The catacombs brightened for a moment before slowly fading again.The yellow and white light vanished, as if it had never existed at all.The girl was gone. Everything was gone.And what was left… was a doll.
It had a small metal tab embedded in its eye, a pink dress, and red-painted nails and toes.A cute smile was painted across its face—gentle, artificial.I held it in my hand, staring.
[Rehan]: That was something.
I stored the doll in my inventory. The world was soundless as I ascended, my steps echoing faintly.The catacombs were quiet again—only the soft dripping of water broke the silence. The air was heavy, suffocating with stench.
She had been trapped here.I didn't even know for how long.
The grotesque blobs of flesh—the twisted remains of people—cowered and shuffled away from me. I raised my hand, anger boiling.They trembled, terrified.
"Stop!... Have mercy!"
Their voices echoed in the darkness.
VOICES WERE THE ONLY THING I COULD HEAR.
Wait… this isn't me.
I huffed.Tired.Doing everything in my power seemed pointless.I wasn't there when she needed me… and I didn't know everything.
I looked down at the ground, the planks connecting one path to another.Leaving the church behind, I stepped onto the road.
A sudden jolt—A carriage nearly hit me.The driver was a massive man with a pumpkin for a head.
"Careful, damn it!" I snapped.
Adam turned toward him. "Where are you going?"
"As if I would say it to a commoner."The voice that answered was female, sharp and commanding.
A lady stepped out from the carriage."Come now… it's fine. We weren't here to start a war after all."
She was wrapped in floating white silks, her gown shifting like mist.No gemstones, no pearls—only black cloth concealing her body. Her hair was a blend of white and black, flowing freely.
"So who are you… mister?" she asked, eyes glinting with curiosity.
"Well… just a homeless person," I joked.
The chauffeur scowled.It was obvious he hated wasting time talking to someone worthless.Around her stood servants cloaked in black, white light glimmering faintly beneath their robes.Their eyes were covered.Long, pointed swords rested against the carriage.
"I see…" she said softly. "Well, I am Oriele, of royal blood from the Thalliene line of the Kaloterm Kingdom. I'm here as a diplomatic envoy—to exchange minerals and weapons in the fight against the monsters."She smiled, one hand resting gently on the wooden frame of the carriage.
This guy… he wasn't normal.
Adam's body was faintly glowing white, though he didn't notice.The power and authority of the Thalliene bloodline—meant to command obedience and fear—didn't affect him at all.
Oriele smirked slightly."Forgive the rude behavior of my servants. After all, the image of the master reflects upon them."The knights tensed, sweating under their helmets."If we ever meet again… I might need your assistance, Adam the Homeless."
Adam coughed. "Sure…"He smiled faintly as she turned and walked toward the central hall.
I approached one of the knights."So, how easy is it to become a knight?"
He stayed silent, unmoving.Then a deeper voice spoke from inside one of the helmets.
"If the Queen acknowledges you, it means you have value, kid," the man said, leaning on his arm."Wanna be my vassal? My knight?"
His tone was serious, almost hopeful.
Adam slowly raised his hand in refusal."No thank you."
I couldn't tell if the man was joking or not.The pumpkin-headed driver huffed, veins bulging through his orange skin.Wasn't he… a vegetable?
"Quit it," the driver muttered, steering the carriage away.
Adam stood still as they disappeared into the distance.
"Hahh… The Mushroom Forest, huh?" he murmured. "Guess that's my stop."Maybe I'll find Manori there…Or maybe in Heaven, up in the sky.If not… I'll just jump out of this world.
I walked toward the blacksmith's building, humming softly. The tune eased my mind, lightened my shoulders.For a while, I forgot everything that had happened earlier.
When I stepped inside, the people stopped and stared.An unfamiliar face walking in unannounced.
Behind the counter stood a towering creature—its face insect-like, almost human.Its body was reinforced with steel plates and armor, embedded with gems and pearls.It held a massive hammer and iron clippers, standing beside the fire.
"Wanna buy something?" it asked softly, voice surprisingly gentle for such a frame.
Before I could reply, another voice filled the room.
A man stepped inside—tall, wearing a red cloak and a white-and-black tuxedo, completely unarmored.Across his back hung a crossbow and a steel sword.His face was hidden inside a large bunny mask, topped with a golden crown set with a blue gem.
"Hello, man!" he shouted, slamming his hand on the table."Hehh… set of jelly fluid, arachnid toxin, some arrows, and a potion of willpower, Bugman!"
Then he slowly turned his masked head toward me."Uhmm… hello?"
The blacksmith shop fell silent.
"So… who are you?" he asked finally, his voice deep—tired, but oddly full of life. He sat down on a nearby stool.
"Uh, Adam," I said.
He sighed. "I mean, what are you doing here? Buying a sword?"A small grin tugged at his voice."Don't get me wrong—that's the first thing every newbie adventurer does. But you… don't look like one."
"Well, how would you know I wouldn't need a sword? I'm not even here for one."
[Rehan]: You were here because you were curious about the changing place, Adam.
"Shut up," I muttered.
The bunny-masked man chuckled."Then what are you here for?"
"Well… maybe supplies and materials."
He blinked, surprised, then stood up suddenly."Yeah! You're the same as me, man! How about it? Wanna team up? Let's take conquest of this world! You'll be second, and I'll be first!"
"Huh?" Adam frowned, caught between confusion and curiosity."Yeah, sorry… I'm trying to find three persons."
"Wait, even better!" the man said, laughing. "I'm exploring this world anyway—planning to reform the entire thing!"He thrust his hand upward dramatically. "Let's go!" standing up and walking confidently up with his cloak floating in the air.
"You don't even know me."
"Well, you don't know me either," he said, pointing at both of us in turn."So what will it be? A journey that'll change the world… or maybe just a short one?"
"Sorry. I can't."
He sighed, handing over a pouch of gold coins to the bugsmith, who slid him the items—a set of jelly slime, potions, and arrows."Hehh… what a shame. It'd be tragic not to have this."He held up a glowing orb with some machinery being covered, spinning it between his fingers."Can you imagine? This thing can teleport you to any checkpoint in this world. Too bad I'm the only one who's got it. Really sucks not to have one."
Wait—that could be useful.
[Analyzing: Orb of Transition]
"You mean… this?" Adam smiled and raised his hand.An identical orb appeared, shimmering with the same light.
The bunny-masked man froze."What in the—? HEHH? What in the duck?! HEHH?! What's happening—oh man!"
He rushed toward me, patting my shoulder in disbelief."I have found the main character, everyone! The extravaganza himself!"
Laughter erupted through the blacksmith shop because of his jokingness...He let out a breath beneath the mask and chuckled.
"Well then," he said finally, "I guess I'll be sticking with you."