Chapter 4:
Arch 1: "Arrival at the new dawn."— Chapter 4: "The heat of the sun."
Heart: Teleported to another world— Great, now I'll live a life full of success and dreams!
The horses moved at a slow, steady pace, conserving energy on their owners’ orders. Even the white horse, usually swift and restless, seemed calmer than usual—likely the sun was a major factor.
???: [—I enjoy quiet days. Usually we spend our time fighting and such things are unpleasant... Hmm?]
A soft, relaxed voice spoke calmly, its owner’s hands gently holding the reins of the white horse. The quiver on their back made the arrows shift with a faint rustle, and their bow rested beside the saddle.
???: [—You’re right, but you must remember an adventurer has duties to fulfill.]
The other voice was deeper and more spirited, as if its owner had been awake for quite some time unlike their companion. An axe strapped to their back was the only item covering their muscular, bare torso, and their calloused hands gripped the reins of the brown horse.
As they continued scanning their surroundings as was their habit, a figure ahead caught their eye: a man in strange clothing lay near the trail, his posture suggesting weariness, as if asleep.
They glanced at each other instantly, looking confused, and halted the carriage to approach the man slowly—probably a drunkard, though the possibility he was in danger remained real.
Once close to the prone man, they exchanged looks with satisfied smiles. They knew all was well and should probably wake him; even if the forest held no monsters, mosquitoes still existed.
???: [—I think we can wake our little friend.]
He said calmly and relaxed, adjusting his white shirt to make the quiver more comfortable. His features were laid-back, but a subtle playful streak showed through his outward laziness.
???: [—We just need to wake him.]
The other man said, his voice sharp but with subtle amusement in his features that he couldn’t hide. He tried to look responsible, but his companion’s relaxed demeanor was contagious.
???: [—What are we waiting for? Let’s get started...]
The archer said, a satisfied smile crossing his lips as if he already knew the right way to rouse him. He bent down to get a better look at the man’s face.
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???: [—I think he’s dead already.]
The sun had risen hours earlier and now sat at its highest, sweltering point in the sky. Though night had been gone for long, the only traces of the previous day remained on his skin in the form of mosquito bites—especially on his hands. Yet this was nothing compared to the overwhelming heat radiating from the sun, as if sticking one’s head inside a steaming pot. The effect was even stronger for someone lying on the ground; given enough time and the right conditions, he would surely develop a deep tan.
Even a sleeping Tsumiya could feel it. A faint grimace twisted his features, and his eyelids fluttered restlessly from the heat. The sun’s scorching temperatures affected him easily, and even the overhead tree leaves barely shielded him from the intense light.
???: [—Look, he’s waking up now.]
Slowly, Tsumiya shifted his body to settle on the damp earth, turning his face away from the sunlight. He paid little attention to the voices speaking nearby, as if accustomed to ignoring such conversations entirely.
(«Let me sleep»)
He didn’t speak—there was no need. His posture made it clear he was exhausted or simply determined to ignore the others.
A breeze brushed against Tsumiya’s back. His sweatshirt was stained with dirt and streaked bright with heavy sweat, mostly from the physical exertion he’d endured the day before.
???: [—What if we wake him?]
Those words made Tsumiya aware of his situation: he was still far from home, had no idea where he was, and even less understanding of how he’d gotten there.
(«Are there two people near me?»)
He wondered in that moment, still groggy with sleep and feeling a strange weakness spreading through his body like a gentle, constant numbness—likely from the cold he’d been exposed to and the mosquitoes that had plagued him the night before.
But just as he began to think about what he could do about his situation...
—[Wind]
A sudden gust of air struck his face in an instant. His basic reflexes kicked in, pulling him out of his stupor as he scrambled back to lean against a tree—like a computer rebooting its system.
For Tsumiya, the feeling of fully waking was like having a fan blown directly in his face at full power. The wind passed quickly, but his troubles surged back to the forefront of his mind. When he opened his eyelids, sunlight flooded his pupils, making him wince as he rubbed his eyes.
—I was already awake.
???: [—I told you he wasn’t dead.]
A calm, masculine voice came from the front, originating beside a larger tree just a few meters away. Tsumiya’s blurry vision gradually focused on the two silhouettes standing there—especially the one who had just spoken.
Before him stood two healthy-looking men with distinctly different features.
The man who had made the comment appeared to be around thirty years old: his dark beard gave him an intimidating air, but his eyes held a calm, warm accessibility that softened his gaze.
Next to him was a younger man, probably in his early twenties: his blond hair was tied back in a ponytail, and his sky-blue eyes shone like tiny stars—though a lazy, almost dreamy quality in his gaze was impossible to miss.
???: [—Hey, kid. —You’re awake now, right?]
The bearded man spoke in a neutral tone, furrowing his brow slightly as he observed Tsumiya’s unusual clothing—as if he’d recognized someone, though the expression vanished quickly and was replaced by a small, friendly smile.
