Chapter 2

I'm not on a plane.

I'm not in a hotel.

I'm... inside a horse stable.

My eyes widened. I looked around—hay, wooden stalls, the sound of neighing horses.

And the saddest part? My suitcase was there too. Covered in dust.

"THIS IS MY VACATION?!"

I was completely stunned.

My brain went into overdrive.

"Was I drugged? Kidnapped while sleeping on the plane? Or is this a lucid dream?"

I was still trying to process everything while staring at the horse calmly chewing hay.

"This is a dream... yeah, definitely a dream," I whispered to myself in denial.

Then I pinched my cheek.

Ouch.

That hurt.

THIS ISN'T A DREAM.

I got up from the pile of hay and walked out of the stable.

The sight outside shocked me even more:

Medieval buildings, giant stone bricks, banners flying in the wind, and soldiers lined up in full armor and spears.

It looked like a military training ground straight out of an RPG game!

"WHAT IS THIS? A prank show hotel? A hidden camera? Where are the cameras?!"

I started running around in a panic, looking for hidden cameras.

Suddenly, a young man in a soldier's outfit approached me, panting.

"Hey, what are you doing over there? Not joining the lineup? The commander's gonna flip out!"

I stared at him.

He... saw me?

"So this isn't a lucid dream? There are real people here?"

I replied, "But I'm not one of you guys, why would I line up?"

He blinked, looking confused.

"Eh... whatever, not my problem if the commander yells at you."

Then he just walked off and joined the line.

Just as I was about to turn around, the whole place suddenly fell silent.

Heavy footsteps echoed, followed by the sound of a dragging sword.

Appeared... a man clad in full armor, carrying a HUGE sword slung across his shoulder—like he just walked out of Dark Souls.

His gaze was sharp. His face... oh no, like a mix of a terrifying teacher and a mall security guard.

"Today, we train the body!" he shouted loudly.

His eyes locked onto mine.

"HEY YOU! Are you kidding me?! Get over here!"

I panicked.

"Eh... me? This one?"

His face grew even angrier, veins popping.

"Who else would I be talking to?! GET OVER HERE!"

I slowly stepped forward, passing through the line of soldiers who parted like I was being escorted by the Grim Reaper.

"Your training today will be double. Now, run around the field or prepare for a one-way ticket to hell."

I froze.

"Run?" I whispered in panic.

The last time I did physical activity was in high school—and even then, it was just power walking during flag ceremonies.

"Sorry but... I can't run..."

The commander stepped closer, his breath heavy, and his face now absolutely terrifying.

"RUN NOW OR I'LL KILL YOU!"

For the sake of my survival...

I ran.

Pathetically, gasping, feet dragging.

And of course—

I passed out.