First Waves: First Village

After defeating the Area Boss, the trio began their journey back toward the bridge, guided by In-Su and Skelly—since both the necromancer and the paladin had an uncanny knack for losing their way. At one baffling point, Si-Woo somehow ended up on top of a building... three blocks away.

"That bridge looks even bigger up close," Si-Woo remarked, hands on his hips, tilting his head to take in the towering bone structure before them.

"The colossal bridge stretched across the mighty river," In-Su began, his tone dramatically poetic, "its towering arches forged from the interwoven bones of giants and men. Massive vertebrae, ribs, and femurs creak under the weight of ancient curses and dark magic. Marrow hollows spiral like endless labyrinths, and the damp air clings thickly, filled with the smell of moss and decay. The bones are cold, slick, as if steeped in the tears of the damned. Where sinews once bound the skeletal remains, now enchanted tendons twist and scrape like coarse ropes. Step on the bridge, and the creaking bones and whispering wind echo faint laments, a chilling harmony that sends shivers down to your very soul."

Si-Woo and Alya exchanged bewildered glances before fixing In-Su with exasperated stares.

"You know we can see the bridge, right?" Si-Woo deadpanned, raising an eyebrow.

"Yeah, but thanks for the spooky novel excerpt, Shakespeare," Alya added with mock seriousness.

In-Su huffed, crossing his arms in protest. "I was setting the mood."

"Or simply put: this bridge is creepy," Si-Woo said, cutting through the dramatics.

Alya stepped toward the bridge, reaching out her hand toward the empty air, and words appeared from thin air.

[Unlock The First Village?]

[YES/NO]

Alya wasted no time pressing the 'Yes' button before stepping back as the words shattered into pixels and the fog lifted. Alya raised her hand to cover her eyes when a bright light burst through the sky.

"What the...?" In-Su's eyes widened in surprise as he saw that the sky beyond the bridge had cleared up. Instead of the blood-red sky looming over the city, the sky above the village was a bright, vivid blue—completely normal—with the sun shining down.

"C'mon." Alya looked at the two before Skelly took the lead, guiding the group across the bridge. Both Skelly and Si-Woo kept their weapons at the ready, just in case of a surprise attack on the way to the village.

"...The air's getting better...." Si-Woo muttered.

"Yeah, and the sky's getting brighter..." In-Su looked up at the sky with a relieved expression. He hadn't realized how much he'd missed the warm sun after spending so long under the oppressive, blood-red moon.

"Do you think that bloody moon is the reason?" Alya asked suddenly, making the trio turn their attention to her. "Look, there are no monsters past the bridge, which means the monsters only spawn under that bleeding moon." Alya raised her finger, pointing back at the edge of the bridge where they came from. "And it seems like the monsters can't go past this bridge."

"Wait, then how can Skelly follow us?" In-Su looked at the Goblin Skeleton, who just shrugged his shoulders.

"Maybe because Skelly is now my skill, so he's technically not a monster anymore," Alya suggested.

Si-Woo sheathed his sword when he realized he could lower his guard. He started walking again, and the other three quickly followed him.

"Ahh, let's hope the villagers are kind and don't hang us or burn us," Si-Woo joked, but the unimpressed looks he received from the two, and even from Skelly, made it clear the joke didn't land.

Alya hurried past Si-Woo as they finally arrived at the end of the bridge, her eyes widening in awe at the sight before her. The village stretched out before them like a scene from a fairy tale, nestled in a lush, vibrant valley. Quaint cottages with thatched roofs and colorful gardens dotted the landscape, each uniquely designed to reflect the personalities of its inhabitants. Majestic, ancient trees with leaves that shimmered in the sunlight provided a canopy of shade, their branches swaying gently in the breeze.

The villagers were a harmonious blend of humans and fantasy creatures, living together in perfect unity. Elves with pointed ears and delicate features worked alongside humans, tending fields and sharing stories. Dwarves with their sturdy frames and impressive beards crafted intricate metalwork, while fairies with iridescent wings fluttered about, sprinkling magic wherever they went. Centaurs trotted gracefully through the cobblestone streets, offering rides to children who giggled with delight.

In the distance, a colossal old tree loomed over the village, its gnarled branches spreading wide like an ancient guardian. The tree's rough, scarred bark exuded a sense of timeless wisdom and strength. Its leaves whispered secrets of the past as the wind rustled through them, and a soft glow emanated from its roots, hinting at the magical energy flowing within.