Tsumiya’s confusion cleared at once. He waved his hands slightly in front of him, and nervous laughter burst out unexpectedly.
Tsumiya: [—Huh? Who? Me? —Yes, yes, yes! I’m awake!]
He said it in a voice mixing nervousness with forced enthusiasm, as if conversing with others for the first time—which made sense, since he wasn’t used to speaking with people.
???: [—We found you lying in our path. It was rather funny... truly, it was.]
The blond man spoke in a lighter, more casual tone—as if he did this every day—covering his mouth to hide a teasing chuckle.
???: [—Alright, alright, enough.]
The bearded man’s voice carried a hint of weariness, but faint amusement was visible in his intimidating features. The axe strapped to his back let out a soft metallic creak.
???: [—You’re not fun at all.]
Tsumiya: [—Um... I have a question...]
Hearing Tsumiya’s slightly timid tone, both men looked at him again—their expressions a mix of confusion, calmness, and lingering good humor as they waited for him to speak.
???: [—Go ahead, ask whatever you like.]
The blond man said, closing his eyes as if resting, with his arms crossed over his chest. His relaxed posture leaning against the tree made it clear he was more than willing to listen.
Tsumiya: [—Thank you... What part of Japan are we in?]
???: [—Japan? I’ve never heard of... that village. You’re a strange one, you know that?]
The bearded man paused thoughtfully for a moment before offering a playful smile and tilting his head slightly from side to side.
[Phew]
He exhaled a mix of weariness and amusement, as if he’d already understood what was happening without needing to say it. His calm gaze settled on Tsumiya’s eyes once more.
—We’re in Astelford, kid.
The bearded man said, shifting his gaze again toward his companion, who had maintained that characteristic satisfied look from the start.
All the sleepless nights came flooding back as information; everything seemed to make sense in his mind, even the clichés he knew seemed to repeat themselves—like a chessboard about to make its first move to begin its own story.
Why would someone like him want to return to his world? Simply illogical for an ordinary, average person. Even if he had good reason, everything would be far more fun if he didn’t want to. That was Tsumiya’s usual way of thinking—a normally bored boy who was never satisfied with his circumstances.
For Tsumiya, those words were like a bucket of cold water. He would have expected anything other than such a direct answer; even a scroll and a prophecy would have been better than this beginning. His gaze remained fixed on the bearded man’s face, his features blank as he processed the information. Once the man’s words finally sank in, it was a perfectly coherent response for someone dissatisfied with their own existence.
(«Now I understand»)
—Tsumiya had been sent to another world.
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The Hyulkran Forest in the Kingdom of Astelford is a relatively peaceful territory. It had balanced flora and fauna in the areas closest to the southern part of the country. Its climate is usually tropical in the calmest sections of the forest, and its paths typically serve as a trade route, a training ground for novice adventurers, or simply as shortcuts to reach the native villages in the area.
Even being an excellent sea export route thanks to its direct access to the borders of both oceans, it is simply a territory that is a lucrative country’s dream.
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The carriage was left a few meters away; the horses remained calm beside it, waiting for their owners to return, though they also seemed ready to gallop off at any moment. The sun made the horses feel a bit more restless than usual due to the ambient temperature, but their owners were still in a strange conversation with the person wearing odd clothing. The clear sky was truly beautiful in its own right—even the most gorgeous landscapes might have felt ashamed in comparison.
The men noticed the prolonged silence that had fallen over the group and turned their gazes toward Tsumiya. For his part, Tsumiya sat with glassy eyes, staring at an undefined spot among the trees, his face lost in a daydream that was somewhat unsettling to both men. They noticed the silence and looked at him again; the bearded man wore an expression that mixed understanding and recognition toward Tsumiya, but confusion was most evident on the blonde archer, who seemed more bewildered by the concept of a place called “Japan.”
???: [—Hey, kid, was that all you wanted to ask?]
The archer spoke before the bearded man, his voice calm and almost carefree. He stood calmly against the thick trunk of a centuries-old oak, his arms crossed over his chest, as his gaze scanned Tsumiya’s face. The only sound breaking the silence was the faint creak of wood and leather as a few arrows pressed against each other inside the quiver slung over his shoulder.
Tsumiya’s brief lapse was abruptly interrupted when he felt both men’s eyes on him. A few seconds earlier, he had already processed the reality of his situation: he was not in his home world, but in a completely different place, with landscapes, plants, and even living beings he did not recognize. But what filled him with the most excitement—so much so that his hands trembled with contained enthusiasm—was the possibility that in this new world, magical abilities, personal progression systems, and levels existed that would allow him to improve his capabilities over time, as if he were in a video game created exclusively for him.
Tsumiya: [—Yes, yes, yes! —I really... I was just rambling nonsense.]
