Hiroshi's eyes snapped open. His head throbbed, and his body felt strange—smaller, lighter. He tried to sit up, but the moment he moved, his balance wobbled, and he tumbled off the seat.
Thud!
"Ouch… what the hell?" he muttered, rubbing his head. The floor was hard, and his limbs felt weak. He pushed himself up, his hands trembling as if he hadn't used them in years. He staggered, almost out of breath by the time he stood straight.
He stared down at his hands—small, pale, and delicate. His sleeves hung loosely around thin arms. "Just how old is this fucking body?" he thought, irritation sparking in his mind. He flexed his fingers, feeling the unfamiliarity of it all.
Finally steady, Hiroshi raised his head and nearly jumped back in surprise. There, sitting calmly across from him, was a man—tall and stiff, his eyes watching Hiroshi with mild interest. Hiroshi blinked. "How long was he sitting there? He didn't even help me?!"
Hiroshi took a breath, forcing his mind to settle. He glanced around, trying to understand where he was. Wooden walls lined with leather cushions, a slightly swaying motion beneath his feet. The clatter of wheels and the creaking of wood…
"What is this?" he mumbled. His eyes darted to the small, foggy window. Without thinking, he moved toward it, lifting himself on his toes to peek outside.
His eyes widened. The carriage was moving—not by horses—but by massive hounds, each one towering and muscular, their fur sleek and black. They pulled the carriage with surprising grace, their paws thudding heavily against the dirt path.
"What the hell…" he whispered, unable to look away.
Hiroshi was still staring out the window, mesmerized by the giant hounds pulling the carriage, when a cold voice shattered the silence.
"You don't seem to be acting," the man said, his tone like the edge of a blade—sharp and unfeeling.
Hiroshi flinched, snapping his head back toward the stranger. For a moment, he didn't respond. He just blinked, processing the man's presence.
The man had vibrant red hair, slicked back neatly, shining like fire in the dim light of the carriage. His eyes were sharp and cold, filled with authority and a hint of disdain. He wore dark, finely tailored clothing that looked almost military—clean lines, polished buttons, and a crest Hiroshi didn't recognize pinned to his chest.
Hiroshi swallowed, instinctively sitting up straight but saying nothing. His mind raced. 'Who was this guy? And why did he look like he was ready to judge my every breath?'
The silence stretched until the man finally spoke again. "The physician mentioned your head wound left you with… a loss of memory," he said, his voice dripping with skepticism. "I had my doubts, but judging by that dazed look of yours, perhaps the old man wasn't spouting nonsense."
Hiroshi's eyes narrowed slightly. 'Physician? Head wound? Loss of memory?' It clicked slowly, but surely. They thought he had amnesia.
He clenched his fists, hiding his hands under the long sleeves.
The man leaned back, crossing his legs with a sense of superiority. "Try not to make a fool of yourself when we arrive. The House of Dravenhart has no place for the weak," he said flatly, his gaze never leaving Hiroshi's face.
Hiroshi sat quietly, He knew he was not in his old world anymore. He looked down at his hands. They were small and skinny. Then he touched his hair. It was black, cut short in the front but long at the back, almost to his shoulders. It felt strange and light.
He took a deep breath and tried to calm his thoughts. What do I need to know? What should I do now?
His head hurt a little, but he tried to focus. He knew he had to learn about this world fast. He needed to know who he was, what power he had, and how to survive.
Hiroshi looked around the carriage again and thought, 'There's no one here but this guy…' He glanced at the man. Now, the man was closing his eyes, seeming to be asleep.
'Tsk, I won't be able to learn anything from him,' He thought, feeling a little annoyed.
As the carriage moved slowly on the dirt road, the quiet was broken by a strange sound.
Hiroshi looked up just in time to see a dark shape flying fast toward them.
It was a monster — big wings like a bat, sharp claws, and glowing red eyes. Its body was covered with black scales that shined under the sunlight. Its long tail swung behind it as it flew low over the trees.
The monster let out a loud screech that echoed in the air. The big dogs pulling the carriage growled and pulled harder, trying to run faster.
The dark shape flew closer, its wings beating fiercely against the air. The monster's glowing red eyes locked on the carriage, sharp claws ready to tear through.
Suddenly, a soldier's voice rang out, sharp and tense. "Master Andrius! Three Wyverns incoming! They're closing in from the east!"
Other guards shouted orders, their voices filled with urgency. "Protect the carriage! Form a perimeter! Don't let them reach the young master!"
The carriage slowed, then came to a halt on the dusty road.
Calm and steady, the man with vibrant red hair rose from his seat. His eyes held no fear — only cold, confident control.
Andrius stepped out of the carriage calmly, his red hair shining under the sunlight. His eyes were sharp and cold as he looked at the approaching Wyverns. He raised his hand and spoke two names firmly, his voice steady and clear.
"Skoll! Hati!"
Suddenly, the ground began to glow with a golden light. The light spread in circles, forming strange patterns that Hiroshi didn't recognize. It was bright and powerful, making the dirt and grass sway as if touched by wind.
Hiroshi's eyes went wide. "What... what is that?" he muttered, leaning out of the carriage to see better.
From the glowing patterns, two massive beasts rose from the ground. Their fur was pure white, shining like freshly fallen snow. They were huge, almost as tall as the carriage itself, with thick muscles and long, sharp fangs. Their eyes glowed with an icy blue light that seemed almost alive. One of them had a faint scar across its snout, while the other had streaks of silver along its legs.
The guards gasped, some of them taking a step back. "It's the legendary Fenrirs!" one of them shouted in awe.
"Fenrirs?" Hiroshi whispered to himself, eyes locked on the beasts. He had never seen anything like them—not in his world, not even in stories. They looked powerful, majestic, and terrifying all at once. Their paws were large, crushing the ground beneath them with ease, and their fur seemed to shimmer with each movement.
The two Fenrirs stood by Andrius's side, silent and waiting for his command. They didn't snarl or growl—they simply watched the skies where the Wyverns circled, ready to strike.
'Zombies now monsters?! Where's the peace you fucking God!'