The beginning

My name is Ren Ayato, a certified NEET. I've been locked in this room for nearly two years. No school, no work, and I don't see anyone but the computer screen in front of me. The people outside probably think I'm trash; maybe they’re right. Because besides playing games all day, I can't do anything else. I’ve run away from the world. No one needs me, and no one wants me.

It's only when I'm sitting in my dark room, headset on, with a mouse and keyboard in hand, that I feel truly alive. In the world outside, I'm just garbage. But in a game, at least I get to be the protagonist of my own story.

“Damn it!” I gritted my teeth, my eyes glued to the screen. My character’s HP bar was blinking red, but the boss was standing strong, as if it hadn't taken a scratch. I'd practiced all week for this fight, calculating every move, every combo. But with just one small mistake, everything went down the drain.

“No way…” My character collapsed, and the screen went dark. I slumped back into my chair. “Another loss.” I laughed. “Yeah… that’s just how I am. What is there besides failure?”

“I trust you'll protect me.” An illusion appeared in my head. “Damn it!” There was no point in thinking too much about it now. Feeling hungry, I got up to find something to eat when suddenly my head felt heavy. My vision blurred. I blinked, but for some reason, my body wouldn’t listen.

“What's this? I'm… so sleepy…” No, this wasn't sleepiness. I fell back into the chair. My headphones dropped to the floor with a small clack. My consciousness faded until everything was consumed by darkness.

“…Huh?”

A blinding white light filled my sight. I woke with a start. The chair was gone, the computer screen was gone. In their place was a clear blue sky, and a cool breeze drifted across my cheek. I sat up. The first thing that caught my eye was a road paved with gray, rough stones, with tall, pointed rooftops covered in dark red tiles. Pedestrians were bustling about, and horse-drawn carriages clattered by.

“…Where am I?” My voice came out dry and hoarse. I tried pinching my cheek hard. “Ow… it really hurts.” Still not believing it, I lightly slapped my face. A crisp smack and a stinging pain. “So it's not a dream.”

I sat there dazed, my mind in a chaotic mess. This… was exactly like the light novels I'd read: someone dies or gets transported, and when they open their eyes, they're in another world. Usually, a status screen appears next, or at least a beautiful goddess shows up to give guidance. I looked around. No status screen. No goddess.

“…So I really got isekai’d?” I mumbled. By the logic of novels, I should have some overpowered ability now, or at least basic magic. I closed my eyes, held out my hand, and whispered, “Fireball!”

…Nothing.

“…Lightning?”

Still nothing. Passersby started looking at me like I was a lunatic. I blushed, let out a fake cough while pretending to brush dust from my sleeve, then hurried on. So, no cheat skills. No abilities, no guidance. Just this body and a wrinkled tracksuit. I searched myself. My phone was dead, my headphones tangled. That's it. “I don't even have money, and even if I did, who knows if it's usable in this world?”

A big, burly man slammed into me, knocking my shoulder. “Watch where you're going!” he growled, then walked on. I froze, about to react, but seeing the shiny knife at his hip made me swallow my anger. In Japan, there were at least police. Here, one knife thrust and my life would probably be over.

I took a deep breath, calming myself. Alright, I'll just see this as the game's tutorial. I need to stay calm. The most important thing now is to figure out where this is, how to survive, and what to eat.

I walked along the street. The houses were all wooden-framed with thick stone walls and tiny windows. This kind of architecture… was exactly like a fantasy game. After walking a bit further, an open space appeared before me. I stopped.

It was a wide area, paved with white stones, with a fountain in the center shaped like a warrior raising a sword. It was packed with people: street vendors, puppet show performers, and minstrels. The atmosphere was so lively that I instinctively froze.

I crossed my arms, watching for a moment. People were packed together, and the noise echoed everywhere. I muttered, “I wonder why it's so crowded… is there a festival?”

If it was a festival, then I landed at the right time. A complete newbie like me could easily blend in and avoid being noticed too much. After all, if I just wandered alone in some empty alleys, things would only get more dangerous.

I looked around and saw no flags or decorations like you'd see at a typical festival; it was just a lot more crowded than usual. This must be the city's daily central market.

My stomach rumbled again. I winced, holding my stomach. The smell of toasted bread wafted from somewhere, making the hunger even more apparent. I didn't even realize it, but I was already asking myself: How long can I last with not a single coin in my pocket?

It was all too real. Not VR, not a dream. I had truly fallen into another world.

My stomach rumbled. A sharp, cramping pain. I grimaced, clutching my gut. I forgot: I hadn’t eaten anything for two days now. This is truly awful.

