Dry leaves rustled beneath my feet as I walked deeper into the unfamiliar forest. Shafts of sunlight pierced through the gaps in the tall trees, casting warm golden light onto moss-covered ground. I didn't know where I was, what time it was, or even how long I had been walking since waking up in this strange world.
The only things I had were a floating, glowing map hovering before me and an overly energetic fairy fluttering circles around my head.
"Are we getting close?" I asked, though I wasn't really expecting an answer.
Lilith, still buzzing around like a dragonfly on sugar, giggled. "You sound like a little kid on a field trip."
"Feels like one," I muttered. "Except instead of a theme park, I got kidnapped by a book into a fantasy world."
She twirled in the air, her glittering wings catching the sunlight. "You weren't kidnapped. You were chosen. Big difference."
"Yeah, yeah. Tell that to the math homework I left unfinished on my desk."
"Trust me." she said with a wink. "You're not missing anything fun."
I sighed and looked at the glowing map again. A shimmering line slowly pulsed forward, like a magical GPS. A blinking dot ahead was labeled: Elthea Village.
"So… Elthea. Is that a village or a city?"
"Small village. But an important one. Think of it as… the tutorial zone."
"Great. Let me guess, I'm about to fight some slimes or something?"
Lilith laughed. "Maybe. But Elthea's safe for now."
After what felt like an eternity of walking (and enduring Lilith's off-key singing), the trees finally opened up. In front of me lay a quaint little village nestled between a river and some rolling hills. Wooden houses with steep rooftops lined a cobblestone street. People moved about with baskets, chatted with neighbors, or chased runaway chickens.
It looked like something straight out of a retro RPG. Only this was real.
"Welcome to Elthea!" Lilith announced, spinning mid-air with a flourish.
"Looks… normal," I said cautiously, glancing around. "No burning buildings. No zombie attacks. That's… refreshing."
Lilith zipped beside my ear. "First stop: the guild!"
"Like… an adventurer's guild?"
"Exactly! You'll need to register. Otherwise, people will just see you as some shady drifter."
"Otherworld bureaucracy, huh?"
"It's called world-building! Let's go!"
The adventurer's guild building was larger than most others. Made of stone with a crest of a sword and shield above the entrance, it stood tall and proud. A wooden sign above the door read: Elthea Adventurer's Guild.
The scent of wood and fresh bread filled my nose as I stepped inside. The interior felt warm and inviting somewhere between a tavern and a community hall.
Behind a long counter stood a young woman with short silver hair, dressed in a deep blue uniform. She looked up as I entered.
"Welcome to the Elthea Guild," she said politely. "First time?"
I nodded awkwardly. "Uh… yeah. I was told I should register?"
"Name?" she asked, pulling out a parchment and quill.
"Sato Kenji."
Her eyebrow rose slightly. "That's… a unique name."
"I'm not from around here."
"That's clear." She smiled slightly and began writing. "Any adventuring experience?"
"Unless escaping math class counts as survival skill… no."
She chuckled. "We'll start you at Bronze Rank, then. Here's your guild card. Don't lose it."
She handed me a small metal card with my name and the words: Rank: Bronze.
"Thanks." I said, staring at it. "So… what now?"
"Check the mission board over there. Start with something simple gather herbs, deliver supplies, help a farmer chase wild boars. If you don't have a place to stay, there's a guild dormitory."
I turned to the board where sheets of paper fluttered gently. Lilith floated near my shoulder.
"Not bad for a first day! At least you didn't get arrested."
"Still early." I muttered. "I don't even know what I'm supposed to do in this world."
I skimmed the missions. Most were beginner tasks picking fruit, helping with livestock, escorting old folks to nearby villages.
One, though, caught my eye:
> Please help! My cat, Neko, went missing near the forest. Reward: 3 silver coins.
– Grandma Mira
Lilith burst out laughing. "Classic! Lost cat quest! You have to take this one."
"Seriously? I crossed dimensions… for a cat search mission?"
"Every legendary hero starts small!"
"…Fine. Let's go save Neko."
Grandma Mira's house stood at the edge of the village a cozy wooden cabin with a well-kept flower garden. An elderly woman with white hair opened the door with a warm smile and offered me cookies before explaining the situation.
"Neko loves playing in the woods behind the house." she said, holding a tiny scarf. "But he hasn't come back since yesterday. He's gray and fluffy. Usually naps under the big tree by the stream."
I took the scarf gently. "Don't worry, ma'am. I'll find him."
"He's all I have left." she added, eyes glimmering with emotion.
As I left, Lilith whispered dramatically, "Let's go, hero. Show us what you've got."
"Watch. That cat probably turns into a boss monster or something…"
The forest behind Mira's home was smaller and brighter than the first. Birds chirped, and the air felt fresh and calming. We followed a dirt trail until we reached a small stream. A large tree stood nearby with thick roots stretching across the ground.
"There." Lilith whispered, pointing.
A gray cat was curled under the tree, dozing peacefully. Its eyes slowly opened as we approached.
"That's Neko?" I asked, kneeling.
"Looks like it. Go on."
"Hey, buddy." I said softly, reaching out. "Your grandma's waiting."
Neko yawned… and bolted.
"Wait...HEY!"
I dashed after him, branches slapping my face. The cat was surprisingly fast. Then, without warning, he stopped his tail raised, body tense.
I halted too. "Why'd you stop?"
Then I saw it.
A shadow loomed in the trees. A wolf-like creature with red glowing eyes stepped from the underbrush.
"Oh no…"
Lilith zipped behind me. "That's a Forest Fang! Not too tough but still dangerous!"
"I don't have a weapon!"
"Use your guild card! Channel your magic!"
"Magic!? I don't know how!"
The beast lunged. Instinctively, I held up the guild card.
A flash of light erupted from it, forming a glowing shield.
"What… was that?" I gasped, heart pounding.
"You just opened your magical link to the guild system." Lilith explained. "Now focus imagine a shield!"
The wolf charged again. I gritted my teeth and focused. The shield appeared again just in time. Sparks flew as the creature slammed into it.
Without thinking, I stepped forward and shouted, "Get back!"
The card pulsed, releasing a wave of light that knocked the creature backward. It let out a shriek and fled into the woods.
I collapsed to my knees, breathing heavily. "I… I won?"
"Barely." Lilith giggled. "But still nice job, Kenji."
Neko meowed softly and rubbed against my leg like nothing had happened.
"Thanks for the help, buddy." I muttered, lifting him gently.
[Return to Elthea]
"Oh, thank you so much, dear!" Grandma Mira exclaimed, hugging Neko tightly. "You're a true hero."
"Don't know if I'd go that far." I said shyly.
She handed me three silver coins and a wrapped bundle. "Here cookies. You'll need the energy."
Lying on the bed in the guild dorm, I stared at the wooden ceiling. The soft mattress felt like heaven after today's chaos.
"So today… I fought a monster, saved a cat, and learned I can use magic." I whispered.
Lilith floated near the window, watching the moonlight.
"Not bad for your first day, huh?"
"I still don't know why I was summoned here…"
She smiled softly. "You'll find out eventually. For now… just rest. A new adventure awaits tomorrow."
As my eyes drifted shut, I murmured, "I really hope this world has coffee…"