4

"Oh, it's just you."

*??*

Somehow, even though I'd taken care to not make any sound, the guard captain woke up.

*He startled me. I guess that's why he's the captain, though.*

"Though I must say, using Identification magic this blatantly in our presence is rather brave."

"You detected me using magic? Is that what woke you up?"

The captain chuckled. "I suppose magic is not your strong suit. Given your talent with the blade, though, that is understandable."

"I don't get it."

"Has nobody taught you Identification magic is of the most detectable sort?" he asked, shaking his head.

"Um... no."

*Come on, man, it's barely my second day even understanding what magic is.*

The captain sighed. "I magic user myself, but even I know it's rude to use Identification magic in such unabashed fashion."

"Ah, okay. Sorry."

*I guess it's like an invasion of privacy.*

"As long as you understand. Well then, what brings you out here at this hour?"

"I couldn't sleep."

"I see. In that case, would you like to keep watch?"

"Sure. Were you the first shift?"

"It pains me to admit, but yes. I would appreciate it if you did not speak of my blunder tonight."

*Blunder? ... Oh, he was supposed to be first watch, but he fell asleep.*

"No problem. It was a pretty chaotic day. I'm sure you're tired."

"Fortunately, I am a light sleeper, as you may have been able to tell. Alright, then. I shall take you up on your offer, and you have my gratitude once more," the captain said, bowing slightly. "If you have any other concerns, feel free to ask."

"Sure."

With that, the captain returned to his wyrm and fell asleep.

Now, I had a bit of time to myself. Something had been bothering me for a bit now.

*Where's my quest reward?*

I'd defended the carriage, but there wasn't a peep from the system. I was tasked to do something, so shouldn't I receive some sort of compensation?

*Maybe it'll just answer again if I ask it. System, where's my quest reward?*

*>System Message: The reward for completing a quest is a lifespan extension.*

*That's nice, I guess? ... Wait, are you just telling me the reward for completing a quest is not dying?*

...

No response from the system.

*Dammit! This thing... I'll have to take out my anger on whoever made this thing once I find them. But for now, System, can I please have some sort of reward that's actually useful?*

*>System Message: If you find your lifespan impractical, I can simply end it.*

*Nononono okay you're right lifespan is useful thank you very much!*

orz orz orz orz

My crazy groveling to the open plains may have seemed ludicrous to an observer, but that was the least of my concerns.

*For the time being, though, I guess I just need to keep clearing these quests. The system claims it can end my life, but I have no proof. However, it's not like I can risk testing it. What a predicament. System, can you show me what quest I need to complete next? Maybe I can get a head start? Like, you know. If I know what it is now, I can start preparing for it...?*

*>System Message: Current quests - Defend the carraige - Imagine new magic*

*So imagine magic is still there, and I've already done that... which can only mean the magic I imagined wasn't necessarily "new"? And the other one... wait, what?*

Defend the carriage? Hadn't I already defended the carriage?

*Is that why I didn't receive a notification or something?*

This was an issue that'd been at the back of my mind, but it looks like I now had the answer.

*What other threat is imminent?*

I looked towards the guard captain, but he was sound asleep.

*Dammit, I was hoping he could detect something for me.*

I scanned the surroundings, but this was the least likely place for anybody to get ambushed. It's not like our setting had suddenly changed - it was still grassy plains as far as the eye could see. The one or two trees that were around were too far away to be useful as a hiding spot.

*But there's a lot I don't know. There could still be some magic-oriented threat that I'm not aware of.*

What could I do?

*Hm... can magic power flight?*

I looked up at the clear night sky.

*Whoa...*

Countless sparkling stars painted the dark canvas. It was like nothing I'd ever seen.

*I mean, I always *knew* there were stars, but...*

This was on another level. I was used to seeing almost nothing in the sky at night, apart from the occasional plane, and of course, the moon.

*Was the effect of light pollution really so potent?*

As I moved away from the bonfire, it became increasingly clear just how bright the night sky was.

*It's almost casting a shadow.*

The only thing that could do that, in my knowledge, was the full moon... which was surprisingly absent.

*No moon, starlight bright enough to cast shadows, carriages, wyrms, magic...*

Did it need to be restated that I'd lost my memories? Despite this, I could vividly tell that the place I was now was viscerally different from the one I used to know.

*Another world... It's so different, so why does it feel so familiar?*

I couldn't stay mesmerized for long, though. An unknown source of danger still supposedly existed.

When I returned to the makeshift encampment, the bonfire was smoldering as the final embers glowed dimly.

At this point, I was stumped. The starlight still allowed me to see surprisingly clearly, so at least I still had that going for me. However, what bothered me was... with all this light, in the plains... from where would danger arise?

*Magic... Could it come from the sky?*

I scanned the sky for any movement, but there was nothing.

*If wyrms exist... does that mean dragons do too?*