CHAPTER 1: Hungry, Exhausted, and Almost Eaten by a Wolf

I stand in the middle of a vast grassy field, the cool breeze gently brushing against me. The sky is clear, the air is fresh, and the scenery stretches beautifully as far as the eye can see.

But… my stomach growls loudly.

I let out a long sigh and clutch my empty stomach. "Damn… I'm starving."

Not just normal hunger. This is the kind of hunger that makes you seriously consider eating grass. I need to find food.

I start walking, crossing small hills, descending green valleys, until I finally spot a cluster of trees in the distance. A forest. Maybe there's something edible in there.

Dragging my tired feet, I enter the forest. The atmosphere changes instantly. From an open, peaceful field, I'm now surrounded by towering trees standing like silent giants. Their dense leaves block most of the sunlight, making the air feel colder. I walk deeper, scanning my surroundings—fruits, mushrooms, anything that looks remotely edible. But so far… nothing.

I'm starting to feel weak. My legs are heavy. My throat is dry. I need water.

Stopping for a moment, I strain my ears to listen. The sound of running water. I turn to my left. In the distance, I can faintly hear the soft trickling of a stream.

A small smile creeps onto my face. "Finally, something that makes sense in this world."

With renewed energy, I quicken my pace toward the sound.

But before I reach it—

GROOOAAARRR!

I freeze in place. A chill runs down my spine. Slowly, I turn my head to the right.

From behind the bushes, a pair of glowing red eyes stare directly at me. A massive black wolf emerges from the shadows of the trees. Its fur is dark as night. Its fangs gleam under the dim light. And drool drips between its sharp teeth.

I stand there, paralyzed. This wolf is big. Really big. Much larger than any normal wolf. It's almost the size of a fully grown horse.

I try to think rationally. Okay, Kosagi. Don't panic. Don't make sudden movements. Don't look weak.

The wolf bares its fangs. A deep growl rumbles from its throat.

Okay. This is bad.

I swallow hard. Then, I force a small smile. "Alright… Let's talk this through. I'm sure we can settle this without vio—"

The wolf lunges at me.

I immediately spin around and run for my life.

"AHAHAHAHA! I'M NOT READY TO DIE, YOU BASTARD!"

I crash through bushes, leap over roots, nearly trip over a huge rock. I can hear the wolf's heavy breathing right behind me, getting closer. I keep running. My breath grows ragged. My legs start shaking.

Up ahead, I see an opening—a cliff! Below, a waterfall roars as water crashes down.

I have two choices:

1. Jump and pray I survive.

2. Stay and become this wolf's next meal.

An easy decision, right?

I grit my teeth, ready to jump—

But my body is too weak. Before I can even move, my legs give out. I collapse at the edge of the cliff.

My stomach twists in pain. My chest rises and falls heavily. My entire body is completely drained. The wolf stops a few meters away. It doesn't immediately attack. As if it knows I can't fight back anymore.

I lift my head toward the sky, cough weakly, then let out a dry laugh. "Haha… So this is what dying in another world feels like…"

My vision starts to blur. But before I lose consciousness, I catch a glimpse of something.

Someone.

Standing on a tree.

With the last of my strength, I lift my gaze. There, a figure stands on a thick tree branch. A long cloak sways gently in the wind. Their silhouette is faint in the moonlight.

But… I can see a pair of piercing blue eyes looking down at me. Their hair is slightly long, partially hidden beneath what looks like a magic academy uniform cloak.

Who… is that?

I want to ask. But everything fades to black.

And then—

I fall.

To the ground.

Not like some heroic protagonist who lands gracefully and immediately strikes a cool pose. Nope.

I collapse face-first into the mud, completely motionless. I can even feel the cold dirt sticking to my cheek.

Kosagi lets out a weak laugh in his head.

"Haha… I could have pulled off a badass landing… if I weren't starving and half-dead."

Before everything goes completely dark, the last thought that crosses his mind is…

"I… just saw someone, didn't I?"

And then—

Everything fades away.