New World
Daichi began walking through the forest.
Twigs snapped under his feet.
The wind blew through the trees, carrying unfamiliar scents.
Suddenly, a rabbit emerged from the bushes.
Upon noticing Daichi, it beat a retreat, disappearing quickly.
Daichi chuckled to himself.
—“This is just like those cliché isekai stories we see everywhere…” he said with a smile.
—It’s just like an anime.
He continued exploring.
The birdsong, the light filtering through the leaves—everything was new and vivid.
He came to a tranquil lake.
Servants were drinking water at the water’s edge, moving calmly and respectfully.
Daichi stopped.
He took a deep breath.
—How wonderful… he could live here forever.
He closed his eyes, smelling the scent of the water and the forest.
He bent down and drank directly from the lake, the cool water enveloping his body and spirit.
An involuntary smile appeared on his face.
For the first time, he felt a freedom he had never known before.
Daichi continued down the path, observing the forest around him.
A sign appeared in front of him:
Miura 6
—“So I’m close to some civilization…” he murmured, excited.
He kept going, alert to any movement.
Suddenly, something leaped in front of him.
A large slime, about knee-high, blocked his path.
Daichi stopped instantly.
His body froze.
—…What is that…?
The creature quivered slowly, like a living mass of translucent slime. Tiny bubbles formed and burst on its surface, emitting a wet, unpleasant sound.
Ploft… ploft…
His heart raced.
That… wasn’t normal.
It wasn’t an animal.
It wasn’t something that should exist.
The slime moved.
Slowly… but toward him.
Daichi took a step back.
His foot caught on a dry branch.
Crack.
—Damn…
His breathing grew heavy.
His hands began to sweat.
—Is… is that a monster…?
The memory of everything came flooding back all at once.
Another world. The voice. Death.
—So… this is real…
The slime advanced faster this time.
A wave of panic washed over Daichi’s body.
Without thinking, he drew his sword from its sheath.
The metallic sound echoed faintly through the forest.
He held the weapon awkwardly.
Heavy.
Strange.
—I’ve never… used this before…
The slime jumped.
—AH—!
Daichi spun around on the momentum and attacked.
The blow went wide.
The blade pierced the creature with ease… but met no resistance at all.
—…?!
That was the wrong impression.
Too light.
The slime's body split open... and immediately began to close up again.
—It didn't die?!
The slime dripped down the blade.
Some of it fell to the floor…
And kept moving.
The slime hadn’t been defeated.
It split in two.
—Are you kidding me?!
Two pieces were now crawling toward him.
One of them moved faster and stuck to his boot.
—Ugh—!
A cold, sticky sensation crept up his foot.
Daichi tried to pull his leg free, but the slime clung to it like glue.
Panic set in.
—Get out! Get out of here!
He shook his leg hard, almost losing his balance.
The other slime was advancing.
Faster.
Closer.
—Damn it!
Without thinking, Daichi raised his sword and struck again.
This time with more force.
More desperation.
The blade came down with full force.
Slash.
The slime clinging to his leg splattered onto the floor, writhing.
The other one flinched for a moment… as if reacting.
Daichi was gasping for breath.
My heart felt like it was going to burst.
—I… I might die here…
The thought came clearly.
Heavy.
Real.
The slime advanced again.
This time, Daichi didn’t hesitate.
He gripped the sword tightly.
—Stay… away from me!
He lunged forward.
The blow came straight at him.
More firmly.
More precise.
The blade cut through the gelatinous core at the creature’s center.
For a second…
Silence.
The slime stopped.
It trembled.
And then…
It completely dissolved.
Turning into nothing more than a dark puddle on the floor.
Daichi stood motionless.
Breathing heavily.
The sound of his own breathing echoed in his ears.
His arm was trembling.
The sword almost fell from his hand.
He looked down at the ground.
At what remained of the creature.
—I…
He swallowed hard.
—I killed…
The wind blew through the trees.
Cold.
Silent.
Different.
Nothing in that place seemed kind.
Nothing seemed safe.
Daichi wiped the blade on the grass, still trembling.
And took a step back.
—This world…
His voice came out low.
Almost a whisper.
—…isn’t a game.
He looked at the forest ahead.
Deep.
Unknown.
Dangerous.
And for the first time since he arrived there…
Daichi continued down the path until the trees began to thin out, revealing small wooden houses with simple roofs and chimneys billowing smoke.
—So… this must be Miura, he murmured, in awe.
—Small, but full of life.
He walked along the dirt streets, smelling the scent of freshly baked bread and burning firewood.
People looked at him curiously; some waved, others simply went about their business.
Near the center of the village stood an old well, its stone weathered by time.
Children played around it, filling buckets and running back and forth, while adults drew water for their homes.
Daichi approached, curious, observing every detail.
An elderly woman, with gray hair and a face marked by time, was carrying a basket of vegetables:
—“Hello, young traveler! First day here?” she asked with a smile.
—“Yes… I…” Daichi began, not quite sure what to say. The woman chuckled softly, continuing:
—Don't worry. If you need anything, the whole town will help. Miura is small, but we stick together.
Further ahead, a small shop caught my eye:
-Fresh fruit in colorful baskets
-Freshly baked bread and cakes
-Simple tools hanging on the walls
The owner, a burly man with a thick mustache, waved to Daichi:
—Hello, young man! Do you need anything?
