Hunter's Den

After I accepted The Inkeer's offer, for the first time, I saw him smile despite the blood dripping from his mouth. He opened his mouth while his throne was already beginning to fade, saying:

"I won't let you go without equipment."

The Inkeer raised his hand, and from it emerged something resembling a gas. It was celestial blue and radiant. The gas surrounded me until I was completely hidden within it, and then it disappeared.

There, my attire and equipment transformed to suit the world I was about to enter: a black shirt paired with black trousers, a small pouch on my hip alongside a sword in its scabbard, all covered by a luxurious black cloak.

"Impressive…"

I muttered, surprised and feeling extremely nervous. I was truly going into the world of the novel!

I felt the weight of the sword on my waist, and the black shirt was indeed heavy yet soft, with the clink of coins in the small bag.

I looked at my hands, and then I remembered something important. I raised my head to The Inkeer, who was already on the verge of vanishing, and said:

"What about my aetheric powers?"

I feared The Inkeer hadn't heard me because a wormhole-like vortex beneath me was already pulling me into it. But he answered, after all:

"Everything has been chosen carefully for you. Best of luck on your journey, Arin. Write the ending in gold!"

In his deep, calm voice, he wished me luck. The vortex pulled me in until everything went completely black.

I opened my eyes, and I had indeed arrived. I stood in a dark alley between two towering walls, and the sounds of people and carts in the distance, where the light was, ignited fear in my heart.

A new life, I feel like my heart is being squeezed with regret...but I chose this path

"What should I do now… Ah… I'll go to a restaurant to think."

Yes, I'll go eat something and think. I walked toward the street, and the bright light stung my eyes, forcing me to shut them. I continued walking as my eyes adjusted to the light, which revealed it was midday.

Here, in this place, the streets were wide, and the houses were built in the style of medieval architecture. People of all ages roamed the streets, and trees cast shade on the pavement from the sun.

"Wow…"

I whispered, feeling a strange happiness. I smiled, my heart soaring with joy. I looked up at the vast sky adorned with its clouds.

"Am I really in a different world... "

It's true—I'm here! Alright… I don't want to waste more time. I'll head to the restaurant now...I have mixed feelings actually, am I really going to live here for long...I feel like I'm going to miss my family.

As I was walking on the sidewalk under the shade of the trees, there was a group of women talking excitedly. I felt as if my mind had stopped in shock when I heard them.

"***" "****" "**"

The words around me were incomprehensible, a chaotic blend of unfamiliar sounds. But then, something strange happened—a slight pressure in my head, followed by a slow unraveling of meaning. It was as if my mind was adjusting, translating instinctively. Within moments, the language started to make sense.

I saw an old man ahead of me, walking with a cane on the shaded pavement beneath the trees. Alright… I'll ask him about the nearest restaurant.

"Excuse me, sir?"

I lightly tapped his back, and he turned to face me. He was a hunched old man walking slowly with a wooden cane. His face was full of wrinkles, and his hair was white. Yet, he seemed to be in good health. I asked him about the nearest restaurant, and he directed me to one just a minute's walk away.

I thanked him, and now I'll go.

On my way, I saw children playing around, I looked at them with a sense of nostalgia... I miss Mary already, even though we don't see each other very often...

I saw adventurers talking while walking, I didn't recognize them at first! Some of them were carrying swords, some were holding wands or bows, my eyes lit up when I noticed them! It's the first time I've seen them... Maybe I should join a guild too.

"Awesome..! I wish I had a camera to show my friends when I get back."

I had already arrived—not because of the sign or the customers but because of the smell of meat wafting through the air.

"What a delicious aroma…"

I stood before the shop, staring at the sign and trying to spell out the letters like a child while drooling. Well, I don't know how, but I can understand what I'm reading and hearing.

"H-Hun-Ter's D-E-N!"

I felt accomplished when I read the name. It sounded like something straight out of a novel! (Which it was.) I didn't linger outside for long.

I stepped inside, the scent of roasted meat thick in the air. The place was lively—adventurers talking loudly, a poet reciting verses near the counter, and a waitress expertly balancing three trays at once. I hesitated for a moment, scanning for an empty seat. No one seemed to care about my presence, yet I couldn't shake the unease of being in such an unfamiliar setting. I settled into a seat near the window, trying to blend in while I adjusted to my surroundings.

Shortly after I sat, a waiter approached me. He seemed like an honest and respectable person.

"What would you like to order, sir?"

"Do you have skim milk…?"

This is the kind of request I'd be too scared to make in my world, but here, adventurers often ask for such things, haha.

The waiter left with a smile to get my order. Honestly, this place doesn't suit him… He's too polite. Alright, I think I'll head to the guild to register after this. Oh, and I need a place to sleep. Luckily, there's money in the pouch I have, but I really don't understand the exact value of each coin… Though I do understand their worth and names. After registering, I'll head to the forest to test my powers… The Inkeer said he chose the best for me. I can't access the system feature now because I need to register first.

"I feel like I've just been thrown here… And what does The Inkeer mean by writing the ending in gold…?"

I scratched my black hair, annoyed… But my irritation didn't last long.

"That…"

A team of a moderate number of individuals entered… Nothing about them caught my eye, but there, in their midst, I was sure who it was based on his appearance…