Chapter 3: The Magic of Soap
Akira's journey into this new world had just begun, and every step was proving to be more perplexing than the last. He had made his first purchase, bandages from his old world, and seen a flicker of awe and disbelief from Nolan. But now, as they ventured out of the modest room Akira had been given, the reality of the situation was starting to settle in. Monsters. Intelligent monsters. Organized monsters. It was far from the ordinary life he had once known.
They walked down a narrow dirt road that stretched from the village to a small forest nearby. Nolan led the way, the crate of supplies slung over his shoulder. Akira followed, his mind racing. Monsters, he thought. Intelligent ones? What does that even mean?
The world around him looked more or less like the medieval fantasy he had seen in movies and read about in books. Simple wooden houses, people dressed in rough clothes, and an overall rustic feel. The roads weren't paved, but there was a certain charm to it. Still, he couldn't shake the sense of danger that loomed ahead.
"I think you'll find this interesting," Nolan said, breaking the silence as they walked.
"What?" Akira replied, pulling himself back from his thoughts.
"Your first mission," Nolan said with a grin. "You're going to help us deal with the monsters that have been appearing near the village. But before that, there's something I think you'll find quite useful."
Akira raised an eyebrow. "Useful? Like more bandages?"
Nolan chuckled. "Not quite. More like... soap."
Akira blinked. Soap? Of all the things to be called useful in a monster-infested world, soap was certainly an odd choice. But there was something in Nolan's expression, a hint of excitement mixed with anticipation, that made Akira curious.
"You see," Nolan explained, "in this world, hygiene isn't just a luxury—it's a matter of survival."
Akira couldn't help but laugh. "Survival? From what? Dirt?"
"No, from diseases, infections... and the monsters themselves," Nolan said seriously, his smile fading into something more thoughtful. "You'll understand once we reach the village outskirts. There's a certain kind of monster that can't be killed by mere swords and magic. They're tricky. They can infest your body if you're not careful."
Akira's mind raced again. Monsters that infest you? The possibilities were chilling. He had seen his fair share of horror stories and movies back in his old world, and they all had one thing in common: infections were often the silent killers. He wasn't sure if this was a similar situation, but it didn't sound good.
As they reached the edge of the village, Akira noticed a few people gathered near a small market area. Several stalls were set up, selling everything from herbs to cloth, but one particular stall caught his attention. It was a simple wooden table with an array of soap bars stacked neatly in rows. The soap itself was plain—white, unscented, and unremarkable—yet there was something about it that seemed out of place.
"There it is," Nolan said, pointing to the soap. "The most valuable thing in this village right now."
Akira couldn't help himself. "Soap?"
"Yes," Nolan said, turning to him with a serious look. "You wouldn't believe how important this is. You see, some monsters—especially the ones that infect people—use a sort of magical infection. It's not something you can see, but it spreads through contact. If you're not careful and don't wash thoroughly, you could find yourself with a parasite that can control your body. It starts with a single touch, and soon, your own body isn't yours anymore."
Akira's mind raced. This wasn't something he had expected to encounter when he woke up in this world. He had thought he would deal with magical beasts and simple sword fights, not parasites and infections.
Nolan grabbed a bar of soap and handed it to Akira. "Trust me. This is the most useful item in this world right now. It's more valuable than a sword, more valuable than any magic spell. With this, you can protect yourself from the monsters."
Akira held the bar of soap in his hand, feeling the weight of its significance. It was just soap—nothing special about it. But in this world, it held the key to survival.
"How does it work?" Akira asked, still trying to wrap his head around the concept.
"The soap is enchanted," Nolan explained. "It cleanses your skin in a way that regular water can't. It purges any magical infections or contaminants, so you're not at risk. It's something you'll need after any close encounter with monsters, especially the infected ones."
Akira couldn't help but be impressed. This was a kind of magic he hadn't anticipated. Back in his old world, soap was just a mundane item used to keep clean. But here, it had a purpose that far outweighed its original function.
"I think I understand now," Akira said, nodding slowly. "This is a world where even the simplest things can have a much deeper meaning. Something as basic as soap can save your life."
"Exactly," Nolan said, his tone more serious now. "And that's not all. There are other items from your world that could be just as useful here. But, like everything else, they come at a price."
Akira felt a sense of unease. He had already noticed that the system gave him points for his purchases. Was there a limit to how much he could buy? What did he have to give in exchange for more powerful items?
Before he could voice his concerns, Nolan spoke again.
"Don't worry about the points just yet. Right now, you just need to focus on learning how this world works. And more importantly, how to stay alive."
They walked through the market, and Akira noticed people giving him curious glances. He was still a stranger here, and people were starting to notice his unusual presence. The bar of soap, though simple, had already gained him some level of respect among the locals. It was a strange feeling—being viewed as a potential savior in a world he barely understood.
As they continued onward, Nolan led him toward the outskirts of the village. The air grew thicker with the scent of earth and vegetation, and the distant sound of birds chirping filled the air. Akira knew they were about to face something dangerous, but he wasn't sure if he was prepared. Still, the soap in his pocket gave him a small measure of confidence. If something went wrong, he had at least taken the first step toward survival.
---
Author's Thoughts:
In this chapter, we dive deeper into the world Akira has found himself in, where even simple items like soap have extraordinary uses. The introduction of "magical hygiene" opens up a new layer of the world-building, showing that survival in this new world depends not only on strength and magic but also on the most mundane things. It also highlights how Akira's ability to bring items from his old world can shift the balance of power in surprising ways.
This chapter also reinforces Akira's growing understanding of the world's dangers and how his skills can help him navigate them. While the soap may seem trivial, it is a cornerstone of the kind of problem-solving that Akira will need to embrace in this new life. The stage is now set for the real adventure to begin.