We exited the forest, the scent of damp earth and blood still clinging to the air. The horses stood where we had left them, shifting restlessly, their ears flicking. Mortan let out a grunt as he climbed onto the driver's seat, taking the reins with a firm grip. I pulled myself up beside him, my limbs feeling heavier than before.
I stole one last glance over my shoulder. A pit settled in my stomach.
Mortan exhaled through his nose, snapping the reins lightly. The horses jerked forward, the cart rolling along the dirt path, now lighter without the weight of the corpses.
"You remember the attack?" His voice was steady, but his eyes flicked toward me, studying my face. "How'd you manage to escape, exactly?"
I hesitated, scratching the back of my head. "I was… outside. Picking mushrooms," I said, the lie coming easier than I expected. "Then, I heard the voices. Saw the goblins attacking. I just—bolted."
Mortan gave a slow nod. "Must've been hard." He said, glancing up at the sky. "Gods favored you, Axel."
The cart rumbled forward, and I pulled out the map I had taken from him earlier, flattening it against my lap. My eyes scanned the unfamiliar names, hoping to spot something familiar, but nothing stood out. The city before me, Kinowa, was marked on the map, along with a few nearby cities. But none of them rang any bells.
I swallowed hard. It was real—I wasn't in the U.S. anymore. I was in a country where magic was real. Where goblins massacred entire villages without hesitation… this was bad. And I thought life in the city was scary.
For now, I needed to lay low. Gather information. If I went around telling people that a floating eye had thrown me into this world, they'd lock me up in an instant.
"You okay, boy?"
Mortan's voice cut through my thoughts. "I…" I hesitated before asking, "You know anything about translucent boxes? I keep seeing them."
He frowned, his grip on the reins tightening slightly. "No. What boxes? You must've hit your head hard while running, boy. Don't worry—the healers will fix you right up."
"Healers…" I muttered. "Yeah. Right. Of course."
Mortan glanced at me. "You got any silver on you?"
I didn't even know where the silver I had supposedly earned was. My pockets held nothing but a few cents and my phone. By the sound of it, though, healers charged for their services.
"I don't," I admitted. "But I don't need any healers. I'm fine."
He shrugged. "Whatever suits you, boy. Just—don't go outside the city for a while. Let the guards handle the goblin problem."
The road shifted beneath us, turning from packed dirt to smooth stone. On either side, farmland stretched out, dotted with simple wooden houses. Fields of crops swayed in the breeze—golden wheat, deep green carrots, and bright red watermelons ripening under the sun. The city's sturdy walls were close—no more than 100 or 200 meters away. I could see the bowmen on the walls, scanning for any sign of trouble
Further ahead, a stable sat at the edge of the farmland. A modest structure, built from thick wooden beams with a thatched roof. Horses stood in fenced enclosures, lazily pulling at tufts of grass, their tails swishing to ward off flies.
Laughter echoed across the fields. Children chased each other, wielding wooden swords and shields, their giggles carrying on the wind. Nearby, parents sat on a blanket, drinking from clay mugs—probably ale, given the faint smell carried by the breeze.
"Hey, Mortan!" A young boy shouted, waving excitedly. "Welcome back!"
Mortan smiled, lifting a hand in return. "Hey, kid!"
He greeted the boy as if he hadn't just spent the last hour hauling corpses to a graveyard. Then again, he had been in the army once. He'd told me he was used to seeing dead bodies. Well, I wasn't.
We rolled past the farms, taking a slight turn. Up ahead, near the stable, a young man brushed down a horse, murmuring softly to it. The animal snorted, leaning into his touch.
"Mortan," the man greeted, turning as we approached. "Welcome back."
"Garred," Mortan replied, tugging the reins slightly to slow the horses. "Where's your father?"
"Sleeping," He said, then glanced toward the empty back of the cart, where the corpses had been. His brow furrowed. "You didn't buy iron from Kora?"
Mortan's face darkened. "Goblins attacked there." His voice dropped slightly, carrying the weight of what he had seen. "When I got to the village—it was a bloodbath."
Garred's expression twisted. "Goblins?" He took a step closer, rubbing his hands together. "Gods above. That's… that's terrible. They're so close to Kinowa now…"
"They are," Mortan confirmed. "I have to alert the guards." He adjusted the reins. "Tell your father I said hi, Garred."