He said in a more hurried tone, smiling nervously in an attempt to divert both men’s attention. It was something all too common for someone like him: his thoughts were caught between excitement and curiosity about the world around him, and all possibilities felt entirely real in this unknown place.
The blonde archer merely nodded gently, satisfied with his words, and did not ask for further explanation. He closed his eyes to rest quietly from the conversation, his eyelids shutting to relax. His face regained its usual composure, and though he said nothing more, it was clear he had understood at least part of Tsumiya’s situation. In his view, the world was full of strange people and mysterious places, so Tsumiya was simply another oddity—possibly from some uncharted northern region where people had their own customs and language.
Meanwhile, the bearded man watched Tsumiya with a mix of curiosity and understanding. His assessing gaze traveled from Tsumiya’s exposed hands to his neck, where several reddish-colored welts dotted his skin—a clear sign that mosquitoes had been biting him for the past few hours.
???: [—Looks like the mosquitoes did a number on you.]
Tsumiya: [—Huh?... What do you mean?]
???: [—Look at your hands.]
Hearing those words, Tsumiya furrowed his brow as if he did not understand the situation at all. He lifted his hands into his line of sight and saw several reddish welts—some of which appeared infected from the multiple bites. He remembered the events of the day before: his sudden appearance in the forest, the rainbow lizard, the mosquitoes, and the strangely quiet surroundings.
—But before he could say anything, the bearded man’s understanding voice interrupted him again.
???: [—You shouldn’t sleep in the forest—mosquitoes can carry diseases.]
Tsumiya: [—I understand...]
He said softly, slowly running his thumb over one of the bites on the back of his hand. He was familiar with the feeling of a mosquito bite, but he had never received so many in one stretch. There was even a danger of contracting a serious illness if he did not seek treatment soon—any insect-related disease could be potentially fatal.
???: [—If you die from carelessness, Matthew will feel terrible.]
Tsumiya listened carefully to those words, realizing who the bearded man was referring to, and turned his attention back to the blonde archer standing beside him. There, he saw that Matthew’s face—until recently uninterested and calm—showed a subtle look of embarrassment. His cheeks had colored a light pink, and he avoided looking directly at Tsumiya or the bearded man.
Matthew: [—That’s not true—stop lying.]
He said in a somewhat nervous tone, crossing his arms and furrowing his brow as if trying to maintain his composure. However, the blush on his cheeks betrayed his discomfort, and his voice had a slight tremor that had not been present before.
Seeing how casually they interacted, as if two friends were joking with each other, Tsumiya felt compelled to join the conversation. Until that point, he had said nothing about his identity and felt it was disrespectful to keep talking without them knowing who he was. He placed both hands on the tree trunk to steady himself, then leaned forward in a deep bow, his head lowered and his hands clasped in front of his chest.
—A custom common in his home world as a way to show respect to others.
Tsumiya: [—My name is... My name is Tsumiya Higeri.]
Both men looked at him instantly, their expressions shifting from surprise to a warmer, more casual demeanor. The bearded man did not miss Tsumiya’s unusual posture—he let out a soft laugh and stepped forward to help him straighten up. The axe strapped to his back made a faint metallic sound with each step he took.
???: [—Come on, kid, no need for bows.]
He said in a calm, friendly tone, giving Tsumiya a gentle pat on the shoulder to encourage him to lift his head and stand upright despite their difference in height. He slowly lowered his gaze to meet Tsumiya’s eyes.
???: [—I’m Varzgax—it’s a pleasure to meet you, young Tsumiya.]
Matthew watched the interaction from his spot by the tree, a faint look of satisfaction crossing his face as he saw the tension fade from the air. He then began to approach slowly with a relaxed stance, shoving his hands into the deep pockets of his black leather pants. His steps were silent, like those of someone accustomed to moving through the forest without making a sound.
Matthew: [—We were heading to a village—they say they have excellent remedies for bites. —Would you like to come with us?]
Matthew’s voice interrupted Tsumiya just as he was about to respond to Varzgax’s introduction. Tsumiya looked at the archer, taking in his calm features and relaxed posture, and felt a small confident smile form on his lips—the kind he usually wore when he felt comfortable with someone. At last, he was starting to feel more at ease, thanks to the camaraderie and kindness of both men, who had shown no fear or rejection despite his strange appearance and confusing words.
Tsumiya: [—I’ll get sick if I don’t go, so I suppose it’s my duty.]
Tsumiya said in a more casual tone, shrugging indifferently though a hint of shyness still showed in his eyes. He slowly slid his hands into the pockets of his red sweatshirt, feeling the soft fabric against his skin as a reminder of his home world, which gave him a bit more peace of mind.
—With those words, the three men wasted no more time. Varzgax turned halfway and began walking toward the path leading to the carriage, while Matthew followed a few steps behind, looking at Tsumiya with a kind expression. Tsumiya took a deep breath and joined them, feeling the excitement of discovering this new world begin to mix with the hope of finding a place to rest and better understand where he was.
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