This… this definitely wasn't Earth anymore.
the clash of steel rang through the forest, louder than thunder in my ears. Sparks flew like fireflies caught in a storm as swords met with a resounding clang. Every strike sent vibrations up my arms, my chest, my teeth rattling in my skull. The sound of metal on metal was hypnotic—terrifyingly beautiful.
They moved like predators, every step calculated. Blades slashed, parried, and thrust with deadly precision, carving the air so sharply that leaves trembled in their wake. One strike shattered a branch nearby, splinters flying like tiny missiles. The man wielding the glowing sword twisted, spun, and struck again, his weapon leaving a brief trail of burning light in its wake. Another warrior blocked it just in time, sparks bursting between them like miniature explosions.
The air smelled of scorched wood and sweat. Each time their swords collided, the sound reverberated like a drum of war, echoing through the dense forest. I could feel the shockwaves in my bones. One misstep, and they wouldn't just hit each other—they could slice a tree in half or cut a limb off an unlucky bystander.
Then came the moment that froze me. He raised his blade high, a jagged aura crawling along its edge, and slammed it down. The other man met it mid-swing. Clang! The force of the impact sent both warriors sliding back several feet, the ground cracking under the blow. Sparks rained down like molten stars, and for a heartbeat, the forest seemed to hold its breath.
I could see the strain in their arms, the way their grips whitened, the muscles flexing like cords under skin. Each strike was a message, a test of strength, a gamble with death. And yet, amidst the chaos, there was elegance—a deadly dance choreographed by pure skill and power.
And then, the fire came. His sword ignited, sending a streak of brilliant light slicing through the shadows. Steel clashed again with a searing screech, metal singing as if in pain. I stumbled back, shielding my eyes, my heart hammering like a drum in a war tent.
This wasn't a duel. It wasn't a fight. It was a spectacle—a storm of fire, metal, and raw energy that no human should be able to produce.
I'd only ever seen such things in novels, manga, and games. Yet here it was—real, raw, and terrifying. My jaw hung open as a man hurled fire from his bare hands, his weapon glowing with an aura that could only belong in fantasy.
Slowly, the truth sank in.This wasn't Earth. This wasn't the world I knew.
There were no glowing swords back home. No magic. No explosions that shook the air. And yet, right before my eyes—I was watching a duel straight out of my wildest daydreams.
(Wait… does that mean…? Did I actually… get reincarnated?!)
I almost laughed. No goddess appeared to greet me. No divine announcement, no "Congratulations, Chosen Hero!" It was so… anticlimactic. Too direct. Too sudden.
And worst of all—I didn't even know what kind of power I had.If I had any.
Just thinking about it made me a little mad.
Then—The battle ended.
The man who had been radiating that overwhelming aura turned sharply, his eyes locking onto me.
"You. Who are you? Come out."
My heart stopped.
Panic surged through me. Without thinking, I bolted, running as fast as my injured leg would allow. Pain flared with every step, but survival screamed louder.
It didn't matter.
In the blink of an eye, he was in front of me. Too fast. Inhumanly fast. His sword slashed down, embedding itself into the tree just beside my head.
I froze. My face went pale.I don't want to die…
I stumbled, rolled across the dirt, sweat soaking my clothes. Another blade sliced the air close enough to graze my neck.
This was it. I was really going to die.
"Why are you running? Are you a traitor? An assassin?" His voice thundered, sharp as steel.
"N-no, sir! I—I…" Words fumbled out of my mouth, pathetic and broken.
But then his gaze shifted—falling to the crest on my arm. His expression hardened, then softened ever so slightly.
"Ah… you're an ally."
Still suspicious, he asked, "How did you survive the ambush? I didn't see any assassins near you."
My mind raced. I swallowed hard."I-I tried chasing one who escaped. He stabbed my leg before running off. I saw you fighting and… I panicked. I thought you were the enemy, so I tried to retreat and warn my comrades."
Silence. His sharp eyes studied me for what felt like an eternity.
Then—he extended his hand."Very well. For now, come with me. We'll regroup and assess the situation."
His grip was firm, hauling me back onto my feet with ease. I barely managed to stand straight, still wincing from the wound.
As we moved through the woods, I trailed a few steps behind him. My leg screamed with every step, but I couldn't afford to slow down.
I glanced at him—at his crimson armor, gleaming under the dim light, the blazing sun crest emblazoned across his chest. His frame was tall, solid, built for war. Six foot one, maybe taller. His presence alone felt overwhelming.
I hated to admit it, but I was envious. Even reincarnated, I was still small next to him. And if I fought him?I'd die instantly.
When we reached the road, I froze. The battlefield was littered with corpses—soldiers and assassins alike.
The crimson knight clenched his jaw."Out of twenty-five men sent to accompany me… only three survived."
My chest tightened. Wait. Accompany him?Who was this guy? Nobility? Royalty? A commander?Or worse… was I following the villain?
Questions piled in my head, screaming louder and louder—until his voice cut through my spiraling thoughts.
"Hey, you! Help me carry the wounded. We're heading back to the city."
"…Y-yes, sir."
(Also… yeah, I lied about that assassin running away. Oops.)
The journey back nearly killed me. Carrying an injured soldier in full armor for twenty-five miles… I thought my back was going to snap in half. By the time we finally reached the city gates, the sun had nearly set.
Meanwhile, the crimson knight walked beside me as if it were nothing. Not even a drop of sweat on him.
(Monster. Definitely a monster.)
"Take him to the barracks. Then report to my office," he commanded as we entered the city.
"Y-your… office?" I repeated dumbly.
Before I could process anything else, my legs gave out.Darkness swallowed me whole.