"Will do." Garred's eyes flicked to me. "Who's this?"
"A lucky survivor." Mortan answered before I could. "He was from that village."
Garred's gaze softened, his voice dipping into something gentle. "Sorry to hear that, friend. Hope you heal well."
I nodded. "Thanks."
Mortan clicked his tongue, urging the horses forward. "See you, Garred."
"See you, Mortan! And tell Aiden he still owes me five silver!"
Mortan chuckled under his breath. "That fool…"
The cart rumbled forward, its wheels creaking with every turn as it drew us closer to Kinowa. The city gates loomed ahead—massive and imposing, flanked by two guards. Their swords were sheathed at their sides, and large shields were strapped to their backs. Seeing them made my heart race, a heavy thump pounding in my chest. This was real. Not some nightmare I could wake up from.
We halted before the gates. One of the guards stepped forward, his eyes narrowing as he nodded to the coachman. Then, his gaze shifted to the back of the cart, where the bloodstains from the corpses Mortan had carried were still visible, dark and ominous.
"Did you hunt, Mortan?" the guard asked, his voice low and cautious.
"No," Mortan replied, his tone hard and distant. "Goblins. The village of Kora? It was overrun by them. I brought what was left... got them to the graveyard outside the city."
The guard's eyes widened, and he took a slow breath, his hand hovering over the hilt of his sword. "This close to Kinowa? Gods... We need to send men there—immediately."
"Poor sods," Mortan muttered, shaking his head. He turned slightly, his expression grim. "Only this one here survived." He gestured toward me, his eyes softening for a moment.
I swallowed hard, my voice shaking as I spoke. "Y-yes… It was… bad."
The guard's eyes lingered on me, his brow furrowing as he took in my appearance. "You're wearing… a knockoff uniform of Redwood," he said, his tone suspicious, eyes scanning me up and down. "Why's that?"
"Knockoff?" I stammered. "I… I—"
"He's shaken," Mortan cut in sharply, stepping forward with a protective air, his tone firm and unyielding. "Leave him be."
The guard paused, eyeing Mortan for a long moment, then shrugged dismissively. "Fine, fine. You're right," he muttered, waving his hand as though the matter were settled. "Go on, then. Get through."
╔══════════╗
- NOTIFICATION
╚══════════╝
- Location Discovered: Kinowa
- Map Updated!
===================
+ XP Gained: 10
===================
- Current XP: 40 / 100
===================
- Progress: [█████░░░░░░░░]
╚═════════════════════╝
As the gates swung wide, I got my first glimpse of Kinowa, and the sight was breathtaking. The city spread out before me like a vision from another era. Cobblestone streets wove their way through clusters of quaint, two-story houses with thatched roofs and wooden shutters. Smoke rose from chimneys, mixing with the fading sunlight to cast a soft haze over the town. Market stalls lined the streets, vendors already setting up for the evening rush, their goods spilling out in a riot of colors—fresh produce, shining metal trinkets, and fabrics in every shade imaginable.
At the heart of the city stood a grand tavern, its dark timber and stone structure bustling with life. Warm light spilled from its windows, and a wooden sign with a foaming mug swayed gently above the entrance. Flags bearing the city's emblem fluttered from the upper floor, adding colour to the scene.
In the distance, a bit to the right, I could see a blacksmith hammering away at a forge, sparks flying with each strike, and nearby, a group of children darted through the narrow alleyways, their laughter echoing in the air. To my left, just a few metres past the city gates, was a building with two guards flanking the front entrance of it. The sign that was swaying in the air had a sword icon, and under that it read, 'Guardhouse.'
"This is…" I muttered, struggling to find the right words. "Something else."
Morton smirked, guiding the horses forward. "Yes, it is, village boy." His voice held amusement. "First time in the city?"
"Yeah."
"Well, Kinowa is the biggest city in Nu'tar." He stretched his back slightly, glancing ahead. "That's where the Queen herself resides."
To the right, a narrow lane stretched on, too tight even for a cart, ending with a statue of a kneeling woman, her eyes obscured by a snake. She held a vase, and water flowed from it into the fountain at her feet.
