After what felt like an eternity—or maybe just moments—Ephraim couldn't tell. All he knew was that his soul was being carried somewhere unknown and beyond understanding.
He hadn't known souls could move like this, pulled from reality by a mysterious book he'd only just begun to explore.
He knew the stories of heaven and hell, the tales of what might come after life. But this—this felt more like something out of a fantasy novel than anything biblical.
Experiencing it firsthand was nothing like what he'd read in books or seen on a screen. It was real, and terrifying… yet it also filled him with a deep sense of anticipation, a pull toward whatever awaited at the end of this dark, endless void.
Around him, a dark membrane wrapped around his drifting form—a strange barrier, almost like the shadows that had consumed him earlier.
He couldn't feel it directly, but he sensed its presence—protective and watchful, as if the darkness were both guiding and shielding him from unseen dangers.
Time slipped by as his soul, wrapped in the dark membrane, drifted through the void.
Gradually, he felt the movement slow, and everything faded into darkness once more. For a moment, he thought it was the end. But then, a warm light began to envelop him.
Ephraim's eyes fluttered open, momentarily blinded by sunlight streaming in. He instinctively raised a hand to shield his eyes, squinting as he adjusted to the brightness.
To his surprise, he realized he had a body again—one he could move, and it felt strangely familiar.
In fact, he noticed that his coordination felt sharper, even better than before.
He vividly remembered the feeling of being just a soul drifting through the void, so he knew this wasn't an illusion.
Only hours before, he had been in his apartment, surrounded by darkness. Now, sunlight warmed his face.
"Where am I?" Ephraim muttered, looking around. He stood at the entrance of a cave, its jagged opening framed by thick, leafy plants.
Beyond the cave, a lush forest stretched out, full of life. Sunlight filtered through the leaves, casting playful shadows on the ground, while the rustling of leaves and distant birdcalls filled the air.
Ephraim looked down at his new clothes in surprise. The dark cape hanging over his shoulders felt surprisingly comfortable, as if it truly belonged to him.
Underneath, he wore gray pants and a black shirt decorated with faintly glowing symbols. The designs looked like letters, but in a language he didn't recognize—a language that seemed to pulse with a subtle energy.
"This… this must be what enchanted clothing looks like in a fantasy world," he muttered, both amazed and skeptical. It felt like something straight out of his favorite RPGs, as if the game had come to life.
His hand brushed the hilt of the small sword at his waist, feeling the cool leather grip. The weight was comforting but unfamiliar, like he'd always wanted a weapon like this, yet never thought he'd have one.
Hanging from his left, a small pouch jingled faintly with the sound of coins, and a compact bag was strapped to his back—just large enough for supplies or loot.
Ephraim quickly took in the details, his mind racing. He had an idea of what might be happening, but he needed to gather more clues before making any conclusions.
Taking a deep breath, he steadied himself and scanned his surroundings with a clear, focused mind.
Ephraim knew that assuming things could cloud his judgment, especially in an unfamiliar place where any mistake could lead to danger.
He gripped the hilt of his short sword and slowly drew it from its sheath.
The blade shone in the sunlight, and he carefully ran a finger along the edge. It was sharp, sharper than he'd expected, and could cut through more than just air.
Looking at the sword, Ephraim realized there must be a reason why he'd been given it right from the start. It signified that this world could be dangerous.
Learning to wield it properly could save his life, so he decided to practice a bit.
To prepare, Ephraim practiced drawing and sheathing the sword a few times, focusing on making his movements smooth and quick.
With each repetition, his actions felt more natural, and his grip grew steadier. At least now, he felt a little more ready, even if it was just a small sense of preparedness.
It's important to remember that Ephraim is just an ordinary guy, with little real experience in fighting or survival, though he does have some knowledge from the many books he's read over the years.
Reading had always been one of Ephraim's favorite hobbies, letting him absorb knowledge about things he'd never tried.
Once he felt confident drawing his sword without injuring himself or dropping it, he began practicing basic moves—simple slashes and thrusts—to get used to the weapon.
When he felt ready, Ephraim took a deep breath and turned his attention to the world outside the cave, bracing himself for whatever lay ahead.
He thought about practicing defensive moves like blocking but quickly realized that, without a partner, mimicking blocks against thin air wouldn't help much.
Practical experience was the only way to truly master that skill, so he decided to focus on his attacks instead, pouring his energy into slashes and thrusts that felt a little sharper with each try.
A spark of excitement flickered within him. As he gazed toward the unknown, Ephraim felt ready—at least as ready as he could be. It was time to see what this unfamiliar world had in store.