"Umm, hey, miss, why does it look like the way we're headed is worse than the forest?" I asked nervously.
"Shut up, human. I'm surprised you've lasted this long in this place," she scoffed. Then, as if truly noticing me for the first time, her eyes narrowed. "Now that I'm getting a good look at you… I've never seen a human like you before."
"What do you mean?" I asked, confused.
"Red eyes, red hair, and a build that's different from any human I've ever seen," she murmured, her tone skeptical. "I've never seen a human firsthand, but you don't fit what I've heard."
"W-Whoa, red eyes? Red hair? What are you talking about?"
"Over there," she said, pointing toward a small water pit.
Surprised, I rushed toward the water and stared into my reflection. "What… is the meaning of this?" My voice trembled as I saw my crimson eyes, blazing red hair, and unfamiliar features. "This isn't my real body… What the hell is going on? My horns… Are they real? Is this… really me? No, it can't be. Zereth... my game avatar?"
"I've never seen anyone so shocked by their own reflection before," she remarked dryly.
Her words barely registered. Zereth isn't human. He's an Oni. But my horns are covered by my hair… I must look somewhat human to her. Is this really Zereth?
"You'd better catch up, or you'll get lost in no time," she called back, snapping me out of my thoughts.
"W-Wait for me, miss!" I jogged to keep up. "Is this world…?"
"What are you talking about? This world is huge. Every area has its own name, but I've never heard it referred to as just 'this world.'"
Am I really in a different world… with my game avatar?
"Miss, can you help me out with some information?" I asked, trying to keep calm.
"Why should I bother? You'll forget it anyway. But lucky for you, I've studied the map, and no one knows more than me," she said with a huff. "To start, this place is called the Great Wyrm Forest. It's not ruled by any nearby kingdom—it's free territory."
"I see... If you're a beastkin, why do you stay here? Aren't you allowed in other nations?"
"Something like that. You see, my kind, and others like us, are deemed taboos. There are some who Beastkin live in certain areas, but not us. We're the ones hunted on sight."
Her explanation stirred something in me. It's similar to the game, where certain races were considered failures. But I managed to break through to an impossible evolution…
"So, miss, about the power system—earlier, you used a spell, but it didn't work on me. Why was that?"
"I wish I had an answer, but I don't. You're no normal human. My people might even reject you when we arrive. As for the system, it's simple. There are elements: water, fire, wind, earth, light, and dark. There are also higher forms, like metal, lightning, and ice, but I don't know much beyond that."
"What about the voice in my head?" I asked, curious.
"You heard it?" She leaned in close, her eyes gleaming with curiosity. "Yes, I did. A few times, actually."
"It's called the Voice of the World. It announces when someone acquires a skill. How does it feel?"
Before I could answer, a booming voice rang out. "HALT! Who goes there?"
Startled, I looked around. The voice sounded terrified. What's it scared of? Wait… there's nothing behind us, right?
"Wait, Father! It's me! Don't fire—he's with me!" she shouted back.
"Ah, it's just the chief's daughter," the voice replied.
We entered their village—or what they called a village. It was a cluster of stones and leaves cobbled together to form makeshift shelters. The air was thick with despair. Frail figures sat around, their eyes sunken and hollow. Those who could still move had wary expressions, mixing fear and curiosity.
"Geez, what am I, a demon king?" I muttered.
The chief approached, his expression grim. "How's it looking in there?" the girl asked.
"Our supplies will last only two more days at best," the chief replied.
"How did the princess's scouting mission go?"
"Well, this time, she found something—or maybe she brought a monster."one the people said.
I sighed as the chief turned to examine me. Am I that suspicious?
But then something unexpected happened. Five people who'd come with the chief threw themselves to the ground, bowing before me. "Oh, great lord!" they cried.
"What is the meaning of this?" I blurted out.
"Wait, what are you saying? This guy is basically human!"he's as weak as they go the miss i came with argued.
"your fire barely scratched me, though," i chimed in.
She growled. "Are you calling me weak?"
"If the shoe fits…" i smirked.
Smack!
Her palm met my head with surprising force. "Ow! What was that for?" I protested.
"She's terrifying," one of the tribe members whispered.
"Horns!" someone else gasped.
"What?" I reached up and felt them. My Oni horns. They were real. This confirms it—I'm an Oni. But if I'm Zereth… I need to test my powers.
"Status window: open!" I commanded.
Nothing if anything i stood in front of people yelling like a mad man .
Maybe I'll try a spell instead.
I raised my hand. "Magical Flare Burst!"
A massive spell erupted into the sky, clearing away stormy clouds.
The villagers stared, horrified.
"It can't be… Did he do that?" the girl stammered.
Realizing my mistake" i had sent away the the only thing that was going to nurture their fields, the rain the clouds carried ", I bowed deeply. "I'M SO SORRY! I didn't mean to! Please, tell me how I can repay you !"
"O great one," the chief said, his voice trembling. "If it's not too much to ask, could you help us with food supplies?"
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