With no other option, I turned into a small alley, sank down, and leaned my back against the cold wall. My breathing slowly became steady. My body was exhausted, and my eyes felt heavy.

“What kind of isekai start is this… it's even worse than my real life…”

My consciousness slowly faded. Everything sank into darkness.

When I opened my eyes again, an unfamiliar face was in front of me. Golden hair tied neatly behind her shoulders, with light blue eyes that reflected the sky. She wore a simple black cloak with a thin gold trim.

An angel? Did I die? Wait, I'm still alive?

This scene… it was too clear. If it were a dream, it wouldn’t be this detailed. Every strand of hair gently moved in the wind; every blink was perfectly clear.

The girl was looking down at me.

“Mister… why did you faint here?”

I hesitated, then let out a small, embarrassed laugh. “Probably because… it’s been a while since I ate.”

A bitter truth flashed in my mind: In my old world, I often skipped meals just to stay glued to the screen. I'd think, just one more level, just one more battle… only to get up and find my stomach empty and my body shaking. The result here was no different.

Right then, my stomach growled, a loud, clear sound.

Elina smiled, then held out a warm loaf of bread.

“I just bought this. Please, eat.”

I looked at the loaf, swallowing hard, but my instincts still made me hesitate.

“…Is that okay?”

“Of course.” The answer was firm, accompanied by a smile.

I couldn't hold back anymore. I took it and bit into a piece. The bread was dry and didn't taste like much besides flour, but in my starved state, it tasted unbelievably good. My strength seemed to return to me little by little.

“…Thank you.”

The girl nodded. Then, as if remembering something, she tilted her head, looking at the wrinkled gray tracksuit I was wearing.

“Are you… from somewhere else? Your clothes are strange.”

I paused, then replied slowly.

“…Yeah, I guess so. I'm Ren. Ren Ayato.”

“Elina. I’m Elina Veyra.” I wiped the crumbs from the corner of my mouth, then gave a slight nod.

“Thank you. If it wasn't for you, I would have been done for.”

Elina shook her head, her smile as light as a breeze.

“It's nothing. If you're hungry, you should eat.”

I looked at her for a moment, then asked, “Are you a nun? You look like you belong to the church.”

She nodded right away, without hesitation.

“Yes. I'm a trainee for the Church of Light. Our duty is to serve the God of Light and help those who are in need.”

I nodded slightly, thinking it sounded exactly like a fantasy game setting. But looking at Elina, I didn't see anything forced about it. Helping others seemed to be a natural reflex for her.

Elina glanced down at my clothes, tilting her head.

“You're not from around here, are you? Your clothes… are really strange.”

I looked down at myself. My old, worn-out gray tracksuit and sneakers next to the cloth dresses, cloaks, or leather armor of the people on the street truly made me look like an outcast.

“Ah, I came from very far away.”

That familiar feeling of being out of place surged again. It hadn't disappeared just because I had changed worlds.

I looked up and slowly asked, “So… where is this?”

Elina answered, her voice clear and firm, “You're in the city of Soven, in the Arvend Republic, on the continent of Kylas.”

I froze for a few seconds. The names were alien, bringing no images to my mind. But the way she said it, so confidently and calmly, made me understand one thing: I was truly no longer in my old world.

A frantic woman ran toward us, her voice trembling, “Has anyone… has anyone seen my daughter? She's about this tall, with brown hair, and wearing a blue dress… I've looked everywhere…”

I glanced at Elina. She shook her head slightly, then answered for both of us, “No, we haven't.”

The mother gripped her hands tightly, tears welling up, looking as if she might collapse right in front of us. I flinched. In that moment, a very real thought popped into my head: This city is not small. The streets are dense with people, and there are countless nooks and crannies. A child lost in this chaos… is like finding a needle in a haystack. If this were the old me, I'd probably just ignore it, telling myself, “The police will handle it.” But this was a different world. No police, no loudspeakers to find lost children. If no one helps, it will be very difficult to find her.

Elina stepped forward, her voice quiet but firm, “Don't worry. I'll help you look. The Church of Light always teaches us that no one gets left behind.”

I looked at her, surprised and a little impressed. A girl so young could say something like that. I swallowed, then cut in, “I'll help too. This city is so big, it'll be hard for you to go alone. And besides… you helped me, so consider this me paying you back.”

The mother looked up, her tearful eyes lighting up with a glimmer of hope.

“Thank you… thank you both so much.”

I gave a slight nod. Honestly, I was surprised by my own words. When did I start proactively offering a hand to a stranger like this? It's been a long time since someone thanked me directly.

