Collins Adventure

The sun cast a golden-yellow light across the village market. The loud voices of people chattering and bartering could be heard near the black castle. A gentle wind rustled through the tall trees, making their green leaves sway.

Collins observed how different this world was from the one he used to live in. A small smile formed on his face, showing his admiration for it.

As he walked, he came across two suspicious-looking men. He felt that they didn't belong to this world either.

A strange sensation crept over him, making his heartbeat quicken. For the first time, he felt fear.

From the perspective of the two men, they also sensed that the stranger they had just passed was not from this world.

"I couldn't breathe. My heart slammed against my ribs, my legs moving before I could think. Those two men—something about them wasn't right. I had to get away."

He finally found a place to sit, but just as he relaxed, a sudden tension prickled at his back.

When he looked back, he found nothing. He didn't see what was creeping behind him.

Shaking off the unease, he walked ahead, searching for an inn to stay for the night. To his surprise, the stay was free—but he didn't question it.

Still, the tension from earlier clung to him, the same unease he had felt after crossing paths with those two men.

Collins woke up to the soft glow of morning light filtering through the wooden shutters. The inn room was simple—stone walls, a sturdy wooden bed, and a small table with an unlit candle. Despite the peaceful setting, the tension from the previous night still clung to him. Something felt… off.

He exhaled slowly, pushing the feeling aside. He had no proof that anything was wrong. Maybe it was just nerves. Maybe those two men were nothing.

After washing his face in a basin of cool water, he stepped out into the village. The market was already bustling with activity, but today, the air was different. A crowd had gathered in the town square, cheering excitedly. Curious, Collins weaved through the people, stopping at the edge of the crowd.

At the center stood a young man. He had a calm presence—young but with a maturity beyond his years. His white hair barely moved in the wind, and his white eyes held a quiet confidence. The people chanted his name:

"Ryuta! Ryuta!"

Collins studied him, something about him standing out from the rest. Who was he? A leader? A warrior? Something more?

Whispers spread among the villagers. Some spoke of his strength, others of his wisdom. Collins didn't know what to make of him. His instincts told him that Ryuta was important, but whether that was a good thing or not… he wasn't sure.

"If he's a good person, then there's no problem," Collins muttered under his breath. But doubt gnawed at the back of his mind.

His own voice questioned him: Can I survive here?

The thought unsettled him more than he wanted to admit.