The air was filled with the sweet fragrance of blooming flowers and the cheerful sounds of laughter and music. A nearby market bustled with activity, where merchants sold an array of exotic goods—sparkling gemstones, enchanted artifacts, and delicious treats glowing with an otherworldly light. The entire village exuded warmth and enchantment, a place where dreams and reality intertwined seamlessly.

"...We're really in a different world..." In-Su gaped at the scenery before him with an awed expression. It was a stark contrast to the ruined city behind them. He let out a small gasp as Alya began walking toward the village. "H-hey, wait! We still don't know if we're allowed here!" In-Su quickly rushed after the girl, his hand reaching out to grab her before she could do anything reckless. But before he could stop her, she bumped into someone.

"Alya!" In-Su's eyes widened when he saw the girl bump into an old man. Luckily, based on his appearance, the old man seemed human.

"Oho, careful there, young one." The old man smiled kindly at Alya before bending down and gently helping her to her feet. "Oh my, what strange clothes you wear." The old man lifted his head to look at In-Su, and his eyes widened slightly when he realized the group had come from the other side. "Dear, you must have suffered a lot. Come, children. Let me show you a place to rest." He paused when he noticed the suspicious looks on the trio's faces and how they hesitated to follow.

"Now, now. I'm sure you are all confused and wary, but let me tell you, children, that this is not my first time seeing an outsider." The old man smiled at the trio before looking at Skelly, who jumped in shock before hiding behind Si-Woo. "Ah, don't worry. You can bring your summon too."

In-Su and Si-Woo exchanged looks before nodding and deciding to follow the old man, who had begun walking toward the village. Alya held her hand out toward Skelly, who quickly grabbed the girl's hand and walked with her.

Si-Woo kept his hand on his sword handle, ready to draw it at a moment's notice. But he quickly noticed that no one seemed to care about the trio and the skeleton. The villagers gave them polite looks and smiles before going about their way. Si-Woo's eyes snapped toward the old man when he heard him chuckle. "Don't worry, boy. No one will attack you here. We are pacifists." The old man then led them inside a cozy-looking tavern.

The old man sat down on a chair before inviting them to sit as well. Alya and Skelly were the first to sit, followed by Si-Woo, and finally In-Su. "Let me introduce myself. My name is Emit. I'm the village chief."

'So, tutorial NPC....' In-Su and Alya both thought.

"You all seem remarkably calm, considering we're not from here." Si-Woo leaned his chin on his palm, eyeing Emit with a suspicious expression.

"Ohoho, this is not the first time we've had Players." The old man's words made In-Su perk up.

"Players?" In-Su repeated, surprised.

Emit nodded as he began to explain, "Yes, that's what we call those who come from the other side. It all started..."

"Wait!" In-Su stopped Emit from continuing his story. "Before that... Can we order something to eat?" He asked seriously, making Emit laugh.

"Ohoho! Of course, I'm sure you three are starving." Emit raised his hand and called for the waitress. The waitress, a small old woman with a single horn on her forehead, approached their table with a warm smile. 'An Oni...' In-Su thought, observing her carefully.

"My, aren't you the cutest one? What can I get for you today?" The Oni, named Chiyo, beamed at Alya.

Alya seemed flustered by the sudden attention. She glanced at Skelly, then back at Chiyo. "Uhm..."

"Ohoho, Chiyo. Don't tease the kid. Just bring the usual," Emit chuckled.

"Fufufu, alright." Chiyo left the table and headed toward the kitchen.

"Now, let us talk while we wait." Emit folded his hands together, smiling as he began, "It all started around 400 years ago. The tragedy that befell our world—the night the moon began bleeding and the day the gods killed the Holy Saint."

"The gods... killed the Holy Saint?" In-Su asked, leaning forward.

"Yes, the Holy Saint—the first human created by the God of Life," Chiyo interjected, returning with a tray holding five cups and bowls of creamy soup. "Mother of all creatures. Wife to the God of Life." She placed cups of juice in front of Skelly and Alya. "Betrayed and filled with rage, the God of Life cursed the other gods and the humans who worshipped them. He stripped away their roles and scattered them across the world. He coated the moon with the gods' blood, causing eternal night."

Emit nodded at Chiyo's explanation. "Indeed."

"If eternal night happened, why does this place still have sunlight?" Si-Woo asked, grabbing a wooden cup and taking a sip of what seemed to be wine.

"That is because of the eldest tree. The large tree you see in the distance—it's the last mercy given by the God of Life." Emit unrolled a scroll of a map and laid it on the table. "The eldest trees protect the kingdom from monsters, allowing us to live in harmony."

