A Beautiful Guide

Kael had seen enough movies to understand that everything in this world seemed to work by voice commands. So, with some hesitation, he spoke, "Door, open."

To his amazement, the door slid open smoothly.

A woman stepped inside, and Kael found himself momentarily stunned.

She was breathtaking.

Her fiery red hair cascaded down to her shoulders, framing her sharp yet elegant features. Her piercing emerald eyes held a mix of authority and warmth. She wore a professional black suit, tailored to perfection, paired with slacks that hugged her curvy figure in all the right places. The white blouse beneath her blazer was slightly unbuttoned, giving a subtle yet tantalizing glimpse of her ample chest. Her full, well-proportioned breasts pushed gently against the fabric, making it impossible not to notice how well her outfit accentuated her body.

She exuded confidence, grace, and an air of professionalism that made her presence almost overwhelming.

Kael swallowed hard and quickly stood up, snapping himself out of his daze.

The woman smiled, her lips curving just enough to be inviting but still holding a sense of formality. She extended her hand. "Hello, I'm Anrika."

Kael hesitated for a brief moment before taking her hand. Her grip was firm yet soft, her skin warm against his. "I... I'm Kael," he stammered, feeling a bit nervous.

Anrika chuckled lightly. "Relax. There's no need to be nervous," she said reassuringly. "I'm here to explain things, help you adjust to this world, and guide you through what comes next."

Kael let out an awkward laugh, scratching the back of his head. "Yeah… I could really use a guide right now."

Anrika gestured toward the sofa. "Please, have a seat. Let's talk."

Kael sat down, and she took a seat beside him. She was close—close enough that he could catch the faint, sweet fragrance of her perfume. It was a subtle scent, neither overpowering nor artificial, just… pleasant.

Anrika leaned back slightly, crossing her legs with effortless elegance. "Recently, we've had an increasing number of people arriving from other worlds. You're one of them," she explained. "Our government has created a program to help people like you integrate into this society. It's called the Outworldly Program. A system designed to support newcomers."

Kael nodded slowly. Then he thought something and asked, "But… why? I mean, wouldn't we be considered intruders? Invaders, even?"

Anrika didn't hesitate. "We can't harm you," she said bluntly.

Kael blinked. "What?"

She sighed, folding her arms. "If we even think about doing anything malicious to Outworlders, we feel a chilling sensation… like we'd die the moment we act on those thoughts. Of course, that doesn't mean you can go around breaking the law. If you commit a crime, you'll be judged and punished according to our laws. So, don't do anything reckless, okay?"

Kael exhaled, feeling a little uneasy. "Yeah… got it."

His mind wandered—if there was something actively preventing the people of this world from harming him and others like him, then something was behind all of this. A higher entity, perhaps? But why?

Anrika continued, shifting slightly in her seat. The movement caused her blouse to stretch subtly over her chest, but Kael quickly looked away, focusing on her words.

"Besides, Outworlders like you have special abilities," she said. "I don't know what yours will be, but every single person who has crossed over to this world has awakened some kind of power. And those powers help us fight against the aliens that threaten our planet."

Kael raised an eyebrow. "Aliens?"

Anrika nodded. "Yes. Our world has been at war with extraterrestrial invaders for a long time. When things were at their worst, when we thought we had no hope left, an Outworlder arrived and single-handedly turned the tide of battle. That was the first time we realized how powerful you people are. Since then, our government has prioritized supporting Outworlders, considering you all as saviors sent by the gods."

Kael leaned forward, resting his elbows on his knees. "So, the government helps Outworlders because we're useful in battle?"

"Exactly," Anrika confirmed. "And in return, you're given certain rights, benefits, and responsibilities."

She spent the next hour explaining everything. How society functioned, the currency system, the language, the power hierarchy, and the government's role in maintaining order. She also handed him a book detailing his rights, the laws he had to follow, and the punishments for crimes.

One thing that stood out to Kael was the Merit System.

Fighting against aliens earned merit points, which could be exchanged for privileges. However, merit could also be used to reduce criminal punishments. The more severe the crime, the more merit required. But there was a catch—if someone used merit to offset a crime, their future merit earnings would be cut by 50% for the same type of kills.

Kael found the system intriguing yet strict.

Since he couldn't read the language yet, Anrika patiently read everything to him.

Surprisingly, Kael retained all of it. He had always had a good memory but now this good.

By the time they were done, he had a clear understanding of what he needed to do next.

"So," Kael said, rubbing his chin. "The first thing I need to do is awaken my power, right?"

Anrika nodded. "Yes. Every Outworlder eventually awakens their ability. Some do it instantly, others take time. The longest recorded wait time was two weeks."

Kael exhaled. "So I just… wait?"

"For now, yes," Anrika said with a small smile. "But don't worry. Most awaken their power within the first few days."

Kael nodded.