Noticing my gaze lingering on the statue, Mortan pointed toward it. "Goddess of Death. Rowe," he said, his voice carrying a hint of reverence. "That's the graveyard site."
"Goddess of Death," I repeated thoughtfully. "Hmm."
A translucent box flickered before my eyes.
╔═══════════════╗
- Kinowa: Mulda District
╚═══════════════╝
- Memory Fragments: [□□□□]
- Side Activities: [□□□□□□]
===================
- Spend 10 gold at once
- Track Down Lost Items
- Complete 6 side quests
- Discover all '?' in the area.
╚════════════════════╝
I stiffened. The box hovered at my shoulder level, following me as the carriage moved. I turned slightly, glancing at Morton. He didn't react—didn't even acknowledge it.
It was something only I could see.
"This… is the Mulda District?" I asked, watching the name flicker in my vision.
"Yeah, we just entered through the northern gates." He didn't look at me, focused on steering the cart. "So you do know about the city?"
I hesitated. "Just… heard about it somewhere."
"Huh…" He side-eyed me, then his gaze drifted over my clothes. "By the way, what's with that uniform? Where'd you find it? Or buy it from?"
I forced a casual shrug. "A shop," I lied. "It was cheap."
"Right." His tone made it clear he wasn't convinced, but he didn't push.
The weight in my body dragged at me, exhaustion settling into my bones. Even though I had only woken up in this strange place a few hours ago, it felt like I hadn't slept in days. My limbs ached, my mind sluggish.
Morton exhaled. "I'll drop you in front of my house, kid." He hesitated before adding, "Do you know someone in the city? Anyone who might take you in?"
"No." The word came out sharper than I intended. "I don't."
He shifted uncomfortably in his seat, rubbing his beard. "I wish I could take you in, but… our house is small. I can't do that."
"It's okay." I forced a small smile. "You didn't have to bring me here, but you did. That's enough, really."
Morton frowned, then sighed. "You can head to The Diamond Eyes. Tell Phoebe I said hi—she'll give you a place to stay for free. For a while, at least."
"Where's that?" I asked.
He slowed the horses and pointed. "See the stairs? Go up there and walk to the right. It'll be on your left. It's a well-known tavern. Maybe you can head to The Guild as well."
I followed his gesture. Between two houses with small backyards, a weathered stone staircase led up to the upper part of the city. Turning back to Morton, I nodded. Without him, I'd still be lost in that forest, not knowing what to do next.
"The Guild?"
"Yeah," He said. "You can pick up some quests and earn silver."
"I… yeah. Okay." I replied. "Thank you, Mortan."
"No problem, kid."
The road split in three directions. To the left, a zigzagged path climbed a gentle slope. Straight ahead lay a massive tavern, seemingly the busiest part of the city, teeming with life and noise. To the right, a narrow lane stretched on, too tight even for a cart, ending with a statue of a kneeling woman, her eyes obscured by a snake. She held a vase, and water flowed from it into the fountain at her feet.
We rolled straight ahead. The horses slowed, their hooves clacking against the stone road as we came to a stop.
To my right, a blacksmith shop stood with its doors wide open. Just outside, a boy around my age hammered away at a blade, sparks flying with each strike. His arms were lean, muscles shaped by hard labor. He glanced up at our arrival, his brow lifting in curiosity.
"Father," he called, wiping his hands on a stained cloth. "Who's this? And where are the ingots you were supposed to buy?"
Morton swung off the cart with a grunt. "Goblins attacked Kora, Aiden." His voice was heavy, his usual bluntness laced with something else—fatigue, maybe. "Found this lone survivor."
The boy turned his attention to me, eyes narrowing slightly before softening. "Damn," he muttered. "I'm sorry for what happened." His grip tightened around the cloth. "Are we sure it was goblins? They can't be this close to the city."
Morton let out a breath, shaking his head. "It was them. No doubt about it."
The boy clicked his tongue, glancing toward the forge before muttering under his breath, "Damn creatures."
I hopped off the cart, landing a little unsteadily as my legs adjusted to solid ground again. "I should go," I said, straightening up. "Thanks for everything, again."
Morton gave a short nod, but then glanced at his son. "Aiden can help you. Take him to The Diamond Eyes, would you?"