Elina turned to me. “Then let's go together, Ren.”

I nodded and walked with her. But in my head, I was muttering, “This city is so big, will we even be able to find her?”

Even so, my steps didn't slow. Maybe this was the “first quest” this world was throwing at me.

The square ahead was packed with people. The sound of talking, hawking, and horse hooves blended together, grating on my ears. I winced. In a crowd like this… a child who barely comes up to an adult’s waist is practically invisible.

I glanced at Elina. She put her hand to her forehead, trying to peer through the crowd. Her small frame, but her eyes were strangely serious. “Ren,” Elina asked softly, tilting her head, “where do you think the girl might have gone?”

If we just looked like this, it would take all day. We had to use the process of elimination. “Kids often follow things they're curious about: music, bright places, food, or anywhere that's more crowded than usual.”

I vaguely remembered the scene when I first woke up, where a group of minstrels was performing in the square, and a huge crowd had gathered around them. If I were a kid, I would probably have been drawn in like that.

“If my guess is right, she might be near the performance area. Let’s go.”

Elina nodded and followed me.

We wove our way through the crowd. As I walked, I observed. This city really was big; every corner was lively. Everyone was busy, and no one paid attention to a child being missing. An uncomfortable thought crossed my mind: If we don't find her in time, what will happen? Get lost? Get kidnapped by a bad person?

I shuddered, shaking my head to get rid of that image.

But right after, my stomach rumbled. The smell of grilled meat wafted from somewhere. I glanced at the skewers sizzling on the charcoal grill, my mouth watering. Just then, Elina turned back, her eyes clear, making me quickly pretend to look away. This isn't the time to think about food, you idiot.

“Ren?” Elina called softly.

“Just focus. We're almost there,” I replied.

We turned down the street leading to the performance area. The sounds of instruments and singing grew louder, the crowd was packed, cheering loudly. I took a breath, feeling both impatient and anxious. The most crowded place is also the easiest to get lost in. I hope the girl hasn't gone too far…

The performance area in the middle of the square was full of people. A traveling band was playing, some jugglers were tossing fire torches, and the audience laughed and applauded loudly. The bustling scene almost drew me in.

But I quickly shook my head. Not now.

I scanned every face in the crowd: adults, teenagers, guards, merchants… but I didn't see a single girl who matched the mother's description.

“It's too crowded…” Elina said softly, her voice much quieter than the noise around us. “It'll be hard to find her just by looking.”

I nodded. “Yeah. But think about it, what's a lost child's first reaction? Fear. When they're scared, they usually stand still and cry, or find a place to hide.”

I scanned the stone benches near the edge of the square, and the small alleys leading into it. If I were five years old, I would definitely find a hidden corner to cry in.

“I'll try walking around the outside. You check inside the crowd.” I suggested.

Elina hesitated for a moment, but then nodded. “Okay.”

I split off, walking along the edge of the square. The lively music hammered into my ears, making it harder to concentrate. But suddenly, I heard a small sob. It was very faint, almost lost in the chaotic sound, but it still reached my ears.

I froze, looking into a narrow gap between two houses. And just as I predicted, there was a little girl, hugging a torn teddy bear, her eyes red, trembling.

I let out a breath, as if a great weight had been lifted. I found her.

“Elina!” I called softly, waving my hand.

The trainee nun immediately pushed through the crowd and ran to me. When her eyes met the crying girl, Elina's face brightened, as if a burden had been lifted from her shoulders.

Elina knelt down to the girl's level. Her voice was gentle, not rushed or too loud, “Are you Mayra? Your mom is looking for you everywhere. Don't be scared, we'll take you back.”

The girl looked up, her eyes red, her face streaked with tears. Seeing Elina and me, she immediately shrank back, clutching her old teddy bear tightly.

“How do you know my name?” Her voice was shaky, with a hint of suspicion.

I faltered for a moment. Right, to a child, strangers are more dangerous than anything. I couldn't just talk and expect her to follow us.

Elina smiled, her eyes gentle but firm, “Because your mom asked us to find you. She's so worried about you. If you don't believe me, you can come with me and see for yourself that she's waiting nearby.”

Mayra hesitated for a while, tears still rolling down her cheeks. Her small hands squeezed the teddy bear.

I lowered my voice, trying to sound as calm as possible, “I know you're scared. But try to think: if Elina was tricking you, would she need to come here and sit next to you? She could have just left and no one would blame her. But we're still here, because we want to take you back to your mom.”

The girl glanced at us, her eyes still full of caution. Then, her stomach let out a loud, distinct rumble. Elina and I both froze.