—"Just... I'm getting to know the village," replied Daichi, amazed by the simplicity of the shop.
As he walked, Daichi observed everything carefully:
-The children laughed and ran around the well, some even dipping their feet in the water
-Animals roamed freely through the streets
-Simple people, yet happy with their small daily tasks
He took a deep breath, feeling something he hadn’t felt in a long time: Calm.
The world outside, which had once seemed so hostile, now had a rhythm of its own, almost poetic.
—“Maybe… I could really live here,” he said softly, smiling.
—Perhaps learning from this place will make me stronger.
The village well, the simple shops, the wooden houses, and the children’s laughter made Daichi feel something new: a small spark of belonging.
And with that, he kept walking, curious to discover what Miura had to offer, and what adventures would begin in that unknown world.
Daichi was soon surprised by the village chief.
He was short, with gray hair and a sturdy build.
On his forearms, thick metal bracelets gleamed in the sunlight.
Daichi watched him in silence.
—“Hello, young man,” said the dwarf in a firm voice, “where are you from?”
—“I’m just passing through, getting to know the city,” replied Daichi.
The dwarf smiled.
—My name is Ghemiti; I’m the village chief. If you need anything, I live over there, near those trees.
—And could you tell me your name?
—Daichi… that’s my name.” He thought to himself: I could have come up with a stronger or more interesting name… but it’s fine.
—It’s a pleasure to welcome you to Miura.” Ghemiti pointed to a nearby building.
—If you’re staying longer, there’s a tavern over there. The food is great, and they can find you a place to stay for the night.
—“Thanks! I’ll head there right now,” said Daichi, excitedly.
On the way, he thought to himself:
—I haven’t eaten anything since I got here…
—This body I’m using wasn’t very far from here… I wonder if anyone knew him?
Ah, never mind, I’ll just enjoy it…
He saw the wooden sign with the image of a bear and claws, and pushed open the tavern door.
Inside, it was silent.
He approached the counter, waiting.
Soon, a strong woman, her face and chest covered in scars, appeared.
Daichi swallowed hard, surprised.
—“What’s for dinner?” he asked, still taking in every detail.
—“What do you want?” she replied firmly.
Daichi looked around. There was no menu.
—I don’t know… what do you have there?
—Just black buffalo meat.
—That’ll do… give me a plate,” Daichi replied, excitedly.
The woman went out to prepare the meal.
While he waited, he looked at the simple tables, some marked with knife scratches, barrels of mead, and the bustling city outside the window.
His thoughts returned to his old life:
—I wonder how Lili and my mother are doing?
—Will I ever be able to see them again?
—Or even return to my world?
He sat down at one of the tables, exhausted.
He soon dozed off, waking with a start: the plate of meat had been placed in front of him.
—"Here you go, kid. Anything else?" the woman asked.
—"No, thanks!" he replied, smiling slightly.
He began to eat, noticing that it was a little low on salt, but even so, the flavor was incredible.
His hunger made every bite feel like a feast.
When he finished, he stood up, satisfied:
—Ahhh… that was wonderful! I’m really full.
He shoved his hands into his pockets. Nothing. Not a single coin.
—“How am I going to pay now?” he thought, forgetting for a moment that he was in another world.
He stared awkwardly at the counter; his face was almost white, and it felt as if his soul were about to leave his body.
Daichi approached the counter, scratching his head awkwardly.
—“What’s your name, miss?” he asked shyly.
She looked at him and laughed out loud:
—"Miss? My name is Erza. I’m the owner of the tavern. And you, young man?"
—"My name is Daichi!" he said, slapping his thighs and bowing repeatedly. "I'm sorry! I'm sorry! I'm sorry!"
Erza blinked, startled.
—“What does that mean?” she asked, thinking he was crazy.
—I just realized I can’t pay for the meal… I’m sorry… and please don’t kill me! — she said, almost in tears.
She laughed out loud again.
—Stop messing around, kid! It’s only five bronze coins.
—"I really don't have anything!" said Daichi, with a sour face and a high-pitched, irritating voice.
Erza frowned.
—Are you trying to get yourself killed? How can you come to a place like this without any money?
Daichi took a deep breath.
—I really thought there was something there… but I was shocked to realize there wasn’t. I promise I’ll pay you back! Is there anything I can do to make up for my mistake?
Erza laughed out loud once again.
—You’ve got to be kidding me! — she said, laughing.
—I’m in a good mood today… my firewood is almost gone. If you chop that wood out there and restock it a little further down, I’ll consider your debt paid!
—Perfect! — said Daichi, excitedly.
—I’ll be right back, Erza!
He went out the back of the tavern and saw a large pile of wood. He grabbed an axe and said to himself:
—This is a piece of cake.
Erza watched him from the doorway, arms crossed, as he chopped the wood into smaller pieces.
When she was done, she called out:
—Daichi, bring it into the kitchen and put it near the oven, please.
—And go into the woods to gather as much as you can and put it back there. That way we’ll be even.
—But don’t let this happen again, boy!
Daichi nodded, gathered more wood from around the village and fallen tree trunks, and stacked them behind the tavern.
When he came back in, he said with satisfaction:
—I’m done.
