A beautiful lady enters. I try to call her, but I can't tell if any sound is coming from my mouth. When she looks at me, I suddenly pass out.
"What's going on? Why is her dress unfamiliar? Am I really dreaming? Or am I really dead? What's happening?"
As I wake up again, my body feels heavy and unresponsive. I look everywhere, hoping it was all a dream, but then I see the lady sitting next to the bed.
"Miss…" I try to call her.
"Oh my! You're awake! Thank goodness!"
She helps me sit up against the soft fabric of the bed, raising my head and shoulders into the light. The warmth of the sun streams in, contrasting with the darkness I just escaped. I blink a few times, trying to clear the haze in my mind, and catch a glimpse of the beautiful lady standing beside me.
"Who are you? Where am I? What is this place?"
"Now, now, calm down," she says with a soothing voice and a beautiful smile.
"My name is Emiko. I'm the one treating the people in this village. Our hunters found you lying deep in the forest, unconscious. They brought you here. Now you are in my shop."
As she describes everything, I try to get up on my own.
"No, no, you can't get up right now; you are still healing," she insists.
I realize she's right, as I still don't have the strength to move my legs. I lie back down, trying to piece together what's going on. It seems I'm in a village. I don't know where, but the people seem nice. It's strange—when I died my body weak and skinny, but now I somehow buffed. After a few days of waiting, my body is finally ready to walk around.
Just as I thought, this village is more like old villages in games. People seem normal but every time I look at them there is something I don't understand. With the sun shining brightly overhead, the village buzzes with energy. The sounds of the blacksmith striking iron, street vendors calling out to sell their goods to the villagers, and children playing in the streets surround me. It somehow makes me feel calm and happy, even though I still don't know where I am.
"Hey kiddo!" a sudden deep voice came behind me. As I turn around there is group of men coming at me.
"Look boys isn't that the kid we rescued from the forest?" man with a beard asks others while pointing me with his Claymore sword.
"How are ya kiddo? Everything fine?"
I don't know why they're calling me 'kid' or 'kiddo,' even though I have this body.
"I feel great thanks to the Lady Emiko. And thank you for saving me back there" I say, bowing to show my gratitude.
"Oh, it's our job kiddo. By the way, how did you end up there deep in the forest? Do you remember anything?"
How can I say I was dead while trying to save a girl and ended up here? Will they believe me?
"No. Only thing I remember is my name: Haruto Raikou. I don't know how I ended up there"
"Now, now, kiddo—oh, what was the name again? Ah, right, Haruto! Don't think about it. Ya're safe now. It's getting dark; go back to Emiko's shop. If you need anything, ask her. She'll help ya. See ya!" he says as he and the group walk past me.
After they walk past me, I turn and begin making my way back to Emiko's shop. As the sun sets and dark spreads the everlasting energy of the village seems to fade. The vendors cleaning their stalls while others going back to their home. Everyone readying for a peaceful night. After few minutes I arrive at Emiko's Shop.
"Oh my, welcome, Haruto! How was your day? Did you enjoy our small village?" she says in her soothing voice as she arranges medicines on the shelf.
"Yeah, it was a nice journ—WAIT! I never told you, my name! The only one I told was that big guy with the claymore sword. He went to the other side of the village, so there's no way you could have met him."
"What do you mean, Haruto? Can't you see my name and level above my head?" she asks, her face filled with curiosity.
Level? What is she talking about? I walked all around the village and didn't see anything like that. This world feels more and more like a game.
"I don't know what you're talking about. I don't see any level or name," I say, feeling my head spin. Levels? This is too much to process.
"That's strange… I never saw someone who can't see others levels and names. And come to think of it, I only see your name. And it didn't appear until a few days after we brought you to the village. Your level doesn't show a fixed number either—it changes every time," she says as she walking toward me.
"I… I… don't kno—" A loud, siren-like sound interrupts me, coming from outside. I hear people screaming and running past the shop. Then suddenly…
"Rawwrrr…" A deep roar echoes from afar. I glance at Emiko's face. Her usual happy expression is gone, replaced by fear. She rushes outside, and there stands the big bearded man in front of the shop.
"Gorou! What's happening outside? Is it another attack?" she asks, her voice filled with panic. Even though I've only known her for 9 or 10 days, I've never seen her this panicked. There were times when this shop was filled with injured people, hurt by random things. Even though she works alone, she never panicked.
"Ah, don't worry. It's those damn mutts again. This is the second time in the past 10 days. We still don't know what's provoking them so much. A lot of hunters are outside the village, so we're low on men—but don't worry, we got this!" he says with a big smile, trying to comfort Emiko.
"Let me help too! I don't know what's happening outside, but I want to help however I can to repay my debt," I say, clenching my fists.
"But kiddo, you're still—"
"No. I'm fine now. I can help. You said you're low on manpower. I can do as much as I can. Please, let me help you," I interrupt, insisting. I don't know how much I can do, but these people rescued me, treated me, and helped me. Now it's time to show my gratitude.
"Hmm, it seems you've got good courage. If you insist, we can't stop you. But before that..." Emiko walks into the room at the back of the shop. A few minutes later, she returns with a dusty leather armor and a black katana with a golden hilt.
"This armor belonged to my brother. He died a few years ago in a war against the monsters. This katana is called Reikizuna, and it's from my father. According to him, this katana connects to the heart of the user. If you really want to help, take these and get ready," she says, handing me the weapon and armor.
