Chapter 3: A Stranger in Their World
Renji walked in silence, flanked by the two knights as they made their way through the dense forest. The weight of the recent battle still clung to him—the scent of blood in the air, the warmth of the Shadow Fang's life slipping away in his hands, the way his body had changed after absorbing its power.
Predator's Instinct.
Even now, he could feel it working inside him. His movements were lighter, his senses sharper. Every sound—the rustling leaves, the knights' armored footsteps, the distant call of unseen creatures—was more noticeable than before. It was like his body had adjusted to something new, something not quite human.
And the knights had seen it happen.
The scarred knight—the one Renji had mentally dubbed Grimface—had been watching him ever since. He hadn't said much, but Renji could feel his suspicion. The other knight, Edric, had loosened up a bit after Renji saved his life, but the tension between them remained.
Renji glanced at them. They were different from any humans he'd ever seen. Their armor, their weapons, even the way they carried themselves—it was like stepping into the pages of a medieval fantasy novel. And the fact that they expected him to be someone important made it even worse.
He had no idea what was waiting for him in the kingdom, but something in his gut told him it wasn't going to be good.
After what felt like hours of walking, the trees finally thinned, giving way to an open path. Renji stopped in his tracks, his breath catching at the sight before him.
A city stretched across the horizon, unlike anything he had ever seen before.
Massive stone walls surrounded it, standing tall against the backdrop of a golden sunset. Towers and spires reached toward the sky, banners fluttering in the wind. Inside the walls, he could see rooftops packed tightly together, smoke rising from chimneys, and people moving through the streets like a living, breathing organism.
A fantasy city.
Renji swallowed. This was real.
"Welcome to Veydris," Edric said, a hint of pride in his voice. "The capital of the Alden Kingdom."
Grimface—whose actual name baldric still didn't know—sighed. "Come on. We need to report to the palace."
The palace?
Renji didn't like the sound of that.
The moment they entered the gates, Renji was overwhelmed.
The streets were alive—people shouting, merchants selling their wares, children running past, and adventurers dressed in full armor exchanging stories. The air smelled of fresh bread, roasted meat, and something floral that reminded him of a spice shop. The roads were made of cobblestone, the buildings tall and sturdy, their architecture a mix of stone and wood.
It was exactly how he imagined a medieval city would look—except real.
"Move quickly," Grimface muttered, pushing through the crowd. "The king is expecting us."
Renji hesitated but followed.
As they walked, he caught snippets of conversation from the townsfolk.
"Did you hear? A new Summoned One has appeared!"
"They say the war is getting worse. Even the royal family is worried."
"I heard the Demon Lord's army took another fortress. The front lines are crumbling!"
Renji's stomach twisted. Demon Lord's army? Front lines? War?
His thoughts spun, but before he could process any of it, the towering gates of the royal palace came into view.
The throne room was grand, larger than any hall Renji had ever seen. The floors gleamed with polished marble, intricate gold patterns running along the edges. Tall windows cast beams of sunlight across the room, illuminating towering pillars.
And at the end of the room, seated upon a high throne, was King Alden IV.
He was a broad-shouldered man, his deep blue robes trimmed with gold. His piercing gray eyes studied Renji with an unreadable expression. Standing beside him was a woman dressed in flowing silver robes—her presence just as commanding as the king's.
Edric and Grimface kneeled immediately.
"Your Majesty," Grimface spoke first. "We have retrieved the Summoned One."
Renji hesitated. Should I kneel?
He had never met a king before, but he sure as hell wasn't about to kneel just because it was expected. Instead, he stood his ground, crossing his arms. "I'm guessing you're the one who dragged me into this?"
A flicker of surprise crossed the king's face before it was quickly masked. The woman beside him, however, narrowed her eyes.
"So this is the one chosen by the summoning," she said, her voice calm but sharp. "He seems… unrefined."
Renji barely held back an eye roll. Yeah, sorry for not being the hero you wanted.
The king's gaze remained steady. "Tell me your name."
Renji hesitated before answering. "Renji Kurozawa."
The woman beside the king frowned slightly. "A foreign name."
"He comes from another world, High Priestess," Edric added. "That is expected."
The High Priestess. That explained the regal aura around her.
The king nodded. "Renji Kurozawa, you have been summoned here to aid in the war against the Demon Lord's forces. The kingdom is in desperate need of warriors, and the Summoned Ones are meant to be our greatest hope."
Renji's fingers twitched. War. So that's what this is about.
"You expect me to fight?" he asked, his tone measured.
The High Priestess tilted her head. "Do you have a reason not to? You were given a gift, were you not? A Unique Skill that sets you apart from others."
Renji tensed. They know.
Of course they did. If they summoned him, they must have seen his abilities. But what did they actually know about them?
"What do you want from me?" he asked instead.
The king leaned forward slightly. "We will evaluate your abilities and place you in a unit best suited to your talents."
So they planned to use him.
Renji exhaled. He could play along—for now. He needed more information before deciding anything.
"Fine," he said. "But I want answers. Everything. Why I was chosen, what's happening with this war, and what exactly you plan to do with me."
The High Priestess frowned, clearly displeased with his tone. The king, however, smirked slightly.
"You have spirit. Good. I will grant you your answers—after your evaluation."
Renji clenched his jaw. Of course. They won't give me anything for free.
Grimface stepped forward. "We will take him to the training grounds."
"See that you do," the king said.
As they turned to leave, the High Priestess spoke again, her voice softer this time. "Summoned One. Be mindful of your choices. This world is not as forgiving as the one you left behind."
Renji didn't respond.
He was starting to figure that out on his own.