Slap!
"Pervert!" The woman stood up, brushing dirt off her rough, worn tunic.
Without another word, she turned and stomped away deeper into the forest.
"Ouch!" Chayil rubbed his stinging cheek, his hand pressing against the heat from where her slap landed.
He winced but couldn't help the excited grin tugging at his lips. 'Man, that was stupid... but kind of fun.'
'What's wrong with me?' he muttered, slapping his mouth lightly as if that would knock some sense into his brain.
Shaking his head, Chayil leaped to his feet and dashed after her, weaving through the trees.
"Wait! I know I was being rude! I'm sorry!" he called out, his voice a little breathless but sincere.
The woman's steps were quick and steady as she disappeared deeper into the forest, clearly having no intention of forgiving him anytime soon.
'Oh, so that's how it's gonna be?' Chayil's eyes gleamed with a spark of challenge.
The more she ignored him, the more determined he felt. He wasn't the type to back down, especially not when someone brushed him off like this.
If anything, it made him want to crack through her icy demeanor even more.
'Where is she even going?' he wondered, glancing around.
The forest seemed endless, with rows of towering trees stretching out as far as he could see, their trunks thick and ancient.
There were no clear paths, no signs of civilization, just an ocean of green.
"Please forgive me, beautiful lady," Chayil called after her, his voice playful now as he tried a different angle.
"I'm lost! Can you help me find my way back home?" he added with mock sincerity.
But the woman didn't even flinch, her pace never slowing. It was like his voice didn't exist.
'Oh, come on. Really?'
After what felt like twenty minutes of silent pursuit, the woman finally stopped.
She turned to face him just as the last of the sun's rays hit her face perfectly, making her look even more captivating.
"Close your eyes," she said, her smile soft but disarming, the kind that could melt the hardest of hearts.
Chayil's pulse quickened. "Wait, is this happening?"
For a second, he let himself imagine what might come next. 'Is she going to kiss me? Is this her way of forgiving me?'
Without hesitation, he licked his lips, bracing himself for whatever was coming, and firmly planted his feet on the ground.
"Do you forgive me now?" he asked, his voice a little shaky, his face flushed with excitement.
The woman paused just before he felt her breath near his ear, then whispered, "Idiot."
To Chayil's surprise, people emerged from the grass and trees. They grabbed him with firm hands and tied his wrists and ankles with rough rope. Then they yanked a bag over his head.
"Who are you? What are you doing to me?" Chayil shouted even though his voice was muffled inside the bag.
He couldn't see anything. But he could hear them—footsteps, whispers, the shuffle of a group moving around him.
"Lock him up in the cell," the woman ordered, making Chayil's eyes widen in surprise under the bag.
"Yes, ma'am," the group responded in unison.
"Really?" Disappointment washed over Chayil.
He had expected something a little more… exciting, maybe even dramatic. But this? Being carted off like some common criminal?
"You really broke my heart there, beautiful lady," Chayil called out.
His shoulders slumped. And he let out a long, defeated sigh as they dragged him along.
***
Finally, they pulled the bag off his head. Chayil blinked and tried to adjust to the sudden light. Looking around, he was surprised.
The cell wasn't what he expected at all.
It was more like a wooden cabin—a single room with sturdy walls and a simple door. It didn't feel cold or damp like a typical jail. Instead, it was cozy like it was built for long-term stays.
They had also untied the ropes around his wrists and ankles.
Chayil immediately flexed his hands, rolled his shoulders, and stretched his legs. Nothing seemed broken. It's just a bit sore from the struggle.
'What kind of jail is this? Feels more like a weird Airbnb,' he thought.
"What's your name?" the woman asked. Her voice was calm now.
Chayil glanced at her, wondering why he wasn't more upset.
Maybe it was her voice, or maybe he just didn't take any of this seriously yet.
"Chayil Stonebriar," he replied, throwing in a grin. "29 and single, if you're wondering."
The woman sighed. She was clearly unimpressed. "Show me your I.D.," she continued to interrogate.
"I.D.?" Chayil patted his pockets and frowned. "I don't think I brought it with me."
He checked his robe. Nope, nothing.
The woman held her palm toward Chayil and firmly said, "STATUS!"
A translucent green screen flickered to life above her hand. The symbols and text hovered in the air like a hologram. And it cast a faint light on her face.
"Show me yours," she demanded. Her eyes were locked on him.
Chayil stared at the screen, blinking in confusion. 'What the hell is this?' he thought.
Chayil has no idea about isekai or transmigration because he has never watched anime in his life.
It looked nothing like the old man's screen he'd seen before.
'Maybe this world had different versions of these things,' he analyzed.
Still feeling off-balance, Chayil hesitated for a second before straightening up.
"STATUS!" he called out. He mimicked her exact tone as he was unsure of what else to do.
The woman's gaze sharpened as she waited for his screen to appear.
For a split second, the entire room lit up like a flash of lightning had gone off inside.
Everyone instinctively squinted against the brightness. And when the light faded, a green screen just like the woman's floated in front of Chayil.
It was simple. His full name, age, and gender were displayed in plain, glowing text:
[Chayil Stonebriar, 29, Male.
Identification: Verdant
Race: 100% Human Blood
Class: Unknown
Abilities: (Locked: Ability currently unknown)
Skill: (Locked: Ability currently unknown) ]
A smile tugged at the corners of Chayil's mouth. "Wow, look at that—we've got matching screens. Pretty sure this means we're destined for each other," he said, giving her a wink.
But the woman didn't return the smile. Instead, her brows furrowed.
"What is the meaning of this?" she muttered. "I thought it was him…"