moonlight.

She stopped just behind him, barely a few feet away. Her lips moved, whispering words filled with venom:

“So… the so-called Ravenor… I’ll end you…”

Lorenzo didn’t hear a thing. He didn’t notice the girl at all. He stayed gazing up at the stars, utterly absorbed in the peaceful night, completely unaware of the danger lurking behind him.