After my shower, I put on my new clothes.
I was happy—like a little kid seeing clothes for the first time.
I looked at myself with a sense of pride...
Yes, I bought these with my own money, with my effort, with my sweat.
It felt like this small moment summed up the struggle I've faced since arriving in this strange world.
Then another thought crossed my mind...
What would people's reactions be tomorrow?
How would they treat me now that I finally looked like everyone else?
I was excited by the idea.
I rushed to bed, trying to close my eyes.
But sleep didn't come easily.
I don't know if it was the excitement... or if I simply went to bed too early.
In the morning, I woke up and got ready for work.
When I arrived, I looked at the boss with a bit of anticipation, hoping he'd say something.
He glanced at me briefly and said:
"Hmm... did you change something? I must be mistaken. Alright, get to work."
I thought to myself, "What?! That's not the reaction I was expecting!"
I realized then how childish my thinking had been...
Expecting praise for new clothes? Everyone here has gone through the same experience.
We all came from another world.
Would anyone really notice if I changed my shirt or pants?
Still... I couldn't help feeling a little disappointed.
After work, I went to the usual restaurant.
I sat down, feeling a bit sad.
I know... I know it's childish—to be upset that no one noticed my outfit.
But... what can I do? That's part of who I am.
While I was lost in thought, the waiter came and placed the plate in front of me.
He looked at me and smiled gently.
"Looks like you changed your clothes... nice step."
I looked up at him and smiled.
I felt a light kind of joy...
At least one person noticed.
That was enough to give me a small boost of satisfaction.
A few days passed after that.
I kept working as usual.
Then one day, while I was working in the storage room, a stranger entered the workplace.
He was tall, wearing a brown cloak dirtied at the edges.
A heavy backpack clung to his back, filled with what looked like various tools.
His face was partly covered by a wide hat, but his voice was clear.
He approached the boss, and since I was nearby, I could hear their quiet conversation:
"I heard something you might be interested in...
It seems monsters have started appearing here too, just like in some other areas.
I've heard there's a hunter's office in the next village, and they say anyone who joins the hunts gets rewarded handsomely.
It's a long journey—what do you say to taking some of your workers and heading there?"
I stopped breathing for a moment.
What did I just hear?! Monsters?! Hunting?! Is this real?!
Thoughts began to swarm in my head…
"I'm not going hunting. No way! He has to be joking… right?
If he asks us to go, I'll quit on the spot.
How can he ask his workers to risk their lives?
It's only been a few days since I got to this world—
I'm still trying to adapt!
And now he wants us to go monster hunting? This is madness!"
My heart started pounding hard.
I didn't show anything on my face, but inside, I was boiling.
I looked at the boss, hoping—begging—that he'd laugh and say it was a joke…
Or at least reject the idea outright.
But no…
He stayed silent, as if he were seriously thinking about it.
I quickly turned away and went back to my work, but my thoughts wouldn't calm down.
What if he agrees?
What if he asks us to go?
What if this is just the beginning...
Of something much bigger… and much scarier?