After spending an entire month in this new world, I find myself in the city of Korsi—a heavily fortified settlement perched on the edge of a vast, whispering forest. I came here chasing a rumor: the Demon King would soon launch an attack. But I've been waiting a week, and there's been no sign of movement—nothing at all. Worse, I haven't even leveled up. Staying any longer feels like wasting time. I need to leave, grind some levels, and finally track down the Demon King's location.
The city smells of rusted iron and freshly baked bread, a strange but oddly comforting mix. Its streets teem with people who keep their eyes fixed on the ground, as if afraid the sky might collapse on them if they look up too long. No one speaks the Demon King's name aloud—it's as though merely saying it might summon disaster.
As I walk through the merchant district, a sharp shout cuts through the market noise. "Get out of here! Filthy thing!" I follow the sound and see a vendor shoving a girl in a black hood. She doesn't protest—just stands, brushes the dust off her clothes, and slips away into the crowd like a shadow.
"Why did you throw her out?" I ask the merchant, stepping closer.
He stares at me like I'm mad, scratching his head.
"Didn't you see her ears? We don't serve elves here," he says.
That's odd. In RPGs back home, elves are everywhere—heroes, merchants, royalty. Not outcasts.
"And why's that?" I press.
He lets out a dry, cruel laugh and crosses his arms. "All elves work for the Demon King. They're spies—all of them evil. Common sense says you don't do business with one." With that, he turns back to his stall, dismissing me.
I pivot and keep walking toward the city gates, frustration simmering under my skin. I don't understand this place—its customs, its fears, any of it. "What's the Demon King really like?" I mutter to myself.
Then, in the distance, I spot the same elf girl from before, walking with her shoulders hunched as if she expects a blow at any moment. Behind her, three thugs trail close, their steps too deliberate to be coincidence. I move closer, trying to overhear without drawing attention.
Suddenly, one of them pulls a knife and points it at her. "Look who's back… the Demon's little bitch," he sneers. The other two close in, cornering her against a crumbling wall. She just lowers her head, silent and still.
I force myself to step in. Drawing my sword, I place myself between her and the thugs, blade aimed squarely at the leader. I don't say a word—just hold my ground.
I brace for a fight—but they just call me a traitor and walk away, leaving only the silence of the wind behind. I sheathe my sword and turn to the elf, meeting her eyes. Her purple gaze steals my breath.
"Thank you," she says softly, avoiding my stare.
I fumble for words but manage to reply that it was nothing—just helping someone in trouble. She smiles faintly and scans me from head to toe before locking eyes with me again. "You don't mind that I'm an elf?"
I shake my head. Back in my world, elves are myths—just characters in games or movies. But here, they're real. And honestly? She's stunning. She doesn't look dangerous at all. Just gentle, kind—the kind of person who'd never hurt a soul. There's a calm in her presence that makes me lower my guard before I even realize it.
"I'm Stela," she says, offering her hand.
Her skin is warm and soft, a rich cinnamon tone that contrasts beautifully with her silver hair. I take it. "Renkko. Human. From… elsewhere."
She smiles. A faint blush colors her cheeks—so genuine it makes me forget, for a heartbeat, that I'm in another world. But I have a clear goal: defeat the Demon King and return home. I hope everything's still the same back in Japan.
So I need to keep moving, grow stronger, and prepare to face the Demon King.
"I should go—but it was a pleasure," I tell Stela, releasing her hand. I turn toward the city gate, but she stops me.
"Where are you headed, then?" she asks, a small smile playing on her lips.
I hesitate. I don't have a real destination, and saying I'm off to kill the Demon King would sound wildly overconfident. I've got a long road ahead before I'm ready for that. "To level up. Get stronger," I settle on. It's the most honest answer I can give right now.
Stela closes her eyes, as if weighing something. After a moment, she looks at me and says, "You could go to Vael Forest. There are dangerous beasts there—but you'll level up quickly."
Vael Forest… I think that's where I went my first time grinding, though I didn't go far. Not a bad idea. The real problem is what comes after—how I'll ever stand a chance against a boss as powerful as the Demon King.
"And if you want better gear," Stela adds, almost as if reading my mind, "you could head to Marisport."
