It was around six in the morning. I looked around and saw my cozy bed and a fairly large room.
The walls were painted brown, with a few portraits of me hanging on them.
Of course—those were with the people in the inn.
For starters, I had transmigrated into this world—well, Gaia, basically.
This body was called Roy Lark, and I was currently living in the slums.That's the basic gist.
While talking to Anna last night, I'd come to understand more about this body's situation.
This guy was getting bullied.That explained the immense pain I felt all over when I first woke up.
"What a mess," I sighed.
Apparently, he'd tried to kill himself—or something similar.Whatever the case, my head was still hazy from the sudden parallel-world travel and all...
I quickly folded my bedsheets, freshened up, and headed down.
This place was an inn—a spot to rest, eat, and drink.
It was not a brothel.NOT a brothel.
I walked through the corridor on the ground floor, where my room was, and headed out to serve the customers.
I wore a white shirt, brown pants, and leather boots.Basically, a traditional commoner outfit.
At the reception counter, Alice was taking orders.Nara was at the bar, serving drinks.
Despite it being early morning, the place was moderately crowded.Still, it felt spacious.
Lamps hung on every corner of the walls.
The ground floor was split into two halves—One side had tables arranged for customers.The other held the kitchen and our private quarters.
That's right—there were five people living here, including me:
Alice, Anna, Nara, me, and a man called Reynolds.
He was my father, according to this body's memories.
I'd been an orphan in my previous life, so I never had the chance to experience parental love.Apparently, he was out right now—for reasons unknown—but would return shortly.
BANG—
"Get me the wine, woman! I've called you over a hundred times now. Don't test my patience—give it to me NOW!!"
"HUH? Pay up, baldy. This is your third time already. Think this is a charity?! You still owe us 258 silver. Consider this merciful," Lara shouted back.
That woman was loud. Loud as hell.
I did my usual duties—serving and greeting customers.Talked to Anna and Alice here and there.
Nara?She just teased me for being a crybaby, so that didn't count as a conversation.
By 11 a.m., I decided to go for a walk.
"Anna, I'll be back in a while," I said.
"No. Shut up and stay inside. Don't act smart, Roy," Alice snapped.
"You remember what happened yesterday when you went out, right? Why are you trying to play brave?"
There was genuine worry on her face.
"Alice, forget about yesterday. I promise I'll stay out of trouble.And come on, I can't stay cooped up inside like a coward."
"Avoiding—"
"It's fine, Alice," Nara interrupted. "Let him go.He's not scared anymore. It's about time he manned up.If you want, you can go with him. Protect him if it's too much."
She threw me a wink.
Sigh.
"Protect him"—the words echoed in my head.
This kid…was pathetic.
Getting protected by an eight-year-old.
Don't get me wrong, I was glad Alice was strong.But she was still a child.
And this?This wasn't just playground bullying. This was different.
I stepped outside and turned to look at the inn again.
It looked majestic in the morning light.
The white paint and quirky windows made it resemble a perfect medieval house—though it was, in fact, an inn.
"Alice, let's go for a walk," I said.
Looking at her now…Fair skin. Red hair. A small dagger tied at her waist.
She looked like an anime character.Honestly, she looked way too noble to be living in the slums.
"What are you staring at, idiot? Let's go," she said, smiling.
It was kinda cute.
Okay—Shut the hell up.I meant that in a good way. I'm not what you think I am.
We walked along a stone path lined with shops—Fruits, meat, toys, even weapons.
I'd check those out later.I needed to visit the library anyway.
What stood out, though, were the homeless.
Hundreds of them.Sleeping in the streets. Ragged clothes. Dirty skin.
If they were left like this, not only would they die—they'd likely spread diseases too.
"It's sad, Roy," Alice muttered. "Those poor people didn't deserve this.They couldn't pay taxes, and the council snatched everything they had left.Their mana rank's low. They never learned swordsmanship or martial arts.They can't even afford it. This world's so unfair."
She clenched her fists.Her voice cracked.She looked like she might cry.
It was understandable.
The world devours the weak.
Doesn't matter where you live or how you live—survival of the fittest always rules.
But I couldn't explain that to a young girl.
Not yet.
"Ooh, look! It's our crybaby," a mocking voice called out.
I turned and saw a brown-haired boy with a wooden sword slung across his back.Behind him were a bunch of goons.
He looked... ugly.But physically, he had a better build than me.
My body? Frail.I looked like a walking zombie.
But I was flexible—despite the lack of stamina or strength.
"Stay back, Nero," Alice said, stepping forward."If you touch him, you'll be dealing with me."
She drew her wooden knife—it wasn't sharp, but still.
There was fear in his eyes.
Was she really that strong?
"Tch. Hiding behind your princess now? What a weakling. I—"
"Shut up, Nero. Come at me if you want," I interrupted, stepping in front of Alice.
"Roy, what are y—"
I cut her off.The boy drew his fake sword and charged.
He was fast—for his age.
But he was still just a kid.
As he got close, I simply sidestepped and tripped him.
He stumbled, shocked.
I didn't stop.I kicked him in the gut.
"Arghhh!" he groaned.
I grabbed his hair and began punching his stomach.Back and forth.
Skinny as I was—My knuckles were sharp.Every hit must've felt like hell.
He cried after a few punches.
"Calm down, idiot. I didn't want to hurt you," I muttered."Don't go around picking fights. Don't waste your talent."
I let him go.
Yeah, it sounded like a cliché kidfight scene—But this happens all the time with kids.
This Roy was just too stupid and gullible to survive out here.
"Let's go, Alice. I'm hungry."
As we walked back toward the inn, I thought—
Maybe I should start training with a sword.And check out this 'mana' thing Alice mentioned.