Aiden stretched his arms over his head, rolling his shoulders with a slight groan. "Of course, Father." He glanced down at his work clothes, grimacing. "Wait here. I'll go change out of these."
I nodded. "Okay… thank you."
As Aiden disappeared inside, I leaned against a nearby tree, arms folded, staring at the dirt beneath my boots. The weight of everything pressed down on me again. This was real. The smell of iron and sweat in the air, the distant chatter of the city—it was real. And… magic? Goblins?
I had to get out of here, but I had no idea how. And if I told the truth—that a giant eye in the sky had thrown me into this world—people would think I was insane. Maybe worse, they'd throw me out of the city, into danger where goblins and possibly more dangerous monsters lurked free. I couldn't afford that. No way.
The door creaked open behind me. I looked up as Aiden stepped out—and immediately froze. He was wearing a uniform. Not just any uniform—my school's uniform. But something was… off.
His blazer was black instead of dark blue. His tie was crimson, the same 'V' shape pattern running along its edges, just like mine. His trousers were the same shade of black, but the blazer had a crest—an emblem stitched onto the fabric on the chest pocket. A dragon, mouth wide open, fire spilling from its jaws.
It was too similar. Too strange.
"Sorry I made you wait," Aiden said, dusting himself off. "Had to get out of my work clothes. Smelled like iron and sweat."
"It's… okay," I replied, still eyeing the uniform. "That uniform—it's similar to mine."
"Yeah," he said casually. "Everyone in Redwood wears these. But yours… it's a little different." He narrowed his eyes slightly. "Is that a knockoff? Why would anyone make a knockoff school uniform?"
"I… don't know," I lied. "I bought it from a shop. Didn't know it was from Redwood."
Aiden chuckled. "We'll get you a proper one, don't worry." He motioned toward the stairs. "Come on, let's go."
I started walking, and he fell into step beside me. The stone beneath our feet was cool, the stairway winding tightly between the buildings.
"I, uh," I said, glancing over at him. "I think I won't be attending Redwood."
He nearly tripped over the next step. "Uuh—" He shot me a look, as if I had just said something absurd. "What? Everyone has to attend a magic school and graduate. It's the law… wait, what was your name, by the way?"
My foot faltered slightly on the stairs. "Magic school?" I repeated, ignoring his question. "How—why?"
"So you don't accidentally cast spells and blow yourself—or other people—up," he said, as if this was the most obvious thing in the world. "Everybody knows this. You didn't go to an academy in Kora?"
"I… did," I lied again, forcing my expression to stay neutral. "Sorry, I'm just… disoriented."
Aiden exhaled through his nose, shaking his head. "Yeah, makes sense. You'll be good as new tomorrow. You just need some rest, that's all."
"Right…" I muttered, reaching the top of the stairs.
But my thoughts were a mess.
A magic school. A uniform just like mine. The translucent boxes only I could see. What kind of world had I landed in?
At the top, I turned right as Mortan had instructed. The streets here were wider, enough for two carriages to pass comfortably with plenty of room for pedestrians. The houses looked sturdier, with large backyards that suggested a more affluent area. In the distance, I spotted the Guild building. It was a large, imposing structure with a weathered wooden sign that creaked slightly in the breeze. The emblem on the sign depicted a shield and sword crossed, symbolising unity and strength.
The Diamond Eyes was just next to the Guild building, its windows revealing patrons inside, enjoying drinks and hearty meals. The sign above was simple yet inviting, marking it clearly as a tavern with a simple beer icon.
"There's TDE," Aiden said, pointing ahead. "Let's go."
I followed his gaze, spotting a large building with a hanging wooden sign. The Diamond Eyes. A warm glow seeped through the windows, and muffled laughter mixed with the clinking of glasses.
"Hmm." I nodded, stepping in line with him.
Aiden glanced at me as we walked. "I didn't get your name, though."
"Axel," I replied, adjusting my posture. "Aiden, right? Nice to meet you."
"Likewise." He grinned, tucking his hands into his pockets. "You got that look in your eyes—first time in Kinowa?"
"Y-yeah." I stammered slightly. "First time."
"You'll love it here," he said, stretching his arms above his head before letting them fall to his sides. "But first, you need a place to stay. Our Academy has dormitories, and there are a few unused rooms."
