Chapter 11: pleading!

When a Filipino got Isekai'd with a twist!

"Only I can summon those!"

Chapter 11: pleading!

As Keith looked at his system window bewildered at the new quest.

"The fuck is this system? I don't want to dance, you fucker. You dance yourself," I angrily said to the system.

The laughter and music around me faded into a dull roar as I processed the system notification. "Dance any woman around the area?" I muttered incredulously, my heart racing at the thought. "What kind of ridiculous quest is this?"

"Hey, Keith, you alright?" Josh asked, noticing my sudden change in demeanor.

"Yeah, just… the system is being weird again," I replied, trying to keep my voice steady. "It wants me to dance with a woman to level up."

Josh raised an eyebrow, a smirk creeping onto his face. "Well, that's one way to earn some experience points. You could always ask Sir Elara or one of the villagers."

"Are you kidding? I can't just go up to her and say, 'Hey, I need to dance with you for a quest!'" I shot back, feeling the heat rise in my cheeks. "That's mortifying!"

"Come on, it's a celebration! Everyone's having fun, and it's not like you're asking her to marry you," he teased, nudging me playfully. "Maybe the system just wants you to enjoy and socialize."

I glanced over at Vismond and Sir Elara, who were still dancing, their laughter mingling with the music. The sight filled me with a mix of admiration and envy. "Yeah, but Vismond is actually good at this stuff. I'm just… me."

"Look, you've faced demons and fought alongside us. You can handle a little dancing," Josh encouraged, his tone turning serious. "And think about it: an instant level-up could really help us prepare for the Demon Lord. You've got nothing to lose."

I sighed, weighing my options. The thought of leveling up was tempting, especially with the looming threat of the Demon Lord. But the idea of dancing in front of everyone made my stomach churn. "Fine, but if I embarrass myself, I'm blaming you. Well, I just go and pull a random woman there," I said, finally relenting. As I walk, head down, I bump into a hooded woman, and our eyes meet, and I notice she has long ears.

The moment our eyes locked, I felt a jolt of surprise. The woman before me was unlike anyone I had seen in the village. Her long ears and ethereal features hinted at a heritage that was distinctly different from the humans around us. She wore a flowing cloak that obscured most of her figure, but her presence was undeniably captivating.

"Excuse me," I stammered, momentarily forgetting the quest that had pushed me into this situation. "I didn't mean to bump into you."

She tilted her head slightly, a curious smile playing on her lips. "No harm done. Are you alright? You seem a bit… flustered."

I took a deep breath, trying to regain my composure. "Yeah, just a little overwhelmed. It's been a long day, and now I have this ridiculous quest to dance with someone." I gestured vaguely toward the dance floor, where couples swayed to the music, laughter echoing around us.

Her eyes sparkled with amusement. "A quest to dance? That sounds rather fun. You should do it."

"Easier said than done," I replied, rubbing the back of my neck sheepishly. "I'm not exactly a dancer. I was just about to pull someone random to fulfill the requirement."

"Then why not me?" she offered, her smile widening. "I'd be happy to help you complete your quest."

I blinked, taken aback by her unexpected offer. "Wait, really? You'd dance with me?"

"Of course," she said, stepping closer. "Life is too short to shy away from a little joy, especially in times like these. Besides, I could use a bit of fun myself."

I hesitated for a moment, weighing my options. The thought of dancing with this mysterious woman was both thrilling and terrifying. But the prospect of an instant level-up was too enticing to ignore. "Alright, let's do it," I said, trying to sound more confident than I felt.

She extended her hand, and I took it, feeling a spark of energy pass between us. "I'm Lyra," she introduced herself, her voice smooth and melodic.

"Keith," I replied, feeling a mix of excitement and nerves as we made our way to the dance floor. The music swelled around us, and I could feel the eyes of the villagers on us, but Lyra's presence was calming.

As we stepped onto the dance floor, I tried to remember the last time I had danced. It had been years when I was a first-year college man; that was embarrassing. I stepped on the foot of the girl I paired with, so I was never particularly good at it. But Lyra seemed to sense my hesitation. "Just follow my lead," she said, her voice gentle yet encouraging.

