"Why are there horses? What era am I in?"
Before Draven made another move, someone grabbed him from behind.
Then the person yanked him into the tall grass.
She was a woman in his twenties, with sharp red gem eyes and long white hair cascading down her back.
She pressed a finger to her lips, signaling for him to stay quiet.
The riders had already gone, but Draven couldn't stop staring at the woman.
His heart raced as he leaned closer, taking in her features.
'Is she real?'
He had met many beautiful women before. Actresses, models, and even some foreigners from other countries.
But she was different.
Her beauty seemed almost unreal.
Her delicate face gave her a calm and kind look. But her crimson eyes hinted at something stronger.
Her hair's subtle fragrance was also intoxicating.
'What is this feeling?'
It stirred something deep within him, awakening a desire he hadn't felt in a long time.
At that time, their faces were locked in an intense gaze, barely ten centimeters apart.
Without thinking, Draven reached out.
His body automatically moved out of control and kissed her on the lips.
Slap!
"Pervert!"
The woman stood up, brushing dirt off her rough, worn tunic.
Then she looked at Draven, almost naked in his bathrobe.
Her face changed into a disgusted expression.
"A pathetic perv!"
Without another word, she turned and stomped away deeper into the forest.
"Aaww"
Draven rubbed his stinging cheek. His hand pressed against the heat from where her slap landed.
For years, he'd been used to women melting into his arms—drawn by his fame, his looks, or the sheer force of his presence.
He didn't ask. He took what he wanted. And they always gave in.
He winced but couldn't help the excited grin tugging at his lips.
'Man, that was stupid... but kind of fun.'
"Hey man, don't forget you're in another world," he scolded himself as he dashed after her.
"Wait! I know I was being rude! I'm sorry!"
The woman's steps were quick as she disappeared deeper into the forest.
She clearly has no intention of forgiving him anytime soon.
"I'm lost! Can you tell me where I am?" Draven called after her, his voice playful now as he tried a different angle.
But the woman didn't even flinch. It was like his voice didn't exist.
'Where is she even going?' he wondered, glancing around.
The forest seemed endless.
"By the way, who are those riding in horses earlier?"
There were no clear paths, no signs of civilization.
Just tons of trees.
'I don't know anyone here and she seems nice. Maybe she can help me.'
Draven pursued her even though it took twenty minutes before she 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 smiled, soft but disarming, the kind that could melt the hardest of hearts.
Draven's pulse quickened. For a second, he let himself imagine what might come next.
'Is she going to kiss me? Is this her way of forgiving me?'
He licked his lips, closed his eyes, and braced himself for whatever was coming.
"Do you forgive me now?"
The woman paused just before he felt her breath near his ear, then she whispered.
"Idiot."
Suddenly, people emerged from the grass and trees.
They grabbed Draven 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?"
Draven 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.
Draven's eyes widened in surprise under the bag.
"Yes, ma'am," the group responded in unison.
"Really?"
Draven had expected something a little more in his new life.
Exciting.
Maybe even dramatic.
But this?
Being carted off like some common criminal?
"You really broke my heart there, beautiful lady!
Draven called out before his shoulders slumped. And he let out a long, defeated sigh as they dragged him along.
Finally, after a couple of hours, they pulled the bag off his head.
Draven 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.
'What kind of jail is this? Feels more like a weird Airbnb.'
They had also untied the ropes around his wrists and ankles.
Draven immediately flexed his hands, rolled his shoulders, and stretched his legs.
Nothing seemed broken. It's just a bit sore from the struggle.
"What's your name?" the woman asked. Her voice was calm now.
Draven glanced at her, wondering why he wasn't upset.
Maybe it was her voice.
Or perhaps she was so beautiful that he couldn't hate her.
"Draven Whitstock... 28 and single, if you're wondering."
He replied with a grin.
The woman sighed. She was clearly unimpressed.
"Show me your I.D."
"I.D.?"
Draven patted his pockets in his bathrobe.
"I don't think I brought it with me."
The woman raised her palm toward Draven.
"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.
Draven stared at the screen, blinking in confusion.
'What the hell is this?'
Draven has no idea about isekai or transmigration. He has not watched anime too much in his old life.
'It looked nothing like the old man's screen.'
'Maybe this world had different versions of these things.'
Still feeling off-balance, Draven hesitated for a second before straightening up.
"STATUS!"
He mimicked her exact tone as he was unsure 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 Draven.
It was simple. His full name, age, and gender were displayed in plain, glowing text:
[Draven Whitstock, 28, Male.
Race: 100% Human Blood
Class: Unknown
Abilities: (Locked: Ability currently unknown) ]
A smile tugged at the corners of Draven'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.
"Status."
The man standing by the exit door pulled out his own I.D. and shrugged his shoulders while glancing at Draven.
"Oh, so everyone here has that."
Draven's head hung with disappointment.
Meanwhile, the woman's gaze was still fixed on Draven's I.D.
"What is the meaning of this? I thought it was him…"