Elina smiled slightly. She took out a small package from her pocket—the other half of the bread. “Eat this to feel less scared. I've been hungry like that too. Eat a bite and then come with us, okay?”

Mayra hesitated for a long time. Finally, she reached out and took it, eating in small bites, then looking at me and Elina. Her trembling shoulders slowly relaxed.

“…Is Mom… really waiting there?”

“Yes,” Elina confirmed. “She's right nearby. You'll see her soon.”

I held out my hand, waiting patiently. “If you want, you can hold my hand. That way you won't get lost again.”

The small hand hesitated, then trembled as it settled into mine.

Elina smiled gently at the sight. “That's good. Now let's go, Mayra.”

We turned down the noisy street, my hand holding Mayra's small one tightly. Her tiny hand was shaking, but at least she wasn't pulling away anymore. Elina walked ahead, occasionally glancing back, her gentle smile as if to promise that everything was okay.

A bitter thought flashed in my mind: This city is so big. If I hadn't happened to hear her crying, we probably would have never found her. Thousands of people packed together, and a lost child just disappears into that sea of people. And yet, this little girl still found us.

Just a few minutes later, a desperate call rang out from the end of the street:

“Mayra!”

A woman rushed toward us, her face full of tears. The girl in my hand jumped, then burst into tears and ran straight into her mother's arms.

“Mommy, I was so scared!”

The woman knelt down and hugged her daughter tightly, trembling so much she couldn't speak. Elina and I stopped, giving the mother and daughter some space. That scene… it seemed normal, but it made my chest feel heavy in a way I couldn't explain.

How long has it been since I've seen a scene like this outside of movies? In my old world, moments like that were always out of reach.

The woman looked up, tears still in the corners of her eyes. “Thank you… thank you both so much. If it weren't for you two, I would have lost my little girl.”

Elina just smiled gently: “It's nothing. Next time, just be a little more careful, and everything will be fine.”

The woman nodded repeatedly, then looked at me. “You… thank you too. You held her hand; otherwise, she probably wouldn't have dared to follow anyone.”

Mayra rubbed her eyes, hesitated, and then whispered, “Thank you… Mister.” Mister? I'm only 17!

I faltered for a moment. A simple “thank you,” but it resonated deep in my chest. How long had it been since I was told that? I gave a slight nod. “…You’re welcome.”

But in my head, emotions were still swirling.

The mother led her daughter away, leaving Elina and me standing in the crowded street.

Elina looked at me, her eyes clear but certain, “Ayato, you don't have a place to stay, do you?”

I was silent for a few seconds. It was clear I couldn't deny it. I nodded.

Elina smiled, as if it wasn't surprising at all. “In that case, you can come to my church.”

I was surprised and asked, “Is that okay?”

The girl smiled and said, “The Church of Light will never abandon someone who needs help.”

I couldn't help but laugh in surprise. “I'm going to owe you so much.” After all, I had nowhere else to go right now.

Elina shook her head. “It's nothing. But you'll also have to work to help out. No one gets a free ride.”“Ren.”

I stopped dead in my tracks. Elina was a few steps ahead, and she paused, turning to face me. The setting sun wrapped around her, making her golden hair shine like spun gold. She tilted her head, her clear blue eyes locking with mine, and… she smiled.

“…Thank you.”

That single word hit me like a physical blow. My heart stuttered, then hammered against my ribs. All the street noise—the rattling carts, the chaotic chatter—vanished, leaving only her image burned into my mind. Her smile was soft and simple, but it left me completely breathless.

How long had it been since someone genuinely thanked me like that? How long had it been since I felt a sense of purpose, even for a fleeting second? It was right then that the truth hit me—in this new world, I wasn’t utterly worthless. I swallowed hard, trying to keep my voice steady.

“Yeah. I should be thanking you too.”

But I knew in my heart that smile, bathed in the fading light, was a memory I’d carry forever.

Version 3: Simple and Poetic

“Ren.”

I stopped. Elina, a few steps ahead, turned to me. The sunset held her in its glow, her golden hair a river of light. She gave a slight tilt of her head, and her clear blue eyes found mine. Then, she smiled.

“…Thank you.”

The word hit me. My heart raced. The world's sounds—the clatter, the noise—all blurred away, leaving only her image in my mind. It was a gentle smile, but it left me completely dazed.

How long had it been since a sincere thank you? How long since I felt I mattered, even for a moment? Now, I finally understood—in this strange world, I wasn't nothing. I swallowed and kept my voice level.

“…Yeah. I should thank you too.”

But I knew that smile, in the setting sun, was a memory I'd never forget.