Playful days (Part 1)

I often think about waking up from a dream, but at what point do we truly regain consciousness? Is it really when we open our eyes? Or is it when we see familiar surroundings and feel relieved that it was just a dream?

"Mayu, wake up… Mayu."

But…

What if we don't feel a sense of reality even after waking up?

…

I opened my eyes and found myself in an unfamiliar room. My head hurt. I rubbed my temple and noticed something different.

I'm lying in a bed? This place seems to be a room.

"Am I dreaming?" I muttered and pinched my cheeks.

Ouch, ouch, ouch, ouch.

"I guess I'm not dreaming."

I could feel the pain. I must really be awake. The last thing I remember is still being in that dangerous dungeon. How in the world did I end up here? The only thing I recall is Retto, Kuroe, and Lumina's last glance at me before everything went white.

I heard birds singing outside. I got up from my bed and looked out the window. The refreshing scenery reminded me of the countryside. Animals and chicken-like penguins were wandering around outside.

What are those? So cute.

"This is the outside world," I whispered.

I've longed to see this place. Ever since I was reincarnated and woke up in that dungeon, I've dreamed of coming here. I'm happy I made it out alive.

Wait—I'm forgetting Retto and the others. Where are they? They're S-rank adventurers and incredibly strong. I believe they must have gone somewhere else.

I have a theory that the light that engulfed the dungeon was teleportation magic. Retto used a similar spell to save his squad from the Ice Salamander.

Tears welled up in my eyes.

I quickly wiped them away with my hand.

"This isn't the time to dwell on that."

For now, I need to assess my current situation.

I turned my head and caught sight of a mirror. I took a few steps back and stared at my reflection.

After a moment, I smiled.

"Aren't you so cute?"

A window popped up, displaying a new ability.

[Unique Ability: Genesis Bearer.]

[Description: The beginning of everything, and the end of everything. The user gains access to an energy that surpasses the highest planes of existence.]

The description was vague. Is this a passive ability or an active one?

Higher plane? I don't understand.

There are so many things I still don't understand about this world.

This world really is like a game. Can I log out? That's right—should I try it?

"Log out!"

I shouted.

"Log out! Log out! Log out!"

Nothing happened.

Does that mean logging out is impossible?

Well, I did technically die in my original world. How stupid of me to think I could just log out. If I had known things would turn out like this…

I would have loved to see my mother again and treat her better.

Tears fell from my eyes again at the thought.

Knock… Knock…

The door opened. A woman in knight armor, similar to Retto's, entered. She had long silver hair and green eyes.

"Excuse me… Ah, you're awake."

She saw me crying.

"Captain Yuri made her cry!"

"What?!"

"What's wrong?! Did something hurt? Did this scary woman scare you?"

Suddenly, more people appeared behind the knight.

"N-No… That's not it!"

A girl in a mage outfit sighed. "I see, so it's not the captain's fault? Our captain is easy to misunderstand. She always has that serious look on her face."

I could see that…

She then sat on the bed and asked me, "Are you alright?"

"Ah, yes. Sorry for making you worry."

"You should calm down. Here, have this juice."

The captain handed me a glass of juice.

"Thank you very much."

Is it really okay to trust these people? I don't know where I am, and this place seems strange. Elves are considered evil in some countries—except Lumina's. Are they acting nice just to poison me with this juice?

What's wrong with me? My imagination is running wild.

Anyway, I can't refuse. Here it goes!

As I gulped down the juice, it quenched my thirst, and I immediately felt refreshed.

"It's sweet."

"Is it good?" the mage girl asked.

"Yes."

The captain smiled, but it looked a bit awkward… and a little scary.

"You're scaring her again, Captain!"

"That's not my intention…" The captain sighed.

These two seem really close.

…

Moving on.

"My name is Hayami Mayu. Thank you for taking care of me."

"What a polite little girl."

The adventurers in front of me introduced themselves.

"My name is Marry, and I'm the healer in this squad."

"I'm Rin, and this silent guy over here is Mello."

The captain pulled up a chair and sat down.

"I am Yuri, captain of the 4th Region Chivalry Order. I am the lord of this fort. Can I ask you a few questions?"

"Yes!" I quickly responded.

"Where are you from?"

"I'm from Japan. I lived in Fukuoka."

After I said that, Captain Yuri gave me a blank stare.

"Never heard of it."

"Me neither," said Rin.

I forgot that Japan doesn't exist in this world. I answered on instinct. Thankfully, Yuri seemed too serious to question it further.

"These past few days, we found you floating near our fort. Do you know why you ended up like that? And what about the people who were with you? Where are your parents?"

So many questions…

"Well… umm… You probably won't believe me, but I was exploring a dungeon when everything suddenly lit up. That's all I remember. I don't really know what happened. I had three party members, but I don't know where they are."

Yuri put a finger to her chin. "I see… Your appearance, speech, and the fact that you have a clan name lead me to believe you're a noble. But why would someone like you be in a dungeon? Did adventurers trick and kidnap you? I wouldn't be surprised—noble children are always isolated in their mansions, dreaming of adventure."

"Eh?! I'm not a noble!"

"But you have a clan name, and above all, your skin is flawless. Your hands aren't those of a peasant."

Ehhhhh?!

I'm not a noble! I was just an ordinary girl in my past life! Also, I may be small, but I'm 19! And I definitely can't tell them I came from another world… they'd just laugh.

Captain Yuri stood up. "Rin will be in charge of taking care of you. Despite how incompetent she looks, she's good with children. If you have a problem, you can talk to me. Hayami Mayu, welcome to Elesis Fort."

I see, they are nice people.

"Yes!"

My name is Mayu. Somehow, I ended up in Elesis Fort. The mysteries surrounding the Crystal Dungeon… I need to find out the truth.

Retto, Kuroe, Lumina…

I'll find my friends again.