I nodded, taking a deep breath as the music enveloped us. Lyra moved gracefully, guiding me with a light touch on my shoulder. I tried to mirror her movements, focusing on the rhythm and letting the music flow through me. To my surprise, I found myself relaxing, the tension in my shoulders easing as I followed her lead.

"See? You're doing great!" she encouraged, her eyes sparkling with delight. "Just let yourself feel the music."

I couldn't help but smile at her enthusiasm. As we danced, I began to lose myself in the moment, the laughter and joy of the celebration surrounding us. The villagers cheered and clapped, their encouragement fueling my confidence. I even managed to twirl Lyra, and she laughed, her joy infectious.

"Not bad for a first-timer!" she teased, her voice playful.

"Thanks! I'm just trying not to step on your toes," I replied, grinning.

As the song continued, I felt a connection forming between us, a shared moment of joy amidst the chaos of our lives. I could see the warmth in her eyes, and it made me forget about the looming threat of the Demon Lord, if only for a little while.

"Tell me, Keith," she said, her voice softening as we swayed together. "What brings you to this village?"

"Ow, I assume you've just come into this village, right?" I ask back. She just nodded. "Well, I'm with the soldiers from the kingdom. We just defeated the demons last night, so how about you?" I ask her, but I already know who she really is because of my appraisal. She is the princess from the northern forest, the kingdom of Ingrasia, or as people here called it, the elves kingdom. I just wonder how and why she's here hiding her identity. I'm not going to ask her about that. Maybe she has her reasons why she was here.

Lyra smiled, her expression thoughtful. "I've been traveling for a while, seeking a place where I can feel a sense of belonging. The world is vast, and sometimes it's easy to feel lost, even among your own kind." Her words resonated with me, echoing the feelings I had experienced since arriving in this world.

"Traveling alone can be tough," I said, trying to relate. "But it sounds like you're searching for something important."

"Well, I'm not alone; I'm with my friends." She said, pointing at a tall hooded man and a petite red-haired woman.

I glanced over at the two figures she indicated. The tall, hooded man stood with an air of quiet confidence, while the petite, red-haired woman was animatedly chatting with a group of villagers, her laughter ringing out like music. They seemed to fit in well with the celebration, their presence adding to the warmth of the gathering.

"Your friends seem nice," I said, turning my attention back to Lyra. "It's good to have companions on a journey. They can make the hardships feel lighter."

Lyra nodded, her expression softening. "They are. We've been through a lot together, and I wouldn't trade them for anything. But sometimes, I feel like I need to find my own path, to see the Heroes."

I raised an eyebrow, intrigued. "The Heroes? You mean the ones who fought against the Demon Lord? But why?

"Because my hometown is threatened by the Demons, and we want to seek their help."

I felt a pang of empathy for her. "I understand. We're all fighting for something, aren't we? The Demon Lord's threat looms over us all, and it's not just about our own homes but the lives of everyone we care about."

Lyra's gaze met mine, and I could see the determination in her eyes. "Exactly. That's why I'm here, even if it means hiding my identity for a while. I want to learn from those who have faced the darkness and find a way to help my people."

I admired her resolve. "You're brave for taking that risk. It's not easy to step out of your comfort zone, especially when you have so much at stake. I think I can help you with meeting the Heroes.

Lyra's eyes widened with surprise, and a flicker of hope danced across her features. "You would help me? But how?"

"Well," as I was about to say something, the system notification startled me.

Congratulations!

You complete the daily quest.

You have leveled up.

You are now level 20.

You can now summon (I fixed the tier system; it's now level 1-10; level 1 is the lowest, but now Keith is at level 2).

Tier 2 summons are now available!(score as my attention shifts back to Lyra. The music finally stops, so we decided to sit, and I'll introduce them to my party (heroes party).

As the music faded and the villagers erupted into applause, I felt a rush of exhilaration from the dance. I had completed the quest, leveled up, and even enjoyed myself in the process. Lyra and I made our way back to the table, where Josh, Vismond, and the others were still celebrating.