"Alright kiddo, get ready. I'll be here. Hurry up, don't be late." As Gorou finishes speaking, I rush inside to get ready. I quickly put on my chestplate, spaulders, and greaves. The sounds from outside grow more intense by the second, and roars now echo closer to the village. I think it's a pack of wolves, but based on everything I've heard, I'm not sure these are normal wolves. I need to hurry. Tightening my bracers as I run outside, I spot Emiko's face, pale and frightened like she's seen a ghost.
"Oh my, you look great in them. Sorry for the dust... I haven't brought them out since my brother's death," she says in a faint voice, wiping away the tear running down her cheek. Seeing me in her brother's armor, holding her father's katana, must have hit a soft spot.
"Alright, kiddo—I mean, Haruto, let's go!" Gorou says, turning to march toward the battleground. I grip Reikizuna tightly and follow behind him. As we approach the village gates, I see 15 warriors, armed with swords, spears, and shields, awaiting Gorou's command.
"Sir Gorou, we've gathered everything as you instructed," one guard says.
"Good job! The villagers near the gates have been evacuated to the center. Let's get ready for battle!" Gorou roars, raising his claymore high. The warriors follow his lead.
Suddenly, a chilling howl echoes across the battlefield, freezing me in place. Even the finest soldier would shiver at the sound. In the moonlit horizon, a pack of 20 wolves growls at us. Their black bodies shimmer under the moonlight, but these are no ordinary wolves. They're twice the size of the ones from my world. Their eyes burn like red-hot coals. No, I can't be afraid now. Emiko entrusted me with this. I can't turn back. I don't know what's going to happen, but we'll win.
I draw the blade. The moment I unsheathe Reikizuna, a brilliant orange light erupts across the battlefield, illuminating everything. The blade blazes with fierce orange flames, casting flickering shadows on the faces of my allies and enemies. Gasps of astonishment ripple through the crowd, and all eyes turn to the glowing katana. Whispers of disbelief fill the air as the flames crackle, drawing everyone's attention to the weapon in my hand. It feels like time has stopped, and in this moment, Reikizuna becomes the center of the world.
The wolves growl more fiercely. From the back of the pack, a larger wolf strides forward, its forehead glinting under the moonlight.
"Haruto, do you see the wolf with the glowing gem on its forehead? That's the pack leader. Emiko told me you can't see any details, but don't worry. Stay close and assist me," Gorou says, his voice low but steady.
The wolf leader howls at the moon, signaling the start of the battle. The wolves charge, but Gorou commands everyone to hold their position. I tighten my grip on Reikizuna and brace for the attack. Both sides clash. Gorou swings his claymore, sending wolves flying. Another wolf leaps at me. I thrust my katana into its chest as it jumps. The wolf falls dead, its wound still burning with Reikizuna's flames.
The battle lasts only a few minutes. Despite being outnumbered, we take down many wolves, their bodies scattering like fallen gems and gold across the ground. But just as we begin to gain the upper hand, the pack leader leaps into the fray. Faster than any other wolf, it charges at me, eyes gleaming with determination.
I barely have time to react. Just as it's about to strike, Gorou jumps in, taking the blow meant for me. The force sends him flying several meters back, his armor gleaming as he crashes to the ground. I can't comprehend what just happened. I turn, seeing Gorou lying still on the ground, unmoving. Why did he take the hit? That should've been me.
Before I can process it, my blood surges, my heart pounding in my chest. I turn to see the wolf leader, growling fiercely as it prepares for another strike. It raises its arm.
Here it comes. I close my eyes, gripping Reikizuna tightly as I block the attack. When I open my eyes again, the blade that once blazed orange now burns a fiery red. I'm stunned as I glance at the wolf leader. Its entire arm has been severed, and the wound burns with red flames.
It takes a step back, wincing in pain from its burning wound. Even though it's hurt, its face is still filled with rage and courage. Even with a lost arm, it readies itself for another attack. As it growls at me even more fiercely, the other wolves gather behind their leader. I straighten my back, gripping Reikizuna, ready to face whatever comes next. The wolf lunges into the sky, even higher than before.
I'm going to do this—for Gorou, for Emiko, and for everyone in this village. This time, I'M NOT GOING TO DIE. I close my eyes again and let the katana guide my body.
An awful sound shudders through the battlefield. I feel warmth around me and open my eyes. Laying before me is the giant, beheaded body of the wolf leader. I turn around to see its head, burning with red flames, lying exactly where it landed.
I run to see how Gorou doing.
"No... Gorou..." My hands shake as I kneel beside him. Blood stains the ground, seeping through the deep claw marks that tore through his chestplate. The man who stood tall just moments ago now lies still. My heart pounds. Why did he take that hit? Why him, and not me?"
"Gorou! Gorou! Can you hear me?" no response. I call another soldier to help me to get Gorou in to Emiko's shop. She was ready for help anyone who comes.
"Wait Haruto what happened? What happened to Gorou?" Emiko asks.
"He's been hit by the wolf leader's claw. He's unconscious" I response her while removing Gorou's chestplate. Emiko checks the wound and start to clean it.
"What can I do to help?"
"No! You must return to the battleground! Even Leader is dead other wolves might attack again. Go help others. I'll help Lady Emiko" soldier response to me not with a commanding voice, more like a begging voice. I turn around and run to the battlefield.
Once I get there, I encountered something unexpected.
The wolves gather around their fallen leader, their mournful howls filling the air. It's unlike anything I've heard before—no longer filled with the menace that chilled me to my bones. It's as if they're saying goodbye. A lump forms in my throat as they vanish into the forest. Even enemies have a bond…
They've retreated, but something tells me this is far from over. As the howls fade, the weight of everything settles in—Gorou's injury, the wolves, the village. There's no time to rest.