After collecting the required proof of the beast's defeat—a strange, glowing gem embedded within its chest—Kazuki and Serena began their trek back toward the town. The forest had grown noticeably darker, the fading light of the sun casting long shadows across the path.
"So," Serena began, breaking the silence as they walked. "You're really not from around here, are you?"
Kazuki glanced at her, wondering how much she suspected. "I told you—I'm from far away."
Serena gave him a skeptical look. "Yeah, but it's not just that. You don't fight like anyone I've ever seen, and you don't seem to know the basics of this world. You didn't even flinch when I mentioned magic earlier."
Kazuki hesitated for a moment, then shrugged. "Let's just say where I'm from, magic's not a thing."
Serena blinked, clearly taken aback. "No magic at all? That's hard to believe. Even the most remote villages here have at least some form of magic."
"Yeah, well, where I'm from, we make do with…other things," Kazuki replied vaguely, not wanting to get into a detailed explanation of his old world. "But honestly, it's not that big of a deal. I don't need magic to handle myself."
Serena shook her head, clearly still trying to wrap her mind around the idea. "You're a strange one, Kazuki."
"Thanks," he said, flashing her a grin. "I'll take that as a compliment."
They continued walking, the quiet of the forest only occasionally broken by the sound of birds or the rustling of leaves. Kazuki found himself enjoying the peacefulness of it all. Back in his old life, the idea of walking through a serene forest like this would've been impossible—he'd been too busy, too stressed. But here, even with the danger lurking around every corner, it was different. He felt…free.
After a while, Serena spoke again, her tone more casual this time. "So, what are you planning to do now? After we report back to the guild, I mean."
Kazuki thought for a moment. "Not sure. I guess I'll take on some more quests, see what this world has to offer. I don't really have any big plans."
"No plans, huh?" Serena said with a smirk. "Most adventurers I know have at least some sort of goal. They want to gain fame, or fortune, or become strong enough to join one of the elite guilds."
"Elite guilds?" Kazuki asked, intrigued.
Serena nodded. "Yeah. There are a few major guilds across the continent, made up of the most powerful adventurers. Some even have ties to royalty. Joining one of them is a dream for most people."
"Doesn't sound like my thing," Kazuki said with a shrug. "I'm not really looking for fame or power."
Serena raised an eyebrow. "Then what are you looking for?"
Kazuki paused. That was the question, wasn't it? He had been given a second chance at life in this world, but what did he really want out of it? Back in his old world, all he'd wanted was a break from the stress, a chance to live peacefully without the weight of expectations. Maybe that was still true.
"I guess…" he began slowly, "I just want to live a normal life here. You know, nothing too crazy. Just enjoy the world without worrying about being a hero or anything like that."
Serena stared at him, clearly not expecting that answer. "A normal life? In a world like this?"
Kazuki nodded. "Yeah. Is that so weird?"
She shook her head with a chuckle. "No, just…unexpected. Most people who are strong enough to fight monsters like you don't just want a quiet life. But hey, to each their own."
As they neared the edge of the forest, Kazuki felt a strange sense of anticipation. There was still so much about this world that he didn't understand—its history, its people, and the different races that made up its population. He had seen glimpses of it in the town: elves walking the streets alongside humans, the occasional dwarf in the marketplace. He was curious about them, about what other mysteries this world held.
Before he could dwell on it for too long, a loud voice called out from up ahead.
"Hey! You two, stop right there!"
Kazuki and Serena looked up to see a group of armored men standing at the entrance to the town. They were clearly guards, their weapons drawn and their faces stern. The leader, a tall man with a bushy beard, stepped forward, eyeing them suspiciously.
"What business do you have in town?" he demanded.
Serena stepped forward, pulling out the quest notice and the proof of their kill. "We're adventurers. We took on the Forest Beast quest and just completed it."
The guard's eyes flicked to the glowing gem in Serena's hand, and his expression softened slightly. "Ah, so you're the ones who dealt with that monster. We've had reports of it attacking travelers for days. You'll be wanting to head to the guild, then."
"Yeah," Serena replied. "We were just on our way."
The guard nodded, stepping aside to let them pass. "Good work. The guild's been offering a decent reward for that one."
As they walked past the guards and back into the town, Kazuki couldn't help but feel a sense of relief. The town was bustling with life, the streets crowded with people from all walks of life. Humans, elves, and even the occasional dwarf moved about, bartering, talking, and going about their daily business.
"This place really is something," Kazuki muttered, taking it all in.
"Yeah," Serena agreed. "It's a melting pot of different races and cultures. Elves, dwarves, beastfolk…you name it, they're here. It's one of the reasons I love this town."
Kazuki nodded, his curiosity piqued. He had always thought of fantasy worlds as being filled with different races, but seeing it firsthand was a whole new experience. He wondered what it would be like to meet some of them up close.
As they made their way to the guild, Serena glanced over at Kazuki. "So, still thinking about that normal life?"
Kazuki chuckled. "Maybe. But I guess I'll have to see what this world throws at me first."
Serena smiled, her expression softening. "Well, whatever your plans are, I'm sure it'll be interesting."