That actually sounds solid. After all, in every RPG, you need to upgrade your equipment—not just your level. (Though I guess speedrunners skip all that… but I'm no speedrunner.)
Perfect. Only one problem: I have no idea how to get to Marisport. I could ask Stela for help—but I'm not sure she'd want to come along. She probably has better things to do.
"Do you know the way to Marisport?" I ask.
"Of course. I can take you. It's on the path through Vael Forest," she replies.
I don't think she needs to come with me—but I'm not sure how to say that without sounding rude.
"I'm a powerful mage," Stela adds, her voice steady and sure. "Don't worry about me."
Her answer is so simple, so honest, that I can't refuse. And just like that, we're both heading toward Vael Forest—to cross it and reach the port city on the other side.
The trail narrows between trees whose roots claw up from the earth like twisted fingers. The air smells of damp moss and something sweet—almost like burnt caramel. We walk in silence at first, golden shafts of sunlight drifting through the leaves, shifting with the wind. I realize I haven't breathed this deeply since I arrived.
Stela walks a few paces ahead, her black cloak fluttering softly. Every now and then, she stops to touch a wildflower or watch a bird. She doesn't look like a spy for the Demon King. She looks like someone who loves this world more than I ever could—someone who actually sees it. I wonder if the Demon King protects these small, quiet things too. The thought unsettles me—what it might mean for why I'm really here.
As we walk, I ask Stela why there's so much hatred toward elves—and whether it's true they all serve the Demon King. She takes a few seconds to answer, as if choosing her words carefully or wondering why I don't understand this systemic prejudice.
But all she says is: "Humans took our lands. We sought a better future. The Demon King gave us a chance—and fertile ground to live on."
It sounds strange. If that's true… why do they hate the Demon King so much? And why was I summoned to kill him?
"That doesn't really answer my question…" I press, trying to dispel doubt—or maybe create more. "But the Demon King is evil, right?"
"To humans, yes," Stela says, quickening her pace slightly. "But I—"
Before she can finish, a pack of wolves—each as big as a carriage—emerges ahead of us. I draw my sword and charge. The fight is brutal. Five massive wolves, their thick fur and hide barely yielding to my blade.
My arms burn with every swing. These aren't just beasts—they're cursed. Their eyes glow with a sickly green light, and their growls vibrate in my bones like distant thunder. One lurches, jaws snapping inches from my throat. I taste copper—blood or fear, I don't know.
I grit my teeth and unleash one of my skills:
[Inferno Blaze]
A torrent of fire erupts from my hand, incinerating two of the beasts. As I ready another spell, Stela hurls a fireball of her own—deep blue, searing—and reduces the remaining wolves to ash.
My arms tremble with exhaustion. The acrid stench of burnt fur fills the air.
I sheathe my sword and turn to her. "That was incredible."
She smiles. I don't think Stela's evil. I may not understand how this world works, but I think I can trust her.
And then, the screen before me flares to life with new updates—and something very interesting:
[Level Up – Level 15]
[New Skill: Hellfire Orb, Skill Amplifier]
[New Class Unlocked]
[Promoted: Summoned Hero → World's Hero]
[World's Hero – Level 15]
What does "World's Hero" even mean? Maybe it's tied to a hidden quest—or just a leveling milestone. I'll figure it out later. For now, I hope I can level up faster in the future. But we should keep moving. I hope the journey isn't too long—I want to get back to Japan soon. but for now, the road ahead feels less like a duty and more like... something worth walking."
We walk a while longer in silence. The forest thins, and strips of blue sky break through the canopy. Stela hums a wordless melody, soft as wind chimes. I don't ask what it is. I just listen—and for the first time since arriving, I don't think about levels, the Demon King, or going home. I only think of her voice… and how, suddenly, this world doesn't feel so hostile.
I turn to Stela. She's waiting for me, eyes bright, a gentle smile on her lips, ready to continue our journey to the port city. A breeze lifts a strand of her silver hair, and I resist the urge to tuck it behind her ear. I'm eager to see what awaits us there—and what new wonders this world might reveal.
For now, I have a travel companion. And I hope she stays with me for a long, long time.