"Look who's back!" Josh exclaimed, a teasing grin on his face. "Did you manage to survive the dance floor?"

I chuckled, still feeling the warmth of the moment. "Barely, but I think I pulled it off."

Vismond, still glowing from his own dance with Sir Elara, nodded in approval. "You did great, Keith! I didn't know you had it in you."

"Thanks, but I had a fantastic partner," I replied, gesturing to Lyra. "This is Lyra. She's traveling and looking for you guys."

The table fell silent for a moment as everyone turned to look at Lyra, their expressions a mix of curiosity and intrigue. I could feel the weight of their gazes, and I hoped I hadn't misstepped by introducing her so casually.

"Lyra, huh?" Josh said, leaning forward with interest. "What brings you to our little celebration?"

"Keith, you mean there? she stammered because she thought I was joking about saying I'll introduce her to the Heroes party.

"Uh-huh, they are the real deal," I replied.

"Man, you're talking like you aren't one of the heroes," Josh chimes in, and Lyra's eyes widen.

And she suddenly knelt down along with her companions. Introducing herself as the elf princess of the Ingrasia kingdom.

The atmosphere shifted dramatically as Lyra knelt before us, her companions following suit. The villagers around us fell silent, the laughter and music fading into the background as the weight of her revelation settled over the table.

"Princess Lyra Lockwood of the Ingrasia Kingdom," she said, her voice steady despite the surprise in the air. "I seek your aid in the fight against the Demon Lord. My people are in peril, and I believe that together, we can find a way to overcome this darkness."

I exchanged glances with Josh, Vismond, and the others, my heart racing. This was no ordinary encounter; we were in the presence of royalty, and her plea for help resonated deeply with our own struggles.

"Your Highness," I began, trying to keep my voice steady. "We're honored by your presence. We've faced the Demon Lord's army ourselves, and we understand the threat he poses. But why come here, to us?"

Lyra looked up, her eyes filled with determination. "Because I've heard of your bravery and the victories achieved by the heroes from the past. I believe that you, the current heroes, possess the strength and knowledge to help my kingdom. I've been traveling to learn from those who have fought against the darkness, and I hope to unite our efforts."

The weight of her words hung in the air, and I could feel the gravity of the situation settling over us. This was more than just a chance encounter; it was an opportunity to forge alliances and strengthen our fight against the Demon Lord.

"But the heroes need to head back first thing in the morning at the kingdom and relay the information to the emperor before deciding. I hope you understand that, your majesty.

Lyra nodded, her expression resolute. "I understand. Time is of the essence, and I wouldn't want to impose on your plans. But I hope you'll consider my request seriously. The fate of my people hangs in the balance."

We exchanged glances, and both of them agreed to what I'm thinking. "How about I go with her first, then you guys talk to the emperor while I assess the situation there? Besides, you guys have the walkie-talkie, right? We can contact each other.

Josh nodded, his expression thoughtful. "That sounds like a solid plan. If you can gather more information about the situation in Ingrasia, it'll help us make a more informed decision when we speak to the emperor."

Vismond chimed in, "And if things are as dire as she says, we need to act quickly. The sooner we can unite our forces, the better."

Lyra looked between us, her eyes shining with gratitude. "Thank you for considering my request. I promise to share everything I know about the situation in my kingdom. We're facing a growing threat, and I believe that together, we can find a way to turn the tide."

"Thank you Keith, after the situation in my kingdom resolve,I'll reward you anything you want." She said bowing and crying.

" Hey,hey,hey … you don't need to bow to us, it's our duty to help, royalty or not. Because the were heroes do" I said smiling at

her and then she hugged me.and I just pat her head.

"Man, you beat me you already have a girlfriend. You are really something else" Cain jokingly said. I just ignore him .

"Alright then," I said, feeling a sense of determination wash over me. "Let's make this happen. We'll head to Ingrasia first thing in the morning. But for now, let's enjoy the rest of this celebration. We've earned it after everything we've been through." I said with a wink.

To be continued...