"Oh?" I perked up slightly. "Is it free?"
Aiden let out a dramatic sigh, slumping his shoulders. "No, it costs five gold. Damn robbery."
My brief excitement faded. "Oh… I have fifty silver," I said hesitantly. "In a… translucent box thingy?"
Aiden slowed his pace, turning his head slightly. "Translucent what now?" His brow furrowed. "What are you talking about?"
I hesitated, then shook my head. "I don't know. You've never heard of translucent boxes? They show information and stuff."
"First time hearing it." He rubbed his chin, clearly intrigued. "I'm curious now."
I hesitated before asking, "Okay, well… do you know anything about a giant eye in the sky?"
He shot me a sharp, side-eyed glance. "Gods, you really need rest."
I let the silence settle, my gaze drifting downward. There was only one thought pounding against my skull with every step I took: I have to get out of here. Back to my world. Back to my monotonous, uneventful life—where goblins weren't real, where magic didn't exist, where I wasn't some lost stranger.
To my left, two girls sat on a bench, giggling. One held out her palm, and a small flickering flame hovered just above her skin. Her friend watched with fascination as the fire twisted, shifting into the rough shape of a horse—before it suddenly fizzled out.
"Aw," the girl groaned. "I was so close!"
"Try again!" her friend encouraged, eyes bright with excitement.
I barely noticed I had slowed my steps, my gaze locked onto the small display of magic.
"Magic," I whispered under my breath. "It's real…"
Aiden stopped just ahead of me, nodding toward the building. "Here we are." He turned to face me, crossing his arms. "You can get a room and clean up inside, you have mud all over your clothes. Just tell Phoebe my father said hi, alright?"
"O-okay." I swallowed. "Thank you, Aiden."
"No problem." He gave me a small, genuine smile. "Take care, Axel. And—again, I'm sorry about the attack. My prayers are with you."
His words hung in the air as he turned and walked away, his footsteps fading into the city's noise.
I exhaled sharply, shaking off the nerves creeping up my spine. Then, gripping the door handle, I pushed it open.
Inside, the tavern was warm and lively, with the scent of roasted meat and freshly baked bread filling the air. Wooden beams stretched across the ceiling, draped with old banners and lanterns casting a soft glow. The tables were packed with travellers and locals alike, their laughter and chatter mixing with the clinking of mugs. In the corner, a bard strummed a lute, his fingers gliding over the strings as he played a soft, melancholic tune.
I approached the counter, a little hesitant, and nodded politely to the woman behind it. She had a stern face but kind eyes, and she crossed her arms as she looked me over.
"What happened to you?" she asked, one eyebrow arching. "You're muddying up my floors."
"Yeah, sorry," I said, scratching the back of my neck awkwardly. "Mortan said I could get cleaned up here... I, uh, don't have any gold, though."
She eyed me for a moment, her expression unreadable. "Mortan, huh? How's he doing? I heard he was late today."
"Yeah, he ran into trouble," I explained. "The village he was getting equipment from got attacked by goblins."
Her eyes widened slightly, and she let out a low whistle. "Goblins, that close? That's... troubling."
"Yeah," I said with a nod. "It's pretty bad."
"What's your name, kid?" she asked, leaning on the counter.
"Axel, ma'am," I replied.
"Phoebe," she said. "Alright, Axel, go down that corridor and take the second door on the left. There's a bath in there. Get yourself cleaned up."
"Thank you, ma'am," I said, relief washing over me.
As I made my way down the narrow corridor, the noise from the main room faded, replaced by the quieter hum of my own thoughts. I reached the second door, pushed it open, and stepped inside. The room was small but cozy, with a large wooden tub in the centre. Steam rose from the hot water, and a stack of clean towels sat neatly on a chair nearby.
I stripped off my mud-caked clothes, tossing them to the side, and lowered myself into the tub. The hot water stung at first, then gradually eased the tension in my muscles. I let out a long breath, leaning back, closing my eyes. The grime and dirt of the past few hours seemed to melt away into the water, and for the first time in what felt like forever, I felt almost... human again.
"This is good," I said, leaning my head back against the tub. "Finally… something positive for once."