"Kingdom?" In-Su raised an eyebrow. He hadn't expected this place to be a kingdom and not just a village.

"Yes. This kingdom is called Ashes, one of ten kingdoms protected by Eldest Trees," Emit explained, pointing at the map. "There are a total of 30 islands—ten kingdoms and twenty corrupted islands. Each kingdom is ruled by different creatures, and the Ashes kingdom is ruled by humans. The closest kingdoms are Eldia, ruled by elves." His finger moved to darker areas of the map. "The corrupted islands were once under the control of gods, but after their deaths, the curses continued to spread."

"But... why did our world get dragged into this world?" Alya asked.

Si-Woo and In-Su glanced at each other before looking back at the elders. "Or do you not know, and we have to unco—"

"Oh, that's the Trickster God's fault," Emit interrupted, waving dismissively. "He decided to be a jerk and created a portal that opens every hundred years, dragging your world into ours."

"Just like that?!" Si-Woo exclaimed.

"Ugh, this saves us a hundred chapters to uncover the truth... but it kinda pisses me off..." In-Su muttered.

"Wait, once every hundred years? Do you mean our world has been dragged here multiple times?" Alya asked, confused.

"Yes. The first time your world was dragged here was five hundred years ago," Emit answered, leaving the group shocked.

"You mean this isn't the first time?!" Si-Woo slammed his hands on the table, disbelief written all over his face.

"Wait, wait! But Earth still exists. Are you saying that over these five times, our world was dragged here and then sent back?" In-Su furrowed his brow, deep in thought.

"Oh no, that's because, back in the day, one of the Players managed to reopen the portal and teleport your world back to its original universe," Emit clarified.

In-Su clicked his tongue in frustration. He had hoped they could wait it out until the world was sent back, but it seemed they actually needed to accomplish something here. The question was, what?

"Who are these Players?" Alya asked curiously, wondering just how strong they must have been to send Earth back five times.

"One of the Players I met was named..." Chiyo crossed her arms.

The trio leaned in, waiting anxiously. "Oda Nobunaga."

In-Su and Si-Woo looked confused, but Alya slammed her hands on the table. "The Oda Nobunaga?! The first Great Unifier of Japan?! The Demon King of the Sixth Heaven?! That Oda Nobunaga?!"

"...Someone's a history freak..." Si-Woo muttered, leaning away from the excited girl.

"Oh my, is he that popular?" Chiyo asked, surprised by Alya's outburst.

"Yes, he is! He's in so many games! My favorite is when he's a girl in a certain game—"

"It's about a game?!" Si-Woo exclaimed.

"But he died in 1582, committing seppuku... Are you saying that sometime between 1534 and 1582 Earth was teleported here? That timeline doesn't make sense..." Alya trailed off, trying to reconcile the dates.

"Time is different when you pass through that portal," Emit explained calmly.

"...Of course... Haah..." In-Su sighed heavily, taking a sip of his drink. Despite everything, he felt a glimmer of hope knowing that Earth had been teleported back before.

"Is no one going to ask how we got the Roles or what happens after we're sent back?" Si-Woo finally asked the obvious question.

"As far as I know, your world gets reset to the time before it was teleported here," Emit explained thoughtfully. "As for the Roles... we still don't know, but my theory is that when the portal opens, the Roles instinctively try to find suitable hosts."

'Suitable hosts?' In-Su furrowed his brow. '...But we were given the Roles. Something isn't adding up here... I need to find out more about the God of Life. Is he still around?'

Alya let out a yawn, snapping In-Su out of his thoughts. His expression softened as he realized just how tired they all were. "Thanks for the explanation," he said with a small smile, addressing the two elders.

"Ohoho, don't worry about it. How about you three get some rest? I can give you three separate rooms or one shared room if you prefer," Chiyo said, pointing at the stairs leading upstairs.

"A-ah, three separate rooms, please," Si-Woo replied, standing up, followed by Alya and Skelly.

"Very well. Have a good rest, young ones," Emit said with a nod as the trio and Skelly headed upstairs, ready to retreat for the day.

"My, what polite ones they are," Chiyo remarked as she started cleaning up the table. Emit chuckled. "Indeed they are. Completely different from the others." He sipped his drink.

"Grandma Chiyo, where do we toss this body?" A young Oni poked his head out from the kitchen door, where a pile of corpses lay hidden inside.

"Just toss it back to the city," Chiyo replied casually.

The young Oni smirked before disappearing back into the kitchen. "Okay~"