Talk Of The Town

The moment he opened his eyes, intense sunlight blinded him. Around him was nothing aside from grass. No person and no monsters were near him. He was completely alone in the middle of nowhere. But at that point in time, the place he had found himself in was the least of his worries. Because when he regained consciousness, he immediately felt something amiss within himself.

In fact, he had no memories of himself at all. How did he get there? Why was he there? Even those questions remained a mystery.

The young man simply stared at the clear sky before searching for people. However, he felt strange. Obviously, his lost memories played a role in him feeling that way, but there was still something else—there was something else missing.

"That dream again..." Jay muttered softly as he opened his eyes slowly.

His eyes were directed at the white ceiling of the hospital room where he was staying after Erik and the others had saved him previously. He checked his body, which was covered in bandages, before taking a look at his phone.

October 14th, 2025—only one day had passed. And even though he was banged up at first, he already felt fine. Jay stretched his body, which did not scream in pain anymore. He stood up and quickly changed from the hospital gown to his regular clothes that had been placed beside his bed.

"I still can't get used to how quickly this body can regenerate..." Jay remarked, taken aback.

Considering his injuries, one would expect that it would take a few days until physical activities could be resumed. However, Jay was already on his feet again. Compared to others, his body appeared a lot tougher. It was not just because it was fit and toned; Jay was sure that there was another reason, but he could not remember it.

After checking his room one last time, Jay left. Nurses happened to recognize him, frantically telling him to get checked. But Jay casually dismissed them, saying that there was no need since he was fine.

They still insisted that Jay should get examined, but he already stepped outside the building, craving a short stroll.

"Hey, is that the guy from the rumors...?"

"The one who got sent to the hospital by slimes?"

"Pfft! He's got balls to show his face in broad daylight!"

Students in their school uniforms with long swords on their backs, office workers in suits with helmets or chest armor on them, and even elderly citizens equipped with items that made them appear like wizards—that was a sight one could only find in the Tutorial Section.

It was the first of the Otherworldly Tower's ten sections and also the section most similar to the outside world, since everything that existed outside could also be found inside. It was as big and modern as a metropolis with a population that matched the space. And although it was technically a space inside a building, there was a sky and a sun that appeared as real as those outside.

"Hey, failure! Care to show us your skills?"

Money, academics, jobs—all those things did not matter inside the tower. Only one's power decided one's position on the social ladder. Thus, Jay, who was knocked out by the weakest monsters in the tower, was worth nothing.

Still, despite all those harsh remarks and gazes, Jay did not pay them any attention and minded his own business.

"So many people are trying to talk to you. Isn't it cold of you to ignore them?"

Slightly irritated, Jay looked up at the bulky man who intentionally walked into him, with a wide, mocking grin on his face. It was a bald, scary-looking guy clad in full armor with a great sword on his back.

Jay knew that the man meant trouble, but he was not in the mood, so he tried to brush the man off. However, the moment their shoulders bumped, the man forcefully grabbed Jay by the upper arm.

"Hmm... Your equipment doesn't look too shabby... How could you lose to some slimes then...?" the man murmured in confusion as he inspected Jay's armor and the sword attached to his hip.

"Hey, show me your status." he then ordered.

"I'm showing you jack shit." Jay spat, sharpening his eyes.

"You damn..." the big man cursed through his gritted teeth.

The mood changed when he formed a fist. The people around them turned their full attention to the two, forming a circle around them.

And then, the first punch was thrown.

"Guah! Y-you bastard!" the man shouted angrily, covering his nose.

"Will you leave me alone now?" Jay asked impatiently, loosening up his fists.

The armored man realized that he had taken a few steps back after getting hit. He was hit by someone smaller than him. Someone whom he had tried to ridicule in front of everybody.

"I'm pretty confident in my stats, so how... How could someone like you—"

In a fit, he threw a punch, but before it could connect, his vision turned black for a moment as he involuntarily let out a groan.

"That was my second hit. I advise you to stop this crap unless you really want to get humiliated." Jay warned firmly.

"Just like me..." he added shamefully in a quiet tone, remembering that he had been beaten up by slimes.

However, the man did not listen. Instead, he pulled out his great sword, whose blade began to emit flames.

"Look, he's using magic."

"Isn't it forbidden to use magic here?"

"He will be punished for sure."

The bystanders began to whisper and gossip among themselves, whereas Jay came to the conclusion that he could not leave the place until he took care of the person in front of him.

"Aaaand stop!"

Before Jay could draw his sword, a girl appeared between them, spreading her arms to halt them. It was someone Jay recognized instantly—Ella.

"Already causing trouble after being discharged?" Erik sighed after he emerged from the crowd.

While Jay dropped his shoulders and stepped back, the big man leaned forward.

"Who are you?! Get lost if you don't wanna get hurt!" he yelled.

"I deeply apologize! I don't know what the cause of the fight was, but it looks like you were greatly offended by my friend!"

Everyone was surprised by Ella's sudden apology. She bowed her head deeply, showing her sincerity.

"However, it would be too sad if you two were to face the consequences if the fight had continued. So why not just apologize to each other and make up?" Ella suggested, her beaming smile blinding even the big man.

"W-well, I guess I was a bit petty, too..." he murmured with reddened cheeks, averting his gaze from Ella, who continued to look at him with her big eyes.

He took a glance at the indifferent Jay and clicked his tongue before taking a deep breath.

"S-sorry."

Hearing that, Ella brightened up even more, clasping her hands together and turning to Jay, who was taken aback by her expectant eyes.

Apologizing would put an end to that meaningless conflict. Jay knew that and really wanted to do it. However, even if saying sorry seemed so easy, it was one of many things Jay struggled to understand. He surely could utter those words, but actually meaning them was a different matter.

He was missing the part that felt apologetic.

"Sorry." Jay said bluntly, nodding softly.

Even those in the crowd could tell that Jay's apology was shallow. And obviously, the man before him could tell it, too, triggering his anger to resurface once more.

"I apologize for my aloof comrade as well!" Erik chimed in loudly, smiling in a friendly manner as he pushed Jay's head down.

Fortunately, that action managed to lessen the man's frustration. He huffed and left the place after glaring at Jay one last time.

"I'm glad that it didn't escalate..." Ella sighed in relief.

The crowd quickly dispersed, seeing that it was over.

"Thanks for helping, Ella! Without you, this idiot would be in huge trouble!" Erik said, also sounding relieved.

Jay glanced at Ella for a moment.

She was a Guide—someone tasked with helping others adapt to their new lives inside the Otherworldly Tower. However, she was not an ordinary Guide.

Unlike other Guides, Ella would always put in far more effort for her clients. No matter how often she had to explain the same things, she would continue to do so with a smile on her face. She would pay out of her own pocket if someone needed more equipment. She would spend hours working on a perfect schedule, often sacrificing sleep.

In the eyes of those who sought her guidance, she was a saint, which, in turn, made others wonder why she would go to such lengths. However, the reason was both simple and strange.

Ella did all that because she wanted to help people. Because she was kind. Because kindness was everything she had.

And that kindness was something Jay had to take back.