After parting ways with Paul and his friends, Akari wandered aimlessly down the bustling cobblestone streets.
"Alright, Akari… think!" she muttered, tapping her chin. "I'm in another world, no money, no ID, and no idea where to start. Wow, I'm really nailing this whole 'isekai protagonist' thing."
She sighed, watching the lively marketplace. Merchants shouted, adventurers laughed, and the scent of baked bread filled the air. Everyone seemed to belong—except her.
"Wait a second…" Her eyes suddenly lit up. "Every isekai has an Adventurer's Guild! That's it! The perfect place to start my new fantasy life!"
With renewed energy, Akari began her "Guild quest," strolling like an excited tourist. But as she turned a corner, she noticed something that made her stop.
A small girl stood alone in a narrow alley, trembling. Her little hands clutched her skirt tightly, and her frightened eyes darted around like she was being hunted.
Akari's instincts flared. "Hey there… are you okay?" she asked gently, kneeling beside her.
The girl hesitated. "I… I think someone's trying to kidnap me…"
"Eh!?" Akari blinked. "Kidnapping? In the middle of town!?"
The girl looked down, tears welling up. Akari immediately softened her tone, giving her a warm smile. "It's alright. Big sis Akari's got you. Do you know where your parents are?"
The girl nodded weakly and gave a few directions.
"Okay! Then let's go find them together!" Akari said, puffing her chest proudly. "Your safety is my new mission!"
But as they walked, something changed.
The cheerful noises of the city… vanished.
"Huh…?" Akari's voice echoed strangely. "It's too quiet."
The air shimmered, and a glowing barrier suddenly encased them.
"Tch—of course," Akari muttered, drawing her sword. "A setup."
From the shadows, a group of men appeared, grinning wickedly.
"Well, well, looks like we caught a bonus prize," one sneered. "Hand over the girl, maid, and we might let you live."
Akari tilted her head, smiling sweetly behind her glasses. "Hmm… I think I'll pass."
"Hah! You don't know who you're dealing with. We're—"
"—annoying." Akari cut him off.
The bandits' smiles twisted into anger. "You'll regret that. Get her!"
Before Akari could move, vines burst from the ground, wrapping around her arms and legs.
"What the—!?" She glared left and spotted a man in a robe holding a staff. "A mage, huh?"
[New Skill Available: Vines Hostage]
Would you like to learn this skill?
Akari grinned. "Obviously, yes!"
Her body glowed faintly as knowledge flowed into her mind.
The bandit swordsman charged at her, blade raised high.
"Too slow."
She twisted, snapping the vines apart with raw strength, and swung her sword in a clean arc. The man crashed into a wall, unconscious before he hit the ground.
"W-what the—!?" the others shouted.
Akari raised her hand, smirking. "My turn."
Skill Activated: Vines Hostage!
Green tendrils shot from the ground, binding two more bandits before they could even draw their weapons. Akari dashed forward, striking their necks with the hilt of her sword—thud, thud!
They fell, unconscious but alive.
"You guys should really pick better hobbies," Akari muttered.
Just as she thought it was over—
Whizz!
A dart flew toward her face. She dodged just in time, the projectile slicing a strand of her hair.
Her golden eyes glowed faintly. "A hidden attacker?"
She spotted a masked man crouched on a rooftop, loading another dart.
"That must be the barrier caster," she muttered, gripping her sword.
With a burst of Haste, Akari lunged forward, blurring through the air. But before she reached him, he threw down a smoke bomb.
"Coward!" she coughed, waving away the haze.
When the smoke cleared—he was gone.
The barrier shattered with a loud crack, and the world around them returned to normal.
Citizens gasped as they saw the unconscious men sprawled on the ground.
"Those men— they're slavers!" someone shouted.
Before Akari could respond, the sound of galloping horses echoed. A luxurious carriage screeched to a stop, and a large, bearded man jumped out.
"Mia!!"
"Papa!" The little girl ran into his arms, tears streaming down her cheeks.
The man hugged her tightly. "You're safe… thank the gods." Then he turned to Akari, bowing deeply. "Thank you, miss… thank you for saving my daughter."
Akari waved her hands quickly. "Ah, no, it's fine! Anyone would've done it!"
He smiled, but before he could reply—
Grrrrmmmbbbleee!
Akari froze. Her face turned bright red.
Everyone stared.
"…A-Ahaha…" she stammered. "Guess I haven't eaten since I got here."
Mia giggled. "Miss Maid, come eat with us!"
"Eh!? N-no, I couldn't possibly—"
The girl gave her the most adorable puppy eyes imaginable.
Akari sighed. "Ugh… fine. You win."
The father laughed heartily. "Come, brave maid! A meal is the least we can offer."
As they left, far above on the rooftops, the dart-user watched silently.
"That maid…" he muttered, his eyes narrowing. "She's dangerous. I need to report this to the boss."
Then he vanished into the shadows.
And thus, another chaotic chapter began in Akari's ever-growing isekai life.
📜 Skill Log – Akari Sato
Skill List:
Unique Ability:
Adaptability -> Can copy any martial arts, magic, or even essential skills.
Storage -> Can stored anything but depends on mana capacity.
Haste -> Level 2 ->Temporarily increases speed and reflexes; duration extended at higher levels.
Fireball -> Level 1 -> Launches a small sphere of fire toward enemies. Can be enhanced with more mana.
Heal -> Level 1 -> Restores HP to target; strength increases with INT and faith attributes.
Vines Hostage (New)-> Level 1 -> Summons living vines to immobilize enemies. Can also learn from observation.
To be continued...